After reciting the ceremony, Li Jing happily invited Qin and his son into the main hall, where they sat down separately and served tea to each other.
Li Jing took out the longevity stick given by the emperor and tried it. He was very satisfied and said with a smile: "His Majesty the Emperor is really considerate of me. This crutch fits my body shape perfectly. He has so many things to do every day and still has time to take care of such small things. It’s so admirable!”
Qin Shubao said: "Big brother, His Majesty's favor towards you is indeed extraordinary. He calls you brother and sister in public, but in fact it makes us veterans jealous!"
"Haha, Uncle Bao was joking." Li Jing sat down with a laugh and invited the father and son to drink tea.
Qin Mubai has been sitting quietly listening to Li Jing chatting with his father, observing Li Jing carefully. Overall, Li Jing made Qin Mubai feel very calm and approachable. The more truly a big shot he is, the less pretentious and less pretentious he is. If he were walking in the market, others would not know that he was Wei Gong Li Jing. He, the invincible military god of the Tang Dynasty who conquered half of the country, looked like an amiable old man from Linjia.
Li Jing's home was also very simple. Most of the high-ranking officials in the Tang Dynasty advocated frugality. The furnishings of the Wei Gong Mansion were as simple as the Qin Mansion, but very clean and tidy. Just like Li Jing's person, he is low-key, simple and meticulous.
After chatting for a while, Qin Shubao said bluntly: "Big brother, I haven't seen you for a few years, but my foolish brother always goes to the Three Treasures Hall for anything. Come today, I have something to ask of you."
"Why did Uncle Bao say a word of begging? If you have something to say, you might as well speak up." Li Jing said with a smile on his face.
Qin Shubao pointed at Qin Mubai and said: "Quinzi followed in my footsteps and joined the army. Although he learned some tricks and embroidered legs, he knew nothing about the art of battle. Big brother, you also know that Qin Qiong is just a common man. I know how to teach Quan Zi the art of war, but I am not strong enough. That’s why I thought of bringing Quan Zi to Big Brother. Please give me some advice.”
"This..." Li Jing frowned slightly, caressed his bright white beard with his skinny purple hands, pondered for a long time, and said, "Uncle Bao, you and I have known each other for many years, you know my temper."
"Of course." Qin Shubao laughed and said, "So Yudi will never dare to force others to make things difficult. Anyway, Yudi just spoke with this old face, and Big Brother doesn't have to face any difficulties. If you accept it, you won't accept it. If you don't accept it, you won't accept it. Yudi is all According to my brother’s opinion, there is no need to say more.”
"Uncle Bao, I also know what you are like. You never ask for help. Today you have asked for help. I can't refuse, but... I really have something to hide." Li Jing said with a troubled face.
"Can you tell me and let Yudi take care of my brother's details? You and I have been brothers for so many years. Firstly, Yudi will never force you to do anything. Secondly, if there is any difficulty, Yudi will not hesitate to go to my brother's expense." Qin Shubao said.
"Uncle Bao is still so loyal." Li Jing glanced at Qin Mubai, smiled slightly, and said: "Mubai is not an outsider anyway, so I will tell you frankly. In fact, after the Turks were settled in the north, , I have always stayed away from home, not to mention recruiting disciples to teach the art of war. I had accepted two disciples, one was Su Dingfang, and the other was Hou Junji. Now they have independent schools, and they are almost cut off from me. Uncle Bao, do you know why?"
"What? Su Dingfang and Hou Junji have cut off contact with you?" Qin Shubao's eyebrows were raised with a hint of anger, "How dare they be so disrespectful of their teachers?"
"No, no, it's not their fault." Li Jing frowned slightly and said, "I asked them to do this. And Li Ji, who I had been friends with for many years, also had conflicts with me. No communication.”
"This..." Qin Shubao pondered for a moment with a slightly stunned look on his face, and finally nodded, "I understand."
Qin Mubai secretly thought to himself, and seemed to have figured out something: Li Jing was a highly accomplished military god, a unique military god in the army who could not be replaced, and was almost a symbol of the Tang Dynasty's army. Such a figure naturally has unparalleled prestige in the military. Today, his apprentices Su Dingfang and Hou Junji have become generals in charge of military and governance. What would the emperor think if he openly communicated closely with Li Jing? At that time, I am afraid that as long as he, Li Jing, is willing, he can wave his hand lightly and thousands of troops will gather to respond, and he may be able to overthrow his dynasty, Li Shimin!
Therefore, Li Jingcai took this strategy and cut off all contacts with Su Dingfang, Hou Junji and others, and became the same as Li Ji. In this way, when the generals in the army were at odds with each other, it was possible for the emperor to manipulate and control them. If all the generals in charge of the army hugged tightly...then I'm afraid Li Shimin's throne would be on pins and needles. In this way, it is not only a crisis for Li Shimin, but also a crisis for Li Jing, Li Ji, Su Dingfang and others, and even a crisis for the entire Tang Dynasty!
Li Jing is indeed a person who can influence the whole body with one move and can control the fate of the Tang Dynasty today!
…
"In this case, do I, Li Jing, still dare to accept a disciple?" Li Jing chuckled, revealing a bit of bitterness and helplessness, and he said, "Uncle Bao, it's not that I'm unkind, nor do I look down on Mu Bai. In fact, the situation dictates... Forced, it has to be this way.”
"Big brother is wise and loyal, and everything he does is for the Tang Dynasty and His Majesty the Emperor. I have nothing to say, stupid brother." Qin Shubao sighed regretfully, "To put it this way, I can only lament that Sanlang is not that lucky. I’ll come to your door!”
At this time, Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said: "Gong Wei, father, it doesn't matter. I want to learn the art of war just to serve the Tang Dynasty and share the emperor's worries. But if I become a disciple of Gui Wei and bring If there is a lot of trouble and trouble, it goes against my wishes. Therefore, I don’t want to become a disciple of Duke Wei now.”
"Oh?" Li Jing let out a light sigh, a pair of old eyes flashed sharply and quickly over Qin Mubai's face, and he thought to himself: This guy is really smart, he seems to have figured out the meaning of what I just said... He took advantage of When he came to present the gift from the emperor, he talked about becoming a disciple and invited his father to join him in lobbying, as if he was determined to win and confident.
Li Jing thought: I don't know how many of the sons of the princes and military officials of the Tang Dynasty want to worship me as their teacher, but everyone knows that I, Li Jing, a highly accomplished master, thanked guests behind closed doors, for fear that they would be jealous if they became close to me. Get into trouble. Qin Mubai is the only one who comes to be his disciple in such a grand manner. Is he an idiot? Obviously not! He is a close minister of the emperor, how could he not know my current situation, Li Jing. Now that he has come and spoken... does that mean that he has the emperor's tacit approval
Thinking of this, Li Jing couldn't help but the corners of his eyes lit up, and then a smile appeared on his face, and he said: "It's rare that you and your son are so considerate to me, I am very grateful. By the way, Uncle Bao, today I am chatting about home affairs, and I have something to do. I want to ask you for confirmation.”
"Big Brother, you might as well come and listen." Qin Shubao said.
"Haha, I am old and have nothing to do, so I am quite curious after hearing some rumors." Li Jing said with a smile, "I heard earlier that the emperor withdrew his order to marry Princess Gaoyang to Fang Yiai, but is it true? This matter?"
Qin Shubao's heart brightened slightly, and then he laughed and said, "You should ask Quanzi about this!"
Qin Mubai smiled awkwardly and said, "Yes, that's exactly what happened."
"Haha!" Li Jing laughed, "I also heard that it was you, Qin Mubai, who invited Princess Gaoyang out of the palace and sent her to live in Prince Wu's mansion. Is this true?"
Qin Mubai continued to smile bitterly: "Yes, that's exactly it."
"Haha!" Li Jing stroked his beard and smiled, "So, is it true that the emperor intends to marry Princess Gaoyang to you?"
"Haha! I didn't expect that Big Brother, who lives in seclusion in the house all day long, is still so well-informed about the news from the outside." Qin Shubao laughed, "I haven't even asked Quan Zi about this matter. I might as well ask Big Brother together today."
At this time, Qin Mubai was thinking: Why did Li Jing suddenly ask about this "gossip" for no reason? What is this old man planning? Could it be that he wants to find out whether I will become the emperor's 'son-in-law', find out whether I have been ordered and recommended by the emperor to become his apprentice, and then decide whether to accept me as his disciple
A person like Li Jing is as wise as the sea and as cautious as the sea. No matter what he is thinking right now... I'll just take a gamble! Anyway, the matter between Princess Gaoyang and I is an open secret, and there is nothing to be ashamed of in telling it!
"Returning to Duke Wei and my father, regarding the marriage grant..." Qin Mubai looked embarrassed and said hesitantly, "I really dare not hide it. Concubine Yin once mentioned it to me orally. Everything is limited to this. ”
"Haha! Concubine Yin is the biological mother of Princess Gaoyang. Since she has spoken, it means that the emperor has given instructions. Otherwise, how could she make her own decisions? In this case, I would like to congratulate you and your son on the Qin family's marriage. Princess, that will happen sooner or later!" Li Jing said with a laugh.
"If this is true, the emperor's kindness is so great that our Qin family will shed tears of gratitude. If it is just a rumor or a joke, then we can only laugh at it!" Qin Shubao also laughed.
Li Jing chuckled slightly, looked at Qin Mubai carefully with narrowed eyes, and then said leisurely: "Mubai, it's not that I don't want to accept you as my disciple, but actually... My Duke Wei's mansion seems to be peaceful now. It's like water, but it's a troubled place. It's rare that you are so diligent and eager to learn, and I can't bear to refuse you and interrupt your study. Well, here is a book of war that I have written by myself in the past two years, and I have only completed it. Half. If you don't mind, please take a copy back and study it carefully. If you don't understand anything, you can come to my house and ask me."
When Qin Mubai heard this, he was overjoyed. He suppressed the ecstasy in his heart, got up from the couch and turned to Li Jing to bow down.
"Wait a minute!" Li Jing shouted and stopped him, "Don't worship me as a disciple!"
"Why...why?" Qin Mubai asked in confusion.
Qin Shubao also stood up, walked to Qin Mubai with a long smile, patted his shoulder and said, "My silly son, just listen to your uncle Li!"
"In this case... I will thank Duke Wei for giving me the book!" Qin Mubai still bowed down.
"Haha, okay, get up!" Li Jing stroked his beard and smiled, nodding, "It's just a broken book, no need for such a big gift. Come, you two, father and son, follow me to the study, and I will get the book from you."
"Thank you Duke Wei!"
The father and son followed Li Jing to the study room, and saw that the small room was filled with books, but they were kept neatly and spotlessly clean.
Li Jing walked to a bookshelf and asked Qin Mubai to take down a thick book in an ancient blue book box, put it on the table and spread it out, and took out a large book half a foot thick.
There are three handwritten Chinese characters on the book cover - "The Jade Account Sutra"!
"This is a military book that I started to write in the past two years. It includes the methods of condemning generals and managing troops, marching and fighting, setting up camps to scout princes, weather and hydrology, troop formations and formations, and many prescriptions for treating epidemic diseases in the army." Li Jing said, "For people who have been marching and fighting all year round, these are all things that are very clear to the mind. But for people like you who have never been in battle, they are very useful. The upper part of this book has been completed and it is over for now. You might as well take it away. Make a copy of it and send it back to me so I can finish the second part.”
"Thank you Duke Wei!" Qin Mubai bowed his hands in front of him, then took off his unicorn cloak and carefully wrapped up this military treasure.
There is a poem in the Song Dynasty that says: "The dragon crouching in the nine soils cannot cry out, and the smell of breast milk is full of empty ears. The scholar has not understood the Jade Account Sutra, and he will never stop holding this picture."
"The Jade Account Book" is the most comprehensive work among Li Jing's many military art works. In later generations, including the Song Dynasty, it almost became synonymous with military art!
Although Qin Mubai still couldn't quite understand why Li Jing only gave him a book of war and not accepted any disciples, it would be great to have this book of war!
A work that condenses the life-long military experience of the ancient military strategist of the Tang Dynasty, the God of War, is simply hard to find!
"Uncle Bao, Mu Bai, you two, father and son, don't think that I am stingy and verbose." Li Jing said, "You must not pass on this military book of mine to anyone else. Otherwise, His Majesty the Emperor..."
"Don't worry, Duke Wei. This junior will definitely abide by Duke Wei's teachings and will not let anyone else see this book." Qin Mubai said solemnly, clasping his fists.
"Okay. A man's promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. I believe in you." Li Jing nodded with a smile.
"Two days later, this junior will return the original copy of this book!" Qin Mubai solemnly promised.
"Okay! At this time the day after tomorrow, I will be waiting for you here!"
Soon after, the father and son said goodbye to Li Jing, left the house and returned home. There was no words all the way. The father and son hurried back to the Qin Mansion with their own concerns. It was already dark and thousands of houses were lit with lights.
After dismounting, the two went directly to Qin Shubao's room and opened the thick military book.
"Yes, it is indeed Li Jing's handwriting. Every word was written by him himself." Qin Shubao roughly flipped through the notes to identify them, then closed the book and said solemnly, "Sanlang, Li Jing is so generous. , he has given his life’s hard work to you, you must cherish the opportunity and keep your promise!”
"Father, don't worry, the child knows what to do." Qin Mubai also responded seriously.
"Well, okay..." Qin Shubao then sat down and breathed a sigh of relief, "Just now Li Jing refused, I thought the matter was hopeless. Li Jing is like this, he is very principled in everything, and he is more important in major matters. He never took a step beyond the thunder pool and was extremely cautious. Just now, he suddenly changed his mind and gave you the military book. It was a bit unexpected. Mu Bai, have you ever thought about why Li Jing suddenly changed his mind? "
Qin Mubai frowned in thought and shook his head: "I don't know very well, kid."
Qin Shubao chuckled: "It's reasonable that you don't think clearly. Because you don't know much about the affairs between our generation and the emperor. In fact, Li Jing only took the initiative to accept Su Dingfang in his life. This apprentice taught him the art of war. Later, Hou Junji became Li Jing's disciple under the strong recommendation of the emperor. Just now, when Li Jing asked about Princess Gaoyang, he probably thought clearly that it was the emperor who recommended you. Although the emperor did not forcefully order Li Jing to accept him as a disciple this time, who can resist the emperor's favor? Therefore, Li Jing has to carefully consider whether to accept you as his disciple."
"Then why didn't he accept me as his disciple directly, but only gave me the art of war?" Qin Mubai asked.
"There is more knowledge here." Qin Shubao said, "Since the emperor didn't explicitly ask him to accept it, how could he dare to accept it after making an independent decision? Li Jing's art of war is not only his books and works, but also the work of the Tang Dynasty. The national treasure is also the treasure of the military. Soldiers are the most dangerous weapons of the country! If Li Jing casually accepted his disciples and passed on the military tactics to some young people, wouldn't it be a disaster for the Tang Dynasty in the future? Li Jing has always been extremely cautious when it comes to recruiting disciples. Even if the prince's relatives come to seek apprenticeship with him, he refuses them all."
"But this time, it was the emperor who asked you to find Li Jing to become a disciple, and the emperor's intention was profound." Qin Shubao continued, "First, let's see if Li Jing is as cautious as the outside rumors say in accepting disciples; Secondly, it also tests whether Li Jing only obeys the emperor's orders. Thirdly, the deeper intention... Maybe the emperor also wants to see the art of war written by Li Jing in the past two years! "
"What?!" Qin Mubai was shocked, "The emperor asked me to give Li Jing such a spiritual longevity staff. Does it have such a deep purpose?"
"So, I have advised you not to underestimate the emperor a long time ago. He never does anything meaningless." Qin Shubao said, "Just think about it, Li Jing can conquer half of the country for the Li family, and his military skills will What does it mean? This is like having a top martial arts master in your house who has a hair-cutting sword. As the head of the family, even if you have absolute trust in this master, you don't want to see his sword. What does it look like?”
"Father is wise, and what he said is absolutely correct... So it is even more necessary to take a look at this martial arts master who uses poison instead of a knife, and at least he must have the antidote." Qin Mubai nodded in realization, "That kid Now, should I send this military book to His Majesty the Emperor for review first?"
"Clever. Just before we left, didn't Li Jing vaguely mention, 'Otherwise, the emperor's side'? This old fox is hinting that you should send the military book to the emperor first, so that he can read it." Qin Shubao waved his hand, "It's no longer necessary to stop overnight, you can go right away!"
"yes!"
Seeing Qin Mubai flying out of the house with a thick military book on his back, Qin Shubao laughed while stroking his long beard and said to himself: "How about it, Jiang is still hot when he is old, right? You brat, you have to learn more. Be careful!"
It was dusk time and the palace gate was about to close. Qin Mubai entered directly from the Xuanwu Gate of the north gate and came to the Penglai Hall of the Harem. Sure enough, he found Li Shimin. He had dinner here with Li Zhi and Li Mingda as usual.
After dealing with the two little guys, the monarch and his ministers entered the study. Qin Mubai directly unloaded the military book and placed it on Li Shimin's desk. He said: "Your Majesty, I have gone to see Duke Wei to be his apprentice, but Duke Wei He refused to accept Wei Chen as his disciple and only passed on this half of the military book. Wei Chen did not dare to do it himself, so he brought the military book and asked your Majesty to decide!"
Li Shimin chuckled, stretched out his hand to touch the "Jade Account Sutra" which still had the scent of ink, without reaching out to open it, and said: "Since Duke Wei passed it to you, then you should study it carefully!"
Qin Mubai was deliberately startled: "Your Majesty...don't you open this book and read it?"
"No need." Li Shimin smiled and said, "You don't have to repay me for such a small matter. This is a matter between you and Li Jing. It doesn't involve me, so why should you take it so seriously?"
"Weichen just feels that..." Qin Mubai hesitated and said, "If it is a military book given by His Majesty, Weichen will feel more at ease reading it. If he does it without telling His Majesty, Weichen will feel like he is deceiving the emperor. "
"Haha, that's a serious statement." Li Shimin said with a relaxed smile, "Since you want to say that, well, consider this military book as a gift from me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Put it away carefully. This is a military treasure." Li Shimin looked at Qin Mubai and smiled meaningfully, "Take it back and read it carefully. If you have time, I may ask you for advice."