At dawn, Qining had already left Huize City.
The emperor summoned him urgently, so Qi Ning naturally did not delay. He ordered a carriage to be prepared, and Duan Shao rode in. Although the prince's country was ruined and his family was ruined, Qi Ning took good care of him before Long Tai issued an order.
Last night, Shentu Luo finally wrote the letter persuading him to surrender. After Qi Ning left, he opened it and read it. It was indeed a genuine letter persuading him to surrender. It explained Duan Shao's situation in detail and was also a persuasion for Duan Shao. If his safety was in danger, he could only stop fighting, and suggested that Linghu Xu either ask the soldiers to abandon their weapons and return home, or send people to the Qinhuai Army to discuss how to surrender.
Qining was sure that there was nothing wrong with the letter, so he sent someone to send the letter to Puyang overnight.
Three Hundred Yulin led by Chi Fengdian were waiting outside the south gate of the county. They were fully equipped and their armors were polished. After meeting Qining, there were soldiers guarding Duan Shao's carriage, and the group set off towards the capital.
In addition to Qu Xiaocang and Yan Lingxian from the Shenhou Mansion, eight other officials from the Shenhou Mansion came with them, and these people were always following Qining.
The military rations had been transported across the Huaihe River, so the importance of Huize City was naturally greatly reduced. Before leaving, Qi Ning told Han Yu and Moventu a few words. They both knew that the Duke of Guo must have something urgent to return to the capital and leave the city. They saw each other off and waited until the large group of people set off before returning to the city.
As for Ruo Feichan's secret ninja, Qi Ning naturally has not forgotten that this time they were able to clear the Huai River and grain roads. To be fair, these secret ninjas put in a lot of effort and made a great contribution.
The Feichan secret ninja is like a sharp dagger. If it can be used properly, it is indeed a very useful force. But of course Qining will not bring these secret ninjas with him blatantly. Since they are ninjas in the dark night , they should continue to stay in the darkness. Last night, Qi Ning secretly summoned Feichan Xiaotaro and ordered him to take Feichan Miren to the capital on his own. They agreed on a meeting place, thinking that after returning to Beijing, he could bring this gang together. The existence of human beings informed the little emperor in detail on how to place these secret ninjas, and the decision would be made after discussing with the little emperor.
Thinking about it carefully, it has been nearly half a year since he left the capital. Too many things have happened, and they are all too cruel. Qining is very willing to return to the capital, feel the warmth of his wife, and even feel the charming charm of Sanniang, forgetting himself The bloody storm we have experienced is life and death.
The team's journey was naturally smooth.
The Three Hundred Yulin armors are distinctive, and there are not many soldiers and horses who can freely enter and exit the capital area. The Black Blade and Black Scale Second Battalion is permanently stationed around the capital, and the Xuanwu Battalion is the main force guarding the capital. Since the Xuanwu Battalion was established, Xuanwu Battalion has The battalion has never been transferred out of the capital.
Any local soldiers and horses who have not obtained the emperor's will are not allowed to enter the territory of the capital, otherwise they will be punished for treason.
Therefore, in the land under the capital, only the Yulin camp can march freely and openly. No one along the way dares to approach these soldiers and horses from the capital who are full of murderous aura.
After dark, the team stopped and set up camp by a lake.
Although Qu Xiaocang and others in the Shenhou Mansion were each equipped with a horse, Three Hundred Yulin only had thirty cavalrymen, and the remaining soldiers were walking on foot.
The Habayashi Camp is a royal guard horse. Although the empire is superior in terms of pay and equipment, the Habayashi Camp is not equipped with many horses.
The Yulin Battalion's duty is to guard the imperial city, and it is not a cavalry unit from the beginning.
The most scarce thing in Chu State is war horses.
Before the Chu Army's Northern Expedition, a large number of war horses were transported to the front line where a large number of materials were transported. Not only the Yulin Camp, which did not have many war horses, even the Xuanwu Camp also had many war horses transferred to the front line.
Although these Yulin elite soldiers were full of physical strength, they had set out early in the morning without stopping along the way. They had walked for a whole day, and they were still somewhat tired at this moment.
After Chi Fengdian asked Qining for instructions, he found this lake to camp and rest temporarily.
Qining's camp was in the middle, and the Yulin camp was surrounded by Qining's tent, with Qining's tent as the center, while Duan Shao and Shentu Luo had their own guards arranged by Chi Fengdian.
After using the rations delivered by Chi Fengdian himself, he heard Xuanyuan Po's voice outside the tent. After Qining let Xuanyuan Po into the tent, he saw Xuanyuan Po's serious expression and asked, "What happened?"
"No." Xuanyuan Po said softly: "My lord, I was just wondering whether I should tell my junior sister the news of Shen Hou's passing!"
"Oh?" Qi Ning asked, "Zhan Ying doesn't know the news yet?"
Xuanyuan Po sighed: "I asked the second junior brother about the situation on the way. The body of Shenhou has been cremated, and the ashes have not been buried yet. The Lord's intention is to wait until the Northern Expedition is successful before holding a grand funeral for Shenhou. Now I know that Shenhou Very few people had news of Hou's death. After the fifth junior brother brought Shen Hou's body back to the capital, only the second senior brother knew about it. The second senior brother reported the matter to the Holy One. The Holy One ordered that he be cremated and kept for the time being. As for the younger junior sister, go to We don’t know about this yet.”
Qi Ning pondered for a moment and then said: "Since the Holy One is determined to conceal this matter for the time being, we don't have to tell Zhan Ying the truth at this time. We will talk about it later depending on the situation."
"After returning to the capital, if Zhan Ying asks, she can only say that the Lord Shen has left the capital and traveled around." Xuanyuan said: "The Lord Shen used to go out for a long time, but in recent years he has rarely left the capital. I don't know what to say. Does Zhan Ying believe it?"
Qi Ning said: "Let me explain this to Zhan Ying. She has a deep relationship with Shenhou's father and daughter. If she knew that Shenhou passed away, I'm afraid...!" He shook his head and sighed.
"Besides, after returning to the capital, do you want to report the matter of Ksitigarbha to the Holy One?" Xuanyuan Po took out a piece of silk cloth from his arms and spread it out: "This is the map drawn by my subordinates, which marks the location of Yegui Ridge. Then It is Ksitigarbha’s lair, and these demons and monsters must eradicate it.”
Qi Ning nodded and said: "Of course I want to report it to the Holy One. The Holy One...!" Before he finished speaking, he suddenly felt the light around him suddenly rising. He was a little surprised. Through the tent, it seemed that there were firelight everywhere outside. He suddenly felt that something was strange and stood up. Before he could say anything, he noticed that the tent was shaking violently, as if something had hit the tent.
Xuanyuan Po was also surprised. In just a moment, the tent was already burning. Qining could already see that countless torches were hitting the tent from all directions.
"Get out!" Qi Ning shouted. Xuanyuan Po reacted quickly, turned around and rushed out of the tent. As soon as he rushed out of the tent, he saw Qu Xiaocang leading people to greet him. People were flashing in the camp, and Xuanyuan Po was sinking. He asked in a voice: "Second Junior Brother, what happened?"
"Elder brother, Yulin Camp... Yulin Camp has rebelled!" Qu Xiaocang said sharply: "Let's leave quickly!"
At this time, Qi Ning had also rushed out of the tent. He glanced around and saw Yulin soldiers from all directions. All Yulin soldiers were holding guns and knives, and they were actually surrounding him.
Qi Ning was horrified, never expecting such a change to occur, and said sternly: "Where is Chi Fengdian?"
"The humble general is here!" Hearing the voice coming from the left, Qining turned his head and looked over, only to see Chi Fengdian coming out of the crowd holding a big sword. Under the firelight, the armor was cold, and Chi Fengdian's eyes were like blades. He stared at Qining and said, "I wonder what the Duke has to say?"
When Qi Ning heard that Chi Fengdian's tone was wrong, he immediately understood something and sneered: "Whose orders did you receive?"
"Of course it is the emperor's will." Chi Fengdian said solemnly: "The Protector Qining conspired to treason, and the Yulin Camp was ordered to kill the treason!"
"Treason?" Before Qi Ning could say anything, Xuanyuan Po had already laughed and said, "Chi Fengdian, there are indeed people who are treasonous, but the treasonous person is you, Chi Fengdian, you...!" Before he could finish his words, he felt something in his heart. Feeling a sharp pain, he lowered his head, only to see a sharp blade piercing his back, piercing his heart, and emerging from his chest.
Xuanyuan Po had a look of disbelief on his face, Qining turned his head and looked over, also horrified, but out of the corner of his eye he had already seen that it was Qu Xiaocang who stabbed Xuanyuan's body from behind with a knife.
Qu Xiaocang pierced Xuanyuan's body with a knife from behind. Apparently he was worried that Xuanyuan Po would retaliate on the verge of death, so he dodged away, but his face was extremely solemn and his hands were shaking violently.
Xuanyuan Po took a step forward, but his body shook, staggered, and almost fell. Qining stretched out his hand to hold his arm. Xuanyuan Po raised his head, not looking at Qu Xiaocang, but asked with all his strength: "Why... why?" ?”
Xuanyuan Po has worshiped Ximen Wuhen as his disciple since he was a child. Although the Big Dipper Seven Stars are all Ximen Wuhen's disciples, Xuanyuan Po is the only one who has truly received the true inheritance of Ximen Wuhen.
Although several others, including Qu Xiaocang, occasionally received guidance from Ximen Wuhen, it was Xuanyuan Po, the senior brother, who actually taught them martial arts.
Xuanyuan Po is Qu Xiaocang's senior brother in name, but in fact he is Qu Xiaocang's real master.
Among the Big Dipper, Qu Xiaocang has always had the most sincere temperament and open-mindedness, yet he is cautious and prudent in doing things. He is not only highly valued by Ximen Wuhen, but also deeply liked by Xuanyuan Po.
Xuanyuan Po never expected that it would be his most trusted second junior brother who would deliver a fatal blow to him today.
"It is hard to disobey the emperor's order...!" Qu Xiaocang suddenly knelt down on the ground, his voice trembling slightly: "Elder brother, the Holy One has decreed that Xuanyuan Po colluded with foreign countries and ordered the Shenhou Mansion to clean up its doors!"
Yan Lingxian and other officials in the Shenhou Mansion all lowered their heads. When they saw Qu Xiaocang kneeling on the ground, they all knelt down behind Qu Xiaocang. No one dared to raise their head to look at Xuanyuan Po again.
"It turns out... it turns out to be a trap...!" Xuanyuan Po finally understood at this time, and said in a deep voice: "My lord... let's go...!" He pushed Qining away suddenly, but he targeted Chi Fengdian and fiercely With a shout, he rushed towards Chi Fengdian.