Li Deming said calmly: "When I employ people, I never look at whether they sincerely rely on me. What I value is their talents, and what I care about is whether they can help me seek benefits for Daxia."
After a pause, Li Deming said with an ugly expression: "But judging from the current situation, not only did their father and son not help me, Daxia, gain any benefits, but they actually brought me, Daxia, to where I am today.
If I, Daxia, were to die, their father and son would have to be buried with me."
The eunuch heard what Li Deming said and said solemnly: "I must send someone to keep a close eye on the father and son."
Li Deming nodded slowly.
The next few days.
Inside Xingqing Mansion, everything was calm.
From time to time, spies came from outside the house and delivered one piece of news to Li Deming.
After Zhao Zhen led hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses to the border of Xixia, he did not invade Xixia. Instead, he sent envoys to the Xingqing Mansion. The news naturally reached Li Deming.
After Li Deming got the news, his heart beat wildly.
"Zhao Zhen wants to force me to surrender, but he has no intention of destroying me, Daxia?"
"Zhao Zhen deliberately sent envoys to humiliate me?"
"Zhao Zhen has led 700,000 to 800,000 soldiers and horses to the border of Daxia. It is impossible for him to let Daxia off easily."
"..."
In an instant, countless thoughts popped up in Li Deming's mind.
Ninety-nine percent of them thought that Zhao Zhen would not let Xixia go easily.
But there was still the slightest thought that Zhao Zhen would let Xixia go.
Although the hope was slim, Li Deming's heart was still full of enthusiasm.
What if Zhao Zhen really wants to let Xixia go?
"Mule?!"
Li Deming put down the secret document in his hand and shouted loudly.
His confidant eunuch appeared in front of Li Deming at his call.
"Your Majesty, I'm here!"
Li Deming ordered: "Quickly send people on horseback and whip to the outside of Baichi City to greet the Song envoy, and then send people to vacate the largest posthouse in the city to prepare for the Song envoy.
Then find some beauties and rare treasures from the mountains to entertain the Song envoys."
"Song Envoy?"
Mu Le was stunned for a moment.
Li Deming scolded: "Why don't you go quickly?!"
Mu Le hurriedly said: "I'll go right now."
Following Li Deming's instructions, Mu Le hurriedly left the main hall of the Xixia Palace.
After Mu Le left, Li Deming whispered firmly: "Zhao Zhen, I hope you can be as wise as your father!"
As soon as Li Deming finished speaking, Mu Le hurriedly returned to the hall.
When Li Deming saw Mu Le leaving and returning, he said with a confused look on his face: "Is there anything else I haven't explained clearly?"
Mu Le hurriedly entered the palace. He didn't have time to salute, so he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, you have escaped! You have escaped!"
Li Deming said suspiciously: "What escaped?"
Before Mu Le could speak again, Li Deming suddenly widened his eyes and asked, "Have Xia Song and Xia Anqi and their son escaped?"
Moore nodded heavily.
Li Deming shouted excitedly, "God help me!"
Mu Le looked at Li Deming with confusion.
Li Deming laughed loudly and said: "I was worried about what gift to bring to see the envoy of Song Dynasty, and now I have it. If the father and son keep forbearing, I will not be able to deal with them.
Now that they have jumped out, I have a reason to deal with them."
Li Deming told Mu Le: "Quick, send someone to capture the father and son!"
Mu Le nodded quickly and said: "I have already ordered people to arrest them. After the father and son disappeared from their respective mansions, Nu's people sent the news. They must not have escaped from Xingqing Mansion.
The slaves have already controlled all the important roads in Xingqing Mansion, and they will definitely be able to capture their father and son."
Li Deming pondered for a moment and said: "Don't underestimate him! Xia Song is very good at escaping. He can escape from Bianjing City, and he may escape from Xingqing Mansion. You personally lead people to arrest them, and they must be captured by me."
return."
Mu Le nodded and left the Xixia Palace Hall again.
It took Mulle two full days to catch Xia Song and Xia Anqi and his son.
After the father and son left the mansion, they did not rush to escape from Xingqing Mansion, but hid in the cellar of a flower house.
The father and son should have already planned to escape, so they stored a lot of food in the cellar and dug a tunnel in the cellar leading to another place.
However, even though the father and son were well prepared, Mulle still caught them.
The father and son were smart enough to hide their whereabouts and indeed did not reveal any flaws.
But he couldn't stand Moore's persistence.
Mu Le left the Xixia Palace and sent people to inquire about it, but found nothing.
So he brought a large number of people and began to search the area inch by inch.
When we arrived at the place where the Song people lived, we simply dug into the ground to find it.
No matter how well Xia Song and his son could hide, they couldn't stop Mu Le from looking for him.
After Mu Le captured Xia Song and his son, he escorted them into the Xixia Palace.
Xia Song met Li Deming again, and the situation was completely different.
Li Deming stood on the main hall with his hands behind his back.
Xia Song and his son were escorted like bandits, kneeling on the ground.
Li Deming stared at Xia Song and sighed: "I remember that when I first met you, you were very arrogant. Not only did you not salute me, but you even asked me to salute you.
I know you are talented, so I bow down and give you a gift, hoping that you can help me revitalize Xixia.
But you seem to be sorry for my courtesy."
Xia Song's face was gloomy and speechless.
Li Deming stared at Xia Song and continued: "Why did you run away from me, Daxia? I treat you well. But you abandoned me, Daxia, when I was in danger?"
When Li Deming saw that Xia Song was still silent, he added: "We have chosen such a time. You, Xia Song, are a smart man. You should know how likely you are to be caught if you run away at this time."
Xia Song finally spoke. He stared at Li Deming and said solemnly: "If I don't escape now, I will definitely die."
Li Deming wondered: "How could it be possible? If Daxia is not destroyed, who can harm the lives of you, father and son?"
Xia Song stared straight at Li Deming.
"you!"
"I?!"
Li Deming was stunned for a moment, then said with a smile: "Why would I take the lives of your father and son?"
Xia Song said decisively: "Because you have long had the intention to kill my father and son?"
Li Deming narrowed his eyes subconsciously, "When?"
Xia Song snorted coldly: "I suggest you send someone to assassinate Kou Ji."
Li Deming nodded slowly, stared at Xia Song and asked, "How did you find out?"
Xia Song did not hide anything and said frankly: "From that time on, you started sending people to monitor me and my son. It was at that time that I guessed that you wanted to kill our father and son. I also guessed that you knew that Xia An and I were
It’s father and son.”
Li Deming walked up to Xia Song and asked with a smile: "Then tell me why I have murderous intentions towards your father and son?"
"Because you want to use the heads of my father and son to appease the anger of the Song Emperor!"
Xia Song said bluntly.
Li Deming smiled and nodded, admiring: "You are really smart."
Xia Song snorted coldly and said, "I know in my heart whether I am smart or not, but you are pitifully stupid."
"presumptuous!"
The loyal Mu Le heard Xia Song's rude words and shouted angrily.
Li Deming waved his hand without any anger on his face. He stared at Xia Song and said, "Tell me carefully, why am I so stupid and pitiful?"
Xia Song coldly snorted: "The Song Dynasty has already reached the city with troops, and seven to eight million soldiers and horses are hoarded on the border. How can it be possible to stop easily. In this case, instead of thinking about retreating from the enemy, you are thinking about taking advantage of my father and son."
Isn’t it stupid enough to kill someone to appease the anger of the Emperor of Song Dynasty?
It is true that our father and son are imperial convicts of the Song Dynasty, but we are not important enough to stop the Song Dynasty."
The smile on Li Deming's face slowly faded, replaced by a cold look on his face. He stared at Xia Song and snorted: "Xia Song, are you still here with your glib words now?
Do you really think you are the only smart person in the world?
Do you really think you can rule the world?
If that were the case, you wouldn't have escaped from Bianjing City in embarrassment, and you wouldn't have been caught by me.
What you can think of, I can't think of.
I also know that the Song Dynasty will never give up if its troops approach the city.
But the elite soldiers of the Song Dynasty numbered 700,000 to 800,000.
The elite soldiers I have are only one hundred thousand.
How can I compete with Da Song?
Now the Emperor of the Song Dynasty has sent envoys to Daxia, giving me a glimmer of hope.
Even though I already knew there was little hope, I still had to fight for it.
Because I fought for it, I have a chance to survive in Daxia.
If I don't fight for it, I, Daxia, will have no chance of surviving."
Xia Song sneered: "It's useless for you to fight for it. The Song Dynasty will never let go of the meat that comes to his mouth."
Li Deming stared at Xia Song coldly, "Some things only know the result after you do them. Do nothing but wait for death. While I was showing weakness to the Song Dynasty, begging the Song Dynasty to let me go, Daxia; at the same time, he summoned me
All the troops in Daxia were prepared to fight to the death with the Song Dynasty when its troops came to the city.
I'm trying everything I can, every way I can to survive in Daxia.
Even if I am really defeated, I will be defeated by the Song Dynasty people.
I also died standing.
And you, Xia Song, can only run away.
Escaped again and again.
In the end, he is destined to die on his knees.
The reason why you are not afraid of me now is because you understand that the winner is the king and the loser is the enemy.
Now that I have caught him, there is absolutely no chance of survival.
But I can tell you now, I will not kill you.
I will hand you over to the Song people and ask them to take you back to Kou Ji.
I also want to tell Kou Ji that it was your father and son's idea to let the Liao people cross the border.
The tragic death of tens of millions of people in the northwest of the Song Dynasty was also the sin of your father and son.
It was also your father and son's idea to send someone to assassinate him.
Guess how Kou Ji will treat you father and son when he sees you?"
Xia Song's expression changed drastically.
Li Deming did not take care of him anymore, but looked at Xia Anqi with a complicated expression, "It would be great if you were my son. If you were my son, even if Daxia was destroyed by the Song Dynasty, it would soon make a comeback.
It's a pity that you are not my son, and you have an uneasy father.
Not only did I not enjoy the blessings with him, but I also had to flee with him and die together."
Li Deming really appreciates Xia Anqi.
Because he felt that Xia Anqi was very similar to him when he was young.
He likes to play both sides, he likes to stand on the edge of a knife and dance, and he likes to seek benefits for himself through fights between others.
Although Xia Anqi's plan in the northwest had huge flaws, Li Deming knew that he could not be blamed.
Xia Anqi's plan was not wrong, it could even be said to be perfect.
Otherwise, Li Deming would not have used his plan, nor would he have sacrificed his wealthy territory to lure the Liao people into the northwest.
Xia Anqi's plan in the northwest was defeated by the incompetence of the Liao people and the variable Kou Ji.
If Kou Ji had not appeared in the northwest, Xia'anqi's plan would have definitely come true.
If the Liao people put aside their arrogance and contempt, and pay a little more attention to Kou Ji, Xia Anqi's plan will also come true.
Xia Song wanted to use Xixia's power to take revenge, but he didn't do much to Xixia.
On the contrary, it was Xia Anqi who frequently helped Xixia with suggestions.
Although Xia Anqi and his father had the same purpose.
But his approach is completely different from his father's.
Li Deming can see it.
Xia Anqi gritted his teeth, stared at Li Deming and said, "Master...can you..."
Before Xia Anqi finished speaking, Li Deming shook his head decisively, "I will not give you and your son a happy life... It is more beneficial to give two living people to the Song Dynasty than to give two heads to the Song Dynasty...
…
In the past few days, I will send someone to serve you and your son with delicious food and drinks.
When the envoys from the Song Dynasty arrive, I will send someone to hand you and your son over to them."
Xia Anqi sighed, gritted his teeth and lowered his head.
Li Deming waved his hand and ordered Mu Le: "Take the father and son down and keep them under strict supervision!"
Mu Le agreed and had people escort Xia Song and his son out of the hall.
Li Deming stood in the middle of the hall and sighed: "I hope you and your son can be of some use."
Li Deming's voice slowly dissipated in the hall.
After Xia Song and his son were escorted to a very tightly guarded cell.
Xia Anqi gritted his teeth and said, "Dad, you know that it is most dangerous to escape at this time."
Xia Song closed his eyes in pain and said, "It's dad's fault...it's dad who hurt you..."
Xia Anqi sighed secretly in his heart and was speechless.
Xia Song opened his eyes, stared at the dark cell, and murmured: "If our father and son wait until Song Dynasty's soldiers and horses arrive at Xingqing Mansion before escaping, we will definitely escape from Xingqing Mansion.
When all the soldiers and horses in Xingqing Mansion come out, it will be very chaotic.
If we take advantage of the chaos to escape, no one will find us."
Xia Song glanced at Xia Anqi, gritted his teeth and said, "But our father and son will not live until that time. Li Deming has set his sights on our father and son, and he will definitely kill us and his son before the war breaks out to avoid future troubles.
I originally thought that we, father and son, could plan for a few more days before escaping.
But when I learned that the emperor of the Song Dynasty sent envoys to Xixia, I knew that if we, father and son, had not escaped, we might have died earlier.
We, father and son, are no longer of use to Xixia.
Li Deming will definitely do a favor and send our father and son to the Song Dynasty to be killed by Kou Ji.
Li Deming did not want to go to war with the Song Dynasty, and he did not have the strength to go to war with the Song Dynasty.
Therefore, he will definitely try his best to please Song Dynasty.
To seize that slim chance of life that doesn't exist at all.
Although I contradicted Li Deming everywhere in the palace, his words were exactly what I expected."