Chapter 668: The Situation in Qi and Lu! (Thanks to the book friend Anger Forever for the reward!)
After talking about Xiao Ruolan, Huo San did not leave, but told Ye Mingsheng another very important matter·····················
"Sir, our secret agents in Qi and Lu have received news that the situation in Qi and Lu has undergone very significant changes!" Huo San looked at Ye Mingsheng and said in a deep voice:
Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng became interested and said:
"Oh? Is it Han Wenbao or Yin Biao?"

Seeing Ye Mingsheng's question, Huo San continued:

"Both of them have made a lot of moves. The first one is Han Wenbao, the general of Bozhou. According to the information we have obtained, Han Wenbao may have secretly eliminated Song Peishen and Ma Shanyuan, two of his allies, and is currently secretly invading the two's territories in Haiqu and Ande!"

"In addition, according to the information we have received, Han Wenbao is very likely to have some connection with Xu Zhaojie. Xu Zhaojie sent an envoy to meet Han Wenbao and expressed his support for him to be the governor of Qi and Lu. The two may have some arms trade. Xu Zhaojie gave Han Wenbao 500 Shenwu guns!"

"The Divine Martial Gun?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng smiled and asked with interest:
"He actually gave Han Wenbao 500 Shenwu guns. Why was Xu Zhaojie so generous? Why did Shangguan Hongyuan give him the technology of Shenwu guns?"

In response to Ye Mingsheng's question, Huo San explained:
“Report to the Lord, recently Shangguan Hongyuan has been asking Xu Zhaojie to cooperate with their offensive in Yunbing, trying to attack our army from the north and south. Xu Zhaojie also asked Shangguan Hongyuan for a lot of benefits because of this matter, including the manufacturing technology of Shenwu Gun and Zhengdong Cannon…”

"But these two things can be said to be Shangguan Hongyuan's lifeblood. Shangguan Hongyuan naturally won't give them to Xu Zhaojie. However, under Xu Zhaojie's repeated requests, Shangguan Hongyuan recently gave Xu Zhaojie another 3,000 Shenwu guns and 10 Zhengdong cannons through Jingchu!"

"There is another piece of news worth noting. According to the information sent back by our secret agents in the Zhennan Army, Xu Zhaojie has found several craftsmen from foreign countries and Japan, and poached several craftsmen from Guanzhong, also trying to build new muskets and cannons. The news we have received so far is that they are progressing very quickly, and they may even have samples!"

"However, Huainan lacks experienced craftsmen, so it will take a long time for the Zhennan Army to mass-produce firearms, unless the Zhennan Army can take over the Jiangnan region! Our people investigated in Jiangnan and found that there are many qualified craftsmen in Jiangnan. With a little training, they can quickly mass-produce firearms!"

After receiving this news, Ye Mingsheng's expression became serious. Although he had long realized that if Xu Zhaojie took over the rich land of Huainan, his power would develop rapidly and reach a new level, but judging from the current situation, Xu Zhaojie's development speed might be faster than he imagined!
Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng was a little helpless. He and the Fengwu Army were mainly focused on the current Yunbing War, so they couldn't spare any time to deal with Xu Zhaojie for the time being. However, even so, he couldn't let Xu Zhaojie develop his strength so comfortably. After a moment's silence, Ye Mingsheng ordered:
“Huo San, you have to organize a wave of assassinations against those who are involved in the firearms project of the Zhennan Army. You must delay the progress of the Zhennan Army’s firearms project…”

Hearing this news, Huo San nodded and said:

"We have been planning this matter and will take action soon!"

"I look forward to your good news!" Ye Mingsheng said with a smile:

After talking about this, Huo San continued to introduce Ye Mingsheng:
"While Han Wenbao was eliminating dissidents, Yin Biao was not idle either. He was preparing for war. On the surface, he was buying firearms from our army, but according to our intelligence, he actually bought thousands of cannons from Japan. Originally, this guy was planning to hire Japanese ronin to help him attack Han Wenbao's lair, Bozhou, but was dissuaded by Sun Jingan!"

"In addition, while Xu Zhaojie was contacting Han Wenbao, he also contacted Yin Biao and Sun Jingan, intending to send Yin Biao a batch of firearms to befriend him. However, Yin Biao became furious after learning about Xu Zhaojie and Han Wenbao, and cut off contact with Xu Zhaojie in a rage!"

Ye Mingsheng had a slight headache upon hearing the news. In order to lure Xu Zhaojie into Qilu, and fortunately Qilu severely damaged the Zhennan Army, he also slightly relaxed his control over Han Wenbao and Yin Biao, wanting Xu Zhaojie to see the opportunity and jump into Qilu's trap.

However, Xu Zhaojie was also very cunning, and seemed to have seen through his intention, so he had been instigating Han Wenbao and Yin Biao, but militarily he had no intention of advancing towards Qi and Lu. In such an environment, Yin Biao and Han Wenbao had grown wildly for a while. If he continued to indulge them, he was afraid that the situation in Qi and Lu would get out of control...
Seeing Ye Mingsheng thinking, Huo San hesitated for a moment and suggested carefully:
"My Lord, in my opinion, the war between Yin Biao and Han Wenbao is inevitable after the spring. If our army forcibly stops it, the effect is likely to be counterproductive. So I suggest that instead of stopping it, it is better to let it take its course and take the opportunity to strengthen control!"

After hearing Huo San's suggestion, Ye Mingsheng became a little interested and asked:

"It seems you already have someone you want to support?"

Although Ye Mingsheng asked this question in a calm voice, Huo San's expression became serious as soon as he said this, and he said to Ye Mingsheng respectfully:
"It is your prerogative to choose who to support. As your subordinate, I will do whatever you say!"

Ye Mingsheng's expression did not change at all when he heard this. He waved his hand at Huo San and said:

"Don't be nervous. Just tell me what you think. I will make the decision myself!"

Facing Ye Mingsheng's words, Huo San just didn't say anything, which made Ye Mingsheng a little helpless. He had no choice but to go back and wait for news, and then asked someone to call Gu Sansi over. After informing Gu Sansi of the situation, Ye Mingsheng asked Gu Sansi with some expectation:
"What do you think about Jiyu's situation, Sansi?"

Gu Sansi pondered for a while, then met Ye Mingsheng's gaze and said calmly:

“My lord, I think that the current situation in Qi and Lu is like managing a river, which is better to drain than to block. If you must choose between Han Wenbao and Yin Biao, I suggest that you choose Yin Biao…”

Seeing that Gu Sansi chose Yin Biao, Ye Mingsheng was not very surprised but continued to ask:

"Why?" Gu Sansi said without hesitation:
"Han Wenbao is narrow-minded, violent and cruel. More than ten years ago, he became a bandit because of murder. Later, he was recruited by the imperial court and became a general. When he was a bandit, he killed two families of local gentry in succession for money. He even killed a 70-year-old man and a crying baby. There are even rumors that Han Wenbao likes to eat human flesh, and he has done many things that are outrageous to both gods and men!"

"Therefore, he will not feel any psychological burden for backstabbing his allies and annexing Song Peishen and Ma Shanyuan's territories!"

"And Han Wenbao is now colluding with Xu Zhaojie. Xu Zhaojie is a major threat to our army on the southern front. If Han Wenbao defeats Yin Biao and takes over Qi and Lu, the situation in Qi and Lu may get out of control, which will give Xu Zhaojie the opportunity to go north!"

"Compared to Han Wenbao, Yin Biao's reputation is slightly better, but it can only be said that he is not too notorious. Yin Biao originally had brothels, gambling houses, and pawnshops in Licheng. Now after getting rid of Cao Changping, he has occupied tens of thousands of acres of fertile land that originally belonged to the Cao family. In order to make money, he also disregarded human lives and harmed countless people!"

“However, compared with Han Wenbao, Yin Biao has one biggest advantage, and that is that he listens to advice…”

"Yin Biao and Qilu Governor Sun Jing'an were close friends. It was under Sun Jing'an's instigation that Yin Biao betrayed Cao Changping and set up his own faction. Last year, our Foreign Affairs Department had predicted that after cooperating to kill Cao Changping, Yin Biao and Sun Jing'an would most likely have conflicts over power!"

"But judging from the current situation in Qilu, our prediction was wrong. Yin Biao and Sun Jingan still have a very harmonious relationship. They understand and support each other and maintain the stability of the political situation in Qilu. Sun Jingan has made a lot of efforts and concessions in this process!"

"Although Sun Jing'an is not an honest official, he is very capable and well-known in the official circles of Qi and Lu. Several policies he implemented after taking office have been very effective in Qi and Lu, helping many people survive this cold winter!"

"It was also under his persuasion that Yin Biao completely severed his ties with Xu Zhaojie and increased his contacts with our army! Judging from the past contacts between our Foreign Affairs Department and Sun Jingan, Sun Jingan's attitude towards our Fengwu Army is very friendly, and he has a great influence on Yin Biao. We can use this person to slowly annex Qi and Lu and achieve control over the entire territory of Qi and Lu!"

Hearing Gu Sansi's thoughts, Ye Mingsheng pondered for a while, nodded and said:
"Since you already have an idea, then let you do this! I only ask for one thing. Yin Biao can take down Han Wenbao, but we also have to get enough benefits from Qilu!"

"I understand!" Gu Sansi nodded confidently.

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Yijing, Murong Mansion
Looking at his daughter who had come home to visit her relatives, looking worried and haggard, Murong Yuliang, who had come to Yijing to report on his work, felt a little regretful. He should have strongly stopped his daughter from marrying Ye Mingsheng and prevented his precious daughter from being in the vortex of power, being cautious at all times and having no peace. However, the matter is done now and it is too late to say anything. He can only make the best of it!
Thinking of this, Murong Yuliang looked at Murong Qingwu and asked:
"What is the situation in the Governor's Mansion now? Are there any rumors?"

Facing her father's question, Murong Qingwu nodded and said:

"After the incident with Xiao Ruolan, everyone was shocked that Xiao Ruolan was the assassin who assassinated Ye Mingsheng's supervisory department. The old lady even scolded An Miaoyi for this matter and warned An Miaoyi to bring less of her family members into the mansion in the future, because An Miaoyi lost a lot of face in the mansion because of this incident!"

"But the biggest harm to An Miaoyi was not this incident, but because after this incident spread, when people knew that Xiao Ruolan was a killer from the Supervisory Department, An Tianyu was so angry that he vomited blood and fainted. His condition was very dangerous. For this matter, my husband specially approved An Miaoyi to stay outside the mansion to take care of An Tianyu. If the doctors from the medical school hadn't tried their best to save him, An Tianyu would have died now!"

“As for the rumors, there were some at the beginning. Some said that An Miaoyi would be divorced because of this. However, because my husband has been accompanying An Miaoyi at night in recent days, all these rumors have been dispelled…”

After saying this, Murong Qingwu asked her father:

"What's going on with the Chief Secretary?"

Murong Yuliang shook his head and said:

"The Governor's Office is under Cui Shao's control, so naturally everything is calm and peaceful. However, I heard that the military has a lot of opinions on this matter. People like Guo Zhiping and Lin Huaiwu also have some complaints about this. They think that it was An Miaoyi who put Ye Mingsheng in danger, and An Miaoyi should be held responsible for this matter!"

Hearing this, Murong Qingwu's eyes flashed with a strange look. After hesitating for a moment, she shook her head and said:
"My husband still values ​​An Miaoyi very much. Although this incident made An Miaoyi lose a lot of face, it did not shake her foundation. Guo Zhiping, Lin Huaiwu and others are my husband's trusted generals. Even if they are dissatisfied with An Miaoyi, as long as my husband does not express his opinion, they will not do anything!"

Seeing that his daughter had such a clear understanding, Murong Yuliang nodded slightly and said with some regret:
"Although this incident caused some disturbances, it was not as serious as imagined. It can be said that An Miaoyi escaped a disaster!"

At this point, Murong Yuliang looked at his daughter meaningfully and said:
"Qingwu's mission of shaking An Miaoyi's foundation in the Ye Mansion can only be accomplished by you. No one else can help at all in this matter!"

Understanding the hidden meaning of her father's words, Murong Qingwu blushed and said softly;

"I've also been working hard on this matter, but he's been very busy lately and has been sleeping in the study for several days..."

(End of this chapter)