The black cloud dissipated in the city in an instant, Wu Rong hurriedly beckoned everyone to retreat, and the spear and shield soldiers still protected them, quickly returning to the defense line.

Murong Xue asked Dong Tianxing: "Does it take longer to get under the Gu?" ”

Dong Tianxing stared at Ruzhou City and responded: "Wu Rong said, it won't be delayed for too long." Gu worms will find their own targets, and once they get into the bodies of those poisonous soldiers, they will immediately be able to play a role. ”

Murong Xue nodded: "I hope it can be done this time." ”

Dong Tianxing also nodded, praying secretly in his heart, asking God to bless him.

This time, however, they were disappointed.

Thousands of Gu worms covered the entire city, and on average, a poisonous soldier could have hundreds of Gu worms to greet him, but unfortunately, the effect was not obvious at all.

Wu Rong, who had a hot temper, was so angry that he stomped his feet again and again, and couldn't help but point to Ruzhou City and scold.

Murong Xue was also quite helpless, he turned his head to Dong Tianxing and said, "How is it?" Do you want to try? If I don't try, I'll send troops to attack. ”

Dong Tianxing's brows tightened, and he was muffled for a long time before he spoke: "Alas, let's attack." ”

The trumpets sounded in unison, and two thousand armor soldiers formed ten square formations, equipped with the same number of spear and shield soldiers, large axe soldiers and archers, and marched towards the city of Ruzhou.

For a time, the sound of killing in the city shook the sky, and the roars of monsters were endless. Heavy fighting continued from morning until sunset, with two thousand men entering, and nearly a quarter of them failing to come out again. The corpses of more than 300 poisonous soldiers with no heads or broken heads were dragged out of the city and piled up outside the east gate, and burned clean in a fire.

Of course, there were also ten corpses that were carefully and properly wrapped and handed over to Wu Rong and them.

Murong Xue kindly comforted: "Master Dong, the two seniors, in fact, don't be too depressed. It's hard to finish a war, so let's take our time. ”

Wu Rong and Amunta frowned, no one said a word, but Dong Tianxing, who had regained his usual calm and calm at this time, responded with a smile: "Yes, I have valuable experience this time, and I will be more secure next time." ”

He turned around and patted Wu Rong and Amunta on the shoulder: "Go back to Luoyi, let's think about it, what is going on with those poisonous soldiers." These corpses contain the poison of the Turks, the antidote of Amunta, and the Gu worms of Wu Rong, which are excellent subjects for study. ”

Murong Xue handed over the defense of Ruzhou to the new defenders, and then led the team to return to the eastern capital.

When she arrived in Luoyi, Murong Xue didn't even care about going back to her home, and was stopped by Shen Lie's people at the city gate.

Hearing that Shen Lie was in a hurry to find him, Murong Xue knew that something was unusual, so he asked Dong Tianxing and them to go back to the pavilion to rest first, while he turned his horse's head and went to Shen Lie's official office.

As soon as he saw him, Shen Lie asked, "How is it?" Does the methods of the drug masters work? ”

Murong Xue shook her head: "It's useless for the time being, and more than five hundred people have been folded." By the way, you are in a hurry to call me, is there anything important? ”

Shen Lie didn't say a word, took out a note from a book on the table, and handed it to Murong Xue.

Murong Xue took a look and was immediately taken aback: "When did this happen?!" ”

"I just received the news an hour ago," Shen Lie said in a deep voice, "It happened three days ago. The military top brass on Jingxiang's side deliberately blocked the news, so my people didn't learn the details until the day after the incident. ”

Murong Xue slapped the note on the table: "Have you told His Highness?" ”

Shen Lie shook his head: "Not yet." I've heard that you're coming back soon, so I'd like to wait to discuss it with you before I talk to Your Highness. ”

"Fuck, who did that?" Murong Xue frowned and stared at the note.

The note read: Li Chenglin, the king of Anping County, was assassinated.

Shen Lie said in a deep voice: "Anyone is possible. Turks, Li Qiang, Lao Jianhua, or those in the Yizhou court who were hostile to Li Chenglin, or those who opposed him in Jingxiang's army. ”

Murong Xue took her eyes off the note and looked at Shen Lie: "Should we analyze what kind of consequences the death of King Anping will bring?" ”

Shen Lie asked him, "What do you think will happen?" ”

"First of all, the 500,000-strong army is leaderless, and there will be chaos." Murong Xue's expression was solemn: "Especially at this time, some people may choose to fall to Li Jiong's side. ”

Shen Lie bowed slightly: "It's not possible, but there are already signs." My people heard that at least five or six troops had the idea of defecting to the king of Huaiyang, and the total size of the army was about 30,000. ”

Murong Xue felt in her heart: "There are so many?" ”

"If someone takes the first step, there will be more to come." Shen Lie sneered: "However, the good news is that there are also many troops who want to join the prince. ”

Murong Xue shook her head: "That means that the current largest military force in the Holy Tang Dynasty is in danger of splitting, and it is very likely that a direct conflict will break out. This is what the Turks want to see the most. ”

He paused, then continued: "The second impact of Li Chenglin's assassination is precisely about the Turkic side. Once the threat to the south is lifted, the Turks will no longer have to fight on two fronts, but will be able to concentrate their forces against us. The poisonous soldiers have been making trouble for several months, and our troops have been consumed very badly, and the soldiers have been exhausted day and night, and if the Turks suddenly kill at this time, I am afraid it will not be easy to deal with. ”

Shen Lie didn't answer, but his expression became even more cold.

Murong Xue continued: "The third point, and the point I am most worried about, is that someone will splash this basin of dirty water on the prince. The king of Anping County was reluctant to lead his troops north according to His Royal Highness's order, and not long ago he sent his subordinates to meet with Li Kui's secret envoy, which was easy to make the outside world think that the prince was very dissatisfied, so he sent someone to get rid of him. ”

"Well, this kind of plot is very much in line with our Reverse Scale Division's work style." Shen Lie smiled self-deprecatingly.

Murong Xue was full of sadness: "This question is the most troublesome, and it is simply indestructible." If it is used by people with intentions to incite mutiny, then we will have one more enemy. ”

Shen Lie agreed with his analysis and asked, "What about the countermeasures?" How to deal with these three crises? ”

Murong Xue pondered for a moment and said, "Let's talk about the second one first, it's the easiest." Shrinking forces and strengthening defenses, the poison soldiers are temporarily left alone, ready to resist the Turkic attack at any time. Please take the trouble to keep an eye on Ashina's movements, so that we can have a score in advance. ”

Shen Lie bowed slightly: "Very passive, but there is no choice." ”

Murong Xue smiled bitterly and continued: "The first and third can be read together. While actively searching for the real culprit and preventing His Highness from being wronged, we secretly contacted the troops who had their hearts set on the prince. If it really doesn't work, just pull them over, and keep as many troops as you can. ”

Shen Lie frowned: "I know that this will lead to a split, but I don't care?" ”

"What else else can I do?" Murong Xue sighed helplessly: "If splitting is inevitable, then losing the army in vain is an even worse ending. ”

"I have an idea, maybe I can give it a try," Shen Lie said lightly, "But the risk is extremely high." ”

Murong Xue was very curious: "What is the idea, tell me quickly." ”

Shen Lie thought for a while, and said word by word: "The enthronement ceremony is advanced, and then in the name of the emperor, send the ministers of the Qin Mission, to Jingxiang Town to control the situation!" On the surface, he is going to investigate the assassination of Li Chenglin, but in fact, he is to eliminate people with different intentions! In this way, the western Xinjiang side will also launch an offensive in advance to delay the Turks. Three tough problems, all at once. ”

Murong Xue was dumbfounded when she heard this, and it took a long time before she said, "This strategy is indeed feasible, but as you said, it is extremely risky. If he was a little careless, not only could he not suppress the Jingxiang army, but the minister of the Qin mission could not escape death. ”

"That's why I'm discussing with you," Shen Lie said, "Before we meet Your Highness, we have to think about everything, including who will be the minister." ”

Murong Xue said without hesitation: "Don't think about it, I'll go!" ”

Shen Lie shook his head: "You can't." ”

"Why?"

"You are a close minister of His Royal Highness, and you have been leading troops, you go to ......" Shen Lie smiled: "The first thing that comes to mind of those military leaders is that someone has come to seize the military power, who is willing to listen to what you say?" ”

Murong Xue asked unwillingly, "Are you going?" ”

Shen Lie shook his head again: "I can't do it." The head of the Reverse Scale Division, the biggest secret agent of Shengtang, does not know how much military blood is stained on his hands. I'm going to be killed by those grandsons in less than three days, and I can't do anything. ”

Murong Xue had a headache: "If you don't go, I won't go, so who will go?" ”

"Look...... How is Dong Tianxing? Shen Lie asked.

"Lao Dong?" Murong Xue was a little surprised: "How could you think of him?" ”

Shen Lie explained: "I specifically checked the bottom of Lao Dong, do you know, Wu Rong and Amon had to rebel eight years ago, Dong Tianxing went deep into the tiger's den and came forward to recruit peace by himself, and finally succeeded in persuading him to surrender without blood, this guy is really a bit of material." What's more, Lao Dong is from Yizhou, he is a serious military official, and because of the relationship between the Ordnance Department, he often interacts with Jingxiang's troops, so his identity will also be very convincing. ”

Shen Lie smiled and continued: "Moreover, Lao Dong is in his sixties, and his official residence is of the fifth grade, so he is not a threat in the eyes of any military leader, and he is the best lobbyist. ”

"It's a shame that you think of it," Murong Xue felt angry and funny: "Is it such a trick for an old man?" It was a head-off errand. To put it mildly, Dong Tianxing has no status and no backers, and if others really want to kill him, he has very few concerns. ”

Shen Lie waved his hand: "I'm just the opposite of what you think. Killing people is something that is worth it, and although there is a price to kill you, it is very worth it. It's the same thing about killing me. And what about Lao Dong? Why did you kill a bad old man with a good fifth grade? ”

Murong Xue thought about it carefully, and it was indeed the case, so she hesitated and nodded, "That's okay." Let's prepare two sets of plans, one is what I just said, and the other is what you suggested, ascend the throne in advance and send Dong Tianxing as a messenger. Both plans were reported to His Highness for his final decision. ”