The atmosphere in the room was quite depressing, and several subordinates did not expect that the situation would take a turn for the worse and that such a difficult situation would arise.
Qiao Ruixin thought for a while and finally said: "Master Hou, the most critical person in this matter is Qin Xiao. It is said that this person broke into Qingyi Hall alone in Kyoto and killed many people in Qingyi Hall, and the backer behind Qingyi Hall happened to be
Princess, there should be some rift between them. The general is very curious, why would Qin Xiao serve the princess?"
"What do you want to say?"
"The general is wondering whether he can win over Qin Xiao." Qiao Ruixin said: "If Qin Xiao can abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side and serve the Marquis, many problems will be solved."
Qi Shen couldn't help but said: "Since the princess sent him here, she naturally trusts him very much. It is not easy to win over him."
Qiao Ruixin sneered and said: "You are wrong. The princess's move was indeed beyond our expectations, but with this move, the princess had no choice." After a pause, she said: "The princess can't think of any other move to reverse the situation, so she can only use it.
The law of the Tang Dynasty came to review the case, and in Jiangnan, only Qin Xiao was qualified to review the case, so Qin Xiao was sent to Hangzhou. Rather than saying that the princess trusted him, it was more that the princess had no other choice and had to send him.
"
Xia Houning's eyebrows stretched slightly and he said, "Go on."
"Master Marquis, in addition to the Qingyi Hall incident, don't forget that there is also the matter of the Ministry of War." Qiao Ruixin smiled lightly and said: "Fan Wenzheng, the former Minister of the Ministry of War, was promoted by the princess. He controls the Ministry of War. Among the people under the princess,
, his status is extraordinary. But in the end, Fan Butang not only lost his military department, but also lost his head at Caishikou. This was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the princess. The princess may not take Qingyi Tang to her heart, but let her lose her head.
After joining the Ministry of War, the Marquis thinks the princess will forget this account?"
Xia Houning was deep in thought and said nothing.
"Maybe they got together because they had a common opponent in Suzhou, but the old scores will not disappear so easily." Qiao Ruixin said solemnly: "Even if the princess really ignores the past grudges and lets this matter go, Qin Xiao will still worry about it in his heart.
What do you think? He knows very well that he has offended the princess, but he cannot figure out whether the princess will settle the score later. As long as there is a rift between the two, it is an opportunity."
Xia Houning nodded slightly and said, "Do you want me to have a talk with Qin Xiao?"
"The chaos in the south of the Yangtze River has seriously damaged the princess' vitality." Qiao Ruixin said: "Qin Xiao is a smart man, and it is impossible not to see this. The Marquis just needs to make him understand that being loyal to the Marquis has a far better future than being loyal to the princess.
, Qin Xiao may not make a new choice."
Qi Shen's eyes also lit up and he interjected: "Master Hou, what the Zhonglang General said is absolutely true. As long as we can make Qin Xiao ours, the cases handled these days will not be reversed, and the princess can only watch helplessly.
Let’s wipe out all her power in Hangzhou.”
"Now that Qin Xiao is outside the city, the Marquis can even go out of the city tomorrow and see Qin Xiao in person. In this way, Qin Xiao will naturally feel the sincerity of the Marquis." Qiao Ruixin said with a smile: "As long as the Marquis tells Qin Xiao the interests involved.
Clearly, as long as his future is guaranteed, no one will reject the Marquis's kindness. Without Qin Xiao's support, Fan Yang will immediately fall to his knees and will not be able to stir up any trouble.
"
Xiahou Ning pondered for a moment, then glanced at the generals present and asked, "What do you think?"
"What General Zhonglang said is actually the best policy!"
All the generals present expressed their agreement.
Xiahou Ning then said: "You haven't slept all night, so go down and have a rest first. Qishen, after daybreak, you lead a group of cavalry to accompany me out of the city. Don't use too many people."
Qi Shen hurriedly said: "I will obey the order!"
In the past, Xia Houning would never have gone out of the city to meet an official from Dali Temple with the dignity of a marquis, but in order to achieve the goal of clearing away She Yue's influence in Hangzhou, it was not unacceptable to condescend.
In order to ensure that he would not look haggard when he saw Qin Xiao, Xia Houning slept with his clothes on to recharge his batteries.
He didn't know how long it took, but he suddenly heard someone shouting softly in his ear. He immediately opened his eyes, sat up, and found that it was already dawn. A thin elder in his fifties was standing next to him, shouting softly.
.
This old man is one of the four personal guards brought here.
After all, Hangzhou is not the Xiahou family's sphere of influence. Even though he has thousands of Shence officers and soldiers in his hands, Xiahou Ning knows that there are too many enemies of the Xiahou family, and countless pairs of eyes are staring at him. If he is a little negligent, he will be found by the enemy.
Given the opportunity, he may not assassinate himself.
I can't always have thousands of people with me.
He lives in a grand mansion in the city. The owner of the mansion has long been imprisoned. Although the house is heavily guarded, he is still protected by four guards at all times.
There was an assassination scene last night, and one life was lost. He said it was a bodyguard, but he just randomly found an ordinary soldier.
These four guards were all hired by the Xiahou family with huge sums of money, so naturally they were reluctant to lose.
There are many masters in the world, but the real masters do not bother to work for high-ranking officials. However, after all, the Xiahou family is the real first family in the Tang Empire today. It is naturally not difficult to find some Zhongtian realm masters to protect them.
This old man is the head of the four guards. He has a large black mole on his forehead and a nose that is like an eagle hook, so he is nicknamed the Black-headed Eagle. As for his real name, not many people know it.
Black-headed Eagle has served the Xiahou family for many years. Although he is Xiahou Ning's personal bodyguard, he can also be regarded as Xiahou Ning's master. He had already worshiped Black-headed Eagle as his teacher many years ago and learned his skills.
"What's the matter?" Xiahou Ning was a little surprised when the black-headed eagle suddenly appeared next to him.
The black-headed eagle said softly: "I just came to report that Qin Xiao has led his troops into the city!"
Xiahou Ning was startled for a moment, then a serious look appeared on his face: "Lead troops into the city? When?"
"General Qiao is waiting outside." Black-headed Eagle said nothing.
Xia Houning went out and saw Qiao Ruixin waiting outside the door, and immediately asked: "What on earth is going on?"
"Master Marquis, just half an hour ago, Qin Xiao led troops into the city from the south gate." Qiao Ruixin came forward to welcome him, cupped his hands and said: "It has been found that the troops entering the city not only include the local braves he brought from Suzhou, but also the local braves he brought from Suzhou.
There are also 2,000 infantrymen from the Hangzhou camp, so there are five to six thousand people."
"How could they dare to enter the city without my order?" Xiahou Ning clenched his hands into fists, his face even more ugly.
He originally planned to leave the city to see Qin Xiao today, but who knew that before he left, Qin Xiao actually led troops into the city.
"The specific situation is not known yet." Qiao Ruixin said: "But the people from the South Gate came back to report that Qin Xiao had a pass order stamped by Fan Yang. When the Nanmen captain saw the pass order, he opened the door immediately, and our people couldn't stop it at all."
The guards at each gate in Hangzhou are still the soldiers of Chang Shi's Mansion. However, the Shence Army has also sent a few people to supervise each gate. However, the number is too small after all. The gate guards are outnumbered. If they insist on opening the city gate, Shence will
The soldiers were unable to stop him.
Xia Houning's eyes were filled with murderous intent, and he said coldly: "It's Fan Yang again."
"It seems that they are really colluding." Qiao Ruixin said.
Xia Houning hadn't spoken yet, but he heard the sound of hurried footsteps, and then he saw two people hurried over and knelt on the ground: "Report, Mr. Hou, the Hangzhou Battalion forcibly took over the Hangzhou Prison, saying that it was under the order of Dali Temple.
They will guard the prisoners."
Xia Houning was shocked and angry, but when something unexpected happened, he calmed down, looked coldly, and said nothing.
"Master Marquis, I will bring people over now." Qiao Ruixin was also shocked.
The Hangzhou Prison was specially used to imprison the aristocratic families in Hangzhou. Five to six hundred people were imprisoned in it. It was overcrowded. After the mansions of the three major aristocratic families in Hangzhou were confiscated, it was converted into a temporary detention place for prisoners.
The Shence Army sent more than 400 people to guard the Hangzhou Prison, which can be said to be a heavy guard.
But Qin Xiao brought five to six thousand people into the city, and his strength was only much greater than that of Shence's army.
"When you see Qin Xiao, let him come to see me." Xia Houning was furious in his heart, but his face calmed down.
After all, he was a marquis, and Qin Xiao led his troops into the city. He wanted to come and pay homage to him, both emotionally and logically.
Qiao Ruixin cupped her hands, turned around and left quickly without any further delay.
The Hangzhou Prison is located in the south of the city. It has high walls and thick walls. It has always been guarded by the yamen of the Hangzhou Prefecture. Originally, the prison could only accommodate about 300 people at most, and there were already about 200 prisoners among them.
After the Shence Army entered the city, they immediately took over the Hangzhou Prison. After confiscating the three major aristocratic families in Hangzhou, they moved all the original prisoners in the prison to temporary prisons in the aristocratic mansions. After that, they arrested officials and gentry in Hangzhou and sent them all to the Hangzhou Prison.
.
Before Qiao Ruixin arrived at the Hangzhou Prison, she saw the dark crowd in front of her. They were the officers and soldiers of Shence guarding the prison.
Hearing the sound of horse hooves, the officers and soldiers of Shence turned around one after another. When they saw General Zhonglang coming with a group of soldiers and horses, they immediately became energetic. A school officer rushed forward and knelt on the ground: "General Shi Quan meets General Zhonglang."
." He raised his hand and pointed towards the prison: "General Zhonglang, General Hangzhou Camp has taken over the prison."
Qiao Ruixin got off her horse, stepped forward, and kicked the man. The kick was so powerful that it knocked Shi Quan over twice. She then picked up the horse whip and hit Shi Quan head and face.
When other officers and soldiers saw this, they lowered their heads and did not dare to say a word.
"Shi Quan, when the Hangzhou Prison was handed over to you, I told you that I was negligent and wanted your head." Qiao Ruixin was furious: "I transferred 400 people to you. You claim to be the elite, but you actually
In this way, the Hangzhou camp robbed the prison and spread the word, you are shameless, and the general is still shameless."
Shi Quan knelt on the ground and said in fear: "General Zhonglang, they... there are thousands of them, and they also said that they were ordered by Dali Temple. The humble general... The humble general is incompetent, please
Zhonglang will punish you!"
Qiao Ruixin kicked him away again and passed through the crowd. Looking up, she saw that the guards at the main entrance of Hangzhou Prison had been replaced by people from the Hangzhou Battalion. They were all armed with guns and sabers, surrounding the prison.
Except for the Dragon Scale Imperial Guard, the Shence Army did not even pay attention to the border troops, let alone the local state troops.
But today, the Hangzhou Battalion actually captured the Hangzhou Prison from the Shence Army. For Qiao Ruixin, this was a shame and humiliation that the Shence Army had never experienced before. She strode forward and went straight to the main entrance of the prison. Shence behind him
The officers and soldiers did not hesitate and followed in formation, each one full of murderous intent.