The next day, when the sun rose three poles high.
Qin Mubai and Chen Yan walked out of the small building again. Qin Mubai was still yawning and stretching, and giggled haha: "Yan, don't tell me, it turns out that being an assassin is quite exciting. It's a dark and windy night, killing people and selling goods. Passing through the beams, flying over the eaves, and walking over the walls, you come and go without a trace. Haha! I will stop being an official someday and hang out with you! Let’s travel around the world and be a couple of immortals.”
"Nonsense. Just leave the princes and generals alone and wander around the world." Chen Yan smiled and said, "How was your talk with Li Ke last night?"
"Well, it's almost done." Qin Mubai breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I made a plan to deceive those traitors, mainly to gain their trust in me. Now I understand the meaning of strong dragons not suppressing local cowards. . These people are all minors and are not worth mentioning in theory. However, when we, the so-called big shots in the court, come here to fight with them, it really feels like we are hitting the cotton with our fists. , some of them are not enough. So now we have changed our strategy. We can't deal with them in a big way like before, but we have to use some subtle methods to deal with them. Yan, you are an expert in this area. You have to teach me.”
"Okay -" Chen Yan dragged out her voice and said with a smile, "Finally there is some place where I can play my role. Can I stop exerting myself? Let's go back to the Governor's Mansion. I see you and Li Ke, How to act."
At noon, the governor's office.
Qin Mubai and Chen Yan entered through the main entrance of the Governor's Mansion and met Zhou Laojiu, the leader of the government officials.
Zhou Lao Jiusha came up to him in surprise: "General Qin, you are finally back! Are you safe and sound? His Highness King Wu is extremely anxious!"
"I'm fine. Do you think I'm fine?" Qin Mubai smiled to himself and patted Zhou Laojiu on the shoulder, "Where is Your Highness?"
"It's in the back house, I'll take you there!" After saying that, Zhou Laojiu led the way affectionately.
Qin Mubai and Chen Yan looked at each other, smiled, and followed him forward calmly.
Along the way, Zhou Laojiu seemed to have something to say. He looked at Chen Yan, but hesitated. Qin Mubai said: "Just say what you want to say, she is not an outsider."
"Oh, oh!" Zhou Laojiu smiled awkwardly, bowed to Chen Yan as a sign of goodwill, and whispered: "General Qin, you have been at Madam Hua's house for three days, have you gained anything?"
"Yes!" Qin Mubai nodded, put his shoulder on his shoulder and walked a few steps forward to avoid Chen Yan's sight, and snickered in a low voice: "Flower Lady, you are really **!"
"Huh?..." Zhou Laojiu was stunned, and then he laughed dryly, "General Qin, you are really romantic, romantic, haha!"
"Keep your voice down, you're looking for death!" Qin Mubai slapped him on the head angrily and gritted his teeth, "Do I have to let everyone in the house know that I went to have fun? By the way, help me get those two A hundred riders are calling."
"Those two?" Zhou Laojiu blinked his eyes, looking dazed.
"Those two idiots I sent to protect Zheng Anshun!"
"Yes, the villain will go right away!"
Zhou Laojiu ran away like crazy. Chen Yan held the sword in her chest and smiled coldly: "His concealment skills are not very good."
"Of course it's not that good in the eyes of a veteran like you." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Now it's not about who is smarter or more patient, but who is better at hiding and deceiving. Hey, I should have known it. I really should have learned how to act from those Liyuan children when I was in Chang'an."
"No master would accept a disciple like you."
"Why?" Qin Mubai looked shocked, "Are my qualifications really that bad?"
"Because... they have nothing to teach you." Chen Yan smiled sweetly and walked forward leisurely.
"Am I really that good?" Qin Mubai shook his head and sneered, then followed.
In the past few days, Li Ke, who was in a depressed mood, ignored government affairs and locked himself in the garden at the back of the governor's mansion. He either got angry or drank to drown his sorrows. It was almost known to everyone in the whole government. Therefore, no one dared to touch him at this time. At most, Quan Wanji would come to visit him sooner or later to give him some advice, but to no avail. Li Ke's mood became increasingly bad, and he was often heard scolding and beating down others after drinking.
When Qin Mubai walked to the hall of the back house, he heard Li Ke roaring like thunder from a distance: "What do you do for food! You are as big as Xiangyang City, and you can't find anyone even if you look for it! I order you to do it today." Find me that thief Qin Mubai! Even if he digs three feet into the Han River, he will see his dead body!"
"Yes..." Yuwen Hongtai and Xue Rengui accepted the promise with frowning faces. Just as they were about to turn around and exit, they suddenly saw Qin Mubai and Chen Yan walking over. They suddenly shouted in surprise: "Your Highness, Your Highness! General Qin is back. !”
"Where?" Li Ke almost jumped up from his seat, rushed to the threshold and shouted: "Mu Bai, it turns out you are not dead!!!"
This roar was so loud that all the servants and maids walking around in the mansion were startled, and all of them stopped and looked over.
"Without His Majesty's command, how could I dare to die so easily?" Qin Mubai walked forward quickly with a smile, and cupped his hands, "Your Majesty, I'm back."
"Okay, okay, it's good to come back." Li Ke took his hand and walked into the house in surprise. "Tell Xiao Wang quickly, what progress has been made? Are the princess and others okay?"
Chen Yan stood under the eaves with her sword in her arms, snickering to herself: These two grown men are really good at putting on airs. Needless to say, even Xue Rengui and Yuwen Hongtai had to be deceived. If I wasn't an insider, how could I possibly see through it? In this way, it would not be difficult to deceive the two spies, Zhou Laojiu and Zhang Tong.
Just as they were muttering, two hundred knights, led by Zhou Laojiu, came to the front of the hall. Zhou Laojiu then said: "General Qin, I have been ordered to invite the two Hundred Cavalry Generals here."
"Bullshit, what are you doing, general? Two rice pails!" Then Qin Mubai was heard roaring loudly inside, "Get out of here!"
Zhang Tong and the other Baiqi soldiers suddenly changed their expressions. They walked in with their heads lowered and livid faces.
Yuwen Hongtai and Xue Rengui were also standing outside the door, and they both looked shocked. Yuwen Hongtai then whispered: "Brother Rengui, have you ever seen Third Brother Qin get angry and curse in public?"
"Never."
Yuwen Hongtai smacked his tongue: "Then he is really angry. I don't know where he has been these past few days and what he has done? I have been holding back my desire to ask, but I dare not speak." He rolled his eyes. After glancing at Chen Yan, he walked up to her with a smile and said, "Chen... Heroine, can I ask you a question?"
"No." Chen Yan said coldly without even replying.
"Uh..." Yuwen Hongtai was stunned, "I haven't spoken yet!"
"You just want to ask where Qin Mubai has been and what he has done these days, right?" Chen Yan said with a hint of teasing, but her face was still as cold as ice.
Yuwen Hongtai was really surprised: "How did you know? Could it be that you know how to read minds?"
"I don't understand." Chen Yan said, "It's just that my ears work better."
"What do you mean?" Yuwen Hongtai was even more stunned.
Xue Rengui smiled bitterly on the side and hurriedly pulled Yuwen Hongtai back: "Don't be embarrassed, come back quickly!"
"Why are you so anxious? Let me ask clearly!" Yuwen Hongtai was confused.
At this time, the two hundred knights in the main hall had knelt down and did not dare to raise their heads.
Qin Mubai stepped forward, raised his foot, and without saying a word, kicked both of them to the left and right, kicking them to the ground on the spot. The two of them did not dare to say a word, rolled on the ground and hurriedly came back, kneeling on the same spot without even changing their appearance.
"Are you worthy of being called Baiqi?" Qin Mubai sneered, "Pack your bags and go back to Chang'an to marry your mother-in-law and nurse your children!"
"General! I know my fault for my humble duty, I deserve to die for my humble duty! But please, General, please give us a chance to atone for our sins!" The two hundred knights begged anxiously.
"Get lost! I don't need losers like you!" Qin Mubai roared angrily.
"Mubai, Mubai!" Li Ke hurriedly stood up and pulled Qin Mubai's hand, saying, "Everything is easy to discuss, so why get angry? As the saying goes, if an old horse stumbles, let alone a human being? The two of them will follow you. It's been a while since I traveled thousands of miles from Chang'an to Xiangzhou. At least my loyalty is commendable! Even if I make a mistake, there is no need to kick them away. "
"Am I ruthless?" Qin Mubai raised his eyebrows and shouted angrily, "Ask them both. What is the first rule of the Hundred Cavalry Army?"
The two Baiqi were stunned for a moment, then answered in unison with a grimace: "Any task that Baiqi takes over is not allowed to fail. Anyone found guilty will be dismissed."
Li Ke was startled: "It's not that serious, right?"
Qin Mubai said: "That's because Baiqi is different from other armies. In fact, any mission we take over can only succeed and cannot fail. If we fail, it means that the lives of the people we protect are in danger. Your Highness, think about it, Who is the person Baiqi is protecting? From this perspective, this punishment is still light."
"Hey, military regulations are dead, but people are alive!" Li Ke was still trying to persuade him in front of the peacemaker, "You sent them to protect Zheng Anshun. The person was lost, but it doesn't mean his... life. What a worry! The most important thing now is to find a way to save people, instead of being busy punishing your brothers. I also know that your Baiqi army has strict rules, but this time, for the sake of Xiao Wang, you will be dealt with lightly. How about it? Now is the time to employ people, I hope you think twice."
The two hundred knights knelt down, not daring to move, and listened quietly.
Qin Mubai was silent for a moment and snorted coldly: "Why don't you thank King Wu quickly!"
"Thank you, Your Highness, King Wu, and thank you, General, for your kindness!" The two hundred knights bowed in surprise.
"Okay, okay, everyone, get up." Li Ke stepped forward with a smile, helped the two of them up, and said, "Actually, what your general hates you the most is that he is just hard-spoken and soft-hearted. Well, Mu Bai, you just followed Where did I say it?”
"Oh, speaking of... I entered Hua Niangzi's house." Qin Mubai said casually.
The two Baiqi stood obediently behind Qin Mubai, just like they usually did on guard. Qin Mubai naturally did not drive them away, but sat down with Li Ke and began to discuss things.
Qin Mubai truthfully told Li Ke what had happened in the past few days. Of course, the personal affairs with Chen Yan are naturally murky.
Finally, Qin Mubai said: "Your Highness, I have no choice. At the moment, it seems that we have no choice. In fact, since the water ghost has agreed to my two conditions, it will not only guarantee the safety of the hostages, but also guarantee that he will not be there in the future." A crime has been committed in Xiangzhou, and it will be disbanded within a year. It’s okay for us to compromise temporarily.”
"What did you say?" Li Ke raised his sword eyebrows, looking surprised and a little angry, "This group of thieves killed people and stole goods, robbed official ships, kidnapped my princess, and used it to threaten your subordinates. Such audacious behavior is simply unbelievable. You have no regard for the law of the king, and you actually want to compromise with them? How will you harm the law of the Tang Dynasty, and how will it harm my face, Li Ke?"
Qin Mubai looked embarrassed and said in a low voice: "Your Highness, don't be angry yet. Isn't the top priority right now to save people? I am also helpless! The lives of the princess and the princess are in their hands, as long as they Just move your finger, and that’s a matter of life and death! Why don’t we take a step back and rescue people first?”
Li Ke snorted coldly: "Then who can guarantee that they will really disappear in Xiangzhou after they succeed? Will they really disband and quit after a year? Let me tell you, thieves are hard to change. This time they used blackmail. If we succeed, there is no guarantee that there will be no next time. If we compromise this time, what will happen next time? Besides, if we compromise with the thief, it will be a serious crime of condoning cover-up! I really don’t know how I will be the governor in the future! Maybe they will just throw a piece of information to Chang’an when they are unhappy, and I, the prince, will not even think about it!”
Qin Mubai frowned: "In your opinion, what should I do?"
Li Ke slapped his hand on the table: "If we can't even deal with a few water bandits, how can we gain a foothold in the future? What I haven't said is that we will never compromise!"
Qin Mubai shook his head and sighed: "Your Highness, do you think I just want to compromise? What's the difference between breaking my teeth and swallowing them in my stomach? In the end, it's not because of the few human lives in their hands!"
"Qin Mubai, when did you become so greedy for life and afraid of death?" Li Ke suddenly became furious, pointed at Qin Mubai and cursed, "I will never compromise! If they harm the princess and her daughter because of this, me… "
"What will you do?" Qin Mubai said coldly.
"I just assume that they both died due to dystocia a year ago!"
Yuwen Hongtai and Xue Rengui outside the house changed their expressions, and their expressions were a bit chilly. Chen Yan slightly raised the corner of her mouth with a half-smile, but remained calm.
"King Wu..." Qin Mubai took a deep breath and said, "I know you are just doing it out of loyalty. No one cares about the safety of their mother and daughter more than you."
"You don't have to say it so beautifully." Li Ke's face suddenly became a little cold, even a bit sad, and he said in a deep voice, "I have my bottom line and principles. If a prince wants me to compromise with thieves, I will definitely It can't be done! Let alone capture my concubine and daughter, even if you put a knife on my neck, it is impossible! "
"I understand what you mean." Qin Mubai nodded, snorted coldly, and said: "Compared with your throne and future, a woman with a little bit of flesh and blood is really nothing. Anyway, the most important person around you is There is no shortage of women, right?”
"What did you say?" Li Ke suddenly became furious, turned around and grabbed Qin Mubai's lapel, gritted his teeth and shouted, "Say it again?"
"Did I say something wrong?" Qin Mubai looked at Qin Mubai coldly, used some secret power on his hand to open Li Ke's hand, and snorted coldly: "Today, I am not the only one who can say that." I really see you clearly. Maybe one day, I, Qin, can sacrifice for you, right? Because compared to the princess and the princess, it’s clear who they are!”
"Qin Mubai, you are going to fall out with me, aren't you?" Li Ke stared at Qin Mubai with wide eyes, trembling with anger.
Qin Mubai shook his head with an indifferent expression: "There is nothing to be ashamed of, because I think it is shameless enough for me to stay here for nothing. Let's put it this way, His Highness King Wu. I, Qin, am after all Lieutenant Zhechong of Xiangzhou has banditry under his control, I will take care of it myself, so I don’t have to worry about it.”
"Qin Mubai! You are so bold!" Li Ke was furious and almost shouted, "You mean, I don't care what you want to do, right?"
"If you want to understand it this way, that's fine." Qin Mubai said coldly, "Historically, the governor and the captain have nothing to do with military and political affairs. You take care of your people's livelihood, and I take care of my military affairs. The case of the water ghost is a big deal. The case should be heard by your governor's office, but it is the responsibility of our military government to suppress bandits and bandits. There is no need for you, the governor, to point your fingers. I'll just wait until I figure out the water ghost case. , just leave the criminal to you for trial. Don’t bother with anything else.”
At this time, Yuwen Hongtai, Xue Rengui and the two hundred knights in the hall were stunned. The four of them wanted to come forward to persuade them, but seeing the posture of Li Ke and Qin Mubai, they were a little frightened and did not dare to come forward.
"How could this happen? How could the two of them fall out?"
"According to what you say, I am troublesome?" Li Ke stared, surprised and angry, "You mean, you insist on doing what you want? Compromise with the water ghost in exchange for the hostage?"
"It's useless to talk more." Qin Mubai sighed, and said in a more relaxed tone, "Your Highness, King Wu, I understand your difficulties, but if things are done according to the way you said, it will definitely be done with more blood. , costing many lives. It's hard for me to do this because of your ruthlessness. If anyone wants to accuse us of having an affair with a bandit, let me, Qin, take responsibility for the case from today on. It has nothing to do with you. Just stay peacefully as the governor and be your upright, strict and shining prince."
"You are so presumptuous!" Li Ke casually picked up a tea cup and threw it on the ground. The cup suddenly shattered and water splashed, shocking everyone.
"Qin Mubai, if you persist in your stubbornness, don't blame me for turning against you!"
"Please feel free." Qin Mubai said coldly, "You are just preparing to impeach me, report me to the Yushitai, and report me to His Majesty the Emperor, right? However, I am willing to do it for the sake of our friendship. , for the sake of your loyal subordinate Yin Yang and those royal soldiers who have sunk to the bottom of the river, for the sake of... your dearest princess and princess, do not do such a thing until the case is over. "
"Do you think you are great?" Li Ke's face changed, his expression was distorted even though he was smiling but not angry. He glared at Qin Mubai and danced with exaggerated movements, "Compared to this, I, Li Ke, am a cold-blooded and ruthless person. You beast, and you are willing to put yourself to the test for the sake of friends and family, isn’t that true?”
"Farewell." Qin Mubai snorted with great disdain, cupped his hands, shook his robe and strode out.
"Stop! - Someone, take down Qin Mubai!" Li Ke yelled behind Qin Mubai.
A group of government officials and soldiers rushed forward, but Xue Rengui and Yuwen Hongtai were dumbfounded, their eyes straightened when they looked at Qin Mubai.
Chen Yan's figure flashed to Qin Mubai's side, holding the sword, and coldly glanced at the people in front of her: "The first one will die."
Yuwen Hongtai swallowed hard: "General Qin... Third Brother Qin! What's wrong with you?"
"Yuwen Hongtai, do you dare to resist the order? Get someone for me!" Li Ke yelled.
The two hundred knights also strode to Qin Mubai's side, holding the hilts of their swords with sharp eyes, ready for battle.
Xue Rengui stared at Qin Mubai for a long time with thick eyebrows furrowed and said, "Let's go, General Qin."
"Xue Rengui, what did you say? Are you rebelling?" Li Ke roared angrily.
"General Qin dares to risk beheading for benevolence and righteousness. Xue Li is willing to accept the punishment of being beheaded by His Highness!" After Xue Rengui whispered this to Qin Mubai, he suddenly lowered his eyebrows and shouted: "All troops spread!"
Xue Rengui, the captain and direct commander of the palace's personal soldiers, gave the order, and the sergeants actually dispersed in a circle.
"Your Highness, Third Brother Qin! You, don't do this!" Yuwen Hongtai was anxious, jumping in and out like a child who had lost his candy and shouted anxiously, "Don't, don't do this! We, don't we all Are we in the same boat? We should live and die together!"
"That's what happened yesterday, Hong Tai." Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "Your Highness, we have different ways and we don't want to conspire against each other. You and I can get together and part ways, so why bother using swords to make it difficult to see each other again in the future? Although you and I are no longer friends, we are still colleagues. If you are dissatisfied with me, you can write a letter of impeachment and have your people detain me privately. Even if you set up a private court, it will not be justified by the law. "
Li Ke gritted his teeth and his bones made noise.
"Okay, very good. Since you have said this, our past friendship has been wiped out. Qin Mubai, from today on, you and I will not be in conflict with each other. We will handle all business affairs." Li Ke gasped. He said roughly, almost word by word, "From now on, I, Li Ke, don't know Qin Mubai. I only know that Xiangzhou Military Mansion Zhechong Commandery is a 'comrade'!"
"Your Highness is wise." Qin Mubai smiled coldly and strode forward.
The government officials and sergeants surrounded him layer after layer, neither blocking nor dispersing. They could only retreat with Qin Mubai, gesturing with their swords and guns, and actually "escorted" him like this until he left the palace. .
After leaving the house, Qin Mubai and Chen Yan mounted their horses, without saying a word, whipped away, and went directly back to the small building.
At this time, Qin Mubai breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
"It's really like the acting. Even I was almost fooled." Chen Yan said with a smile, "Those two hundred knights have been running behind our horses for a while, and they didn't dare to tell you to stop and wait. Wait.”
Qin Mubai shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I think it's still not similar enough. Because... Xue Rengui seems to have seen the clues."
"Not necessarily." Chen Yan smiled slightly and said, "Maybe he is showing his true feelings? I think he is a brave man with a true temperament."
"None of this is important anymore." Qin Mubai gasped and said, "The key is to... deceive that Zhou Laojiu and Zhang Tong. Perhaps, there are other spies who are ambushing in the palace."
"What are you going to do next?" Chen Yan asked.
Qin Mubai thought for a while and said, "I'm going to go back to the military mansion to explain some things. Then I'll contact the water ghosts and lay out the plan. I think the water ghosts should trust me a little more now. ”
"But you agreed, but Li Ke didn't nod, and you still fell out because of it. Are they relieved?" Chen Yan asked.
"The grain trade must be carried out on the water, and Li Ke can't control it even if he wants to. Besides, I can explain that Li Ke turned against me like this, just for the sake of his throne and future. Why didn't he have any intention in his heart? Concerned about the princess and the princess? If he didn't fall out with me, he would be an accomplice. Now that he can avoid being dragged into the water by me and rely on me to save people, isn't it the best of both worlds? "Qin Mubai said, " Therefore, I will definitely be able to convince the water ghost to start the trading plan boldly!”
Chen Yan shook her head with a wry smile: "Is this the mentality of you officials?"
Qin Mubai laughed dryly: "It's not as vicious and insidious as you think. At least, Li Ke and I are not."