CHAPTER 281: CHAPTER 278 HELP

Song Yu’s men sent the message out.

Another message was delivered to Cai Rong by the Kun Dao in the nunnery.

The court dispatched troops to the Eight States, and the entire northern military camps were on high alert. Cai Rong sat in the Central Army Tent, with Lishu by his side dressed in a soldier’s armor, feeding grapes into Cai Rong’s mouth.

Cai Rong looked at the Kun Dao’s letter, a delighted expression on his face.

"See, I told you, Song Qizheng, aside from fighting, is a complete mess," Cai Rong laughed aloud, "his primary wife has an affair with a sworn brother, and the subsequent wife actually consorts with the Liao people, hahahaha."

Cai Rong nearly laughed to tears: "I wonder if those three brothers of the Song Family are really his blood."

Lishu also covered her mouth with a laugh, then lowered her voice and said, "Master, what do the Liao people really mean by this? Why do they want to tell you these things?"

Cai Rong was in high spirits, and with no one else in the tent, he reached out and embraced Lishu, saying, "The Liao people want to use my hand to remove Song Qizheng."

Lishu said, "The Liao people want to take advantage of chaos to seize Daqi’s cities? Master, if this... if this really allows the Liao people to succeed, wouldn’t you be implicated?"

Cai Rong shook his head: "I’m not that foolish. The cities I garrison naturally can’t be given to the Liao people, but the checkpoints north of Dingzhou, and Dai State in the Eight States, if the Liao people have the ability to take them, it has nothing to do with me.

After all, I don’t have many troops, and with Song Qizheng causing such a big problem, if I can quell the chaos and hold Juma River, my contributions can’t be underestimated."

Lishu understood immediately, showing a delighted expression: "I’m just afraid that the Liao people will go back on their word, you must be careful."

Cai Rong said, "After this matter is over, I’ve already destroyed all the secret letters with the Liao people. As for those Liao people sent by Xiao Xingzong, I’ll hide them in Yingzhou and take the opportunity to kill them all when Zhenzhou becomes chaotic, so no one will know about this matter."

Lishu was shocked: "You killed Xiao Xingzong’s people, I’m afraid Xiao Xingzong won’t let it rest."

Cai Rong’s face showed indifference: "Once I’ve taken Dingzhou and other places, no one in the North will compete with me, why should I care about Xiao Xingzong."

The more Cai Rong thought about it, the happier he felt. When Xiao Xingzong proposed this plan, he was unaware of the internal details and hesitated a bit.

No wonder Xiao Xingzong said that when the time is ripe, he would give him a big gift, and then he would be satisfied.

He never expected the big gift mentioned by Xiao Xingzong to be none other than Song Qizheng’s subsequent wife, Mrs. Rong.

Cai Rong said, "No wonder Song Min could collude with the Liao people, it turns out he had his mother’s help."

Speaking of this matter, Cai Rong couldn’t help but speculate endlessly, unable to guess when Mrs. Rong began her involvement with Xiao Xingzong?

Cai Rong said, "I only need to wait until Mrs. Rong designs to kill Song Qizheng, then I can send troops to avenge him. No matter how the court investigates, the evidence of Mrs. Rong collaborating with the enemy is conclusive, and with Song Yu’s mother like this, he can’t escape either. Without Song Qizheng at the rear, I control all of Song Xian’s military preparations, and I can then slowly deal with Song Xian."

Having said this, Cai Rong looked proudly at Lishu: "What do you think? Is there anyone more calculating than your master?"

With an extended arm, Cai Rong firmly held Lishu in his embrace.

Reading the letter once more, Cai Rong acknowledged that Xiao Xingzong indeed had skills, and it reminded him not to associate too closely with Xiao Xingzong to avoid being unwittingly schemed against someday.

Having dismissed Lishu, Cai Rong called for his confidant: "Go to Zhenzhou to gather information, report to me any changes." He could not entirely rely on the information from the Liao people.

"Additionally," Cai Rong said, "keep an eye on Qin Maoxing, don’t let him spoil my plans at the critical moment."

The confidant replied, "General Qin has been training soldiers in the camp, with no unusual movements."

Cai Rong nodded: "Good, but we can’t be careless. I’ve fallen for Song Xian once, I can’t make such a mistake again."

Although Qin Maoxing was training troops, he also kept an eye on the movements in the Central Army Tent.

The Cai Family Army continued their drills relentlessly, as if prepared to act as reinforcements at any time, but supplies were not being transported out of Yingzhou. After knowing Su Huaiqing, Qin Maoxing learned a lot from him.

Don’t just listen; observe instead.

Cai Rong’s words were insincere. The training was real, but there was no intention of moving to the Eight States.

At this point, Qin Maoxing couldn’t help but admire Song Xian, who anticipated Cai Rong’s actions before heading out on the expedition.

Qin Maoxing let out a long sigh and turned back to his tent.

Inside the tent, Su Huaiqing was organizing documents for him.

Upon seeing Qin Maoxing, Su Huaiqing immediately asked, "Is there any news from Zhenzhou?"

Qin Maoxing said, "No message has been delivered yet." He and Song Xian had agreed that once there was any movement, Song Xian would have someone send a message to him.

Although Song Xian was not in Zhenzhou, he had certainly left trusted aides to oversee it. A few days ago, the Song Family’s House General even sent a verbal message, asking him to pay attention to military supplies from Xingzhou.

Upon investigation, he found out that the military supplies from Xingzhou allocated to them exceeded the amount issued by the court. Not only that, Cai Rong intended to control the northern provisions, ensuring that the supplies sent to Song Xian were always at the minimum level.

With the current good weather, as much military resources should be transported as possible, otherwise, with rain, strong winds, or any changes in the north, timely delivery would hinder the military supplies, wouldn’t it?

Was Cai Rong intending to use military supplies to control Song Xian?

Su Huaiqing’s gaze turned distant, pondering something, and after a while, he came to: "It should be soon."

When the battles become intense, that’s the best opportunity.

Qin Maoxing said, "Song Xian is quite bold. Knowing the chaos within the Song Family and with Cai Rong lurking around, he dares to leave it all behind and lead troops to the Northwest, trusting Song Qizheng in such a manner? If Song Qizheng were truly shrewd, the Song Family wouldn’t be in such a state."

Su Huaiqing said, "It’s not just Song Qizheng!"

Qin Maoxing asked, "Who else then?"

Su Huaiqing didn’t speak, continuing to organize documents, having the Song Family’s House General inquire about provisions and especially the number of medical supplies...

In Su Huaiqing’s mind, the scene of Song Xian using the carriage to take Xie Liangchen away appeared.

Could it be she helping Song Xian?

If it were her, could she order the Song Family’s House General? Command Song Xian’s people?

"Huaiqing, what are you thinking?"

Qin Maoxing’s voice pulled Su Huaiqing back to reality: "Cai Rong might move troops to Dingzhou and Zhenzhou, you must find a way to prevent more soldiers from getting involved."

Qin Maoxing nodded.

Su Huaiqing said, "After all, Cai Rong is the Military Governor, and his troops must obey him, it will be difficult to convince many of his subordinate generals."

Qin Maoxing knew that not many generals would obey his orders.

Su Huaiqing said, "We need to think of a way, maybe those soldiers aren’t obligated to obey you, but they must follow the court’s commands."

Qin Maoxing’s heart stirred.

Su Huaiqing continued, "Once an incident arises, the North will undoubtedly be in chaos, and the court will command once the troops are in disorder, ensuring that the checkpoints and fortresses are held."

Qin Maoxing’s eyes lit up. This was indeed a good idea, allowing him to stop more Cai Family soldiers.

Su Huaiqing’s gaze deepened, as he thought, if he didn’t misjudge, there would definitely be military intelligence at the checkpoints and fortresses, ensuring this step wouldn’t go wrong.