"I forgot, if the mastermind behind that incident was Duke Xuande, he would probably make two moves at the same time! Zijing, hurry up, let's go back!"

Explaining in a low voice, Tao Ying immediately turned his horse's head and led his soldiers back. Although Lu Su was a little confused, he still turned his horse's head honestly and accompanied Tao Ying back to Tao Mansion. Then Lu Su caught up with Tao Ying.

, asked in a low voice: "Master, what do you mean by suddenly turning around? Which move did Xuande Guild make at the same time? And who was the mastermind behind that incident?"

"Of course it's the matter of my father's illness being light and serious." Tao Ying replied in a low voice: "Although it is not yet certain whether there is someone behind this matter, and there is no way to confirm that Xuande Gong must be behind it.

Master, but if he really did this, then this is definitely the best time to make my father's condition more serious or even die!"

Lu Su's intelligence is definitely not inferior to that of Tao Ying, but he has not experienced it in the most hypocritical and dark place in the world like Deputy Director Tao. He is not as talented in conspiracy and conspiracy as Deputy Director Tao, but when he heard Tao Ying say this

After the analysis, Lu Su also immediately woke up and thought: "Yes, if Liu Bei is really the mastermind behind this matter, then now is definitely the best time to take action! Because Liu Bei has proposed 200,000 hu of military rations to Tao Fujun

The unreasonable demand for thousands of war horses must have made preparations for a war with the Xuzhou army. In this way, when the Tao and Liu families turned against each other and went to war, Tao Fujun suddenly died of illness, and Xuzhou immediately fell into a chaotic dilemma without a leader, and the war situation was about to

It is extremely beneficial to Liu Bei."

"Even if Mr. Tao Mansion agrees to Liu Bei's unreasonable request, it will be very beneficial for Liu Bei to let Mr. Tao Mansion die of serious illness at this time, because after the death of the lord, even if the second son succeeds to the throne, the first thing he will have to face is

It is due to the various problems of the replacement of old and new civil and military officials in Xuzhou and the internal turmoil that it is temporarily unable to take action against Liu Bei. If the lord has given the food and grass to Liu Bei by then, then Xuzhou's army will be empty of food, and Xuzhou's army will be without food in a few months.

So, if the army has no food, there will be chaos, and the young master will not be able to sit firmly in Xuzhou."

"If the army rations are promised but not given, Liu Bei can also take the opportunity to ask the son to repay the father's debt. If the son gives it, he will dig his own foundation. If he doesn't give it, the son will have to go to war with Liu Bei before he can secure the position of governor of Xuzhou.

The situation is favorable to Liu Bei, and Liu Bei also has an excuse to lure Lu Bu or Cao Cao into the battlefield in Xuzhou, forming an overwhelming advantage over the Xuzhou army! So this time is definitely the best time to attack Lord Tao!"

After understanding these truths, Lu Su secretly admired Liu Bei for his good timing and scheming. Lu Su also admired Tao Ying for his agility and scheming. How much evil should this young man have in his belly? So many complex and complex things.

How can such a far-reaching problem be analyzed with just a few clues? I really don’t know how this young master can be so shameless that he can name his direct army after a gentleman and still have the nerve to display the banner of benevolence, justice, etiquette, wisdom, trust, gentleness, respect, thrift and humiliation?

Hurrying back to the Governor's Mansion in Xuzhou, Tao Ying first led Lu Su to find Cao Hong, the captain in charge of the security of the Governor's Mansion. Before Cao Hong, who was confused, could ask why he left and returned, Tao Ying asked with a face covered with anger.

: "General Cao, after my father returned to his room, did he use any medicine or food?"

"Not yet." Cao Hong replied truthfully: "After the lord returned to his room, he drank some warm water. The water was boiled in the lord's room. There were two people in charge of it. One was the maid Lian'er who boiled the water and gave it to the lord.

The eldest son who feeds the water, the eldest son feeds the water to the lord with a silver spoon, so there should be no problem."

"Then when will my father eat and take medicine? Is there anyone keeping an eye on these?" Tao Ying asked again.

"My lord is about to take medicine, and probably have a meal at the beginning of the hour." Cao Hong replied truthfully: "My lord's meals are prepared in the small kitchen. There are two cooks and two handymen in the small kitchen to monitor each other. For the sake of caution, I will not do my job.

Special personnel were also arranged to patrol from time to time. After the food was delivered to the room, a maid and the eldest son had to taste it first, and then the lord was invited to have a meal. As for the lord's decoction, it was personally prepared by Zhang Hang, the most trusted doctor of the lord.

Decoction the medicine and then bring it to the lord. The eldest son will test the medicine and then feed it to the lord."

Speaking of this, Cao Hong added, "For the sake of caution, Beizhi also made preparations for the process of decoction. The prescription was prescribed by Doctor Zhang, and a special person arranged by the general asked other doctors to check whether there were any hands or feet.

Then he went to the largest herbal medicine store in the city to grab medicine. Finally, Zhang Langzhong checked that the medicine was correct before putting it in the medicine jar and boiling it with his own hands. Also, every time Zhang Langzhong made medicine for his lord, he had to check and search him first and arrange the arrangements outside the door.

He was protected by guards and was carefully searched and inspected today, but nothing unusual was found."

"There is no abnormality in the preparation process. My father's meals and medicines all go through my brother's hands. Is my brother really the biggest suspect?" Tao Ying was a little shaken, but after thinking about it, Tao Ying ordered again: "General Cao, please take me with you immediately.

Go to the room where father is boiling medicine, I want to check it myself."

Cao Hong agreed, and hurriedly led Tao Ying and Lu Su to the backyard, and then led Tao Ying and Lu Su into a room guarded by guards and filled with the smell of medicine. The furnishings in the room were very simple, and there was only a charcoal fire.

A small clay stove, a small table, on which there are stone inkstones, Hsinchu pens, ink ingots, paper and prescriptions. A middle-aged man in his forties squatted beside the stove, fanning the fire, and carefully roasting the medicine jars on the stove.

, and the middle-aged man Tao Ying also knew that it was Zhang Hang, Tao Qian's most trusted doctor. Over the years, Tao Qian had been asking him to prescribe medicine and take the medicine he cooked by himself.

Seeing Tao Ying and Cao Hong come in, Zhang Hang was startled at first, then quickly stood up, bowed his hands to Tao Ying and Cao Hong, and called them young masters. Tao Ying smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, Mr. Zhang, I'm just here to take a look. Thank you for your hard work."

Come on, why doesn’t Mr. Zhang ask a servant to do this kind of decoction, instead of doing it himself?”

"Young master, I don't know. There is a lot of knowledge in this decoction, especially some special medicines. It won't work if the heat is too high, and even less will not work. Only someone who knows medicine can understand how to master it." Zhang Hang looked a little nervous.

, and added: "In the past five years, all the medicines used by the master were cooked by the villain himself."

"It's been five years? I really haven't paid attention." Tao Ying showed some surprise and smiled: "My father is old and sick. It seems that the past five years have been too hard for Mr. Zhang. When my father becomes ill,

If things get better, I will tell my father and ask him to give the doctor a bigger reward."

"Thank you, Mr. Young Master, I really don't want to be a villain." Zhang Hang breathed a sigh of relief and quickly saluted and thanked Tao Ying. Tao Ying helped Zhang Hang up and casually asked some questions about Tao Qian's condition and the medicines he used. Although Zhang Hang answered fluently

, but his expression is still a little nervous. I don’t know if it’s because he’s hiding something in his heart, or if it’s a normal reaction when talking to a big shot like Tao Ying.

After talking to Zhang Hang for a while, no flaws were found. Tao Ying was about to give up when he suddenly caught a glimpse of the prescription on the table next to him. He pretended to ask to see what medicine Tao Qian was using today. Zhang Hang didn't know it was a trick, so he quickly brought the prescription to him.

Tao Ying checked, but Tao Ying didn't know much about traditional Chinese medicine, so he could only give the prescription to Lu Su, who barely knew medicine, for examination. At the same time, he asked Zhang Hang why he didn't bring the medicine box with him since he was visiting the doctor? Zhang Hang smiled bitterly, and Cao next to him smiled.

Hong Ze was a little embarrassed and hurriedly replied for Zhang Hang: "Don't blame me, sir. For the sake of my lord's safety, I have asked Doctor Zhang to hand over the medicine box to the guards outside the door for safekeeping in the past five or six days before entering the room.

Whatever Doctor Zhang needs, just ask the guards to bring it in."

"Really?" Tao Ying was also a little embarrassed and hurriedly raised his hand to Zhang Hang and said, "Mr. Zhang, don't be surprised. General Cao is my father's captain and is responsible for my father's safety. Although he did some things that were a bit excessive, it was also for my father's sake."

And since you have done your duty, I hope Dr. Zhang will never mind."

"No, no, no." Zhang Hang quickly waved his hands and said with a wry smile: "I also understand that General Cao did this for the sake of my lord, so I will never mind." Tao Ying finally accepted the mistake and said a few more words of apology.

At this time, Lu Su had already handed the prescription back to Zhang Hang, and gently shook his head to Tao Ying to indicate that it was okay. Only then did Tao Ying completely let go of his doubts about Zhang Hang, bid farewell to Zhang Hang, and led Cao Hong and

Lu Su went to the small kitchen to check.

After walking for more than ten steps outside, Tao Ying suddenly stopped again, closing his eyes and thinking carefully. Seeing Tao Ying suddenly stop, Cao Hong and Lu Su couldn't help but be confused, and couldn't help asking: "Master, what are you doing?"

What's wrong?"

"Just now, something seemed to be wrong, but what exactly is wrong? Why can't I remember?" Tao Ying frowned and replied thoughtfully.

"Sir, since you found something wrong, you can go back and take a look and you will understand?" Cao Hong reminded with a smile.

"That's right, you should go back and take a look." Tao Ying found that he was confused and couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. Then Tao Ying quickly led Cao Hong and Lu Su back and re-entered the room where Zhang Hang was.

Taking a casual glance at the room, Tao Ying immediately understood that something was wrong. Then Tao Ying ignored Zhang Hang who came up to salute, strode into the room, picked up something, weighed it, and then

Upon inspection, Tao Ying immediately smiled, turned to Zhang Hang with a friendly smile and asked: "Mr. Zhang, this thing should be taken out of your medicine box, right?"

Seeing the object in Tao Ying's hand and Tao Ying's friendly smile, Zhang Hang felt dizzy, his crotch felt hot, and a stream of water spurted out. Who dared to say a word? Tao Ying didn't force him and asked.

The guard at the door confirmed that the item was taken out of Zhang Hang's medicine box. Deputy Director Tao smiled even more happily and asked Zhang Hang in a kind manner: "Mr. Zhang, I can't tell that you are not amazing in appearance, but you are actually not very courageous."

You dare to secretly add mercury to my father's medicine, making my father's condition worse."

"Sir! Spare your life! The villain deserves to die! The villain deserves to die! But the villain is also forced to do so!" Zhang Hangcai was obviously not a spy, but Deputy Director Tao saw through the agency in front of him.

In front of Tao Ying, he kowtowed desperately and begged for mercy...

……………………

That night, the news came out of Tao Qian's house, which made brothers Mi Zhu and Mi Fang completely relieved. The news was that Tao Qian's condition suddenly worsened and he was bedridden, and his condition was very critical. Mi Zhu brothers hated Deputy Tao the most.

The director is already making arrangements for Tao Qian's funeral - of course, it cannot be ruled out that Deputy Director Tao has long been looking forward to the day when his father will die and inherit the inheritance.

In fact, for brothers Mi Biejia, even greater good news was yet to come. That night, Jian Yong, Liu Huangshu's special diplomat at this stage, came to visit and brought great news to Mi Biejia. Tao Qian had promised to provide Liu Huangshu with two brothers.

One hundred thousand hu of grain and a thousand war horses helped Liu Huangshu organize his army and prepare for war to resist the invasion that might come at any time from Boss Cao and Lu Xiaoqiang.

"Okay! Okay!" Just after listening to Jian Yong's introduction, Mi Fang, who had always disliked Tao Ying, laughed wildly, patted the table and laughed loudly and said: "As long as Tao Qian is willing to give it, the military ration stocks of the five counties of Xuzhou will be fine.

I have figured it out a long time ago. Originally, it was barely enough to last until the autumn harvest next year at most. Now with Zang Ba’s thousands of mouths and the two hundred thousand hu of military rations, even if there is no food expenses for marching and fighting, it will not be enough until the third day of next year at the latest.

In April, he, Tao Ying, will burst into tears! Xuande Gong’s plan to draw out the firepower is really too clever! It’s too clever!”

Different from Mi Fang's overwhelming excitement, Mi Zhu's reaction to the news was completely unexpected. He asked in surprise: "Agreed? How is it possible? Mr. Xianhe, how did Tao Ying'er answer you? What was his attitude at that time?"

"Second Master Tao's attitude is very kind and his words are very sincere." Jian Yong replied truthfully: "Second Master Tao said so, my lord Xuande Gong was very kind to the five counties of Xuzhou, and he also resisted such a great thing for Xuzhou."

We have been foreign enemies for a long time, and now we are forced to expand our army and prepare for war in order to resist the invasion of Xuzhou by Cao Mengde and Lu Wenhou. Therefore, it is obligatory to provide our lord with food, grass and war horses. I cannot refuse due to emotion or reason, and I have asked you to report to your lord next time for what your lord needs.

The 200,000 hu of army rations and 1,000 war horses will be given in full, but the amount is too huge and it will take some time to prepare and raise it."

"Young Master Tao Ying, are you really so happy?" Mi Zhu couldn't believe it, and asked hurriedly: "Mr. Xianhe, has Master Tao Ying made it clear how much time he needs?"

"Within one month, I will first be provided with 50,000 hu of staple food and 500 horses. The remaining military rations and horses will be supplied within two months." Jian Yong answered truthfully.

Of course, Mi Zhu had no doubt that Tao Ying needed time to prepare grain and grass, because Xuzhou's military grain was not stored in one city in Xuzhou. The most important granaries were also in Xiapi and Tancheng. It would certainly take time to transport such a huge amount of grain and grass, so Mi Zhu

After thinking about it for a while, he quickly nodded and said: "Although it took a long time, we can't push Tao Ying's son up the cliff and let Mr. Xuande bear the reputation of being too forced. So I also ask Mr. Xianhe to persuade the lord,

Promise Tao Ying's child this preparation time."

"Of course." Jian Yong nodded and said: "Mr. Zizhong, Mr. Zifang, I have come to visit you all night. In addition to telling you this matter, I also have a message from the lord to bring you. The lord said,

Although he asked for a large amount of grain and grass for the sake of the people of the five counties of Xuzhou, it may also misunderstand Mr. Tao and Mr. Tao and anger them. Therefore, Mr. Xuande hopes that you two gentlemen will be prepared and pay attention to your safety.

If something unexpected happens, I hope you two gentlemen can leave the city quickly and take refuge in Xiaopei."

"Please report back to Mr. Xuande, thank him for his concern, and please rest assured that we will definitely take care of ourselves." Mi Zhu cupped his hands and thanked him.

"Yes, please be patient, Mr. Xuande, our brothers have been prepared for a long time." Mi Fang also said: "Our brothers have three hundred servants in this mansion, all of them are loyal and highly skilled in martial arts. Our brothers' businesses in the city are

There are also five hundred soldiers in the store ready for orders at any time. At the same time, our brothers also have some trusted generals lurking in the Xuzhou army and have some troops under their control. When necessary, not only to protect our brothers from the city, but also to open the city gate to meet Duke Xuande.

Entering the city is no problem."

This was what Jian Yong was waiting for. At that moment, Jian Yong told brother Mi Zhu that he would return to Xiaopei tomorrow and said goodbye. Brother Mi Zhu did not hold back. After personally sending Jian Yong out of the house, brother Mi Zhu quickly returned to his secret room.

, continued to discuss what they should do with Erwuzi and betray Tao Qian and his son.

……………………
To be continued...