After Ximen Wuhen sat down, he raised his hand to signal Qin Ning to sit down. This old god was already Qi Ning's father-in-law and father-in-law. Naturally, in front of his father-in-law, he could no longer sit down as casually as before and sit down respectfully.
Ximen Wuhen reached for the teapot, but Qining very smartly took the teapot first and poured tea for Ximen Wuhen.
The oil lamp flickered and shone on Ximen Wuhen's face. His complexion was rosy. Although there was a hint of fatigue between his brows, his eyes were full of energy and his gaze was deep.
The room was very quiet for a while. After a while, Ximen Wuhen said: "I have regarded Zhan Ying as a boy since she was a child and did not let her learn to be a girl. Now that she is older, I am afraid that she can't even mend her clothes. This is still the case in these years." Because of me, I just improvised."
"Zhan Ying likes to practice martial arts, and she is smart and capable. Ordinary women cannot compare to her."
Ximen Wuhen smiled slightly and said warmly: "I feel relieved that you can look at her like this. When he comes to your Qi family, you should be more considerate in everything. Her temperament is sometimes very stubborn, and she can't even listen to my words. That's right. , when she goes to bed at night, she always kicks the quilt away, and she has never changed it since she was a child. You...!" At this point, she suddenly stopped talking, smiled faintly, and just drank tea from a cup.
Qi Ning felt the old god's concern for his daughter from the old god's words.
Ximen Wuhen has been a hero for half his life, and countless heroes in the world feel timid when they hear his name, but at this time, he is thinking about some little things about his daughter, and his fatherly love is beyond words.
"Don't worry, Lord God. After Zhan Ying comes over, I will take good care of her and never let her be wronged." Qining hesitated for a moment, then finally said: "It's just that I came here tonight because I have something to discuss with the Lord God."
Ximen Wuhen said "Oh", and Qining hesitated for a moment before telling him about entering the palace tonight.
Ximen Wuhen did not speak immediately. He just held the teacup and looked at the oil lamp, thoughtfully.
"God, there is still half a month before the wedding. If everything goes well, I will work hard and I will come back...!" Seeing Ximen Wuhen's silence, Qi Ning thought that Ximen Wuhen was unhappy.
The wedding date is set, and if you postpone it, although there are reasons for it, it is ultimately your fault.
Ximen Wuhen shook his head and said: "Since it is the decree of the imperial court, there is no need to seek speed. The most important thing is to run the errand well. I will discuss the wedding with your Qi family." After a pause, he put down the teacup and stared. Qi Ning asked with his eyes: "I want to ask you, why did you agree to this?"
Qi Ning thought for a moment and then said: "I am the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. If such a case occurs, I have no shirking responsibility."
"There is no need to say such high-sounding words in front of me." Ximen Wuhen frowned and said: "Tantai Zhilin committed suicide. There is no evidence to prove that he did not commit suicide. If he really wanted to die, this is not a case. There is no need for the Criminal Department to get involved."
Qi Ning said solemnly: "Shenhou, do you think it is possible that Tantai Zhilin really committed suicide?"
"Whether it is really suicide is not the most important thing at the moment. What you are concerned about should be whose hands will the Donghai Navy fall into after Tantai Zhilin's death?" Ximen Wuhen's eyes were deep: "The Donghai Navy There are 30,000 people, no less than 200 large and small warships, and these sailors have been trained for a long time. If such a force falls into the hands of your opponent, you may not be able to sleep or eat well."
Qi Ning was startled, then smiled bitterly and said: "The god has hit the nail on the head, I have nothing to say."
"Are you worried that if the trip doesn't happen this time and the imperial court sends someone else to go, other forces may infiltrate the Donghai Navy?" Ximen Wuhen thought clearly, not as delirious as Ximen Zhanying said before: "You are like this The worries are actually not unreasonable.”
Qi Ning sighed: "The Lord God knew in his heart that after King Huainan committed suicide in the imperial mausoleum, no one in the civil and military circles of the court could restrain Sima Lan. The power of the Sima family was overwhelming. If his power was allowed to penetrate into the military, the consequences would be disastrous. .”
The marriage between the Jinyi Qi family and the Ximen family was certainly due to the mutual love between Qining and Ximen Zhanying, but everyone knew that there was another important reason for this, which was the alliance between the two forces.
Qi Ning knew that in order for the Shenhou Mansion to truly become his ally, not only did he need this marriage, but he also needed both parties to treat each other sincerely, especially in front of Ximen Wuhen. Knowing so much, it is really difficult to hide your true thoughts in front of him.
"The old Marquis of Jindao has not been interested in worldly affairs these years. In fact, he has pinned the hopes of the Tantai family on Tantai Zhilin." Ximen Wuhen said slowly: "Although Tantai Zhixiu commands the Xichuan Army, he is very talented. It is difficult to become a great person if you are mediocre, and in the entire Tantai family, only Tantai Zhilin can take charge of his own role."
Qi Ning nodded slightly, and Ximen Wuhen continued: "The Donghai Navy has always been under the command of the Jindao Tantai family. The only two who can intimidate the 30,000 troops in the East China Sea are Jin Daohou and Tantai Zhilin, but The old Marquis of Tantai is now very old and has no ability to lead the troops."
"So the death of Tantai Zhilin was a heavy blow to the Tantai family." Qi Ning said: "The Tantai family cannot find a second person who can replace Tantai Zhilin."
Ximen Wuhen said lightly: "The Qinhuai Army was created by your Jinyi Qi family. The old Marquis of Jinyi and your father were heroes for a lifetime and brought out the iron-blooded soldiers of our great Chu. But now you, Qining, are unable to mobilize the Qinhuai Army." Every soldier." Staring at Qi Ning's eyes: "The Donghai Navy has passed through two generations, Jin Daohou and Tantai Zhilin. Now that Tantai Zhilin dies, the consequences are likely to be the same as what happened to your Qi family. , the Donghai Navy will soon erase the traces of the Tantai family."
Qi Ning was actually aware of this problem. Hearing Ximen Wuhen say it directly, he was still heartbroken.
"The imperial court never hopes that any army will be branded with other surnames." Ximen Wuhen said sternly: "Any soldier of Da Chu is from Da Chu, not Qi or Tantai. How can you Do you understand this?"
Qi Ning nodded slightly, naturally knowing what Ximen Wuhen meant.
"Yesterday's letter, today the old Marquis of Tantai asked for orders to ask the court to appoint you to the East China Sea, and he is convinced that Tantai Zhilin did not die by suicide. Hehe, there is no evidence, why would Tantai Huang feel that Tantai Zhilin's death There must be another reason for death?" Ximen Wuhen stared into Qining's eyes: "Why did he take a fancy to you and ask you to investigate this matter?"
Qi Ning knew that there was something fishy in this, and had been trying to figure out Tantai Huang's intentions. At this time, when Ximen Wuhen asked, he looked solemn and said, "Please give me some advice from the god."
Ximen Wuhen smiled slightly and said, "Tantaihuang needs time."
"time?"
"A country cannot be without a king for a day, and an army cannot be without a leader for a day." Ximen Wuhen said: "After your father passed away, the imperial court immediately issued an order to let Yue Huanshan take over the military power, and sent several generals to stabilize the situation. According to the situation, those few people are not direct descendants of your Jinyi Qi family, but they are all serving in the Qinhuai Army now."
Qi Ning reacted quickly and said immediately: "The Lord is saying that if Tantai Zhilin really commits suicide, then the imperial court will immediately issue an order to appoint a new naval commander?"
"The Northern Expedition is imminent. The East China Sea cannot be chaotic and leaderless. Of course, a new governor must be appointed to stabilize the situation." Ximen Wuhen said calmly: "The Tantai family has stayed in the East China Sea for too long. With such an opportunity, the imperial court certainly hopes that the East China Sea The emperor will think so if the teacher has a new face, and Sima Lan will definitely make the emperor think so."
Qi Ning nodded slightly, and at this moment, he saw Ximen Zhanying coming in from the door, carrying a tray with dishes and dishes.
A plate of peanuts, a plate of boiled beef, scrambled eggs, and a pot of wine were not a rich meal, but they were cooked in the middle of the night, so it was hard for Miss Ximen.
Ximen Zhanying put the food and wine on the table, then turned around and said, "Dad, the food and wine are ready."
Ximen Wuhen stood up, walked to the table, and waved Qi Ning over. Qi Ning came over to take a look and smiled: "Zhan Ying's skills look good. I only knew you could use a knife, but I didn't know you could also use a pot." shovel!"
Ximen Zhanying blushed and glared at Qining, but couldn't stay. She said to Ximen Wuhen: "Dad, please drink less." She glanced at Qining again and couldn't help but said: "You also need less. Have a drink." He twisted his waist and stepped back quickly.
Ximen Wuhen glanced at Qining, smiled faintly, and gestured for Qining to sit down. Qining stood and poured wine for Ximen Wuhen, then sat down opposite him and asked: "What does Shenhou mean, Dan?" Tai Laohou insisted that there was another reason for Tantai Zhilin's death, was it to buy time and prevent the court from appointing a governor immediately? "
"If there is really something strange about Tantai Zhilin's death, then it will naturally be investigated from the Donghai Navy." Ximen Wuhen said: "Until the real cause of Tantai Zhilin's death is understood, the court will not be able to hurriedly investigate." A new governor was appointed, so even if Tantai Zhilin really committed suicide, Tantai Huang would still insist that Tantai Zhilin’s death was strange.”
"With time, Jin Daohou can free up time to make arrangements." Qi Ning said thoughtfully: "Even if the Tantai family cannot continue to control the Donghai Navy, they will never let the Donghai Navy fall into hostile territory. hand?"
"Hostile?" Ximen Wuhen said with a smile: "Who do you think the Tantai family's rival is? Is it your Jinyi Qi family or the Sima family?" He shook his head and said: "As far as the Tantai family is concerned, whether it is your Qi family or the Sima family The Sima family is not their friends, nor can they be considered their enemies, at least he is not involved in your fight at the moment."
Qi Ning was startled, but immediately knew that Ximen Wuhen's words hit the nail on the head and made sense. When the Sima family fought with the King of Huainan, the Tantai family was not involved. Today, the Jinyi Qi family and the Sima family are facing each other tit for tat, and the Tantai family is still Keeping a low profile is an attitude of staying out of trouble.
No one can guess what the old Marquis Tantai intends to do, but at least so far, the Tantai family is neither the enemy nor the friend of any force.
"What the Tantai family has to do is to protect the Tantai family's own interests." Ximen Wuhen stared at Qining's eyes and said word by word: "To put it bluntly, the Tantai family must survive in the court! "