Within the Dingzhou Provincial Governor's manor, Provincial Governor Xue Xiao's face was dark.
On the ground in front of him, there were five heads with dried blood.
One of the heads belonged to Song Shu, whom he had sent to escort to the capital. The other four heads belonged to the four experts who had escorted Song Shu. Five of them had gone to the capital. Their bodies were nowhere to be found, but their heads had been returned.
Earlier, a coachman had driven a carriage to the entrance of the Provincial Governor's Manor and pulled a box over, saying that someone had asked him to deliver it to the Provincial Governor's Manor as a gift.
He opened the box and saw that it was a gift.
"Who did it?" One of the mages asked in a low voice.
Xue Xiao snorted coldly. "Who else could it be? The neighbors are trying to intimidate us. The Imperial Court slapped that person's face, and that person slapped it back. I want to see how long you can be so arrogant! "
He had already received a secret edict from the Imperial Court, preparing to mobilize troops and gather supplies. He was someone who knew that a great disaster was about to befall Southern Province.
…
In the Rainbow Inn of the Great Snow Mountain, a few guests muttered as they entered.
The innkeeper, Chu Anlou, had been standing at the entrance of the inn with his hands clasped behind his back, surveying the situation in the canyon. He turned his head, his gaze following the few guests as they entered. He vaguely heard the words "Ghost Doctor" being mentioned. After standing there for a while, it wasn't the first time he'd heard such mutterings. It seemed like some of the people who'd gone in earlier had also mentioned the Ghost Doctor.
The guest disappeared inside. He waved his hand to summon a waiter over and asked, "Why do I keep hearing people mention the Ghost Doctor? Did something happen?"
The shop assistant was stunned. "I don't know!"
At this moment, a waiter who was patrolling the canyon flew over and landed outside the inn. He quickly walked up the stairs and reported, "Shopkeeper, the Ten Thousand Grotto-Heaven Mansion has released a public message to look for the Ghost Doctor."
Chu Anlou asked curiously, "Why are you looking for the Ghost Doctor? Wasn't the kid over there cured by the ghost and taken away? "
The waiter replied, "It's said that the Grand Princess of Jinzhou has been poisoned and is looking for the Ghost Doctor to treat her. Anyone who can provide information and help find the Ghost Doctor will be rewarded handsomely."
"Strange poison?" Chu Anlou muttered to himself.
…
Gamiao Shui, who had just returned from the Southern State, strode into the Grand Minister of Public Works' Residence in Yan Jin.
Without any special announcement, Zhang Xuan was led straight into the inner sanctum to meet Tong Mo.
Tong Mo, who was standing in the middle of the courtyard, waved his hand to dismiss the guests. The surrounding officials retreated respectfully, giving the two of them a private space.
The two of them didn't stand on ceremony. Tong Mo said, "Song Jiuming's son, Song Shu, was killed on his way here. His head was thrown at Xue Xiao's doorstep."
Gamiao Shui nodded. "I already knew about this on my way here."
Tong Mo, "Have you discussed with Great Zen Mountain?"
Gamiao Shui: "He didn't agree or reject. He was just being perfunctory."
"Another fence-sitter, still watching from the sidelines. However, it's not a bad thing that they didn't refuse. As long as the situation isn't right, they will definitely rebel when the army arrives! " Tong Mo laughed coldly. Then, he stroked his beard and said, "Ge Gong-gong, I just received news that Jinzhou's Hai Ruyue was poisoned. It looks like Hai Wuji's side made a move."
Gamiao Shui: "I already know. I was just about to tell Prime Minister about this. Since Hai Wuji has made a move, we shouldn't delay any longer. We should take advantage of the situation. There's no need to be secretive anymore. Before the troops move, the rations and fodder should go first. It's time for His Majesty to give an official decree on the allocation of manpower. "
Tong Mo waved his hand, and someone immediately delivered a memorial to him. "I'm about to enter the palace to meet His Majesty. If Gong-gong has nothing to do, why don't you come with me?"
Gamiao Shui stepped aside and gestured for Tong Mo to enter.
The two of them left together.
…
In the dark and oppressive grand palace of the Great Jin State, Tai-shu Xiong stood in front of a map with his hands on his waist. He examined it with a treacherous gaze.
The eunuch at the door extended his hand. Shao Pingbo nodded slightly and stepped over the threshold. He walked to Tai-shu Xiong's side and bowed. "Your Majesty."
His attitude was respectful and obedient. He had no choice but to be obedient. Now that he had completely lost his power, it was hard for him to do anything. He could only rely on this person in front of him for now.
Tai-shu Xiong's gaze was still fixed on the map. "How is your body?"
Shao Pingbo: "Much better."
"How is the contact with your father in the Northern State?"
"There's still no reply."
"Your body needs to recuperate. You shouldn't be too agitated. Don't be impatient. After all, you are father and son. Take it slow. "Tai-shu Xiong pointed at the Jinzhou State in the direction of the Zhao State." Have you heard that Hai Ruyue of the Jinzhou State was poisoned? "
Shao Pingbo: "I just saw the news from the 'Black Water Platform'."
Tai-shu Xiong: "Hai Wuji is probably going to attack the Jinzhou State. The mobilization of the troops of the Qi State and the Wei State has given Hai Wuji a good opportunity to attack. It seems that the Qi State and the Wei State are quite afraid of you. Now that you've come to the Great Jin State, the two States are trembling with fear." He laughed.
"They're not afraid of me. They're afraid of His Majesty." Shao Pingbo bowed slightly and took two steps forward. He pointed at Yan Nanzhou and said, "Shang Jianxiong is probably going to attack the Nanzhou State as well." As he said this, a trace of imperceptible excitement flashed in his eyes.
Tai-shu Xiong was slightly puzzled. "Why do you say so?"
Shao Pingbo pointed at the map and said, "The Jinzhou State and the Nanzhou State are closely related. If Hai Wuji attacks the Jinzhou State, the Nanzhou State will definitely send troops to help. If the two states join hands, the war will be greatly delayed. Once the Zhao State is exhausted, the Han State will take advantage of the situation. Hai Wuji is unlikely to take such a big risk."
"I have been in the Yan State for many years and am not unfamiliar with the situation there. When Shang Jianxiong succeeded the throne, there were rumors in the Yan State that the throne was originally passed to King Ning, Shang Jianbo. It was also said that Shang Jianbo might have been killed by Shang Jianxiong. In addition, Shang Jianbo has a high prestige in the Yan State's military. This matter is like a fishbone in Shang Jianxiong's throat. And Shang Chaozong gathered King Ning's old subordinates and easily defeated Zhou Shouxian in the Nanzhou State, taking over the Nanzhou State. His valiant strength shocked the world, and the momentum of his rise will definitely make Shang Jianxiong restless. "
"Shang Chaozong's intention of encroaching on the Yan State is too obvious. He is also a member of the royal family, and the rumors add to the legitimacy of Shang Chaozong. Using the name of Shang Jianbo, it is easy to mislead people. His rise has already seriously threatened Shang Jianxiong's throne. Shang Jianxiong cannot tolerate it. Once all the troubles are over, he will definitely move against the Nanzhou State. For Hai Wuji to dare to do this, it should be because Shang Jianxiong wants to move against the Nanzhou State, and it is very likely that Shang Jianxiong took the initiative to contact the State of Zhao. "
Tai-shu Xiong nodded, "That makes sense. With the two countries joining hands, it seems that the Jinzhou and Nanzhou will not be able to escape this calamity. "
"Not necessarily." Shao Pingbo shook his head, "Speaking of the Jinzhou and Nanzhou, there is one person that must be mentioned. That person is the one who defeated this humble subject, Niu Youdao. This person is definitely not someone who will sit and wait for death. This humble subject can see that Shang Jianxiong wants to move against the Nanzhou State, but it is impossible for him not to see it. In this humble subject's opinion, since the Nanzhou State's situation is settled, he should be going to the Jinzhou State to discuss the matter of borrowing troops to prepare for a rainy day. Hai Ruyue giving birth is the perfect opportunity to pay a visit. If this humble subject's guess is correct, he will definitely take the opportunity to go there. "
"The group of people from the Ten Thousand Heavenly Cave Mansion are guarding the city. Without the strength, they would not dare to take such a risk. The Ten Thousand Heavenly Cave Mansion would not dare to publicize the news of Hai Ruyue being poisoned, and would only conceal it. Now that they have made such a big fuss, it is likely that Hai Wuji will be caught unprepared. This is not the style of the Ten Thousand Heavenly Cave Mansion. Niu Youdao is a person who is both righteous and evil. This action is more like the unconventional style of Niu Youdao. According to various signs, it is very likely that Niu Youdao is currently in the Jinzhou State. "
Tai-shu Xiong was astonished. After learning that this person's body was not suitable to be stimulated, he did not let the 'Black Water Platform' hand over the information regarding Niu Youdao's presence in the Jinzhou State to this person. He also did not tell this person about the matter of sending people to make a move against Niu Youdao.
If he succeeded, he would naturally tell this person to make this person happy. If he did not succeed, he would be disgraced if he told this person too early.
What he did not expect was that this person had actually deduced that Niu Youdao was in the Jinzhou State on his own. This truly shocked him.
Little did he know that Shao Pingbo suspected that Tai-shu Xiong had purposely blocked the information to prevent him from knowing that Niu Youdao was in the Jinzhou State.
However, Shao Pingbo's thoughts were different from Tai-shu Xiong's. Shao Pingbo believed that Tai-shu Xiong did not want him to only care about his personal grudges.
"Since you said that he will not sit still and wait for his death, how do you think this Niu Youdao will resolve this matter?" Tai-shu Xiong asked.
Seeing that the other person had ignored the question of whether or not Niu Youdao was in the Jinzhou State, Shao Pingbo was even more certain of his deduction. Niu Youdao should be in the Jinzhou State.
He pointed at the various states and said, "There are only a few possibilities. First, he can persuade Wei, Qi, Han, and Song to exert pressure. The envoys of these states just happened to be in the Jinzhou State, giving him a chance. Another possibility is to persuade Yan State and the three major sects to forcefully stop him. However, this possibility is not high. As long as the Nanzhou State is in Yan's hands, it will not affect their interests no matter who takes it. Shang Jianxiong should be determined this time. If he is destined to succeed, the three major sects will not fall out with Shang Jianxiong and will only turn a blind eye to it. "
"As for the State of Wei and State of Qi, they have been beaten by the State of Jin. The focus of their defense has always been on the State of Jin. In addition, with the increase of troops this time, the two states will at most shout but will not mobilize their troops. They will not be able to scare the State of Zhao. As for the State of Han, Shang Jianxiong knows that he is in a confrontation with the State of Han, but he still wants to attack the Nanzhou State. It is obvious that he is mentally prepared for a confrontation. The most likely and most effective force is the State of Song. Niu Youdao will probably think of a way to drag the State of Song into the water. "
Tai-shu Xiong nodded and said, "In that case, since we have a direction to defend against, this King will think of a way to stop him from succeeding. The destruction of the Nanzhou will help Shao Pingbo to avenge you!"
"No!" Shao Pingbo immediately stopped him. He then turned around and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness, this humble subject appreciates it. His Majesty's grand plan has only just begun. Before we conquer Wei and Qi and prepare for the Eastern Expedition, we can't let the four eastern countries have the chance to become strong. We can't let them swallow each other up and keep them in a state of mutual exhaustion. It's most advantageous for His Majesty to sweep through them in the future. "
Tai-shu Xiong looked at him and nodded repeatedly with a gratified expression, saying, "Great minds think alike!"
Who knew that Shao Pingbo really wanted to take the opportunity to intervene and destroy the State of Nanzhou? If this was the State of Bei, he would definitely do it.
In his opinion, Niu Youdao was much more dangerous than the State of Nanzhou. However, the resources of the State of Jin were not for him to squander to avenge his personal grudges.
The key was that Niu Youdao was a person who always made strange moves. Even if he intervened, he might not be able to stop him. Who knew what Niu Youdao would do? It was not a good thing for a newcomer like him to use the resources of the State of Jin to no avail. It was easy for him to be criticized by others. The fact that he was treated well by the Emperor of Jin had already made many people uncomfortable.
If he really wanted to get rid of the trouble in the future, he might as well ask the State of Jin to send experts to kill Niu Youdao at all costs. However, he couldn't bring himself to say that he wanted to avenge his personal grudges.
It was not convenient for him to do many things since he had just arrived.
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