Qiao Mingtang looked out of the door, and suddenly heard a light sigh in his ears, but he was taken aback, turned his head to look, and saw Mrs. Qiao's beautiful face, so he breathed a sigh of relief, and before he could speak, Mrs. Qiao had already asked: "Is the master really ready to let the guard control take the blame?" ”

Qiao Mingtang didn't answer immediately, walked back to the table, and said, "Madame, don't ask more about these things." ”

Mrs. Qiao immediately said: "Master, Wei Tianqing was able to come back and be bound voluntarily, which shows that he has no second heart for the master, in this case, why does the master still detain him to prison?" ”

"I said, don't ask about these things." Qiao Mingtang frowned and said, "Madam, national affairs are not something that you women can understand. ”

Mrs. Qiao raised her eyebrows and said, "Master, are you really worried that the imperial court will investigate the culpability because of this defeat?" Even if this is the case, how can Wei Tianqing bear it. You also said that the saint had a dislike with Chu Huan before, if he knew that Wei Tianqing had a relationship with Chu Huan, and he suffered a big defeat this time, how could he let Wei Tianqing go? If you let Wei Tianqing bear the responsibility, that is to send him to death! ”

Qiao Mingtang's face was a little ugly, and he said, "Wei Tianqing broke me 20,000 elite soldiers in Xishan, shouldn't he be held responsible?" I have worked hard in Xishan for many years, and the family wealth that I have finally accumulated was cut off by him, shouldn't he give me an explanation? ”

"Master, I know you're uncomfortable." Mrs. Qiao sighed: "But Wei Tianqing was defeated this time, could it be that he wanted to lose?" You yourself often say that victory and defeat are a common thing in soldiers, so why do you blame him so much this time? How many people around you can really appoint, and how many people are really loyal and can be born and die with you? Wei Tianqing can not only take on heavy responsibilities, but also be loyal to you, now you don't protect him, but want to send him to death, aren't you cutting off your wings? ”

Qiao Mingtang had a cold face and sneered: "Do you think I am unkind and unjust? Or are you reluctant to let Wei Tianqing die? ”

Mrs. Qiao's delicate body trembled, and her face turned pale, "What did you say?" ”

"Since Wei Tianqing saved you back then, you have always said good things about him in my ear." Qiao Mingtang said coldly: "In your eyes, he is a good man who is hard to find in the world, isn't he?" ”

Mrs. Qiao's beautiful eyes were instantly filled with anger, she stepped forward, raised her hand and was about to slap it, Qiao Mingtang's eyes were quick, and he grabbed Mrs. Qiao's wrist, tears rolled down Mrs. Qiao's eyes, and she said in a trembling voice: "Qiao Mingtang, how can you say such a thing?" I've been with you for so many years, don't you know who I am, how can you say such a thing? ”

Qiao Mingtang saw Mrs. Qiao's sad expression, tears in his eyes were like beads, and he smiled bitterly: "Madam, it's me talking nonsense, don't blame me." This defeat, Xishan Dao lost two states in a row, the saint will never forgive lightly, I and I are also anxious, so I will not choose to speak! ”

"You are in a hurry, how can you say such things to insult me?" Mrs. Qiao said sadly: "I said this, it's not all for you. Wei Tianqing is by your side, he is a major general by your side, if he dies, those who have other intentions will be happy in their hearts, I can't control my mouth, don't worry, from now on, I will never say a word, even if the flood is monstrous, it has nothing to do with me. Forcefully broke free of Qiao Mingtang's hand, said no more, turned around and left.

Qiao Mingtang watched Mrs. Qiao leave, sat down, suddenly clenched his fist, and slammed it on the table, the sound of "choking" sounded, the dishes on the table vibrate, and oil and water splashed.

At this moment, out of the corner of Qiao Mingtang's eyes, he saw a figure flash through the door, and said in a deep voice: "Who is it?" ”

The man slowly retreated, but it was a domestic servant, kneeling outside the gate, a little frightened: "My lord, there are people outside the door asking to see you!" ”

"No one is to be seen in Bendo." Qiao Mingtang waved his hand and said, "Let him report something tomorrow." ”

Before the words fell, he heard a clear voice and smiled: "Qiao Du, is this going to reject people thousands of miles away?" Ben Hou has urgent military affairs on his side, but he really can't wait for tomorrow. ”

Qiao Mingtang was a little surprised when he heard the voice, but he saw a burly man in armor coming out from the side, tall and big, dressed in black armor, majestic, Qiao Mingtang frowned, looked at it, but felt quite eye-catching, but when he heard him call himself "Ben Hou", his heart was full of joy, there are not many titles in the Qin State, and it is not trivial to be able to be the Marquis in the Qin State.

Although Qiao Mingtang is a governor, this is an official position, and there is no title, although the governor has real power, and the title is just glory, but in terms of face, a governor will never dare to offend the marquis.

For the marquis of the empire, although Qiao Mingtang knew very well how many there were, but the person in front of him was at most thirty years old, and he thought in his heart, such a young person who got the position of marquis, looking at the empire, it seemed that he couldn't think of a person.

However, since the other party dared to call himself a marquis, it was obviously not a small matter, and the other party came here directly without the permission of the general court, which should not be underestimated, Qiao Mingtang straightened his clothes, stepped forward and arched his hand: "I didn't ask Your Excellency!" ”

The man arched his hand and smiled: "Hexi Feng Poyu, thanks to the love of the saint, Qin Feng is the first-class Northern Yonghou, and I also ask Governor Qiao for more advice!" ”

When Qiao Mingtang heard this, he suddenly realized, and immediately remembered that this person in front of him was a cronie under Feng Yuanpo, the former governor of Hexi, and later defected to Yingxiang and assisted Yingxiang in taking over the Hexi Army.

Feng Poyu was only the commander of the Hexi Praetorian Guard before, and Qiao Mingtang's status is naturally not the same, if they met in the past, Feng Poyu would naturally not be able to sit on an equal footing with Qiao Mingtang, but after Yingxiang arrived in Hexi, he wanted to reorganize the soldiers and horses in Hexi, Feng Poyu was an indispensable figure, and now it can be said that Dingwu is a figure that Dingwu relies on extremely much, otherwise he would not be crowned Marquis at a young age.

Qiao Mingtang was surprised, but his heart was full of joy, he was still thinking about how the imperial court would react after learning the news of the defeat of Xishan, but he didn't expect that Cao had arrived, and Hexi had already sent Feng Poyu to come.

But after thinking about it for a moment, the news of the capture of Xigu Pass sent someone to report to Hexi early on Pegasus, and Hexi must have already known the news of the fall of Xigu Pass, but this time the Xishan Army and the Northwest Army were fighting, and even the people of Xishan may not know all the news of the defeat for the time being, how could the imperial court not know the prophet and even send a member of the future?

Qiao Mingtang was suspicious, but he reluctantly smiled on his face: "It turns out that the Marquis of Beiyong is here, slack and lazy, Master Hou, please come to the lobby and sit down!" ”

Feng Poyu glanced at the table in the room, and saw that the table was full of wine and food, but a few dishes were turned over, and the table was splashed with oil, and said with a smile: "Governor Qiao seems to be in a bad mood, drinking here alone?" ”

Qiao Mingtang said quietly: "Master Hou, please!" ”

Feng Poyu followed Qiao Mingtang to the lobby, and the guests sat down, and Qiao Mingtang asked cautiously: "Master Hou came this time, I don't know what you have to do?" Could it be that he was sent by the Holy Lord? ”

"If it weren't for the Holy Lord's will, Ben Hou wouldn't have come to bother." Feng Poyu is tall and tall, dressed in armor, and has a tiger spirit, but when he speaks, he is also high-spirited, and has a sense of condescension, but seems to regard Qiao Mingtang as a subordinate, and asks directly: "Governor Qiao, what is the situation over there?" ”

"Pass?" Qiao Mingtang was stunned, "Master Hou is talking about Xigu Pass?" ”

"Naturally, it's Xigu Pass." Feng Poyu said: "After the saint received the excerpt, he knew that Xigu Pass had fallen, and he was worried that Chu Huan would take the opportunity to lead the army into the pass. It is said that the cavalry of the Northwest Army is very strong, and your soldiers and horses in Xishan may be difficult to parry, so the Holy Decree will be led by Benhou with 10,000 iron cavalry to reinforce and ensure the safety of Xishan and form a barrier in the west to prevent the Northwest Army from entering the pass! ”

Qiao Mingtang's face changed slightly, but Feng Poyu continued: "Ten thousand iron horsemen, still above the halfway, can arrive in three days at the latest." Ben Hou was quick to whip up, and led his own soldiers to rush to discuss the next matters with Governor Qiao. Leaning forward slightly, he said: "When I came, the saint instructed that after Chu Huan took the Xigu Pass, he would never give up, and the purpose of their seizure of the Xigu Pass was to open the connection between the northwest and the Guannei, and now the group of thieves is in chaos, and there are many rebels, if the road is opened, Chu Huan will inevitably be in trouble with the chaotic wolf in the Guan, and the consequences are unimaginable!" ”

A trace of cold sweat had already broken out on Qiao Mingtang's forehead at this time, and he reluctantly smiled: "What Master Hou said is true." ”

"Although Xigu Pass has been taken, the connection between the northwest and the Guannai has not been completely opened." Feng Poyu said solemnly: "The saint is worried that Chu Huan is very likely to attack Tongzhou next, so before Chu Huan enters the army, we must strengthen the defense of Tongzhou, and build a barrier in Tongzhou to block the road of the northwest people!" Yang Shou said: "The Holy Lord is very concerned about this side, and has mobilized 10,000 elite cavalry, most of which are barbarian cavalry who can fight well, with these 10,000 elite cavalry, plus the Xishan athletes of Governor Qiao, we have enough troops to build a defensive line in Tongzhou and block Chu Huan." ”

Qiao Mingtang had more cold sweat on his forehead, Feng Poyu had already seen that something was wrong, and frowned: "Is Governor Qiao unwell?" Looks a little ugly? It's really not possible, you rest for a day, and tomorrow we will plan in detail, and when the soldiers and horses arrive, we can rush to Tongzhou non-stop! ”

Qiao Mingtang knew that he couldn't hide the matter anymore, and sighed: "Master Hou, you're late!" ”

"Late?" Feng Poyu didn't understand for a while, and said strangely: "What does Governor Qiao mean by this?" ”

Qiao Mingtang said dejectedly: "Tongzhou has fallen, not only that, Liangzhou has also been occupied by Chu Huan, and the main force of my Xishan has been wiped out!" ”

Feng Poyu's eyes widened, his mouth opened, but he couldn't make a sound for a while. R1058