Although he has a dandy and unruly character, Qin Mubai rarely acts absurdly and does not do anything that is outrageous or uncertain. In his previous life, when he was a second-generation official and a second-generation rich man, he occasionally behaved frivolously but never went beyond the system. He knew that no matter how powerful a person was, he could not defeat the state machine; in this life, he became the son of Qin Shubao, and now he is the son-in-law of Qin. A man of the hour who stands at the forefront of the storm, he still understands this truth.
No one can stop the wheels of history from doing whatever they want - until you become the driver of this broken car.
But now, Qin Mubai had to fight an uncertain war. He had to blindly guess the trajectory of history and the future direction, risking his family's life and the fate of his family in a huge gamble!
For two days, he stayed at home with the door closed and never left the house. Originally, he wanted to be shameless and visit people like Cheng Zhijie, Yuchi Jingde, and Duan Zhixuan in sequence. But he held back.
Li Jing asked Su Dingfang to tell him something, which gave him a feeling of great enlightenment.
Instead of running around running a trap like this, it is better to wait and see what happens.
Just imagine, if Qin Mubai plus Li Ji and Li Daozong still can't change the established ending, what's the use of adding people like Cheng Zhijie, Yuchi Jingde, Duan Zhixuan? He was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot and rushed to seek medical help. First of all, he lost his sense of direction and tolerance. Secondly, it was the most sensitive and eventful period right now, and there were countless pairs of eyes staring at Qin Mubai everywhere. If the news that he was lobbying all over the country were spread to the palace, he would be suspected of being a leader, raising a banner, and raising a party.
This is undoubtedly the biggest taboo now!
Li Jing said, let everything take its course and be normal. In addition to advising Qin Mubai not to act too hastily, this may also have another meaning - he probably wants to say that there is a public opinion about right and wrong. Such important matters related to the future of the dynasty and the century-old plan cannot be ignored by the emperor. , must have been planned for a long time.
Therefore, whether Changsun Wuji or Qin Mubai, no matter how hard they work, it will be in vain!
It's like a group of people gathering together to gamble dice. No matter how loud and loud they shout, the number covered in the dice cup is already determined. All gamblers have to do is place their bets and wait for the dice cup to open.
Except for Li Shimin, who was the one shaking the dice cup, the others were all gamblers. No matter how rich a gambler you are or how amazing your chips are, it cannot change the outcome. Even if you are just a humble gambler who bets only a copper coin but happens to hit the number, you are still the biggest winner.
Right now, Qin Mubai was facing exactly such a bet.
What we are facing is an uncertain war.
Perhaps, in the overall situation, Li Shimin was the only one who had the wisdom to watch the performances of these people with cold eyes. He is like the scheming and manipulative banker on the gaming table who holds the dice cup in his hand. He can easily change the points of the dice. He looks at the big or small bets placed by the gamblers without changing his expression and sneers in his heart.
At noon, a bachelor was sent from Hongwen Hall to inform Qin Mubai that at the end of the morning after the next morning, he would go to Hongwen Hall to attend the cabinet meeting.
Upon hearing the news, Qin Mubai, whose face was as dark as water, but his unpromising palms broke out in a layer of cold sweat.
Well, at the end of the day tomorrow, the dice cup will be unveiled. Everyone knows who will win.
Qin Mubai raised his head and looked towards the top of Zhongnan Mountain. The prototype of Yao'er's statue was under construction. He took a deep breath and said to himself: "Yao'er, maybe it is because of your death that this fight that was originally lurking underwater was brought to the surface. Tomorrow, the judgment of life and death will be decided. If I win , a grand blueprint will be placed at my feet. From then on, I will take your ashes to conquer the north and south and outline this blueprint in detail. I may not be in Chang'an all year round. I will take you to listen to the news of the Western Regions. , there are also the neighing of war horses and the roar of the battlefield. If I lose, I will abandon my official position and live in seclusion in Zhongnan Mountain. No matter whether the spring breeze rises or the mountains and rivers are frosty, I will play my pipa and accompany you in the battle tomorrow. , Although I don’t see any swords or armor, I won’t lose a battle against a hundred thousand troops. If you have a soul in heaven, please help me triumph!”
After boiling a pot of tea and burning incense, Qin Mubai sat in the pavilion by the stream in the backyard, holding the "Jade Account Sutra" and observing.
No one in the family bothered me.
In the face of a battle, one should be as heavy as water and as quiet as a mountain. This is what Li Jing said, and it is the demeanor a general should have.
Two hours passed, and it was almost evening, with colorful clouds filling the western sky.
Qin Mubai poured out the last cup of Birunmingyue from the teapot and found that the charcoal fire in the stove was cold. Just as he was about to get up and leave, he found two familiar figures outside the garden gate.
Wu Meiniang and Princess Gaoyang.
The two women stood side by side without saying a word, looking at Qin Mubai quietly from a distance.
Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile gracefully, stood up and walked towards them, saying, "When did you come here and you didn't even call me?"
Wu Meiniang said with a smile: "I see you are quietly reading books, so I don't want to disturb you."
Princess Gaoyang's expression showed rare tranquility and tranquility, and she said with a smile: "Mei Niang is right."
Qin Mubai looked at the two of them, smiled knowingly, and said, "It's rare that you two have such a tacit understanding. Come on, sit down and drink tea with me."
"good."
Returning to the pavilion, putting on a fire and making new tea, the three of them sat across from each other.
"Mu Bai, are you still studying the "Jade Account Sutra"? Aren't you already familiar with this military book?" Wu Meiniang picked up the military book and flipped through two pages. She saw the dense annotations and comments on it and said.
"The art of war cannot be understood by memorizing it, nor can it be used flexibly after understanding it. Otherwise, it would be too worthless, and it would not take a thousand years for a pharmacist Li to appear." Qin Mubai smiled while pouring tea. road.
Princess Gao Yang said: "I don't understand the art of war. I have only heard a saying that victory or defeat is a common thing for soldiers. Don't worry too much."
"Haha, Ling'er, are you trying to persuade me to take it easy?" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Don't worry, I'm in a good state of mind now. First of all, I'm prepared for defeat; then, I will do my best on the battlefield. efforts to win.”
"Be prepared for the worst and try your best. Yes, that's how it should be. It seems that we are too worried." Wu Meiniang said, "Mu Bai, it has been smooth sailing since you entered the officialdom. Although there are occasional small setbacks. , but everything can be solved easily. But this time, even we know that you are facing an uncertain war that you cannot afford to lose.
"Really?" Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "You mean Changsun Wuji?"
"Isn't it?" Princess Gaoyang said, "Mei Niang and I have talked a lot just now. Although we don't fully understand the things in the court, the more outsiders are, the more clearly they can see. Just a eldest grandson Wuji is no longer You are an opponent you can deal with. And in fact, Changsun Wuji represents my father. If you go against my father's decision, wouldn't it be like shaking a big tree? Don’t tell me that you didn’t expect that your opponent this time might be my father?”
Qin Mubai's hand holding the teacup paused for a moment, frowning in thought, and then said: "To be honest, I have thought about it, but I don't want to think about it. What I don't want to do the most is to go against your father's wishes. Going in the opposite direction. If the opponent I face this time is the emperor, then it proves that... the emperor betrayed me and broke the promise. "
Princess Gao Yang's expression had turned ugly to a certain extent, and she said worriedly: "Mu Bai, since you know this, why do you still..."
"Ling'er, this is just a guess." Qin Mubai breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Now, maybe even the emperor is hesitant. We are all betting, and we can't give up until we see the outcome. It is true that your father It’s the banker who can decide our outcome. But this bet has already begun, how can I back down midway?”
Princess Gao Yang bit her lip and nodded gently: "I understand."
"What do you understand?" Qin Mubai asked.
"I'm going to see my father and let him... allow you to win!" Princess Gao Yang suddenly said.
"No." Qin Mubai's face changed, and he suddenly said sternly, "You can't decide the outcome of this bet just by relying on the relationship between father and daughter. Otherwise, there would be no need for such a big fight. Ling'er, just be obedient. Just be a bystander. If I win, everything will be fine; if I lose, I don’t care what you ask your father to do."
"Mu Bai, tell me the truth... If you lose, will your life be in danger?" Princess Gao Yang asked worriedly.
Qin Mubai frowned slightly and shook his head: "I don't know. If I'm lucky, I can still stay in Chang'an, and I can still be a prosperous but idle prince-in-law. If I'm not lucky, maybe the prince and Hou Jun will gather together. This is my role model. If my luck is even worse..."
"Okay, you don't need to say anything." Princess Gaoyang suddenly raised her hand to interrupt Qin Mubai's words and said firmly, "The last situation will never happen! If Changsun Wuji really dares to kill the weeds with ruthless hands, , I dare to kill him with my own hands, and then let my father execute me with his own hands!"
Qin Mubai's expression was stagnant and he wanted to persuade Princess Gaoyang a few words, but in the end he endured the words and nodded: "Don't worry, it won't happen."
Wu Meiniang sighed softly and said: "Mu Bai, princess, maybe things are not as heavy and complicated as we thought. Relax a little, as the saying goes, there is no need to worry about running out of firewood to keep the green hills. Even if you lose this time, you don't have to worry about it. If you don't give up and give up, how can you have the fighting spirit and domineering arrogance if you don't go through many ups and downs and try a few times
Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile and said, "Meiniang, have you gone to see my eldest brother and second brother?"
Wu Meiniang was stunned: "How did you know?"
"These words sound familiar! My two brothers have said that they will use the life and death of dozens of members of the Qin family to nourish my domineering arrogance." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Why, are you still sticking up for me now? Got it?"
"What do you think?" the two women said in unison, then looked at each other and smiled in unison.
Qin Mubai squinted his eyes and looked around at the two most important women in his life. He smiled slightly and said, "Even if I lose this war, I have already won it!"
"Even we can see it. You are not even sure. Why do you still say that?" Wu Meiniang asked.
"No reason." Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "You are right. Only when you can afford to lose can you win. With this sentence, I told Ling'er that I wanted to kill Changsun Wuji with my sword. Already won!"
At dawn the next day, the bedroom was still dark. Qin Mubai opened his eyes and woke up.
Just as he was about to get up, a pink arm next to him hugged his neck, and in his ears came Princess Gao Yang's sleepy murmur: "Mu Bai, give me a hug before we go, okay?"
"You didn't sleep all night?"
"Um… "
Qin Mubai took her into his arms and hugged her tightly, caressing her back lovingly, kissed her forehead softly, and said: "Silly girl, didn't you sleep the most soundly with me in the past, especially the gentle one?" after?"
"I don't know either..." Princess Gaoyang had no intention of joking and whispered, "I feel so uneasy. I have been thinking that if you really lose this time, there will be no war in Lanzhou, and you will be granted a marriage with the Tubo Alliance. What kind of foothold will there be in the future? And your father will probably be transferred back from Lanzhou and take back his military power and be idle again. "
"So what's the matter? At worst, we can start over again, no one will die." Qin Mubai patted her back and smiled easily.
"Mu Bai, don't deceive yourself." Princess Gao Yang said softly, "You have a heart as high as the sky, and you absolutely can't stand that kind of idle and boring life; let alone your father, who is so proud and proud, how can you stand it? Such a blow? I really can’t imagine how dull and depressed you and your son would be if you were both at home!”
"You're worrying too much, Ling'er." Qin Mubai smiled easily and said, "Meiniang's words are right, only you can win before you can afford to lose. If you don't even have this kind of mind, how can you achieve great things? Well, It’s time to go to court and I have to get up.”
"Okay, you go ahead!" Princess Gao Yang let go of her arms, pursed her red lips and thought for a moment, then said, "I will lie here waiting for you to come back and hug me to get up."
Qin Mubai couldn't help but burst into laughter and said, "Isn't that too lazy? You are now the daughter-in-law of the Qin family. I am not at home, so as a daughter-in-law, you have to fulfill your responsibilities in the morning and dusk. Get up and go early. Lao Qin’s family sends greetings to my mother!”
"Yes, my lord, hee hee!" Princess Gao Yang immediately got out of the bed, jumped onto Qin Mubai naked and wrapped him around him like a tree scab, and said with a sly smile, "Hug me again Just a moment... Yeah! Don't pinch my butt!"
Putting on the rarely worn court clothes, Qin Mubai rode out and went out until he reached the Suzaku Gate of the imperial city.
Here, the civil servants got off their sedan chairs and the generals dismounted their horses and walked into the palace one by one. Although Qin Mubai had been an official for several years, he had previously served as a Baiqi in the harem, and later served as a local official in Xiangyang and Lanzhou. He rarely participated in court meetings formally like this. The civil and military officials looked at him with a hint of surprise in their eyes.
The bells of the Bell and Drum Towers of Taiji Palace rang, and officials, both civil and military, filed out of the East and West Halls, lined up in two lines and walked up the Dragon's Wear Road to attend the morning court.
Just now in the general hall of the West Chaotang, Qin Mubai met Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Zhijie and others, but they only met each other's eyes and nodded as a greeting, without talking to each other. When leaving the Xichaotang, Qin Mubai saw Wei King Li Tai and Jiangxia King Li Daozong in the civil service train, but Wei Zheng and Fang Xuanling were not seen, nor were Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang.
When all the civil and military officials entered the main hall of Wude Hall and stood up, Qin Mubai saw Changsun Wuji, Jin Wang Li Zhi and Chu Suiliang entering from the side door of the court hall. Li Zhi sat on the dragon chair that was very inconsistent with his stature. On the left was the Prime Minister Chang Sun Wuji, and on the right was the minister Chu Suiliang, who looked like two teachers and two bodyguards.
Compared with when he first sat on the throne a few days ago, Li Zhi was obviously much calmer, and his eyes were even a little cold. He glanced down the hall habitually, and his eyes suddenly showed a touch of surprise and enthusiasm because he saw Qin Mubai.
Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang followed Li Zhi's gaze and glanced at Qin Mubai unnaturally, with a vague smile on their faces. Changsun Wuji said: "Today's meeting, I have a morning report. , Withdrew from the court without foundation."
Chu Suiliang added: "His Royal Highness the King of Jin occasionally feels cold and feels unwell."
All the ministers had more or less heard the news and knew that there would be an important cabinet meeting to be held later, and Changsun Wuji and others were no longer thinking about the court. No one would be ignorant of current affairs and come up with trivial matters at this time to waste time.
Then, the voice of "I have nothing to do" sounded.
"Okay then, let's retreat from the court!"
The civil and military officials just entered the main hall of Wude and immediately left again. However, many people who received the notice of the meeting tacitly stayed in the waiting hall of the East and West Chao Hall and did not leave.
In the waiting room for the generals in the West Chaotang, in addition to Qin Shubao and others who were leading the troops on the front line, more than half of the Sixteenth Guards generals and generals of the third rank or above came to help dozens of people. Duan Zhixuan, Li Junxian and others gathered together to discuss in low voices, while Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Zhijie absentmindedly chatted about past military affairs. Only Qin Mubai sat alone in the corner, quietly. of drinking tea.
In terms of rank and seniority, everyone here is Qin Mubai's superior and senior. However, all the generals unanimously turned their eyes to Qin Mubai intentionally or unintentionally, paying attention to his every move.
But after watching for a long time, Qin Mubai made no other unnecessary movements except occasionally picking up the teacup and taking a sip of tea, and his eyes were not even messy.
The generals were secretly surprised: Good boy, Mount Tai is about to crush you, but you can still be so calm!
At this time, a clerk from Hongwen Hall walked into the waiting hall of Xichao Hall. He bent down and cupped his hands to all the generals: "Generals, please go to the lobby of Hongwen Hall to discuss matters!"
"Okay, let's go!" Yuchi Jingde roared like thunder, stood up, and rushed out as if a war had begun.
Cheng Zhijie chuckled: "Old Hei, why are you so anxious? The protagonist hasn't even set off yet!"
Yuchi Jingde turned to look at Qin Mubai who was sitting next to him. He glared and stepped forward to grab him: "Silly boy, are you scared to death? Get up and go to Hongwen Hall!"
Qin Mubai stood up with a chuckle, brushed off his wrinkled clothes, and said: "You are all superior officers and seniors, how can I be rude and go first? Generals, please go first!"
"Haha!" Cheng Zhijie laughed, "Don't panic when facing a battle and don't panic when facing the enemy. Mu Bai, you are a bit like me and Li Jing!"
Yuchi Jingde looked Qin Mubai up and down for a few times, and nodded seriously: "Silly boy, you have the demeanor of a general—today, I, Laohei, want you, Qin Mubai, to take the lead. What's going on? I won't give it." My face?"
All the generals laughed heartily. Yuchi Jingde had such a temper, and they were all used to it.
"In this case, it is better for me to be respectful than to obey my orders!" Qin Mubai did not show any pretense. He bowed to everyone and said loudly, "Please!"
"General Qin, please!"
The clerk of the Hongwen Hall who came to deliver the message couldn't help but be a little dumbfounded. He watched the generals of the third rank and above of the Sixteenth Guards, followed by Qin Mubai, a mere fourth-rank lieutenant, out of the West Chao Hall and went to the Hongwen Hall.
On the other side, in the waiting hall for civil servants in the Dongchao Hall, Li Tai was at the head of the queue, and a group of civil servants also came out one after another to the Hongwen Hall.
Qin Mubai saw that Jiangxia King Li Daozong, who never attended such meetings and participated in cabinet discussions, was an exception!
In the Hongwen Hall, Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang stood side by side by a window, watching two lines of dozens of people filing in, looking at each other in silence.
"Situ, look at this formation, why do we feel like they are here to fight?" Chu Suiliang said.
Changsun Wuji smiled, twirled his beard and said, "Even if we come to fight, we will definitely win this battle. What should we be afraid of?"
Chu Suiliang frowned slightly and said nothing. He turned his head and raised his hand and said in surprise: "Situ, please look - there is a sedan being carried over there. Who could it be?"
Changsun Wuji followed his point and looked slightly surprised: "Is it Wei Zheng? Is he really here?"
Chu Suiliang smiled slightly and said meaningfully: "Even Li Daozong, who never attends such meetings, is here. How could he not come?"
Changsun Wuji blinked, looked at Chu Suiliang thoughtfully, and asked: "Then you say... Wei Zheng, is he an enemy or a friend?"
Chu Suiliang shook his head: "Who knows? Many times, even His Majesty the Emperor doesn't know whether Wei Zheng is an enemy or a friend... He has always been right about the situation and not the person."
Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment, nodded speciously, and said: "Okay, even if he is an enemy... In the past, Wei Zheng was able to reverse even the wishes of His Majesty the Emperor; but this time, even ten Wei Zhengs can't. Nothing can be changed!"
"Really?..." Chu Suiliang responded softly, half smiling.