Qin Yuege said very cautiously: "I can't be completely sure, but through the clues obtained from the current investigation, Tian Dong's family should have been taken to Guimen Cliff, and then disappeared from Guimen Cliff."
Although Qi Ning looked very calm on the face, he was shocked in his heart. This time Tian Xuerong followed him to the East China Sea. Qin Ning asked himself that it was not a big problem to protect Tian Xuerong, but he did not want to go to sea for just a few days. On that day, someone actually attacked Tian Xuerong.
The other party forged his own letter and defrauded Tian Xuerong's trust. At least it proved that the other party had been paying attention to him and knew that Tian Xuerong would definitely take the bait once he saw his letter. Then of course the other party knew about his relationship with Tian Xuerong.
This incident is less likely to be directed at Tian Xuerong. I'm afraid it will be directed at me after all.
"Have you checked carefully in Guimen Cliff? Are there any traces of Dong Tian's family or others?" Qining looked grim, pondered for a moment, and finally asked.
Qin Yuege shook his head and said: "The other party did it very cleanly and did not leave any other clues. Even the hoofprints of the horse can no longer be traced. After thinking about it, there is only one possibility."
"What's possible?"
"The man rode a horse and took Tian Dong's family hostage to Guimen Cliff. There was a boat waiting there, and everyone boarded the boat with both men and horses." Qin Yuege said: "If this is true, it can explain why the horse never turned around again. Horse hoof prints.”
"Going to sea with people and horses?" Qi Ning frowned: "What are you going to do?"
Qin Yuege said: "You can't be sure of a humble position, unless...!"
"Unless what?"
"Unless the other party is a pirate." Qin Yuege said sternly: "They found out that Tian Dong's family had a relationship with the Marquis. They had no chance and did not dare to attack the Marquis, so they settled for the next best thing and attacked Tian Dong's family."
Qining frowned and said, "You mean, the ones who kidnapped and held hostage Tian Dong's family might be pirates?"
Qin Yuege nodded and said: "Judging from the current signs, it is possible. The carriage dealer said that the people who hire cars are like fishermen, and they seem to make a living at sea all year round. But how can ordinary fishermen have the guts to kidnap Dong Tian's family? I guess that person They're pirates."
Wei Yujiang remained silent until now and finally said: "Qin Facao, you said that the other party is a pirate, so what is their purpose of kidnapping Tian Dong's family? So far, the Marquis has not had any direct conflict with the islands in the East China Sea. Why did they kidnap Dong Tian’s family?”
"It's hard to understand why I have such a humble position." Qin Yuege frowned and said, "Maybe... they want something from Lord Marquis."
"What do you want from me? Kidnap Dong Tian's family and ask me for conditions?" Qi Ning sneered: "Could it be that they want to surrender to the court and accept the offer of peace?" He waved to Qin Yuege, who hurriedly approached, and Qi Ning then He whispered: "Is it possible that it is related to those big families?"
"Master Marquis, are you saying that the Lu family is taking revenge on Master Tian's family for what happened last time?" Qin Yuege understood and immediately understood what Qi Ning meant, and said softly: "I'm not sure, but... it's unlikely."
"oh?"
"Although they have strong financial resources, they know very well that the imperial court has never relaxed its surveillance on them." Qin Yuege whispered: "Lu Ziheng is still recovering from his injuries. They are only worried that the Marquis will still cause trouble for them, and even more We must be cautious. At this time, we never dare to act rashly. Although the business of the three major families has grown bigger and bigger in recent years, they still abide by the laws of the court. They all know in their hearts that if there is a slight mistake, they may end up confiscating the family and exterminating the clan. "
Qi Ning stared at Qin Yuege with deep eyes: "Do you think they dare not take action?"
"Master Hou, they already know about the relationship between Tian Dong's family and you." Qin Yuege said softly: "If Dong Tian's family disappears, Master Hou will definitely investigate to the end. As long as it is their fault, they will eventually find out the clues. They will never Dare to bring disaster to your family."
Although the three major families have strong financial resources in the East China Sea, in the eyes of the Imperial Marquis, they are just businessmen. If Qining really wants to deal with a few businessmen with the status of Jin Yihou, it is not too difficult.
Although Qining had a conflict with Jiang Suiyun, and even beat Lu Ziheng in public a few days ago, this was only a small conflict after all, and it was by no means a fatal conflict for the three major families.
What Qin Yuege said was not unreasonable. Without a fatal conflict, the three major families would not easily provoke Qi Ning.
"So, the most likely people to kidnap Tian Dong's family are the East China Sea pirates?" Qining thought for a while and then asked: "If their purpose of kidnapping Tian Dong's family is for me, then they will definitely take the initiative next time." Contact me and by then, you will know what they want to do.”
Qin Yuege nodded and said: "If their purpose of holding Tian Dong's family hostage is to put forward conditions to the Marquis, they will definitely contact the Marquis again."
"Whether Qin Facao was kidnapped by pirates, we are just guessing." Qi Ning's eyes were like daggers and he whispered: "It cannot be completely ruled out that the three major families were not involved in this matter. Do you understand what I mean?"
Qin Yuege said softly: "Master Hou, I have sent people to secretly investigate the three major families. If there are any signs of abnormality on their side, they will report it to Master Hou immediately."
"How far is the Guimen Cliff you mentioned from Gulin City?" Qining thought for a moment and then asked softly: "Is there anyone still guarding there?"
"Master Hou, the other party kidnapped Dong Tian's family while Master Hou was out at sea, and the timing was perfect." Qin Yuege said: "Since they have left traces in Guimen Cliff, I believe they will not show up in Guimen Cliff again."
Qi Ning said "Oh", turned around and sat down on the chair, thought for a moment, and finally said: "Qin Facao, please take me to Guimen Cliff."
"Master Marquis is going to Guimen Cliff?" Qin Yuege was startled and immediately persuaded: "If Master Marquis thinks there are clues in Guimen Cliff, I will leave immediately. You just came back, or...!"
"Qin Facao, if it were you who took hostages, would you leave loopholes everywhere?" Qi Ning said slowly: "This kidnapping case has been full of clues from the beginning, and it eventually led to Guimen Cliff. , the clues were cut off, do you think this was a mistake by the kidnappers, or was it intentional?"
Qin Yuege frowned slightly, realizing something, and said softly: "Master Hou, are you saying that this is a clue left intentionally by the other party?"
"That should be it." Qining said: "The clue disappeared in Guimen Cliff, so there must be something fishy in Guimen Cliff." He stood up and said: "Without further delay, if it is convenient for you, we will leave for Guimen Cliff immediately .”
"I will mobilize the Yamen officials right now." Qin Yuege cupped his hands and said, "Master Marquis will wait a moment. I will order all the people and horses to come over immediately."
"No need." Qi Ning shook his head and said, "If I'm not wrong, a large number of soldiers and horses rushed over, but we still found nothing. The purpose of the other party's pretense is probably to see me. Since he took all the trouble, I will give him a chance."
Qin Yuege said anxiously: "Master Hou, Guimen Cliff is more than thirty miles away from Gulin City. It is located on the seaside. It is usually sparsely populated and very remote. Master Hou has a noble status, how can he be easily involved in danger?" He took a step forward and said, "If the Marquis can trust me, I will go alone to see if I find anything. Regardless of whether I find anything, I will come back immediately to report to the Marquis."
"I brought Donghai to Donghai. If something happens to her, I can't just stand by and watch." Qi Ning shook his head and said, "And the other party is coming for me. There is no reason for me to hide behind." Seeing Qin Yuege, he wanted to do it again. He persuaded, waved his hand and said: "You don't need to say more. If Qin Facao feels that this trip is dangerous, you can stay, and I will go alone."
Qin Yuege immediately knelt down on the ground and said solemnly: "Since Lord Marquis has made up his mind, I will definitely go with him despite my humiliation. I will go through fire and water without hesitation."
Wei Yujiang said anxiously: "Master Hou, this... is it necessary to make a plan so that Leader Wu and his people can ambush nearby so that if anything happens, we can respond at any time."
"Tian Dong's family is in their hands, and the initiative is already in their hands." Qi Ning shook his head and said: "If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't get the tiger's cubs. Wei Sishen, you don't have to worry, I have my own plans. By the way, you go Ask Wu Dalin to come over, I have something to assign to him."
Wei Yujiang hesitated for a moment and then retreated. After a while, Wei Yujiang brought Wu Dalin over. Qi Ning then ordered: "Qin Facao, you go out and wait for me first. Wei Sishen will help me prepare my horse." After the two of them retreated, After that, Qi Ning took something out of his arms and handed it to Wu Dalin. Wu Dalin was startled when he saw the thing. Qi Ning had already whispered: "Leader Wu, this is the Beggar Clan's Suzaku Order. You Taking the Suzaku Order, I went to the Beggar Clan Branch to lie down overnight, found Jing Shou, the helmsman of Zhang Yuelu Branch, and asked him to help me with something."
"Beggars?" Wu Dalin was quite surprised.
Qi Ning came close to Wu Dalin's ear and whispered a few words. Wu Dalin's expression became solemn and he whispered: "Master Marquis, you are suspicious...!" Before he finished speaking, Qi Ning stopped and said: "It's hard to judge at the moment. This matter It would be most appropriate for the Beggar Clan to handle the matter. Tell Jing Shou that once there is news, I can make an appointment with you, and I will go and see him in person."
Wu Dalin put away the Vermillion Bird Order, said nothing, and retreated.
Qi Ning sat quietly on the chair for a moment, finally took a deep breath and murmured to himself: "The trees want to be quiet but the wind doesn't stop, things are getting more and more interesting...!"
Qining and Qin Yuege left Gulin City overnight. After leaving the city, they headed southeast. Qin Yuege was familiar with the terrain and led the way on Pegasus. Qi Ning followed behind Qin Yuege, two fast horses heading straight. Go towards Guimen Cliff.
Thirty miles is not far away. I rode a horse and arrived before midnight. The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. Before I even got close to Guimen Cliff, I heard waves of waves coming from the other side that made my back chill. The sound of the wind, if Qin Yuege hadn't explained it earlier, would have really made people think that there was a ghost at work in Guimen Cliff.
Guimen Cliff is actually a stone cliff that projects toward the sea. It is about ten meters high from the sea. It has rugged rocks. In the night, the waves beat against the strange rocks, and the sea wind swirls into the recesses under the stone cliff. Therefore, With a whining sound, Qining turned over and dismounted, looked around, and saw a dead silence. He walked to the stone cliff by the moonlight, and looked down from a high place. The waves were bursting, and the rough waves seemed to swallow up those jagged and strange rocks.