Chapter 91 Taking advantage of the situation
Chapter 91 Taking advantage of the situation
"Wei Lihu is the prince's confidant?" Xiao Xia asked with a smile.
Li Min nodded, "Wei Lihu participated in the assassination on the ship at the beginning of the year. My mother-in-law suspected that Wei Lihu also planned your assassination by Shan Xiongying. Because Wang Lan, the magistrate of Jiangdu County, was a student of Prime Minister Gao Jiong, Wei Lihu had a weak control over Jiangdu County, so Yuan Shirong was appointed as the county lieutenant to assist Wei Lihu in controlling Jiangdu County."
Xiao Xia pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps the prince had a problem with Wei Lihu because he failed twice, so he asked Yuan Shirong to take charge of Jiangdu. Yuan Shirong was eager to show off, so he planned the prostitute assassination."
Li Min shook her head. "You overestimate Yuan Shirong. How long has he been in Jiangdu? How can he arrange assassins for famous prostitutes? I have sent people to inquire. Han Xianxian came to Jiangdu a year ago. She suddenly became popular and became the top prostitute in Zuihonglou. It can only be Wei Lihu who promoted her. Yuan Shirong was a palace guard a year ago. Han Xianxian has nothing to do with him. The assassination of the King of Han must have been planned by Wei Lihu."
Xiao Xia took a few steps with his hands behind his back and said slowly, "Brother Li told me yesterday that the prince would never sit back and watch my father turn the tables. He would definitely take action. Could it be that the deal that Yuan Shirong made with me was the prince's move?"
Li Min nodded, "It's very likely. I believe that Wei Lihu must be behind Yuan Shirong. Yuan Shirong used your jade pendant as bait to let you steal things from the secret room of the King of Han. What did you think of it?"
"The mantis stalks the cicada, but the oriole follows behind!"
Li Min gave a thumbs up, "Smart!"
By this time, Xiao Xia had gradually sorted things out. As long as he took action, regardless of whether he succeeded or not, the prince would frame his father. It was his father who arranged for him to go. His elder brother Yang Zhao came secretly to Jiangdu to arrange this matter. His father couldn't explain himself even if he had a lot of words.
Xiao Xia took a few steps and suddenly thought of something, "No, the prince's target this time may not be my father, it may be the eldest princess!"
Li Min was stunned, "Why?"
"Because of your existence!"
Xiao Xia sneered and said, "I have always been puzzled. Yuan Shirong told me a lot of heartfelt words and said that they wanted Yang Su's letter of loyalty. Can they tell me such a confidential matter?
They know that I will definitely come to you for consultation. Brother Li, do you want the secret letter from the King of Han?"
Li Min nodded, "I want it, especially Yang Su's letter of allegiance. Yang Su was originally your father's man. After your father fell, Yang Su's attitude has been unclear. My mother-in-law also advised Yang Su not to change his allegiance easily. If the King of Han has Yang Su's letter of allegiance, of course I will be tempted!"
Xiao Xia said slowly: "That's right, then I will ask you for help, and you send your masters to assist me, wouldn't that drag you into the water?"
Li Min laughed, "That's true. Maybe it kills three birds with one stone. It also drags your father into the water, and then successfully triggers a conflict between the King of Han and us."
Xiao Xia narrowed his eyes and said slowly: "It's a pity that they would never have thought that the jade pendant is fake."
"What?" Li Min was stunned.
…………..
Li Min also brought six guards with him when he came to Jiangdu this time, one of the eighth rank, one of the seventh rank, and four of the sixth rank. Among them, the seventh rank guard was a woman named Li Luming.
Li Min immediately sent Li Luming to wander around the Yangtze River, walk around and have a look. An expert could tell at a glance that this was a scout.
Xiao Xia returned to the Xiao Mansion and found the head of the family, Xiao Cong.
Xiao Cong was overjoyed that Li Min wanted to discuss cooperation.
In fact, this was the proposal that Xiao Cong took the initiative to propose when he went to Chang'an last time.
Xiao Cong was concerned about the survival of his family. He knew very well that without the support of the eldest princess, he would not be able to compete with the powerful families in Chang'an.
If they lose the wharf, they will lose freight, and the Xiao family, whose 70% of income comes from logistics, will really be finished.
So he proposed to contribute 50% of the shares and ask the princess to help him get a place in the business.
At that time, the eldest princess did not express her opinion, and Xiao Cong had been worried for several months. Now that the truth has finally come, how can Xiao Cong not be happy?
.........
The next morning, Li Min and Chai Shao and his wife came to visit the Xiao Mansion together, and the three Xiao brothers went out to greet them personally.
Without the troublemaker Xiao Hu, the three Xiao brothers really achieved brotherhood and a strong will. The three brothers unanimously agreed to cooperate with the eldest princess, Duke Tang and Prince Jin to strive to get a place in the trading company.
The discussion was conducted in the study outside the Xiao residence, which was very secretive. They discussed for almost a whole day, and it was not until the afternoon that Li Min and the other two said goodbye and left.
This was also the first time that Xiao Xia participated in such an important negotiation, but he remained silent. Although Li Min wanted Xiao Xia to represent his father Yang Guang, Xiao Xia flatly refused.
..........
At the same time, Wei Lihu was receiving guests in the outer study room in the atrium.
His guest was none other than the county lieutenant Yuan Shirong.
Yuan Shirong smiled and said, "Your Excellency is wise. This morning, Li Min's seventh-rank female guard appeared on the bank of the Yangtze River, not far from the King of Han's boat. She was scouting the area, and it is estimated that she helped Xiao Xia steal the letter."
Wei Lihu took a sip of tea, narrowed his eyes and asked, "Have you informed the King of Han?"
"We have already sent someone to notify them. The ninth-rank guards of the King of Han will arrive tonight. As long as they dare to board the ship, they will definitely not be able to escape."
Wei Lihu snorted, "Although Xiao Xia is young and gullible, Li Min is well-known for his shrewdness and ability. If I were him, I would definitely take action when the King of Han goes to meet the emperor. At that time, the ninth-rank guards must be with the King of Han. The King of Han is at his most vulnerable when he is on the boat."
Master Yuan was stunned for a moment, "They can't imagine it!"
Wei Lihu's eyes were like knives, and he laughed coldly: "I can think of it, how can they not think of it?"
Yuan Shirong was a little anxious, "What should we do then?"
Wei Lihu glanced at him and said calmly, "Why are you in such a hurry? If the King of Han can't be caught, don't we still have us? As the saying goes, while the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, this is it."
...........
The next morning, Xiao Xia was awakened by a knock on the door. Xiao Xia got up and opened the door. It was Xiao Zhurong outside.
"What's the matter?" Xiao Xia yawned.
"The master is looking for you!"
Xiao Zhurong was a little envious. During this period of time, the patriarch always looked for Xiao Xia, almost every day. In comparison, other disciples did not have this honor.
"I see!"
Xiao Xia took a basin to fetch water to wash her face.
Xiao Zhurong was anxious, "Qilang, the master is waiting for you!"
"Look at me, I'm so disheveled, isn't it rude to meet the head of the family?"
Xiao Zhurong had no choice but to run to fetch water for him and comb his hair, and was busy for a while.
The two of them then rushed to the Xiao Mansion.
"Qilang, why don't we arrange a maid for you?"
"do not want!"
Xiao Xia refused outright, "I am alone and have no ties. Please don't cause me any trouble."
Xiao Zhurong advised: "You only see the troublesome side, but not the good side. I wash clothes and cook, make the bed, fetch water to wash your face in the morning, and help you comb your hair and change clothes. I save you a lot of trouble. Aren't you always troubled by combing your hair?"
"Then why don't you get a maid?" Xiao Xia asked back.
Xiao Zhurong chuckled, "Don't I find it annoying?"
Xiao Xia was speechless. This is the kind of person who wants others to do to him what he doesn't want others to do to him.
(End of this chapter)