In the days that followed, Qin Mubai lived a safe and stable life. The festive atmosphere during the New Year in Chang'an is very strong, and the entire huge city seems to be enveloped in a layer of peaceful joy, making people feel happy unconsciously.
During the festive season, Qin Mubai misses his family more than ever before, and naturally thinks of his parents, relatives and friends in his previous life. Presumably, we will never be able to meet them again in the future. And the relatives, friends and confidants in this life need to be cherished even more.
When he thought that he would be away from Chang'an for a long time, a trace of intolerance would arise in his heart. Subtly, he has regarded Chang'an as his hometown. Here are his beloved relatives and close friends, and every scene and thing is so familiar.
We must cherish this little time and spend more time with them.
So during this period of time, Qin Mubai often accompanied his parents and sister in the old house of Qin Mansion. Qin Shubao went to the palace to meet the emperor, and he was very excited to confirm the news that he was about to come out again. The eldest son Qin Tong and the second son Qin Bin learned that their father and third brother were about to be transferred to other places, so they returned to their old home with their families to reunite with their father and brother. For several days, the family gathered together and had a great time.
Wu Meiniang ran to Qin's house more frequently, as if she had regarded this place as her own home. Wu Meiniang was very intelligent and well-mannered. Everyone in the Qin family was very satisfied with her. They gradually accepted this Sanlang's wife and got along very well with her. The two families moved around more and more frequently. Although they were not officially married, they were already like in-laws.
This year has been full of twists and turns. It is rare to be able to be so peaceful and leisurely during the New Year. Qin Mubai is quite relaxed. During this period, he practiced martial arts with his father and brother in the morning, studied military books with Wu Mei Niang in the afternoon, and drank tea and talked with his parents in the evening. If he was feeling leisurely and elegant, he would ask his two brothers to bring Mei Niang and his younger sister. Take a stroll in the bustling Western Market, or sit in a tea shop and watch the talented people singing and dancing.
My little life can be regarded as relaxed and comfortable.
Every few days, Qin Mubai would go to Li Jing's house to ask him for advice on military tactics, and ask him to review and review his reading notes. As time goes by, Li Jing appreciates Qin Mubai more and more, and often secretly sighs that he has finally found his true successor in his seventies.
But Li Jing has not passed on the second half of the "Jade Account Sutra" to Qin Mubai for a long time. What he was considering was not just as simple as recruiting a disciple and having a successor.
The military expedition in Prince Wu's palace went on as scheduled. Although there was no big fanfare that shocked the capital, it did make some noise and attracted countless people's attention. In order to avoid suspicion, Qin Mubai did not go to watch the ceremony. He had no worries at all about Xue Rengui's strength, not to mention that there were Qin Shubao, Cheng Zhijie and Li Daozong among the judges. In fact, this kind of "audition" has always been a hidden secret in all dynasties. Unless there is a major accident, Xue Rengui, an unofficial contestant with extraordinary strength, will definitely be the first person to win.
Li Ke's talk was quite good, and he actually invited Yuchi Jingde. Qin Mubai had never seen this man with his own eyes, but he had heard that he was born tall as a horse, with a face as black as coal, a voice like thunder, and an aura like a tiger. He was a natural tiger general. Therefore, there are still rumors in later generations that Yuchi Jingde's mother was a bear man, but this person's appearance is sturdy and rough. In contrast, the equally famous warrior Qin Shubao has a handsome and charming figure with a jade tree facing the wind. The two of them went to the gates of thousands of houses together and acted as door gods. One was black, one was white, one was handsome, and the other was ugly. They complemented each other perfectly.
There was no suspense in the result. Whether it was a martial arts competition or a strategic strategy, Xue Rengui won the championship with an absolute advantage. King Wu Li Ke announced in public that he promoted commoner Xue Rengui to serve as a military officer in King Wu's palace. His official position was from the fifth rank, and he rose to prominence overnight, turning a sparrow into a phoenix.
From the fifth rank, this is a big hurdle in the official ranks of the Tang Dynasty. Beijing officials of fifth rank or above can wear scarlet robes and attend court every day to listen to government affairs. Generally, Sima, one of the left and right deputies of the provincial governor's office in a state city, is also from the fifth rank, and most county magistrates are only from the fifth rank. In other words, Xue Rengui, who was selling halberds on the streets without food just a few days ago, became a deputy county magistrate overnight.
In addition to Xue Rengui, the Prince Wu's Mansion also recruited several children from official clans with outstanding martial arts knowledge and military experience to enrich the royal family's personal army. It's just that most of these people are little-known people. Although Li Ke made a little noise, he didn't dare to do anything drastic or blatantly win over the officers of the Twelve Guards. It can be seen that he still kept a low profile. Caution is essential.
After several days of planning and preparation, Prince Wu's Mansion, which had a lot of new members, finally settled down, and Xue Rengui took office. At the first banquet in the palace, Li Ke invited Qin Mubai there. In addition to the new recruit Xue Rengui, Yin Yang was also promoted to one of the Dianjun, and he was in charge of the palace troops alongside Xue Rengui. Yuwen Hongtai was also promoted to deputy Dianjun, ranking second only to the two. In addition, the palace has added hundreds of new soldiers and more than ten officers, which can be described as a completely new look.
Qin Mubai had a close personal relationship with Li Ke and had served as a military attaché in Prince Wu's Mansion. In addition, now that Xue Rengui had been promoted, his relationship with the military academies in Prince Wu's Mansion was even closer. Even when the soldiers and horses of Prince Wu's palace were training, Li Ke would invite Qin Mubai to watch the ceremony and give instructions. After going back and forth like this, although Qin Mubai did not hold a position in Prince Wu's palace, his prestige in the palace was growing day by day, and he was very familiar with the assistant officers and generals in the palace.
Two days before the Chinese New Year, the palace finally issued a formal decree, appointing Qin Shubao as the general of the Zuo Jinwu Guard, and granting the governor of Lanzhou the post of marching commander of Xinghaidao. The governor of Lanzhou has the power of the Helong army and horses in the Dafeichuan area; delegated to him. Qin Mubai was promoted to the post of Duwei in Xiangzhou Prefecture, leading the inspection of hundreds of cavalry envoys, and becoming a third-rank military officer, General Yunhui.
In addition, Qin Mubai heard the news that because he was still the "inspection and inspection" Baiqi envoy, the current Baiqi envoy did not have a chief envoy for the time being, and the deputy envoy and chief Shi Li Junxian temporarily took the position of the chief envoy and performed military affairs on his behalf.
This move by the emperor gave Qin Mubai enough face to prevent outsiders from misunderstanding that Qin Mubai was swept out by the emperor. No, everyone else is gone, and Baiqi has not reset his official position. In addition, Qin Mubai's rank was also raised to a second and a half rank, leaping from a third rank to a general. Generally speaking, the Zhechong captains in military mansions in various places were of the fourth rank. Qin Mubai added a Wu Sanguan and became the third rank. Although the actual power did not increase, the official rank was indeed not small. Because some of the deputy prime ministers of the Tang Dynasty only had official titles of "Tong Zhongshu's third rank".
For this reason, Qin Mubai joked to Wu Meiniang: "Meiniang, didn't you say that you only considered marrying me when I was a third-rank official? How about it? My original words have come true!"
Wu Meiniang ridiculed him: "You got a third-grade rank by being the son-in-law of the emperor. If we only talk about rank, my father was still a first-grade Duke! There are so many princes and uncles in Chang'an. When will I find you? In terms of actual duties, you are still a fourth-grade captain, so I still don’t like you. I won’t consider marrying you until I find a third-grade captain. If you want to go from a fourth-grade captain to a third-grade general in the army, you are still thousands of miles away!"
Qin Mubai angrily retorted: "When I become a third-grade general and thousands of beauties in the world are vying to marry me, I will let you line up too!"
So Wu Meiniang turned against her on the spot, and Qin Mubai received a good beating.
On New Year's Eve, a royal family banquet was held in the palace, and Li Shimin also invited Qin Shubao and his son, in the name of "future in-laws."
Although Qin Shubao was close to the emperor, it was his first time to attend such a royal family banquet. He was a little flattered. He dressed up at home like a big girl and tidied up for a while before going out.
The people attending the family banquet were all members of the royal family. King Li Daozong of Jiangxia, Prince Li Chengqian, King Li Ke of Wu, King Li Tai of Wei, and even uncles like Changsun Wuji, married princesses, princes and county officials, all brought their families with them. Returned to Beijing to participate. There were more than a hundred people in the room, including the royal family members and relatives, and the scene was quite big.
The happiest person at this time is undoubtedly Princess Gaoyang. As soon as she saw Mr. and Mrs. Qin's appearance, she cheered and greeted them. She took Qin Mubai's hand in public and went forward with him to pay New Year's greetings to the emperor. Princess Gaoyang is still so quirky and good at making mistakes, making the whole room burst into laughter from time to time.
Everyone took advantage of the situation to joke and tease Qin Mubai, saying that there were three difficulties for new customers to enter, and they had to overcome them one by one before they could receive the New Year's benefits prepared by the emperor.
Which three paths? First, the emperor came up with questions for the exam, second, the wife and uncle competed in person, and third, they had to deal with the difficulties faced by a group of ladies like the royal aunt and sister-in-law.
This tossing is fun.
Princess Gaoyang's sisters were not economical, and they came up with many difficult problems for Qin Mubai to complete. It's like asking him, an old man, to embroider. He has to embroider the words "Hundred Years of Reconciliation". If it doesn't look good, he won't be allowed to pass. It made Qin Mubai cry, and Princess Gaoyang also begged her aunt and grandma for mercy before they dared to let her go.
The representative elected by the uncle is Princess Gaoyang's brother, King Li You of Qi. This boy was only twenty years old and ranked fifth among Li Shimin's descendants. He was granted the title of King of Qi and Governor of Qi Province. It is said that he is the best at eating, drinking and having fun. He is definitely a bohemian and has a bad temper.
But one of his biggest characteristics is that he is quite filial to Concubine Yinde and extremely doting on his sister Princess Gaoyang, which is almost famous. After returning to Beijing, he heard that his sister had secretly promised to be Sanlang of the Qin family. He was both annoyed and happy.
Annoyed that some birdman stole his favorite girl? What makes me happy is that my troublesome girl is finally getting married!
So when the test questions came out today, Li Youke became very excited. You have to give Qin Mubai a warning. At least let him know that there is someone in Princess Gaoyang's family, so don't bully my sister casually!
The question Li You asked was: Qin Mubai, I heard that you are both civil and military. Today I will test you on the most difficult problem in the world - look over there, there is an emerald green jade on the head of His Majesty the Emperor, which is worth a thousand dollars. Liancheng is rare in the world, but it is the love of His Majesty's life. No matter what method you use, if you can get that piece of famous jade, I will consider you to have passed the test.
As soon as these words came out, the whole hall was shocked: This Li You is really fooling around, and the joke is all on the emperor!
Li Shimin was sitting in the main hall, but he just smiled: "Wu Lang, you not only passed the Qin Mubai exam, you also passed me! If I can't bear to part with this beautiful jade, then Mubai will not be able to pass; if I give up this It’s a piece of beautiful jade, I feel sorry for you.”
Princess Gaoyang was annoyed, and she started to twitch with her mouth: "Father! Why would you be so reluctant to be a servant? Gaoyang only has one future husband, but you are willing to embarrass him? I don't care, hurry up. Take the jade and give it to Mu Bai, otherwise, otherwise... I will pluck out your beard!"
"Haha!" The whole hall laughed, and Li Shimin was also happy, "That's all, I was afraid of you coming. Come, change your clothes!"
After saying that, Li Shimin went to the back hall and changed his head to another one. He took off the beautiful jade from the previous head and gave it to Qin Mubai. He said, "Mu Bai, remember, you owe me a favor! I'm afraid you You don’t know, it’s the custom of our old Li family to invite new guests to the royal family’s family banquet. If you meet any new guests from the royal family, your life will be difficult. You have to be three points shorter to have dinner with others, and you have to be laughed at. You can’t go back sober at this banquet, because everyone will try their best to get you drunk!”
"Uh... so cruel!" Qin Mubai was really shocked.
"Haha!" The whole hall laughed together and said, "Qin Mubai, you are just drunk. You will wake up tomorrow at most. Just treating guests to dinner will make you poor. Don't look at how many people are in the hall today. people!"
Princess Gaoyang giggled, snatched the beautiful jade from Li Shimin's hand, took it back and gave it to Qin Mubai, and shouted to everyone: "Okay, now we have won, hum!"
Li You pretended to be angry: "You girl, turn your elbows outward! Once you have a husband, you don't want your brother! I really love you in vain!"
"Yeah!" Princess Gao Yang stuck out her tongue and made a face at Li You, and said with a smile, "I want both brother and Mu Bai! You are both my favorite people!"
Li You laughed loudly and said, "Qin Mubai, I told you. You must treat my sister well! Otherwise I won't spare you!"
"Haha, you dare, you dare!" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "If King Qi had not bothered, Her Highness Princess Gaoyang would have dealt with me long ago."
"Haha, you are quite sensible!" Li You laughed, "Yes, you are a good person and you suit my taste!"
Qin Mubai smiled and thought to himself: Li You is much more reckless than his brothers, and even worse than Li Chengqian. Concubine Yin is so dignified and virtuous, so why did she give birth to such a idiot son and such a naughty daughter? What a miserable life!
Next it was Li Shimin's turn to pose the test questions. As a king and the head of the family, the questions he asked were relatively formal. Literary talent, martial arts, calligraphy and piano skills were enough to pass him four tests.
Literary talent is nothing more than reciting poetic couplets. Li Shimin composed an impromptu poem and asked Qin Mubai to continue it. Qin Mubai gave in without thinking. He didn't want to make a fool of himself on such a big occasion. Moreover, this kind of poetry competition couldn't be handled by plagiarizing other people's poems, so he was fined with three glasses of water.
But Qin Mubai passed the next three exams with astonishment. His martial arts is archery, which is his strongest point, without any doubt; as for calligraphy, his "unique" thin gold regular script even amazed the emperor; as for folk arts, not to mention, he can play the pipa with one hand. When he came out, the whole hall was cheering, which pushed the atmosphere of the banquet to the climax.
Obviously, Li Shimin also intended to let Qin Mubai pass, and had no intention of embarrassing him.
Qin Shubao watched his son being tossed around by everyone, his old face beaming with joy. Firstly, he could see that the emperor was quite partial to Qin Mubai, and Princess Gaoyang was completely devoted to him; secondly, Qin Mubai was able to handle every trick with ease, which made him look quite brilliant, and he also grew up greatly for him. Face.
There are many princes-in-law here, but none of them are as favored and talented as Qin Mubai!
After the family banquet, Princess Gaoyang held Qin Mubai in her arms and took Qin Mubai with her brother Li You to visit Concubine Yin De in Dajiao Temple.
When Li You saw the gray-haired Concubine Yin De, she burst into tears, feeling so sad. This filial piety comes from the heart.
Qin Mubai only met Concubine Yin De briefly and bowed, without much exchange of words. Concubine Yin De only glanced at him briefly and said a few polite words, and never talked to him again.
Looking at Concubine Yin De, who was dressed in a large cloak and Taoist robe but still looked stunning with her face turned up to the sky, Qin Mubai could only feel a lot of emotions in his heart, but he couldn't say anything about it.
After bidding farewell to Concubine Yin De, Princess Gaoyang and King Qi Li You sent Qin Mubai out of the palace together. Li You is famous for his eccentric behavior, and his frivolous words are also obvious. He seems to be quite frivolous and without any opinion. But he also showed unreserved respect and affection for Concubine Yin De and Princess Gao Yang. Even Aiwu Jiwu was very enthusiastic and sincere towards Qin Mubai.
Yes, sincerely.
Li You is such a person, whose shortcomings and flaws are very prominent and obvious, but he is also very simple and sincere. This point is quite consistent with Princess Gaoyang's imagination.
Before leaving the palace, Li You said to Qin Mubai: "Mubai, I will leave my sister to you anyway. From now on, whether she is good or bad, I will only recognize you. If she lives well, I, Li You, will be the first to thank you. , I will treat you as a brother and will not hesitate to go out of my way to help you; if you treat him badly, I will fight you tooth and nail!"
"Brother—" Princess Gao Yang was annoyed, "You're celebrating the New Year, what do you mean by death? How annoying! Mu Bai loves me the most, how could he treat me badly?"
"I know, silly girl." When Li You saw Princess Gao Yang, he got angry and immediately changed his face. He laughed and said, "I'm the one who said something ugly before! Of course I hope you can grow old together and be safe for the rest of your life!"
Qin Mubai looked at the noisy pair of siblings and just smiled without saying a word. To be honest, it is difficult to see such a scene of close flesh and blood love among the royal family. For example, Li Ke rarely showed any affection between him and his brothers and sisters. Although he was on good terms with Princess Gaoyang, they were not born from the same mother after all, and their relationship was more like "friendship" than family affection. Not to mention Li Chengqian and Li Tai, they both treat their brothers as enemies.
This playboy Li You, who is uninhibited and has nothing to do, is a little stronger than his outstanding and capable brothers, and he values family affection more.
As dusk falls, it's time for Qin Mubai to leave. Unknowingly, the brother and sister had arrived at the Xuanwu Gate to see him off on foot.
Princess Gaoyang reluctantly said: "Mubai, you are leaving after the New Year. Can we meet again?"
"Silly girl, on the first day of the first lunar month, all the officials from the capital will go to the palace to congratulate His Majesty. Qin Mubai, who is a state official, will not leave until the fifth day of the lunar month. Of course you can see him again." Li You said.
Qin Mubai thought of Pang Fei, but told Princess Gaoyang that he wanted to take Pang Fei and others with him.
Princess Gaoyang agreed without thinking, and said: "Pang Fei has also told me about this, and I am about to tell my father. Don't worry, I will definitely help you get this done. So Xiangzhou It’s over a thousand miles away! How long will it take for you to come back without a capable person to protect you?”
"That's right." Li You also said, "When a Beijing official goes to the local government to serve as an official, he must have his own confidants and helpers. Don't underestimate those local officials, they do one thing in front of you but behind the scenes, if you are alone You might be isolated if you go there, especially in the army, so you must have a group of capable confidants!"
"Okay, I'll leave this matter to you!" Qin Mubai said to Princess Gaoyang.
"Fool!" Princess Gao Yang scolded with a gentle smile: "Your business is not my business, what can I do for you? Remember, you must visit me again before you leave!"