sovbooks Chapter 304 Li Shimin persuades Qin Qiong to start an uprising
Chapter 304 Li Shimin persuades Qin Qiong to start an uprising
"If I marry this kind of person, my daughter is really afraid that he'll kill me with a knife if we have a single argument."
Dou Xianniang's voice rang out again, each word like a sharp dagger piercing Qin Qiong's heart.
Qin Qiong was no longer willing to listen and deliberately quickened his pace to make it seem as if he had just arrived.
Sure enough, upon hearing footsteps inside the tent, Dou Xianniang immediately rushed out, her eyes scanning her surroundings warily.
"It's General Qin."
Dou Xianniang observed her surroundings and saw that Qin Qiong was still some distance away from the main tent.
Only then did he lower his guard slightly, and the tension on his face eased a little, but the aloofness and indifference in his eyes did not diminish at all.
"Father, I would like to trouble you to discuss this matter with General Qin."
After saying that, she walked past Qin Qiong, hurrying towards her personal guards without looking back.
"This humble general, Qin Qiong, pays his respects to Prince Chang Le."
Upon arriving at the main tent, Qin Qiong was unsure how to face Dou Jiande. He cupped his hands in greeting, his expression unchanged, revealing no emotion.
Years of military service had taught him how to conceal his true thoughts.
Especially in the eyes of this father and daughter, he was already the kind of person who didn't recognize his own family.
He can't shake off any of these infamy: betraying his master for personal gain, selling out his brother for personal gain, and killing his uncle for personal gain.
The cunning rabbit dies, the running dog cooks.
What he feared was that once he defeated the Li family, the father and daughter would strike first.
"Uncle Bao, I am currently discussing marriage with Xian Niang."
The Thread Maiden believes that with a formidable enemy at hand, defeating them should be the priority.
Dou Jiande smiled and spoke slowly.
"Xianniang's consideration is very sound; we will leave it entirely to Prince Changle's arrangement."
Qin Qiong knew that the marriage was impossible and would not force it.
He had heard Dou Xianniang's words clearly and understood them perfectly.
Since the Dou family father and daughter are unkind, then don't blame Qin Qiong for being unjust.
He has always walked his own path; it was not given to him by others, nor did he need anyone's charity.
"Very well, once we defeat the Li family, I will certainly arrange your marriage with Xianniang."
If the Thread Maiden doesn't comply, I'll tie her up to you even if it means binding her!"
Dou Jiande, confident that he had Qin Qiong under control, declared with great bravado, waving his hand and patting his chest to assure him.
After leaving the main tent, Dou Xianniang did not go directly back to her own tent, but instead took a detour and went straight to the personal guards who were standing guard in the distance.
"When did General Qin arrive?"
She asked in a low voice, her eyes scanning her surroundings warily.
"Your Highness, General Qin has only just arrived."
The guard answered truthfully.
Upon learning that Qin Qiong had also just arrived, Dou Xianniang was completely relieved and breathed a long sigh of relief.
It's probably for the best that Qin Qiong didn't hear their conversation.
In that case, Qin Qiong can still be used.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
A thin layer of mist still shrouded the area outside the camp, so Qin Yong led one person to Qin Qiong's location.
"Godfather, he said he's from Licheng and came here specifically to seek refuge with us."
As Qin Yong spoke, he sized up the newcomer, his eyes filled with scrutiny and wariness.
He had followed Qin Qiong for a long time and lived in Licheng for so many years that he knew everyone in the neighborhood, from all walks of life.
But he searched through his memory and couldn't find any recollection of the person in front of him.
"General Qin, do you still recognize me?"
The visitor cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile.
"You...you're one of Si Chang's men?" Qin Qiong immediately recognized the man and asked in a low voice, "What are you doing here during a battle?"
"General Qin has a good memory."
The visitor praised, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth slightly turned up.
He once went to Licheng with Chai Shao to celebrate Qin Qiong's mother's birthday, and had a brief encounter with Qin Qiong, exchanging only a few words.
Unexpectedly, the other party was still able to recognize him. Such eyesight and memory are truly extraordinary.
"All who come are guests; how could we forget that?"
Qin Qiong glanced at Qin Yong, gave him a look, and nodded slightly, signaling him to go out and keep watch.
Qin understood immediately, turned around, walked out of the tent, and stood guard outside.
"I have come here on the behalf of my second young master."
The second young master, General Yan, is the savior of the Li family. If it weren't for the general's help back then, the entire Li family would have perished long ago.
To turn against one's benefactor with swords is truly ungrateful and unsettling, leaving me unable to eat or sleep in peace.
Upon seeing that the main tent was empty, the visitor got straight to the point, speaking sincerely with every word carrying a hint of respect.
"It was not my wish to be an enemy of the Second Young Master; it was only due to the circumstances that I was forced to do so."
Qin Qiong raised his hand, gesturing for the other person to sit down and talk.
"The Second Young Master is naturally aware of the General's predicament, so he specially sent me here to find a way out for the General, a way that can both preserve his reputation and avenge him."
The visitor slowly sat down and explained his purpose for coming.
His sole purpose in this trip was to persuade Qin Qiong to rebel against Dou Jiande.
Given the current power of the Li family, it wouldn't be difficult to completely defeat Dou Jiande.
With superior troops, money, and provisions, Li Yuanba was unstoppable.
But what happens after Dou Jiande is defeated?
When all the birds are gone, the good bow is put away.
How could the imperial court sit idly by and watch such a powerful Li family rule over a region and command a mighty army?
If the Li family hadn't been eliminated, how could Yang Guang have slept soundly?
When that time comes, the imperial court will inevitably target the Li family, turning its guns on them.
Therefore, Dou Jiande had to be destroyed.
The Li family also needed a reason to continue existing, a reason that would prevent the imperial court from taking action.
The land of Hebei needs a new person to step forward and continue to contend with the imperial court.
Qin Qiong was the best candidate.
He came from Wagang and had a deep-seated hatred for Lü Xiao. He had also been operating in Hebei for a long time and had a strong foundation.
Once Qin Qiong rebels against Dou Jiande, he can establish himself in Hebei, and the Li family will then have a reason to exist.
The two sides secretly joined forces, one openly and the other covertly, supporting each other and depending on each other to jointly oppose the imperial court.
"I am not that kind of despicable person!"
Upon hearing that Li Shimin had ordered him to kill Dou Jiande, Qin Qiong's face immediately darkened, becoming so gloomy it seemed to drip water.
His reputation is now ruined; he's the talk of the town, everyone's condemning him, and people point fingers at him wherever he goes.
If he were to betray Dou Jiande again, what kind of person would he become?
Who will respect him in the future?
Who wouldn't curse him behind his back, calling Qin Qiong an ungrateful villain?
Does he even want to be a human being?
"If the general does not overthrow the tyrannical Sui Dynasty for the sake of the people, how can he not do it for his own sake?"
If the Li family had destroyed Dou Jiande, and the general had joined the Li family, people would still have criticized him for abandoning his savior. How is that any different from today?
If the general replaces Dou Jiande and takes control of Hebei, he can seek revenge on Lü Xiao and wipe away the shame of the past.
The person spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice not loud, but each word carried immense weight.
The feud between Qin Qiong and Lü Xiao had long been known far and wide; everyone knew about it.
The stories of Wagangzhai back then, the grudges and affections, have spread throughout the country.