In the evening, tired birds return to the forest, and the setting sun shines on the lush green mountains and forests, as if this quiet paradise is covered with colorful clothes.
Qin Mubai and Li Ke walked in front, followed by Yao'er, Shuang'er and several little orphans holding hands with each other. The servants of Prince Wu's Mansion followed slowly behind in a carriage. A group of people walked along the tree-lined mountain path, chatting while walking.
"Mubai, what are your plans?" Li Ke said, "With all due respect. Judging from the current situation, it seems that you are not suitable to continue to stay in Baiqi and work as an errand in the palace. Although my father has always been broad-minded I won't really hate you or be jealous of you, but this time Gao Yang's incident is so big and there are so many rumors. In order to avoid suspicion, my father may be thinking of changing your job for you. You might as well take the initiative yourself. "
"What His Highness said is absolutely true. I have already considered this matter." Qin Mubai said, "The establishment of Baiqi was an attempt. Although the emperor does not need to be suspicious of people, some troubles are unavoidable. The harem There are many female relatives among them, which will inevitably cause gossip from the outside world. Plus, once the incident involving Princess Gaoyang is triggered... I think the emperor may even disband Baiqi."
"That's not the case." Li Ke said, "Baiqi is a very good army. My father has praised Baiqi many times in private, and also praised you. However, it is in the limelight right now, so you might as well avoid it first. After a while, it won't be a problem to return to Baiqi. After all, it's not easy for the emperor to find a suitable Baiqi envoy. I don't think he really wants to drive you away from Baiqi. Fake, that’s what I mean. I hope you can stay away from the limelight and wait until the matter calms down before making any further remarks.”
Qin Mubai wondered in his mind, if Li Ke took the initiative to say this to me, was there something hidden behind the words, implying that he had already thought of a place for me? Then why don't I take the initiative to tell him
"Now I can only rest at home for the time being. There is no other good place to go." Qin Mubai said casually, "If your highness has a way, you might as well give it to me next time?"
"Don't tell me, it really is." Li Ke smiled mysteriously.
"Really?" Qin Mubai blinked a few times, "What's the way out?"
"I listened to Father Meng's summons today and entered the palace." Li Ke said, "Originally, Father planned to let me come back to the stage during Gao Yang's wedding. Now that there has been such a commotion, the wedding has to be postponed. . So my father pointed out another way to me. Just this morning, the Jiangzhou Prefecture reported that there was a severe flood situation and the prefectural government did not have enough manpower to provide disaster relief. So, His Majesty asked the imperial court to take the lead. Do this."
"It is already the dry season with little rain in late summer and early autumn. How come there are floods at this time?" Qin Mubai asked.
"I don't know now. It is said that it is not the flooding of the Yellow River, but a breach of a lake embankment." Li Ke said, "The specific situation will only be clear after investigation in the past. The top priority now is disaster relief. His Majesty has issued a military order, Five thousand soldiers from Jiangzhou Prefecture and nearby prefectures and counties were recruited and assembled at Jiangzhou at night. It was me who was sent to take charge of the overall situation, accompanied by several officials from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Household Affairs. "
Qin Mubai thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, you mean to take me with you?"
Li Ke smiled slightly and said hehe: "It's not to lead, it's to invite. You are a majestic Baiqi Envoy and the commander of the royal army. How can you go anywhere? When I was talking to my father just now, I vaguely heard The implication of his father's words was reached. He said that the floods in Jiangzhou in autumn must be a punishment from heaven for the emperor's misconduct. Therefore, it is up to the emperor to go to rescue the people and pray for forgiveness. Sheji was busy with many affairs, so I went there on his behalf. He also said, 'Everywhere I go, you will be treated with respect,' which meant that I was sent out as an imperial envoy."
"I understand." Qin Mubai said, "Since you are an imperial envoy, you are usually accompanied by bodyguards, usually people from Qianniu Guards and Jinwu Guards. And you are a prince and royal family, so I will send a team of hundreds of cavalry to accompany you. It would be perfect to go together.”
"You are so smart." Li Ke chuckled, "That's what my father said. Although he didn't explicitly send you to go with me, everyone knew about your personal relationship with me. He deliberately said this to I heard, isn't that what it means? Flood control is a long-term task. In addition to water control and disaster relief, we also need to repair water conservancy and treat victims. It is estimated that it takes three people to resettle the houses and redistribute farmland and livestock. Month's time. If you lead the troops and leave with me, wouldn't it be in line with the emperor's wishes? It will not only allow you to be expelled from Baiqi, but also allow you to temporarily leave Chang'an, a place of right and wrong, which is the best of both worlds."
"Not bad." Qin Mubai blinked a few times, thought for a moment, and said, "Then I should find an excuse to enter the palace to see the emperor as soon as possible?"
"Yes." Li Ke said, "Also, don't take the initiative to talk about the Jiangzhou flood. The emperor will take the initiative to talk to you."
"I know." Qin Mubai nodded and said to himself: This Li Ke really looks like Li Shimin. He is extremely smart and has a deep city. He can penetrate people's hearts very well, and he has a profound understanding of the emperor's mind. He didn't let me take the initiative to talk to the emperor because he didn't want the emperor to know that I had a private discussion with him and the matter had been discussed properly. Pretend to be ignorant and everything will go as it should. Otherwise, the emperor will be wary of both Li Ke and me - it is a big taboo for the king to presume on the holy will and get it right.
Ministers can be capable and smart, but they must not be so smart that they expose the king's hidden strategies and ideas. Otherwise, the king will lose face. Although he would praise this minister on the surface, he would actually be afraid of him in his heart. Because, he would feel that as a king, he looked stupid and childish in front of this minister, and could not hide anything. If it were an ordinary person, his self-esteem would be hurt. How can a king ignore his authority? —Wasn’t it because Yang Xiu repeatedly acted smart like this that he was killed by Cao Cao
After walking for two or three miles, Li Ke stopped everyone and said, "Miss Yao'er, you have come a long way. Go back quickly. It's going to be dark."
"Well, it's okay." Yao'er smiled, "Anyway, it's the same to me whether it's day or night."
"But it's different for others, haha! Some bad people like to come out and do bad things when it's dark and windy at night." Li Ke said with a smile, "It's better to go back."
"Yeah, that's fine. Everyone, I'll see you off not too far away." Yao'er bowed politely and said goodbye, and the little orphan girls followed suit politely.
"Go back with Sister Yao'er. I'll come see you tomorrow when I have time!" Qin Shuang'er said to the little girls with a smile.
Everyone also parted ways here. Qin Mubai and his sister got on the horse together, Li Ke boarded the car, and Yao'er led a group of little girls back to Lichen Residence.
When I got home, it was getting dark. Qin Mubai and his brother and sister dismounted and went straight to the lobby to greet their parents. They found Qin Shubao sitting in the lobby with a red-robed official below them.
"Mu Bai is back." Qin Shubao raised his finger and pointed at the red-robed official, "This is the doctor from the Ministry of Finance. I have been waiting for you for a long time."
The red-robed official hurriedly stood up and saluted: "Su Yuan, a humble official, has met General Qin."
The doctor of the Ministry of Finance, from the fifth rank, is slightly lower than Qin Mubai's rank, but he is actually on the same level. But because Qin Mubai had such a family background and Qin Shubao was present, plus Baiqi Shi was famous, Su Yuan's etiquette was very thoughtful.
"Mr. Su is too polite." Qin Mubai returned the courtesy and said, "Mr. Su came to see me. What do you want to say?"
Su Yuan then said: "The Ministry of Household Affairs received your Majesty's imperial edict, saying that General Qin would order a house. I and my subordinates spent three days to buy it, so they came to notify the general to come and inspect it. Unexpectedly The general is not at home all day, so I have no choice but to wait here."
"I see. I took my little sister out for an outing today. It's really rude to make the doctor wait here for a long time." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "It's getting late now, how about we go tomorrow?"
"The house is very close. It's just across the street from the Qin Mansion, and it only takes a stick of incense to walk." Su Yuan said with a smile, "General, why don't you check and accept it today? Everything has been packed and you can move in immediately."
"Really? Let's go then!" Qin Mubai said happily.
No matter what, if you have your own house, you can stand on your own and have a private space. Living with my father in the Qin Mansion was a pleasant experience, but it still felt a bit restrictive.
"General please."
Qin Mubai stepped forward and asked Qin Shubao, "Father, do you and mother want to go and see it together?"
"I won't go, you go ask your mother and sister!" Qin Shubao said calmly.
"That's fine." Qin Mubai bowed his hands and stepped back, thinking that the arrogance of a peak warrior in his father's bones would never go away. He may have thought that the reward given by the emperor this time was not justified based on merit but had ulterior motives, so he was not too interested in this house.
But Mrs. Liu and Shuang'er didn't know this. They were so happy when they learned that Qin Mubai would settle down in a new home soon. They didn't even need Qin Mubai to invite him. They took the initiative to follow Qin Mubai and go there under Su Yuan's guidance. Go to new home.
As expected, Qin Mubai's new home was not far from the Qin Mansion, just a street away, and it didn't take long to arrive.
The entrance hall is brand new, and the Suan Ni stone carving at the entrance is wrapped with red silk. Although it is not as grand as the Qin Mansion of the Xunmen of Liji Twelve, it is still neat and elegant.
The door, still freshly painted, opens to the outside. Su Yuan stepped in first, clapped his hands, and a row of men and women walked out to greet him: "Welcome, master."
Qin Mubai was startled: "Who are these people?"
Su Yuan cupped his hands and smiled and said: "These six men, namely the handyman, the cook, the porter, the gardener, the groom, etc., plus the four maids, will all belong to General Qin from now on. The fifth-grade Beijing official has an independent family, The number of servants varies from six to ten, according to the regulations of this dynasty. "