"This point is consistent with my previous analysis with the second prince, the news must have leaked out from the capital, and I have arranged for someone to conduct a secret investigation of some of the situations here, so as to find out the details hidden among us as soon as possible. Also, what do you think of their main purpose in organizing this ambush? ”

"Regarding the purpose of this ambush, I am also puzzled, although Xiao Min and I are Sima Duwei of the forbidden army, but we are not the core figures of the camp at all, killing us will not have much impact on the northwest camp, let alone shake the foundation of the camp. It stands to reason that they shouldn't set up an ambush to kill us, but rather that it would be more useful to hijack us, because it seems more effective to say something unpleasant, to take Min and then blackmail you into making submissions or concessions. ”

"Did they have this idea at first, but you didn't have time to implement it?" The second prince interjected.

"I don't think so, if they wanted to hijack us, they wouldn't have set up a fire attack and a rain of arrows in front of us. The valley was so lush with vegetation that if I hadn't detected their ambush in time, most of us would have died in the fire, and it was difficult to guarantee that the abductees would not have died. If they were only for the purpose of hijacking, they would only have to flank us and encircle us in the valley to force us to surrender. ”

At this time, Li Min, who happened to walk in with the servants who had served supper, said, "I also agree with Liu Fan's opinion, they don't want to kidnap us, but want to kill us in the valley, because if Liu Fan hadn't discovered their conspiracy in advance, the carriage that Ling Han and I were riding in would have borne the brunt of the fire, and it would definitely not have been spared, and the idea of hijacking me would not have been realized at all." ”

Listening to Li Min's words, Erwang and Li Zongxiong both nodded slowly.

After the four of them drank the white fungus soup, Li Zongxiong turned his eyes to Liu Fan again and motioned for him to continue.

After a little hesitation, Liu Fan got up and bowed to Li Zongxiong, and said, "Please show me, you asked me and Xiaomin to return to Beijing in advance, and said in the secret letter to Deputy Chief Manager Li that there is something to ask your subordinates, is the specific matter involved only known to you and the second prince, and is there anyone else who knows?" ”

"That's right, at the last court meeting at the end of the 25th of last month, when it was agreed to open border trade with the Khitans, the second prince told the court that this idea originally originated from your situation, and then I reported your details to the Holy Lord. In the end, when the Holy Lord decided to negotiate with the Khitans on the opening of border trade, he designated you as the deputy of the Three Princes and assisted the Three Princes in negotiations with the Khitans. ”

"Although some of the previous things have shown your talent in many aspects, but because you are just a general, the saint pulled you into this for no reason, which is not in line with the law of the court to employ people, so the court has a lot of suspicions about the intention of the saint, in order to make you prepare in advance, I will arrange for someone to send a secret letter to Shouyi quickly, so that you and Min'er can enter Beijing first."

"Today, after Min'er told me and the second prince about the situation of your ambush, after our analysis, I think the problem is likely to lie in your appointment."

After listening to Li Wanxiong's introduction, Liu Fan lowered his head and pondered for a while, and said, "I think that no matter who is against us, this matter itself should not be enough to constitute a reason to kill me, but if the other party thinks that I may become their potential opponent in the future or bring disadvantages to what they are planning, it is possible that the other party will make up their minds to cut me off as soon as possible, and the other party is more likely to think that I left the team and entered Beijing without permission in accordance with the order of the chief administrator this time, which is the best chance for them to cut me off." ”

After Liu Fan finished speaking, Li Zongxiong and the second prince glanced at each other, and they both saw the recognition in each other's eyes, which is the most reasonable explanation, they have seen from Liu Fan's rapid rise that this person may become the biggest help on the road to the second prince in the future, and they want to cut off this potential threat as soon as possible.

Li Zongxiong pondered for a long time before he whispered, "I don't think this matter will be Yang Xiang's handiwork, although Yang Xiang is different from our political views, but he will definitely not act against the will of the saint, General Xiao Liu has been seen by the saint, at this time to do something to General Xiao Liu, it is tantamount to openly opposing the saint, the final result is that Long Yan is furious, and it will cause an uproar in the political arena of the sixth year of Zhihe, Yang Xiang will not do this, as the left minister, he must first maintain the stability of the court, the court can not be chaotic, and the Great Qi can not be chaotic, Only on the premise that this foundation cannot be shaken can other things be taken into account. ”

Excluding Yang Yan, the left minister, it is basically clear whose handwriting is to kill Liu Fan and Li Min this time, Pan Wenyuan, the secretary of the ministry, and Han Qiming, the secretary of the Dali Temple, will not act against the will of the left minister, and Pan Wenyuan is actually just a clear stream, although he is high in the position of the secretary of the ministry, but he is keen on poetry and academic research, so he is classified as the three kings and the left minister, because Pan Wenyuan has a deep personal relationship with Yang Yan, who is also from the ministry, and is even more upright in terms of being an official.

The results of this final analysis made both the second prince and Li Zongxiong feel a little heavy, Huang Shu shook his head and said, "The third brother is now relying on the saint's favor for the concubine more and more unscrupulous, not only may he take Yang Xiang's advice as the wind in his ears, but also don't take the saint's thoughts at all. Teacher, you see how this matter should be dealt with, the third brother is now bent on going his own way, and in a few days, General Liu will still be very unsafe by the third brother's side. ”

Li Zongxiong glanced up at Liu Fan and said, "General Liu, is there a record of Mu Qing's interrogation at that time?" ”

Liu Fan immediately replied, "Yes, it was recorded by Xiao Min himself, and he finally asked Mu Qing to sign and draw the charge." ”

"Very good, tomorrow I will arrange for someone to interrogate the commander of the C Brigade of the Longxiang Army, transcribe two interrogation records, and ask him to sign and draw the interrogation, Min'er will transcribe another Mu Qing's interrogation record, and tomorrow I will send someone out of the city to the barracks for Mu Qing to sign and detain. After that, one of the interrogation records and the two of them were sent privately to the Zuo Xiang's mansion, and the matter was handed over to the Zuo Xiang to deal with, under the current circumstances, it is not appropriate for us to deal with this matter publicly, let alone directly report the matter to the Holy Lord for decision, and in addition, keep another interrogation record properly for later use. ”

"I think that if Zuo Xiang sees these two people and the two interrogation records, he will definitely understand that we still have the manuscript in our hands, and they will have to think about the consequences if they do it again in the future, and in addition, since our subordinates have made concessions this time, Zuo Xiang's side will definitely give us an explanation, at least it can ensure the temporary safety of General Xiao Liu."

"On General Liu's side, after going to Honglu Temple to report, you must always maintain a sense of vigilance, and you must not be too close to the Third Prince, so as not to accidentally fall into his plot, but also not be too alienated, so that he will seize the opportunity to impeach you in front of the Holy Lord for not cooperating with his work. If there are some things that are difficult to decide, you can also tell me and let the old man plan for you. ”

After Li Zongxiong finished speaking, Liu Fan immediately got up and saluted respectfully, "Please rest assured that the chief manager and the prince will never disappoint the ardent hopes and earnest teachings of the two of you, not that it is difficult to decide, even many small things may need to be given to me by the chief manager and the prince, and when the time comes, the chief manager and the prince should not think that I am too bored." ”

"You can rest assured at this point, your business is our business, it can be said that you were recommended to the saint by me and Li Xiang, and your things are done to the satisfaction of the saint, and even bring me and Li Xiang to have face." The second prince immediately said.

"Also, when General Wang Kai arrives in the capital, when he has time, he will invite General Xiao Liu, Xiao Min and General Wang Kai to go to the mansion, and I want to thank the three of them in person for saving their lives last time."

Liu Fan immediately stood up and said respectfully, "The prince is too polite, it's a trivial matter, but I don't dare to alarm the princess again." ”

Li Min glanced at Liu Fan and said in surprise, "Okay, I wanted to meet Sister Princess, I heard that Sister Princess looks like a fairy, so I waited for Brother Shu to invite me to your house to see Sister Princess, if Brother Shu didn't invite me, I wouldn't be invited that day." ”