"Sent it, but they didn't reply. They just said they would consider it."
The general replied.
This general is Jiang Lin, Jing Tianlie's confidant.
Jingtian Lie sent him to Xixia to deliver a message to King Shi Le of Xixia.
The Ministry of War is checking the number of soldiers and horses in the world, and his Red Flame Army is also among them. He has concealed tens of thousands of troops.
The secret guard was established by him privately. The empress previously acquiesced and did not interfere.
Now check again, the secret guards are also included in the investigation.
It turned out that relying on the money from the Ministry of Revenue to support private soldiers, and the cooperation of Bai Qiulian from the Ministry of War, Jing Tianlie had a very comfortable life, and even dared to force the empress to marry Emperor Lingyi and Di Luoxi to his son.
Later, something went wrong in the Ministry of Household Affairs, and Long Chen replaced Jing Heng to control the Ministry of Household Affairs. As a result, Jing Tianlie had no money to raise troops, so he returned to Beijing to kill Long Chen.
But unexpectedly, Long Chen didn't kill him, and instead hooked up with his son, and Bai Qiulian was also killed.
The Hubu and the Military Department were lost at the same time, Jing Tianlie felt bad, and the empress wanted to get rid of the General's Mansion.
As a hero, Jing Tianlie will not sit still and wait for death.
He is actively planning to get in touch with Xixia. Once the empress takes action, he, Jing Tianlie, will rebel.
After leaving the border, Xixia can protect himself and the Red Flame Army, and even collude with Xixia to counterattack the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.
The eldest son Jingfeng is at Yanmen Pass. He can lead his troops to retreat into the Northern Barbarians, then take a detour into Xixia and join Jingtianlie. When the time comes, father and son can achieve great things together.
After making up his mind, Jing Tianlie sent his confidant Jiang Lin to deliver a message to Xixia, but the result disappointed him.
The King of Xixia's reaction was very cold and he only said that he would consider it.
"He doesn't believe me?"
Jing Tianlie felt that King Shi Le of Xixia did not trust him.
As a general of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, it is unlikely that Jing Tianlie would rebel and surrender to the enemy, and it is normal to be suspicious.
But with so many things happening in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty recently, King Shi Le of Xixia should know about it.
Jiang Lin said: "General, Xixia is arrogant, why don't we try Nanliang?"
Jing Tianlie sighed: "Li Chengdao of Nanliang is not easy to get along with. This man is very scheming. Even Long Ye was plotted by him until his death."
"Cooperating with Li Chengdao is like seeking the skin of a tiger."
Jing Tianlie had fought with Long Ye and knew how powerful Long Ye was.
Such people were all killed by Li Chengdao. He was afraid that he would be used as a gunman and die inexplicably.
Jiang Lin was silent, not knowing what to do.
At this moment, a sergeant came in from outside the door and said, "General, there is a merchant from Nanliang who wants to see you."
Jingtian Lie guarded the pass, and some merchants from Nanliang who passed through the Jade Buddha Pass would come to pay a visit and give gifts to build relationships. This was very common.
Jing Tianlie was distracted and had no intention of quarreling with the businessman, so he said, "No!"
The sergeant hesitated for a moment and said, "The businessman said he had a large sum of money for the general."
Jing Tianlie's heart moved and he said: "Bring it here!"
Not long after the sergeant left, two businessmen wearing green silk clothes walked in. It was Li Yuanying and Xie An.
"I've met the general."
The two of them bowed respectfully.
Jiang Lin didn't know Li Yuanying, but he could feel that this person had an extraordinary temperament, and quickly guessed that this person was probably Li Chengdao's envoy.
Jiang Lin immediately closed the door and stood guard at the door. No one was allowed to come near.
Jing Tianlie also noticed it and asked coldly: "Who are you?"
Li Yuanying bowed and said, "I am Li Yuanying."
Jing Tianlie was surprised and happy in his heart. Just as he said he was considering uniting with Nanliang, Li Yuanying came.
The third prince Li Yuanying must have been ordered to take action by Li Chengdao.
"So it's the third prince, what are you doing here?"
He was surprised in his heart, but his face remained calm. As an old fox, Jing Tianlie could keep his composure.
"Come and relieve the siege with the general, and talk about a great fortune."
Li Yuanying always maintains a light smile and is full of aura.
Jing Tianlie secretly admired: Li Chengdao's four sons are very powerful, and the third prince Li Yuanying is in charge of the Imperial City Department and has a deep scheming mind. When he saw them today, the rumors are true.
"Great wealth? I am the general of Zhou Dynasty, what more wealth do I need?"
Jing Tianlie's tone was cold.
Li Yuanying did not answer, but smiled and said: "Can't the general give me a seat?"
Jing Tianlie deliberately asked Li Yuanying to stand. This was to show off his power and dampen Li Yuanying's energy.
"Do it yourself!"
Jing Tianlie said coldly.
Li Yuanying and Xie An sat down on the chairs next to them.
"Don't tell secret words, the general is in a bad situation now. The empress intends to support Long Chengen to replace the general's mansion. The Ministry of War is checking the number of troops. The private soldiers and secret guards under the general will be wiped out. There is no
A general who has lost military power is like a bird that has lost its wings and is being slaughtered by others."
"My father sent me as an envoy to deliver a message to the general. We in Nanliang are willing to support the general."
Li Yuanying explained the purpose of his visit very readily.
Jing Tianlie was surprised. He thought Li Yuanying would talk a lot of nonsense in a roundabout way, but he didn't expect to be so candid.
"Quickly, then I won't be nagging, how do you plan to support it?"
Jing Tianlie asked directly.
Li Yuanying said: "We have enough money and food!"
Jing Tianlie asked: "What are the conditions?"
Li Yuanying smiled slightly: "No conditions!"
Jing Tianlie laughed loudly and said: "Are you coaxing a child? I only give benefits without any conditions. Are you stupid or am I stupid?"
Li Yuanying chuckled and said: "It is our condition that the general expands his troops and becomes a close enemy of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, so I say there is no condition."
This statement is also reasonable.
Nanliang only needs Jingtianlie to be in power, and they will benefit from keeping the empress in check, even if a civil war breaks out.
Jing Tianlie was silent for a moment and said, "That's it?"
Li Yuanying nodded slightly: "That's it!"
Jing Tianlie didn't expect Nanliang to be so generous. What he needed most at this time was money and food. As long as Li Chengdao supported him, he could hide his private soldiers and secret guards. It didn't matter if the empress didn't give him food or salary.
"If that's all, I accept it."
For Jing Tianlie, this almost only has advantages and no disadvantages.
Of course, once there is a civil war between Jing Tianlie and the empress, Nanliang will definitely take the opportunity to attack and seize the city, but this is an afterthought and Jing Tianlie cannot take care of it.
Li Yuanying smiled and said: "Quickly, the first batch of supplies will arrive soon. This is a personal letter from my father. General, please accept it."
Li Yuanying took out Li Chengdao's letter from his sleeve and handed it to Jing Tianlie.
After receiving the letter, Jing Tianlie opened it in person. What was written on it was almost the same as what Li Yuanying said.
"Your Highness, please thank Your Majesty on my behalf."
Jing Tianlie chuckled.
Li Yuanying stood up and bowed: "Definitely!"
The two simply opened the door and went out.
Jiang Lin walked in from outside and asked: "General, they..."
Jing Tianlie said: "Third Prince Li Yuanying, I have decided to cooperate with Nanliang and keep this matter confidential."
"Kill the soldier who sent the message just now."
Jiang Lin immediately went to silence him.
Li Yuanying left the room and returned to Yufoguan Inn.
After entering the room, closing the door and making sure that no one was watching around, Xie An asked puzzledly: "Your Highness, why don't you mention the conditions?"
