Chapter 429: Each One Has Their Own Thoughts
At that time, Tuoba Han had not yet quelled the civil war, and did not want to go to war with the Han Kingdom because of a princess, so he had to give up. However, this also became a thorn in his heart. After all, his elite team died because of this woman.
Tuoba Han held his breath and spent three years to eliminate all remaining forces of Tuoba Qi. Then he spent another ten years recuperating, increasing the population, and training warriors.
Then, every year, spies were sent into the Han Kingdom to gather intelligence and attempts were made. The border, which had been peaceful for many years, was frequently harassed.
Moreover, the harassment is constantly escalating. Last winter, Mongolia suffered a cold winter that was rare in a century. Herds of cattle and sheep were frozen to death, and people were also frozen to death. Large areas of grassland were also frozen, and there was less place for grazing the following year.
In order to survive, the Mongols secretly sneaked into the border villages to loot, and they killed all the Han people who resisted, leaving nine out of ten houses empty.
The people in the border villages of the Han State were overwhelmed by the chaos. In order to survive, they left the border villages and migrated to Hanzhong. The influx of a large number of refugees caused the villages and towns in Hanzhong to fall into small-scale chaos, marking the beginning of a vicious cycle.
The emperor was the master of the Han State, so he certainly could not ignore his people. He allocated money to appease the people at the border and ordered the army to take the initiative to attack and curb further harassment from the Mongols. However, both sides knew that this war was inevitable.
The King of the Meng Kingdom, Tuoba Han, wanted the survival of his people, to expand his territory, and to avenge the loss of his elite troops caused by Xiang Yi's sudden departure. So, after quelling the civil strife, he started to make plans early and provoke the war bit by bit.
For the sake of its dignity as a great power and to subdue the Mongols, the Han State could not allow the other side to become more powerful, nor would it allow the other side to humiliate the royal family again and again. This war was only a matter of time.
But fighting a war is not just a matter of soldiers and generals. It also requires paying military salaries, preparing food and fodder, updating armaments, purchasing military horses, etc. Each of these costs money, and it costs money like water. There is no cornucopia in the national treasury, and it is impossible to create silver out of thin air.
The emperor also had to consider building river embankments, mausoleums and other places that required money. It was impossible for him to empty the entire treasury for a war. So when rumors about treasure appeared in the world, His Majesty ordered the Secret Guard Group C to collect information and hope that the so-called treasure could be found and brought back to the imperial city.
The leader of Group C knew that Princess Xiangyi was pestering Xiaoqi. In order to prevent Xiaoqi from doing irrational things out of impatience, he sent Xiaoqi out as a test to take over the position of leader of Group C.
If Xiaoqi can successfully find and bring back the treasure this time, it will be a great achievement, and he can also complete the transition smoothly and let Xiaoqi take his place.
Finally, Xiao Qi, who transformed into Qi Qi, took on the task, successfully left the imperial city, borrowed the identity of a county magistrate who was away for mourning, and went to Longxi, the source of the news.
Qi Qi's own martial arts skills are not bad, but in order to conceal his identity, he chooses to pretend to be a weak scholar. The secret guards in the same group also transform themselves into his guards to accompany him. However, he did not expect to meet Madam Zhen who was also returning to Longxi to visit her relatives on the way.
The reason why Qi Qi agreed to travel with Madam Zhen was because the girl named Lianyi seemed to be the same age as him. However, when he faced her, he always had a familiar feeling. If he said he had seen her before, he had no impression of her. Therefore, he decided to travel with Madam Zhen to see if he could solve the doubts in his heart.
The convoy traveled for half a day without encountering any trouble, and the people sent to escort the mother and son of "Feng Qi Wutong" also caught up with the team.
"Master Qi, those two men have been sent to the government. I discovered that they were exposed because of the injuries on their ankles. It seems that they were not done by us brothers."
The man reported to Qi Qi in a low voice.
"What hurt you?"
"It's hard to tell. Two people's ankle bones were shot through, with holes as big as green beans, but no sharp weapons were found near them."
After hearing this, Qi Qi subconsciously glanced at the carriage at the end of the convoy.
"Sir, do you suspect that Madam Zhen and the others did it?"
"Mrs. Jane said that the girl beside her named Lianyi knows some Kung Fu."
Qi Qi said thoughtfully.
"There is a huge difference between knowing Kung Fu and mastering it."
We are all martial artists and we know the difference very well.
"I see that the girl has a slender figure and has some skills. As for how good she is, let's find a chance to test her."
"I understand."
"It's still two days' journey to our next destination, so we need to speed up."
After Qi Qi finished speaking, he asked someone to notify everyone and the team sped up again.
Lianyi was riding on a horse and observing Qi Qi's team. Ever since Aunt Zhen expressed her suspicions, Lianyi had been very curious about which side this Mr. Qi was on.
When she entered this dimension, she saw the tragedy at Yingze Villa. Her original body was taken away by Wang Yingying, and the boy was taken away by Xu Fengze. When Aunt Zhen went there, there was no baby body next to Xu Fengze. It is very likely that her brother is still alive, but she doesn't know whether he was taken away by Princess Xiangyi or rescued by someone else.
The next morning, the convoy was about to cross a canyon. After crossing the canyon, they would enter the next county, Huairou County, which was the largest county within a radius of 100 miles.
"Sir, it is rumored that there are mountain bandits nearby who often rob people on the road. Caravans can pass through if they pay a bribe and leave some of their goods behind. Those caravans traveling alone are unlucky, and few of them can make it through here alive."
"Does the Huairou County Magistrate not care?"
“We sent troops to encircle and suppress them several times, but the bandits were familiar with the terrain and played hide-and-seek with the yamen runners in the mountains, which resulted in many casualties.
The magistrate of Huairou County has submitted several memorials, requesting that officers and soldiers be sent to suppress the bandits, but you also know the current situation, and there is no force to spare, so many people choose to bypass this canyon, and would rather walk for three more days than pass through here. "
"Then we will meet them. If it is convenient, we will deal with them."
"good."
"Send someone to tell Madam Zhen and the others to enter the canyon a little later to see the other side's reaction."
"yes."
Lian Yi's eyes lit up after hearing the visitor's explanation, and then she said with a smile:
"But you need me to lend a helping hand, Master Qi. My Kung Fu is not bad, and this is the first time I have seen bandits robbing people on the road, so I want to learn some new things."
The guard was a little upset, thinking that this person was a typical case of curiosity killing the cat, but he was very good at talking, and did not directly refuse, but bowed and said:
"In that case, I'll trouble you, the heroine, to cover the rear. We will be the vanguard and negotiate with the other side first. If we are defeated, we will send a signal to ask you to help. What do you think?"
"Okay! I also think that I should appear at the most critical moment. This way it will be more impressive. Please reply to Master Qi, and I will definitely cooperate with your actions."
Lianyi raised the whip in her hand and replied excitedly.
(End of this chapter)
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