Raising wolves

There is someone behind Fang Xinlu.

This result did not exceed Lu Qingze's expectations.

For so many years, Fang Xinlu has been in an unnoticed and inconspicuous position, which is indeed very suitable for inquiring about news for others.

The only thing that surprised him was that after staring at Fang Xinlu for so long, he didn't make any movement, he was cautious, and carefully hid the person behind him.

The person below was undecided and asked Lu Qingze whether to take the person away directly and torture him to extort a confession, or continue to stare at him.

Lu Qing thought about it for a while, and asked Changshun to pass the order: "Continue to stare at Fang Xinlu and find out who is behind him."

After a pause, he said again: "Is there any news from the people in Jingdi?"

In the past few years, Jinyiwei has spread all over the world, and Ning Juan has built a complete set of intelligence organizations, so that news from all over the world can arrive at the fastest speed, and it is no longer as constrained as before. Wait for the first half of the month.

Although King Jing never showed any signs of ambition, he was always respectful in front of Ning Juan, but Lu Qing was still not at ease. As soon as King Jing left the capital, he let people follow him secretly. .

When he saw Duan Lingguang yesterday, he made up for the lack of information, and he felt more and more that Prince Jing was an unstable element.

Duan Lingguang should have come to remind him because he was worried that King Jing would make another change when he saw that the Great Qi was shaking.

But in the current situation, if you can't get hold of King Jing, it's not suitable to attack him.

The Prince of Shu and the rebels of Jiaozhi caused such a big shock in the southwest, and now many vassal kings may start to move again. If they are caused to follow, Ning Juan will be attacked by the enemy near the middle of Shu, and the consequences are unpredictable.

Changshun shook his head: "King Jing is very peaceful in the fief and never sees any changes."

Lu Qing was worried about Ning Jing's change, but disappointed that he didn't change. He frowned and said, "Please send the order."

Chang complied with the sound, and before turning around to leave, he couldn't help but look at him again - for the past half month, he has been working on state affairs day and night, dispatching all parties, and always watching the movements of Mobei and Southwest, and wasting his energy, Lu Qing was already The pale complexion became weaker and weaker, and a faint blue-black appeared in the bottom of his eyes, showing a slight tiredness, and the already thin body seemed to have lost a bit of weight.

Even though he knew that what he said was useless, Changshun couldn't help but said: "Lord Lu, you should take care of yourself and rest early, if you fall ill, no one will support the overall situation in Beijing. Your Majesty is here. The front line will also be worried.”

Lu Qing coughed in a low voice and waved his hand: "It's okay, go and send the order."

Changshun looked at him worriedly again, and when he was about to say something, he bowed and stepped back.

The torrential rain fell outside the window, and the candlelight was blown away by the wind.

After taking a shower, Lu Qing came back and sat at the window to process a few of the memorials, and then unfolded the good news from Ning Juan, read it carefully word by word, and put it away properly.

There are not many palace people serving in Jixue Xuan - Lu Qing doesn't like being served by others, and Ning Juan doesn't like too many people getting close, so no one helps to close the window. Hearing the rain outside is getting heavier and heavier, he wakes up. He went to close the window, and when he turned around, he found that Ning Juan's woven gold robe was still placed beside the couch.

Forgot to ask Changshun to take it off and wash it.

A few days ago, I either rested in the study room or in the Qianqing Palace, and I only returned to Jixuexuan today.

Lu Qing walked to the screen and stared at the woven gold robe for a long time, struggling inwardly, and hugged it silently like a thief.

The wide robe was like a quilt, covering his thin body properly.

A slightly familiar aura shrouded him, as if being hugged by the owner of the robe.

Lu Qing has often had trouble sleeping recently, and always felt that it was because he thought too much.

At this moment, he suddenly regained the feeling of sleepiness he used to feel. Half-dreaming and half-awake, he wondered amusingly: Has he been domesticated by Ningjuan?

As soon as summer came, he disliked Ning Fan's body being too hot, and did not let Ning Fan get close to his body.

After he came back, no matter how unhappy he was, he would rather be next to him and let him get used to everything.

Now, he will not sleep well because Ning Juan is not there.

After agreeing to accept Ning Juan, Lu Qing reconsidered his decision repeatedly, and felt that he was more of an exclusive selfishness towards Ning Juan, and a compromise influenced by Ning Juan's burning love.

There are feelings that are different from those of family members, teachers and students, but maybe not many at the moment.

But now, he suddenly found out.

It turns out that he likes Ning Juan more than he thought?

Two days later, Mobei also sent a good news.

The Mobei garrison did not know how, but persuaded several surrounding small countries to resist the coalition of Tatar and Oira together with the Daqi army.

The defender, Shi Xice, was extremely brave, and even killed the Tatar and Oara generals, and he could vaguely see the shadow of the general Shi, and immediately cast a shadow on the life of this group of people who were feared by the general.

After a month of continuous attack, even a city in Daqi has not been captured, and the coalition forces of the two ethnic groups are vaguely cracked.

When Lu Qing saw the first sentence, he couldn't help but smile slightly, guessing whose credit it was.

Who else besides Chen Xiaodao?

With Chen Xiaodao's small mouth that can babble, and the temperament of being able to chat with anyone except Ning Wan, it is not uncommon to do these things.

Seeing the two battle reports, the ministers under the seat were also excited: "This battle may not have to be fought for so long!"

"Young General Shi is guarding Mobei, who will dare to commit crimes in the future?"

"Your Majesty Wenzhi martial arts, it is really my great luck..."

Lu Qing looked at a small part of them as they were preparing to have a celebration feast, and lightly closed the lid of the tea cup.

With a clear and low sound, the buzzing and buzzing that had just emerged from the bottom immediately disappeared, and everyone closed their mouths and looked at Lu Qingze.

"Wulihan is not an ordinary person. Ning Sheng has been dormant for many years, so he should not be underestimated."

Lu Qing put aside the tea powder and took a sip of hot tea: "Don't underestimate the enemy, everyone."

Some people wanted to shout, "Lord Lu is growing other people's ambition and destroying his own prestige", but when he came into contact with those clear and moist light-colored eyes, the words froze in their throats, and they didn't dare to come out bald.

Lu Qing was not as sick and soft as he looked.

This is the consensus of officials who have worked with him.

Everyone discussed the situation in Mobei and Southwest China, and Lu Qing told about the support of Jiangnan Commercial Bank.

There was another storm below. There were those who agreed and those who were dissatisfied. They didn't dare to attack Lu Qingze, and they quarreled with each other.

However, Lu Qing has already decided on this matter, and he does not intend to ask them to agree. The details will be discussed with the cabinet ministers after Ning Juan returns.

Leave this matter to the people below to quarrel for a few days, and secretly add fuel to the flames, and when it is implemented, the resistance will be smaller.

After another month, the battle situation was as expected by Lu Qing, and it was not as optimistic as others expected.

Shuzhong is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and Ulihan is not an idiot.

The battle lines were stretched again.

At this time, the imperial court opposed the opening of shipping in the future, and the voices of the courtiers who supported the entry of commercial banks into the sea gradually weakened.

Most of the opponents are conservatives, worried about contact with the outside world, and afraid of what will happen in the future.

But clearly the present is more important.

Many firms in Jiangnan were also persuaded by Duan Lingguang.

Duan Lingguang was naturally unable to swallow such a big cake by himself, so he would be happy to divide it up properly to achieve a win-win outcome.

The wealthy businessmen took action one after another, and the pressure on the national treasury was not so heavy for a while, and the shaky hair on the head of the Minister of Household was finally saved. No longer came to Lu Qing every day to wash his face in tears.

Lu Qingze's mind finally stopped buzzing.

The Minister of the Ministry of Housing cried too sadly, it was too much like a ghost asking for his life.

In the ups and downs, Lu Qing received another battle report from the southwest.

Every seven or eight days, Ning Juan would personally write a battle report and send it to Lu Qingze.

This battle report brings good news.

Jiaozhi intended to make a sneak attack, but was reversed by Ning Juan, and fell into the encirclement.

The court and the community were all beaming again, only Lu Qing frowned.

He found a problem.

The battle reports from the southwest were all written by Ning Juan and handed to him. The letters either told him how the battle was going, or it was such a good news.

But whether he was injured or not, and how his life was during the march, was not mentioned.

Rather tired only to report good news but not bad news.

Just like Lu Qing, he would not tell Ning Juan in his reply if he had fallen ill with a cold and coughed continuously.

He scrutinized every word of Ning Juan's words, and finally sighed slightly without asking any further questions.

They have a tacit understanding.

After walking far, Ning Wan, who was trapped in the deep palace, also saw many scenery that Lu Qing had seen when he was outside.

At the end of the brief battle report, there will always be a few words about the emperor's affair.

"This flower was left on the battlefield after the two armies fought."

"Iron hooves splashed dust, my eyes were devastated, soldiers were smashed to the ground, and there was such a flower that was not stained with dust in the **** scull. The first time I saw it, I felt very much like you, Huaixue."

"I gave you flowers, how about you?"

Lu Qing saw that the corners of his lips were curved, he took apart the flowers that came with the battle report, and gently touched his fingertips.

I can't tell what species it is, but it was sent all the way to the southwest. The snow-white petals were also wilted a lot, but the fragrance was faint.

He cut off the roots of the flowers and dipped them into a vase before writing a reply, summarizing the recent situation in Beijing in concise language.

Finally, ruthlessly wrote:

"Don't destroy flowers, plants and trees at will."

After writing the reply, Lu Qing recalled Ning Juan's last sentence, and glanced at the scissors on the table.

After thinking for a moment, he picked up a strand of hair, and with a click, cut a short section.

Ning tired to give him a fragrant flower, and he returned a piece of hair.

Lu Qing stuffed the lock of hair into the sachet, folded the letter, walked out of the study, and handed it to Jin Yiwei who was waiting outside: "Excuse me, send it to the southwest, and hand it over to Your Majesty."

Jin Yiwei bowed, took the sachet and the letter, and left immediately, heading for the southwest.

Lu Qing looked at the back of the other party who walked away quickly, and thought without changing his face that he would not delay anything if he added a little romance to his business affairs.

I don't know what Ning Wan's expression will be when he sees the hair in the sachet.

What will he say in the letter next time, what to attach?

Wouldn't you also cut a section of your own hair, stuff it in a sachet and send it back, and exchange it with him?

Lu Qing was secretly happy while thinking, and turned back to the study in a good mood.

According to the battle reports from the southwest during this period, the situation is much clearer than in Mobei.

After Ning Lan captured the little prince of Jiaozhi, instead of beheading Liwei, he put forward conditions to the king of Jiaozhi.

King Jiaozhi loved his son eagerly, and wanted to agree to Ning Juan's condition of retreating in exchange for his son, but Ning Sheng was naturally unwilling. The spies spread a little more rumors in the army, and the rebels suddenly had some cracks.

Then Ning Juan secretly released the little prince of Jiaozhi who was delicious and delicious in the Daqi military camp.

Rumors were spreading in the army. Ning Sheng was already strongly wary of the King of Jiaozhi, but this time, he became more and more suspicious that he had secretly reached an agreement with Ning Juan.

The alliance between the two sides was not so strong, the rift was even bigger, and the King of Jiaozhi was at a loss for words. Anyway, the younger son returned safely, so he simply took the army back to Yundian, and was ready to wait for the Daqi army and the rebel army to fight hard. Waiting for a chance to catch a leak.

In case the Great Qi Army fails, he will help Ning Sheng fight Ning Wan. If Ning Sheng succeeds in ascending the throne in the future, this can also be regarded as "Going from the Dragon".

If Ning Sheng can't beat Ning Wan, then help Ning Wan beat Ning Sheng, this is called reforming one's heart and helping to suppress the disobedient minister.

Jiaozhi withdrew with this good calculus, which was naturally a good thing for Ning Wan.

Looking at the situation, Lu Qing felt that it was only a matter of time before Ning Sheng was taken over, and he was waiting for the next good news from Ning Juan.

Unexpectedly, after the letter was sent, seven or eight days passed, and Ning Juan did not receive a reply.

It is not stable to march and camp, so Lu Qing did not send many letters to the southwest, but the frequency of Ning Ruan's letters to the capital has been very stable.

According to Ning tired temper, unless something happened.

While Lu Qing was waiting, he felt a little uneasy.

what can happen?

It is difficult to attack the middle of Shu, but Ning Juan is not unable to attack, and progress has been made in these days.

Although the battle report was only a day late, Lu Qing, after wandering for a while, immediately called someone to investigate the battle situation in the southwest.

Before the spy came back, the emergency report from the southwest was first delivered to Lu Qingze's desk at night.

"Report! It has been raining in the southwest recently. When His Majesty was leading the army through the mountain, he encountered a mudslide and the army was scattered by the rocks."

The little soldier who came to report his lips trembled: "After the team is reorganized, I will discover, discover..."

When he heard the first sentence, Lu Qing's mind was buzzing and suddenly blank.

His fingers were trembling slightly, but he still opened the emergency report.

The voice of the soldier came along with the unfamiliar words on the emergency report.

"...Your Majesty is missing."

A trace of cold air rushed to the skin along the place where it touched the emergency report, Lu Qing tried to keep calm, but his fingers turned away from his will, allowing the letter to fall to the ground.

The whisk in Chang Shun's hand next to him fell to the ground with a "smack". After a few moments of sluggishness, his shrill voice became even sharper: "How is it possible! Did you find it!"

Xiao Bing's tone was difficult: "Zheng commanded everyone to excavate the rolling rocks and excavated many... corpses, but still did not find your majesty."

Changshun shivered uncontrollably, and looked at Lu Qingze in horror: "Lord Lu, Lu, Your Majesty will not..."

Lu Qingze's face was terrifyingly pale, there was a little cold sweat on his forehead, his breathing was tight, his hands were firmly on the table, maintaining his balance, after a long while, he said quietly: "When the mudslide rushed down, , where is your majesty?"

The soldier said dryly: "His Majesty is in the middle of the team, and the rock is... from it, it broke the team."

The implication is that in all likelihood, Ning Juan was buried underneath.

How likely is it that such a natural disaster can be avoided?

Lu Qing closed his eyes, his temples throbbed wildly, his eardrum hummed and vibrated, and the pain made his brain twitch, as if it also affected his heart. A suffocating pain.

But it's not the same as pure physical pain.

It hurts a lot more than that.

Lu Qing took a deep breath and thought in a daze, Ning Juan was in the palace and heard the same mood when he heard the water in the post house?

His perception of emotions is weak, and he has never had too many strong emotions, knowing that it will be painful and sad.

But he didn't know it would be so painful.

Will not.

It is impossible for Ning Wan to leave because of such a thing.

He couldn't mess up at such a time.

Lu Qing forced himself to calm down, and after repeating the order in his heart several times, his breathing finally calmed down a little, and said hoarsely: "Block the information, continue to send people to dig and investigate, and report any news at any time."

"Yes!"

"Changshun."

Being caught off guard and being called, Changshun shivered inexplicably in despair: "Lord Lu?"

"I immediately order all the ministers to come to the South Study."

Apart from his pale face, Lu Qing didn't see any sadness or worry or fear on his face, and his voice was slow and deep: "Fang Xinlu may make a move tonight, and he is ready to capture it at any time."

Chang Shun was stunned, as if he had regained his backbone, and hurriedly agreed.

When he turned to leave, he remembered His Majesty's reaction when he heard that Lord Lu was buried in the sea of ​​​​fire, and looked at Lu Qingze, who was standing calmly beside the desk with his long eyelashes lowered, and thought blankly: Isn't Lord Lu sad?

His Majesty knew that when Lord Lu left, he was in such despair and pain, and even vomited blood, and his heart clenched because of the strong emotions.

But Master Lu seemed to have no other reaction than the initial shock.

As expected, Lord Lu still...don't like His Majesty that much?

After all, this relationship was forcibly obtained by His Majesty.

Changshun had mixed feelings in his heart, and he didn't know whether to feel worthless for His Majesty or dissatisfied with Lord Lu's weakness and indifference.

When there was no one in the study, Lu Qingze frowned, clutching his stuffy and aching chest, his blood surging, his body swayed, and he almost fell back to the chair.

His eyes were flushed, he clenched the emergency report tightly, and whispered inaudibly, "Jiwei."

Don't get into trouble.

Several cabinet ministers quickly rushed to the south study.

With such a big movement, it is impossible to hide the news, and it should be known to several important officials.

Lu Qing has returned to his usual attitude and told the matter in a flat tone.

Immediately, everyone's scalp tightened, and the blood all over their bodies cooled down.

It was clear that the weather was still hot, but everyone shuddered, and the atmosphere in the study was almost deadly.

After a long time, someone swallowed his saliva, and his voice was fluttering: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and with the blessing of God, it will definitely not..."

The words are not finished, and the self is not complete.

Those who can be elected to the cabinet will not be stupid people who believe in those gods.

In the legends about Lu Qingze outside, maybe half of the people in the court believed and half didn't, but a few cabinet ministers didn't believe it at all, they just turned a blind eye.

Even if there is any secret inside, it is related to the royal family, and they are very clear about who is behind the rumors behind Lu Qing.

How many years has Daqi settled down? If His Majesty really had an accident in this natural disaster, what would it be like?

They were suddenly a little confused.

Not to mention what the situation in the Southwest will be like now, if the emperor's distress is spread to Mobei, the morale of the Daqi soldiers will definitely drop.

If the iron cavalry of the Tartars crossed the Mobei defense line and plundered from the south, the capital would be attacked first.

The three battalions had been taken to the southwest, and there were only a few soldiers left in the capital, as well as the 5,000 elite soldiers that Ning Juan had specially allocated for Lu Qingze.

After another moment of silence, Fan Xingyan wiped the sweat from his forehead and his lips trembled slightly: "Master Lu, what are your plans?"

Lu Qing's words were astonishing: "I'm going to go to the southwest."

Now everyone jumped up: "What?"

"Absolutely not!"

"Only you can take charge of the overall situation in the capital. If you go to the southwest, then..."

Lu Qing raised his hand and signaled them to stay calm, his voice was calm and clear: "Your Majesty is missing, the southwest has no backbone now, and the army's heart is scattered. It is bound to be attacked by the prince of the Shu king. At that time, Mobei will be attacked on both sides. Ann. I am entrusted by Your Majesty and responsible for the Great Qi, and in any case, I cannot see this situation happen."

Fan Xingyan knew he was right, but looking at his pale face, he couldn't help but persuade: "But..."

This trip is dangerous.

"Before I leave, I will discuss with you all to arrange the follow-up. Regarding the possible situations in Beijing, I have written a tip." Lu Qingze's attitude was gentle and strong, and he handed the tip to Fan Xingyan and watched calmly. At him, "If I unfortunately die in the southwest, the rest will be handed over to you."

He knew the dangers of the trip, but decided to go anyway.

Fan Xingyan's eyes suddenly turned red, and he blinked forcefully before holding back the tears. He gritted his teeth and rushed to Lu Qingze with a long bow: "I will take orders."

The rest of the people also had choked throats. Following Fan Xingyan, they gave Lu Qing a long bow.

It is really inconvenient for them to talk about the relationship between the emperor and the queen.

But sincere love, they can feel it.

When Lu Qing came back, some people speculated that he was forced by His Majesty, or to seize power.

Those dark guesses have collapsed in silence.

Lu Qing smiled at them: "What are you doing so heavy, I just talked about the worst situation, and the situation may not be so bad."

Everyone got up without making a sound, and everyone's heart was heavy.

It's so hard to be optimistic about this kind of thing.

Lu Qing discussed with them in the study for a long time, and arranged the affairs of the court in an orderly manner. It was only when the sky was dawning that everything was over.

Changshun also brought news: "Lord Lu, you expected it well, Fang Xinlu really made an action at night and was captured by the soldiers who stayed behind, but..."

He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice: "However, Fang Xinlu actually carried a highly poisonous substance with him, and when he was arrested, he pierced his finger with the poisonous thorn on the ring, and when someone brought it over, he pierced his finger. Not anymore."

Lu Qing was silent for a while: "What about the intercepted thing?"

Changshun hurriedly presented it.

Fang Xinlu intended to send the letter to Mobei, and the letter contained a string of incomprehensible words.

Fan Xingyan is eager to learn, and in recent years he has also taught himself the Tatar script. After a little understanding, his eyes widened a little when he saw the script on it: "I know, this is the Tartar language, which means... the emperor is missing, Lord Home is ready to go."

He murmured, "Who is the master?"

Lu Qing stared at the string of Tatar words, and suddenly felt a strange feeling in his heart, and asked Changshun: "What is Fang Xinlu's voice?"

Changshun was dumbfounded by the question, and tried to think about it: "Lord Lu, Fang Xinlu's voice is very young, ten years younger than his appearance, and quite clear."

On the night of Qianyuan Festival, the voice that Lu Qing heard was not very young.

There was someone else that night.

Lu Qing read the letter again.

...the so-called master family is actually easy to guess, isn't it?

King Jing's mother and Ulihan's mother were sisters.

It's just that King Jing never showed the slightest flaw, and he did not suspect the collusion with the Tartars on King Jing.

King Jing arranged a pair of inconspicuous eyes in Beijing, and those eyes were Fang Xinlu.

Sure enough, an hour later, the spies arranged in Jingdi sent the news urgently.

"King Jing led 20,000 private soldiers to leave the fief, and headed southwest on the grounds of helping to suppress the rebellion!"

If you want to help fight the rebellion, you have already helped, so why do you start now?

I'm afraid Ning Jing has placed eyeliners in the army and has been observing the battle situation.

Even if Zheng Yao sent someone to deliver the letter immediately, Lu Qing ordered someone to block the news, not to disclose the matter of Ning Juan's disappearance, and could not hide Ning Jing, a caring person.

Can't stay in the capital anymore, waiting for news from the southwest by luck.

Ning Jing had already dispatched, and he had to go to the southwest immediately.

Lu Qing took a slight breath, turned around and said solemnly: "Everyone, the capital and the little prince, I will leave it to you for the time being."

He actually edited a book, sent it to Jiangnan, and gave it to Duan Lingguang.

If Ning Juan really suffered misfortune and he also died in the southwest, Duan Lingguang would be able to open the letter.

The younger Ning Si was, the more he could not support Da Qi's country.

Lu Qing secretly summoned 5,000 elites, went back and changed into neat clothes, left the palace at night, and reunited in the city.

He rode on a fast horse, and finally looked back at the towering Yanjing in the night, shook the reins, and ran to the southwest.

The author has something to say:

Ning Gougou (holding flowers): Huai Xue…

Lu Qingze: It is forbidden to pick flowers, take care of the environment, everyone is responsible, and be civilized.

Ning Gougou: ?