Chapter 271

Good things never go out, bad things go far.

The bad news of Dengzhou mutiny, like a plague, spread across the Han River in an instant. The people of Xiangzhou and Dengzhou, separated by a river, were shocked by the thunder on the plain, and the two sides of the Strait were in an uproar and panic!

In the peaceful and prosperous times, Jingxiang is not a border area. How can people not be frightened that there is a disaster of war? Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Jingxiang, located in Shannan Road, has been enjoying peace and prosperity. The people live and work in peace and contentment and do not know war.

It has been nearly 20 years since Gejin was founded.

Now there is a sudden mutiny overnight, and there is going to be a war. The people who used to stay at home all night are almost at a loss. The whole city of Xiangyang is in chaos. The merchants in the port desperately rush to transport the goods on the ship and take refuge in the city; the people in the city return to their homes, their doors and windows are closed, and they are afraid of the end of troubled times. Some people are ready to move their families to escape, such as the leeches on the hot pot.

In fact, all this happened in a short day. Just a few hours after Li Ke and Qin mubai received the news, the whole Xiangyang was shocked.

Qin mubai can no longer doubt that in this era of no telecommunications and network, people have a strong ability to deliver messages. Dengzhou and Xiangzhou are hundreds of miles apart. I just learned about Kuaima Feibao, and the people soon got the news.

If it were at the border where wars were frequent, such incidents would not have caused much impact. However, for Xiangzhou inland, which has been peaceful for a long time, the consequences of this sudden chaos are really very serious.

When Li Ke and Qin mubai returned to the assassin's palace, they had no time to sit down to talk or discuss for a while, and immediately put themselves into a series of intense work.

The primary task, of course, is to pacify the people and strengthen vigilance.

Li Ke quickly summoned all the county magistrates and officials under the rule of Xiangzhou. He met with the officials of Xiangzhou to clarify the rumor and state his position. He would rather die than join in the rebellion with Dengzhou. He also issued many decrees, ordering the officials under his rule to pacify the people, strengthen public order, enforce the Xiao Ban, Jiang ban and land ban, strictly investigate the population, and arrest the Dengzhou Rebel spies against Jiang. Eliminate rumors and rumors. From now on, the governor's office issued a series of decrees to stabilize the situation in Xiangzhou. "Strike hard" will be carried out, and those who take the opportunity to commit crimes will be severely punished

Wan Ji has the right to assist Li Ke in political affairs, but Qin mubai doesn't have to worry about it. In fact, his burden is no lighter than that of Li Ke.

Dengzhou and Xiangzhou are separated by a river and share the title of Han River. Li you raised his troops to conspire against him and planted Li Ke and Qin mubai as his accomplices. His intentions are vicious. Qin mubai knew that his intention was nothing more than two levels. First, he wanted to force him and Li Ke against them, and was forced to rebel against them; second, he confused the public and created confusion, which made the nearby counties and states into a panic, and he took the opportunity to make profits.

Now it seems that his second goal is about to be achieved. Dengxiang two prefectures thunder, people fell into an unprecedented panic. These remote inland prefectures and counties are not so well prepared for war. They are not strong in many cities, and they have little experience in fighting. Li you, it is not difficult for them to take advantage of this opportunity to attack some counties and cities. Moreover, it's hard to guarantee whether they will suddenly fight across the river to Xiangzhou. If the Hanjiang River fails, Xiangyang will be a port city with no strong city and thick pool. Will be naked in the face of the rebel spear, Guji dangerous!

As a result, Qin mubai and Li Ke had their own affairs. Li Ke commanded and dispatched the assassin's palace to pacify the people and enforce the rule. Qin mubai returned to the military mansion and let Pang Fei lead the 800 white wave water army to the Hanjiang River as soon as possible. More than 20 Shenyu spaceships lined up on the river between baguidu and the military port, with strong bows and crossbows. In addition, more than ten cavalry units were sent along the river to patrol, guard against the traffic day and night, check the pedestrians and business travelers, and guard against the spies in Dengzhou.

The rest of the soldiers and horses of the government are ready to fight at any time!

Xiangyang has not smelled the smell of beacon fire for 20 years. However, the sword pulled out the crossbow overnight, and the people yelled and hissed. It really had a kind of chaotic atmosphere, which made everyone's nerves tense.

The clear autumn air seemed to solidify.

After spending several hours reorganizing the troops, Qin mubai couldn't take a rest. He took several bodyguards and rushed to the assassin's palace to discuss with Li Ke about the next step.

When he first received the news, Li Ke made a decision without hesitation and without thinking. Now, he must make a clear stand and draw a clear line with Li you. This decision coincided with Qin mubai's, so they immediately separated. Now, the first step of people's livelihood pacification and military deployment has been completed.

Next, the two finally want a detailed conspiracy, how to deal with the big trouble across the river.

The four gates of Xiangyang City are under martial law, and the interrogation is very strict. Countless people fled from the port to the city, swarming together. Take a broad view, from the city gate directly to the river, the vast sea of people, cars and horses. These are all businessmen and travelers who come to the port to do business. They were caught off guard by sudden changes, such as natural disasters. The assassin's office sent out all the Yamen officers and recruited hundreds of soldiers from the prince Wu's office to take charge of the martial law of the city's Defense Gates. They struggled to maintain order, but there was no major chaos.When it was getting dark, the four gates of Xiangyang were finally closed. They didn't block the flow of the people outside, and they all came into the city. However, as a result, the pressure of public security in the city increased, and the assassin's office had to send many yamen servants and soldiers to patrol day and night.

It was dark when Qin mubai entered the city. After the Xiao Ban, there were only soldiers on the street except watchmen. Beigang flower street, which used to sing every night, also fell into silence, without any lights.

The horse's hooves of huoyun horse are stepping on the hard bluestone Road, making a loud sound and spreading far away. Today's desolation and extermination are in sharp contrast to the prosperity and tranquility of the past, which makes Qin mubai feel as if he has been separated from the rest of the world. It is not necessary to mention the fear in the hearts of ordinary people.

Qin mubai went around to Wu Meiniang's house and knocked on it.

"Who?" Inside came the voice of vigilance and panic.

"Don't be afraid. It's me, Qin mubai."

"Ah, it's my uncle and general The door exclaimed in surprise and quickly opened the door.

As soon as Qin mubai went in, he saw Wu Meiniang and a large group of women coming, and immediately asked, "mubai, what's the matter?"

Qin mubai looked at these people. They were all the women who followed Wu Meiniang to open a wine shop in Xiangzhou from Chang'an. At this time, they all looked at Qin mubai with a look of expectation and longing for protection. Only Su Lianqing still scratched the tip of her hair indifferently. Her eyes looked around as if she didn't care about anything.

"Li you set up a rebellion and falsely accused the king of Wu and me of conspiring with him. Now that the whole city is under martial law, you can hide at home, but you don't have to be afraid of anything. " Qin mubai said simply. Then he waved his hand, and several hundred cavalry guards came up behind him. Qin mubai said, "you guys, stay here for protection. If anyone comes to break in and plunder, he will be killed! "

"Yes Without saying a word, the guards answered the question neatly.

This speech was like giving the women a shot of cardiotonic, and many people immediately laughed and clapped their hands to celebrate.

In times of war, there is nothing more secure than soldiers. In particular, a group of women.

"With Ben, what are you afraid of?" Su Lianqing said with a smile, "general Qin, you use your power for personal gain. You sent soldiers to protect your wife."

"So what? If you can't even protect your own women, how can you protect others? " Qin mubai sneered and ignored her. He only said to Wu Meiniang, "Meiniang, don't worry, it will be OK. Li you just wants to fish in troubled waters. This inferior trick can't deceive others. "

Wu Meiniang nodded, her face still worried. She repulsed all the women and said to Qin mubai in private: "mubai, although rumors stop at the wise, but Rumors are often the most hurtful. In particular, the introduction of suspicious people's ears, rather unfavorable. You have to take precautions early. "

Qin Mu nodded. He understood Wu Meiniang's meaning. These rumors must have spread to the capital, sooner or later into the ears of the emperor. The emperor can be regarded as the most special kind of people in the world. Whether he is a wise man or a fool, whether it is a rumor or or a fact, whether he believes it or not, the doubts in his heart are hard to get rid of.

In short, the emperor's attitude towards treason was that he would rather believe in what he had than believe in what he had not. That's nice. It's to guard against the minute; to put it mildly, it's to say that there is no king who is not suspicious!

How the emperor would react to the news is still unknown. It's hard to say how the political opponents who were hostile to the king of Wu and Qin mubai would fan the flames and add fuel to the story. In a word, the most troublesome person in the world now is not Li you, who is so determined to gamble for death, but Li Ke and Qin mubai, who are rumored to be.

"Ah, Li you's plotting against him. I don't know what Gao Yang will think!" Wu Meiniang seems to say this inadvertently, but suddenly stabbed the nerve in Qin mubai's heart.

He could not help but tremble in his heart, thinking: at the beginning, ling'er went to Beijing with Li you; now Li you "escaped" and went to Dengzhou to rebel, so where would ling'er be?

Although very unwilling to such things happen, Qin mubai estimates that in all likelihood Li you has hijacked ling'er to Dengzhou. Otherwise, how could he mention Xiangzhou Wu King and Qin mubai for no reason? Obviously, there is a card in hand!

"Meiniang, take care. I'll go first." Thinking about this, Qin mubai was worried and left in a hurry.

"You wait -" Wu Meiniang suddenly stopped him.

"What else?" Qin Mu Bai Xuan asked.

Wu Meiniang came forward, looked up at him and shook her head: "it's OK. I know that you must be very anxious and worried now. I've never seen your solemn expression and hasty steps. I may not be able to help you at this time, but please remember. No matter what you do, Meiniang knows you, and Meiniang will always be with you. "

"Well..." Qin mubai looked at her and nodded gently. Suddenly I picked up her face, gave her a few deep kisses on her red lips, turned around and strode away without looking back.Wu Meiniang gently twisted her eyebrows and looked at Qin mubai's background. She murmured: This is the ordeal between Li family's parents and brothers, and also the test of Gao Yang and mubai. Mubai is one of the most complicated characters. He was not only the emperor's favorite minister and confidant, but also close to Li Ke as a brother, deeply loved Gao Yang and had a complicated relationship with Li you. Among these people, Mu Bai is the one who is the most difficult to be a man and the most difficult to choose Loyalty, righteousness and love, how to complete the four?

When I came to the assassin's mansion, I saw that there was a bright light here, and the soldiers and horses in and out of it kept walking with the officials. In the main hall of the governor's mansion, Li Kezheng was in a state of anxiety, thirsty and irritable. He was discussing with a group of officials about the arrangement of government affairs.

"Here comes general Qin! Here comes general Qin

Seeing the arrival of Qin mubai, someone exclaimed in surprise.

Li Ke also excited raised eyebrows: "please hurry up!"

Qin mubai strides into the main hall in his military uniform, and Kong Wuli bows with a strong fist: "I've met your royal highness, King Wu!"

There were more than 20 officials on the scene, and they all breathed a sigh of relief, as if they had taken a peace of mind.

"Mubai, you're here just in time. There are many things that we can't Commission. You have to make up your mind. " Li Ke quickly waved to Qin mubai, called him to the desk of the governor, and gave him several copies.

Qin Mu Bai started to see, all about how to collect and use food and grass, open the Treasury to use weapons, prefectures and counties to arrange armed defense, and the urgent recruitment of soldiers to prepare for war.

Qin mubai then expressed his opinions on the proposal of some grain and grass defense, set down the treatment method, and then said: "Your Highness, do you want to start a war at this time?"

Li Ke quite surprised blinked a few eyes: "all this wait for time, still don't rise to fight more wait for when?"

"Attack the king of Qi?" Qin mubai asked with a heavy face.

"Of course..." Li Ke looked at Qin mubai suspiciously and said, "don't you agree with me to do this?"

Qin mubai did not answer directly, but said: "take a step to speak."

"Good..." Li Ke entrusts the matter at hand to Quan Wanji, and Qin mubai comes to the study room.

"What's the matter. Mubai? Shouldn't I raise the flag to fight for rebellion now to show my innocence? " Li Ke just sat down and asked anxiously.

"It is necessary to raise the flag to fight against adversity, but not now." Qin mubai said firmly.

"Why?" Li Ke asked in surprise, "I'm not negative for Li you. Li you is negative for me. He didn't care about his blood and flesh. He even framed me as an accomplice in treason. Shouldn't I fight back and smash rumors with facts to prove my innocence? "

"Your Highness, you are too anxious to be calm. Just wait for you to calm down. You will understand that any state or county can fight against adversity now, but Xiangzhou can't take the lead. " Qin mubai said.

Li Ke was surprised to pick the tip of his brow, took a breath again, and fell into a long meditation.

Qin mubai did not disturb him, and let him ponder. He knew that Li Ke's wisdom, especially his political sensitivity and mind, was no less than his own. Just because this time, what Li you did stimulated him so much that he lost some of his cool.

After a long time, Li Ke finally said, "so I should write to my father first. One is to clarify the facts, and the other is to ask for an expedition? "

"Yes." Qin mubai nodded decisively, "Your Highness is wise. Li you is bewildered and seeks his own way of death. He will be defeated sooner or later. It is easy for anyone to deal with him. However, it is very particular about who will do it and how to do it. First of all, we must take the initiative to dispel the emperor's suspicion; second, no matter how unbearable Li you is, he will be your brother. If you are good at making an opinion without asking for an order, you will take the lead to destroy Li you. Even if we succeed in the end, we can't escape the name of "sibling wall". The emperor, in particular, must think that you are eager to criticize your brother in order to get rid of yourself. What does that make him think? For example, when you were young, you two brothers had a quarrel. Even if Li you was wrong, you, as a brother, could beat him to death and maim him, and then tell your father? "

"It makes sense!" Li Ke nodded heavily, but he was worried and said, "in case, my father won't listen to me at that time. What if I'm still not allowed to fight against the enemy? "

"Not surprisingly, your majesty will not let you send troops. Li you's rebellion was originally a family misfortune. As a father, how could the emperor let another son clean up this unworthy son? Even if we have to clean up the door, he will certainly act under the guise of others. " Qin mubai said.

"It's true that, according to my father's character, I will not raise the flag against Li you and watch our brothers kill each other. This has always been the last thing he wants to see. How can he take the initiative to arrange it? " Li Keshen tightened his brows, sighed and said, "actually. How would I like to fight against Li you? But this time, he really let me down. And if I don't, I will suffer injustice and be implicated by him. In addition, it is hard to guarantee that some people in the imperial court took this opportunity to stir up the flames and spread rumors, saying that I, Li Ke, also had different intentions. At that time, even if I'm innocent, I'll be in trouble. ""No. In the end, the facts will prove everything. " Qin mubai said quietly.

"How to prove it?" Li Ke said anxiously, "it's not right that I'm going to fight. I'll write to you for your order, and your father will not agree! Do you want me to sit in Xiangzhou and wait for the gods and Buddhas to come down to the earth to clean up my grievances? "

"There is no need for the gods and Buddhas to go down to earth. I'm Qin mubai, that's OK. " Qin mubai said calmly.

"You?" Li Ke's eyes suddenly widened, "you What can I do? "

"Fight against the order Qin mubai said firmly.

"What?" Li Ke was surprised, "you are crazy! You know my father won't allow me to fight against you, but you want to fight against me. Isn't that a way to die? "

"I'll be outside, but I'm not under your command. You are the chief, I am the Lord, and I has the final say in the war. Qin mubai said, "the emperor does not want to see you brothers, but he will certainly like to see you prove your innocence. However, no matter how to explain this kind of thing, it's useless. We can only use facts. therefore. We have to fight against the order and fight against Li you to destroy him. "

"Then..." After listening to Qin mubai's words, Li Ke's mouth widened and his eyes widened. After a long time, he didn't return to the original. He murmured, "then if you disobey the order, isn't it also a death penalty?"

"We'll talk about it then." Qin Mu white face dew smile, calm say.

At this time, he thought in his heart: I clearly resist the imperial edict, but I agree with the emperor's heart. At that time, the merits and demerits will be equal, and it will never be OK. Li Shimin definitely won't make an order. He really wants Li Ke and me to fight against Li you. In doing so, it shows that he is suspicious and shows others a short way. However, I might as well show my "stinginess and impatience", resist the imperial edict and fight against Li you on my own. On the contrary, I will set off Li Shimin's heart and keep his face for him. Of course, these words can't be told to Li Ke. Otherwise, it's not a good thing for him to know that I'm such an emperor.

"Did you really decide?" Li Ke was very worried and asked.

"Yes. Never been more determined. " Qin mubai said decisively, "no surprise. Linger must also be in Li you's hands, so he is so unscrupulous, so openly slander and stolen to us. What we need to do now is not how to wipe out Li you and how to wash away the accusations. It's to stabilize the current situation in Xiangzhou, and then, like other neighboring prefectures and county officials, write to ask for help. Don't be too anxious and special. At present, no one has said that we are anti thieves or against the party. Our duty is still to protect the territory and the people. "

"Well, that's very good. It's really enlightening to me!" Li you patted his forehead several times. Fortunately, he said, "you're right. We're not anti thieves. Rumors are just rumors, and they won't come true. We only need to do our duty well - to protect the territory and the people! Originally, my father emphasized these two words with us princes more than once. Unexpectedly, when the time came, I forgot them. On the contrary, you understand more thoroughly than I do, and you are more calm and wise. Qin mubai, Uncle Wang of Jiangxia is right. You are really a rare talent of General Wang Zuo! "

"I'm flattered." Qin Mu Bai's faint smile. He said, "Your Highness, it is said by Li Jing in my military book that a good general is as calm as Mount Tai and as powerful as the wind and fire. It's not easy to strike, but it's the best way to use troops. Now, there must be a lot of people waiting for us to fight with Li you as soon as possible. They watch the crowd, or they make another rumor. We are going to set up troops. Who knows if we are going to seek rebellion or to join in it? At the junction of Deng and Xiang States, there were soldiers. Who doesn't want to take advantage of the chaos to make contributions? Originally, they only aimed at Dengzhou for meritorious service, reward and promotion. When you see us moving, you can't be sure that someone will be ready to target us. At that time, he didn't ask us whether we were here to put out the fire or to rob. He took credit for putting out the fire and robbing us first. What do we do? To explain to them with only one mouth, or to fight back? The explanation, since the people who take advantage of the fire, will not listen to it Well, we'll really be thieves! "

Hearing this, Li Ke almost broke out in a cold sweat and murmured, "yes! Not to mention the distance, nearby places like Jingzhou and Anzhou all have army troops. There is chaos near the state, so it's just fair for them to go to pacify it. If we also join the army, they may, according to the rumor, treat us as rebels and take advantage of the fire to ask for credit. This may be the intention of Li you's treacherous plan. He's going to create chaos and force us to act. Then he confuses right and wrong and adds fuel to the chaos, so that he can take advantage of the chaos. "

"Yes. The rumor itself is ridiculous. Few people will really accept it, but when it reaches the ears of people with ulterior motives, it will become a very dangerous weapon to us. " Qin mubai said, "so, people all over the world can fight against the enemy now, but Xiangzhou must not move like a mountain! Your highness, it's no time to delay. We'll stop writing immediately and rush to Chang'an for 600 Li! "

"OK, please help me to polish the ink!"

Without saying a word, Li Ke personally took out the four treasures of the study and wrote a form. The ink is still new, so he handed it to Qin mubai to see.

"Is that right?" Li Ke asked."Yes." Qin Mu nodded and said, "if there is no accident, the emperor of Chang'an will know the news of Dengzhou rebellion tomorrow. Your Highness's watch will arrive at Chang'an the day after tomorrow. That is to say, there is a day's difference between them. Here. With his Majesty's wise and decisive character, he must have made a response and sent the general to fight against the enemy. When the imperial edict returns to Xiangzhou, Dengzhou should have been fighting. Therefore, although we are not conscripted and unprepared for war, we have to prepare for it secretly! As soon as the imperial edict arrives, I'll take charge of the people in my house and cross the river to fight against the enemy! "

"Mubai, it's hard for you again." Li Ke's thick eyebrows tightened, patted Qin mubai on the shoulder, gazed at him and said, "I didn't expect that Li you would be so stubborn. To make such an extreme move, I didn't expect that Yin Yang was so incompetent that I had already dismissed him as a pawn to see the effect. "

Qin mubai smiles and nods: "it's very difficult, but I believe that there will always be a day when things will calm down. Don't blame too much about Yin Yang. Not surprisingly, Li you was intercepted by Yin Hongzhi. Yin Yang escorted them all the way to Xuanwu Gate of Daming Palace, but they were still safe. Who could have expected that Yin Hongzhi was so careful that he cut off Li you and Gao Yang in front of Xuanwu Gate? In addition, it must be Yin Hongzhi's plan to spread rumors and plant them on us. Although Li you is unbearable, he is not so vicious and insidious, nor so old and smart. "

"Yes, just as I thought." Li Ke snorted two times, and said, "this old thief, a hundred legged insects died but not stiff. Only he can bewitch Li you like this. At the beginning, Xiangzhou had been busy with sacrificial rites. It was too noisy and chaotic, and we had to act in secret. As a result, he became a fish out of the net. Next time No, definitely not next time! This time, mubai, you must cut the old thief with your hand! "

"Well..." Qin mubai nodded gently, and said in secret: is the hand blade Yin Hongzhi? I really want to tear him apart. Now, only by cutting the old thief with his hand can we clear the suspicion between Li Ke and me.

But the question is, do I kill in front of or behind my back? Do you want to cut off his dog's head or order others to use a knife?

……

After the event, how should I face linger?

www.novelhall.com , the fastest update of the webnovel!