Summer passes and autumn comes, the weather is cool and the leaves are falling.
Unconsciously, more than ten days have passed and Chang'an City has entered autumn. The breeze is refreshing, the wheat is ripe and the melons are fragrant. Qin Huaidao gave the workers a holiday to go back to harvest wheat, but no one was willing to give up making money and continued to work. Qin Huaidao couldn't drive people away either.
Thinking that every household should have this labor force, I was too lazy to worry about it and continued to study the steam engine drawings.
After more than ten days, some results have been achieved, just waiting for experiments.
The steam engine is a thing that transcends the times. No one else can do it. Qin Huaidao can only operate it himself. Ten days ago, he had someone build a separate factory next to the yard. The furnaces needed for blacksmithing were built in it. It was classified as a restricted area and a guard was arranged.
The village team was guarding the place and no one was allowed to enter except himself.
With coke, iron materials, tools, etc. all prepared, Qin Huaidao plunged in, and soon there was a clanging sound inside. No one knew what they were doing, and they were not even allowed to inquire.
This morning, Fang Xuanling and Li Jing came together with ugly faces. He'er led him into the study. While making tea to receive them, he asked someone to notify Qin Huaidao.
The two of them knew He'er thoroughly and knew his position in Qin Huaidao's mind. They didn't think there was anything wrong with a Taoist woman coming out to receive him. Li Jing asked curiously: "What has Huaidao been busy with during this time? I haven't seen him go to the house."
Sit down and look at me, an old man."
"I don't know what he is busy with. His affairs are all important, so I don't dare to ask." He'er said with a smile.
"This kid is becoming more and more carefree. I really envy him." Fang Xuanling said with emotion.
After chatting for a while, Qin Huaidao came over in a hurry. He was dirty and didn't bother to change. He walked in and asked, "Why do you two uncles have time to come to my Qinjiazhuang to sit here?"
"If we old guys don't come, you won't even know how to visit the house." Fang Xuanling scolded with a smile.
Qin Huaidao smiled and did not answer. He'er knew that everyone had something to talk about, so he left obediently. Qin Huaidao sat back on the main seat and made tea while saying: "You two are very busy people. You don't have to come to the Three Treasures Hall for anything. I'm here
I'm also busy with some things, so if you have anything to say, just tell me."
"You brat, you're still so resolute."
Li Jing applauded, then his face darkened, and he glanced at Fang Xuanling. Fang Xuanling nodded tacitly, and Li Jing continued: "Pirates attacked a county along the coast of Suzhou at night, and there was an internal response. They opened the city gate, and there were more than a thousand soldiers guarding the city.
All the people were beheaded, the county magistrate and other officials were captured, the city was looted, and all the more than 3,000 women, children, and children in the city were captured, the old and the weak were killed, and the city was burned for three days and three nights."
"Burn them all, rob them all, and kill them all again, these beasts."
"Sanguang, you summed it up well. They are indeed a group of inhumane beasts." Li Jing agreed.
"Piracy is rampant and will be dealt with by the court. Why do you want me to do it?" Qin Huaidao was a little confused.
Fang Xuanling and Li Jing exchanged glances and explained: "They threatened to release all the captured women and children as long as the court hands you over."
"You want me to name it?"
Qin Huaidao was a little surprised. He suddenly thought of the information Yuchi Baolin mentioned. The pirates were disguised as regular Japanese troops. When he captured Tanaka, the envoy to the Tang Dynasty, and demanded two million guan, he was seeking revenge on himself. He couldn't help but sneered and asked.
Said: "What did the Holy One say?"
"What the Holy One means is that you are a hussar general with the responsibility of guarding the land and protecting the country. As long as you nod your head, you can serve as the bandit-suppressing marshal and command 20,000 forbidden troops to go on an expedition. The soldiers of the various states will be under your control." Fang Xuanling said solemnly.
"Aren't you afraid that I might take the opportunity to rebel?" Qin Huaidao sneered.
Fang Xuanling smiled awkwardly and did not answer.
Li Jing wanted to persuade him, but he couldn't find the right words.
Qin Huaidao snorted coldly and said: "When you use people, they are hussar generals. When you don't use them, they are traitors and scourges. I wish I could kill them, but I won't go away."
"But the Japanese pirates want you by name. How will the people view you if you do nothing? This is not good for your reputation. Please think twice." Fang Xuanling advised.
Li Jing also advised: "My dear nephew, your Majesty, your Majesty, there is someone who wants to harm you and use prisoners to defeat you. If you don't go, your reputation will be damaged. The Japanese pirates are plotting to force you to submit. The only way is to lead the troops to fight."
, the best policy is to rescue the prisoners."
"These beasts are looking for death." Qin Huaidao said angrily. Reputation doesn't matter and he doesn't care, but he couldn't swallow it. The Japanese pirates also jumped out and bared their teeth to plot against him?
Then I thought about it, and there was something wrong with this.
Qin Huaidao thought for a moment and said directly: "The two uncles are not outsiders. The younger generation said it bluntly. Pirates are rampant not in one day or two days, nor are they kidnapping prisoners twice a day. Why did they jump out to threaten this time? I'm afraid it's not simple behind this, right?
"
"You mean someone is instigating this?" Fang Xuanling said immediately, and her expression suddenly changed.
Li Jing's face also darkened and he began to think.
Qin Huaidao continued: "I'm not sure whether I was secretly instigating it, but I know better. The Li family of Zhao County and other wealthy clans lost a lot of money because of salt half a month ago. They must hate me. Jiangnan Disaster Relief is on the bright side.
The King of Jin presided over it, but it was actually Li Zixiong, the head of the Li clan in Zhao County, who was in charge."
Some things don't need to be said clearly.
Fang Xuanling and Li Jing were not fools either. They showed it immediately and their eyes became cold.
With the family's temperament and acting style, they like to hide in the dark and provoke others to take action, while sitting on the Diaoyutai. The Japanese pirates suddenly named Qin Huaidao, and their behavior was strange. It is possible that someone was behind it.
"How dare he..." Li Jing was furious.
"I will definitely report this to the Holy One." Fang Xuanling also said angrily.
Qin Huaidao quickly stopped him and said: "No, it's just speculation without evidence. It's not good for anyone to break up. Besides, the Holy One has been supporting the Li family of Zhao County and others recently, intending to cultivate new forces to compete with you old princes.
If you are bold, there might be the shadow of the Holy One behind you."
"This is impossible." Fang Xuanling and Li Jing said in unison.
The two exchanged glances, and Li Jing affirmed: "Although the Holy One is not as good as before and is becoming more and more suspicious, he will not do such a villainous act. Moreover, this is the Holy King's country, and those who are killed are all the Holy One's people."
.”
"You mean I have a villain's heart?" Qin Huaidao asked with a frown. Seeing that Li Jing wanted to explain, he waved his hand and interrupted: "It's best for me to make wild guesses. Once I verify my villain's heart, I will
You have to talk it over carefully, you two don’t need to persuade me anymore, I won’t agree to this, and as for the revenge between me and the Japanese pirates, I will avenge it myself.”
"What are you doing?" Li Jing looked bitter.
Fang Xuanling hesitated for a moment, and then persuaded: "It is true that the Holy Emperor's suspicion has increased, but the pattern is still there, and there is room for people. Even if you hold a grudge, it will not lead to conspiracy. Otherwise, there is no need to give you 20,000 forbidden troops and let you
You control the troops and horses of the local state capital."
"This is the clever point, the real conspiracy... Forget it, let's not talk about this, let the Holy lord invite another wise man." Qin Huaidao served tea to see off the guests.
The two had no choice but to leave with regret.
Qin Huaidao looked out the window and pondered without saying a word, considering the pros and cons.
It's hard to say whether Li Er has some plot behind his back, but the possibility is very high that Li Zixiong, the leader of the Li clan in Zhao County, can take revenge, increase his prestige, and gain Li Er's appreciation by killing him, so why not?
As for the sacrificed people of the city, they are just ants in the eyes of the big family and they don't care at all.
Things are weird, be careful and you won’t make a big mistake!
After pondering for a moment, Qin Huaidao stood up and left. He found Li Xueyan teasing a child in the backyard and whispered, "Are you familiar with the intelligence network?"
"We are almost familiar. Is there something wrong?" Li Xueyan asked.
"Japanese pirates ransacked a county in Suzhou and kidnapped many people. They threatened to exchange my head for prisoners. I suspect that there is someone behind the scenes, Li Zixiong of the Li family of Zhao County. Send the people away and let me investigate and collect evidence."
"The Japanese pirates are actually causing trouble for you. They deserve to die. Don't worry, we'll do it right away."
"Remember, the main thing is investigation and evidence collection. As for the Japanese pirates and those beasts, don't worry. Wait until I'm ready to destroy their country to vent their hatred. If they dare to plot against me, those who play with fire will surely burn themselves." Qin Huaidao
He said coldly, with murderous intent exploding in his heart.
Li Xueyan felt this strong murderous intention and was a little surprised. How much hatred and hatred was this? But he was smart and had no problem with anything. He agreed: "If you dare to bully Mr. Lang, you will never be lenient. I will make arrangements right away."
.”
"Go ahead."
Qin Huaidao waved his hand and looked at the swaying light and shadow on the ground in front of him, which was mottled like butterflies. It had a unique scenery, but he was not in the mood to appreciate it. His eyes narrowed, as cold as a knife.