The corners of Wei Shutong's eyes twitched, and he cupped his hands and said: "Master Hou, my loyalty to the imperial court can be demonstrated in the sky." After thinking about it for a while, he still whispered: "I also ask Master Hou to tell me that as long as the emperor has a decree, I will be loyal to the imperial court." Officials will be smashed to pieces without hesitation."
"If you are talented, the emperor will not let you be broken into pieces." Qi Ning said with a smile: "Master Wei also knows that the emperor has just ascended the throne, which is the time to employ people." After a pause, he said softly: "But then again , New king, new atmosphere, the emperor is a promising king, sage and wise, if you are really loyal to the emperor, the emperor will naturally be of great help."
"Yes, yes!" Wei Shutong said quickly.
Qi Ning then said: "Master Wei, what do you think we should do next? Bai Tangling is safe and sound, and he has revealed the inside story to you. Heiyan Cave was wrongly accused. Should we still station troops and besiege him?"
Wei Shutong thought for a moment and then said: "Master Marquis, I will order the withdrawal of troops immediately."
"That's it." Qi Ning said with a smile: "Thousands of soldiers and horses stay here, how much food will be consumed every day. You also know that not long after the war between us and the Northern Han people in Qinhuai ended, the national treasury was empty. At this time, Wei Wei As a high-ranking official, your Excellency should think more about the court and relieve the Emperor's worries."
Wei Shutong was secretly surprised when he saw that Qining was young and had a green face, but spoke very old-fashionedly.
Bai Tangling came down the mountain safely and explained in public that Heiyan Cave had been wronged, and since Lord Jinyi was present, Wei Shutong naturally couldn't keep his troops stationed here.
It's just that two thousand officers and soldiers were stationed at various strategic points in the Black Rock Cave, but they couldn't immediately evacuate with just one order. Wei Shutong called the captain Yue Qianliang and gave the orders for a long time before he came over and said: "Master Hou, I'm going to lower my rank. I have already ordered that all the two thousand soldiers and horses besieging Heiyan Ridge must be evacuated within two days. Lord Marquis, rest assured, since Heiyan Cave was wrongly accused, I will definitely clear their innocence."
When Bayeli heard Wei Shutong's order to withdraw his troops, he felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief, but Qing Ning was extremely grateful.
If Qi Ning fails to come on time, the two sides will naturally continue to be in a stalemate.
There has been a serious problem with the food and grass in Heiyan Ridge. If the siege continues for another ten days, people on the mountain will inevitably starve to death. In less than a month, Heiyan Ridge will probably collapse without any attack.
It was just that Ya Gan and several other Miao people were brutally killed by Li Yuan, the prince of Shu. All the Miao people were filled with grief and anger. However, Li Yuan was the son of King Shu and his arms could not twist his thigh. Although they were filled with hatred, they did not know how to get rid of this for a while. A blood debt.
"Master Hou, it's getting late. Please go to Danba County to rest for one night." Wei Shutong said respectfully: "Early tomorrow morning, we will set off for Chengdu. Master Hou is here on orders and always wants to see Chengdu. You see, I’ll let my subordinates show off their friendship as landlords.”
Qi Ning smiled and said: "The friendship of the landlord is fine, but Li Yuan killed innocent people indiscriminately, and the debt cannot be settled in vain. I want to see the King of Shu and see what he says."
Although the siege of the Black Rock Cave was solved, which could be regarded as completing the little emperor's instructions, Qining knew in his heart that the true veil of this incident had not been revealed at all.
The two weirdos who chased Eve along the way were the real culprit behind the Cangxi Miao Village who instigated Langchadulu to kill the Miao King, the real culprit who assassinated Bai Tangling and framed Heiyan Cave, and even instigated an actor to pretend to be the treasure-bearer of Jin Yihou. Boy, the series of characters behind this form a dark curtain.
Qi Ning knew that once this dark curtain was uncovered, the truth hidden behind it would be horrifying.
However, this force has formed a huge and tight network in Xichuan, and Qi Ning is just looking at it in the fog, unable to understand the truth.
He knew in his heart that since this net was opened, the Black Cave incident was just the beginning. This failure did not mean that this force would disappear. On the contrary, this failure was likely to make this force's next plan even more difficult. Fierce and more cautious.
The two whispered for a while, and then Qining walked over to Bayeli and said with a smile: "Cave Master, I want to go to Chengdu Mansion. Lord Wei has ordered the withdrawal of troops. I will come back to see you when I am back in Chengdu. "
Bayeli saluted and said: "The Marquis' great kindness to Heiyan Cave, Bayeli will never forget it."
"It's the government's fault that you have been wronged. I am the Marquis of the imperial court. I was sent by the emperor to find out the truth of the matter." Qi Ning smiled and said: "This time you have been wronged and I have to clear your name." It's a matter of course." He looked at Bai Yali behind Baye Li and said with a smile: "Baiya Li, please tell King Damiao that if I have time, I will go and pay him a visit."
Bai Yali immediately saluted and said, "I will definitely bring the Marquis's words."
Qining then looked at Eve and said softly: "Take care of yourself, I will come back to see you soon."
Eve's cheeks were slightly red. The matter between her and Qining had not been known to others yet, and she didn't know whether she should explain it to Bayali. She was a little shy when she saw Qining talking softly to her in public. Bayali was a little embarrassed when he saw the officers and soldiers. He moved closer and whispered: "Master Hou, be careful when you go to Chengdu Mansion."
"oh?"
"You just taught Li Yuan a lesson, and you also killed two of his guards. Li Yuan will never let it go." Bayeli was quite worried. He glanced at Wei Shutong, who was deep in thought not far away, and added He lowered his voice and said: "Mr. Hou, Bayeli can tell you what you want to say. Master Wei seems to be of the same mind as Mr. Hou. When you arrive in Chengdu, Mr. Hou, there are not many people around you, so...!"
Qi Ning smiled and said: "Thank you Cave Master for your concern. But you don't have to worry, Jin Yihou is not just a sign."
Bayeli thought for a while and then said: "Eve, I can't leave until the officers and soldiers have withdrawn. You can bring a few brothers to protect the Marquis."
Eve immediately said: "Yes, brother."
Qi Ning wanted to dissuade her. After all, the good or bad of this trip to Chengdu was uncertain, and it might involve Eve. However, seeing a trace of joy on Eve's eyebrows, he could only smile and said: "That's fine, Eve, you can follow me." You might as well go to Chengdu Mansion and take a look."
It was getting late, so the group did not delay. Bayeli took everyone back to the mountain, while Wei Shutong dispatched a team of people to escort Qining to Danba County.
Eve led several Miao Han people to follow Qining.
As the magistrate of Danba County, Bai Tangling escaped from death and returned to the county seat with a lot of emotions. Since the news of his death came out, the position of Danba County Magistrate has been vacant, and the county prime minister is in charge of affairs. Bai Tangling suddenly returned, and everyone was shocked. It was a big surprise.
Everyone rested for the night in Danba County and set off for Chengdu Fucheng early the next morning.
Chengdu Prefecture is located in the hinterland of the Xichuan Chengdu Plain. It has flat terrain, criss-crossing river networks, rich products, and developed agriculture. It has been known as the Land of Abundance since ancient times.
As we were about to arrive in Chengdu that day, we heard a flying horse galloping in front of us, and a cavalryman reported: "The King of Shu is here to greet the Marquis!"
Wei Shutong and Qining were both a little stunned.
Li Hongxin, the king of Shu, is a prince, and although Qining is a marquis of Jinyi, one of the four major marquises in the empire, he is only a marquis after all. In terms of title, Qining is two ranks lower than Li Hongxin, although in fact, the marquis of Jinyi is The actual status of the Chu Kingdom is much higher than that of the King of Shu, but as a prince, Li Hongxin went out of the city to welcome him, which is really surprising.
Everyone urged their horses forward, and not far from the city, they saw groups of soldiers with bright armor, riding tall horses, galloping in front of them. They all dismounted and lined up on both sides. Amidst the sound of the horn, only one person was seen riding a horse, ten meters away. A few steps away, the man got off his horse and stepped forward quickly. Before he could get closer, laughter could already be heard: "Where is Jin Yihou?"
Qi Ning had also dismounted and walked towards him with a smile on his face. He saw the man with a majestic body and a Chinese character face. The bun on his head was black and white, with more white hair and less black hair. He looked quite young. , but walking vigorously and striding forward with a high attitude.
Qining knew that Shu King Li Hongxin was only in his early fifties at most, but he didn't want to have gray hair. If he hadn't seen him walking like a tiger and a dragon, at first glance, he would have looked like an old man in his sixties or seventies. He couldn't help but sneer in his heart, secretly Thinking about how majestic Li Hongxin was when he dominated Xichuan, and later surrendered to Dachu, and the court sent people to monitor him, it seems that the prince's life has not been very comfortable in recent years. No wonder Hua Fa happened early.
However, Qi Ning also knew that this man was not timid when facing the 100,000 Chu army commanded by the old marquis in Jinyi. He mobilized his troops and generals, dispersed his family wealth, and led the troops to fight a tough battle with the Chu army. Although Chu The army finally won, but it also lost troops and generals.
At that time, Li Hongxin was only in his thirties, but he was able to lead troops to fight against the Chu army. Although he was very courageous, he was definitely not weak in ability.
Compared with Li Yuan's arrogant and spoiled appearance, Li Hongxin looks more like a brave soldier.
Amidst the laughter, King Li Hongxin of Shu has already stepped forward. Qining knew in his heart that the other party was a prince, and he was lower than him in the title. When they met at this time, he still had to pretend to salute, cursing secretly in his heart, but made an expression on his face. With a respectful look, he was about to salute, but Li Hongxin had already stepped forward to hold Qining's arm and said with a smile: "You don't have to be so polite. The Marquis has come a long way and it has been a hard journey. When I learned that the Marquis is coming to Chengdu today, I have been there for a long time. Wait here."
"Your Majesty has condescended to come to greet you. This junior is really ashamed!" Qining looked humble.
Li Hongxin raised his hand and patted Qining's shoulder, and said with a smile: "Your Jinyi Qi family and my Li family are both from the military, so there is no need to be too fussy about those false etiquette."
The force he slapped on Qining's shoulder was neither light nor heavy. Qining sneered in his heart, thinking to himself that if you dare to take the opportunity to harm me, I will immediately use Liuhe Magic to suck you dry.
Wei Shutong also came forward at this moment, cupped his hands and said: "I have met the prince!"
"Master Wei, thank you for your hard work." Li Hongxin said with a smile: "I have received the news about the matter over there. Bai Tangling is not dead, so he wrongly blamed Heiyan Cave. This is our fault. If the Marquis hadn't come to investigate this time, To clarify the truth, I’m afraid we will make even bigger mistakes.”
Wei Shutong immediately said: "What the prince said is absolutely true. Fortunately, the prince saw everything clearly this time, so we didn't make a mistake in killing the good guy." As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a sneer from someone behind him, it was Eve.
"That's not right." Qi Ning shook his head and said with a smile, "Mr. Wei, have you forgotten that you saw with your own eyes that at least two lives were unjustly killed?"
Li Hongxin already said: "Someone, bring him up!"
Then I saw two people coming from behind, carrying a wooden board. On the wooden board, there was a person lying on the wooden board. He looked like he was dying. It was Li Yuan, the eldest son of the King of Shu.