Chapter 746: I just raised a dog and killed it when it was useless
Song Jinxiu said, "Lu Zhinian disappeared after being abandoned by the Lu family. Ji Rongqing happened to appear in Beiling shortly after that."
"He is extremely familiar with the affairs of the Wei court and the aristocratic families. He was even able to find the spies left behind by the Imperial Master in the Wei capital right under their noses. If it weren't for the foundation he had cultivated during his time in the aristocratic families, how could he have done that?"
"And please, Imperial Master, think carefully. Who is Lu Jiuan? He is Lu Chongyuan's hidden chess piece, cultivated with great effort. His scheming and cunning are no less than anyone else. Back then, Xiao Yan was so meticulous, and the Lu family was so hostile and eyeing them covetously. Yet, Lu Jiuan was able to remain silent and dormant for so many years, only obeying Lu Chongyuan's orders. If Ji Rongqing wasn't a member of the Lu family, how could he possibly accuse Lu Jiuan of inducing Prince Pingshan to rebel, and even nearly joining forces with the deposed Emperor of Great Wei to capture Xiao Yan?"
"If Xiao Yan hadn't dodged the attack by a single mistake, what would the Great Wei be like now? How could it possibly be able to contend with the Beiling Iron Cavalry?"
Upon hearing this, Xiahou Ling reached out and stroked the mask on his face, with a gloomy look between his brows.
Ji Rongqing's familiarity with the Wei Dynasty was indeed shocking. The spies he left in the Wei Dynasty were buried very deeply, and no one knew about it except him.
He had never had any dealings with that man when Xie Tianyong was in power. It was not until Xiao Yan ascended the throne and launched a large-scale crackdown on spies from all over the country, almost wiping out all those who stayed in the Wei Dynasty capital. After he lost contact with them, he had to activate this most hidden spy.
But Ji Rongqing found the man and used this opportunity to negotiate with him.
Either the information is "shared" and the spy is asked to help him place someone in the capital of Wei, or they go their separate ways and no one can "keep" the spy alone.
Xiahou Ling had been in power in Beiling for many years. Thinking of what Ji Rongqing had said during the negotiation, a gloomy look appeared on his face:
"I also hope he's the Lu family member you mentioned. That way, when the Khan was in danger, you could say it was the Zong Yu tribe colluding with foreign tribes, and that he had ulterior motives in saving the queen. However, you tried to test him several times before, but he didn't reveal anything. Even the people I sent to investigate Ji Rongqing came back and said he had a clean background. Everything about his past, from childhood to adulthood, can be traced."
Ji Rongqing has lived in a border town since he was a child, and the past of the Ji family can be traced. He has been weak since childhood and suffered from headaches, and many people know that he sought medical treatment when he was young.
Xiahou Ling looked up at Song Jinxiu with a cold gaze. "Last time, I allowed you to expose him in front of the Khan, but not only did it not harm him at all, it almost implicated the Imperial Preceptor's Office. You keep saying he's Lu Zhinian. Do you have any other evidence?"
Song Jinxiu's expression changed: "Although I don't have it, I recognize him..."
"What's the use?!"
Xiahou Ling interrupted him coldly, "There are thousands of similar people in this world. Ji Rongqing didn't fabricate his identity out of thin air. The rest of the Lu family was killed. No one can prove that he is from the Wei Dynasty family. You can't provide any other evidence. Even if you are sure that he is Lu Zhinian, what can you do?"
"Will the Khan believe it? Will the elders of the tribes believe it?"
"I……"
“That’s enough!”
Song Jinxiu was about to say something else when Xiahou Ling interrupted him: "Your personal vendetta against that Lu family member is your business. If you have the ability to bring him down, then forget it. If you don't, then shut up. This Master doesn't have the time to waste his energy on this matter."
"I gave you a chance to test it. Since you couldn't find out, and you can't use this to control him, then there's no need to mention it again."
"National Master!"
Song Jinxiu looked anxious and wanted to explain, but was interrupted by Xiahou Ling's cold voice.
"Song Jinxiu, don't forget why I ordered people to spare your life and brought you to Beiling."
The anxiety on Song Jinxiu's face disappeared in an instant, and his face turned pale.
When Xiahou Xing glanced at him sideways, his single eye was dimmed by the candlelight in the room.
"Now that the army is about to march south, instead of wasting your time on Ji Rongqing, you should think about what else you can provide to the Imperial Master's Mansion."
"I kept you and helped you rise to prominence and earn the Khan's favor. I gave you the opportunity to avenge the Emperor of Wei and avenge your parents and relatives. You should repay me in kind."
When Song Jinxiu met his gaze, it was as if cold water was poured over his head. The resentment in his heart caused by Lu Zhinian's matter finally calmed down.
He knew how powerful this state teacher who had held great power in Beiling for many years was. He had also witnessed how ruthless he was when he first came to Beiling.
Song Jinxiu squeezed the hands in his sleeves and lowered his head towards Xiahou Ling.
"Don't worry, Imperial Master, Jin Xiu understands."
…
When Song Jinxiu retreated from the study, a cold wind blew outside, and the place on his back soaked with cold sweat felt cold to the bone, making him shiver all over.
The voices of Xiahou Ling and his followers came from the room.
"Master, I don't think Song Jinxiu is very useful. Why do you praise him?"
"It's just a casual thing. Keep it if it's useful."
"But he didn't make the Khan tired of Princess Chuyun and the others..."
"Even though I'm not completely fed up with him, I've at least sowed some discord. Today, the Khan has given me the power to lead the troops, so I haven't spared his life in vain. Besides..."
The voice inside was faint and somewhat cold: "It's just a stray dog. It won't hurt to give it some food. At least it can guard the house and bite people. If it is no longer useful in the future, just kill it."
The sound from the room came clearly and fell into Song Jinxiu's ears.
Xiahou Ling never shied away from looking down on him. Even when he knew that he had not gone far outside the door, the master and servant were gossiping and laughing without any concealment. He knew that Xiahou Ling was warning him and telling him that he had to be useful enough to live a stable life.
Even though he was the "new upstart" of Beiling and the "new favorite" of the Beiling Khan, it was still as easy for Xiahou Ling to crush him as it was to crush an ant.
The cold wind made Song Jinxiu's whole body cold. Hidden in the shadow of the eaves, the fear on his face disappeared. He just stood there for a while with his eyes downcast and his lips tightly pursed. When he was completely cold, he walked out. However, he saw someone outside walking towards him hurriedly after just two steps.
He recognized that it was Xiahou Ling's confidant.
Song Jinxiu's expression changed, and he took a few steps towards the darkness beside him, just avoiding the oncoming people and hiding behind the rockery in the yard.
It was snowing hard outside, and the heavy snow was covering the sky. The person who came didn't see Song Jinxiu at all. He just hurriedly walked past him and knocked on the door quickly.
"National Master, urgent news from the Wei Dynasty!"
The door creaked open, and the person inside looked outside when he came out. Song Jinxiu hid in the dark.
"What's going on so late?"
"Urgent report from the Wei Dynasty, related to Munan Pass."
The man inside's face changed when he heard this, and Xiahou Ling's voice was also heard.
"Come in and talk."
After the door slammed shut, Song Jinxiu frowned for a moment.
Munan Pass? What's going on at Munan Pass?
Could it be that Xiahou Ling had done something hidden from him?
Song Jinxiu hesitated for a moment, then walked back a few steps in the darkness. He did not try to get close to the house, for fear of disturbing the servant who was practicing martial arts inside. He just stayed in the shadow of the dead tree beside the steps, trying to listen to the sounds in the room.
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