"Dead?" Qi Ning was startled: "Does the Duke have any solid evidence?"
Sima Lan smiled lightly and said: "If there was really conclusive evidence that Beitang Huanye was dead, the current situation would not be what it is now."
Qi Ning nodded slightly, understanding what Sima Lan said.
"Beitang Zhao and Beitang Hao are definitely incompatible." Sima Lan said solemnly: "When Beitang Huan died, both of them were in Luoyang, but in comparison, Beitang Hao's strength in Luoyang was far stronger than that of Beitang Hao. Tang Zhao, according to reliable information, Beitang Hao immediately received the support of many people after Beitang Huan's death. He wanted to get rid of Beitang Feng and Beitang Zhao who threatened him, and then firmly inherit the throne. "
Although Qi Ning was in tit-for-tat with the Sima family, they were at least on the same front when facing the Northern Han Dynasty. He said: "Beitang Feng was worried about being hunted down when he was in Dong Qi, and it seems that he was indeed hunted down after that." He hit the spot without saying much about the specific details.
Sima Lan nodded and said: "If the news is correct, the person who is chasing Beitang Feng should be Beitang Hao. Beitang Hao sent people to assassinate Beitang Feng. Over there in Luoyang, it is said that he laid a trap to kill Beitang Zhao, but Beitang Zhao was very cunning, and he used some method to escape from Luoyang, and then disappeared without a trace. I just found out a while ago that Beitang Hao went to Northern Xinjiang and won the support of the Northern Xinjiang border army."
Qi Ning did eavesdrop on some information about the two princes from Beitang Feng. It is said that Beitang Zhao had experienced in the Northern Border Army and even made military exploits. This person should have maintained a good relationship with the border army. relationship, and Beitang Hao is good at winning over the ministers of the DPRK and China, fighting each other tit for tat.
"Beitang Zhao escaped. Whether it was for personal enmity or for the throne, he must have a showdown with Beitang Hao." Qi Ning said thoughtfully: "Does the Duke have any news about Beitang Feng?"
He felt a little strange. Based on the time calculation, if Beitangfeng went well, he should have arrived in Xianyang. With two masters, Vulcan Lord and Bai Yuhe, guarding him, no one should be able to stop him on the way.
With Beitangfeng's temperament, once he arrived in Xianyang, he would immediately ask Qu Yuangu to lead his troops and enter the pass to compete for the throne. However, so far, there seems to be no news from Xianyang.
"The only person Beitangfeng can rely on is Qu Yuangu." Sima Lan said with deep eyes and a soft voice: "Although Qu Yuangu is not a powerful figure among the generals of the Northern Han Dynasty, he is not stupid either. , he should still know the trick of sitting on a mountain and watching tigers fight."
Qi Ning said: "On the Xianyang side, are you waiting for Beitang Zhao and Beitang Hao to decide the winner?"
"At least wait until they fight." Sima Lan chuckled and said: "The crane and the clam are fighting, and the fisherman benefits." Staring at Qi Ning, he asked: "Does Marquis Jin Yi know why I want to talk to you about this today?"
"Please give me some advice from the Duke!"
"The world is divided into three parts. The Qi State is weak, but the Northern Han Dynasty is our strong enemy of the Chu State." Sima Lan said slowly: "Emperor Taizu started his army to unify the four seas and dominate the world, so I, the general of Chu and the Northern Han Dynasty, We have to decide the winner." Fu Xu said: "Beitang Huan passed away suddenly, and the Northern Han Dynasty fell into a struggle for the throne. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, Dachu, and no matter what, we cannot miss it."
Qi Ning nodded slightly. He still couldn't figure out the old fox's real intention at this time. He knew that listening more and talking less was the best choice at this time.
The carriage had already begun to rush towards the capital. The speed was not very fast. There was an official road outside the city, so the carriage was not bumpy. Sima Lan said calmly: "The marriage with Eastern Qi is to prepare for the Northern Expedition to Han. Jin Yi Hou fulfilled his mission and successfully brought back the Princess of Dong Qi, which can be said to have made great contributions to the preparations for the Northern Expedition to Han."
Qi Ning smiled slightly but remained silent.
"Even if the Northern Han Dynasty fell into civil strife, it has a vast territory, a lot of talents, and strong soldiers and horses, so it is not easy to deal with." Sima Lan said with a serious expression: "If you want the Northern Expedition to succeed, you must not only seize the opportunity, but the most important thing is that our Chu State has enough Strength will give Beihan a fatal blow, otherwise everything will just be an arm's length talk on paper."
"Does the Duke think that the current strength of Da Chu is not enough for the Northern Expedition?"
Sima Lan raised his hand, stroked his beard and asked with a smile: "What do you think, Jinyi Hou?"
"I don't dare to speak nonsense." Qi Ning smiled and said: "Military and state affairs are extraordinary. The Duke is a veteran of the court. For such important matters, we can only ask the Duke of the country for advice."
Sima Lan laughed loudly and said: "I am too humble in the brocade." He looked deeply and said softly: "Soldiers are the sharp weapons of the country, and the victory or defeat is unpredictable. When Emperor Taizu raised his army, the number of soldiers was less than 10,000, and the generals were less than a hundred, but they still swept the country. South of the Yangtze River, we established the Great Chu Empire. Today, our Great Chu has hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers and generals. Compared with the army we raised in those days, it can be said to be a world of difference. If we add the momentum of the past to the military front of our Great Chu today, It’s easy to be invincible.”
Qining heard something in the old fox's words and said "oh".
Sima Lan sighed and said: "It's just that today's Chu is no longer as brave as it used to be. I'm not saying that our country of Chu is weak now, but that there are not many famous generals in our country of Chu who can conquer and fight well. If your father is still While alive, such changes in the Northern Han Dynasty are a God-given opportunity for our Chu State to conquer the north, and we will definitely succeed immediately."
Qi Ning asked: "Did the old Duke say that Yue Huanshan could not lead the troops in the Northern Expedition?"
"Jinyihou, to us, Northern Han Dynasty is like a gate that is about to fall but has not yet fallen." Sima Lan said slowly: "Although it is broken, it is not easy to knock it down." He stretched out a hand and spread his five fingers. He made a pushing motion forward: "You can't knock down that door with just this palm!"
Qi Ning looked at Sima Lan's hand and saw that Sima Lan slowly closed it and made it into a fist: "But if you can make it into a fist and hit the door hard, you will be able to knock it down instantly. Northern Han Dynasty." After a pause, he said solemnly: "Whether our Chu country has the strength to succeed in the Northern Expedition depends on whether this hand can be clenched into a fist. When Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong were still alive, they fought in the south and in the north. It is only by working together from top to bottom and sharing life and death that we can build a great country."
Qi Ning smiled and said: "My lord, is it possible that my great Chu is not a fist now? The lord is assisting the government, and the government affairs are clear and clear. The soldiers at the front are dedicated to their lives, brave and good at fighting. They are only stronger than the Northern Han Dynasty."
A smile appeared on Sima Lan's lips, and asked: "Jin Yihou really thinks that my Dachu is now an iron fist?" He leaned forward slightly, stared at Qining, and asked: "The King of Huainan has rebelled, and the rest of the party is still in control. The situation between North Korea and China is still volatile, so how can they be considered to be working together as one?"
Qi Ning said "Oh" and said with a smile: "The King of Huainan has been executed. Even if there are a few remaining party members, they can't make a big splash."
"The embankment of a thousand miles was destroyed by an ant nest." Sima Lan sighed: "If our Chu country cannot unite into a fist, we must not easily start a war against the Northern Han Dynasty." Looking into Qi Ning's eyes, he said: "Your long-cherished wish in life is One day, if you are able to plant the flag of our Kingdom of Chu on the top of Luoyang City, you will inherit your title and you will naturally help your father fulfill his last wish."
Qi Ning sighed: "This is not only my father's last wish, but also the wish of everyone in Chu State."
"So I am talking to Jin Yihou today because I hope that you and I can work together to assist the Holy Majesty." Sima Lan said solemnly: "When I followed Emperor Taizong to conquer the world, I just hope that one day the world will be unified and the people of the world will be free from Fight the war and live a peaceful and prosperous life.”
Qi Ning said with a respectful look on his clothes: "The wish of the Duke is also the common wish of all people with lofty ideals in the world."
"I know there are some gossips in the court." Sima Lan sighed: "Some people say that the power of the Sima family is in the hands of the government and the opposition, and some people secretly say that I have a disobedient heart. Hehe, Jin Yihou, do you think so too?"
Qi Ning did not expect that the old fox asked such a straightforward question, and immediately smiled and said: "Old Duke is loyal to the country, so why should he pay attention to those crazy words. As someone in a high position, it is inevitable for someone to gossip behind his back, but I am now in charge of the Ministry of Punishment, and if there are still people who spread rumors and cause trouble and wantonly slander the old Duke, I will not tolerate it."
"If Jin Yihou has such knowledge and understanding, I will feel at ease." Sima Lan smiled and said: "I am over seventy years old, and my health is getting worse. I may be arbitrary in my daily dealings, but everything is for the sake of being able to survive in my lifetime. Do your best to help Da Chu pacify the north and unify the four seas." Fu Xu smiled and said: "Even if you are misunderstood, as long as you can achieve what you want, it will be worth it."
Qi Ning nodded slightly and said: "I will do my best and die!"
"Well said." Sima Lan clapped his hands and said with a smile: "I will do my best and die, that's all. Jin Yihou can understand my heart, which makes me very happy." He actually reached out to hold Qining's wrist and said seriously: " I am old and will not live long. The future of this great Chu will be supported by young talents like Jin Yihou. I only hope that Jin Yihou can assist me, safeguard the imperial court, eliminate traitors, and join hands with everyone to join the Northern Expedition!"
"I will serve the imperial court together with my old master." Qining said seriously.
"Okay, okay." Sima Lan said with a hearty smile: "With Jin Yihou's words, I feel even more at ease. For the great cause of the Northern Expedition, I don't care about my personal reputation. As long as you work together with me, I will treat you with sincerity, but If someone in the court wants to block the great cause of the Northern Expedition, I cannot let him do whatever he wants no matter what, even if I risk my life, I will still complete the grand plan of the previous emperors of Chu!"
Qi Ning calmly withdrew his hand and said solemnly: "Being loyal to the imperial court and the emperor is the duty of a minister. It is also the duty of a minister to help the emperor in the Northern Expedition. My thoughts are the same as those of the old prince. As long as you are loyal to the emperor and are sincere in the Northern Expedition, you are a fellow-believer, otherwise...!" He smiled faintly and did not continue.
Sima Lan stared at Qi Ning's eyes and suddenly laughed, but Qi Ning also laughed. The laughter of the two people spread from the carriage. The ministers following the carriage looked at each other in confusion, not knowing why.