The night wind is cold and the bamboo forest is rustling.
Qin Yugan stood at the window, head lowered, and his eyes fell on a celadon vase on the windowsill.
Looking down, the edge of a small note was exposed at the bottom of the celadon vase.
Qin Obtuse Angle Gan stretched out his fingers naturally, and gently twirled his nails on the edge of the vase. The edge of the small note was immediately cut off, and then fell to the ground. Qin Obtuse Angle Gan immediately stepped on it and stamped it hard. into pieces.
After doing all this, Qin Yujiaogan breathed a sigh of relief, raised his head, and looked at the entire courtyard.
The courtyard was quiet, but there was a faint noise coming from the sky on the east side.
Taking a deep breath, Qin Dujiaogan turned his head to look at the bamboo forest beside the small lake on the west side of the small courtyard, and his eyes immediately tightened.
Then he turned his head and looked at the entire small courtyard, with pavilions, carved railings and painted buildings.
Compared with Chang'an, the layout of Yangzhou's courtyards is more refined and more meticulous.
The entire courtyard seems deserted, but in fact, deep in the bamboo forest and between the shadows of the pavilions, there are invisible hidden piles lurking everywhere.
These people stared closely at Qin Yujiaogan and trapped him, preventing him from getting more information from the outside world. The news he had already obtained could not be spread out, which made him more and more restless.
The King of Nanchang came to Yangzhou to prepare troops for war and prepare to reinforce the Anton Governor's Mansion. Now almost everyone in Yangzhou knows it.
However, few people can tell clearly how large the scale of reinforcements will be, how long they will last, and how confident Datang is.
Qin Obt. Jiaogan came all the way from Chang'an. Although there were many people on the road, Qin Obt. Jiaogan had no chance to come into contact with anyone. Even if others came even slightly, they would be driven away by the Qianniu Guards secretly.
There were Jinwu Guards in the open and Qianniu Guards secretly. Under heavy isolation, they came to Yangzhou.
Qin Yujiaogan immediately understood that the Yangzhou Navy was also one of the main forces mobilized by the King of Nanchang for this trip.
To get to Silla, the best route is to start from Dengju on the northern route, go northeast, then turn southeast when the wind follows, and finally land in Incheon.
The King of Nanchang did not go directly to Dengzhou, but instead went to Yangzhou. The reason for this was probably that he had to join Jin Renwen, the Duke of Linhai County.
Jin Renwen, the younger brother of King Wenwu of Silla, was the person who knew Silla the most in the entire Tang Dynasty.
If he goes to Dongdao with King Nanchang this time, even though Silla has taken many countermeasures against Jin Inwen's betrayal, Jin Inwen knows more, not to mention that he has some knowledge in Silla. Ministry of Young and Old.
When the King of Nanchang goes to Silla, how many troops he will lead, how many warships there are, and how big the entire reinforcements are, these are all things that must be clarified quickly, and then the news can be quickly sent back to Silla.
Only in this way can the king make the most correct decision.
But unfortunately, all connections between Qin Obtuse Angle Gan and the outside world have been cut off.
His eyes fell on the bottom of the porcelain bottle again.
With a "squeak", the door was pushed open, and Su Baotong walked in holding a wooden plate with several simple but exquisite dishes on it.
Seeing the food being placed on the table, Qin Yugan smiled sarcastically and said, "Today's meal looks more sumptuous than last night."
Su Baotong raised his head and looked at Qin Yujiaoqian coldly. It wasn't until Qin Yujiaogan suppressed all the words in his mouth that he said lightly: "This is the leftover food from the backyard banquet. The prince asked me to bring it to you. Because there is no need to worry about poisoning in these dishes.”
This is something that others have eaten, so there is no need to worry about being poisoned.
But it is precisely what others have eaten that is more likely to be poisoned.
Seeing Qin Yujiaogan's cautious look, Su Baotong sneered disdainfully and said, "Don't worry, we are more afraid of your death than you are. If you die, we will have one less useful person in Silla." piece."
After speaking, Su Baotong turned around and left without hesitation.
Qin Yujiaoqian looked at the porcelain bowl in front of him, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly, and his expression became more and more worried.
because
Su Baotong was right. Under the current situation, Datang did not want to see him die.
On the contrary, his former allies are likely to become the ones who really want his life.
As long as he dies, there will be no chance of change between Datang and Silla.
In front of the courtyard gate of the outer courtyard, General Su Baotong told Li Xuan all the conversations he had with Qin Yujiaoqian.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and said, "Pass this message forward. Anyone who approaches here and tries to find out the information inside will have their names registered. Anyone who breaks in, regardless of who comes, will be killed."
"Here!" Su Baotong's eyes lit up immediately and he quickly accepted the offer.
Li Xuan waved his hand, and Su Baotong immediately retreated.
Turning around, Li Xuan walked towards her own courtyard, but she was thinking lightly in her eyes.
Qin Yujiagang's emotions have been extremely stretched, and now at this time, he needs a way to release him.
That is to let him contact the Silla people's hidden stake in Yangzhou.
As for how to contact him, Li Xuan only needed to relax a little, and the Silla people would send the letter in immediately.
But we can't do this. We have to wait until the day after tomorrow, or tomorrow night.
While thinking, Li Xuan had already returned to the gate of the side courtyard where he lived, and saw an acquaintance lingering in front of the door. He was wearing a dark official robe. This person was clearly Shen Zhuang, a Yangzhou Hucao who joined the army.
Seeing Li Xuan, Shen Zhuang immediately stepped forward and held his hands: "I have met the prince."
Li Xuan responded in surprise: "Brother Shen, why is it you?"
You know, Li Xuan and Shen Zhuang had only met at the welcome banquet before, so why did he come looking for them as soon as they left.
Shen Zhuang said with some embarrassment: "I originally wanted to have a few words with the prince, but in the blink of an eye, the prince was gone."
"That's it." Li Xuan nodded gently, stretched out her hand and said, "Brother Shen, if there is anything, let's talk about it inside."
"Here!" Shen Zhuang followed Li Xuan and turned around to enter the small courtyard.
Four Jinwu guards stood at the entrance of the small courtyard, holding long spears and looking solemn. Without Li Xuan, no one else could easily enter.
Shen Zhuang glanced at the four people and then entered the small courtyard.
Among the pavilions, rockeries and pavilions, you can see silhouettes standing quietly everywhere.
This is a clear whistle.
There are many other secret whistles hidden in places where his eyes cannot see.
When Shen Zhuang saw this scene, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
The last time King Nanchang came to Yangzhou, the guards were not so tight.
Along a gravel road, Shen Zhuang followed Li Xuan into the backyard nave.
After entering the house, Li Xuan asked Shen Zhuang to sit down. Just as Li Xuan was about to speak, Shen Zhuang rushed to say: "Although the Governor's Mansion is safe, it is still a little small. The prince still remembers that he has a separate courtyard in Yangzhou, which is comparable to It’s much bigger here.”
Seeing Shen Zhuang's aggressive eyes, Li Xuan was slightly startled, and then said calmly: "Brother Shen, I really forgot about it, but it seems to be a bit remote, in the southeastern suburbs."
"That's right." Shen Zhuang nodded slightly, his face suddenly enlightened. Only then did he understand why Li Xuan never went to that mansion.
For a current prince like Li Xuan, his own safety is extremely important.
For ordinary people, dozens or hundreds of guards are enough to ward off all spying targets, but for the current prince like Li Xuan, if someone really wants to kill him, he will have to use hundreds of soldiers armed with crossbows and chariots. Not surprising either.
The further outside the city, the more likely this thing is to happen, but the further inside the city, the less likely it is to happen, or even almost zero.
After all, once it appears, everyone will be shocked immediately, and even those who want to cover it up have no time.
"I understand. I will give the prince a new one tomorrow... No, I will give him a new courtyard, right in the city." Shen Zhuang's stingy mind finally had an idea.
Li Xuan smiled, extended her hand to ask Shen Zhuang for tea, and asked directly: "
Brother Shen, if you have anything to do, you might as well just tell him. ".
Shen Zhuang hesitated slightly, but looking at Li Xuan's unconcerned look, he finally said: "To be honest with you, the Lord, the Shen family also has several trade routes in Silla. I would like to ask for advice. If I accompany the army this time, Going east, I wonder if there will be any gains?”
Li Xuan's movements on her hands suddenly stopped, and she narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at Shen Zhuang, with a cold look deep in his eyes.
Immediately, Li Xuan said calmly: "It's not very safe to go out on a boat in winter, right?"
"It's precisely because it's unsafe that we gain something." Shen Zhuang looked at Li Xuan with a solemn expression.
Li Xuan looked at Shen Zhuang seriously and said in a deep voice: "Brother Shen, the imperial war is an extremely confidential matter. If Silla is prepared in advance because of the Shen family, then the consequences..."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, the Shen family is strict with their mouths. They won't say a word that shouldn't be said. As for those who are not strict with their mouths, they have naturally been thrown into the sea long ago." Shen Zhuang's eyes were extremely solemn.
Li Xuan quietly tabled the case, then looked at Shen Zhuang and said: "There have always been fierce battles and dangers. Even those as strong as Pingyang County Duke were defeated in Dafeichuan. The war between our court and Silla has been going on for many years. There are more wins than losses, but there are always misfortunes. If the Shen family really wants to start this business, they must be prepared to lose everything."
Shen Zhuang pondered every word Li Xuan said, and then he still looked puzzled. However, he did not pursue the question. Instead, he stood up, cupped his hands in front of Li Xuan and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for reminding me. I understand."
Li Xuan looked at Shen Zhuang with a smile and said: "Brother Shen, it would be best if you really understand. If you don't understand, you might as well go and see how many Yangzhou Guards are recruiting in your own government office. These are all determined by the imperial court. After all, Shen As the governor of Yangzhou, I should know these things."
Hearing what Li Xuan said, Shen Zhuang immediately held up his hands and said, "The manor title deed has been sent to a manor outside the city. I will take my leave."
"Brother Shen, let's go slowly!" Li Xuan slightly cupped her hands and sent Shen Zhuang to the door of the room, but not to the door of the other courtyard.
At this moment, a voice sounded from behind Li Xuan: "I have always heard that the Shen family of Yangzhou used the imperial army as a cover to have business dealings with the Japanese state of Silla. It seems that I will not deceive you!"
Yu Ze walked out of the house inside Li Xuan, then looked towards the place where Shen Zhuang disappeared, and asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the Shen family can detect these things themselves, why do they still ask?"
"Of course I smell it." Li Xuan sighed softly, walked back to the room and sat down, then looked at Yu Ze and said, "Although the common people don't know about the imperial court's withdrawal of troops this winter, the high officials in both the government and the public are aware of it. They are informed; what’s more, Yangzhou is not far from Silla, and some clues have been seen long ago, so now that there is such a big change in Chaodong Island, they naturally have to pay attention."
The Shen family's business is very extensive. From Silla to Japan, to countries such as Champa and Chenla, they have stable trade routes and have made a lot of money over the years.
"Apart from the war between the Tang Dynasty and Silla, I am afraid that before the Tang Dynasty withdrew its troops, the Shen family had already made business arrangements with some people from Silla. But now that the war has resumed, they cannot grasp the situation, so they naturally want to come We are exploring the way, but the army has always been uncertain, so how can victory or defeat be determined first?" Li Xuan couldn't help but shake her head.
War is not like those games where there is no action. If you make a slight mistake, the whole army will be wiped out immediately.
Shen Zhuang asked Li Xuan, but how could Li Xuan know the outcome of this battlefield?
"Then what did the prince say just now?" Yu Ze could no longer understand Li Xuan's methods now.
Li Xuan shook his head slightly and said calmly: "I just reminded him that he will still encounter risks when traveling eastward this time. How big the risk is. I told him truthfully. It's just that there are some things. Once people have an opinion, why don't they care? Whatever other people say will be reflected in that direction, and that’s what’s happening right in front of you.”
After saying that, Li Xuan turned around and said, "Let's go, let's go study how many of these aristocratic families in the southeast are related to Prince Yin."
