Qin Mubai, who had not eaten for three days and three nights, hugged Xiaolouer and had a meal together, and then was persuaded by Wu Meiniang, Princess Gaoyang and Chen Yan to go to bed. Originally, he was very interested in playing with Xiao Lou'er in bed, but he didn't expect that he fell asleep within three seconds of his head touching the pillow.
Snoring like thunder.
The three women all breathed a long sigh of relief, their hearts shattered.
However, Xiaolouer was still lying in his arms, rolling around mischievously, looking curiously at his face from time to time, and stroking his thick beard with her little hands. Chen Yan wanted to take her away, but Qin Mubai, who was sleeping, refused to let go.
"They are truly blood relatives. They are born like this." Wu Meiniang said, "Look, Xiaolou'er is only one or two years old and clearly ignorant, but he is very affectionate to Mubai, whom he met for the first time, and is not afraid or unfamiliar at all."
Princess Gao Yang also lay down beside the bed as carefully as a child. She was afraid of waking up Qin Mubai, but she couldn't help but play with Xiao Lou'er with a smile. She also said: "It's so fun! I want to have one too!"
Wu Meiniang and Chen Yan couldn't help but laugh.
"Little Lou'er, be good, don't disturb daddy when he's sleeping, we're going out to play." Chen Yan called out.
Xiaolouer listened to his mother's words and got up. At this time, Qin Mubai was sleeping like mud and knew nothing.
The three women took Xiaolou'er out of the room, walked carefully to the door, and all let out a long sigh of relief.
"Now that things are going like this, it's just the beginning." Wu Meiniang said, "In the future, Mu Bai will encounter even greater pressure and troubles. My father's hatred is sworn in, and a war with Tubo is imminent. I'm really afraid of him. I can’t control my emotions and do some outrageous things.”
"Don't be afraid!" Princess Gao Yang said categorically, "Mubai has experienced too many storms. I believe he will be able to survive it!"
Wu Meiniang and Chen Yan were slightly startled and nodded slightly.
Princess Gaoyang can indeed say this. Although they are both Qin Mubai's confidants, Princess Gaoyang has the most experience when it comes to sharing hardships and experiencing turbulence together.
"Sister Yan, you are the wisest and calmest, and Mu Bai has always respected you. Do you have any good ideas now to cheer him up and keep him calm in the face of right and wrong?" Wu Meiniang asked.
Chen Yan smiled slightly and said: "You think too highly of me. In fact, Mu Bai and I are more like friends. I never ask or interfere in his affairs, whether it is official or private matters. Moreover, I don't understand what you are saying. There is no way to talk about these big things."
"Uh..." Wu Meiniang and Princess Gaoyang were both stunned.
"However, I do have a small suggestion." Chen Yan said, "At this time, we need an elder who has prestige, experience, and is deeply trusted and respected by Mu Bai to enlighten him."
"You mean, your adoptive father, King Jiangxia?"
"yes."
The next day, early morning.
Qin Mubai had actually woken up a long time ago, but he lay on the bed for a while longer. I don’t know how long I slept for, but when I woke up, my whole body was sore. Afterwards I washed and changed my clothes and looked in the mirror. Although I was a little haggard, my energy was finally back.
At this time, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Qin Mubai just thought he was a guard maid here to take care of the daily life.
When someone pushed the door open and entered, Qin Mubai couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
"Your Highness? Aren't you trying to hurt me? How can I help you?" Qin Mubai hurriedly came up to greet me.
Li Daozong actually brought breakfast to Qin Mubai. He chuckled and said: "You and I don't have to be so different. Come, let's eat together. I haven't eaten yet."
The breakfast is very rich, all Qin Mubai's favorite food. When people came back to their senses, they felt hungry. Qin Mubai ate a full meal without any sign of eating, which made Li Daozong laugh.
"Okay, it seems you have recovered!" He smiled, "How about it, are you interested in talking to me?"
"My lord, it's just the right time. If you hadn't come, I would have gone to find you today." Qin Mubai wiped his mouth, asked his servants to unload the dining table and serve tea, and said to him, "At this moment, I can only ask It’s all about the prince!”
"Say." Li Daozong said with a smile while holding a cup of tea.
"My father died in the battle in Gaochang. This grudge is between public and private. Originally, I was still a little scrupulous about not letting go and taking a risk. Now, I don't scruple about anything anymore!" Qin Mubai frowned and said with glaring eyes. , "I want to write a formal letter to the court, requesting war against Tibet and a crusade against the Western Regions! Regardless of whether the court agrees or not, I will raise an army! This is one; second, my father died in the battle, the river was shaken, and millions of soldiers and civilians were indignant and eager to take revenge. The people's morale is like a tide, and the military's morale is like a tide! At this moment, I want to obey the people and punish the people - I want to recruit troops!"
"It's just two things. One is to submit a letter to ask for war, and the other is to recruit troops to expand the army, right?" Li Daozong said calmly.
"Yes." Qin Mubai nodded and said, "Does the prince think it is appropriate?"
Li Daozong pondered for a moment and said: "Actually, I know that you have already made your decision, right? What you said about asking me for advice is just out of respect for me."
Qin Mubai smiled slightly, nodded and said: "The prince told the truth. This time I have indeed made up my mind, and no matter who it is, they can't change my mind!"
"Now that you've decided, don't ask whether it's appropriate or not!" Li Daozong suddenly put down the tea cup, waved his hand and raised his voice, saying, "Whatever needs to be done, just do it!"
"This is natural." Qin Mubai said, "I just want to know what kind of reaction the court will have? Most importantly, I want to know if the court will give me some substantial support?"
"It's hard to say." Li Daozong shook his head and said, "What you said just now is right, you should treat public affairs more privately than others, and you should never take revenge on God. To the Tang Dynasty, Shubao was the Grand Marshal of the Three Armies, and he was the feudal lord sent by the Tang Dynasty to the Western Regions. Official, no matter who kills him, he is openly an enemy of the Tang Dynasty. From your Majesty's point of view, this kind of thing will never be tolerated, no matter how many people in the court oppose it. , No matter how much pressure he is under, he will definitely take revenge on Shu Bao, and he will never give up if the Western Region is unjust!"
"Actually..." Qin Mubai sighed, shook his head and said, "Only I can understand my father's thoughts. Originally, he didn't have to die at all!"
"Oh? Tell me?" Li Daozong said in surprise.
Qin Mubai nodded lightly and said: "The day before yesterday, I talked to the soldiers who came back from the Western Expedition. They told me that a long time ago, Zuo Weiwei General Xue Rengui had admonished my father and advised him to He retreated. At that time, the Anxi Protectorate had just been established and Qu Zhisheng invited my father to take charge of the government office. "
Li Daozong nodded as if he had some understanding, and sighed: "I can imagine...according to your father's character, he will definitely not accept Xue Rengui's advice, and will still insist on taking over the Protectorate."
"Yes. We all know what happened next." Qin Mubai frowned and said, "Knowing that there are tigers in the mountains, he prefers to travel to the tiger mountains. This is my father's character. And... From his first kick From the moment he stepped into the royal city of Gaochang, he had already determined that he would die for his country!"
"Why did he do this?" Li Daozong asked with some confusion, "Since Xue Rengui has exposed the Tubo people's plot and explained the current overall situation in Lanzhou, why did your father still die for his country?"
"The reasons, if I guess, are threefold!" Qin Mubai said, "The first is, of course, personality. My father has been famous all over the world for half his life in the military, and he always moves forward in every battle. How has he ever mentioned the word 'retreat'?" The army marched thousands of miles and fought for eighteen consecutive victories, finally conquering Gaochang and laying the first foundation of the Tang Dynasty in the Western Region. Under such circumstances, no one would be willing to give up retreat, let alone someone as strong as his father. Secondly, in my father’s heart, he always puts His Majesty first... I will die to repay your kindness, that’s all!”
Li Daozong furrowed his thick eyebrows and fell into deep thought. After a while, he nodded and sighed leisurely: "I understand... At the beginning, my father rebelled against the decree and raised troops to attack Gaochang. This incident did not cause an uproar in the court, and was covered up immediately. He also showed military merit for your father and his soldiers. For this, your father must be grateful to His Majesty. This is one; second, if he failed to report to Heaven and took the initiative to evacuate Gaochang, wouldn't he be ruining his past and slapping the dragon? Yan? With Shu Bao's personality, he would rather be killed than harm the emperor's reputation or embarrass him. Thirdly, Shu Bao knew that there was great resistance from the imperial court to Lanzhou's use of troops, and even His Majesty could do nothing about it. . If he really fell into the trap, he would have forged a national feud. In this way, the pressure would be relieved, and His Majesty would be able to carry out his plan for the Western Regions... Oh, Uncle Bao, it's really true! A brave and loyal minister and an unparalleled warrior who is rare in history!"
"The prince's analysis is exactly the same as what I have pondered over the past two days." Qin Mubai's eyes dimmed a bit and he said, "In the final analysis, my father was generous enough to face difficulties and die to repay your kindness. I stayed here on purpose. Xue Rengui gave it to my father because he was wise and courageous and had a unique vision. He had seen through the Tibetan people's plot and understood the current situation clearly. In fact, my father must also know that what Xue Rengui said was very reasonable, and he deeply agreed with it. Unwilling to leave... So he entrusted the army to the command of Xue Rengui and entered Gaochang alone in order to preserve the strength of the army. Before he died in the final battle, he ordered Yuwen Hongtai to break out and give Xue Rengui his final order. He retreated south to break through to Puchanghai. Under the circumstances, he did not ask Xue Rengui to go to the rescue. It is enough to show that my father had already seen the overall situation and understood the enemy's conspiracy... It is a pity that I should not have known this! Return to Chang'an to marry Gao Yang!"
"Forget it, I don't blame you." Li Daozong sighed several times and said, "Although there were many reasons for Shu Bao's death, it was also due to his temperament. Whatever it is, he has the reputation of being a hero in his life. Moreover, he is absolutely His death will not be in vain! - Now, thousands of troops and people under the rule of Lanzhou are all sworn to avenge the commander-in-chief. Once the news reaches Chang'an, the whole court will be in an uproar and the whole country will be shocked. There is no way to stop this great battle - whether you can succeed in the end and avenge your father depends on you!"
"I know." Qin Mubai narrowed his eyes slightly, nodded gently, and said, "My father used his own life to fulfill his reputation of loyalty and bravery, and to fulfill the ambition of His Majesty the Emperor. Fulfilled my ambition and revenge! - In the final analysis, my father died for Your Majesty, and for me!"
"Originally, I was planning to tell you these words, but I didn't know how to say them. Very good, you have realized it yourself." Li Daozong sighed heavily, patted Qin Mubai on the shoulder, and said, "The Qin family has a father. , The old man bravely traveled thousands of miles, died for his son, and was generous; the Qin family has a son, and the horse will continue to gallop thousands of miles, slaughtering thousands of people, vigorously! "
"Die for Zhui, slaughter for thousands of people!..." Qin Mubai's eyes stung until they turned red. He couldn't help closing his eyes and looking up to the sky and sighing. Then he slapped the table and shouted, "My lord, you are right! My father is willing to die for Zhui." If your son dies, I will kill thousands of people with great vigor and no regrets!”
"Okay! What I want is your courage and domineering power!" Li Daozong shouted and slapped Qin Mubai on the shoulder, saying, "Now, follow me to the military camp outside Lanzhou City, and you will know clearly what - vigorous!"
With some confusion and curiosity, Qin Mubai followed Li Daozong out of the house and went to the Governor's Mansion first. Here, all the officers and soldiers of the three armies and all the government officials were gathered, waiting for him to leave the city together. In Lanzhou City, everyone was paying homage, and everything was white before his eyes.
When they arrived at the military camp in the suburbs, still several miles away from the camp, Qin Mubai was almost shocked!
The vast expanse is like a sea of white flags!
About 100,000 people gathered on both sides of the military camp. Everyone was wearing linen, wearing mourning, and holding soul flags everywhere. The officers and soldiers of the three armies were wearing armor, saddled on horseback, holding swords and guns high, and their helmets were bound with white feathers. They were as majestic as the tide.
Qin Mubai, Li Daozong and dozens of other officials and generals were deeply shocked when they saw this scene!
At this time, a group of cavalry came running over, led by Hou Junji in white robes and filial piety.
"Young Marshal! The soldiers of the three armies share the same hatred with the enemy and their morale is crazy. They vow to avenge the Marshal! I have been entrusted by the soldiers and come here to ask for a fight!" Hou Junji clasped his fists heavily and shouted loudly.
"What's going on with these people?" Qin Mubai asked in a deep voice.
"The common people gathered here spontaneously!" Hou Junji said, "I will not drive them away and will not retreat to comfort them! The common people said that when the general was alive, he protected the country and the people, and helped the people in danger like a god. The common people regard him as their father and mother, as a god and as a Buddha! Now that the commander-in-chief has died in battle with his foreign enemies, the common people regard him as their father and sworn enemy, and vow to avenge the blood-hate for the commander-in-chief! All the Han Hu Qingzhuangs under the control of the Governor-General of Lanzhou volunteered to serve as soldiers! They provided their own food, clothing, armor and horses, and did not need to pay a cent for the Governor-General's command. Increase the number of tens of thousands of troops - raise troops to fight crimes and avenge bloodshed! "
After saying that, Hou Junji waved the flag in his hand toward the sky, and more than 100,000 soldiers and civilians behind him shouted loudly at the same time - "Raise troops to attack crime and avenge bloodshed!"
"Raise an army to attack crime and avenge bloodshed!"
…
The world is shaken, and the mountains and rivers are eclipsed!