Although Beiguan City is located on the border, the place is small, and the buildings are dilapidated and old, but it has a fresh vitality that the capital city does not have. Merchants who come from south to north bring necessary nutrients to this small city, nourishing this small city, showing vigorous vitality everywhere.
The imperial court owed the Zhenbei Army military expenses and military salaries not overnight, but as far as Yang Heng saw, the equipment treatment of the Zhenbei Army may not even compare with the best-paid Beijing Army. I have to say that Lu Ying is really good at this aspect. Talent, or rather his helper - the Bai family is very talented.
With the financial resources of the Bai family, it is not difficult to raise a private army by themselves, but the money is invested in the Zhenbei army, and at present, it seems that the Bai family has no intention of controlling the Zhenbei army.
Yang Heng has a strong feeling that Beiguan City is just a temporary shelter for the Bai family and Lu Ying, they don't intend to stay here forever, it's just a springboard for them to reach a certain goal.
What is the goal of the Bai family and Lu Ying? Obviously, it has nothing to do with the political situation of Qi State, otherwise Lu Ying would not have avoided the affairs of North Korea and China in the past few years, and even when the situation in Beiguancheng was relatively stable, she still never returned to Beijing and never interacted with officials of North Korea and China. Check it out, even he, the imperial envoy and real prince, sent him to the door with a cold and distant attitude.
There are only two reasons why Lu Ying dared to openly lead the Zhenbei Army to murder, set fire, rob and sell stolen goods. One is that he is determined that he will not expose these things, or even if they do, he will not be exposed in a short period of time. There will be no consequences, and the second is that he doesn't care about the position of General Zhenbei at all, even if he is dismissed from office, it doesn't matter.
Yang Heng drank the tea in the cup in one gulp, and said to Lie Dang: "No matter what our General Lu is thinking, it must have a lot to do with the Bai family. As long as we keep an eye on the Bai family's movements, it is not difficult to guess. Find out what he really wants."
Lie Dang nodded and said yes, took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it up with both hands: "I asked the people from 'Qianxiaolou' to inquire about the assassin a few days ago, and the results have already been obtained. From one place."
Yang Heng took the letter and read it, and said: "Autumn Wind Pavilion and the Three Kills? I remember that Qiufeng Pavilion experienced a civil strife more than ten years ago, and it has disappeared for many years." It was written in the letter that Yang Heng was the first time It was Qiu Fengge who was almost killed when he was besieged by a large number of assassins in Beiguan City, and it was the work of a killer organization called "Three Kills" after that.
"Yes, it is said that the current Qiufeng Pavilion was reorganized by some killers left over from the civil strife. Although it is not as powerful as before, there are not a few masters, and it is still one of the best killer organizations in the Jianghu. Listening to Qian Xiaolou's tone, they The assassination of His Highness failed, and for some reason he suddenly refused to continue the assassination mission, but instead returned the original silver to the customer, declaring that he would not interfere in this matter." Lie Dang couldn't think of the reason.
Yang Heng also doesn't remember that he ever knew any powerful people who could influence Qiufeng Pavilion not to accept business, but Qiufeng Pavilion's withdrawal is a great thing for him.
"Three killings... That means, there will be another assassination?" Yang Heng frowned, thinking of another group of troublesome people who wanted to chase and kill him.
The origin of the name “Three Kills” is because this organization has a strange rule—every time they receive a business, they will send up to three killers, and they will never stop dying. If all three killers are defeated and killed, they will not send anyone to assassinate them again.
To put it bluntly, the reward for killing three kills was to buy the lives of their three killers.
The killers under the Three Killers are very few in terms of martial arts masters, but they are good at hiding. There are men, women, old and young. Not many people.
And there is another advantage of the triple killing, that is, no matter whether the assassination is successful or not, it will not leave any clues for people to follow, and it will never disclose the customer's information, so although the fee is high and the success rate is not 100%, it is still very popular. Customers welcome.
To assassinate a noble prince like Yang Heng, there is nothing more suitable than the triple kill, so it is completely reasonable that the person in charge who hides behind the scenes will instead find the triple kill.
Lie Dang nodded and said, "Yes, His Highness will leave Beiguan City and return to Beijing the day after tomorrow, and the assassins will most likely strike today and tomorrow."
Yang Heng raised his brows and said with a smile: "Since this is the case, I would like to see what other methods they have! Instead, I am curious about the number of this Qianxiaolou, and the information is really well-informed."
Lie Dang thought for a while, and said: "This subordinate feels that this Qianxiao Tower probably has something to do with the palace..."
"Just because he takes all kinds of business, as long as he encounters things in the palace and the court, it will stop here?" Including this time, Qian Xiaolou's investigation for them is limited to where the hired killer came from, No mention was made as to who the employer was.
Although Yang Heng seems to seldom leave the capital, he has cultivated many eyes and ears through deliberate efforts, and knows a lot about things in the Jianghu. The royal family of the Qi State has always been inextricably linked with the famous families in the rivers and lakes. It can be said that behind every famous sect and martial arts family, there is more or less the background of the royal family of the Qi State and important officials of the imperial court.
The dignitaries in Beijing use these people to control and balance civil forces, and they also use these people to do things for them that are inconvenient to do directly. Yang Heng has put in a lot of effort in this regard.
Liedang replied: "Yes, and Ah Wei once said that many of Qianxiaolou's methods of doing things are very similar to the Tsingyi Guard's secret agents. The strange thing is that there has never been such a group of people in their Tsingyi Guard establishment."
Ah Wei is the chief of Yang Heng's secret guards. He is responsible for inquiring news and doing some top-secret things for Yang Heng. He is one of the most powerful people around him. His status is not inferior to that of Lie Dang. He was born in the Tsing Yi Wei family. , who is very familiar with Tsing Yi Wei's affairs, the news is probably not wrong.
Yang Heng smiled and said: "Tsing Yiwei is now firmly in the hands of the emperor. If Qianxiao Tower is really related to Qing Yiwei, it would be interesting. Let's take a look when I return to Beijing."
In the middle of the moon, Bai Chou and Mu Peilan had dinner, saw off their daughter, and walked along the edge of Heling Lake together to enjoy the moon.
Mu Peilan tugged at her husband's sleeve and said, "I insist on going back to Beijing, does your husband blame me for being capricious?"
Bai Chou put his arms around her waist and said, "Why, you and your mother-in-law have been dependent on each other since childhood, it's human nature to miss her, but I'm too selfish after all."
Mu Peilan leaned against him and said: "I insist on going back this time, firstly because I really miss my mother, secondly because of Ling'er, she will be dying at the end of the year, I... I'm afraid!"
Bai Chou's expression froze and said: "The old monk is just talking nonsense, Ling'er has great fortune and destiny, our family has accumulated virtue and done good deeds these years, and we have never done a single evil thing, the Bodhisattva is merciful, and will definitely not let our husband and wife grow old Give it to the black-headed man!" Although he said it firmly, everyone could see that he was worried, let alone Mu Peilan, who had been married to him for many years
Bai Fuling has always been worried that her parents knew that she was about to return to the underworld at the age of eighteen. In fact, just as she suspected, the Bai family had already known.
Mu Peilan bowed her head and said: "Back then I carried Ling'er to find Mr. Xin Yi, and Ling'er's aura became weaker and weaker halfway. I was flustered, and I couldn't remember how I got to that ruined temple. I remember that it was about 20 miles outside the capital, in the area of Mount Fanzhuang, I wanted to go to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva to fulfill my vow, begging him to show mercy and let Ling'er live a long life."
Bai Chou was very moved when he heard this, nodded and said: "You told me earlier, there is no reason for me not to agree."
Mu Peilan raised her head and said with a smile: "I also want my mother to preside over the wedding ceremony for Ling'er!"
According to the etiquette and customs of Qi State, the more solemn the women's Jiji ceremony is, the higher the status of the person who blesses her, the more blessings, the better luck this woman will have in the future, and she will be rich and healthy all her life, with a lot of children and grandchildren.
"Okay, okay! I'll do as you say!" Bai Chou nodded repeatedly, as if he could already see the bright prospect of his daughter marrying a good husband and raising a few fat grandchildren for them.
"It's a pity that with my appearance, I'm afraid I won't be able to attend Ling'er's Jiji ceremony..." Although Mu Peilan stopped caring about her appearance many years ago, she still feels lonely and sad when it comes to such an issue.
It is inconvenient for her to openly appear in front of people as the only daughter of the Duke of Zhong, who claims to be seriously ill and has been away from Beijing for many years. Even if she can, her appearance may cause her daughter to be ridiculed.
Bai Chou didn't want to comfort her with good words that were useless, so he thought for a while and said, "Let's just hold two funeral ceremonies for Ling'er, one time for my mother-in-law to preside over the dignitaries in the capital, and one time for our family, only please How about some close friends?"
Mu Peilan immediately became happy when she heard this, and the two couples couldn't wait to figure out who would be more suitable to invite, and how to make this ceremony grand and lively. They chatted until almost dawn before going to rest contentedly.
Not long after Bai Fuling returned to Cold Spring Hospital, Lu Ying arrived.
Bai Fuling pulled him to talk about all the things that happened in Beiguan City after he left, bragging about how good she was, Lu Ying just listened with a smile, until Bai Fuling mentioned that her parents wanted to take her to the capital to visit relatives, Lu Ying just changed her expression when she was about to leave in early September at the latest.
"Brother, I hate going to the capital, but my parents insisted that I go, hey! When I'm not around, you remember to take care of those people in the dental clinic for me, and come to accompany Platinum when you have time. , auspicious they... "Ping An, Fugui, Auspicious, etc. are the army of beasts raised by Bai Fuling. Even in Baijiazhuang, not many people dare to approach them. There are too many people in the capital, and it is impossible for Bai Fuling to treat them. Take it with you, so I can only ask Lu Ying to take care of her.
The little lihua, who was sticking to Lu Ying and acted like a baby, immediately had a strong sense of crisis when the master mentioned the names of the guys who were competing with it, and couldn't care less about flattering the handsome guy. Embracing, rubbing and arching to win back the master's attention.
Lu Yingning raised her eyebrows and thought about it, "How about going to the capital with you?"