Bai Shenghao nodded and said: "The other party also appeared on time, but he concealed it very well. We were worried about being discovered, so we didn't get too close. The distance was a bit far and we couldn't see clearly what the person looked like. When the person appeared, he really had something in his hand. A lantern with the agreed upon symbols on it too.”
"The gray crow followed that man?"
"Yes." Bai Shenghao said: "After meeting the head, the man seemed to say something to Gray Crow, but the voice was very soft and we couldn't understand it. Then the man walked in front holding a lantern, and Gray Crow followed behind. .”
"Where did they go?"
Bai Shenghao's expression became more solemn and he whispered: "A few of us followed from a distance and were very careful. We originally kept them within sight, but that man was very careful and was very good at getting rid of tracking. I didn't know that he had discovered it. It’s better to be cautious, so we went back and forth twice near the entrance of Miaotang West Street, and one of us followed them, but suddenly, there was no trace of them.”
"No trace?"
Bai Shenghao said with shame: "Master Hou, it's our incompetence. Originally we thought we had targeted them, but... they still escaped. After they disappeared, we searched nearby for half the night. The two brothers we brought with us were also very good at tracking. But there is no trace of them left at all.”
Qi Ning saw Bai Shenghao blaming himself and said with a smile: "Master Bai, since the other party has planned carefully, he must be careful in everything, so you don't have to blame yourself."
"Master Marquis, the emperor's wedding is coming soon, and the Shadow Mouse gathered in the capital at this time." Bai Shenghao lowered his voice and said, "I don't know if these two things are involved."
"Master Bai thinks that Shadow Mouse's visit to the capital has something to do with the emperor's wedding?" Qi Ning asked immediately.
Bai Shenghao said: "Bai is just guessing and cannot be sure."
Qi Ning nodded slightly, thoughtfully, pondered for a moment, and then asked: "Master Bai, let's make a hypothesis. If these shadow rats coming to Beijing are indeed related to the emperor's wedding, what do you think they will do? What? Are you going to ruin the emperor's wedding? Or are you taking advantage of the emperor's wedding to create chaos in the capital? "
Bai Shenghao shook his head and said: "It is indeed unpredictable. However, in the past few days, both the Tiger God Camp and the Kyoto Prefecture Yamen have strengthened patrols in the capital. In addition, people from the Shenhou Prefecture often show up in the streets and alleys. The court obviously I am also worried that someone will cause chaos in the capital during the emperor's wedding, so I have already made preparations." After a pause, he said with a little disdain: "Master Marquis, with all due respect, if they are just some shadow rats, just rely on their If you want to cause a big mess in the capital, I’m afraid I’m not that capable yet.”
Qi Ning actually knew very well that if there were just a group of shadow rats lurking in the capital, it would actually be impossible to cause huge waves. After all, this was the heart of the empire, and the garrison was extremely tight. A few shadow rats would only be exposed in the capital. First of all, I'm afraid it can be extinguished in an instant.
He was just worried that these shadow rats were nothing more than part of a conspiracy. The thought of the previous epidemic in the capital still made people feel frightened. Those people were cruel and cruel, and it was really difficult to guess their next plan.
Bai Shenghao saw that Qi Ning was thoughtful, thought for a moment, and then said: "Master Hou, in the final analysis, the biggest skill of the Shadow Mouse is assassination. The purpose of summoning the Shadow Mouse is obviously to assassinate. We just need to understand this group of people." The target of the assassination can be prepared early." After a pause, he continued: "If you just assassinate ordinary officials, although it will cause the capital to panic, it will not cause too much trouble, and from the efforts Duan Qingchen and the others have made, Judging from the rewards, the targets of the Shadow Rats are definitely not ordinary officials."
Qi Ning nodded slightly and said: "I have also thought about this. If they just want to assassinate a few officials and put the capital into panic, they don't actually have to go to great lengths. I am just wondering now, who is their target?"
"I guess it cannot be someone from the palace." Bai Shenghao said: "Although the Ying Mouse collector kills people and does not ask who the assassination target is, but according to my understanding of the Ying Mouse, some people are not Those who dare to take action. For example, they dare not touch the Grand Master. In addition, they have never dared to provoke the people in the palace. There are many guards around the emperor and the defense is tight. The Shadow Mouse should not target the Yellow Emperor."
"Besides the emperor, do you think anyone else in the capital has such a price?" Qining asked.
Bai Shenghao hesitated for a moment and then whispered: "Master Hou, let me say something that shouldn't be said. Among the hundreds of officials in the capital, there are only a few people worth that price." He stared at Qining and said: "The four hereditary Hou may be in this category, and the King of Huainan is naturally worth this price."
Qi Ning frowned and said, "Do you think Ying Mouse's goal will be after his internship with the Four Majors or even the King of Huainan?"
"My lord, you must never forget someone." Bai Shenghao said sternly: "I have been thinking about it these past two days and there is a person who is likely to be the target of those shadow rats."
An idea flashed in Qi Ning's mind, and he immediately thought: "You are talking about... is it the Crown Prince of Dong Qi?"
Bai Shenghao nodded and said: "It turns out that the Marquis has also thought of it. Yes, after much thought, Prince Dong Qi is probably the target of Shadow Mouse's assassination."
At this time, Qi Ning vaguely felt that Bai Shenghao's conjecture was indeed very possible.
"Although there are many guards around the Crown Prince of Dong Qi, they cannot be compared with the emperor after all. If those people arrange carefully, they may not be unable to find an opportunity to assassinate the Crown Prince of Dong Qi." Bai Shenghao looked grim: "In the capital of Chu State, if you want to destroy The emperor's wedding is as difficult as going to heaven, and the Ying Mouse's strength is limited. They may be able to do some sneaky things, but if they really want to show off, they are simply vulnerable. As long as a person from the yamen of the Shenhou Mansion is dispatched, Then there will be no trace of that group of shadow rats left."
"So I have been very careful here so as not to alarm them and make them change their plans, which will make it more difficult to deal with." Qi Ning also looked grim.
Bai Shenghao said: "If you want to ruin this wedding, you won't be able to go directly to the emperor. The last way is to attack the crown prince of Dong Qi."
Qi Ning nodded slightly: "If the crown prince of Dong Qi is assassinated in the Chu Kingdom, then the marriage relationship between the two countries will naturally come to an end, and they will immediately become mortal enemies."
"Yes." Bai Shenghao said: "So if the purpose of that group is to ruin the wedding, the situation of the Crown Prince of Dong Qi will be very dangerous." He said softly: "Master Hou, do you want to inform the Lord of the Marquis in private about this matter? On the other side, let the Shenhou Mansion protect the Prince of Dong Qi to prevent the Shadow Mouse from succeeding."
Qi Ning said: "Actually, after the Crown Prince of Dong Qi entered the territory of Chu State, this place was on full alert, and the Shenhou Mansion must have been secretly protecting the Crown Prince of Dong Qi." After thinking about it, he said: "The same is true for the Crown Prince of Dong Qi. There are many masters, and there is also the protection of Chu State, it is not easy to get in touch with Prince Dong Qi. I am only worried now, if the other party’s target is not Prince Dong Qi, and we focus all our attention on Prince Dong Qi , but instead allowed that group of people to take advantage of the situation elsewhere."
Bai Shenghao nodded slightly. Qi Ning thought for a moment and then said: "To stop their conspiracy, the best way is not to defend, but to find out what they are going to do. Now I only hope that Gray Crow can bring us Good news, even if there is no news from Gray Crow, we must try to find the whereabouts of this gang.”
"Master Marquis, do you think Gray Crow has betrayed us?" Bai Shenghao asked.
Qining thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "Although I don't have much contact with this person, I think he is indeed a person who keeps his word. The most important thing is that he took the pill. If he betrays us, he will be seeking death. He He is just a shadow rat, and he will never sacrifice himself for Duan Qingchen and his gang." He lightly scratched his cheek with his thumb, and then whispered: "Gray Crow should not betray us, but he must be closely monitored now. So I couldn’t find the opportunity to contact us at the moment.”
"What you are saying is that the gray crow may be looking for an opportunity to tip us off?" Bai Shenghao asked.
Qi Ning nodded and said: "This operation was carefully planned, and they were extremely careful in connecting. If my guess is correct, the shadow rats they summoned should have gathered together by this time, and were ready to take action. But before taking action, Duan Qingchen They must be worried that the shadow mice will leak information if they act without authorization, so they will strictly control those shadow mice during the period before the action." After thinking for a while, he said: "Master Bai, do you have an agreement with Gray Crow to meet up? The location?”
Bai Shenghao immediately said: "Yes, there is a secluded house nearby. I have always sent people to guard there, just in case the gray crow really comes over and no one responds."
"Okay." Qining said: "Master Bai, I want you to help me. Isn't it convenient?"
Bai Shenghao smiled and said: "Master Hou, please don't say such things. We can't repay your kindness to my Beggar Gang. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid there wouldn't be a few people left in the Ghost Golden Sheep Division. It would have been already In name only, the lives of all the brothers are given by you. If you have any orders, just tell us, as long as we can do it, we will never refuse."
Qi Ning smiled slightly and then said: "You and Gray Crow agree on a meeting place and arrange the manpower. If Gray Crow really comes, that's all. If anyone else comes over, catch him immediately and never let him run away. . In addition, you can find some reliable brothers to secretly help me search for traces of those shadow rats and see if you can find any clues."
"Don't worry, Lord Marquis, I will arrange these things immediately." Bai Shenghao said: "But if the Shadow Mouse hides before taking action, it will not be easy to find them."
Qi Ning said: "Just do your best." After thinking for a moment, he said: "Also, the emperor will drive to the imperial mausoleum tomorrow. The prince of Dong Qi is from Dong Qi, so naturally he will not follow him to worship Chu. The imperial mausoleum should stay in the capital. He is now living in the official post of the foreign envoy. You beggars will also send some people to keep an eye on the post tomorrow to see if there are any other people approaching the post. If they are found If something goes wrong, there is no need for the Beggar Clan to come forward and they can secretly inform the Tiger God Camp."
Bai Shenghao cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Hou, I will definitely make arrangements."
Qi Ning raised his hand and patted Bai Shenghao's arm, then raised his head slightly, already feeling that a storm was about to hit.