The jade seal was very light, and it was placed on the desk in front of him, but Dou Jiande felt that it was heavy.

Empress Xiao went to the Turks yesterday, and Li Xuanba led his troops to leave in the early morning, and when he left, he handed over the jade seal to Dou Jiande and asked him to escort him to Jiangdu.

Queen Cao stood quietly beside Dou Jiande, looking at him with hesitant eyes, secretly sighing that men are reluctant to give up their desire for power after all, Zhou Guogong is obviously testing you, what is there to consider?

Dou Jiande struggled for a long time, but after all, he couldn't hold it back, and reached out to pick up the jade seal.

The eight words "Ordered by the sky, both longevity and eternal prosperity" shone brightly, making him dare not look at it directly.

"Your Majesty, will the heavens really give you orders?" Queen Cao whispered uneasily.

Hearing Queen Cao's words, Dou Jiande's tense body relaxed, he put down the jade seal, turned his head, pulled Queen Cao to his lap and sat down, and said with a smile: "This king is over fifty years old, and he has no children under his knees, even if he can beat the country, who can he pass it on?" Rest assured, Queen, this king is just curious. ”

Dou Jiande's family died at the hands of officials, and Queen Cao was a woman he met in Gaojibo, who was born in a large family, virtuous and virtuous, and very far-sighted, and won Dou Jiande's trust.

"The Empress Dowager trusted Zhou Guogong and handed over the jade seal to him, and he just glanced at it curiously, and put it in your hands, he really lived up to his reputation of loyalty and bravery." Queen Cao's heart was a little calm, and she sat in Dou Jiande's arms timidly, and said softly: "The most rare thing is that he has a tolerant heart, and the king doesn't have to worry about encountering danger in Jiangdu." ”

Southern Sui can have today's momentum, Li Xuanba's contribution is very important, but he still resigned the title of King of Zhou and only accepted the name of Zhou Guogong. Li Xuanba is the most powerful person in the Southern Sui court, and even he doesn't want to be the king. Dare to call yourself the King of Xia?

Dou Jiande had long been aware of this problem, but he did not take the initiative to mention the removal of the honorific title, because he wanted to observe Li Xuanba's attitude.

"Of the province of this king." Seeing that Queen Cao did not dislike that she had no desire to fight for hegemony, Dou Jiande felt very comfortable for no reason: "Zhou Guogong is decisive in killing, brave and strategic, and this king is far away from him." When he returned to Jiangdu, the king went to see His Majesty. ”

"The concubine thinks that since Zhou Guogong dares to lead a thousand horsemen to raid Zhu Cang, he must have something to rely on." Queen Cao heard what Dou Jiande meant, and said, "The king might as well send an envoy to Jiangdu first to show his sincerity." ”

Li Xuanba's life and death had a great impact on Nan Sui, and many people knew that as long as Li Xuanba died. Then Nan Sui was basically hopeless, so Dou Jiande wanted to wait and see.

"You have a point." Dou Jiande suddenly came to his senses and said with emotion: "If you are a man, you will be able to be crowned the king and worship the prime minister, what a pity." ”

For the sake of the people, it was impossible for Dou Jiande to bet all his bets on Nan Sui, and his original idea was that if Li Xuanba died in the hands of Zhu Cang. He will occupy more than a dozen counties and stand on his own, if Li Xuanba can really travel thousands of miles to kill Zhu Cang. Then he will obey the will of heaven and surrender sincerely.

However, Dou Jiande ignored one thing, if he waited for Li Xuanba to return victoriously, he would go to Jiangdu to surrender to Cheng, and the sincerity expressed would be completely different. The treatment you will receive in the future will naturally be very different.

Queen Cao was praised by Dou Jiande, and smiled slightly, not arrogant or happy, but her face showed curiosity. No matter how smart she is. After all, it was a woman who had just turned twenty, and she thought silently in her heart: "Lord Zhou Guogong, what is your reliance?" ”

Li Xuanba led Dou Jiande's cavalry, and returned to Jiaoniu Mountain at noon the next day.

Watching thousands of war horses leisurely strolling through the valley, Xu Shiji was shocked, and Wang Fubao's eyes were red.

"Lord Zhou Guogong, these are the war horses of the Southern Sui?" Wang Fubao said enviously, only drooling.

Wang Fubao is the most courageous general under Dou Jiande, who has followed Dou Jiande for many years and made countless meritorious contributions, and Li Xuanba has long heard of his prestige.

"If General Wang likes it, you can choose one at will." Facing the burly Wang Fubao, Li Xuanba tilted his head slightly, and said with a smile: "As long as it is not the night breeze under the crotch of my father, my father is willing to give it to you." ”

"The last general has not made an inch, and he does not dare to accept the gift of Lord Zhou Guogong." Wang Fubao is an honest man, bowed down and said.

"It's very easy to make meritorious contributions." Li Xuanba likes honest people the most, because they are very obedient and easy to deceive: "When you reach Zhu Can's territory, you will lead the cavalry under your command to wander around, and after Zhu Cang's death, my father will fulfill today's words." ”

The corners of Wang Fubao's mouth twitched, and he smiled: "Lord Zhou Guogong is really good at laughing." "Li Xuanba's words are indeed like a joke, casually walking on the battlefield is considered a meritorious service, how can there be such a good thing?

Xu Shiji didn't smile, he stroked Chiyan's long mane, his face expressionless.

"Childe is not joking with the general." The eldest grandson Wuji smiled without scruples and said, "General Wang, don't you think this is a clever plan?" ”

Wang Fubao had not been in contact with Li Xuanba for a long time, and he knew Li Xuanba's identity, so he couldn't help but be a little nervous, he didn't think about it for a while, and when he heard the words of the eldest grandson Wuji, he thought for a while, and quickly came to his senses: "What does Lord Zhou Guogong mean, let the last general lead Zhu Cang to attack?" ”

"That's what Ben Gong meant." Li Xuanba nodded with a smile and said, "Presumably, this matter shouldn't be difficult for the general, right?" ”

The 1,000 cavalry led by Wang Fubao were all elite divisions, and it was easy for them to avoid Zhu Cang's pursuit.

But it was precisely because they were elite teachers that Wang Fubao was a little unwilling, and he arched his hand towards Li Xuanba and said: "Lord Zhou Guogong, your status is noble, and the matter of rushing to kill the enemy formation should be left to the end of the future." ”

"This duke is the first warrior of the Great Sui who was personally appointed by the first emperor, if even this duke can't do it, General Wang thinks he can do it?" Li Xuanba looked at Wang Fubao seriously and quipped: "Military orders are like mountains, General Wang only needs to carry out the orders of his father, and he doesn't have to worry about the safety of his father." If something happens to my father, Mr. Li will intercede for General Wang. ”

This is a real joke, but Wang Fubao couldn't laugh: "The last general is not worried about King Xia's blame, but Lord Zhou Guogong is personally in danger, and the last general can only be used as a bait, he is really embarrassed, very ashamed, the last general pleaded with my lord, I can let the last general lead the soldiers under his command to rush to kill, and the last will be the head of the head of the item, and Zhu Cang's head will be guaranteed!" ”

"General Wang's ability, my father has never doubted it." Li Xuanba shook his head, looked at the west, and said coldly: "Zhu Cang's head, my father must cut it off himself." Seeing what Xu Shiji wanted to say, Li Xuanba continued: "My father's mind has been decided, and none of you need to persuade him anymore. ”

"The last general commands!" Wang Fubao responded in a deep voice, although he felt that something was wrong, but it was his duty to obey the order: "General Xu, the safety of Lord Zhou Guogong will be handed over to you." ”

Wang Fubao had fought with Xu Shiji several times, and he knew the other party's ability, and he believed that Xu Shiji was absolutely capable of protecting Li Xuanba's safety. (To be continued.) )