With a million soldiers, the empress begged me not to rebel

So Mu Qing gave the order immediately.

Some people returned to Beixiang State to seek reinforcements and food.

Another group of people went around to find out about the bandits and prepare to "borrow food".

Mu Qing walked to the map and looked towards Shannan Prefecture again, with a sinister light flashing in his eyes.

Lu Yan, just wait for me, I will make you pay the price sooner or later!

He slapped the location of Shannan Prefecture on the map with his hand, leaving a clear palm print.

At this time, Lu Yan's condition was completely opposite to his.

He was lying leisurely in the rocking chair, humming a little tune, with a half-eaten chicken leg in his hand.

"Sir, the spies reported that Mu Qing hasn't withdrawn his troops and is still camping nearby!"

Li Kui ran in excitedly, holding two jars of wine in his hands.

Lu Yan lazily opened one eye:

"Oh? That old guy hasn't run away yet? It seems like he wants to fight me."

"Sir, should we take advantage of their insecurity and kill them all?"

Li Kui rubbed his hands, eager to give it a try.

"No rush, no rush."

Lu Yan waved his hand and spoke slowly.

"That old fellow is now a lost dog, there is no need to be afraid of him."

"Let him hop around for a few days. When he lets down his guard, we'll give him a hard time!"

"Hehe, adults are still smart!"

Kui smiled naively and handed a jar of wine to Lu Yan.

"Sir, this is some good wine I found in the village down the mountain. Please try it!"

Lu Yan took the wine jar, raised his head and took a sip, praising:

"Mm, not bad, this wine is quite strong! Xiao Kui, you are getting better and better at doing things!"

"Hehe, it's all thanks to the adults' good teaching!"

Li Kui scratched his head and smiled foolishly.

"Burp~" Lu Yan burped and patted his round belly contentedly.

"Xiao Kui, your wine is good. Bring me some next time."

Li Kui smiled and scratched his head:

"As long as you like it, I'll make the arrangements right away!"

After saying that, he turned around and ran out.

"Wait!"

Lu Yan called him.

"You are so impulsive, how can you behave like that?"

"If you don't know, you'd think I have a bunch of monkeys in Shannan Prefecture!"

Li Kui chuckled, slowed down his pace, stood aside obediently, and waited for Lu Yan's instructions.

Lu Yan took another sip of wine, and then said slowly:

"That old guy Mu Qing is still hanging around. He must be holding his fart in."

"Send someone to keep a close eye on him and don't let him do anything weird."

"Yes! Don't worry, sir. I promise to keep an eye on him so that he won't even be able to fart!"

Li Kui patted his chest and promised.

At this moment, the guard's report came from outside the door:

"Sir, General Li Mu of the Imperial Guards in the capital requests an audience."

Hearing this, Lu Yan raised his eyebrows and stopped the wine glass in his hand.

From the capital? Yulin Army? Li Mu?

These key words went around in his mind.

He couldn't help but feel a little confused.

Could it be that the Empress sent support?

But I didn't ask the court for support...

"Let him in."

Lu Yan put down his wine glass, sat up straight, and wondered what Li Mu's purpose was.

A moment later, a burly man in silver armor walked in.

He walked steadily, his eyes were sharp, and his every move revealed the majesty of a soldier.

"General Li Mu pays respect to Lord Lu."

Li Mu saluted with his fists clasped and his voice was loud.

Lu Yan looked him up and down and nodded secretly in his heart.

This Li Mu looks like a powerful general, but I don't know what his purpose is in coming here.

"General Li, there's no need to be so polite. Please take a seat."

Lu Yan pointed to a chair beside him with an official smile on his face.

Li Mu thanked Lu Yan, sat down, and said straight to the point:

"Lord Lu, I am here on His Majesty's orders to support Shannan Prefecture and protect your safety."

Protect safety?

Lu Yan became even more confused.

His Shannan Prefecture is as impregnable as a rock, so why does it need any protection?

Lu Yan exchanged a few words with Li Mu calmly, secretly observing his expression.

Li Mu was quite cautious in his words, only saying that he was acting according to orders and keeping silent about other matters.

But Lu Yan still caught a glimpse of something strange in his flickering eyes.

After three rounds of talking, Li Mu lowered his voice and said:

"Lord Lu, please forgive me for being blunt. Some people in the court are quite dissatisfied with you and want to use the Mu Qing incident to frame you."

"I hope you will be careful and not give others an advantage."

Lu Yan sneered in his heart.

Of course he knew who was behind it.

Who else could it be except that old fox Liu An?

However, he did not point it out, but just pretended to be surprised and asked:

"Oh? Is this true? Who is so bold as to frame me?"

Li Mu shook his head and didn't say anything clearly, but just looked at Lu Yan meaningfully.

Lu Yan understood and didn't ask any more questions.

He knew that Li Mu came here this time, in addition to providing support, he probably had other things to do.

In order to avoid unnecessary complications, Lu Yan decided to change the subject.

He smiled casually and said:

"General Li's support was a bit slow this time."

"The 100,000-strong army of Beixiang State has been reduced to less than half by me."

"He's probably hiding in that ravine, shivering!

Li Mu smiled slightly:

"Lord Lu is a master at using troops. This general has already anticipated this."

"Oh? Why are you so sure, General Li?"

Li Mu replied:

"The divine weapon developed by Lord Lu, the musket, is extremely powerful. It is reasonable that the Northern Xiang Kingdom was defeated."

Lu Yan laughed out loud:

"You're too kind! They're just little trinkets, nothing to worry about!"

"General Li has come a long way and must be exhausted. Why don't you rest for a few days in my Shannan Prefecture?"

"After I wipe out those clowns in Beixiang State, it won't be too late for you to return and report."

Lu Yan said to Li Mu with a smile, as if wiping out the enemy was as easy as taking something out of a bag.

Li Mu bowed and said:

"Everything will be subject to Lord Lu's arrangements."

Lu Yan instructed Li Kui:

"Xiao Kui, take General Li and the brothers of the Yulin Army down to rest. Treat them with good wine and good food. Don't neglect them."

"Yes! Don't worry, sir. I will take care of them and make them comfortable!"

Li Kui grinned, revealing a row of big white teeth, and led Li Mu and others to the guest room.

……

At the same time, in the capital.

In the study, the scent of sandalwood curled up, but it could not cover up the anxious aura emanating from Liu An.

He paced back and forth, his official boots tapping on the floor, making a dull sound.

Just like his mood at the moment.

Li Mu was ordered to go to Shannan Prefecture, and the strength of the Yulin Army in the capital was weakened.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him.

But... do we really have to go this far?

He walked to the desk and picked up an inkstone. The rough touch reminded him of the years of hard study in his youth.

At that time, he was full of passion and wanted only to serve the country and bring honor to his family.

But now, he is in the highest position among the officials, second only to the emperor, but he is still not satisfied.

The taste of power is like opium, it is addictive.