As soon as Dong Tianxing sat down, he directly explained his purpose to Gong Chengze without any polite greetings.
When Gong Chengze heard that he wanted to form a 3,000-strong suppression battalion, he couldn't help but put on airs and said with a smile: "Master Dong, Gong has just arrived and is not familiar with many situations. Especially General Murong before. You led your troops on an expedition and took away a lot of troops at once. I can't easily judge whether there are any spare troops available for you to use."
Dong Tianxing knew that he was deliberately making things difficult, so he couldn't help but solemnly said: "General, the poisonous soldiers have been causing trouble in the Central Plains for a long time. The people have suffered numerous casualties as a result, and the troops stationed in various places have been restrained and unable to move. The sooner the poisonous soldiers are eliminated, the better it will be for the entire war situation... …”
Gong Chengze raised his hand to stop Old Dong's words: "I didn't say that I was unwilling to clear out the poisonous soldiers as soon as possible. You must know that the fighting situation on the Bianzhou front line is very fierce now. General Murong needs me to send troops to reinforce at any time, and His Majesty's safety is also important. There must be enough troops to protect me. You asked me for three thousand people as soon as you opened your mouth. Isn’t it a bit overwhelming?"
Dong Tianxing was slightly startled: "Forcing someone to do something difficult? Then... what do you think we should do?"
Gong Chengze thought for a while and chuckled: "How about this. Mr. Dong invited the poison masters from Miao and Yunnan. Gong learned about the situation in detail, and also counted the troops on hand, and then discussed in detail about the formation of It’s about clearing the camp.”
Hearing what he said, Dong Tianxing immediately understood the other party's plan: This guy was thinking about his contribution to eliminating the poison soldiers.
Gong Chengze asked to meet Wu Rong and the others because he wanted to make a judgment. If there is a high chance of success in this matter, then personally participate in the formation and command of the suppression camp so that you can take the credit for it. If you are not sure, then stay out of the matter, or even just allocate some old, weak and disabled soldiers to Dong Tianxing.
The country is in danger and people are in ruins, but they still have the mind to plan these things. It is simply worse than a beast!
Dong Tianxing couldn't help but curse in his heart.
However, business matters were more important, and he couldn't care less about fighting with a villain like Gong Chengze. So he stood up and said: "Okay, let's do as the general wants. I'll go find Wu Rong Amonta immediately and explain to you face to face how to eliminate the poisonous soldiers."
-
Shen Lie put down the kerchief, looked at the polished dagger carefully, and then slowly inserted it into the sheath.
"Gong Chengze agreed?"
Dong Tianxing, who was sitting opposite him, nodded: "I agreed. However, there are two conditions attached."
Shen Lie smiled coldly: "He will also serve as the commander-in-chief of the suppression camp, right?"
"Yes, this is one of them." Dong Tianxing also sneered: "In addition, he adjusted the order of the campaign and put the Bianzhou area last."
"With ulterior motives!"
Shen Lie's eyes flashed with cold light: "If it had been before, he would be a dead person now."
Dong Tianxing shook his head and sighed: "The Nilin Division is a private soldier of the royal family, not a gangster. You can't kill court officials for no reason. Oh, by the way, haven't you been summoned by the emperor for a long time?"
Shen Lie put the dagger on the shelf, shrugged nonchalantly and said, "I haven't seen Murong Xue since he left. Almost a month? Or a month and a half? I can't remember clearly."
"You must be careful, Lord Changshi." Dong Tianxing said worriedly: "I feel that the emperor's thoughts are getting deeper and deeper."
Shen Lie smiled casually: "Li Jiangyao has the same idea as you. He also said that he wants me to go to Xijiang to find him. I don't think so."
He paused briefly and then said: "Since ancient times, the rules have been like this. The iron-clad Beiya has a long history. After the new king succeeds to the throne, people like me should consider retirement."
Dong Tianxing shook his head: "One moment, another moment. There are foreign enemies and the court is recruiting people. Who is more qualified than you to be the head of the Nilin Division? In my opinion, you should still have a good talk with the emperor."
Shen Lie smiled noncommittally and didn't answer any more.
In fact, Shen Lie had a clearer view of the situation at hand than anyone else.
Li Bing's attitude towards him was by no means as simple as Beiya's traditional rules.
Since the "Imperial Capital Incident" that year, Li Bing has been deeply wary of this rebellious leader from the bottom of his heart. Strictly speaking, at that time, Li Bing and Shen Lie were on opposing sides, and Shen Lie was the most feared opponent of the prince's camp.
Later, the world situation changed drastically. Shen Lie was loyal to the country's justice and organized the rescue of the distressed prince. In accordance with the late emperor's order, he always supported and protected Li Bing wholeheartedly.
Especially after settling in Youzhou, Li Bing had no soldiers or generals around him. It was Shen Lie who personally came forward to persuade the military princes in the north to swear allegiance, and only then gradually gathered the team of the emperor's direct army.
His contribution was far greater than that of Murong Xue at that time.
But because of this, the new emperor gradually could not tolerate this great hero.
The rationale behind this is simple. As the Nine-Five Supreme Being, Li Bing faces Shen Lie, who respects and fears him at the same time and is very kind to him every day. His emotions are so complicated that it is really impossible for outsiders to understand.
Shen Lie himself is also very clear about this.
His presence will make the emperor more and more uncomfortable. Especially when discussing some major national affairs, as long as he expresses his opinion, even if his idea is completely opposite, Li Bing has to listen honestly and even accept it with humility.
How can a situation like this last?
Alas, maybe it's time to leave.
Shen Lie thought silently.
-
Half a month later, Murong Xue returned to Luoyi.
Along with him, there was also the good news of the great victory in Bianzhou.
The army of Huaiyang King Li Kuang suffered a huge defeat at the hands of Murong Xue. Not only did they flee in panic from the front line of Bianzhou, but they also lost Bozhou directly.
The Liaodong Protectorate was so powerful that they immediately divided their troops into three groups and continued to march southeast, preparing to take away the rebel king's lair. Murong Xue was worried about the possible war in the direction of the imperial capital, so after asking Li Bing for instructions, she returned to the eastern capital from Bianzhou.
But unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the Imperial City's Ziwei Palace, he learned a piece of news from an acquaintance of his chamberlain: the emperor planned to appoint a new head of the Nilin Division.
Murong Xue couldn't help but be a little surprised by this sudden change, and met with Li Bing full of questions.
Li Bing seemed to be in a good mood. He was very satisfied with Bianzhou's victory. He not only praised Murong Xue, but also gave many rewards on the spot. After Murong Xue thanked him, she naturally asked about Shen Lie.
"Hey, you are quite well-informed." Li Bing smiled and asked the waiter to move an embroidered pillar for Murong Xue to sit on, while saying: "Yes, I am going to appoint a new chief minister to replace Shen Lie. Isn't that right? It’s also an old rule of the royal family.”
Murong Xue was speechless by the emperor's strong reason. She was stunned for a while and then asked: "I wonder who your majesty plans to let take over?"
"Censor Zhongcheng Tian Mu." Li Bing said in a casual tone: "How is it? Are you familiar with it?"
Murong Xue shook her head blankly: "Tian Mu? We have known each other before, but we are not familiar with him. Yushitai once investigated a case in the palace, and I was on the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry at that time, so we have interacted with him several times."
Li Bing nodded: "Well, Tian Mu is very capable and capable in doing things. I think he is quite suitable."
"But..." Murong Xue finally thought of a reason: "I remember that Mr. Tian is a civil servant and does not understand martial arts."
Li Bing chuckled: "Nilin Division is not an army. Who said Chang Shi must be a martial arts master?"
"That's true, but the Nilin Division is responsible for protecting the emperor..."
"You are right," Li Bing said with a smile: "It is precisely because you want to protect me that you must choose a loyal person."
Murong Xue wanted to ask: Isn't Shen Lie loyal enough? But when the words came to his lips, he held back and asked instead: "Then how does Your Majesty plan to arrange Mr. Shen?"
Li Bingda gave Murong Xue a meaningful look, but still said gently: "Don't worry, Shen Qing has made great contributions to Shengtang, and I will not treat him badly. You see, the award decree has been drafted. Confer Chen Lie the title of Marquis of Chang Ning, where his hometown is, it can be regarded as a return to his hometown with a rich coat and a glorious ancestor."
Murong Xue was stunned: "Your Majesty actually wants Shen Lie to go into seclusion?"
"Hey, why are you in a hurry? I haven't finished speaking yet." Li Bing put down the scroll he picked up and said, "Now is the time for the country to employ people. How can I help a great talent like Shen Lie?" Are you willing to let him go? There are more important tasks for him to handle, and we won't mention the matter of going into seclusion until the world is settled."
Murong Xue nodded with relief, and then asked: "Your Majesty said there are more important tasks, what do you mean?"
Li Bing smiled faintly and said, "I talked specifically with Shen Qing the day before yesterday, and he is willing to go all out to do that errand."
Murong Xue said nothing, waiting for Li Bing to continue speaking.
"What I mean is that I want him to go to Jiangnan."
Jiangnan?
Xuanjia Army? Lao Jianhua?
Murong Xue was stunned again and said doubtfully: "You asked Shen Lie to go to Jiangnan to deal with..."
"That's right, rebels!" Li Bing nodded and said: "The Xuanjia Legion has joined forces with Bao Yuchun's navy. Over time, it will become a serious problem. I don't want to ignore this powerful enemy because of the fight against the Turks, so I We plan to let Shen Lie personally take charge and deploy in advance to infiltrate the Jiangnan area."
Murong Xue felt chilled in her heart when she heard this: The emperor's methods were too cruel. He knew that Shen Lie would never refuse any opportunity to deal with Lao Jianhua, so he proposed a plan to infiltrate Jiangnan.
But the problem is that the Jiangnan area is now no less than a tiger's den in Longtan, and Lao Jianhua is an extremely terrifying opponent. Without the support of Nilin Division, wouldn't Shen Lie die if he went there?
Li Bing seemed to have noticed Murong Xue's thoughts and said calmly: "Murong, are you worried about Shen Lie?"
"I dare not deceive Your Majesty." Murong Xue stood up and cupped her hands and said, "Although Shen Lie is very capable and full of courage, Lao Jianhua is too familiar with him. Going to the south of the Yangtze River may be very dangerous."
Li Bing was silent for a moment and said softly: "I reminded him the same way the day before yesterday, and made it clear on the spot that if you feel it is not feasible, then just refuse, and I will not blame you. However, Shen Lie said that this is the biggest mistake in his life. For this reason, I would like to express my special gratitude to you for giving him such a precious opportunity."
[For the record, I don’t like the character Li Bing either. However, after all, it is a novel, and there are always all kinds of characters. You can criticize him, but don’t criticize the author. I stand with you. Resign and get out of the way. 】
