[I had an operation on my eyes some time ago. My eyes were swollen and painful and I couldn’t watch the computer, so I stopped updating. I apologize to everyone! ]
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At dawn the next day, Qin Mubai got out of the good quilt in Wenwen Township. Princess Gaoyang, who usually loved the coquettish Didi and acted wildly, did not make any mistakes. Instead, like a little daughter-in-law, she personally brought Qin Mubai face wash for the first time in her life. And carefully arranged his armor and robes.
Qin Mubai was moved for a moment, so he picked up the exquisite double-feathered crown of the sacred beast that was stored in the cabinet and put it on. Princess Gao Yang was very surprised when she saw it, and said with a smile: "Mubai, when did you like to play with things like this? They are two very long peacock tails. They sway when you walk, but they are quite pretty. , worthy of you.”
Qin Mubai smiled and said: "The troops will be sworn in soon on the school field. It doesn't matter if I am conspicuous as the leader of the army. Have you never seen it? Generally, the commander only wears this thing when he goes out to take the oath of troops. It will definitely not be used in battle. Anyone who knows how to wear it should wear armor.”
"Oh..." Princess Gaoyang nodded in understanding, thinking in her mind that it is not easy to reveal the specialness of a coach among thousands of people. Perhaps this is the purpose of wearing such a hat with long feathers standing tall. Bar!
Qin Mubai looked at himself in the mirror and felt that it was quite funny. It looked a bit like Lu Bu in the Three Kingdoms drama.
In fact, he accidentally thought of Chen Yan, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.
After Yao'er passed away, Qin Mubai cherished his relatives, friends and confidants especially. Now he is about to go on an expedition. His mother, sister and brothers are all here. Princess Gaoyang and Wu Meiniang will definitely see him off. He can also see his father when he goes to Lanzhou, but there is no news from Chen Yan.
So wearing this double-feathered crown as a gift from her can be regarded as a thought!
Not long after, a hundred cavalry guards, brothers Su Dingfang, Qin Tong, Qin Bin, and Wu Meiniang arrived. Qin Mubai also had the breakfast prepared by his mother and was ready to go out.
The mother was worried when her son traveled thousands of miles. Before leaving, Qin's mother could not help but cry again. She repeatedly told Qin Mubai to take care of his health when he was away on an expedition, and asked him to take good care of his elderly father and not to show off. Qin Mubai comforted her for a while, and finally made her mother stop crying.
Qin Mubai told his two elder brothers that he was away on an expedition with his father, and he had to entrust his two elder brothers to take care of him at home. The two promised to agree, and the eldest brother Qin Tong also said: "Third brother, you can go out in peace! When you arrive in Lanzhou, you will serve your father well. You don't have to worry about anything here in Chang'an. This time you survive the disaster, I The Qin family will be blessed. After Her Royal Highness the Princess said something to me that day, I suddenly realized that from now on, your eldest brother will risk his life to protect the safety and honor of our old Qin family. Today, my eldest brother will swear a poisonous oath in front of you, your mother and the princesses. If anything happens to the old Qin family after you leave, Qin Tong will kill himself to apologize!"
"Brother, you don't have to be so serious." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "What did the princess say to you that touched you so much?"
Qin Tong's expression was serious. He bowed to Princess Gaoyang and said, "That day when the princess went to the palace to see you, I stopped her from entering. She said to me, I, Li Ling'er, want to see you." Qin Sanlang can give up the princess and take this life, but you, the eldest brother, are still reluctant to give up the position of deputy envoy of Baiqi? "
As soon as these words came out, the entire audience fell silent and looked at Princess Gao Yang.
Princess Gao Yang's face immediately turned red, and she laughed a little embarrassed and said, "Brother, don't take it to heart. I was just... I was so angry at the moment that I talked nonsense."
"No, you said it very well." Qin Tong said, "Since we are a family, we should stick together tightly. It is easy to break a chopstick, but not so easy to break a bundle of chopsticks. As the eldest brother, I should actually be very I am ashamed that I have not brought glory to the old Qin family for so many years. When faced with danger, I only think about my own life and death, the honor of my family, my wife and my children. My parents give me this dignified appearance. With such a weak body, I am worse than a little girl who has no strength to restrain a chicken. Hey... I'm so ashamed! Sanlang, you can go to Lanzhou in peace! From now on, the old Qin family will be taken care of by me and your second brother. There is no other ability between the two brothers, but being a guard dog is no problem!"
"Brother, what you said is serious!" Qin Mubai bowed his hand and said in return, "With the eldest brother and the second brother taking care of the family in Chang'an, the younger brother can follow his father in the battlefield with peace of mind. Okay, stop chatting, it's time for me to go."
As soon as Qin Mubai said the last four words, Qin's mother, Shuang'er and Princess Gao Yang's eyes turned red unconsciously. Princess Gao Yang grabbed Qin Mubai's elbow, bit her lip, and said bitterly to his ear: "Mubai, listen carefully. You must return in triumph and safety. If you are missing something by then, Neither I nor the child in my belly will spare you a hair!"
"What, you're pregnant?" Qin Mubai was panicked for a moment, then asked in surprise, "When did it happen?"
There were many people around, including Qin's mother, Shuang'er, and everyone looked at Princess Gaoyang in surprise and joy.
Princess Gao Yang's face turned red to the base of her neck. She lowered her head and murmured: "Why are you so loud?... I don't know! Didn't we... do that yesterday? We should be able to get pregnant, right?"
Qin Mubai and the people next to him were dumbfounded. Qin Mubai coughed twice and said with a smile: "Okay, I promise you, I will return safely without a hair missing!"
"Also, don't mess around with women outside!"
"What are you talking about!" Qin Mubai said with a straight face, "I am going out to fight, not traveling or serving as an official. It's true! There are only five big and three thick men in the military camp!"
"Hehe!" Princess Gaoyang snickered.
Qin Mubai then said to Su Dingfang and Wu Meiniang: "Brother, Meiniang, you should hurry up and prepare. I see that the court's preparations for the dowry for Princess Wencheng are going very quickly, so don't be left behind. Senior brother, I will share half of it. I have a hundred cavalry guards for you, specially used to protect Prince Jiangxia and his daughter. In addition, there are also three thousand cavalry to escort you, Mei Niang, you must hurry up in preparing food and grass."
"Don't worry." The two of them agreed together, and Wu Meiniang said, "This time the Zheng family is also going out with all their strength. Commercial branches in various states and counties are working hard to raise food and grass. All the civilians who can be recruited in the two capitals of the pass are here. Gathering, the carriages and horses are almost ready. With the solid backing of the Zheng family, you don’t have anything to worry about.”
Qin Mubai thought for a while, nodded and said, "I'm not worried about their financial, material, or manpower. But I have a request, and you have to comply with me."
"You speak."
Qin Mubai said: "When the time comes to escort the grain and grass, you don't have to go in person."
Wu Meiniang's eyes widened slightly with a flash of displeasure. She frowned and said, "It will depend on the situation. I can't promise you now."
Qin Mubai opened his mouth to say something more, but when he saw that there were many people present, he had to suppress it, nodded and said: "That's fine. You can save your own time and act according to the situation. I won't force you - okay, that's it." , everyone, I have to say goodbye!"
"Good go!"
"Take care of yourself!"
"Remember to come back early!"
…
Astride the Huoyun war horse, Qin Mubai left this series of instructions and worries behind, and led fifty hundred horse guards out of Chang'an City and headed straight for the military camp.
Ten thousand elite armored cavalry have been assembled, and a platform for generals and a sacrificial platform have been set up on the main campus. King Jin of the Supervisory State presided over the ceremony with the assistance of Chu Suiliang, including Fang Xuanling, Li Ji, Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Zhijie and other important civil and military officials also came.
Qin Mubai looked carefully and saw that Changsun Wuji was not here.
After the sacrifice, Chu Suiliang read out a copy of the emperor's imperial edict and gave Qin Mubai the general's banner. Firstly, it is to clarify the identity of the coach in public and give him authority, and secondly, it is to boost the morale of the armed forces.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Qin Mubai asked Jin King Li Zhi beside him in a low voice, "Prince Jin, I have a little thing to ask you."
"Teacher, please speak." Li Zhi said very politely.
"When the cabinet meeting was at its most critical moment that day, Fang Xuanling suddenly appeared and supported our main station faction. The reversal of feng shui greatly helped us. I remember that he told a story about a scholar who was studying abroad. , to compare the war in Lanzhou." Qin Mubai asked, "At that time, he said that he and the emperor heard this story. I was curious, who told them this story before His Majesty's bedside? Not many people can get in, so it can’t be Chu Suiliang,” Fang Xuanling said. “Can you guess who the person who told this story is?”
"I don't have to guess, because I know it!" Li Zhi smiled honestly, "It's Sizi!"
"Ah, Princess Jinyang?" Qin Mubai said in surprise, "No one can guess that! - It's strange, how could Princess Jinyang tell such a story at such a young age? No, someone must have done it first Tell her!"
"Hehe, teacher, you are so smart. Someone told her this story first." Li Jin looked around warily and lowered his voice, "No one could have guessed this person. Absolutely not."
Qin Mubai frowned and whispered: "Could it be... Master Qingshan of the Heavenly Kingdom Temple of the Protector?"
"Ah!" Li Zhi exclaimed, "Teacher...how did you know?"
"Guess." Qin Mubai smiled and said lightly.
Li Zhi looked at Qin Mubai with wide eyes in surprise, and murmured: "It's incredible! How could you guess it?... That day, Si Zi and I were wandering around in the back garden out of boredom, when we met Yin De Concubine. She invited us to go to Huguo Tianwang Temple, and then we went to have Master Qingshan from Tianguo Temple tell us stories. Si Zi was smart and had a good memory, and he listened carefully. Later, she was able to retell it word for word, and both Concubine Yinde and Master Qingshan praised it. Later, when she came back, Sizi happily said that she wanted to go back and tell her father the story. I didn't pay attention, so she went. That’s what happened.”
"Oh, I know." Qin Mubai smiled lightly and nodded, thinking to himself: After such a big detour, it turns out that Concubine Yin De was secretly helping me... Before leaving, why didn't I go and talk to her? Where did she say goodbye
"Prince Jin, can I entrust you with something?" Qin Mubai said.
"Master, just ask."
Qin Mubai smiled and said: "It's not a big deal. I have a close relationship with Master Qingshan, and I once promised her to gild the Buddha statue in Tianwang Temple. Now I am about to leave Chang'an, and I am afraid that I will forget it if I delay it. , Just do it for me! Just ask Wu Meiniang for how much it costs."
"Teacher, you are out of touch when you say that. Gokokutennoji Temple is a royal temple, how can I ask you to pay for it?" Li Zhi said with a straight face, "Don't worry, I will take care of this matter when I get back. I won't use the imperial court. The money from the national treasury will be paid out of my personal property. I will tell Master Qingshan that it is done in the name of my mentor.”
"Well, thank you very much." Qin Mubai didn't bother with him and thanked him with a smile. I thought to myself, in this way, Concubine Yinde and Master Qingshan should also know my gratitude to them... That little Si Zi, full of spiritual energy, is really lovely. Li Shimin was right. If Si Zi had been born as a man, it is estimated that people like Li Zhi and Li Tai would not have much to do as the successor.
Some ceremonies, such as the sacrifice ceremony and the strengthening of the army, lasted for about an hour. The auspicious moment of dawn has arrived, and the army finally sets off.
When Qin Mubai had just mounted his horse and was about to wave his army away, a postman on a fast horse ran in from the camp gate holding a military report. Chu Suiliang stepped forward to catch it, and his face suddenly became happy. He first looked at it with Jin Wang Li Zhi, and then they both walked to Qin Mubai's horse and said: "Good luck, General Qin! When the army goes out to fight, there will be good news. It's really good. Good luck!”
"What good news?" Qin Mubai asked.
"Your Majesty led 20,000 elite cavalry to march to the west. Lien Zhan's 16th victory has left Yangguan to recapture Yumen, and the troops have reached Puchanghai. I believe that when we received the news of victory, he had captured Gu Loulan and prepared the troops and horse divisions to leave Gaochang. "
"Mighty! Mighty! Marshal Qin is Mighty!" The soldiers of the three armies were greatly excited after hearing the victory report and cheered loudly.
Qin Mubai took the good news from Chu Suiliang and looked at it, feeling both happy and worried. Needless to say, I am happy, the old man is inspiring thousands of miles away, the martyr is full of ambition in his old age, the old father Qin Shubao is still as majestic as before, and the sixteen consecutive victories have brought out the national prestige of the Tang Dynasty and the Qin family's edge. What I'm worried about is that after more than ten consecutive battles over thousands of miles, the men and horses are exhausted. My father is relatively old, can he bear the burden? Furthermore, a brigade of cavalry went deep into the hinterland of Gaochang alone. What would they do if they were attacked from the back and flank
Chu Sui's conscience was as thin as a hair, and he obviously understood Qin Mubai's thoughts. He turned his eyes and looked at the greatly encouraged soldiers around him, and said in a low voice: "General Qin, don't worry. The Duke of Yi is still as powerful as before, and he has Xue Rengui and Yuwen Hongtai to assist him, so it's not bad. Now Yangguan and Yumen Pass are already under the control of the Dudufu of Lanzhou in the Tang Dynasty. As long as follow-up supplies and reinforcements arrive in time, we can work together step by step without making any mistakes. "
"Yes." Qin Mubai nodded, admiring Chu Suiliang's calmness and wisdom, and said to him, "Of course the victory of the former army is the best news. I'm just worried about whether my father's body can bear it. Furthermore, Lanzhou Dudufu has a vast territory and a long front line. Although there are 100,000 troops under Dudufu, if the Tibetans cause repeated harassment, Lanzhou's military strength will probably be stretched. Furthermore, my father has no master in Lanzhou during the expedition, and Xue Wanjun. Although he is fighting alone, his overall situation is not good, and I am not optimistic about his ability to mobilize all the troops in Lanzhou. It is still unclear whether he can mobilize all the troops in Lanzhou to respond to my father's front army in a timely manner. "
"General Qin is very worried." Chu Suiliang gently stroked his beard, his eyes lit up, and said, "Since the general is worried about this, why don't you think of a solution?"
"That makes sense!" Qin Mubai was awakened by the words. Seeing King Jin standing aside, he got off his horse and said to him, "King Jin, I want to entrust you with an important military and national matter!"
"Ask for leave." Li Zhi said seriously.
Qin Mubai raised his hand and said, "I would like to ask the King of Jin to issue an amnesty order after returning to the court. He hastened to send it to the Lanzhou Governor's Mansion for 800 miles, and ordered the Acting Governor Xue Wanche to deploy troops and horses to garrison Yangguan, Yumenguan and Puchanghai. , the original Shancheng, Liangzhou and Kunlun Mountain Pass guard posts can be temporarily reduced in strength. In other words, let him abandon the original military town strongholds to expand the Lanzhou defense line, and use Yangguan, Yumenguan, Puchanghai and the original Dafei. Sichuan is mainly a military area.”
Li Zhi blinked his eyes and looked a little confused, and asked Chu Suiliang beside him urgently: "Chu Zhongshu, did you hear it clearly and remember it completely?"
"Your Majesty, I have heard and remembered clearly." Chu Suiliang responded with a smile on his face and raised his hands.
Qin Mubai smiled bitterly in his heart: This Li Zhi is indeed a bit dull!
"Well, don't worry, mentor. After Xiao Wang returned to the court, he immediately drafted a decree from Chu Zhongshu and rushed it to Lanzhou for 800 miles, so that Xue Wanche can execute it immediately without any mistakes!" Li Zhi said formally.
"Thank you so much, King Jin!" Qin Mubai breathed a sigh of relief, clasped his fists in thanks before getting on his horse, pointing west with his command, and the army set off.
Li Zhi, Chu Suiliang and other civil and military officers stood on the general stage and watched the army go away.
Li Zhi asked Chu Suiliang who was beside him, and said softly: "Chu Zhongshu, does this decree just now need to be approved by my father or my uncle?"
Chu Suiliang frowned slightly and said: "His Royal Highness, King Jin, please forgive me for saying something disobedient. Since you are the prince who supervises the country, if you can make decisions about such trivial matters, just take it yourself! Where is the relationship between the emperor and Situ? You must be respected, but you don’t have to bother them with current affairs. Otherwise, why would they let you supervise the country?”
"Yes, yes..." Li Zhi smiled with some embarrassment and shame, and said, "It is better to do less than to do more. This matter... I, the king, make the decision!"
"Your Highness is wise." Chu Suiliang cupped his hands, but secretly shook his head and smiled bitterly.
Qin Mubai led the army and marched for three or four days. That night, the army just set up camp and prepared to take a break. A scout came from the front with a fast horse. Holding a military intelligence report from the front, he went straight to the Chinese army and said that he wanted to change horses.
Qin Mubai asked the scout what military information he had, but what was the military information from the Qin Commander-in-Chief in front? The scout came from the Lanzhou Military Academy and naturally recognized Qin Mubai. He quickly replied that he was, and even showed Qin Mubai the military report.
Qin Mubai was horrified when he saw this military report!
It turned out that Qin Shubao led an army of 20,000 elite cavalry in the western expedition and after sixteen victories, the troops reached the ancient country of Loulan. Here, they encountered strong resistance from the Tibetan and Gaochang coalition forces. A tragic war began. The vanguard Xue Rengui led only 3,000 armored soldiers into the crowd of more than 20,000 coalition troops. After more than two hours of hard fighting, the 3,000 vanguards were almost destroyed and only a hundred guards remained. Xue Rengui still fought tenaciously. With his unparalleled bravery, he killed several times in the enemy's jungle and killed dozens of enemy generals. The enemy soldiers were frightened and no one dared to show his strength. Just when Xue Rengui's bloody robes and horses were all killed in the formation, the old commander Qin Mubai personally led a large army to kill him. He defeated the enemy's coalition forces in one go and chased them for more than 60 miles and beheaded more than 4,000 enemies!
In this battle, Xue Rengui relied on 3,000 exhausted soldiers to fight against more than 20,000 enemy troops. He fought hard for more than two hours, giving Qin Shubao's main army an excellent rest time. After the war, the Tang Dynasty suffered about 4,000 casualties, the enemy coalition suffered more than half and nearly 10,000 casualties, and lost more than ten generals. Gao Changguo even lost its commander and a prince.
After this battle, the Tibetan military deployment in Gaochang and Helong areas completely collapsed; the vitality of the Gaochang Kingdom was severely damaged. King Qu Wentai of Gaochang was shocked by the bad news and fell ill, allowing his son Qu Zhisheng to take charge of the country. Qu Zhisheng was afraid of Qin Shubao's military prowess, and the Tubo people were defeated in a hurry and lost strong reinforcements, so he went to the Tang army camp to surrender to Qin Shubao and admit defeat.
Qin Shubao's army is still hundreds of miles away from Gaochang Kingdom, and Gaochang has been leveled!
Along with the good news, sent to Chang'an, there was also a letter of surrender from Gaochang Wang Qu Wentai, as well as the household registration and cattle and sheep miscellaneous books and other items presented to show that Gaochang would join the Tang Dynasty.
…
After reading these things, Qin Mubai put them away gently, frowned slightly, took a long breath, and said to himself: Father is mighty! Rengui is mighty! After the battle in Loulan, the overall situation in Gaochang was decided. It is really a great regret in my life that I was not able to personally participate in this war and witness the tragic and heroic scenes at that time...
Qin Qiong of the Tang Dynasty, the veteran will never die!