There were only three of us left in the room, so naturally we could talk about everything. As usual, I first talked about the general experience of a few years, of course, what was different was that Hua Mei helped me talk a lot on the side, which also made the original monotonous narrative sound and colorful, and the room erupted into laughter from time to time.

accidentally chatted about the second watch, this day and night of the journey, Huamei is still her daughter's house, and her energy is not good, so she went back to the room to sleep early.

Fang Caimei was on the side, and Li Zaixing and I only talked about happy things, but we both knew that there were many more important things than what we had just talked about, so we all stayed and didn't move.

The tea was all drunk, and the servants changed the tea for us, which was the Nanyang black tea I brought back. Li Zaixing smiled and took the cup, took a sip and put it down, looked directly at me and asked:

"Qilan, I heard Zhang Jiangling say on his deathbed that he entrusted you with three things before you left last time, did you act in accordance with his wishes?"

Hearing this, I immediately put down the teacup, looked at Li Zaixing solemnly, and said, "Before the second uncle left, he said that this matter was a secret between the two of us. Since I told you, it means without reservation - in the past few years, I have lived and died, rain or shine, in fact, most of it is to fulfill these few instructions. ”

Li Zaixing nodded, his expression calm: "Let's talk about it, Zhang Jiangling once said that if Qilan can complete two of these official tasks, at least he can ensure that the Ming Dynasty will not lose the Wanli and his successor, I don't know if this is the case."

Since I got down to business, I was no longer ambiguous, and I began to talk about the three instructions one by one.

The first thing I said was the second uncle's daughter who drifted overseas, because it was a private matter, I said it very simply, I just said that she was very good, married to a good family, and now she has pushed her career to a new continent with her husband.

Li Zaixing sighed constantly, and said bluntly that I have thousands of rivers and mountains, but after all, I still found people, which is not easy. A good man must practice what he says, which is worthy of praise, and he can also smile under the nine springs of Zhang Jiangling. I only wish Sonia a good and smooth life.

Then, I talked about my experience in Toei, where I managed to mediate between Hideyoshi Hashiba and Katsuie Shibata and finally maintain the separatist of Toei.

Li Zaixing has worked hard for the military all his life, and naturally understands how great the value and significance of a divided Dongying is to the Ming Dynasty.

"You're doing a great job, Qilan. If Dongying is really unified by one of the two, it will surely burst out with a torrent of destructive power! Although the army is at its peak now, they are very suspicious of each other, and we have a great chance to make them fight and kill together! If it's done, Qilan you should be the first to do it! ”

I shook my head and smiled, my heart was as indifferent as an expression: "After a few years of wind and rain, my heart has faded." This time I came back completely to fulfill the entrustment of the second uncle back then, but I had no intention of pursuing a career at all. I'm just worried that the war may not be as quick as you would expect, and I'm afraid it will be fought sometime. ”

Li Zaixing frowned and said for a long time: "How long do you estimate it will take?"

I thought about my previous life, and this battle was fought for ten years! Although the enemy army in this life is divided into two, the total amount is still there, and it is a fool's dream to want a quick victory.

So I thought about it again and again and gave the answer: "It can be as short as three or five years, or as long as seven or eight years, depending on how the war progresses, but no matter how short it is, it will be even more difficult."

Li Zaixing nodded: "The territory of Goryeo is narrow, the people are weak, and the royal family is even weaker and useless. When you go to Goryeo, you are really outnumbered, so you really have to be careful. To say something selfish......"

Li Zaixing leaned forward and lowered his voice again: "Everything is still based on safety, even if Liaodong is really wrong, it is just a tug-of-war; But if your own safety is in danger, then everything is not to be mentioned. Do you know what I mean? ”

I nodded and said, "Yes!" Yes! Rest assured, I am mostly at sea, and the weak navy of Dongying will not be able to threaten my safety, as long as I am a little careful, I will definitely be able to ensure that my future is safe. ”

Li Zaixing hung his face and said very unhappily: "The lion fights the rabbit and needs to do his best, why are you so careless?" Don't think about it, but be cautious and do your best! ”

In the end, it was already very loud, and I was sweating profusely when I listened to it, and I could only promise and even claim yes.

When he saw that I understood the matter, he asked with a slight color: "Do you have a preliminary battle plan for going to Goryeo to fight?" In such a big war, how can you not plan in advance and be brave in vain? ”

This is the deepest concern and reminder given to me by an elder, one of the most senior experts in the industry, how can I not understand?

So I pondered for a moment before I replied solemnly: "Hashiba Hideyoshi and Shibata Katsuya have been hostile for a long time, and it is difficult to overcome each other. But today, Shibata Katsuya is 60 years old, and according to the report, his health has not been as good as before since last year, and it is estimated that there is not much left in his life calculation......

Li Zaixing said with interest: "You mean, Shibata Katsuya is now insisting on attacking Goryeo?"

According to Su's tip, the situation is indeed as he said, and I replied, "Exactly! Shibata Katsuya's health is deteriorating now, and it is estimated that it will not be long before he returns to heaven. But he has no heirs of his own, only a few adopted sons, and now these adopted sons have their own evil intentions for the succession, but they have an opportunity. ”

Li Zaixing snorted: "If that's the case, it does give me an opportunity." But...... If the Shibata clan suddenly falls into infighting, and if the momentum of the horn suddenly collapses in one corner, I am afraid that the balance of power will no longer be there, and the Yushiba clan will be dominant, but it will be unfavorable to the war. ”

"That's a concern." I replied, "If the Yuchai army is united and the family is dominant, then there is indeed such a concern. But in fact, there are many noises within the Yuchai army, and it is by no means monolithic! Therefore, if the Shibata clan is in turmoil, as long as it is operated properly, the army of the Yushiba clan may also collapse! ”

Li Zaixing listened to what I said reasonably, and his eyes were full of satisfaction and praise. took a sip of tea and said in a low voice: "It's good to know in your heart, and don't act rashly!"

I didn't mention it.

Li Zaixing put down the teacup and asked again: "I heard Zhang Jiangling say that he is not at ease with that person in Liaodong......"

I lowered my voice and replied, "Exactly!" Li Chengliang started his business at the age of 40 and has been operating in Liaodong for decades. Even he and his nine sons are all feudal marquises, and they have become a local tyrant! ”

Li Zaixing stared at me and said, "When I was in office, I also knew that Li Chengliang had formed a party for personal gain and colluded with courtiers, and now Liaodong has become a country within a country of the Li family. But because of this, there is a strong fence in the Northeast to protect the country, I don't know if Qilan thinks so? ”

I shook my head and refuted Li Zaixing for the first time: "The ancestor once said that those who represent the Ming Dynasty will be the Jurchen Daqing outside the Northeast Pass!" In recent years, due to Li Chengliang's secret conquest, the Jianzhou Jurchen Nurhachi has become a prairie fire, and it will surely unify the Jurchen tribes in the future and become a big problem for the Ming Dynasty! ”

Li Zaixing muttered: "Since the founding of the country by Emperor Hongwu, the Jurchen tribes scattered in the Baishan and Heishui areas have been fighting all year round, and have been divided into three parts: Jianzhou, Haixi, and Donghai, which are under the jurisdiction of the Nuer Gandu Division. The Jianzhou Jurchens live at the southern foot of Changbai Mountain, east of Fushun Pass and north of the Yalu River; The Jurchens of the East China Sea are scattered at the northern foot of the Changbai Mountains, the coast of the Ussuri River and the middle and lower reaches of the Heilongjiang River. The Haixi Jurchens are the most bitter and live in the Songhua River and its upper reaches of the Huifa River, the Wula River and the Dongliao River Basin. In this way, the three generations have been attacking, each respecting itself, and they have not been able to unify for a long time, does Qilan think that they will be able to change the pattern in a few days and become unified? ”

I was very sure, "Exactly!" Li Chengliang and Nurhachi, the leader of the Jianzhou Jurchens, have always had an old relationship, and the relationship is difficult to explain. Under him, when the three Jurchen tribes were fighting, whenever the Jianzhou Jurchens had the advantage, Li Chengliang remained silent; As soon as the other two divisions prevailed, Li Chengliang immediately raised troops to conscript. In this way, the balance is broken, and the unification of the three Jurchens in Jianzhou and the threat to the northern Xinjiang are not false words and intimidation! ”

Li Zaixing was about to speak, when the servant outside came in to add hot water, he immediately stopped, pushed the teacup forward gently, and the servant added hot water to the teacup.

The old servant added water to me again, but whispered to me: "Auntie, Master Li, he is not in good health, and he must not be excited, it is inevitable to stay up late!"

After speaking, he stopped talking and walked back step by step.

I couldn't help but chuckle in my heart, looked at Li Zaixing and asked, "Uncle, it's not too early, why don't you stop here, it's not too late to talk tomorrow."

Li Zaixing smiled and didn't care: "Don't listen to Lao Li being alarmist there, I know my own affairs, how can I be so fragile?"

As he spoke, he stared at me and asked, "What do you think about the matter of Liaodong, but it doesn't hurt to say it!"

I looked back at Li Zaixing, and saw that his eyes were red, and it was obvious that his situation was not as simple as he said. But seeing the old man's resolute face, I couldn't say anything more, so I could only say truthfully:

"I am going to Liaodong, one is to lead the naval army to resist the Dongying army, and on the other hand, I also have the intention of investigating the truth of Li Chengliang. If the matter is salvageable, I may be able to deal with it flexibly and solve the crisis in the north of the Ming Dynasty. If Li Chengliang and the Jurchens are interspersed too deeply, they can't save ......"

I picked up the teacup, took a big sip under Li Zaixing's gaze, and then slammed the teacup on the table!

There was silence in the room, and neither of us spoke. After a long time, Li Zaixing spoke in a dumb voice: "Li Chengliang has a lot of collusion with the officials of the Beijing Division, if Qilan is not good for him, I am afraid that he will backfire on himself, and I don't know!"

I smiled faintly and didn't care: "Uncle, the younger generation has already put the glory and wealth aside, and I came back today to repay a long-cherished wish of the second uncle!" This heart can be seen from the sun and the moon, and there is no lie! ”

Li Zaixing nodded heavily: "Why don't you take Wu Hook and collect Guanshan Fifty Prefectures!" Go ahead and do it yourself, you deserve to be the virtuous son-in-law of my Li family! What I just discussed, I will send a secret letter to Shu Shen, and he and Shi Xing will consider it as soon as possible. So worry-free about state affairs, it's just ......"

I knew what he was going to say, but I could only listen quietly.

"Qilan is very pleased that you can serve the country wholeheartedly, but what about you and Huamei's lifelong events? Hua Mei returned home twice, and the situation was over and told me. I also know everything about you and the personal maid, and this woman sacrificed herself to protect the Lord, and her true feelings are commendable. Therefore, as long as you treat Huamei well, I do not prohibit you from being nice to other people. But when will you get married? I don't have much time to live, and I don't know if I'll be able to see the time when my children and grandchildren are full. ”

My heart tightened again, and I asked, "Uncle, what ......is your body?"

Li Zaixing said with a wry smile: "Lang Zhong has diagnosed me earlier, and due to the long-term battle at the beach in the early years, the moisture has already soaked into Wunei. Coupled with all these years of worrying day and night, Huamei's mother went again, and I was even more sad. Now I just hope that this only daughter can marry into a good family, and I don't mind anything else. Son, do you understand my father's good intentions? ”

For a while, I was choked and speechless, biting my lip tightly, and said for a while: "When the war in front of me subsides, I will come back and get married!" Hello uncle, you will be able to see the time when your children and grandchildren are full! ”

Li Zaixing couldn't help laughing, laughed for a long time, and then smiled at me: "As long as you treat Huamei well, I will feel at ease." I only hope that you will not be like before, and you will never go back! I really can't wait for the next six years! ”

I didn't know how to answer, but I saw a person open the door curtain, ran in like flying, and threw himself into Li Zaixing's arms, crying "Father", but who is it if it is not Huamei?

Li Zaixing silently stroked Hua Mei's hair, and in the dim light, I felt that I could no longer see clearly what was in front of me, and only a chaotic time remained......