The major families of Wu County had no objection to the surrender of the Southern Sui, and when Shen Faxing recruited them to the mansion, the most heated debate among the people was when to surrender.

"The imperial court is powerful and unshakable, but just offering a letter of surrender like this, won't it make them look down on us and others?" An old man with kind eyebrows stroked his beard and said: "Besides, in the documents of the imperial court, it only says that it will not encroach on our property, but it limits the number of soldiers in your palace. ”

"What Elder Qi said is right, in all dynasties and dynasties, which imperial court did not work hard to please our ancestors, and now the two yellow-mouthed children want to make me and others become fish on the chopping board, which is extremely ridiculous!" Another slightly younger patriarch said in a cold voice: "King Wu, dare to ask if you can find out the bottom line of the imperial court?" ”

Shen Faxing listened to the arguments of everyone in the hall with a smile, and felt very uncomfortable, because no one dared to stand up and fight for him so far.

"This is Li Xuanba's cleverness, the envoy he sent has too low a status and doesn't know too many things at all." Although he was not happy in his heart, Shen Faxing's face did not show the slightest abnormality.

Shen Faxing knows very well that these families in Wu County have been tied together, as the so-called one is prosperous and one is lost, if someone has a ghost in their hearts, then even if they surrender to the Southern Sui court, the future will not be too easy.

"Judging from the actions of the Southern Sui court, it can be determined that they are afraid of attacking Wu County, and King Wu, you asked the court to wait for me for half a month, and the envoy of the court agreed to it." The old head of the Qi family said lightly: "The old man thinks that during this time, King Wu can send an envoy to Jiangdu to bargain with the imperial court!" ”

"Elder Qi, since the imperial court dares to despise us so much, it shows that they are not afraid of attacking Wu County." Someone raised the question in his heart and said, "What if our actions anger the Southern Sui court?" ”

In fact, many people have such worries in their hearts, but because of Qi Lao's status, it is difficult to say it clearly, although Qi Lao looks amiable, but he can develop the Qi family to the second largest family in Wu County, how can he really be as easy-going as it seems?

The person who raised the question was from the Shen family, and the people of the Shen family would give Qi Lao some face, but they were not afraid of him.

"The situation in Nan Sui, the old man has heard of it, almost all major events are decided by Zhou Guogong, and Zhou Guogong will either not fight, and the war will be vigorous, and it is impossible to wait for me for half a month." Qi Lao nodded with a smile, and said with relief: "Besides, even if he is angry, I will bring some money and goods to the door to make amends, will he still be closed?" ”

For the major families, money and silver are not a problem, and what they are most worried about is that after returning to the Southern Sui, their status will not be guaranteed.

"Qi Lao is really far-sighted." After Qi Lao finished speaking, everyone praised him, but he was very disdainful in his heart, and secretly said that Qi Lao must have been thinking about defecting to Nan Sui for a long time.

Shen Faxing and others speculated about Li Xuanba's thoughts in Wu County, and finally decided to send an envoy to Jiangdu to find out, but when the envoy arrived in Jiangdu, they learned that Li Xuanba had left Jiangdu for two days. This made Shen Faxing's envoy very confused, and he did not understand that there was anything more important than the surrender of King Wu

The Wuya warship slowly docked, the soldiers set up the pedals, and Li Xuanba went ashore accompanied by Liang Xiao and others. The eldest grandson Wuji and Li Mian stood side by side, greeting each other, behind them, thousands of soldiers were ready to go, and dozens of warships on the river were connected together, ready to set sail at any time.

Li Xuanba and Li Mian were polite, and arched their hands: "This time to go to Jiangling, it may take some time, Danyang has been siphoned off 5,000 soldiers, and I hope that Lord Li will not slack off, beware of villains making chaotic sneak attacks." ”

"Lord Zhou Guogong, please rest assured, the soldiers and horses in the county are still sufficient, and Danyang will be guaranteed to be safe with the head of the people." Li Mian bowed and replied.

"Without further ado, Master Li will give the order first." Li Xuanba nodded and said with a smile.

Li Mian complied, let the herald wave the flag, and the five thousand soldiers boarded the warship with solemn faces, they more or less knew the purpose of this trip, even if they were brave on weekdays, but in the face of the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, they still felt a little nervous.

"General Li, do you have any complaints about my father-in-law in your heart?" When the soldiers boarded the ship, Li Xuanba, Li Mian, the eldest grandson Wuji, Ren Wuwu and others stood on the shore, Li Xuanba's eyes were on the soldiers who boarded the ship, and he said casually.

"The last general will not dare." Li Mian bowed very low, but his tone was extremely flat.

"On the day of my father's wedding, the Manchu Dynasty civil and military, even people who have been estranged from my father also sent congratulatory gifts, but General Li didn't say anything at all, except for showing that General Li was dissatisfied with my father, my father really couldn't think of a more reasonable explanation." Li Xuanba's tone was also very calm, so that people could not see joy and anger.

From Jiangdu to Jiangling along the waterway, it is bound to pass through Danyang County and Liyang County, Li Xuanba is willing to seek the near and far, not from Liyang, but from Danyang to transfer thousands of soldiers, his main purpose is to see Li Mian, the first emperor's close minister.

"The last general has a lowly status and doesn't dare to bother." Li Mian's face changed slightly, and he quickly calmed down and replied: "Your Majesty's ceremony of canonizing the queen, the last general also did not go back. ”

"My father knows that you are loyal to the first emperor and the empress dowager, and my duke did not take the empress dowager back to Jiangdu from Hebei, you must be dissatisfied in your heart, and my duke does not blame you." Li Xuanba sighed, turned his gaze to Li Mian, and continued: "But this duke hopes that you can understand that it is not that this duke is unwilling to take the Empress Dowager back to Jiangdu, but that the Empress Dowager Taihuang voluntarily went to the Turks with the overall situation as the priority. ”

"Why?" Li Mian raised his head and said hurriedly: "Turkic is the land of tigers and wolves, how can the Empress Dowager risk her life?" ”

"Even you refuse to trust your father completely, let alone Princess Yicheng who is far away in the Turks?" Li Xuanba shook his head and smiled bitterly, explaining: "Princess Yicheng cares about the Great Sui, if the Duke takes the Empress Dowager to Jiangdu, it is difficult to guarantee that Princess Yicheng will not suspect that the Empress Dowager and His Majesty are being held hostage by the Duke of the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty. ”

Li Mian's eyes were full of tears, he knelt down towards the north, bowed three times seriously, and then stood up, bowed to Li Xuanba and said, "The last general is guilty, please punish Lord Zhou Guogong." ”

"The military strength of each county has clear regulations in the imperial court, General Li is busy with official business on weekdays, and he doesn't realize this, how can this prince bear to punish you?" Li Xuanba smiled heartily and said: "It just so happens that Liyang and Danyang are located on the border, and there will be war at any time. (To be continued.) )