The next day, Qin Mubai returned to the barracks.

Today is still the scheduled day for the assessment of military orders and military regulations, and Qin Mubai has not forgotten this important event. But Zhao Chong and Pang Fei disappeared together for a few days, and there have been some rumors and speculations in the barracks, but they have not yet spread and amplified. Pang Fei was so confused that Qin Mubai said that he had sent something else out for him to handle. It's just that on the side of the left battalion water army, there has been no captain for a few days, and everyone can't help but speculate.

The assessment of military orders and military regulations went quite smoothly, perhaps everyone was frightened by Feng Scar's head, Qin Mubai gave an order, and few dared to slack off. The pass rate of the exam is quite high, and the few who do badly in the exam are also caused by nervousness. Relaxation can only be controlled by a degree, this time Qin Mubai read a favor, and did not start from the beginning. Instead, it gave those people a chance to make up for it, and then they would take the make-up exam in a few days.

In the evening, Qin Mubai called Du Chengyuan and other adjutant generals to discuss with them, and elected another lieutenant of the left battalion to temporarily replace Zhao Chong.

Everyone was shocked and asked, where did Zhao Chong go when he disappeared for a few days?

Qin Mubai was helpless, so he had no choice but to say: "Don't hide it from everyone, he is missing." ”

"What?!" Everyone was really shocked, and even Du Chengyuan performed extremely well.

"I will personally investigate this matter. What you have to do is to hide the news from the sergeants and not let the sergeants know, so as to breed speculation and add to the incident. Qin Mubai said, "Okay, the Zuoying Navy can't be without a leader, so please nominate one person, or Mao Sui will recommend himself to temporarily replace Zhao Chong in charge of the Navy Army." ”

After a pause, Qin Mubai said again: "General Du, you are the old man of the military mansion, and you are familiar with it from top to bottom, so you will propose the candidate first, let's all sum it up!" ”

Qin Mubai's actions were nothing more than for Du Chengyuan to see. He wanted to show the water ghosts that he had a "cooperative" attitude. Because, the grain trade must be carried out on the waterway, and the captain of the left battalion, who patrols the water, must play a vital role. Let the person elected by Du Chengyuan be his confidant. In this way, the water keeper will be satisfied.

Du Chengyuan understood it, so he casually said a few names, none other than the brigade commander of the left battalion and others. Everyone also discussed for a while and decided on a candidate.

Qin Mubai said: "General Du, this general has been busy with official business and needs to run around recently, and he may have a lot of time in the barracks, and the affairs in the army will be presided over by you." In addition, the left battalion naval army has always been very important, and you have to worry a lot. ”

Du Chengyuan arched his hand and said: "The general has an order, and he should obey it." ”

"That's fine." Qin Mubai nodded and smiled meaningfully, and sighed again, "Although I came to Xiangzhou to be an official, I still can't take off the skin of this Beijing official. In a few days, the newly appointed governor of Dengzhou, King Qi Li You, will take office. You also know that Dengzhou is the Linzhou of Xiangzhou, and the King of Qi is the general's...... Therefore, I had to go to Michiga in person. ”

Du Chengyuan smiled knowingly: "Li You, King of Qi, isn't that the brother of Princess Gaoyang and the brother-in-law of General Qin?" When you go, when you go, this is human nature. This season is busy with farming, most of the soldiers are busy with farming, there is neither winter training nor superiority, and there are no major events in the military government. ”

"Then it's up to you." Qin Mubai got up and arched his hand.

"General Qin is too polite!"

When he walked out of the military tent, Du Chengyuan deliberately looked back at Qin Mubai a few times, his eyes were extremely warm and complicated. Obviously, he knew what had happened in the past few days, and in summary, Qin Mubai and he were also "people in the same boat", but before, Qin Mubai beheaded his brother-in-law again. Public enmity and personal grudges, for him, I am afraid that his heart is also quite entangled.

When they had given an account of these things, they all dispersed. Qin Mubai sat there alone and pondered: Who is the Lord of Song Cao?

After such a toss and turn, this "Song Cao Master" has never officially appeared. Listening to the flower lady, the water ghost is his own people, and few people really know him. It can be seen that this person is extremely hidden. Now a dark web has been cast, and the purpose is to wipe out the water ghosts and their allies. However, until now, I don't know who the Song Cao Lord is, and where will I start to arrest him?

Qin Mubai repeatedly scrutinized and pondered, taking everyone into account. Duan Rongji of Zhengchang Grain, Ouyang Jun of Yongye Salt Fang, Wei Huanchen, Du Chengyuan, and some others, they may all be the masters of Song Cao, but there is no evidence to prove it.

This person is really a divine dragon who can't see the head and the end, and hides it very deeply.

After having dinner in the army, Qin Mubai was ready to leave the military mansion alone. Just now, he and Du Chengyuan have made it very clear that they are going to "leave the military government" for a long time. The implication is that you should take advantage of this time to hurry up and do the transaction, do whatever you like, I can't see it out of sight and don't bother. I will not embarrass you, nor will I join you.

In this way, in Du Chengyuan's view, Qin Mubai's attitude did not change quickly, and he was a little helpless in doing so, and he still maintained his last "Qinggao". Combined with Qin Mubai's identity and personality characteristics, this is obviously more "credible".

Just as Qin Mubai rode his horse and was about to leave, there was a commotion at the gate of the camp, and a group of sergeants hurriedly ran over there. Qin Mubai walked over curiously to take a look, and several sergeants hurriedly stepped forward to report: "General Qin, Captain Zhao, who has been missing for a few days, is back!" ”

"What?" Qin Mubai was startled and strode forward.

I saw that Zhao Chong was lying on the door panel of a house, his eyes closed as if he was unconscious. There are rope strangulation marks on the left and right wrists, and the whole person looks haggard and weak, like a silk.

"Where did you find it?" Qin Mubai asked.

A sergeant pointed ahead: "Those fellow fishermen found it in a ditch by the river when they were returning home from their nets." ”

Qin Mubai bent down, sniffed and pressed the major carotid artery in his neck, and said, "It's just a coma, but fortunately, it's alive." Immediately call for medical treatment from the military. ”

"Yes!"

Several sergeants hurriedly carried Zhao and rushed away. Qin Mubai came to the fishermen and interrogated them personally. The fishermen were naturally a little frightened when they saw the officials, and they only made the ins and outs of the matter clear. Qin Mubai carefully observed their expressions, it didn't look like he was lying.

It turned out that Zhao Chong was also a local, and he knew many people in Xiangyang City, and the fishermen in the neighborhood also knew him. The fishermen accidentally found Zhao Chong unconscious in the ditch, and carried him to the military mansion nearby, and the matter was as simple as that.

Qin Mubai muttered in his heart: It's strange, why did Zhao Chong suddenly come back again? Did he escape on his own? Still is...... The water ghosts are interested in bringing him back?

After thinking about it for a long time, although Qin Mubai did not come to a clear conclusion, his thinking gradually became clearer. He summoned Du Chengyuan and said to him: "Zhao Chong was sent back, but unfortunately he was in a coma, and now there is no reason for interrogation." I'm in a hurry to leave, and I'll leave the rest to you first. If Zhao Chong recovers, he will come back and continue to lead the navy. ”

"Do as you are told." Du Chengyuan quietly handed it over.

Qin Mubai nodded: "I'm going to make an appointment with King Wu and go to Dengzhou together." Ten days at least and twenty days at most, and he will return. The affairs in the military government will be left to you first. Okay, I'm leaving, you can go back! ”

"Congratulations to General Qin!"

Qin Mubai left the barracks on a horse alone, and after walking not far away, he bumped into a big acquaintance head-on.

"Yuwen Hongtai, why are you again? Are you here to break into my barracks again? Qin Mubai deliberately said with a cold face.

"Third Brother Qin, why do you seem to have changed someone?" Yuwen Hongtai jumped off the horse to stop Qin Mubai, pulled his horse bridle and said with a bitter face, "You weren't like this before!" Why did you turn your face with Your Highness? ”

"I can't explain these things." Qin Mubai said, "You are now the official of the Wu Palace, you and I are our own masters, it is better not to talk about this." Tell me, what are you doing here? ”

"I'm fine. I'm just panicking and want to come and talk to you. Yuwen Hongtai said, "You said, you have been mysterious and mysterious in recent days, and you suddenly turned your face, one by one, there is nothing I can understand." After you quarreled with Your Highness yesterday, Your Highness made a nameless karmic fire in the mansion for a while, scolding people and smashing things when they saw them. Early this morning, he left the house with Xue Rengui and a group of soldiers, and the yamen and the mansion didn't say a word to anyone, only leaving me stunned to take care of the house. I was stuffy, panicked and aggrieved. Why do you smart people like to put honest people like us in the middle? ”

Qin Mubai laughed: "It's okay, idiot." His Royal Highness may have gone to Dengzhou. ”

"What are you doing in Dengzhou?"

"Qi Wangyou is the new governor of Dengzhou, go to congratulate." Qin Mubai sighed, "No, I'm going to go too!" ”

"Then, then you will bump into each other again, and you must not make a big noise?" Yuwen Hongtai said worriedly, "I really can't figure it out, how can you say that you will turn your face?" Ay......! ”

Qin Mubai patted Yuwen Hongtai on the shoulder: "It's okay, get on the horse, come to Xiangyang with me!" ”

"Whoa!" Yuwen Hongtai turned over and got on the horse and walked side by side with Qin Mubai.

Looking at his sad and worried face, Qin Mubai felt a sense of emotion and guilt in his heart. Yuwen Hongtai is an honest person, and he is also a warm-hearted and upright person. It is most undesirable to deceive such people. However, the fewer people who know about this plan, the safer it is. In this way, I had to grieve Yuwen Hongtai for a while. Moreover, the more he doesn't know the truth, the more realistic he becomes. The more you can help get through those eyeliners.

As the saying goes, adversity sees the truth, and the more critical the time, the more you can see the essence of a person. The performance of Yuwen Hongtai in front of him made Qin Mubai clear about one thing: from the very beginning, Yuwen Hongtai's friend was not in vain!

When they arrived in Xiangyang City, Qin Mubai and Yuwen Hongtai parted ways.

Before parting, Qin Mubai said: "Hong Tai, if His Highness and I turn against each other one day, which one will you help?" ”

Yuwen Hongtai's face was bitter, he was so anxious that he scratched his ears and cheeks, and he drummed it for a long time before he could hold back a sentence: "Why do you have to ask me such a difficult question?" I didn't think about it, and I couldn't figure it out. ”

"Let's put it this way, if Your Highness orders you to cut me with a knife, what will you do?" Qin Mubai asked with a smile on his face, as if he was serious and joking.

"If I cut off my own bird's head, then I won't be embarrassed! It's okay anyway! Yuwen Hongtai almost finished saying this with a roar, glared at Qin Mubai angrily, and patted his horse away.

"Huh!" Qin Mubai shook his head and smiled, patted his horse towards Wulifang in the south of the city, and went to the small building.

Chen Yan knew that Qin Mubai was coming at this time, so she prepared some dishes for him to eat together. The two sat down, and Chen Yan asked, "Everything in the military mansion has been clarified." ”

"Hmm. It's just a formality, handing over everything to Du Chengyuan, and I left Xiangzhou for a while and let them do whatever they want. Qin Mubai casually picked up some dishes to eat, frowned slightly, and said, "But a strange thing happened during this period that I didn't expect." ”

"What?"

"The missing Zhao Chong is back." Qin Mubai said, "The person was unconscious, and he was found by the fishermen by the river and sent to the military mansion. ”

"Is there such a thing?" Chen Yan was also a little surprised, her brows furrowed slightly, and she held chopsticks lightly in her mouth, thinking, "Then did you ask, did he escape by himself, or did the water ghost deliberately release him?" ”

"No, they all said that he was in a coma at that time." Qin Mubai said, "Assuming that he escaped, then the matter would be simple, Du Chengyuan would definitely know the news in advance, and it would never be possible for him to appear in the military mansion again." ”

"Makes sense!" Chen Yan's eyes lit up, "If Zhao Chong escapes, it will definitely be big news for the water ghosts, there is no reason not to inform Du Chengyuan to prepare in advance, so as not to let you see Zhao Chong and know something that you don't want you to know." But now, Zhao Chong returned to the barracks safely, which proves that Zhao Chong did not flee back, but ...... The water ghost deliberately let him back! ”

"Clever." Qin Mubai's eyebrows twisted, and his eyes flashed, and he said, "But, why did the water ghosts let Zhao Chong back?" ”

The eyes of the two lit up at the same time: "Could it be ......?!" ”

……

That night, Qin Mubai came to the flower lady's house and made an appointment to meet the water ghost liaison.

is still a man in black, Qin Mubai judged that this time he came was different from the two he had seen before. It can be seen that the other party is really very cautious and cautious, for fear of letting Qin Mubai see any clues.

Qin Mubai told the man in black about his arrangements, saying that he was going to Dengzhou for a while. During this time, Xiangzhou has nothing to do with him, you can do whatever you like.

"General Qin, you are not sincere enough, hehe!" The man in black said with a strange smile.

"What do you mean?" Qin Mubai said a little annoyed, "I'm like this, what else are you going to do?" ”

"As far as I know, you and Li Ke have not reached a tacit understanding." The man in black said unhurriedly, "Although you are willing to cooperate with us, he Li Ke did not nod. It's not that I look down on General Qin's ability, but Li Ke is a assassin after all, and he is a prince. Do you dare not listen to him? If he were to get in the way, it would be fatal. ”

"You're overthinking." Qin Mubai said coldly, "I understand Li Ke's character. He will never verbally allow me to compromise with you and cooperate with you. ”

"Why?"

"Knowingly ask!" Qin Mubai shouted angrily, "Because he is a prince, in his eyes, Xiangzhou is just a small land, and he can't use his identity as a prince and a future to fight for your life and death." He said that he would rather lose the princess and his daughter than join you. The words are so good, but in his heart, he is more anxious than anyone else. If he doesn't tear his face with me, then he's an accomplice. You don't understand such a simple truth? ”

"I see, I see!" The man in black smiled, "Li Ke, he is really a person with far-reaching wisdom, and he can't be disguised!" It seems that he deliberately fell out with you, and then picked his son and left, and you were the ones who left the rest, and he was out of sight and out of mind? And you, too, also take advantage of the excuse to open Xiangzhou, and leave the rest of the affairs to us to take care of by ourselves, and you don't have to be accused of being a bandit, is that so, General Qin? ”

Qin Mubai glared at the man in black with an angry face and annoyance: "You talk a lot of nonsense!" Are you proud now? ”

"No, no, no, that's not what I mean. It's just that there are some things, it's better to ask clearly. The man in black hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Please rest assured General Qin, after you leave Xiangzhou, we will start working in full swing." When you return, everything will be settled. When the time comes, it's as if nothing had happened. Then, according to the agreement, we returned the hostages, and from now on we will not commit crimes in Xiangzhou, and after a year, we will all disappear. ”

"That's the best." Qin Mubai snorted coldly.

"In order to express our sincerity, today, we have released a person, presumably General Qin should also know." The man in black smiled and arched his hand, "Slowly, we will release people in turn." The safety of the hostages, General Qin doesn't have to worry about it. ”

"Hmm......" Qin Mubai snorted in his nose and said, "But I don't think you may treat hostages well." When Zhao Chong came back, he was unconscious. ”

"Don't worry, he was just numbed by some drugs and had to be unconscious for a while. Don't you see that his hands and feet are complete, and there are no serious injuries on his body? The man in black smiled strangely, "We are also forced to be helpless, can't we just open the door and let him go?" If he comes back with a troop of soldiers to fight back, won't we be in trouble? ”

"Enough, I don't want to talk nonsense with you." Qin Mubai's face was angry, as if he was angry, and said, "I'll leave Xiangzhou now." I'll be back in half a month. When the time comes, I don't want to see you again! ”

"Okay, General Qin!" The man in black stood up, waved his hand and said to the flower lady behind him, "Flower lady, don't you send off guests?" ”

"Okay!" The flower lady was still charming, and she twisted her waist and stepped forward with one hand on Qin Mubai's shoulder, and said in her sticky voice, "General Qin, how can you go out to play without a beautiful woman, let the slave family accompany you on a trip!" ”

Qin Mubai glared angrily: "Is this considered sending someone to spy on me?" ”

"Where, where." The man in black seemed to be a person without the slightest hint of anger, and said with a smile, "I'm just waiting for a kind gesture to let the flower lady accompany you." The journey was lonely and the night was long, didn't General Qin need someone to accompany him? ”

"Humph!" Qin Mubai snorted coldly, shook his robe and walked downstairs. The flower lady laughed and quickly followed.

The man in black sat down slowly, and a sigh came from the mask face, as if he had taken a long breath.

"In this case, it should be safe! It's not easy, I finally ate him! ”