A few days later, Qin Mubai, who was armed with both light troops and roads, led his troops to the Lanzhou Dudu Mansion. When we were still eighty miles away from the city of Lanzhou, a large group of people appeared in front of us, with banners flying high and soldiers fighting fiercely. A closer look revealed that it was Tang Jun.
It turned out that it was Xue Wanjun, the acting governor of Lanzhou, who came out from the Li brigade to meet Guo Xiang.
Qin Mubai held down the flag of the soldiers and horses and stepped forward. Xue Wanjun and others had already dismounted. They stood by the roadside with Lanzhou Governor Xiao Liang and other officials and bowed their hands -
"Xue Wanjun, the Governor of Shanzhou!"
"Xiao Liang, the governor of Lanzhou!"
"Xue Wanche, the Governor of Liangzhou!"
"Lead the generals under the Lanzhou Governor's Mansion to greet Marshal Qin!"
Behind them, about two to three thousand cavalrymen dismounted and saluted, shouting in unison - "Welcome to you, young marshal!"
Qin Mubai was a little confused for a moment. In the past, they were used to calling themselves "Young General", but this Young Marshal's title was new. Moreover, I just returned to the capital and then back to Lanzhou. There was no need to go out eighty miles away from Guo and set up a formation of three thousand troops to greet him.
This etiquette is a bit excessive.
"You are too polite, and I have offended Qin." Qin Mubai quickly dismounted his horse and returned the courtesy, saying, "Two generals, Xiao Cishi, Qin is just a fourth-rank official in the Lanzhou Dudu Mansion, and his official rank is still behind you. How dare you accept such a courtesy? If you come to greet King Jiangxia and Princess Wencheng, you will probably be disappointed. Their team is still far behind, and they probably just set off from Chang'an."
Xue Wanjun and others looked at each other and smiled, and said: "Young Marshal, of course we have our own reasons for doing this. Even if the king and his daughter of Jiangxia are here, we can at most welcome them in the city, and there is no need to go out for eighty miles. We will welcome him in military formation just because Marshal Qin is the new master of Lanzhou, so we must do this."
"Oh, how did you say this?" Qin Mubai asked in surprise.
Xiao Liang came forward with an official in Tsing Yi. The official in Tsing Yi held out an exquisite brocade box and handed it to Qin Mubai with both hands, and said: "Young Marshal Qin, before you arrived in Lanzhou, the imperial court sent a humble horse to Lanzhou first to issue an imperial edict, appointing you as the governor of Lanzhou! Therefore! , From now on, you are the new master of Lanzhou."
"Oh? What about my father?" Qin Mubai was surprised again.
"Young Marshal, why don't you ask an angel to read the imperial edict?" Xue Wanjun and others laughed.
"please!"
So the official in green read out the imperial edict.
It turned out that the imperial court issued an order to appoint Qin Shubao, the governor of Lanzhou, as the "General Manager of the March of Guanxi Road" and the "General Protector of Anxi". He was responsible for taking charge of the administrative and military power of the Guanlong Road in Hexi Province, and also planned the Western Region. After Qin Mubai arrived in Lanzhou, he took over Qin Shubao's position as the Commander-in-Chief of Lanzhou, taking charge of all important military and political affairs under Lanzhou's rule, and was awarded the title of "Chief Commander of the March in Guanxi Road", that is, military advisor and staff officer.
This "Tao" of Kansai Road used in military affairs is different from the "Jiangnan Road" of geographical and administrative regions. The former almost means "military region", and is often named after the place where the military region is located. The metaphor "Guanxi Road" theoretically refers to the large area west of Huoguan Pass. This official position is quite large, almost equivalent to the top. Half of the Tang Dynasty. In a narrow sense, it refers to the Guanlong area and the Western Regions west of the Yellow River.
The General Manager of the Guanxi Road March was the commander-in-chief of all the troops and horses controlled by the Tang Dynasty in Guanlong and the Western Regions.
In addition, important figures under the former Lanzhou Metropolitan Governor's Office each had new amnesties and missions. Xue Wanjun was awarded the title of Commander-in-Chief of the March in Xihai Road (the area between Hexi and Qinghai Lake) and the Governor of Shanzhou, in charge of the military affairs of Shanzhou and the military affairs of the Dafeichuan Military Region; The military and administration of the area also commanded the military region from Qishan Company to Yumenguan. Xiao Liang, the former governor of Lanzhou, also served as the governor of the Lanzhou Governor's Office left by Qin Mubai, assisting Qin Mubai in handling the people's livelihood affairs under the governor's office; Su Dingfang, who was about to come to Lanzhou, was appointed as the governor of Lanzhou Governor's Office and the staff officer. The military of the Metropolitan Governor's Office.
In this way, the old commander Qin Shubao was promoted and became a figure on par with Li Ji. He was in charge of half of the country west of the Yellow River in the Tang Dynasty and was in charge of hundreds of thousands of troops. Qin Mubai, Xue Wanjun and others became He became the commander of the military division under Qin Shubao. At the same time, Qin Mubai also assumed the administrative power of Lanzhou.
In this way, Qin Mubai is indeed the "new master of Lanzhou"!
After receiving the imperial edict, Qin Mubai was not in a hurry to rejoice, but asked: "What does the imperial court mean by appointing my father as the 'Great Protector of Anxi'?"
Xue Wanjun took a step forward and replied: "After Gaochang surrendered, the commander-in-chief offered his services to the court. The court ordered the commander-in-chief to build the two prefectures of Xi and Ting in Gaochang's hometown, divide the prefectures and counties into military towns, and set up the Anxi Protectorate in Tingzhou to command As a result, the military and political power of Helong and the Western Regions will be under the control of the Anxi Governor's Palace."
Qin Mubai frowned and said: "Establishing an Anxi Protectorate? Isn't this a fool's dream right now? We have just gone through many bloody battles and defeated the Tibetan and Gaochang coalition forces. Although it was a victory, it was a tragic victory. The Tang Dynasty is here The power west of Yumen Pass is not enough to establish a protective government to govern the Western Region. It can even be said that the Tang Dynasty has not yet established a foothold there! Tubo is defeated, but it is difficult to guarantee whether Qu Zhisheng will come back. However, in addition to the Qu family, there are three other Gaochang kingdoms in the Gaochang Kingdom. The four kingdoms have just conquered one country, and they are still convinced. How can they establish a protective palace? The Tang Dynasty's power in the Western Region has just begun. Now is actually the most sensitive and dangerous period! I just feel so happy after a tragic victory. I really don’t know what those people in the court are thinking!”
When everyone saw that Qin Mubai was not only unhappy but also a little angry, they couldn't help but make mistakes. Xue Wanjun glanced around and said softly: "Young Commander, calm down. There are many people with mixed ears. How about we go back to the Governor's Mansion to talk?"
Qin Mubai smiled coldly and said to the messenger in green: "Tell me the truth, whose idea was this decree?"
"This... my humble position is just an errand boy in Hongwen Hall. I don't know the details." The green-clothed official said cautiously.
Qin Mubai narrowed his eyes and asked, "Is this a bad idea from Changsun Wuji?"
Everyone listened with disdain when the words "Chang Sun Wuji" came out of Qin Mubai's mouth, and their expressions changed and they were silent.
The official in Tsing Yi was stunned for a moment and remained silent.
Xue Wanche shouted: "Our young marshal is asking you something, tell me!"
"Yes!... It's Situ's intention!"
Qin Mubai nodded: "As expected. Come back to Lanzhou with me to rest for two days, and I will entertain you well. When you have regained your energy, you can return to Chang'an and convey the exact words of what I just said to Changsun Wuji. And tell him He said, I know exactly what he wants to do; please reassure him, the Qin family has their hearts set on the country and the country, and they have no time to talk nonsense with him!"
At this time, even Xue Wanjun changed his face and said hurriedly: "Why did the Young Marshal say this? Could it be that when you returned to Beijing this time, you fell out with Changsun Wuji?... In this case, it is better to be cautious - you, listen ! Don’t send a word back! Otherwise, I’ll cut off your head if I find out!”
"Ah!" The official in Tsing Yi took two steps back in fright.
"Don't scare him." Qin Mubai waved his hand to signal Xue Wanjun to take a step back. He stepped forward and said, "You are just a messenger running errands. If I say anything, you will convey it to me. No need to be vague or add jealousy. Understood?"
"Ming, I understand."
"Okay, let's go back to Lanzhou!"
Qin Mubai got on his horse. Xue Wanjun and others were full of doubts and did not want to ask more questions, so they all mounted their horses and returned to Lanzhou together with the army led by Qin Mubai.
The original soldiers and horses of the Yifu of the Lanzhou Military Region, led by Xue Rengui and Yuwen Hongtai, accompanied Qin Shubao on his expedition to the Western Regions. This time, Qin Mubai personally brought 10,000 elite Yueqi, just in time to form a new Yifu Qinxun. Therefore, the seven thousand cavalrymen who followed Qin Mubai were stationed in the city and moved into the original Yifu military camp.
After many years in the army, Qin Mubai finally had a soldier and horse that truly belonged to him. He appointed his trusted old cavalry guards as generals and assistants one after another to assist him in commanding and training this army. He himself moved into his father's original residence and replaced him, becoming the new owner of Lanzhou.
As soon as he arrived in Lanzhou, he received an imperial edict for promotion. In other people's eyes, Qin Mubai should be happy. But he got angry in public, leaving Xue Wanjun and others really confused.
There were many things that Qin Mubai couldn't tell them, and they didn't dare to ask. Seeing that the young marshal was in a bad mood and very angry, he had no choice but to cancel the banquet he had planned.
Lanzhou has been without an owner for many days. Acting Governor Xue Wanjun spent most of his time in Dafeichuan, handling the military and political affairs there, and was unable to do anything else. Therefore, there was a backlog of military and political affairs in the Governor's Mansion that needed to be dealt with. Therefore, Qin Mubai was extremely busy for several days. With the help of Xiao Liang and others, he finally managed to handle the administrative and people's livelihood work at hand.
In terms of military affairs, on the Dafeichuan side, Xue Wanjun led the army and had red cannons stationed there. The Tubo people were as secure as a rock and did not dare to take a step forward. There were relatively few things. The more troublesome thing was the military defense change in the Ganliang area. Xue Wanche was responsible for this matter. Due to the complicated matters of moving the military region, progress was relatively slow.
Xue Wanche, the governor of Liangzhou, was a good fighter, but he found it troublesome to do these trivial things. Qin Mubai had no choice but to personally supervise the daily inspections and put the focus of the governor's office on the Ganliang area.
Fortunately, Xue Wanche also knew some of the importance. After receiving the imperial edict entrusted by Qin Mubai from Li Zhi, he immediately stationed troops at Yumen Pass and Yang Pass, and garrisoned Puchanghai, echoing Qin Shubao's troops far away in Gaochang. Let them no longer float overseas like a kite with a broken string.
A snake cannot fly without a head, and a bird cannot fly without a head.
Lanzhou has a new owner and everything gradually returns to normal. After the Great Victory of Puchanghai (Lanzhou people used to call it the 'Great Victory of Loutai'), the war tensions within Lanzhou also tended to ease. The merchants who had been detained here were released one after another, and business travel could finally flow and became more active than before. .
Businessmen pursue profits. In fact, the more war-torn times, the higher prices and the more profitable they are.
After experiencing a period of tension and depression, Lanzhou Dooran burst out with terrible vitality, business travelers were flowing, and people were enthusiastic, and it was more prosperous than in the past peaceful times.
Often after experiencing war, people are more eager for peace and tranquility, and those who survive love life more and have the passion to make a living and improve themselves.
This is probably the reason why a country that is initially settled in troubled times can always achieve "great governance" at the beginning of its founding - people's minds are settled.
In just ten days after Qin Mubai returned to Lanzhou, Guanlong was completely transformed and prospered.
But Qin Mubai knew that the real "big things" waiting for him had just begun.
On this day, the semi-monthly meeting of the governor's ministers will be held, and of course Qin Mubai will preside over it. The Xue brothers, Xiao Liang and others all came.
Qin Mubai paid close attention and watched the list of visitors counted by the doorman. Everyone who was supposed to come came, but one person was missing -
Liangzhou Sima, Hou Junji.
On that day, when all the officials were about to go out to greet Guo Xiang, Hou Jun was not seen gathering.
Qin Mubai remained silent and finished the meeting as planned, discussing some important military and political matters. After the meeting, he invited Xue Wanche to stay and asked him why Hou Junji didn't come to the meeting.
Xue Wanche looked embarrassed, shook his head and said, "I knew the young marshal would ask about him."
"What's wrong with him?" Qin Mubai asked.
"Hey!..." Xue Wanche sighed and said, "The young marshal may know his situation better than we do. The young marshal was in Chang'an at the time, wasn't he?"
"Well, I know about Chang'an. What I'm asking is, what happened to him after he came to Liangzhou?" Qin Mubai asked.
"Since the day he arrived in Liangzhou, he has never worn an official robe for a single day, and has never paid attention to political affairs for a single day. He indulges in prostitution, gets drunk, and stays out all night, and is notorious for his excessive gambling and whoring." Xue Wanche shook his head and said, "Tangtang How can it not be a pity that the founding fathers and battlefield generals have been reduced to such a state today? "
Qin Mubai frowned and said: "He actually knows how to break jars? This is really beyond my expectation. Hou Junji is a veteran of the same generation as my father. If we really talk about raising money and fame, After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Hou Junji's status was far superior to that of my father. He and I came from the Wei Gong family, so he was my senior brother. However, I didn't know much about him, I only heard a lot about him. All in all, he is not the kind of person who abandons himself."
Xue Wanche hesitated for a moment and stopped talking.
"Whatever you want to say, just say it. There's no need to be subtle." Qin Mubai said.
"Well..." Xue Wanche nodded and said, "As we all know, Hou Junji was defeated in the imperial party struggle and suffered the crown prince's rebellion before he was captured by Changsun Wuji under the pretext of being demoted to this position. Sima, Who doesn't know that the Sima of the prefectural city, especially the Sima of the military town like ours, is just a free-lance official? - Hou Junji has been dismissed, and I am afraid that he will never be able to find a useful person in this life. Fortunately. I guess he did this on purpose, to show the people in the court, Changsun Wuji, so that they would let him go and not kill them all, so that he could save his life. "
Qin Mubai's eyes lit up and he said, "You mean, Hou Junji is trying to hide his power and bide his time?"
"Isn't it?" Xue Wanche asked back and said, "Originally, it was impossible for a prince's remnant like Hou Junji to escape Changsun Wuji's axe. Now that he is lucky enough to escape with his life, he will probably still be the emperor. His majesty thought of his past merits and showed mercy. If not, he would have died countless times. Now that he has been demoted to Liangzhou, he will not dare to show his talents. Of course, he can only live in confusion. Wuji thinks that he still has ambitions and threats, what should he do?"
"It makes sense." Qin Mubai frowned, nodded, and said, "But for such a useful talent like him to be wasted among the singing dogs and horses every day, isn't it the biggest loss to Lanzhou?"
Xue Wanche was surprised, "Could it be that the Young Marshal... wants to use this person?"
"Why not?" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Command the troops to fight and kill the enemy. How does Hou Junji compare with you two brothers?"
"He is not as good as us in charging into battle; we are not as good as him in strategizing." Xue Wanche answered sincerely.
"That's it." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Lanzhou is newly settled. It's time to hire people. If a great talent like him is not needed, who should be used? Don't forget, it's not just about fighting. Hou Junji, who was born in the military, also He served as the Minister of Civil Service in Chang'an, and he did a great job in abandoning the military and serving as an army. His ability is definitely not as good as his own. General Xue, I would like to arrange a private trip to Liangzhou. , go visit Hou Junji in person, but please don’t alarm him in advance.”
"Uh... isn't this bad?" Xue Wanche said, "The young marshal is a superior officer and he is a subordinate. How can he condescend to visit and refuse to welcome him?"
"It doesn't matter, let's arrange it like this." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Just think of it as I'm going to visit my uncle and senior brother. It's purely a personal visit."
"Okay, I'll make arrangements for my humble position." Xue Wanche agreed, but still hesitated and said, "Young Marshal, I have a saying about my humble position. I don't know whether I should say it or not."
"Say it!" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "The fact that you can talk so much means that at least you care about me. Of course I have to listen."
Xue Wanche also laughed and said: "I thought that Hou Junji was demoted from Chang'an by Changsun Wuji because of the impact of the prince's case. Changsun Wuji regarded him as a thorn in his side, and if he was in the way of the emperor I am afraid that the affection and his past achievements have been eliminated long ago. Now, the young commander wants to use Hou Junji. Is this..."
Qin Mubai smiled and said, "If Hou Junji hadn't been kicked out of the court and demoted to Liangzhou by Changsun Wuji, I might not be so interested in using him."
"What do you mean by this?" Xue Wanche asked in shock, "Does the young commander have to go against Changsun Wuji and become his enemy?"
"No." Qin Mubai said, "Think about it, Changsun Wuji demoted Hou Junji, and I used Hou Junji... It is certain that Hou Junji hated Changsun Wuji to the bone. Whether he is grateful to me or not, I don't know. It’s strange, but I know that he will work hard for both public and private affairs, and Hou Junji will stand unswervingly with us. In this way, Lanzhou will have one more general!”
"Young Marshal is wise!" Xue Wanche suddenly realized and said, "But is it worthwhile to turn against Changsun Wuji because of this?"
"I've read it more than once, so I'm not afraid of one more time." Qin Mubai curled his lips and smiled coldly, and said, "Anyone can be afraid of Changsun Wuji, but I can't be afraid, and I won't be afraid! "
"This..." Xue Wanche was shocked, confused, and confused, and it was hard to ask any more questions.
Qin Mubai smiled and said nothing, thinking to himself: If I don't do anything that goes against Changsun Wuji's wishes, how can the emperor see my firm determination? If I am afraid because I am under pressure from Changsun Wuji, why should I let Li Shimin have confidence in me and Lanzhou
Hou Junji, Su Dingfang and I, Qin Mubai, are the three disciples of Duke Wei. It won’t be long before we join hands on the battlefield!