Chapter 414: Conquer!
Bai Qingyu looked at Qu Linjiang on the side, his expression slightly nervous. Now they were thieves, and the one standing in front of them was the most powerful prince in the entire Dayu, a local lord with tens of thousands of soldiers!
Why would such a person come to their small mountain stronghold?
"Your Highness, please!"
Although he didn't know the reason, Bai Qingyu still respectfully led Ning Fan into the hall. Baifan Water Stronghold was located on the bank of the Huai River, on the top of the mountain, with steep terrain and dense jungles around. It was like one man guarding the pass, and ten thousand men could not open it.
The main hall was located on a flat and wide land on the hillside. The whole stronghold was scattered and uneven, but in order.
"Your Highness, please take a seat!"
"Yes!"
Ning Fan nodded with a smile, walked to the main seat in the hall, sat down, looked at Bai Qingyu and others, and said with a smile: "Don't be so reserved, sit down!"
"Thank you, Your Highness."
After sitting down, Ning Fan also directly stated his purpose: "This time, I came to recruit Baifan Water Stronghold, not for the court, nor for the local county government, but for Huainan!"
"Recruit!"
Bai Qingyu's expression stagnated, and his brows gradually frowned. They have been entrenched here for many years, and they really haven't thought about recruiting.
Now, Baifan Water Stronghold is entrenched here. Although the Nanliang County Government regards them as a thorn in the eye and a thorn in the flesh, they can't do anything about it. Every time they come to encircle and suppress them, they will suffer losses and return without success.
Now, King Yong comes to recruit them in person, can they refuse?
Obviously not.
"Qingyu, I am willing to accept your offer of amnesty!"
After weighing the pros and cons, Bai Qingyu knelt on one knee. Ning Fan smiled and said playfully, "Why don't you ask how we will settle you after you are amnesty?"
"Perhaps, this is just a trap I set for you. You should know that if you leave this area of water, you will be like lambs to be slaughtered, at the mercy of others."
"Your Highness won't!"
Before Bai Qingyu opened his mouth, Qu Linjiang whispered, "With your status, if you really want to destroy our small water fort, it's just a royal order."
"Hahahaha !"
Ning Fan laughed loudly, looked at Bai Qingyu and said: "Okay, I really didn't make a mistake. You two are both outstanding people. One is good at military affairs, and the other is good at governance. I have the two of you, which is equivalent to having 100,000 soldiers!"
"Now, you are trapped in this corner, which is really a waste of talent."
"Your journey should not be this small river, but the vast sea, the shoreless end, the vast sky, and the other side of the sky."
Ning Fan started the brainwashing method again. After hearing this, the two were flattered and their hearts were filled with ambition.
"I wonder what your highness is preparing?"
"Form a navy!"
"Navy?"
Bai Qingyu and Qu Linjiang both trembled. You know, there is no sea around Dayu's land. Except for the Li River running through the east and west, the water area is very scarce. There is no navy in the whole Dayu.
Now, your highness is actually preparing to form a navy. What does this mean?
"Bai Qingyu is from the Bai family of Nanliang. His ancestors were once naval commanders of the Sui Dynasty and were well versed in naval warfare. The Jinyiwei has presented your information to me several times."
"But I didn't expect that with the changes in the world, the generals who were once famous all over the world are now framed by villains."
Hearing Ning Fan's sigh, Bai Qingyu gradually clenched his fists, showing a bit of unwillingness on his face, and knelt on one knee.
"Your Highness, please make a decision for me!"
"Brother Bai!"
Qu Linjiang on the side hurried forward and reminded softly: "Your Highness has sent the adults of the Jinyiwei to thoroughly investigate the case of the Bai family."
"Really?"
"Captain, Jin... Jinyiwei is here!"
Just as Bai Qingyu was excited, a little minion strode in and reported respectfully.
But when he saw his own chief kneeling in front of a young man with an excited look on his face, his expression was shocked and he bowed his head deeply.
"Let him in quickly!"
"Yes!"
Not long after, Li Luo walked in quickly, bowed respectfully to Ning Fan, then took out a few scrolls from his sleeves and said softly: "Your Highness, this is the file of the Bai family case eight years ago."
"I sent someone to investigate in detail, and the facts are completely inconsistent with what is said in this file. Moreover, I also learned that the Bai family of Nanliang is the descendant of a famous general of the former Sui Dynasty..."
Ning Fan nodded. He had learned this information when he was checking Bai Qingyu's personal page. After taking the file, Ning Fan quickly browsed it and his face instantly became extremely deep.
"Do you have any information about the Nanliang family?"
"Yes!"
Li Luo also handed over another file and said softly: "Your Highness, the Nanliang family is quite complicated. After the Great Sui Dynasty fell apart, Nanliang took advantage of the situation to revolt and became a vassal state. When I, Dayu, conquered, the Nanliang family took the lead in surrendering, so that we could defeat Nanliang in one fell swoop."
"The late emperor allowed them to govern the land of Nanliang. Although it was a fiefdom, the officials of Nanliang in all dynasties were from the Nanliang family!"
"Over the years, Nanliang seems to have had a rebellious heart. I have also found out that the Nanliang family secretly raised private soldiers..."
"Tsk!"
Ning Fan couldn't help but sigh in amazement. Why are these aristocratic families either plotting rebellion or busy colluding with barbarians? There is no one who behaves properly?
"Hehe!"
"Since there was a mistake in the case of the Bai family, it should be retried. You go back and prepare. The case will be handed over to the Jiangnan pacification envoy for personal trial. All those involved in the case will be severely punished according to the law, no matter what their background or origins are. Those who should be killed will be killed, and those who should be implicated will be implicated."
"In addition, since the Nanliang family secretly raised private soldiers, we will investigate it thoroughly!"
"Yes!"
Li Luo's eyes also released a murderous aura. This was the first time since he followed His Highness that he was given such a big case to handle.
He knew that His Highness wanted to win back Bai Qingyu's heart, and more importantly, to test himself!
"Your Highness, I accidentally discovered a secret during my investigation."
"Speak!"
"Back then, the Bai family was framed by the Nanliang family and imprisoned. Later, more than 130 people were executed. However, there was a young girl who escaped by chance."
"I found out the whereabouts of this girl!"
"What did you say!"
Before Ning Fan reacted, Bai Qingyu rushed to Li Luo excitedly: "Sir, who is it?"
"Who survived?"
"Please tell me, sir."
Bai Qingyu knelt down on the ground with a plop, but Li Luo quickly dodged and looked at Ning Fan.
"Now Qingyu has joined my army, don't keep me in suspense, tell me everything you found."
"Yes!"
Looking at Ning Fan's meaningful expression, Li Luo was immediately startled, and hurriedly said respectfully: "This girl's name is Bai Qinglian. Back then, she was imprisoned with the Bai family, but was saved by an old friend of the Bai family!"
"Now, she is still alive..."
...