Outside the city of Xiang.
The weather was fine, but unfortunately, the atmosphere of this group of 5,000 people was dignified, all of them straightened their backs and walked on horseback, but there was a bad atmosphere. The most commendable thing was that even though it was a team of 5,000 people, no one was gossiping, one or two were not looking sideways, and only a glance from a distance could see the seriousness and sternness of their team.
And the leader has an even more arrogant expression. He looks a little old, but his eyes are bright and full of spirit.
The armor on his body shows his identity, it is Qin Mu, who is the three famous generals of Xuan Kingdom along with Xue Changfeng and Wei Yuanting.
It has taken them a long time to come from Qinzhou, and now they have reached the boundary of Xiangcheng.
Qin Mu kept looking ahead, and could vaguely see the tall city walls of the royal capital. At this time, he turned his head slightly and said to a young man beside him: "After arriving in Xiangcheng, you will lead your army here, and you will not enter the city except for your personal guards."
"Yes."
This young man was Qin Fu's son, Qin Mu. He was twenty-seven years old, and he was already a little-known major general, but it was a pity that Qin Chuan had always been stable, so he did not have the reputation of Xue Ziqin as a famous general in the country.
Min Qiu was sitting on the tower and watching, and he was not alone. Although everyone dressed up in disguise and dressed like the other guards on the tower, Min Qiu was still able to show off the background of those who had the same purpose as him.
The news of Qin Mu's return to the capital is not a top secret, all the princes and ministers know it, but because his return to the capital is of great significance, all the confidants are like Min Qiu at this time, waiting and watching, just to get the news as soon as possible.
The emperor was already at the end of his force, but he still did not issue an edict to establish the reserve. Instead, he ordered Qin Mu to return to the capital. This meant that the emperor needed General Qin to be in charge before he could establish the reserve.
Therefore, Qin Mu's attitude is very important for the next princes to seize the reserve.
The action of 5,000 people was huge, and Min Qiu had not seen anyone on the tower, so he heard the sound of iron hooves first. He looked around again, and a few of the people he thought should be spies had already left. After waiting for a cup of tea, Min Qiu finally saw Qin Mu's figure.
"Qin Mu, the general of the Qin state, has ordered to return to the DPRK." The guard under the city gate was about to step forward to interrogate him, but Qin Mu had already reported himself. He unhurriedly took out a token from his waist and showed it to the guard. The guard immediately stepped aside and saluted, "Meet General Qin!"
Qin Mu nodded, and then said to Qin Fu: "You lead the army to station here, waiting for dispatch."
"Yes."
In the end, Qin Mu only brought a small team into the city. Seeing this, Min Qiu immediately retreated from the city tower and hurried to the Xue residence.
The few spies left on the tower, most of them reacted similarly to Min Qiu, and in the end only two thieves were left, still watching from above.
I saw that after Qin Mu led his people away, from the army, a man with beautiful features and sergeant's clothes walked out and rode his horse straight to Qin Fu's side.
"Brother." The man said.
Qin Fu saw that his father's back had disappeared into the city, then turned his head and looked at the man with some complaint: "You, you know how to make trouble."
"Brother is wrong," the man laughed, revealing his white and neat teeth, "Shu'er has long been tired of Qinzhou, this time in the capital, my father didn't bring Shu'er, if my brother didn't help Shu If you give me a hand, wouldn't I want to suffocate Shu'er in Qinzhou."
"I just can't do anything about you." Qin Fu heard this, smiled dotingly, reached out and stroked the man's hair for a moment, and then reminded in a serious voice: "You must not change your clothes in the capital, So that no one will have bad intentions against you." After speaking, he raised his voice slightly behind him: "Luo An, you follow the eldest miss and protect yourself."
The soldier named Luo An immediately rode his horse forward and bowed his hands: "My subordinates take orders."
"Brother, no one needs to follow!"
This person is Qin Mu's daughter, seventeen years old, named Qin Shu.
Although Qin Shu said so, Qin Fu was absolutely reluctant to joke about her safety and refused to let her travel alone. Qin Shu was no match for her brother's toughness, so she had to dismount and take Luo An into the city together.
The two people on the tower looked at each other and went down the tower together. One walked quickly towards the direction of the palace, while the other followed Qin Shu a few meters away.
Qin Mu did not have a mansion in the capital, so he lived in the Juxian Pavilion outside the palace to entertain foreign ministers. He led 20 of his own soldiers to enter the Juxian Pavilion before he had time to bathe and eat, so he was exhausted all the way, and the outside was sent to report.
"Report to the general, the second prince asks to see you."
"The news is fast." Qin Mu snorted coldly, "Let him wait outside first, and order someone to bring some meals over."
"Yes."
But the personal soldiers retreated, and before the meal came, another personal soldier came in to report: "Report to the general, the third prince asks for an interview."
Qin Mu irritably "tsk" his mouth, originally wanted to refuse, but then he thought about it, two princes appeared outside to ask to see, if there are two more later, he doesn't see, it seems that something is wrong. After all, he is a courtier and is always used by the royal family. The prince will not be received when he comes, and it is inevitable that he is a little too arrogant.
"Invite the second prince to come in first." Qin Mu said.
"Yes."
Cen Lijiang, holding a long box, followed his personal soldiers into the main hall of Juxian Pavilion. The meal had just been served, and Qin Mu was indeed hungry, and he didn't care about the etiquette, he was enjoying himself.
"Li Jiang has seen General Qin." Cen Lijiang smiled and saluted him.
Qin Mu put down the chopsticks in his hand and hurriedly stepped forward to give Cen Lijiang a bow: "I have seen the second prince."
"General Qin doesn't need to be too polite." Cen Lijiang handed over the long box in his hand and said, "Li Jiang has heard the name of the general for a long time, and has admired it for a long time.
It is a pity that Li Jiang is not good at martial arts, so in order not to dust the sword, he specially entrusted it to the general. "
Qin Mu first looked at him, then at the long box in his hand. Seeing this, Cen Lijiang immediately opened the lid of the box. Inside is really a precious sword, and just by looking at the scabbard and hilt, you can see that it is exquisitely crafted. Qin Mu picked up the sword and took out the scabbard to examine it carefully. The blade of the sword turned brightly. Based on his years of experience in dealing with the sword, he could see that what Cen Lijiang said was true and it was indeed a sword.
Seeing a trace of joy flashing in Qin Mu's eyes, Cen Lijiang also secretly felt joy in his heart. It seemed that he really did not choose the wrong gift, and it caught Qin Mu's eyes.
But in the next moment, the sword was sheathed, and Qin Mu said, "Thank you second prince for your kindness, but you won't be rewarded if you don't get anything done. This kind of sword, your servant would never dare to accept it."
Cen Lijiang still wanted to persuade one or two, but before he opened his mouth, Qin Mu said again: "If the second prince came here to give a gift, with such kindness, the minister will take it, if there is nothing else..." "General Qin, you should know Li Jiang's intention. ." Listening to Qin Mu's words to drive away the guests, Cen Lijiang couldn't help but get impatient.
Qin Mu was a loyal and good minister, and the court knew that. But Cen Lijiang didn't expect that his words were so rude that his next words had no reason, so he had to bite the bullet and say this.
Qin Mu smiled at him and said, "The ministers have been loyal and good for generations, and have always been loyal to the country. Whatever the second prince thinks, it is difficult for the minister to help him, and everything follows the will of the Holy Spirit."
These words were not leaking, without any euphemism, and Cen Lijiang's face turned blue and red, but he could no longer find any words to persuade him to use it for himself.
"General..."
"Shu Chen has been on the road for several days and is very tired, so I won't send the second prince." Qin Mu saluted slightly.
When the soldiers outside heard this, they immediately came in and said to Cen Lijiang, "Second Prince, please."
Cen Lijiang had no choice but to leave angrily.
He had just left the hall door when he saw Cen Lijin who was looking up at the flowers in the courtyard. He was not the only one who got the news. At this moment, the purpose of Cen Lijin's presence here should be the same as his.
"Third brother." Cen Lijiang called out softly, and Cen Li turned around and saluted in a proper manner: "It turned out to be the second emperor."
"The third brother came to see General Qin, and I believe the purpose should be the same as mine." Cen Lijiang said with a smile, "It's a pity that the third brother came a step late."
"What does the second emperor mean by this?"
"Third brother should understand." He said, and turned to leave.
Cen Li was not annoyed when he heard the words, but asked softly at his back: "Then why did General Qin not accept the emperor's favor?"
He naturally pointed to the long box that Cen Lijiang was still holding on his chest.
Cen Lijiang turned his head and was about to attack when suddenly a personal guard stepped forward, walked to Cen Li's side and said, "Three princes, General, please come in and talk."
"Okay." Cen Lijin didn't see a trace of ridicule on his face, and he kept smiling very humble. When he finished saying this, he withdrew his gaze from Cen Lijiang, turned and went to the main hall with the guard.
Cen Lijiang looked at his back, and there was a hint of cruelty in his eyes.
The eldest prince is dead, and now he is the eldest son, Cen Lijin is not a direct descendant, why should he argue with him.
If you really want to compete with him, that's easy - just kill it.
Cen Lijiang thought, feeling slightly better after being mocked just now, and left calmly.
"Li Jin has seen General Qin." After entering the hall, Cen Li Jin bowed and said.
Qin Mu raised his eyes and looked at him first, then got up and saluted, "I have seen the third prince before."
From Cen Li's close look, it was obvious that he was much more decent. He was empty-handed, and there was no flattery in his expression. It was like an ordinary friend who came to say hello.
Qin Mu was originally a military general, and he didn't care about the devious things of the civil servants. He had received the second prince before, which disturbed his mood for dinner, and now he is unhappy.
"If the third prince and the second prince came for the same thing, then there is no need to say it again."
Hearing this somewhat rude remark, Cen Lijin was not annoyed, his face was full of humility and elegance, and then he said: "Li Jin just heard that General Qin was returning to the dynasty, and came to visit him. The emperor has been lingering on the bed, and General Qin has been on the bed for a long time. After the battle, Li Jin came to visit on behalf of his father, if he disturbed General Qin's rest, it would be Li Jin's fault."
"Why should the third prince be like this?" Qin Mu said, "If someone in Qin is loyal to Xuan Guo, he is loyal to the Sage, and will not be used by anyone."
"General Qin really deserves his reputation. Li Jin admires him for being a loyal and loyal person." Cen Lijin said, "It's so good, I forgive Li Jin for speaking out. The general is just right, and Li Jin is relieved."
The purpose of Cen Li's recent visit is different from that of Cen Lijiang.
Cen Lijiang has the support of the Wei family, but still wants Qin Mu, who has a lot of troops in his hand, to be his helper - this is impossible. If the emperor knows that Qin Mu is loyal, how can he keep waiting for him to return to the dynasty. Therefore, he only had to come to find out Qin Mu's attitude, not to win over him.
In the final analysis, as long as they don't meet with each other, who can inherit the throne depends on the father's wishes. Coming to win over the important ministers, such a wolf son's ambition, can actually make him greatly discount in the father's heart.
When he came this time, he was very clear in his heart. If Qin Mu really complied with the second prince's intentions, he would mention it from the side, if not, then it was really a simple greeting.
Thinking of this, Cen Lijin is in a good mood, and the smile on his face is even stronger: "Then Lijin will not disturb General Qin's meal. We will see you when the general enters the palace for an audience."
"Three princes walk slowly."