Gal Qinling was wearing a wide and loose brocade cloak, with his strong bronze chest half-naked. His hair was not tied up and allowed to fall down. He was lying on a couch paved with snow-white yak skin with one knee on his head and his forehead supported by his hand. Above, he was holding an ancient blue book and reading it with gusto, with a playful smile on his face from time to time.
Under him, there was a little Han girl who was no more than fifteen years old but was beautiful and refined. She was carefully serving a stove and boiling warm and fragrant tea with fresh tea leaves. On the other side, there was an old man with snowy hair, sitting cross-legged in front of a short table, drinking tea and reading a book.
Looking at this situation, it doesn't look like a military commander in a handsome tent at all. Instead, it looks like a Han Chinese kid from a wealthy family, enjoying an elegant and leisurely time of poetry and writing.
"Sir, the student read this "Zhuangzi" to the depths and couldn't help but want to laugh." Gal Qinling said suddenly.
"Why is the marshal laughing?" The old man sitting down put down his book and tea cup and asked.
"Both Lao and Zhuang are integrated into their own sect. They all advocate the 'harmony of nature and man, tranquility and inaction', allowing people to accept everything without desires or demands." Gar Qinling raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a sarcastic sneer, and said, "The Great Central Plains The royal family of the Li family of the Tang Dynasty recognized Laozi Li Er as their ancestor, and accepted their teachings and adopted Taoism as their national religion. What does this mean, sir?"
"I don't understand what the marshal means, why doesn't the marshal make it clear?" the old man asked a little confused.
"That means that the Central Plains will decline and Tubo will rise." Gal Qinling smiled faintly, threw the ancient blue "Zhuangzi" towards the edge of the bed, sat up, and said plausibly, "Desire is human How can a person live without desire? Without desire, there is no ambition and no way to survive. Throughout the ages, the emperors and royal families of the Central Plains often lacked self-confidence and were afraid that the people would know too much and have too many desires. Wu suppresses all schools of thought and only respects Confucianism. He governs the country with the principles of "the emperor of heaven and earth, his relatives and teachers" and "propriety, justice, benevolence and filial piety". In the name of educating the people, it is actually to restrain the hands and feet of the people and castrate their desires. This is contrary to what Lao Zhuang advocated. There are similarities and similarities in the concept of "the unity of nature and man, purity and inaction". Its purpose is to make people accept the situation without making any progress. In this way, the common people will be willing to be the dogs of peace, and the royal family will be able to relax. control them without worrying about their own status being threatened.”
"This..." The old man looked embarrassed and speechless for a long time, and nodded awkwardly, "Isn't this a bit biased? Confucianism and Taoism are not as pedantic and incompetent as you think. Your view is a bit one-sided and extreme."
"Is it biased? The Li family of the Tang Dynasty recognized Lao and Zhuang as their ancestors, took Tao as the state religion, and taught all people with 'quietness and inaction'. Therefore, Li Shimin had only been on the throne for more than ten years. He was arrogant and complacent, thinking that the world was peaceful and unparalleled, and the entire Central Plains Empire would It shows a current situation of not wanting to make progress and being addicted to pleasure." Gar Qinling said, "Qin Mubai once told me that the Hu people have never had a national destiny for a hundred years; I can tell him that the Central Plains has been defeated by Confucianism since ancient times. Regardless of Taoism, the school itself is not at fault, but as long as they use these schools of thought to restrain their own hands and feet, castrate their own desires, and distort their own souls, we will always have the opportunity to dominate the world in the Central Plains! It has nothing to do with whether our Hu people are strong in military strength or prosperous in their country. This is because they want to destroy themselves and their country. Even if they don't succeed today, there will be one tomorrow, or tomorrow's tomorrow. The barbarians they say are occupying the Central Plains and ruling over hundreds of millions of Han people with a handful of people! —Teacher, do you think I’m right?”
After listening to Gar Qinling's long speech, the old man was speechless with cold sweat on his cheeks. At this time, he said slightly hastily, "The marshal's scholarship is so profound that I can't match it!"
"Sir, you are ridiculous. The student knows that as a great scholar of the Han family, he must scold me as an unscrupulous student in his heart." Gar Qinling said with a smile, "But sir, have you ever thought about a question. I, Gar, As a Tibetan marshal, why did Qinling study Chinese studies so hard? "
"This... Han culture is broad and profound, and the ancient and modern knowledge has been applied, isn't it?" the old man said.
"No!" Gar Qinling laughed and said, "The reason why I study the Han Confucian classics is to understand you Han people and know your strengths and weaknesses. Then, I can know myself and the enemy, and I will never be in danger in a hundred battles. I have practiced Chinese Studies for ten years. For many years, I especially like to study the history of the Central Plains. To be honest, I despise the history of the Central Plains after the Han Dynasty. There is only one reason. After the Han Dynasty, the desires of the Han people were castrated and their thoughts were restrained, even if they occasionally had some. This outstanding figure who bloomed with strange brilliance was just a flash of flowers. If you want to say, the most exciting era in the history of the Central Plains was the era of the Qin Empire. At that time, hundreds of schools of thought came together to fight, and the world was magnificent! - I especially like the Qin Empire that ruled by law. Shang Yang's reform laid the legal foundation of the Qin Dynasty and changed the entire power structure of the Warring States. The Qin Dynasty flourished and finally conquered the six kingdoms and pacified the Eight Wastes! - What a pity! , the so-called "law" is nothing more than a sharp sword placed on the heads of the people by the royal nobles, and it no longer has the magical effect of enriching the country and strengthening the army, and things like Confucianism and Taoism are just cages placed on people by the royal family and emperors. and shackles. All these gradually created the bad roots and servility of the Han people in the Central Plains, making most people ignorant and ignorant, and would rather leave their destiny to others. Therefore, the direction of history and the change of dynasties depend on it. There are only a few people. This is the biggest drawback of governing the country with Confucianism - falling into the cycle of life and death of "rule by men". There is a saying in the Central Plains that the world will be in chaos - the fate of the entire world depends on whether the king is wise or wise. Are the ministers around me worthy? If there is a slight deviation, the world will be in chaos. What's more, a concubine who can't control the country and only have children can change the fate of an empire. I respect it. teacher?"
"..." The old man was covered in cold sweat and speechless.
Gal Qinling glanced at him, couldn't help but smile, and said, "Why are you so embarrassed, sir?"
"Actually, although what the Marshal said is unique, it is not something that no one has thought of." The old man said, "However, the Central Plains has always been governed by Confucianism. Confucianism has its strengths and weaknesses. There is no perfect doctrine in the world. What is the use of Confucianism? Confucianism is still used, but it has to be adapted to local conditions. The marshal assisted Zanpu to pacify the plateau and rule the world. In troubled times, he should use the heavy code. The marshal used the law to rule the country and quickly achieved the effect of enriching the country and strengthening the army, but this was short-term. It seems that it is easier to conquer a country than to govern a country. To govern a country, the first thing is to govern the people; to govern the people, the first thing is to govern the mind. Therefore, educating all people with Confucianism and Taoism is not only desirable, but also necessary.”
"Really? Then at least in my lifetime, Tubo will insist on ruling the country by law and will never waver!" Gal Qinling smiled indifferently, picked up the "Zhuangzi" and threw it next to the beautiful girl who was making tea. , "Burn it. Such pedantic and useless fallacies will never appear on the plateau again!"
The old man's face changed in surprise, but he did not dare to say anything.
"There will be no hegemon after the First Emperor, and all will be pedantic after the Qin Dynasty!" Garqin Ling stood up, his eyebrows slightly lowered and said solemnly, "If the Tubo Empire can be allowed to become a hegemon one day, I, Garqin Ling, will For Shang Yang, even though his body will be cut into pieces by five horses, he will not have a happy ending, but he will have no regrets in this life!"
"Report—" At this moment, a soldier outside the tent came to report.
Gal Qinling frowned, his expression slightly unhappy. Who doesn't know that he has a fixed time to practice learning every day, and no one dares to disturb him at this time.
But since he is here, there must be something important.
"Teacher, please go back and rest first. The students will see you off respectfully." Gar Qinling bowed his hands and bowed.
"Okay, I'll say goodbye." The old man stood up, stared at the Garqin Mausoleum, and said, "Marshal, kingly and domineering, although there is a difference in words, are worlds apart. You still need to carefully understand the subtle interests and benefits involved. Only by studying can you understand. Don’t be superficial!”
"Student knows, sir, don't worry!" Gal Qinling smiled and personally escorted the old man out of the tent. The girl who made tea was sent away again, and the pawn who reported the news was called in.
The soldier reported that an envoy from the Tang Army had arrived.
Gal Qinling was unmoved. He slowly put on his clothes and said, "Could it be that Qin Mubai came to declare a war? Just accept it. Why bother with me."
"No..." the pawn replied, "A delegation came, with about ten people. The envoy's car was a carriage with colorful ribbons and gold strips specially designed for the royal family of the Tang Dynasty. Moreover, the carriage was pink."
"Oh?" Gal Qinling was also a little surprised, "The standard of the car used by the royal family members is not low - may I ask who is here?"
"I asked, but the other party didn't answer, and even made arrogant demands... Zamp and the marshal went to the camp to personally greet him!"
"So arrogant, could it be that Princess Gaoyang, Qin Mubai's wife?" Gal Qinling's eyebrows sank, and he immediately said, "Impossible! It is said that Princess Gaoyang is pregnant and staying in Lanzhou to recuperate - then she will only It's her!"
The soldier was confused and said: "Marshal, what should we do?"
Gal Qinling rolled his eyes a few times and said, "Where is Zanpu?"
"This morning Zanpu took several of his followers to Qingluo Plains for hunting, but they haven't returned yet." The soldier replied.
"Very good. Now go to Qingluoyuan to find Zampu, and think of a way to prevent him from coming to our military camp today, let alone let him know the news about the Tang Army's envoy." Gar Qinling said.
"yes!"
After thinking for a while, Gar Qinling said again: "Invite the envoys of the Tang Army in immediately, and don't let them publicize and build momentum. If they refuse to come in, capture them and tie them in!"
"yes!"
The pawn immediately ran away and went to do his business.
With a sly smile on his face, Gal Qinling sat down calmly and calmly, waiting for the envoy from the Tang army in his spare time.
In front of the Tubo camp, there were many soldiers standing with swords and spears, creating a solemn look.
Princess Wencheng Li Xueyan was sitting in the car and saw the scene in front of her through the window. She couldn't help but feel her heartbeat racing and nervous.
After all, she was still a little girl in her teens who had not seen much of the world. In front of an army of hundreds of thousands of people, anyone who walked out could strangle her to death, and each person could drown her with a spit. Not to mention the mutual hatred between the two armies, if it were normal, a girl like her would inevitably feel embarrassed and nervous when faced with so many strange men.
Li Xueyan felt that her mind was a little confused. To say she wasn't nervous or scared was definitely a lie. But the image of Qin Mubai lying on the hospital bed, unconscious, lingered in his mind. It was this scene that caused an inexplicable impulse and power to surge up in her heart, causing her brain to feel dizzy, leaving her with no time to think about anything.
This impulse and power are so strange and powerful. In the past, she would never have dared to imagine that she would be alone in front of the two armies. Just a few days ago, she stood on the cloud platform and watched a war. She felt so weak that she couldn't sleep for several nights.
"Have I really fallen in love with him?... I once heard that feelings make people blind and stupid, but also great and strong! - I once thought that I was willing to stay away from my parents and marry Tubo. That was A kind of tension and greatness, but after getting to know him, I realized how absurd and naive I was. The most precious thing in the world is not the unavailable and lost, but the happiness that can be grasped right in front of me! Mu Bai, when I come back, I will definitely succeed!"
Several Tubo soldiers ran out of the gate of Yingzhai Village ahead, came to Princess Wencheng's carriage and said, "Marshal Gar, please invite Her Royal Highness Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty to enter the camp!"
"So unreasonable!" shouted the guards in front of Princess Wencheng, "I, the Princess of Heaven, deigned to come to visit, but you, a small barbarian country, did not come out to welcome me!"
The Tibetan soldier who sent the message was not in a hurry, and said calmly and confidently: "When the two armies are fighting, they only recognize the envoys, and the rest are enemy invaders. Since we are an army, we have military rules. Even if I, Zanpu of Tibet, comes personally, , you have to dismount and walk into the camp, there is no reason for the marshal to come out of the camp to greet you. Since your country claims to be a country of etiquette, you must also understand that this army has its own etiquette!"
"What a sharp-tongued little pawn, these words are what the Garqin Ling Sect said to you, right?" Princess Wencheng sat up, raised the window and walked outside the car, saying loudly, "The body of the Garqin Ling He is a military advisor with more than ten thousand people, but he only knows how to bully me, a female family member who has come from afar. I am not like a child who only shows off his words and size, but he focuses on national and military affairs - this camp. There’s nothing wrong with walking into the camp!”
In an instant, thousands of eyes fell on Princess Wencheng, who was standing on the shaft of the carriage facing the wind.
How often have these barbarians, who live in military camps all day long, seen a woman? What's more, it's a Tang Dynasty beauty like Li Xueyan who is so elegant and elegant. At this time, she was still wearing a palace gauze brimmed hat and her face could not be seen clearly, but just the gorgeous and dazzling palace attire and the graceful figure in the wind made many Tibetan soldiers dumbfounded on the spot.
The few Tibetan soldiers who were spreading the news looked up at Princess Wencheng, who was above her. For a moment, they forgot their words and their eyes were straight.
Li Xueyan had never been stared at by so many strange men before. Her heart was beating wildly, and she forced herself to calm down and shouted: "You barbarians are so unreasonable! I have already appeared, and you haven't led the way to clear the way!" "
"Uh!..." The few pawns who were delivering the message came back to their senses, each looked embarrassed, and said hurriedly, "Princess please!"
The maids on the left and right ushered Princess Wencheng out of the car. The guards and soldiers behind her were all astonished. They exchanged glances with each other and said tacitly: Today, Princess Wencheng really looks like a princess! prestige!
With her palace gauze catching the wind and her long skirt reaching the floor, Princess Wencheng walked away calmly and walked into the camp of the 300,000-strong Tibetan army.