Gu Shichun did not know that His Highness Fang Zhengyue said was the Seventh Prince, but only thought that His Highness was the vassal king of the Gaotang Kingdom. After these people left, he reluctantly came to Weng Danian and reported the incident to Weng Danian. Condition.
After hearing this, Weng Danian was naturally furious: "Damn it, the people in these vassal states are becoming more and more lawless. It's just a matter of letting the officials of the central court disappear for no reason. Now they even dare to kill the imperial army directly! I don't get along with you." When they settle this score, they don’t have the surname Weng!”
Weng Danian said and ordered: "Get a stretcher to carry Mr. Gu, and follow me to see His Highness the Seventh Prince!"
"Step aside!"
"Your Majesty the Seventh Prince!"
As soon as Weng Danian broke into Zhu Cikai's camp, he shouted, but soon he found that there was no one here.
Weng Danian was greatly surprised: "Hey, where are the people?"
But at this time, many archers suddenly appeared outside the surrounding walls.
Weng Danian, who has long been accustomed to fighting with hot weapons, did not expect to see so many archers today.
Weng Danian was shocked.
At this time, before he could say anything, the archers immediately fired arrows at him, Gu Shichun, and the two soldiers carrying Gu Shichun.
Weng Danian, Gu Shichun and others were shot like hedgehogs on the spot, and fell to the ground, their eyes wide open with a look of unwillingness.
Because this era is already fought with hot weapons, not to mention that they are now inside the army, so they have not thought about protecting themselves from cold weapons such as bows and arrows.
But what they didn't expect was that Zhu Cikai's camp actually prepared a group of archers.
"We reported to the court that Weng Danian and the others were ambushed by the local natives because they underestimated the enemy. They were shot to death by several arrows. This way, the court's forensic doctor would not suspect us during the autopsy."
Standing in a pavilion not far from where Weng Danian and others were hit by the arrow, Chen Wei was talking to Zhu Cikai.
Zhu Cikai glanced at Fang Zhengyue next to him and said: "Next time you do it, remember to do it cleanly, and don't let me come and wipe your ass! Also, don't do it too much! Hundreds of people from the imperial court If the soldiers are gone, I can still cover it up in the name of battle losses, but if thousands of imperial troops are lost as a result, even if the court doesn’t suspect anything, they will think that His Highness’ command is incompetent!”
"Remember it, General! Your Highness doesn't know something. The main reason is that it is a treasury, and a lot of gold is put in it at first glance. Your Highness, you have this batch of gold, why worry about the big thing?"
Fang Zhengyue replied.
…
In the name of asking for leave to go back to the capital to visit relatives, Xu Bingyi took Zhu Yougang back to the middle of the Ming Dynasty and came to the capital of the Ming Dynasty.
And in order to avoid mistakes, he went directly to the outside of Daming Garden and asked to see Zhu Youxiao.
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao met Xu Bingyi specially.
After learning that Xu Bingyi had brought Zhu Yougun and recounted Zhu Yougun's experience, Zhu Youxiao immediately summoned Zhu Yougun.
"His Majesty!"
As soon as Zhu Yougang saw Zhu Youxiao, his eyes could not help but burst into tears, and he recounted his experience again.
"Are Han people involved? They also used the ordnance of the Ming Emperor's army?"
After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao asked Zhu Yougang.
Zhu Youguan handed over several bullet casings held in silk handkerchiefs: "These are the bullet casings I picked up at that time. These are the evidence!"
Zhu Youxiao asked his assistant minister Ma Xianglin to take it over.
After Ma Xianglin took it, he said in horror: "Your Majesty, this is indeed a bullet casing produced by the General Administration of Ordnance Manufacturing!"
In fact, Zhu Youxiao had already known that some troops were privately selling arms to the Baiyi bandits, or other forces, such as local vassals.
Because after Li Dingguo was responsible for the suppression of the Baiyi bandit army, he also reported to him that many Baiyi bandits were equipped with high-end weapons manufactured by the imperial court, such as heavy-duty rifles. As a result, many casualties were suffered during the suppression of the bandits. Few combatants.
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao did not act too shocked.
Moreover, factory guards have indeed discovered many cases of private sales of weapons by the military in recent years, and have severely punished them.
It's just that Zhu Youxiao still doesn't know who these people are who secretly colluded with the Baiyi bandit army and ambushed Zhu Yougang.
"Let Jin Yiwei go to Xiang to investigate! We must find out the results."
Zhu Youxiao therefore ordered.
"yes!"
Ma Xianglin replied.
Then, Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhu Yougang again and asked, "Do you still remember the appearance of the Han people who colluded with the Baiyi bandits?"
Zhu Youguan replied: "Remember, even if he turned into ashes, I will remember it too!"
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao said: "So many Jinyi officers and schools cannot die in vain. In this way, I issue an edict to order you to serve as Zuo Zongzheng of the Zongren Mansion, and you will lead the imperial army to inspect various vassal states, especially those before you In the area where the incident occurred, since the Han people were able to collude with the Baiyi bandits, they must be from that area, and they may be quite powerful. Once you find this person, arrest him first and then interrogate him, and their lord cannot stop you."
"I obey the decree!"
Zhu Yougun replied.
Then, Zhu Youxiao added: "The storm is about to come. There are so many reports coming from all over the world. Although it seems calm, I have been dealing with political affairs for so many years, and I can still smell the smell of blood in it. Even I can feel that some people are just afraid of forming a bigger power secretly."
After saying that, Zhu Youxiao stood up and said: "But no matter who it is, don't try to play tricks with me! Otherwise, he will only lose more! The decree is given to the officials of the vassals all over the world to adhere to their ethics. Always reflect on yourself, since you have to guard against being framed by others, you must also guard against being blinded by greed."
…
"Zhu Yougun appears, and he appears as Zuo Zongzheng of the Zongren Mansion!"
After seeing the latest imperial report, Fan Guangwen hurriedly found Xu Zhijue.
Xu Zhijue said: "Can he recognize you?"
"very possible."
Fan Guangwen replied.
After hearing this, Xu Zhijue said: "Then what are you going to do? You can't still want to get rid of him."
"It's a pity that there is no chance to get rid of Zhu Yougun now. There are half a million troops stationed here, and they are commanded by this guy Li Dingguo. This guy has almost wiped out the Baiyi bandit army. Where are we?" Chance."
Fan Guangwen replied.
Xu Zhijue said: "Since there is no chance, we have no choice but to escape. But you are an official. If you disappear suddenly, it will still easily attract the attention of the court."
"That's right! Now I can only hope that Zhu Yougun won't come here yet."
Fan Guangwen replied.
Xu Zhijue nodded: "Also, if His Highness can ascend the throne earlier, you can also escape this disaster."
Fan Guangwen replied: "You are right! Speaking of His Highness, there is one more thing. There is news from His Highness that we should find a way to get rid of Li Dingguo as soon as possible!"
"We have to get rid of him!"
Xu Zhijue's face showed a solemn look and he said: "This person is like a sea god pinned here, causing us to make a lot of money and unable to cultivate His Highness' power!"
Fan Guangwen said: "I thought of a way."
"any solution?"
Xu Zhijue asked hurriedly.
Fan Guangwen replied: "This matter can only be done by King Gaotang."
…
"King Gaotang wants to entertain this general?"
Li Dingguo was studying the edict conveyed by Zhu Youxiao, that is, to maintain his integrity and beware of being framed by others and his own depravity. This made him, who was sensitive to the current situation, aware of the implication of the emperor's sudden edict.
But at this time, he received the news that Zhu Youji, the king of Gaotang, had invited him to a banquet, and asked in pretending to be surprised.
"In order to establish a good relationship with the imperial army, it is common for the heads of various vassal states to entertain the commander-in-chief of the imperial army."
Li Dingguo's deputy Liu Wenxiu replied.
After hearing this, Li Dingguo glanced at Liu Wenxiu and replied: "Tell him that I don't have time and don't want to have any personal contact with them, the vassal kings, so I won't attend the banquet."
"Really not going?"
Liu Wenxiu asked, and then said: "But we still need the support of these vassal states to suppress bandits in this area. It seems not good to directly refute their face."
Li Dingguo suddenly said a little irritably: "You know, I am most annoyed by these human relationships! Suppressing bandits is just suppressing bandits, why do you still engage in these things!"
"There's nothing we can do about it. Not everyone is like you, General Li, who only thinks about suppressing bandits."
Liu Wenxiu said, "Let's go for a while. When the time comes, I will handle it."
Li Dingguo nodded.
So, not long after, Li Dingguo came to the palace of King Gaotang.
"My lord, he is here."
As soon as Fan Guangwen saw Li Dingguo coming, he said something to Zhu Youji, the king of Gaotang.
Zhu Youji laughed: "It seems that he didn't have any precautions. He only brought his sworn brother Liu Wenxiu with him."
As he said that, Zhu Youji continued to put on a smile on his face, walked out, raised his hands to Li Dingguo and said: "General Li is here. Little Wang is waiting to welcome you from afar! Please come in quickly!"
"Your Highness is welcome."
Li Dingguo replied.
Here, Xu Zhijue asked Fan Guangwen in a low voice: "What are you going to do? You won't directly ambush the swordsman. In that case, he will be directly exposed. No one can guarantee whether there is an informant from the imperial court in this palace."
Naturally, Xu Zhijue would not tell Fan Guangwen that he was the court's spy.
It's just because he himself is under surveillance that he can't report the news directly to the court. He can only tell everything he knows when he waits for people from the court to come and is questioned by people from the court who come to investigate, or Secretly thinking of ways to prevent things that are not conducive to the court from happening.
"Of course not, all the secrets are in the food and wine."
Fan Guangwen said.
"But what if he doesn't eat or drink?"
Xu Zhijue asked.
Fan Guangwen glanced at him: "Why are you stinging! He doesn't eat or drink, so why can't he be irrigated? Of course, we are not the ones to irrigate him, but some extremely enchanting beauties."
Here, Zhu Youji had asked Li Dingguo to sit on the seat beside him, and called a group of extremely charming beauties. He also poured wine for Li Dingguo himself and said: "General Li, thank you for protecting my side of Gaotang Kingdom." Peace, Xiao Wang personally toasts to you."
"Your Highness, you are too polite. I cannot drink alcohol today. Please forgive me."
Li Dingguo replied.
"Why can't you drink?"
Zhu Youji asked.
Li Dingguo said bluntly: "I'm afraid it's poisonous."
As soon as Li Dingguo said these words, the faces and expressions of everyone present froze for a moment, and they didn't know what to say.
Zhu Youji didn't expect Li Dingguo to be so direct.
Fan Guangwen even doubted whether someone had tipped off Li Dingguo in advance.
"Li, what do you mean! Why would our prince poison you? Does our prince want to betray the court?!"
Chang Shiliu Gongchen scolded angrily at this time.
Li Dingguo replied: "Some poisons are not necessarily capable of killing people at once."
After saying that, Li Dingguo stood up and said, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Li came to the banquet today just because he respects Your Majesty. However, because of the high expectations of His Majesty and the court, Li does not dare to take any risks, so even though he is attending the banquet today. , but I don’t drink a single drop of wine, I don’t taste a single dish, and I won’t touch a woman, even if I compete with Diao Chan and Xi Shi!”
Zhu Youji laughed awkwardly and glanced at Fan Guangwen.
Because he really didn't know what to do now. After all, he didn't expect this Li Dingguo to be so straightforward.
But if Li Dingguo is let go today, it will undoubtedly mean that he has not completed the task assigned by Zhu Cikai.
He did not dare to offend the prince who held great power.
What's more, almost all the people around him now secretly support Zhu Cikai.
Although Fan Guangwen was only a prefect of Budapest, the capital of the Gaotang Kingdom, he was the actual person in charge of the Gaotang Kingdom.
Fan Guangwen was also very conflicted at this time. If he let Li Dingguo leave like this, it would be a waste of time.
He really didn't expect Li Dingguo to be so direct.
But Fan Guangwen knew that if he couldn't get rid of Li Dingguo today, he would have no chance in the future.
Moreover, if he did not get rid of Li Dingguo and failed to complete the task, the seventh prince would not spare him.
Therefore, Fan Guangwen decided to use force, so he stood up and shouted: "Why are you still standing there? Why don't you come out quickly and invite General Li to drink and eat!"
Although Fan Guangwen did not intend to directly use force to get rid of Li Dingguo, he still prepared this move, mainly to prevent any changes.
It's just that he didn't expect that something would really happen.
At this time, Xu Zhijue couldn't help but ask Fan Guangwen in a low voice: "Didn't you say, don't use this method?"
Fan Guangwen replied in a low voice: "You can't control so much at this time! If you expose it, expose it. Sooner or later, you will be rebelling!"
Xu Zhi felt speechless.
At this time, a large group of officers appeared outside the hall with guns and pointed them at Li Dingguo and Liu Wenxiu.
Li Dingguo glanced at Zhu Youji calmly: "King Gaotang, what do you mean?"
Zhu Youji was stunned for a moment and then said: "Of course I'll treat you to drinks and food."
Li Dingguo laughed: "How can you invite someone like this?"
Fan Guangwen replied for Zhu Youji at this time: "Who told some people to drink wine as a penalty if they refuse to drink a toast?"
Therefore, Li Dingguo said to Fan Guangwen while unbuttoning his clothes: "Prefect Fan, it seems that you are the mastermind of today. What are your intentions?"
Fan Guangwen snorted and sneered: "Of course I will kill you!"
Li Dingguo laughed.
But Fan Guangwen slowly put away his smile after Li Dingguo untied his clothes, and showed a look of shock, saying: "You, you, what are you going to do?!"
Li Dingguo said: "Since I have come to attend the Hongmen Banquet, I naturally have to be prepared."
