In terms of status, Zhao Yulong and Zhou Zhenhai were thousands of miles apart, but facing Zhao Yulong, Zhou Zhenhai felt that he had no confidence at all.
After all, behind this man was not only Qin Feng, but also Qin Taiwei and Zhao Li, the commander of the Dragon and Tiger Army.
It can be said that among the younger generation of generals, Zhao Yulong has already taken the lead and is arrogant.
Zhou Zhenhai couldn't help but secretly sigh. Once upon a time, Qin Feng would walk around when he saw him. Now, even a general next to Qin Feng no longer takes Zhou Zhenhai seriously.
This is not only the decline of the warriors in front of the palace, but also the lament of the entire Li royal family.
At the same time, in the Imperial Study Room, Qin Tianhu knelt down and saluted: "My lord, see you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Liang stood behind the dragon case and looked at Qin Tianhu who was kneeling devoutly. His mood was complicated. He did not expect that the majestic king of a country would end up in this situation.
The Qin family, who were always scrupulous and suppressed, turned out to be loyal ministers. It is true that God is not as good as man.
"Qin Aiqing, please get up. How do you know what happened in the palace today?"
Faced with Emperor Liang's inquiry, Qin Tianhu did not hide anything and answered neatly: "Your Majesty, before Qin Feng left the capital, he had already reminded the old minister that there may be changes in the capital. However, this matter involves the royal family. The veteran did not dare to point it out rashly, so he had to wait and see, and when the time was right, he would come to help His Majesty."
Hearing these words, Emperor Liang actually felt a sore nose. Now that the Qin family was in power, they still didn't forget to repay their kindness. This alone was enough to make Emperor Liang put aside his past grudges.
Emperor Liang walked out of the dragon case with his hands behind his back and sighed: "Qin Aiqing, tell me, sooner or later the throne will belong to Lao Qi, why does he have to rush for this moment? Wait ten or eight years at most, and I will pass the throne to Lao Qi. Seven, by then, we can legitimately take over Daliang."
"Now, he has chosen to take a desperate risk. Even if he wins the throne, he will still have to bear the reputation of being unfair."
"I think I have read countless people and am good at guessing people's hearts, but I can't even understand my own son. It's really ridiculous."
Feeling the sadness revealed in Emperor Liang's words, Qin Tianhu couldn't help but sigh: "Your Majesty, this is your family matter, and you cannot allow the old minister to make irresponsible remarks."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liang couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Qin Aiqing, could it be that you regard me as an outsider? If Qin Feng were in Beijing, I would still have someone who could take my heart out. Now, Qin Feng shoulders heavy responsibilities, and only Qin Feng is left in the capital. I leave you and I, the monarch and my minister."
Emperor Liang's words made his position clear. Now, in the entire court, apart from the imperial party, the only people who can be trusted are the Qin family.
When the conversation reached this point, Qin Tianhu naturally lost his reserve and responded softly: "Feng'er has mentioned this a little bit."
"If it were not for my Qin family, His Highness the Seventh Highness would still be young. Let alone ten or eight years, even if he waits for twenty or thirty years, what would be the harm? It's a pity that His Highness the Seventh Highness is too worried about my Qin family. He is afraid that after he succeeds, his power will be It’s just an empty space, so I just…cut the mess with a quick knife.”
These words, to put it mildly, are called digging out one’s heart and lungs, but to put it more seriously, they are asking for death.
Fortunately, Emperor Liang knew all about the interests of the Qin family, so he didn't mind.
"That's right. Now this beam has five points in the world."
"The Imperial Party, the Taolin Party, the wealthy families in the south, the Lin family in the south of the Yangtze River, and the Qin Feng in the north."
"Among them, the weakest is the Lin family in Jiangnan. Since Lin Taibao was executed and the imperial concubine returned to Jiangnan, although the Lin family has not said anything in words, their actions have actually shown their determination to rebel. All forces have their own differences with each other. If only the Lin family has broken through the layers of window paper, then the Lin family will naturally be isolated and helpless."
"But even so, how easy is it to take down the Lin family?"
"In the prosperous land south of the Yangtze River, all the governors and local soldiers are controlled by the Lin family. There are at least 50,000 or 60,000 people. Although the Lin family is unable to invade Kyoto, it is enough to defend the south of the Yangtze River. Qin Aiqing, you are not only the Taiwei, but also the Minister of the Ministry of War. , tell me, how many troops and horses are needed to capture Jiangnan, and how much does it cost?"
Qin Tianhu had already thought through this question, so he answered without hesitation: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs have already discussed this matter."
"The attack on the Lin family in Jiangnan is divided into a quick attack and a slow attack. The former requires a large number of soldiers and horses, while the latter requires a large amount of food and grass. No matter which method is used, it will be a severe test for Daliang's treasury consumption."
"An urgent attack requires 100,000 troops, and a slow attack requires 50 to 1 million taels of silver. And this is only the budget for the first three months. If the attack is unfavorable and delayed until the end of the year, the loss of money and food will more than triple. "
"And once the war starts, the people in the prosperous land south of the Yangtze River will definitely be in dire straits. Even if the Lin family is taken down, how long will it take for the Jiangnan area to recover? I'm afraid no one can say this clearly."
Seeing that Qin Tianhu explained the matter in such detail, it seemed that he had put in a lot of effort, and Emperor Liang was quite pleased.
It is so difficult to even capture the Lin family in the south of the Yangtze River, let alone the wealthy families in the south and Qin Feng in the north?
In this way, it is understandable that the seventh prince is eager to inherit the throne and consolidate his power.
If it drags on any longer, not to mention the wealthy families in the south, just one Qin Feng in the north will be enough for the seventh prince.
By then, we can't divide the world with Qin Feng, right? Is it possible that there were two emperors in Daliang?
This was also where Emperor Liang was most troubled. On the one hand, he was filled with anger at Li Yong's rebellion, but on the other hand, he understood Li Yong's difficulties.
Emperor Liang clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the window. He looked at the warriors and imperial guards in front of the palace who were waiting outside. He was silent for a long time and suddenly asked: "Qin Aiqing, how do you think I should deal with this situation?"
Qin Tianhu bowed his hands and responded in a deep voice: "Suppress the rebellion, or give in, there is no other option."
This answer was tantamount to a wake-up call for Emperor Liang.
Whether it was counterinsurgency or surrender, he could not be cruel.
If the rebellion is suppressed, who among his sons will be able to take up the throne in the future?
And...now Daliang has adjusted his strategic direction and diverted most of his energy away from Beidi, instead focusing on the Lin family in Jiangnan and the wealthy families in the south.
It is still unknown whether surrendering at this juncture will disrupt the country's overall plans.
Emperor Liang finally asked Qin Tianhu a question: "If Lao Qi ascends the throne, how will your Qin family deal with it? After all, as Qin Feng said, when the new emperor ascends the throne, the old covenant may not count."
Qin Tianhu took a deep breath and blurted out: "The Qin family only wants to protect itself. If His Highness the Seventh Highness is willing to reuse him, the Qin family will naturally do its best to assist. On the contrary... everything will be decided after Feng'er returns to the capital."
These words are actually equivalent to the answer.
Emperor Liang couldn't help but take a deep breath, fearing that after Lao Qi ascended the throne, he would not be able to hold Qin Feng, but would be defeated by Qin Feng...
