Facing Shi Qingxue's constant questioning, Chu Yi just smiled.

Then, he spoke confidently, "General Shi, don't worry about that. I know him very well, and he will listen to me."

Shi Qingxue: “…”

For the first time in her life, she had the urge to kill Chu Yi.

Seriously.

As a military commander, she was used to speaking directly and hated the ambiguous words between civil officials the most.

"Let's be frank, Lord Chu. This commander-in-chief would like to know what other plans the Jing camp has for heading north, besides resisting the Qi army?"

In order to find out the truth, Shi Qingxue finally calmed down and wanted to have a sincere conversation.

It's just a pity that Chu Yi's words are still the same as at the beginning:

"General Shi, I can only tell you that the Beijing garrison's march north has no other purpose than to resist Qi's southern invasion."

Shi Qingxue said he didn't believe it at all.

Not only did he not believe it, he was also secretly worried about Chu Yan leading the troops north this time.

"This governor is now entering the palace to see the emperor. I don't believe I can't get the truth!"

After saying this with a straight face, she left without looking back.

Only Chu Yi was left standing up calmly, looking at the receding figure, and finally smiled.

…

Imperial Palace, Purple Palace.

"Your Majesty, the Jingda Camp has been brazenly carrying out large-scale military operations recently, yet neither the Governor's Office nor the Ministry of War has received any orders to mobilize troops. But did Your Majesty issue a secret order?"

When he saw His Majesty, Shi Qingxue asked a question first.

Although she was sure that this was indeed His Majesty's intention, she still had to be prepared for the worst.

"Well, this is indeed what I meant."

Xiao Ling didn't know that Shi Qingxue had been to Chu Yi first, but she did not hide this fact.

"Your Majesty, I feel that sending Chu Yan with a hundred thousand troops north to fight the enemy is not a wise decision at this time. I am afraid that Chu Yan... will have irrational thoughts."

After getting a positive answer, Shi Qingxue spoke frankly.

"Yeah?"

Xiao Ling looked quite surprised, and then asked, "My dear Lord Shi, do you think that he is taking advantage of this opportunity to gather his own troops and become more powerful, and will not respect his brother?"

After a brief hesitation, Shi Qingxue nodded, "...I do think this is very likely."

Xiao Ling couldn't help but find these words interesting. He sat up straight and looked at Shi Qingxue for a long time.

Seeing the serious expression on Shi Qingxue's face, Xiao Ling smiled.

"I didn't expect you to be the first to remind me. I remember that not long ago you and Chu Yan had a sparring match, and in the end the score was 60-40. It seems like you met too late."

Shi Qingxue's expression changed noticeably before he explained, "Your Majesty, the Chu family's evil intentions are well known to everyone. I have always been very worried about General Chu."

Seeing this, Xiao Ling didn't say much, but just comforted him:

"Since I have made this plan, I have naturally made preparations. General Shi, there is absolutely no need to worry."

She said she was trying to comfort him, but in fact she herself was unsure.

After all, Xiao Ling knew Chu Yan's character. Chu Ze was willing to reconcile with himself, but Chu Yan was different.

But thinking that Chu Ze's original intention was to make Chu Yan the emperor, she didn't care.

I just hope that Chu Yan’s target will be Qi by then, instead of turning his troops around to counterattack Guanzhong.

"Your Majesty, even with all our precautions, there are always unexpected events. Anguo is about to face a major war, and I fear we will be plunged into internal conflict again..."

Shi Qingxue didn't want to hear this, but halfway through, she suddenly thought of something and couldn't help asking:

"By the way, I dare to ask, Your Majesty's order to mobilize the Beijing camp to the north, is this Lord Chu's intention?"

Asking His Majesty whether the decision was Chu Yi's idea was a bit treasonous, but Shi Qingxue didn't bother to care.

Anyway, she also knew that His Majesty and Lord Chu were still very affectionate, and His Majesty should not care about these details.

"It was Chu Yi's idea. How come General Shi went to find Chu Yi after he knew about the movements of the Beijing camp?" Xiao Ling asked curiously.

Shi Qingxue nodded. "I do think this matter is related to Lord Chu, so I went to the Chu residence to ask about it. However, judging from Lord Chu's attitude, it seems that he has other motives."

In a word, Xiao Ling can’t do it.

"He didn't tell you the truth?"

Shi Qingxue: “???”

Is it true that this matter has a purpose unknown to me?

Shi Qingxue thought to herself that her feeling was indeed good, and then she shook her head helplessly to deny it.

"Your Majesty, Lord Chu has not told me the truth, so I intend to learn the truth from Your Majesty. I believe I have a good understanding of Chu Yan, and knowing the whole story will help me face it..."

Xiao Ling suddenly realized and showed a look of surprise.

"So that's how it is. Seeing you so worried, I thought the Chu bandit had told you everything. You came to dissuade me because you were too idealistic about this matter!"

But obviously, after hearing what Shi Qingxue said, she also realized that Shi Qingxue entered the palace just to find out the situation.

Xiao Ling was a little hesitant. After all, this matter was of great importance. If it was leaked, it might cause unnecessary turmoil.

It’s not that she was unwilling to believe Shi Qingxue, but the illusion left by the magic mirror still made her a little wary.

In any case, it is better to be cautious.

Thinking of this, Xiao Ling had an answer in his heart, "But... if Chu Yi hadn't confessed this to Lord Shi, I wouldn't have said it either."

"General Shi can rest assured that Chu Yi has made all the arrangements. I am very confident in Chu Yi. As for Chu Yan's other purpose in going north... General Shi will know soon."

Shi Qingxue: “???”

This time she was really confused.

What do you mean if Lord Chu doesn't tell you, Your Majesty won't tell you either?

So you two are planning to play a trick on yourselves?

Getting the same answer at this moment, Shi Qingxue felt extremely depressed.

If Chu Yi were here, she would have started cursing.

But... the person in front of me is the emperor.

She couldn't do anything to disobey the king, so she could only suppress her temper.

Your Majesty's words seem to indicate that you are not going to tell me the truth.

Shi Qingxue bowed and saluted, "Since that's the case, then I'd like to ask that when the Qi army marches south, I can also lead the troops north to fight!"

"General Shi also wants to go north to fight the enemy?"

Xiao Ling was not happy with this request, as she knew that Shi Qingxue was a brave and skilled fighter with the ability to be a marshal.

However, now that the Yan army is guarding the north, and Chu Yan has also gone there with the Beijing camp, it seems unnecessary to let Shi Qingxue go north.

"Now that the 100,000 troops of the Beijing Camp have been withdrawn to the border areas, if General Shi leads his troops north again, will it leave the interior empty?"

"Your Majesty has misunderstood," Shi Qingxue hurriedly explained. "I intended to go north alone to contribute my own strength. As for the new army I command, it is naturally our responsibility to protect the capital."