Qiu Erniang had previously said that she would take action only when Xiao Kaishan was heartbroken. At that time, Gu Cheng didn't understand what this meant.
It was only now that Gu Cheng seemed to know the true meaning of Qiu Erniang. The Zhengtian Alliance might have known Ling Tianming's thoughts for a long time.
Ling Tianming looked at Xiao Kaishan and sighed: "Brother, I really don't know what you think.
We use your prestige to establish the Red Leaf Army. As long as we develop quietly and secretly, and raise the flag of rebellion unknowingly and blatantly to oppose the imperial court, the entire southwest will eventually become ours!
You and I are in our prime, and we have gathered the resources of the entire southwest to become the secret king of the southwest. What does it mean to watch the sea at the fourth level? In the future, you and I may even have the opportunity to explore the origin of the holy realm!
But why do you want to die? The Red Leaf Army is not yours, but you have to drag everyone else to die together when you die alone. Don’t you think this is selfish?"
Xiao Kaishan's eyes had turned red. At this moment, he seemed to have re-recognized his second brother, Ling Tianming, who had an unparalleled reputation for benevolence and righteousness in the southwest.
"The purpose of the Hongye Army's existence is to save more people. For all those who join the Hongye Army, even if they are just a pawn, I will tell them that I will die and you will die too, but our death can save more people." People live!
Since you are afraid of death, why did you join the Red Leaf Army in the first place?"
A sarcastic smile appeared on the corner of Ling Tianming's mouth: "Brother, you are too naive. I am really confused, how did a naive person like you get to where you are today?
Those who followed you at the beginning may have wanted to die with you, but as the Red Leaf Army swept across the entire southwest, and as the Red Leaf Army grew larger and larger, it could even compete with the imperial court's power in the southwest. Controlling unimaginable power, do they still want to die?
People's hearts can change, brother!
You and I have been brothers for more than ten years, and it would be a humiliation for you to die in the hands of a guy like Meng Tao, so whatever, let me personally send you off today!"
As he said that, Ling Tianming suddenly looked at Long Qi who was knocked unconscious by Meng Tao. A smile appeared on his lips and he said, "By the way, these little characters need to be cleaned up too."
At this moment, Qin Ming suddenly said: "Save him alive! He has lost consciousness and will not expose your affairs.
Someone must spread the word about Xiao Kaishan’s death at the hands of Meng Tao.”
Hearing what Qin Ming said, Ling Tianming really stopped and said with a smile: "Old General Qin is really soft-hearted. Well, for the sake of your hard work along the way, I won't I’ll kill you.”
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was stunned.
Gu Cheng never thought that this ghost would be Qin Ming, who was in charge of all this!
Among these people, the one who is least likely to be a mole is Qin Ming. What is the purpose of his cooperation with Ling Tianming?
It can be seen from the previous attitude of the Xiangjiang Navy general that the moral character of this old general is beyond words.
Besides, he himself was already old, so what else could he ask for? To extend his lifespan? But just now he was burning his lifespan to severely injure Meng Tao.
Even Xiao Kaishan looked at Ling Tianming in disbelief: "Old General Qin Ming is actually your man?"
Although one of the two parties was a rebel and the other was a general of the imperial court, Xiao Kaishan really had no ill feelings towards Qin Ming.
On the contrary, if the generals guarding the imperial court in the southwest were like Qin Ming, he would not rebel.
Ling Tianming shook his head gently and said: "Brother, you still don't understand people's hearts. Everyone has a weak point in their heart. If you grasp this place, you can control a person. Therefore, the more hard-hearted a person is, the harder it is to deal with him.
The former general of the Heavenly Fire Army was fierce in nature, but in fact he had a very soft heart.
In the past, his command errors caused the fire army to fall into a sea of fire for nearly half a day, causing heavy losses. The old general also took the blame and resigned, but he still missed his old troops who were injured and disabled.
As long as I have these people in my hands, is it difficult to make this old general listen to my orders?"
Qin Ming clenched his fists, with a look of helplessness and grief in his eyes.
He, Qin Ming, has never done anything against his will in his life, but who would have thought that in his old age he would help this despicable and shameless guy act as a spy.
But those serious injuries or even disabilities in the past were caused by his wrong command. He felt guilty for these people, and it was impossible to watch them die because of him.
Gu Cheng was also stunned at this moment. No wonder Qin Ming had behaved so strangely before, refusing to allow the soldiers and sailors of the navy to board the ship together.
The old general already knew the outcome of this business, he just didn't want to implicate other people.
Ling Tianming said slowly: "Originally, along the way, I just wanted to find a scapegoat to be your killer, but Chun Shiniang's gang is too weak, and it's easy for others to see their flaws.
General Qin's move through the Nantong Canal was really good, and he actually fished out Meng Tao.
Although the water demon Meng Tao is useless and only dares to hide in the Xiang River, the water thieves under his command are really not weak and can rival the Xiang River navy.
Our Red Leaf Army's current power is comparable to that of the imperial court's elite frontier troops, but there is still something missing.
When the news spreads tomorrow, I will summon the Hongye Army and integrate Meng Tao's gang of water thieves under the banner of revenge for you, eldest brother. In this way, my Hongye Army will have both the army and the navy, wouldn't it be beautiful?"
Gu Cheng looked at Ling Tianming coldly, and he had to admit that this guy did look like a hero.
As a person, he is hypocritical, despicable, shameless and unscrupulous enough.
Although these are not good words, they are necessary conditions for a hero.
Outside, he is the unparalleled Ling Tianming who is kind to others and responds to requests.
Internally, he was ruthless and decisive. In order to control the Red Leaf Army, he even went so far as to personally kill his eldest brother, whom he had known for more than ten years.
Meng Tao's appearance was just accidental. Ling Tianming didn't know who he would attract in the end, but in this short period of time, he had already figured out the stakes involved. While letting Meng Tao take the blame, he could also subjugate his subordinates openly and honestly.
The water thief's mental ability is extraordinary.
"Okay, brother, after I get rid of these little miscellaneous fish, it's time to send you on your way.
I originally brought some food and wine for you, but unfortunately Meng Tao was too quick and I forgot about it because I was on my way."
At this time, Qin Ming said again: "Your purpose is just to kill Xiao Kaishan, can you let the others go as well?"
Not to mention the friendship of fighting side by side along the way, Qin Ming really couldn't bear to cause the death of "innocent" people like Gu Cheng because of him.
Ling Tianming turned his gaze sharply to Qin Ming and said coldly: "Old General Qin, you can't do it again and again, you must be content.
Long Qi doesn't know what's going on, so I can let him go.
But you still want me to let other people go, do you think this is possible?"
Qin Ming said quickly: "Don't worry, they won't reveal what happened today.
Moreover, even if it is leaked, as long as I insist that Meng Tao did this, do you think the court will believe me, a veteran general who has been in the military all his life, or will they believe it?
Coupled with Long Qi’s confession, the court and Jianghu will definitely think that Meng Tao did this!”
Ling Tianming nodded and said: "It makes sense, but I still can't let them go.
Old General, I can't afford to gamble, my reputation cannot tolerate any stain, not even suspicion!"
At this time, Xiao Kaishan suddenly said: "That's enough, enough people have died this time!
Don’t you want the whereabouts of the Liang royal family’s secret treasure? I’m telling you, let them go!”
Ling Tianming laughed and said: "Brother, eldest brother, you are still so soft-hearted, you defend even the court's lackey, Eagle Dog, so you should be the one with the reputation of unparalleled benevolence and righteousness.
But it’s worth exchanging the lives of these guys with the secret treasure of the Liang Kingdom, you tell me.”
Ling Tianming never asked about the whereabouts of the royal family's secret treasure before, because he knew that he would not be able to find out anything.
Although Xiao Kaishan is soft-hearted, he himself regards death as if he is going home. How can a person who is not afraid of death be brought out by any kind of torture?
Precisely because he knew Xiao Kaishan, he didn't ask.
But now that Xiao Kaishan wants to say it, it is really an unexpected surprise.
"I can't trust you, you swear."
Ling Tianming said calmly: "As long as you, Xiao Kaishan, reveal the whereabouts of the Liang royal family's secret treasure, I will let these people go.
If I violate this, I will not be able to die a good death, and I will fall into the netherworld and not be reincarnated!
Is this okay?”
Xiao Kaishan nodded and sent a message to Ling Tianming alone.
After hearing this, Ling Tianming asked doubtfully: "Is this really this place?"
Xiao Kaishan smiled miserably and said: "Will I still lie to you at this time? Do I need to lie to you? This is also the tomb of the royal family of my Liang Kingdom. You will know it when you get there."
Ling Tianming suddenly showed a smile: "I've received this unexpected surprise, it's time to send you on your way!"
Ling Tianming said 'you' instead of you. Cai Qing suddenly shouted angrily: "What are you going to do? Have you forgotten the oath you just swore?"
Looking at Cai Qing in surprise, Ling Tianming sneered: "Why are the people in the imperial court so naive? I said I won't die well, but I really will die badly?"
Cai Qing just felt that this matter was turning around. Who would have thought that this guy would be so shameless, even lying to people who were about to die! He was even more shameless than him!
Seeing that Ling Tianming was already walking towards them, Cai Qing shouted in despair: "Wait! Don't kill me! In fact, I am also an undercover! I also want Xiao Kaishan dead!"
Xiao Kaishan knew what the generals who commanded the army in the southwest had done. Once these things were revealed to the court, they would also be in trouble!
So they gave me great benefits and allowed me to secretly deal with Xiao Kaishan.
I revealed all my whereabouts along the way, just to make Xiao Kaishan die quickly!
Now my handles are all under your control, Leader Ling. As long as you spare my life, I will definitely bite me to death. Meng Tao did this, and I will never let your reputation be stained!"