The banquet was never a good one.
Yan Li and Lianhai Changjin sat at a long table. During the banquet, there were only the sounds of toasting and exchanging pleasantries. Of course, there were also people singing praises for Ji Zhiyuan. This was probably a common occurrence.
Yan Li only talked to the two of them. "I was separated from Ye Qing. According to Li Rulong, he asked Ye Qing to come back to inform the Flame Worship Festival. The problem now is, who would choose to assassinate Zhang Zhidong at this time? It's meaningless, isn't it?"
Ma Guanshan's face was gloomy. He shook his head and said, "You don't know this, but Rong City isn't peaceful. There are many people of unknown origin hiding in the dark. They purposely go against Teacher. Assassinations happen all the time."
Yan Li said, "Isn't the problem very clear? Your teacher was assassinated, and Ye Qing died protecting him. Her loyalty and bravery are commendable. If your teacher is grateful enough, he will ask His Majesty to commend her. "
Lianhai Changjin looked around and said in a low voice, "But there's something suspicious about the whole thing."
"Something suspicious?" Yan Li said.
Lianhai Changjin said, "We didn't see Ye Qing's body."
Yan Li said, "Then who told you about Ye Qing's death?"
"Old Marshal Zhang," Lianhai Changjin said.
Yan Li said with slight mockery, "In other words, you suspect that Zhang Zhidong is lying."
At this moment, Ma Guanshan showed a pained expression. It was unknown whether it was because of the pain of suspecting his beloved teacher or because of Ye Qing's death.
Although he didn't want to admit it, he still nodded and said, "I didn't want to suspect Teacher, but when I asked to see the body and track the escaped assassin, Teacher suddenly flew into a rage. He even accused me of leaving my post without permission. He even said that he wanted His Majesty to punish me severely."
Yan Li couldn't help but laugh. "If it were me, I would also get angry."
"Why?" Lianhai Changjin asked.
Yan Li said, "A student who has been painstakingly trained can leave the battlefield he was guarding for a woman. Will he open the city and surrender for a woman in the future?"
Ma Guanshan clenched his teeth and did not say anything. Clearly, his words had hit a sore spot.
LianHai Zhangjin forced a smile and said: "To be able to meet and become fellow students, this is such a rare fate. In my humble opinion, no matter what, I cannot let her die with remaining grievances. If she's not dead yet, all the more reason to look for her. "
Yan Li said, "You want to know the truth?"
"Yes," Ma Guanshan said.
Yan Li shook his head and said, "I can't help you."
"Why?" Lianhai Changjin could not help but say, "If it's because Brother Ma has offended you before, I apologize on his behalf … We really need your help."
Ma Guanshan clenched his fists and said nothing.
Yan Li said lightly, "There are only two outcomes to this matter."
"What's the result?" Ma Guanshan asked.
Yan Li said, "First, Zhang Zhidong killed Ye Qing to hide a secret."
Ma Guanshan immediately asked, "And the second?"
Yan Li said, "Second, the culprit is the group of people lurking in the dark."
He paused, then continued, "Both sides are equally difficult to deal with. Why do you think I should investigate the local tyrant in an unfamiliar place?"
Ma Guanshan said in a low voice, "I will do my best to help."
"That won't do," Yan Li said.
"Won't do?" Ma Guanshan was a little angry, "She saved your life!"
Yan Li said lightly, "At most, she can say that she helped me. But if it wasn't for me, she would still be in Ye Shiqing's evil clutches. "
"Fine, if you won't help, I'll investigate myself!" Ma Guanshan said and stood up angrily.
At this time, Zhang Zhidong's other two students came over with wine glasses. "Junior Brother, you came back and didn't even invite me and big brother for a drink. That's too disloyal!"
Dai Shaobao strode over and put his arm around Ma Guanshan's shoulder, casting a sidelong glance at Yan Li, "Why are you still hanging out with this kind of guy? Teacher sent you to the academy to study, not for you to make friends with some riffraff …"
Yan Li slowly raised his head, his eyes cold.
Dai Shaobao suddenly felt his heart palpitate, unable to say the rest of his words.
"Junior Brother, accompany us for a drink," Qu Zhengping walked over, glanced at Yan Li, then pulled Ma Guanshan away.
Yan Li sensed some sort of warning from this glance, the corner of his mouth curling up slightly.
Lian Hai Changjin suddenly said, "Brother Yan has actually already agreed."
"Oh?" Yan Li said.
Lian Hai Changjin smiled, "As Zhang Zhidong's students, the two of them might know some inside information. You purposely made Brother Ma fall out with you so that he could sneak in and get some information."
Yan Li had a strange expression on his face, "How did you come to this conclusion?"
Lian Hai Changjin was startled, "Didn't you use this method the last time we attacked Black Mountain?"
Yan Li couldn't help but laugh, "The same technique won't work if I use it too much."
Lian Hai Changjin sadly said, "Brother Yan really doesn't care about Ye Qing's life?"
Just as Yan Li was about to speak, a general suddenly said loudly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this general has something to say …"
Normally, Ji Zhiyuan would at most drink a cup or two before leaving. This time, however, he remained seated, occasionally smiling as he conversed with the crowd. The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
Hearing this, she wasn't surprised, saying, "Speak."
The general walked to the center of the room, kneeling down on one knee, saying, "Dare I ask Your Majesty, how will the merit be determined this time?"
As soon as this was said, everyone looked at each other.
Since ancient times, there had been courtiers who used their lives to remonstrate, but it was extremely rare for them to ask for merit.
Zhang Zhidong's face darkened, shouting, "Impudent! Go back to your seat!"
He then turned to Ji Zhiyuan, clasping his hands apologetically, saying, "The army lacks control. This old subject will definitely teach him a good lesson later."
Ji Zhiyuan waved his hand and asked in reply, "What do you want to determine?" His eyes were cold and full of majesty.
The general said in a low voice, "I've fought hard in Rong City with Marshal Zhang for more than ten years. Now the whole army is praising one person's merit. I'm not satisfied, so I'm asking this." His voice was a little shaky, obviously unable to withstand Ji Zhiyuan's aura.
Ji Zhiyuan said, "I don't even know who this person is."
The general said, "Yan Li."
"Yan Li?" Ji Zhiyuan said.
The general said, "Yan Li, a student of the Academy, Young Master Yanshan Robber, a young talent on the Heavenly Son List. He has many halos, but I think he couldn't have killed Abagua. Abagua must have been seriously injured by Lady Huai Bi, which was why he succeeded."
Yan Li was very surprised. This was not something he could bring up in public. Moreover, when he killed Abagua, Ji Zhiyuan was there. What was the point of this move?
"Shut up!"
Before Ji Zhiyuan could say anything, Zhang Huaibi suddenly stood up, his face pale with anger. He said in a cold tone, "It's Yan Li who killed Abagua. It has nothing to do with me. He deserves the biggest reward. What's the use of you fighting hard for ten years? You'd be better off with his sword. Don't let me hear such talk again! "
Obviously, his dignity did not allow others to distort the truth.
Yan Li somewhat admired him.
After saying this, Zhang Huaibi bowed to Ji Zhiyuan and said, "I'm not feeling well. Excuse me." Then he turned around and left.
The general was stunned. After a long while, he blushed and stammered, "I … I'm sorry …" Then he returned to his seat in disgrace.
Shen Liuyun sat down and said, "My brother hates those who fish for fame the most. Naturally, he doesn't want to be that kind of person. I wanted to introduce you to him, but then I thought that since you killed Abagua, you're in the limelight. My advice might be taken as flaunting your seniority. "
Yan Li asked calmly, "What's your relationship with him, sir?"
Shen Liuyun said, "My father and his father grew up together. My brother has been taking care of me ever since I was a child. He was the supervisor of the Academy, but he always thought it was his duty to protect the country. So he applied to be transferred to Rong City. He also thought it was his responsibility to kill Abagua. This responsibility was suddenly snatched away by you in an unreasonable way. Can you understand his feelings? "
Yan Li said, "Probably."
Chen Liuyun smiled slightly and said, "I've said so much because I want you to come with me to pay a visit to my brother later. If you're able to obtain my brother's guidance, your strength should be able to rise to another level."
Yan Li was moved and said, "It's all up to you, sir."
The banquet continued.
After about 15 minutes, when Shen Liuyun was about to leave with Yan Li, another general suddenly walked to the center of the room and knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty, I also have something to say."
Yan Li was stunned because this general was none other than Ma Guanshan.
Ma Guanshan seemed to have drunk a lot. The smell of alcohol could be smelled from afar.
Yan Li and Lianhai Changjin suddenly looked at each other and their expressions changed. They already knew what Ma Guanshan was going to say.
Lianhai Changjin hurriedly stood up and ran over to kneel. "Your Majesty, Brother Ma has drunk a little too much. I will help him to rest now."
"Wait." Ji Zhiyuan's expression was already very cold. "I would like to hear the reason why you left your post without permission."
Lianhai Changjin secretly complained and said, "The Xiliang Army has already returned to Liangzhou. I only dared to leave Bingzhou after confirming it again and again."
As the saying goes, alcohol strengthens courage. Ma Guanshan not only drank a little too much, but he was also a little drunk. He directly said, "Ye Qing is dead."
"What did you say?" Ji Zhiyuan slightly narrowed his eyes.
Ma Guanshan ignored Lianhai Changjin's advice and said loudly, "I mean, Ye Qing is dead. Teacher told me personally that she died in the hands of the assassin who tried to kill Teacher. But Teacher did not let me see her body."
"Zhang Zhidong!" Ji Zhiyuan was a little angry. A student of the Inner Yard of the Academy had died just like that. She had not received any news until now.
Zhang Zhidong glanced at Ma Guanshan and slowly stood up. He walked to the center and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty."
"Ye Qing is really dead?" Ji Zhiyuan asked.
"Yes." Zhang Zhidong admitted.
"How dare you hide the death of a Minister of Imperial Insignia!" Ji Zhiyuan said coldly.
Zhang Zhidong sighed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, it is not that I want to hide it. It is just that this matter is too bizarre. It is also because of this that I dare not reveal the body to the public."
"How did she die?"
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