The two of them had finally turned from enemies to friends.
— Temporarily.
And they had reached a strange and subtle consensus.
— Qi Guanyan had joined the team.
Sun Lang held the general's hand and said with great emotion, "I'm going to rescue your wife. Don't be a coward."
Qi Guanyan nodded emotionally. "Brother, you're so righteous. I can't thank you enough."
Both of them were people with profound internal energy. They didn't say much and immediately set off. Qi Guanyan missed his wife and rushed with all his might. However, he had all kinds of doubts in his heart that he couldn't get rid of.
So on the way, he couldn't help but ask, "Brother, you said that the Blazing Angel was a spy in Tensei Province?"
Sun Lang was still nodding calmly and leisurely. He did not even blink as he pushed the blame to the pitiful Blazing Angel. Eh, no, this is not a lie.
He glanced at Qi Guanyan as if nothing had happened and said, "Yes, we've only recently caught the real evidence … But then again, how much does General Qi know about the recent events?"
Qi Guanyan was slightly startled and then felt awkward. Everything that had happened recently … seemed to be related to him.
Xuan Jia had entered Ming Province, and Hu Shouxin had used his imperial weapon to suppress the city. As a general of Ming Province, it was only right for him to intervene.
— But he didn't.
Li Fire mutated. Yan Guards fought with each other. Death Messenger chased after the Lone Wanderer. Empress secretly ordered him to lead troops to help.
— But he didn't succeed.
The situation had been unstable several times, and the war between the northern faction and the Heavenly Policy Hall was about to break out at any moment. At such a sensitive time, the Heavenly Policy Hall had sent him an inexplicable order, asking him to capture both Blazing Angels in one fell swoop and escort them to the capital.
— But he didn't do it.
He smelled a huge crisis from Empress's order. Being in a dilemma, he wanted to do his last loyalty for Tensei Province, repay Empress's help over the years, and protect Madam's life. However, unforeseen events happened one after another. Now, Madam was taken away by thieves, and several forces were entangled with each other. Shit happened one after another. There were so many f * cking things. Before the first wave was over, another wave arose …
He glanced at Sun Lang and smiled bitterly. "I know a little."
Sun Lang smiled. "That's good. I'll just focus on the main points."
He knew that Qi Guanyan had ulterior motives and didn't fully trust him. The reason why he agreed to work with him was because he was worried about his wife and could only give it a shot. Secondly, he was confident in his own strength.
After all, Qi Guanyan was a grandmaster and a general of the province. He had the powerful Imperial Army granted by the court. His own strength was not to be underestimated. If he just ran and broke out of the encirclement, few people in the world could take him down. Besides, this place was not far away from Hucheng. Even if he was in danger, he only needed to send out a signal, and the elite troops would definitely come.
— But it doesn't matter. I happen to be one of those people.
Pretending to be cool in his heart, Sun Lang said calmly, "The situation in Mingzhou has become a mess. Empress is very scared of what happened in Mingzhou, but there is no good way to deal with it …"
Hearing that, Qi Guanyan frowned. He also realized that something was wrong from the silence of the court and the strange order from Tensei Province. If it was just a battle between Hu Shouxin and the Black Armored Army, the entire court wouldn't have pretended to be deaf and dumb. But now, not only did the Tensei Province, which had destroyed the Black Armored Army, remain silent, even the Heaven's Origin Faction behind Hu Shouxin was silent. Something that made them feel extremely troubled or suspicious must have happened …
What could it be?
He had also found it strange these days, but there were too many things that tormented and troubled him these days. He really did not have the mood to pay attention to the stupid things that had happened in Ming Zhou. Now that Sun Lang had mentioned it, the other seemed to know something. He asked directly, "What is the inside story of Ming Zhou that can cause the Empress and the Imperial Court to fall into silence?"
Sun Lang smiled apologetically, "This is too surprising and exciting. I can't tell you right now …"
The general was stunned. Then, he smiled bitterly, "I was too rash."
This kind of thing must be top secret. Why would he tell me so casually?
Sun Lang did not give him time to think. He continued, "Empress doesn't have any good way to deal with it, but she has a bad way to deal with it … Although it's a little messed up, it's still useful.
She's a ruthless and decisive person. After knowing that this is the best way to break out of the situation, she used it without hesitation no matter how serious the consequences were. "
Qi Guanyan immediately thought of the strange order that Tensei Province had given him — to eliminate the Death Messenger and the Lone Ranger, the two Seraphs.
He shivered inwardly and asked calmly, "What's the way?"
Sun Lang turned to look at Qi Guanyan and smiled, "Make the situation even more chaotic. For example, induce you to go to Mingzhou and fight with Hu Shouxin. Both of you will suffer great losses, and you might even die for no reason. Then, the court will be filled with even greater waves. After all, it's easy to cover up the Black Armored Army's destruction, but if the General of Mingzhou dies, the cover will definitely be blown."
Qi Guanyan forced a smile.
"In other words …" Sun Lang said casually, "Create friction, provoke a border conflict, and infuriate the Divine Power of Flames, so that the Country of Fire will send its soldiers to the border and even invade … The effect will be the same.
As for the way to do it, it's very simple. Every country has a strategic force that is regarded as their exclusive property, and no outsiders are allowed to touch it. For example, the warriors of the Imperial Army in Houtu and the Flame Technology in Lihuo. "
Then, he stopped and looked at Qi Guanyan meaningfully. "The Seraph Armor is not only the highest achievement of the Flame Technology in Lihuo, but also the most powerful force of the Seraphs. It's as important to the Divine Power of Flames as the Seven Luminaries Sword Saint of the Imperium. If two or three of them are killed in Mingzhou and the armor is shipped to the capital of Houtu, the Russians will definitely fly into a rage. It's very likely that they'll start a war without saying anything …"
Qi Guanyan stopped, too, with a weird look on his face. "I …"
Sun Lang squinted at him without saying a word.
The look in Qi Guanyan's eyes changed. In the end, he gave up denying it and said with a bitter smile, "You know everything?"
Sun Lang nodded casually. "I have the advantage of intelligence. It's not hard to analyze a lot of things. When Courrier questioned you before, you didn't admit it, but you couldn't hide it from me … It's been a few days since the incident in Mingzhou, and you're still in Hongcheng. You must've encountered something very difficult. Considering the current situation in Tensei Province, it's obvious that Empress is the only way to resolve the situation."
"Since you know that I'm from Tensei Province, why did you say those words before?" The general suddenly realized something and said angrily, "You're indeed cursing me in a roundabout way!"
Sun Lang picked his nose and said lazily, "Sorry, I said something wrong. I'll give you 450 coins after this."
… What kind of logic is this?
Qi Guanyan was taken aback by this abrupt question. Sun Lang continued, "So, Great General Qi, you've already been treated as an abandoned pawn?
I'm sure you know the consequences of Empress Concubine's order. "
He snapped his fingers and said with a smile, "Destroying two Blazing Angels is already the highest level of diplomatic disaster. It's practically a declaration of war. It'll definitely cause a lot of discussion in the court. It'll be strange if those imperial censors don't swallow you alive. Even if you're the general of Mingzhou, you'll have to be punished for this kind of crime and never be used again. This is on the premise that Tensei Province does its best to protect you."
Qi Guanyan said sadly, "This punishment is already beyond the law."
Sun Lang said with a smile, "However, it's not like there's no hope at all. After all, this world is a dirty, dark, and ugly place. Ruthless, unscrupulous, and shameless people can go further …"
He said faintly, "If you immediately send troops to the border after destroying the Blazing Angels, and then make a complaint as the guilty party and submit a memorial to the Emperor to put the blame on the Hairy people. While sending the Blazing Angels to the capital, you'll also bribe the court and constantly provoke people at the border and create small-scale conflicts … then your chances of turning the tables are very high."
The former Grand Marshal of the Heavens, who wanted to become the Prime Minister, gave a thumbs up and advised the current general of Mingzhou, "Throw the blame away and you won't be at a moral disadvantage. Send the Blazing Angels to the capital and you'll be able to gain a foothold in terms of contributions to the country. You'll be able to bribe the officials and bribe them thoroughly. Then, you'll feel good. Just sit tight and wait. The court will definitely give you a chance to redeem yourself and your good friends will definitely find countless reasons to keep you in your post. You only need to mobilize the army and fight the Hairy people fiercely. First, you'll recoup your losses, then continue bribing and offering prisoners as a reward. Then, you'll ask for soldiers and money.
However, Qi Guanyan's face turned red and he said sternly, "This is an act of chaos. I won't do it!
My late father told me that the most shameful thing for a soldier is to start a war for personal gain, causing the people to suffer and plunging the people into misery and suffering … Although I am unfilial, this is the bottom line that I must uphold! "
Sun Lang chuckled, "This so-called bottom line is just a fig leaf to deceive yourself and others. A bastard will always be a bastard. He won't stop being a son of a turtle just because he doesn't do one bad thing. You, don't be so pretentious. I think that since the Tensei Province issued such an order, they're already prepared for war. You've made such a great sacrifice and bear a stain that can't be washed away. Why should you let others do the work for you?"
Qi Guanyan was silent. Then, he slowly said, "Back then, Marshal Jia once wrote a poem …"
Sun Lang looked at him in surprise. He opened his mouth slightly and made the shape of a certain sound.
The general softly recited, "Based on Jun Mo's words, a general's success is built on ten thousand dead bodies."
"… Hmm."
Qi Guanyan looked at him strangely. "What's wrong?"
Sun Lang was a bit disappointed. He waved his hand and said, "This … He didn't write it. He quoted it."
Qi Guanyan sighed and said, "No matter what, it's very appropriate. After every soldier's name, there are crying parents and desperate wives and children. This is something that can't be replaced by any amount of compensation, because you can't give the supreme honor to these dead souls … Because they didn't die for protection and justice. If it wasn't for this reason, they shouldn't have died. Do you understand?"
He shook his head and said, "Back then, when I fought against the Sky Demon on the Heaven's Origin Battlefield, thousands of my soldiers, my comrades, died in the battle. But every time I went to pay respects to them, I could look at their tombstones and propose a toast to them, because I have a clear conscience … But this time, this time, it's different …"
Sun Lang said with a smile, "A clear conscience, huh? Their deaths gave us victory and your brilliant military exploits. Now, they're all dead, and you're a powerful minister whose name is known throughout the province. You're rich, and you have countless properties. Who knows how many people you've taken from you? Your brother-in-law is tyrannical, your soldiers are arrogant, and you're thriving while riding on the coattails of Tensei Province. Yet, you say that you have a clear conscience …"
He patted Qi Guanyan's shoulder and said gently, "Your subordinates' coffins are tightly closed."
Qi Guanyan's expression was calm. He slapped Sun Lang's hand away and said calmly, "There are plenty of people who don't like me. You're not the only one."
Sun Lang's smile was still there, but there was an indescribable mockery in it. "What? Do you have any difficulties?"
The general said slowly, "No. Everything has its own cause and effect. Everything is predestined. My retribution has arrived."
Sun Lang frowned slightly. He was keenly aware that Qi Guanyan seemed to have a huge knot in his heart that he had been hiding for a long time. It had dragged on for so long that he was exhausted and depressed.
Although Qi Guanyan didn't say it directly, he was probably thinking of hiding from the world … That wouldn't do. How could Sun Lang let him go?
He rolled his eyes and came up with a plan. "Then what are you going to do?
It's useless to shout nice slogans. The officialdom is a place where you can't control yourself. "
Sun Lang raised a finger and analyzed. "Based on the current situation, you've become an important part of the Empress's plan to counterattack. If you quit, the Empress's entire plan will be disrupted. She will be passive in every aspect. She trained an army for a thousand days to use it in a single moment. She helped you become the general of Mingzhou so that you can repay her generously one day. Now is the time for you to repay her kindness …"
He smiled mockingly. "And you say that you have a bottom line and perseverance as a soldier … Do you think she will let you be so arrogant?"
Qi Guanyan looked at him indifferently and said calmly, "I have my own plans."
Sun Lang blinked and smiled. "Then, is your wife also in your plan?"
The Grand General said indifferently, "I will save her. I will protect her well."
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Crazy wife protector … I hope you will still choose to forgive her after you know the truth.
Sun Lang, who was waiting to watch a good show, concealed Wang Shi's suspicions and smiled like Immortal Qiu Bi. "Actually, I have an even better proposal. Are you interested?"