That night, Xiao Yu, the Duke of Song, returned home, and after dinner, the old lady rarely stopped her husband who wanted to go to the study.

Xiao Yu frowned and asked, "But is it because of Yu'er?" ”

The old lady knew that her husband was very clever, but what he said still surprised the old woman. She nodded and said, "It's really because of Yu'er, but you can guess it without asking?" ”

Xiao Yu said lightly: "What's so difficult about this! Yu'er has been stubborn since she was a child, Yi Fei has been in Beijing for six years, can she ask for a word? This time I came to Beijing for fear of encountering difficulties. It is difficult to encounter something difficult with Yu'er, and this thing must not be small. When she enters the house today, you will stop me at night, and it must be her business so abnormal, even you can't do anything about it. ”

The old lady shook her head with a smile and said, "I can't hide anything from you!" As he spoke, he told Xiao Yu about the Wen family.

After listening to the old lady's narration, Xiao Yu said: "I'm afraid that things will be more complicated. Wen Yi is a defense envoy of the same state with a long history, and his grade is not low, and he can be killed, which can only show that the power of the Wen family is huge. With such a huge force plotting against the writers, there is no important reason that cannot be justified. On the other hand, the Wen family lost the first move in front of such a big force, but they were still able to retreat with their whole body. So far, the plotters can only use the pursuit of the Wen family's fish that has slipped through the net to talk about **, I'm afraid they are no longer as simple as a businessman. wants to use the daughter of the Wen family as a hostage to force the Wen family, but I am afraid that the bamboo basket will be empty. ”

Listening to Xiao Yu's analysis, it was more reasonable than Mrs. Yi, who was not very clear about the situation, and the old lady kept nodding yes.

Xiao Yu picked up the teacup and took a sip of water, and continued: "Yu'er has a good mind, but unfortunately she is just a woman in the house, and she really doesn't understand the current situation!" It is true that the entry of the cold door is irreversible, but this has nothing to do with His Majesty's suppression of the Wagang generals. His Majesty's defense is not the Wagang generals, but the guards. ”

When the old lady heard this, she suddenly understood what her husband meant. In ancient times, the generals were similar to the family of gate lords in the civil class, referring to the family that was promoted through military merit for generations. Because they are good at leading troops to fight wars, and because they win many battles, their prestige in the army is generally extremely high, and they have formed their own intertwined forces in the army. Once such a force is formed, the army is no longer the emperor's army but the private army of the Jiangmen, and such an army is a great threat to anyone. It is inevitable that the emperor wants to suppress the generals in the army to prevent the formation of the generals, so it is obvious that the Wagang generals represented by Qin Qiong were suppressed and abandoned by the emperor, which is also the fundamental reason why Tang Taizong would rather use Hou Junji and others than use Qin Qiong and others in history.

Since it is basically impossible for the Wagang generals to be reused again, it will only be a wasted effort to win them over. The consequences are not only that, the emperor wants to suppress these generals, but the Xiao family secretly communicates with them, but I am afraid that it will also anger the emperor.

Thinking of this, the old lady was at a loss, and said anxiously: "If Yu'er's plan can't be used, then this little girl will become the real bane." We don't yet know who the adversary is, and if they make trouble, we will have no way of dealing with them. Unexpectedly, Yu'er's clever plan became a life-urging talisman, how should this be good. ”

Xiao Yu stroked the beard under her chin and said with a smile: "Yu'er's strategy may not be useless. Sending the Wen family girl out of our relationship will allow those people to turn their attention to the Wagang generals, so that we can stay out of the matter. ”

The old lady still said worriedly: "I don't know if the Wagang people will be able to withstand it, if they collapse, those people may not be angry with us." ”

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Please rest assured Madame." As Yu'er said, although the Wagang generals are in wait at this time, their strength is still there, and it is not easy to shake them. And His Majesty also has a useful intention to keep them, with these people in Wagang, they can suppress other forces, such as Jiang Zuo and Qilushi, they want to put their hands into the army, but they are afraid that the Wagang generals will not agree. ”

Hearing Xiao Yu's explanation, the old lady smiled with relief.

The next day, the emperor ordered Xiao Yu to go to the Yiguo Mansion to visit Qin Qiong, who was seriously ill, on his behalf. This was really dozing off for Xiao Yu, and he met the pillow, and immediately took the emperor's edict and gifts to the Yiguo Mansion.

After completing the procedure of regular rites and handing over the emperor's edict and gifts to the Qin family, Xiao Yu motioned for Qin Qiong to retreat. When only the two of them were left in the room, Xiao Yu informed Qin Qiong about the Wen family's daughter in the Xiao Mansion now.

After expressing her gratitude to Xiao Yu, Qin Qiong immediately ordered the prince to take his wife to Xiao Mansion to pick up people.

When she arrived at Xiao Mansion, Yuan Niang looked at Zhang Wenyi at the first glance with her strange sixth sense of women, but at this time, Zhang Wenyi's appearance became too much, and Yuan Niang had to confirm the second look. After reading the second look, Yuan Niang immediately called out Zhang Wenyi's name in this life: "Jiu'er!" At this time, Zhang Wenyi couldn't help but throw herself into Yuan Niang's arms, and the sisters hugged their heads and cried. This scene made everyone present cry.

After bidding farewell to Mrs. Yi, Yi Yun'er, and the old lady, the two sisters returned safely to the Yiguo Mansion under the escort of the family of the Yiguo Mansion.

After entering the Yiguo Mansion, Yuan Niang first took Zhang Wenyi to meet Qin Qiong, Zhang Wenyi really didn't expect to see this legendary Sui and Tang Dynasty hero in front of the sickbed.

Qin Qiong was thin at this time, and only a skeleton remained, even so, he still looked tall and mighty. Qin Qiong asked Zhang Wenyi in detail about the escape, Zhang Wenyi didn't dare to tell the truth about the thrill, but said that he was slow to react and was almost cut off, but fortunately, Ah Xiu and Liu's mother lured the enemy away from the dog hole and left the house, and fled Chuzhou City in the morning pretending to be a mistaken person. After that, he fled north along the woods outside the city, and then climbed over the ice to cross the river and other episodes, until he was taken in by Mrs. Yi and then went to Chang'an. Qin Qiong asked some details in great detail, and Zhang Wenyi explained Qin Qiong's questions very clearly in some places, and some of them were convenient to pretend to be ignorant.

After asking, Qin Qiong appeased Zhang Wenyi, and then asked Yuan Niang to take her down to rest.

After Yuan Niang and Zhang Wenyi left, Qin Huaiyu, the son of the world, looked at his father and asked, "Is what this kid said true?" ”

Qin Qiong nodded and said, "It shouldn't be fake." Wu Zhihao is the Guoyi Lieutenant of Yingyang Mansion in Chuzhou, and it is impossible for her to know that she is a young girl. Wu Zhihao is more than brave and lacks wit, which is correct with Jiu'er's statement. It's just that she was lucky, the first did not meet another Guoyi Lieutenant Zheng Zeqing, that person is not only brave but also cunning and changeable, Jiu'er may only be able to be caught when he encounters him. The second is that the route she took must have been unexpected by Wu and Zheng. She didn't know the road and didn't take the estuary, which made their blockade completely ineffective. The kid walked to Pengcheng by mistake, and there really was no other explanation than luck. In fact, the luck of a layman like her is surprisingly good, and she has seen a lot of them in the past, which is not surprising. ”

The prince asked, "Then what should we do in the future?" ”

Qin Qiong smiled heroically: "Others have already made a move, so we can't help but take it." It's just that I didn't expect them to start so quickly and involve so widely. The Xie family was unable to support it alone, which allowed them to succeed. However, the loss of the Wen family should not be large, otherwise these people should have died down instead of chasing everywhere after they succeeded. You go and invite Uncle Cheng and Uncle Wei Chi to discuss. ”

Shizi was stunned when he heard this, and asked again: "Don't invite Uncle Li Ji?" ”

Qin Qiong's expression darkened, he sighed, and said, "I'm afraid that your Uncle Mao may not want to come." This time we went to Chuzhou, I found that he was at odds with Bodang's brother, and asked me twice why I had to let Yuan Niang be your wife, and at that time he should have known that someone had decided to attack the Wen family. But he wouldn't tell us about it, and I really don't know what he was thinking. He was originally from a family, and it is reasonable that he can't bear loneliness. The opponents we have encountered this time are huge, and although we can not be afraid of them, we have to be careful. ”

The prince agreed, and hurriedly went out to send someone to the two mansions to invite people.

After Xiao Yu came out of the Qin Mansion, he sent an entourage home to report the news, and he himself returned to the palace to reply to the decree.

Taizong Li Shimin saw him come back and hurriedly asked about Qin Qiong's condition, and Xiao Yu told Qin Qiong's appearance and the doctor's diagnosis. Li Shimin looked up to the sky and sighed: "Shubao is dedicated to the festival, and the hussars of a hundred battles are my loyal and brave ministers of the Tang Dynasty." At that time, half of the prestige of my Tang Army was played by Shubao. Others are nine deaths and one life, but Shubao is the rest of a hundred battles. It's a pity that such a person still can't escape the passage of time! ”

As he spoke, he turned around and asked Xiao Yu: "Is there anyone in Shubao's family who has not been sealed?" ”

Xiao Yu replied: "Your Majesty's grace to the Duke of Yiguo is prosperous, and there is no one in the Qin family who has not been sealed. ”

Li Shimin shook his head and said: "It is not an exaggeration to use Shubao's merits to split the earth, but after I took power, he was willing to retreat bravely, for the sake of this Tang Dynasty." Such a loyal person, for the sake of the government, I still want to suppress him. No matter how much the reward is, it will not be able to make up for it. ”

Xiao Yu was really difficult to answer, he could only say: "Your Majesty Shengming is also a great blessing for his ministers." ”

Li Shimin walked back and forth in the imperial study, and after a while, he said: "Now people's hearts are floating and they have to find a way to keep Shubao's family, although they are from a poor family, they are the most loyal and brave. It's a pity that Shubao is unwilling to marry the royal family, and his two daughters are promised to marry people from poor families, which means that he has no intention of seizing power and chaotic dynasty, which is something that many high-ranking officials can't do to let go of power. ”

Saying that, Li Shimin shook his head and said, "Let's discuss this matter later." ”

In the study room of Qin Qiong in the Qin Mansion, Cheng Zhijie, Duke of Lu, Chi Rong, Duke of E, and their eldest sons, Cheng Chuhei, and Yu Chi Baolin, were all present.

Cheng Zhijie and Wei Chirong entered the study and didn't see Li Ji, so they couldn't help but be stunned and were very surprised.

Qin Qiong explained the reason, and then said: "The affairs of the Wen family are not simple, we once came forward to protect them, but someone still attacked. This only means that they will also do something to us, and now we are forced to fight. ”

Wei Chirong frowned and said, "These wealthy families are too unspeakable, we have no way to retreat, why are they still plotting against us!" ”

Qin Qiong said: "These gate valve families are fighting for the authority of the state, and we are fighting for survival. The purpose of I fished the Wen family out of them and asked Huaiyu to marry the daughter of the Wen family was to tell them that we want to keep the Wen family. However, their purpose of brazenly attacking the Wen family is self-evident. In order for them to seize power, they need to accumulate more power and more financial resources. These clans have no state authority and strength, and they can only get enough wealth to expand their strength by grabbing the huge wealth of the Wen family. ”

Wei Chirong asked in surprise: "Why did this Wen family have such a large family property?" ”

Qin Qiong said: "The Wen family once controlled the wealth of the Wagang, Jiangzuo Chen family, and Xu family, and there are not many people who know that the Wen family has such a big property. ”

Wei Chirong hesitated and said, "Could it be the ...... of Duke Mao?"

Qin Qiong said: "It can't be Mao Gong, first, he doesn't know the truth, and second, even if he interacts with the gate valve family, most of them are using each other with falsehood and wrongdoing." There's no way he's going to say that. Besides, there is no need for Mao Gong to say it, Li Mi and Wei Zheng all know it. ”

Yu Chirong said anxiously: "Second brother, you don't need to say anything to us, you just need to say what to do." ”

Qin Qiong smiled bitterly: "You think this is for you?" As he spoke, Qin Qiong pointed at Cheng Chuhei and Wei Chi Baolin: "I mean to these two children, my family Huaiyu is loyal and has more than enough courage, and Shoucheng can develop enough." The other Huaiwen, Huaiyuan, and Huaizhong are not people who can adapt, although Huaidao is smart, but he is young and a concubine, and it is impossible to inherit and carry forward the Qin family. We will all grow old, and they are the only ones who can provide shelter for the next generation. ”

Hearing this, Wei Chirong and Cheng Zhijie couldn't help but be moved, and Qin Qiong's words actually had a faint meaning of trust. It looks like his body is really failing.

For so many years, Qin Qiong has been like a mountain covering them, whether it was on the battlefield back then or in the court in the future. Now at this critical moment, the mountain has been shaken and is about to collapse, and Wei Chirong and Cheng Zhijie, the two fierce generals in front of the battle array, also feel panicked.

This panic was only a matter of a moment, and then the two of them returned to their true colors as fierce generals. They glanced at each other, and Cheng Zhijie said, "Second brother, don't worry, they are powerful, and we don't eat dry rice." We can also rush him back and forth a few times with the enemy's thousands of troops, as long as the court is used as a battle array, these gate lord families will not be more difficult to deal with than those enemy troops. ”

Qin Qiong approvingly: "The fourth brother has made a lot of progress over the years, and it is not in vain that we married the Pei family lady for you." ”

Cheng Zhijie smiled and didn't speak. Mrs. Cheng's Pei family was originally a heroine among women, like a godson, which is a well-known thing.

Qin Qiong turned back to the topic and said: "From the fact that the crown prince Chengqian married his wife Su, and the Wei king Li Tai married his wife Yan, it can already be seen that they will fight to the death in the future. With His Majesty Shengming, the two of them will lose power sooner or later, and the loss of power by the crown prince and the king of Wei is naturally the benefit of the king of Jin. So we must seize this opportunity to fight for King Jin. ”

Wei Chirong and the others listened with dew, and he asked, "Second brother, we don't understand what you said." ”

Qin Qiong shook his hand and said, "You can go back and ask Madam about the life history of Concubine Su and Concubine Yan, I have more important things to say here." ”

Seeing that the two of them nodded yes, Qin Qiong continued: "We retreated bravely, and Mingzhe's self-preservation has made some people not take us seriously. Over the years, we have been away from the court, and we have indeed weakened some of our strength, and some things are no longer as happy as before. The last time I went to Chuzhou, I ruined the Wen family's plan to send Yuan Niang into the palace, and also disrupted other people's plans. Yuan Niang is just a shield for the main owner, without Yuan Niang, they will find other channels. At that time, we didn't expect them to do anything to us, so we were not prepared. The matter has forced us to fight for the King of Jin, but now that we have made such a plan, it is obvious that it has fallen behind, and I am afraid that it will take a lot of trouble to win the King of Jin. We can only treat what is wrong and treat others the way we do. ”

Qin Qiong spoke very carefully and slowly, he had to explain the reason clearly to avoid making mistakes in the implementation of the plan in the future.

He continued: "The most effective way for us to win over King Jin now is to give him a satisfactory concubine. ”

Since ancient times, "heroes are sad to pass the beauty pass", everyone understands this truth. It's just that Second Brother Qin, who has always been righteous and rigorous, also uses this method, but the painting style is too abrupt, which makes it difficult for Wei Chirong and Cheng Zhijie to accept it for a while.

Cheng Zhijie was the first to react, and he asked, "Do you have a favorite candidate?" ”

In fact, Cheng Zhijie and Wei Chirong are both masters who are a little afraid, the difference is that Cheng Zhijie's wife Pei is stronger than Lao Cheng, while Yu Chirong is extremely afraid of love. Therefore, Lao Cheng felt more deeply in this regard, and his reaction was faster than that of Wei Chirong.

Qin Qiong nodded and said, "It's Yuan Niang's ninth sister." ”

Cheng Zhijie said: "They are all daughters of the Wen family, so we might as well not go to Chuzhou." ”

Yu Chirong asked: "Second brother, this is what you made up your mind early on?" ”

Qin Qiong shook her head and said, "That's different, Yuan Niang entered the palace to choose a concubine for His Majesty. Sending the ninth sister into the palace is to be a concubine for King Jin, which are two different things. Sending the ninth sister into the palace is the idea I only had after I met her today. ”

Saying that Qin Qiong simply told Zhang Wenyi about escaping from the Wen Mansion and walking 400 miles to Pengcheng, Wei Chirong and his son, Cheng Zhijie and his son are all people who have led soldiers to fight, they know the hard work of going out, Zhang Wenyi walked 400 miles alone without assistance at the age of seven, this is the same ability, how lucky.

Listening to Qin Qiong continue: "It can be said that it is a miracle that this girl can do these things at such a young age, it can only show that she is very intelligent, flexible and tenacious, these are all qualities that must be possessed to survive in the harem." She experienced such hardships at a young age, and those pampered harem concubines were far beyond her reach. Now Chuzhou reported that the Wen family was attacked by mountain bandits and was wiped out, and she was a helpless orphan girl, and there was no hindrance from the descendants. Even if I recognize her as a righteous daughter, I can only elevate her status, but I can't give substantial help. This will not arouse His Majesty's suspicion. In the end, this child was born extremely beautiful, and I found that such an honest person as Huaiyu couldn't help but secretly look at her twice, thinking that she was only seven years old this year, and if she grew up, it would really be a disaster. If we offer her to the King of Jin, we are not afraid that he will not accept it. There are many benefits of dedicating her to King Jin, so I won't express them one by one. The key is that you must respect and trust her in the future, only then will she be moved by our sincerity and work for us with all her heart. ”