A carriage was driving on the official road.
Li Qi'an sat in the carriage and yawned, "I haven't slept well in several days, can't Master Hong let me have a good sleep before driving on?"
It turned out that Hong Bin, the leader of the secret police department, was still sitting in the carriage.
Hong Bin smiled apologetically and said, "Master Li, now the matter in Xizhou has been settled. Your Majesty said that Master Li must be brought back to Beijing safely."
Li Qian smiled and said, "There's no need to be in such a hurry. I think His Majesty was worried that I might actually rebel, so he sent Mr. Hong to escort me back to the capital, right?"
"Master Li, please don't misunderstand me. Of course His Majesty believes in you." Hong Bin said quickly, "It was Hong who felt that Mr. Li might need to return to take charge of the overall situation in the capital, so he was a little anxious."
He was indeed in a hurry, traveling almost day and night. If it weren't for Li Qi'an's inability to ride a horse, he would have dragged Li Qi'an back to the capital.
"Master Hong thinks too highly of me. Your Majesty is in control of everything in the capital. How can you say that I need to go back and take charge of the overall situation?" Li Qian said with a smile, "This time, your Majesty has no suspicion of me. That is impossible. If this If your majesty hears these words, Lord Hong and I may both be unable to eat and walk around in circles. Isn’t Lord Hong trying to test me on purpose?”
Hong Bin hurriedly smiled and said, "How could it be possible? Hong made a mistake in a moment of impatience. Mr. Li, don't think too much, but the capital really needs Mr. Li back now. If Dou Huaishan is not solved, His Majesty will have trouble sleeping and eating. Hong’s head is always hanging on his neck.”
"Oh, it turns out Master Hong is worried about your own head." Li Qian said with a smile.
"To be honest, Mr. Li, when Dou Huaishan was causing trouble in the capital, your majesty gave an order to Hong. If he couldn't get Dou Huaishan's head, Hong would have to go to see your majesty. I thought that when I came to Xizhou this time, I could Who would have thought that Dou Huaishan had not returned to Xizhou at all, thanks to Mr. Li?" Hong Bin said with a smile, "So, I have to use Mr. Li's blessing to help Hong complete this task after returning to Beijing."
"Now that the imperial army has returned to defense, Master Hong has nothing to worry about. Even if Dou Huaishan has 50,000 Xizhou troops, he is still a turtle in the jar. Master Hong can take his head at any time." Li Qian said with a smile. .
"Master Li, you know Dou Huaishan's cunningness best, and Hong also feels it deeply. Even if he can't succeed, it may not be easy to catch him, so we still have to rely on Master Li. Hong Bin said.
"It's no use being anxious, Master Hong. Dou Huaishan can deceive so many people into hiding in the palace. If he hides, it's really not easy to find him." Li Qian said.
Hong Bin was stunned for a moment, "Isn't he still hiding in the palace?"
"Who knows this? If it is true, then Mr. Hong has really neglected his duty." Li Qian said with a smile.
Hong Bin raised his eyebrows twice and said, "Master Li, there is a small town ahead. Since Master Li said he is tired, let's take a rest before continuing."
Li Qian smiled and nodded, "It's all up to Master Hong's arrangement."
"Master Li, the current situation in Beijing is a bit complicated. The prince is involved, and His Majesty is also very angry. Who among the princes do you think is likely to succeed the prince?" After a while, Hong Bin suddenly asked.
"Master Hong, do you mean that the prince will be deposed?" Li Qian said with a smile.
"Master Li, why bother to ask this question? Hong is sincerely asking Master Li for advice." Hong Bin said.
"Then Master Hong is asking too many questions." Li Qian said with a smile, "Master Hong already has a candidate in mind, or in other words, many people will know how to choose." Li Qian said with a smile.
"How will Mr. Li choose?" Hong Bin asked after a moment of silence.
"I'm just a small official in the imperial court. Besides, I have no interest in being an official. I don't need to choose one at all." Li Qian said with a smile.
"Master Li, His Majesty thinks so highly of you. You are more than just a little soldier. Hong just hopes that Master Li can point out a clear path and doesn't want to end up in the wrong team." Hong Bin said very sincerely. .
Li Qian patted him on the shoulder, "Master Hong, it's too early to talk about this now. Besides, His Majesty has the final say on this kind of thing, not us."
"But if Lord Li supports which prince, it may influence His Majesty's decision, so Hong thinks that Lord Li's thoughts are the most important!" Hong Bin said.
