Chapter 334 It’s My Turn to Make a Move

"Your Highness. Read М"

As soon as Chang Wei left, Ma Han came in from outside and bowed to him.

"No courtesy." Zhao Xu smiled, "Have you been enjoying your stay in Yancheng these days?"

"Thanks to His Highness's care, although I don't have to worry about food and clothing, I feel comfortable..." At this point, Ma Han sighed and said no more.

Zhao Xu knew what Ma Han wanted to say.

He sat down at the main seat, signaled Ma Han to sit down as well, and then asked the maid to serve tea.

"This king brought you to Yancheng this time, naturally for the sake of your Ma family. Although the murderer behind the scenes has not been found out, we have some clues." Zhao Xu said.

Hearing what King Yan said, Ma Han's eyes suddenly burst out with a sharp light, "Please make it clear, Your Highness."

So Zhao Xu told the story about the carrier pigeon flying out of the mansion after the father and son left.

"No one can use the carrier pigeons in Ma's house without father's permission, unless it is... Ma Jin." Ma Han's pupils suddenly dilated, "Ma Jin was in the house that day."

Zhao Xu nodded, and he didn't need to say the rest.

In short, this matter does contain a huge conspiracy.

"However, I suspect that the person behind it ultimately wants to control the Ma family in order to deal with me. I don't know if there are other plans." Zhao Xu said.

Ma Han was born in the Ma family. He had read poetry and books since he was a child, and was no stranger to conspiracy and power. He shook his head, "Your Highness is wrong. Even if there is no Your Highness, this chess piece has already been placed. It's just that it has been moved now." "

"You can say that." Zhao Xu picked up the tea cup and blew it gently.

With a hint of gloom on his face, Ma Han looked at Zhao Xu, "Your Highness, please make the decision for Ma Han. Unless we return to Ma's house, it will be difficult to thoroughly investigate this matter."

"You have been holding back these days, firstly for the war in Jinzhou, and secondly for your safety. Now that the war is over, it's time to worry about this matter." Zhao Xu said.

Ma Han was overjoyed when he heard this and said hurriedly: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Highness."

Zhao Xu shook his head gently, "Actually, I don't want to hide it from you and help you. I also have selfish motives."

Putting down the tea cup, he walked to the middle of the hall, "As you said, Ma Chong and Ma Jin are a chess piece. Now that this chess piece is placed in the northwest of Dasong, it really cannot make me feel at ease."

After a pause, he continued: "The Ma family occupies the northwest of Dasong and guards important passes such as Xiao Pass. Although the war in Jinzhou has calmed down, if Ma Chong and Ma Jin continue to do evil, I am afraid that war will start again in other places."

Ma Han nodded thoughtfully.

"In this Jinzhou war, more than 5,000 of our Yanzhou soldiers were killed and more than 6,000 were injured, which cost countless money and food. The powerful enemy in Beidi has not yet left, and I do not want to involve too much energy in the northwest." Zhao Xu continued.

"Your Highness is worried that Ma Chong and Ma Jin will cause trouble again." Ma Han asked.

"Indeed." Zhao Xu returned to his seat and picked up the tea cup, "But you don't have to be too hasty in taking back the position of the head of the Ma family. As the saying goes, what you say is true. I will first tell the emperor the news that you are still alive. , challenge Ma Chong and Ma Jin in the court. If they hand over the position of the head of the family, it will be fine. If not, I will lend you troops and horses to take back the position of the head of the family. "

"Of course, my king's soldiers can't be used in vain. To hire a servant, you have to pay monthly money, right?" Zhao Xu said.

"Your Highness is absolutely right. I also said back then that whatever the Ma family can only give, I will definitely give it to Your Highness." Ma Han said.

Although King Yan admitted his selfishness in this matter, whether to help or not was still up to King Yan. He had to show his sincerity.

Zhao Xu nodded and told him what he wanted.

Ma Han frowned when he heard this, hesitated for a while, and nodded seriously.

After agreeing on the matter, Zhao Xu asked Ma Han to stay in Yancheng with peace of mind and wait for the news.

Ma Han then bowed and left.

After seeing Ma Han off, Zhao Xu got up and went back to his dormitory.

Two months of marching had made him very tired, and he had not completely recovered after three or five days.

But before he left the meeting hall, Tsui Hark came.

"Your Highness, I got some very important information from Ningjin Dusi." Xu Ke looked serious.

"Ning Jin Dusi?" Seeing Xu Hark being so solemn, he had a bad feeling, "What's the matter?"

"In the past two months, a strange man came to Ningcheng and Jincheng. He is blond and blue-eyed. His name is Ivan. He comes from a place called Ross. It is said that he is a missionary. The people of Beidi seem to attach great importance to this man. Every time he travels, he will There are a large number of guards accompanying us for protection," Tsui Hark said.

There are a large number of Song people living in Ningcheng and Jincheng, so the news cannot be hidden from the eyes of the Fourth Courtyard.

"Ivan, Ross, missionary." Zhao Xu frowned.

The history of this world has changed dramatically.

This is the case in the Central Plains. He believes that due to the butterfly effect, there will be different changes in other places.

But he didn't know exactly what it would look like.

For example, this Rose has a specious name.

But according to his estimation, it is probably the contemporary Tsarist Russia.

After all, the name Ivan is very Tsarist.

"It is said that this man was captured by Beidi in the Far North. Before that, Beidi fought a battle with the Russians in the Far North." Xu Ke continued.

Zhao Xu's heart sank.

Combined with this news, that’s even more true.

He asked: "What is this missionary doing in Ningcheng, Jincheng?"

"Preaching," Xu Hark said.

Zhao Xu nodded slowly. These words reminded him of an equally famous missionary in contemporary history - Tang Ruowang.

This man was deeply trusted by Shunzhi and Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty and helped them supervise the construction of artillery.

And the Qing court allowed him to preach in the country.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu was even more uneasy. He said to Xu Ke: "Keep an eye on this Russian, don't miss any clues."

"Yes, Your Highness." Xu Ke said. He had never seen such a solemn expression on the face of the King of Yan.

After saying some more information about Beidi, Xu Ke left.

At this time, Zhao Xu said: "It's true that the tree wants to be quiet but the wind doesn't stop."

The joy of defeating Xiliang also disappeared in an instant.

At this moment, the shadow of Beidi seemed to once again cover Yanzhou and Dasong.

If this missionary from Russia could make artillery.

The Beidi cavalry plus artillery would undoubtedly be enough for him to drink a pot.

As long as this enemy is not eliminated, he must always be vigilant and not reckless.

And this is also one of the reasons why he obeyed Zhao Heng's imperial order and fought against the powerful families without breaking them.

If Dasong was in chaos, it would inevitably give Beidi an opportunity to take advantage of it.

Just like the civil strife caused by Li Zicheng's uprising in the late Ming Dynasty, the factional struggles in the court, and the indifference of local gentry, the Ming Dynasty wasted its national strength and was taken advantage of.

Moreover, he needed a stable Dasong to provide him with silver and markets to ensure the development of Yanzhou.

So even if he hated the powerful families, it was necessary to cooperate.

After all, he was the King of Yan and ruled Yanzhou.

Sometimes you need to consider the overall situation.

Now he has so many soldiers and officials under his command.

And there are many people.

He doesn't want to let them fall into the bottomless abyss because of his carelessness.

Therefore, he still has to continue to build high walls, store food, and climb technology.

Only in this way can he face the Beidi with ease.