When Qi Ning saw Xin Ci for the first time, he knew that Xin Ci must have been a brave warrior back then.
Xin Ci has a dark complexion and a stout figure. Judging from his appearance, it is even difficult to guess how old he is. Fortunately, Shen Liangqiu had introduced Xin Ci briefly before entering the tent. Although this man looked powerful, he would not be able to tell his age after two days. Years ago, he was already half a hundred years old. Perhaps because of his years of exercise, General Xin did not look old at all. His muscles were strong, his skin was tight, and there was no sign of sagging. It made people feel powerful at first glance. sense of power.
Tan Taihuang, the Marquis of the Golden Sword, had left the Donghai Navy for many years, and Xin Ci also returned to Beijing with him that year. However, the influence of the Golden Sword Marquis on the Donghai Navy permeated every corner of the Navy, and Xin Ci also became the favorite among the navy officers. legend.
The old Marquis of the Golden Knife led his troops to conquer the north and south, and had many generals under his command. In his early years, Xin Ci was still young, but he had already made a lot of contributions under the old Marquis. But it was Xin Ci who truly became a naval legend. During the war to suppress pirates in the East China Sea.
The main purpose of Tantaihuang's initial establishment of the navy was to clear out the remnants of the Han clan in the East China Sea. Although the King of Donghai committed suicide and surrendered, the surviving Han clan members and many of their members went to sea to cause trouble, seriously threatening the waters of the East China Sea. safety.
Tantaihuang's army was dominated by the army, and there were only a few people who knew about naval warfare. It was not easy to change their thinking. Tantaihuang specially organized a group of generals to learn naval warfare, and Xin Ci stood out from them. In the ensuing war to pacify the East China Sea, he repeatedly made military exploits and became the best among the naval generals. Tantaihuang was clear about rewards and punishments. As Xinci made outstanding contributions, he eventually became the deputy general of Jin Daohou.
Qining listened to Shen Liangqiu's brief introduction and had a general understanding of Xin Ci.
When the two entered the tent, Xin Ci was standing in front of the case looking at the sea chart. When he heard footsteps, he looked up and recognized Qi Ning at a glance. He immediately stepped forward and said respectfully: "Xin Ci, see the Marquis!"
Qi Ning said with a smile: "General Xin's saddle and horse are tired. It's been a hard journey." But he suddenly thought in his heart, what was the imperial court's intention in sending Xin Ci to the East China Sea at this time? Is it possible that Tantai Huang actually asked Xin Ci to take over Tantai Zhilin's position after fighting for it
Xin Ci is Tantai Huang's confidant, and he is naturally loyal to Tantai Huang. Moreover, this person has extraordinary talents in commanding the navy. In terms of prestige, this person was also a legendary figure in the East China Sea Navy. In the hearts of Donghai navy soldiers, his prestige may not be weaker than that of Shen Liangqiu.
"General Xin!" Although Shen Liangqiu is the current deputy general of the Donghai Navy, he still treats this senior with respect and salutes.
Xin Ci grinned and said, "Liangqiu, we haven't seen each other for some years. How are you always?"
Shen Liangqiu and Xin Ci were both members of the Jindao Tantai family and had a close relationship with the Tantai family. They were both trained in the East China Sea Navy, so it was natural for them to know each other well.
"Everything is fine." Shen Liangqiu said: "I wonder, Mr. Marquis...?"
Xin Ci frowned, his expression darkened, and said: "The Governor passed away, and the old Marquis was naturally grieved." Without saying much, he said directly: "I have been ordered by the old Marquis to come to deal with the affairs of the Governor. I have been to the Governor's Mansion before, and both the Governor and his wife have been laid to rest. Liangqiu, how are you going to deal with the Governor's funeral?"
Shen Liangqiu looked solemn and said: "General Xin, when the young lady passed away, she left a suicide note. I wonder...?"
"Mr. Hou has given it to me to look at." Xin Ci sighed: "It's rare that the young lady has a deep love for the governor. Naturally, he and his wife will be buried together."
"The Grand Governor said something before his death, saying that if one day it really happens...!" Shen Liangqiu paused for a moment before continuing: "He hoped to stay in the East China Sea, and his remains will never leave the East China Sea."
Xin Ci nodded slightly but said nothing.
Only then did Qi Ning ask: "General Xin, I wonder what the old marquis means?"
Xin Ci smiled bitterly and said: "The old Marquis has been in a sad mood these past few days. He has rarely spoken and has been waiting for you to send you news. Liang Qiu Fei Ge passed a letter and reported the investigation results to the past. After investigation by the adults of the Ministry of Punishments, , proves that the Governor did commit suicide and passed away. After the old Marquis learned about it, he was even more sad. He did not have the energy to deal with these funeral affairs anymore, so he ordered me to come to the East China Sea." He raised his hand and said: "Master Marquis, please sit down!"
After all, he came from the Donghai Navy. Although he had not been here for many years, as soon as he entered the military camp, he felt as if he was coming home, and he seemed very calm and familiar.
After Qi Ning sat down, Xin Cicai said: "I came here this time to transport the coffins of the Governor and the Young Madam back to Jiangxia and bury them in their hometown. However, the old Marquis also asked that the Governor's funeral should be arranged. Discuss this with Liangqiu. After all, Donghai can be regarded as the second hometown of the Tantai family. You have a very good personal relationship with the Governor, and you can understand his thoughts. The Governor committed suicide and passed away. Maybe he has some instructions for you in advance, people. Now that we are gone, if the Grand Governor has any instructions, we will follow the Grand Governor’s wishes.”
Shen Liangqiu nodded slightly and said: "General Xin, if the old marquis means to transport the governor back to Jiangxia, we will naturally follow the old marquis's instructions. The fallen leaves will return to their roots, and the governor will follow him when he is young. The old Marquis left his hometown to fight in the north and south, and now... Now that he has left, it is naturally a good result to be able to return to his hometown." After a slight pause, he continued: "The Governor's own wish is to stay in Donghai, after passing away, he will be buried at sea, this is what the young lady’s suicide note also means.”
Xin Ci sighed and said: "I can understand what the Governor is thinking. We people have been with the sea all year round. The blood in our bones is inseparable from the sea, and what flows in our veins is actually sea water." He said with a sigh. : "Not to mention the Governor, even I, Xinci, have wanted to be buried in the sea after my death." Finally, he said to Shen Liangqiu: "If the Governor really has this wish, let's just follow the Governor's wishes. .”
Shen Liangqiu opened his mouth, but stopped talking, Xin Ci said: "You have something to say, but it doesn't matter."
"General Xin, after the death of the Grand Governor, the old Marquis... The old Marquis has never met the Grand Governor. If... if he is buried at sea, will it be...!"
Xin Ci nodded and said: "You have such concerns, which can be regarded as your sincerity. In fact, when I came here, I also mentioned it to the old marquis. After all, the governor has not returned to Beijing for several years, and the old marquis has not seen him for many years. He is now farewell...!" He shook his head: "Although the old Marquis didn't say anything, I also understand his old man's intentions. Since it is farewell, if we meet again, it will be even more sad. And the journey is long, The old Marquis is also in poor health and cannot travel long distances, so we should try our best to make arrangements for the funeral."
Shen Liangqiu looked solemn and nodded slightly.
Xin Ci added: "The emperor gave a decree. In order to commend the great governor for his meritorious service, he posthumously conferred the title of Marquis of Jinghai. However, the news of the young lady's death was not reported to the court in time. The emperor should also confer the title later." After a pause. , finally asked: "Liangqiu, you said in your report that most of the reason why the governor committed suicide was because of the black tiger shark?"
Shen Liangqiu nodded and said: "General Xin, you should have heard a little about what Black Tiger Shark has done in the past two years. The Governor has been a hero in his life, but he has been humiliated by Black Tiger Shark several times. He...!" He did not continue.
Xin Ci smiled bitterly and said: "The Governor is a young man who has great ambitions. He is a very face-conscious person. He has been humiliated several times by mere pirates. It is really unbearable." He clenched his fist and said, "What is the Black Tiger Shark doing now?"
Shen Liangqiu cupped his hands and said, "I have brought back the head of the black tiger shark."
"Head?" Xin Ci was startled.
Shen Liangqiu's operation was extremely secretive. Only a handful of people in the army knew about it. Even the soldiers who participated in the operation did not know that they were going to capture black tiger sharks when they set out. Xin Ci had just arrived at the military camp. , naturally knew nothing about this matter.
"Thanks to the Marquis, we found out the whereabouts of the black tiger shark, so we secretly carried out the capture operation." Shen Liangqiu said: "Thanks to the Marquis, this operation went very smoothly, and the black tiger shark was eliminated. It also solved a serious problem in the coastal areas.”
Xin Ci smiled at Qining and said, "My Lord, the Marquis went to the East China Sea and commanded to get rid of the black tiger shark. It is really gratifying and congratulatory."
Qi Ning waved his hand and said with a smile: "General Xin, please don't listen to General Shen's words. He is being humble. I can make it clear that this operation was planned by General Shen from beginning to end, which is to capture the black tiger shark." When, General Shen personally went into battle."
Xin Ci said with emotion: "Liangqiu was able to get rid of the black tiger shark with his own hands, which can be regarded as avenging the governor. The governor is also relieved to know." He then asked: "Liangqiu, when are you going to give up?" Is the Grand Governor buried?"
"I have been waiting for the instructions from the old marquis." Shen Liangqiu said: "Since the old marquis asked General Xin to come, let's find a suitable day and let the governor be buried early. Once things are settled, General Xin can also return to Beijing as soon as possible to return his orders to the old Marquis."
"That's not a hurry." Xin Ci shook his head and said, "If the Governor's coffin is to be transported back to Jiangxia this time, I will naturally escort it there personally. Even so, after handling the Governor's funeral affairs in Jiangxia, I will return From the East China Sea. Since the Governor is going to be buried at sea in the East China Sea, I don’t have to go to Jiangxia. After handling the funeral affairs of the Governor and the young lady, I can stay here."
Shen Liangqiu was startled, and Xin Ci explained: "The old marquis was worried that the East China Sea Navy would be unstable after the death of the governor. You also know that there were changes in the Northern Han Dynasty, and the court had begun planning for the Northern Expedition. At this time, the East China Sea Navy There can't be any mistakes here. The old Marquis has recommended you to the imperial court to command the East China Sea Navy, so I have been sent here to assist you in handling the navy's military affairs. After all the hard work of the old Marquis, you have to be patient. .”
Shen Liangqiu hurriedly said: "General Xin, you are so noble and respected, how could I...!"
"You don't need to say more. Since the old Marquis recommends you, he naturally has his considerations, and the person that the old Marquis likes will definitely be right." Xin Ci said solemnly: "You are dedicated to managing the East China Sea Navy. That's good, I'm here, if you need anything, I can give you orders at any time. Since the old Marquis asked me to assist you in managing the navy, I will do my best and won't slack off at all."