Recently, Tian Ye and Tian Ying were secretly placed under house arrest by Sui Heng, the two men hadn’t even been fully healed from the military batons they had received.
Through this incident, the two truly witnessed Sui Heng, the Crown Prince of Sui’s cunning. So they remained honest, and never daring to make any reckless moves anymore.
Therefore, when they suddenly heard the summons from Sui Heng, both of them were very anxious.
The news of the ceasefire and peace negotiation between the north and south has been spread widely. Tian Ye and Tian Ying were very worried that Sui Heng was going to push them out to take the blame and relieve the Jiang Empire.
In the Beacon Tower’s battle, the Qi’s 3000 elite soldiers they brought were almost completely destroyed, leaving only a few hundred remaining soldiers. Now they have no resistance and can only be slaughtered by Sui Heng.
The two looked dejected and followed the soldier who came to deliver the message to the front of the large army tent where Sui Heng was located.
“His Highness asked you guys to go in.”
The soldier opened the tent door.
The two exchanged glances and felt like going to the execution ground. They walked in with difficulty.
The wine fragrance wafted in the tent, and Sui Heng sat behind the table drinking alone, with the wolf’s head sword on the table. The sword slightly protruded, reflecting the sharp and handsome eyes of its owner.
Seeing the two of them enter, Sui Heng smiled and called them to come forward and drink together.
Tian Ye was alert because it was the same situation as last time too. Sui Heng suddenly called him into the tent to drink, and he got drunk. He said something unpleasant and offended the other party.
On the second day, he and Tian Ying were sent to bravely attack the beacon tower in the snow, starting the path of misery.
Tian Ying was also anxious.
He didn’t believe that the cruel and ruthless Crown Prince of Sui, who treated them cruelly, would treat them to drinks without a reason. So he cautiously asked, “I don’t know why Your Highness called us here?”
Sui Heng said, “Naturally, it is a good thing.”
“Gu has good news for both of you. Now, you have another opportunity to lead troops on the expedition.”
Tian Ye and Tian Ying’s complexions paled at the same time.
They only have three hundred remaining soldiers, and they can’t even pull up a full team. Surprisingly, the Crown Prince of Sui still wants them to lead troops on the expedition!
Tian Ying even suspected that the Crown Prince of Sui was intentionally humiliating them.
However, although the other party’s demeanor was scattered and inscrutable, his tone did not sound like he was joking.
Tian Ye also felt a chill in his heart.
He was different from Tian Ying, he is a nobleman who rose to power through his connections. He was a down-to-earth general of the Qi Kingdom. Before meeting Sui Heng, he only experienced the feeling of being suppressed by Tian Meng. But after meeting Sui Heng, he felt even more terrifying intimidation and oppression than Tian Meng in Sui Heng, the Crown Prince who was supposed to be pampered.
Putting aside the identity of the Crown Prince, Tian Ye felt that Sui Heng acted in a style that was more like an unreasonable bandit.
And he is a bandit in a very handsome and dashing body.
Tian Ye remembered Tian Que’s warning when he first entered the capital of Sui. At that time, although he also felt that the Crown Prince of Sui should not be offended, but he never expected that the other party’s methods could be so dirty.
“What does Your Highness mean?”
Tian Ye opened his mouth stiffly.
Sui Heng stood up holding a wine cup and said lightly, “Gu is planning to attack Qi recently. After much thought, there is really no more suitable vanguard official to choose than the two Generals.”
!!
Tian Ye and Tian Ying were both shocked and showed a surprised expression.
Attack Qi?!
The Sui Empire, surprisingly, wants to attack the Qi Kingdom?!
When did this happen? Why didn’t they hear any news before?!
Isn’t the Sui Empire busy negotiating peace with the Jiang Empire? Why suddenly pointed the spear at the Qi capital?
Sui Heng seemed to see through their rippling thoughts and explained with a good temper, “This was also a spur-of-the-moment decision. Did Gu scare you two?”
“But when it comes to war, it’s better to choose the right day than the wrong one. Gu has observed celestial phenomena at night. These days, Sirius star is right in the east, above the capital of Qi. After much thought, this 300,000 strong army was displayed here idly, so it’s better to follow the will of heaven and eliminate harm for the people.”
The world knows what harm the Qi capital has done.
However, the army of the Qi Kingdom was strong. Even though the world could not tolerate King Lie’s cruel and debauched behavior, but no one dared to lead troops to attack the Qi Kingdom easily as well.
Except for this crazy, out-of-the-box Crown Prince of Sui.
Tian Ying’s voice is a bit out of tune. “Your Highness, shouldn’t be joking, right?”
Even though Sui Heng had 300,000 elite members of the Qinglang Battalion, but the Qi capital was not as easy to attack as Muyun Pass. In terms of defending equipment, it was even better than Muyun Pass because of the presence of Marquis Duan, who was a skilled weapon maker.
Sui Heng put a hand on his shoulder.
“Does it look like Gu was joking with you?”
Tian Ying dares not express his opinions lightly.
Sui Heng smiled and said, “Gu was also trying to find a way out for the two of you. If you won’t be Gu’s vanguard officers, are you two planning to return to the Qi Capital with the 300 remaining soldiers to report to the King of Qi?”
“With the King of Qi’s temper, if Gu only uses some tricks, Gu is afraid that the two of you may be dead without a burial place.”
Tian Ying and Tian Ye both feel a chill in their hearts.
For a military general, defeat is the original sin, no matter what the reason. The Qi Kingdom is not lacking in fierce generals. When the King of Qi was young, he was brave and belligerent. He looked down upon the defeated general the most. The two of them would probably be heavily punished if they went back in such a sorry state.
This was also another important reason why the two of them have been feeling down and unable to lift their spirits during this period.
Sui Heng slowly said, “Gu is different. Gu is someone who values talent regardless of the background or past achievements. As long as the two of you can help Gu take down the Qi capital, you two will be granted the position of general in Gu’s army.”
“Exactly how to choose, both of you are smart people, Gu thinks that there is no need for Gu to bother with more words.”
Tian Ying felt desperate.
This Crown Prince of Sui is not letting them make a choice. Obviously, it’s close to holding a knife to their necks and making them nod their heads in agreement.
If he dares to say no, he may not be able to stand up and walk out of this big tent today.
The two looked at each other and could only say, “We are willing to obey Your Highness’s orders.”
Sui Heng poured a cup of wine for each of them and said, “Speed is precious in war. After drinking this glass of wine, Gu will set off with you two tonight.”
Tian Ye and Tian Ying dared not refuse and could only drink while ignoring the taste.
After finishing his drink, Sui Heng had Tian Ying retreat, leaving only Tian Ye.
Tian Ye was worried in his heart, not knowing what trouble Sui Heng was going to cause him again. He was really afraid of this ruthless Crown Prince of Sui.
Sui Heng asked him to sit down behind the table and then ordered someone to fetch paper and brush.
Tian Ye became increasingly puzzled.
Sui Heng said, “You mentioned the Kunjun who was taken away by Tian Meng before. Do you remember whose hands he fell into except for Tian Meng?”
Tian Ye was taken aback, not expecting it to be about this matter.
He didn’t understand why Sui Heng asked this question at all. After thinking for a moment, he said, “I remember most of them.”
“Gu wants you to write down everyone’s names, positions, and residences without leaving a word behind.”
“Not a single one can be missing.”
“From now on, you just sit here and think slowly. When you’ve got it all figured out, you’ll have accomplished the first task that Gu has assigned you. Understand?”
Tian Ye actually doesn’t quite understand.
But Sui Heng has always been domineering and unreasonable. Even if he doesn’t understand, he dares not speak out.
Moreover, this matter is not difficult for him.
Because at that time he was very fond of that beautiful little Kunjun, and in order to be qualified, he had been closely monitoring his whereabouts. He even deliberately used various reasons to visit the homes of those dignitaries in order to see him.
He can casually name several people, and with careful recollection, he should be able to write a complete list.
Tian Ye nodded and said he understood, then picked up the brush and started writing on the paper.
After leaving the tent, Sui Heng asked Xu Qiao to gather 3000 elite soldiers to set off with him tonight.
Xu Qiao felt that Sui Heng must have gone crazy: “Wouldn’t it be too risky to bring only three thousand soldiers and horses?”
“Three thousand is enough. You, along with Zhang Yan and Zhao Yang, meet Gu at the rear. Where is Yang Shuo?”
“He’s still following Your Highness’s instructions and continuing to chase and looking for Chen Qi’s escape direction, he probably heading towards the Qi Kingdom.”
Xu Qiao suddenly realized something: “Your Highness deliberately asked Yang Shuo to let go of him intentionally just to find a reasonable reason to send troops to the Qi Kingdom?”
Sui Heng stood with his hands behind his back and said, “It doesn’t delay Gu’s fight even without a reason, but having a reason makes it a lot easier to act. Alright, you go prepare the troops first, Gu will go see Emperor Father for a bit.”
“Also, this matter needs to be strictly kept confidential, especially not leaked to the other side. Do you understand what Gu means?”
Xu Qiao naturally understood what he was concerned about.
He couldn’t help but say, “This is not a small matter. Even if Your Highness intends to keep it a secret, I fear it can’t be kept for many days.”
“Being able to keep it one day is one day.”
“Gu afraid that it would have made him worry in vain if Gu told him early.”
Xu Qiao nodded in agreement, and Sui Heng went to see Emperor Sui first. Afterwards, he gathered a group of trusted generals and advisors to discuss matters in the tent.
Chen Qi fled all the way under the cover of the musician and finally successfully crossed the Qi Kingdom’s border and entered in the afternoon of the same day.
Chen Qi didn’t dare stay longer. After a brief rest, he immediately set off to the Qi capital direction, and after two days and two nights of riding, he arrived at the gate of the Qi capital.
Chen Qi didn’t have much business in the Qi capital and didn’t dare act rashly. After entering the city, he first found an inn to stay in, cleaned himself up, changed into clean clothes, and began to try to contact some old acquaintances in the Qi capital.
Chen Qi dared not delay for too long because he was worried that Sui Heng would directly pressure the Qi Kingdom to hand him over. Now that the peace negotiation between the north and south have reached a united front, unless it is necessary, the King of Qi will not want to offend Sui Heng for him, an unfavored Prince of the Chen Kingdom who had fled.
So he must make the Qi Kingdom see his value as soon as possible.
He has a rough understanding of the situation in the Qi Kingdom.
The King of Qi indulged in pleasure and basically no longer cared about the government. Recently, the only royal decree he personally issued at the court meeting was to have the Qi generals, Tian Ye and Tian Ying, lead 3000 elite soldiers to help the Sui Empire attack the Jiang Empire.
Now, the Qi Kingdom’s affairs are almost controlled by Prime Minister Tian Que and Marquis Duan. To establish a foothold in the Qi Kingdom, he must try to gain the trust of one of them.
Prime Minister Tian Que came from a noble background in the Qi Kingdom and was a cunning old fox. He had previously led several envoys to the Sui Empire and is always doing things with ease and without any leakage.
But that Marquis Duan has been implementing a balance order for the past two years, restricting the power of the nobility. It is said that he killed a large number of aristocrats who were cruel to the people, promoted a group of underprivileged scholars to enter the Qi Kingdom’s court, and was deeply loved by the people of Qi. Most of the famous scholars and ministers who came to the Qi capital to seek a way out also came in pursuit of Marquis Duan’s reputation.
The nobles of the Qi Kingdom all feared this Marquis Duan, calling him a Bodhisattva with a face and a heart of Yama.
But Marquis Duan was deeply trusted by the King of Qi, he even publicly wanted to form a different surname brother relationship with Marquis Duan and conferred on him the title of Marquis Duan too. The nobles dared not speak out and could only live with their tails between their legs.
Old aristocrats like Tian Que usually prioritize their own interests when acting and may not be willing to accept him, the Right Secretary who fled from the Sui Empire.
For Chen Qi, Marquis Duan is the best choice.
But Marquis Duan’s mansion is heavily guarded, not everyone can enter casually, and someone must recommend it in order to enter.
Chen Qi contacted those former acquaintances in the hope that they could help and recommend him to meet with Marquis Duan.
Those few people did not know that Chen Qi had fled, they still believed that Chen Qi, who held the position of Right Secretary in the Sui Empire, had an official request to meet with Marquis Duan. Therefore, one of the high-ranking officials who had an intersection with Marquis Duan Mansion warmly responded to Chen Qi’s request and expressed willingness to recommend him.
Chen Qi was overjoyed and immediately arranged a meeting time and place with that old friend.
The musician remained close to him, only wrapping himself a little more tightly to prevent himself from being recognized.
**
Marquis Duan’s mansion is located in Chunshen Lane.
Although there were no heavy troops displayed outside the mansion, but everyone in Qi knew that the owner who lived here held a high position of power and had a pure and peaceful nature. It was not something that ordinary people could offend at will. Even if the ministers in the court wanted to enter Marquis Duan’s mansion, they had to submit a memorial in advance and spread it internally according to the rules.
Marquis Duan returned late at night, cleaned his hands, and as soon as he sat down in the hall, the steward came to report, “Marquis, there is a guest named Chen Qi who claims to be from the Sui Empire. He said he has something important to meet with Marquis. He has been waiting outside the mansion for a day already. He was recommended by an official from Maoqing Daren’s mansion. The subordinate dare not make decisions without authorization.”
“Chen Qi?”
The old servant next to Marquis Duan was the first to show a surprise expression. “Isn’t that the Right Secretary of the Sui Empire? Why did he suddenly come to the Qi capital and even seek to see the Marquis?”
The steward was waiting for Marquis Duan’s opinion.
Marquis Duan calmly said, “It probably is not a simple matter. Send someone to investigate what’s going on first.”
The steward understood that this meant that he wouldn’t see him.
As he was about to step down, the steward suddenly remembered another thing: “That’s right, he said he had some important secret about the background of the Crown Prince of Jiang, that’s why he was in a hurry to see Marquis.”
Marquis Duan’s hand, which was on the tea cup suddenly paused.
The old servant behind paled greatly.
