Late at night, the Tang army camp was in the Chinese army commander's tent.
"Since you have asked me to come here to temporarily take over the command and preside over the overall situation, then I will make an agreement with you on three things first. Listen clearly, it is an agreement, not an order." Li Daozong stood in the center with his hands cut off, sitting across from you at the bottom. said a group of generals.
Hou Junji, Xue Wanjun and others were all there, and there were some people who had just returned from fighting on the front line, and the blood and dirt on their bodies had not yet been washed away. What's more, there were still people who were being bandaged and treated by military doctors.
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"First, Qin Mubai's coffin must be transported back to Lanzhou immediately." Li Daozong said, "When we get there, we will formally report to the court. Staying here is not an option."
All the generals sighed, and no one raised any objections, so it was regarded as acquiescence.
"Second, the military talisman can be temporarily handed over to Hou Junji and Xue Wanjun to keep half of it respectively. However, neither of you has the power to mobilize troops without authorization. The king must be informed, and the three people must agree with each other before a decision can be made. "The movement of soldiers and horses." Li Daozong said, "This has two purposes: one is to unify the order, and the other is to prevent anyone from acting impulsively."
"Okay." Hou Junji responded decisively, and immediately took out all the military talismans left by Qin Mubai, which could mobilize the seven armies in front of the condemnation formation and the Qinyi Mansion.
Xue Wanjun naturally had no objection. Although he was the commander-in-chief of Dafeichuan in the past, after Qin Mubai came, he was given unified orders to hand over his military symbols. Now I get half of it back, naturally I am happy.
"Third..." Li Daozong said halfway, glanced at the generals, and then said, "Withdraw from Dafeichuan immediately and retreat to Shanzhou."
"What?!" As soon as he said this, there was an uproar in the handsome tent!
"The blood feud has not yet been avenged. Are you going to retreat now?"
"We are here fighting bloody battles to hold on to the camp. How many brothers have died on the battlefield, and then we just retreated?!"
"Dafichuan is a fundamental place that the young marshal took back and worked hard for many years. It is the gateway to Helong and the throat of Guanxi! How can it be abandoned!"
…
The generals were already very excited and started arguing.
Hou Junji had a livid face and remained silent; Xue Wanjun showed a hint of displeasure and was obviously unwilling to withdraw his troops, but he maintained restraint and did not object.
Everyone quarreled for a long time before gradually settling down. Although everyone had no intention of targeting Li Daozong, their attitudes were obviously very tough and they absolutely did not agree to evacuate Dafeichuan.
"I understand your feelings." Li Daozong said patiently, "Many of you also know about my personal relationship with Qin Mubai. I have made it clear that he is the son-in-law whom I have already identified, and we are as close as my half-brother. In addition, I have been fighting in the north and south for half my life. Why don't I understand the meaning of fighting for every inch of land in front of the two armies? Every step forward may mean the bloodshed and casualties of tens of millions of people. Dafeichuan is the largest city in Lanzhou. One of the most powerful fists and the most important foundation of the Governor's Mansion. Would I have said the word 'evacuate' unless it was absolutely necessary?"
"Your Majesty, I respect your honor forever, and I know that you and the young marshal had a close friendship during his lifetime. However, if you want your brothers to retreat and abandon Dafeichuan like this, you must give a sufficient reason!" Several generals said at the same time! .
"The reason is very simple. At this time, our army can no longer fight." Li Daozong said, "Originally, our army's strength was not as good as the Tibetan army; now, the new commander is in chaos, and the soldiers are out of control and difficult to command. . All these are signs of defeat. How can one die in vain for a moment of loyalty and bravery
"Your Majesty!" Xue Wanjun finally couldn't bear it any longer. He stood up and said loudly with a hint of anger, "You also saw today's battle with your own eyes! - What do you mean our army is not as powerful as Tubo? Our army has 30,000 troops. , fighting to the death against the Tibetan army of 300,000, did the Kunlun cavalry, which is known as the invincible in the world, only do this! Why should the prince have the ambition to destroy his own dignity
Li Daozong frowned deeply and walked up to him and said: "General Xue, this battle was really fierce. Our soldiers are all brave and brave. However, even if you are not defeated in today's battle, you will win." Is that so? If Garqinling really sends all its main forces to fight you, will any of these thirty thousand brothers, including you, Xue Wanjun, be able to return to the camp?"
"You will die if you die, what are you afraid of!" Xue Wanjun roared, "Xue, you would rather die than retreat! Otherwise, you will be ashamed to see the Lanzhou elders again!"
A group of generals stood up neatly - "I'll wait, I'd rather die than retreat"
Hou Junji had been sitting quietly on the mat. At this time, he sighed lightly and said: "Your Majesty, all the brothers just came back from fighting today. Their blood and anger have not dissipated, so we can't discuss it. Why don't we just do it?" Let’s discuss it tomorrow!”
"That's fine." Seeing that it was hard to go against the public opinion, Li Daozong had no choice but to postpone the decision and said, "Everyone has worked hard. Let's go back to camp and rest. Other matters can be discussed later."
Xue Wanjun and others filed out silently, leaving only Li Daozong and Hou Junji in the tent.
"Hou Junji, tell me the truth." Li Daozong asked with a serious frown, "Qin Mubai, what is going on?"
"Dead by poison." Hou Junji's expression was as calm as a pool of stagnant water.
"really?"
"It can't be fake." Hou Junji said calmly, "Otherwise, you can pry open the coffin and check it out yourself."
Li Daozong's expression changed on the spot and he glared: "Do you want me to be torn into pieces by all the soldiers of Dafeichuan?! - This is simply nonsense!"
After saying that, Li Daozong, who was holding back his anger, walked away stroking his sleeves.
Hou Junji inadvertently twisted his lips into a playful smile.
In the back camp of the handsome tent, in Princess Wencheng's room.
It had been half a day since arriving in Dafeichuan, and this was the first time Li Daozhong came to visit Li Xueyan. At this time, he sent all the military doctors and servant girls out of the room, closed the door, and sat beside her couch.
Li Xueyan is still unconscious.
Li Daozong's thick eyebrows were furrowed and his face was tense. He held Li Xueyan's cold hand and felt a twinge of pain in his heart.
"Yan'er, dad is here to see you." Li Daozong said softly, "Wake up and talk to dad?"
Li Xueyan just lay quietly without any reaction.
"Qin Mubai, this stinky boy, is really not a thing. Why did he go just as he said?" Li Daozong shook his head and gritted his teeth, "If I had known today, I should have persuaded him to withdraw his troops temporarily when I came to Dafeichuan last time. After all, Garqin Ling is too powerful to compete with him, but Qin Mubai... is so determined that I don't even dare to say anything to persuade him."
"As you said, how wonderful it would be if there was no war! Maybe now, you and Qin Mubai have become an enviable young couple, and your father can count on you to enjoy each other. How can it be like now? …”
"Father..." Suddenly there was a soft call, and Li Daozong was immediately overjoyed.
"Yan'er, wake up! - Look at me, I'm your father!"
"Dad... what are you doing, have you really come to Dafeichuan?" Li Xueyan turned her head with difficulty, looked at Li Daozong with slightly widened eyes, and whispered like a gnat.
"How could I not come when something like this happened?" Li Daozong sighed and then woke up, "You just said, why did I 'really' come to Dafeichuan? What's the purpose?"
Li Xueyan closed her eyes and rested for a moment, then said with great difficulty: "It's Mu Bai..."
"What's wrong with Qin Mubai?"
"Mu Bai seems to have already expected that you will come... He mentioned it when he last met me before his death."
"What?" Li Daozong was startled. He alertly motioned to Li Xueyan to be silent. Then he ran to the door to check that no one was listening, and then returned to the couch.
"Yan'er, tell me the truth. How is Qin Mubai doing now?" Li Daozong asked in a low voice.
"I also know..." Li Xueyan opened his eyes, looked at the roof blankly, and murmured, "Although I have reason to suspect that he is not dead, more facts tell me that he is indeed dead..."
"Hey!..." Li Daozong sighed heavily and shook his head.
"Dad, my daughter has something to ask you." Li Xueyan said suddenly.
"You say, I will definitely agree!" Li Daozong hurriedly held Li Xueyan's hand tightly and said, "When my father came to Dafeichuan before, he not only scolded you but also beat you. He didn't sleep well for half a month after returning. Don't you Would you be... weird dad?"
"No..." Li Xueyan smiled sadly and said, "Father did a good job. If not, my daughter would still have not awakened, and would not understand what is worth and what is obsession."
"You understand something?" Li Daozong said a little confused.
"My daughter only understands one thing. The most precious thing in the world is the happiness that is right in front of us..."
Li Daozong was speechless for a moment. Why didn't he understand what and who Li Xueyan was referring to.
"Dad, my daughter wants to beg you... let me have a ghost marriage with Mu Bai. In this life, don't marry your daughter to anyone else."
"What? You're crazy!" Li Daozong was a bloody man with a military background after all, and he shouted on the spot, "This is absolutely unacceptable!"
"That daughter, the only one who died, followed Mu Bai and went underground..." After saying that, Li Xueyan slowly closed his eyes with an extremely calm and indifferent expression.
"You!..." Li Daozong was immediately anxious, but seeing Li Xueyan like this, he felt so sad that he could no longer get angry.
"Okay, Yan'er, this life can be discussed later. How about we, father and daughter, discuss it together?" Li Daozong said softly, "The most urgent thing is that you should recover from your illness and recover as soon as possible. I am here to carry my father's shoulders." I'm afraid I can't hang around you all day long because I'm responsible for the overall situation. Tomorrow, my father will send someone to escort Mu Bai's coffin back to Lanzhou, and you will go with him. Don't stay in Dafeichuan anymore. "
Hearing the word 'coffin', Li Xueyan was heartbroken again, but she could no longer shed tears.
"Hey!... I didn't expect that as soon as Mubai left, Dafeichuan would be leaderless and in chaos." Li Daozong was worried about military affairs after all, and couldn't help but said, "Too many people are blinded by grief and anger, and there is only If you ruin the whole Kansai army because of this, wouldn't you be ashamed of Mu Bai... Yan'er, please return to Lanzhou as soon as possible. Don't stay here and let your father be distracted by the situation in front of you. It’s really critical.”
Li Xueyan, who was originally weak and half asleep, suddenly woke up, opened his eyes and asked: "Dad, why is it so critical now?"
Li Daozong was surprised to see his daughter like this, "Yan'er, are you okay?"
"Dad, please tell me quickly, how critical is it now?" Li Xueyan even sat up and begged, holding Li Daozong's sleeve tightly.
Li Daozong looked at Li Xueyan in confusion and surprise, and could only say: "Before I came, Xue Wanjun and others went out to fight against Tubo for several times without authorization, and the casualties were quite tragic. At the moment, we can only withdraw our troops. However, even my father can't restrain him. This group of arrogant soldiers under Qin Mubai’s command would rather die than retreat, and my father is so worried about this matter that he can’t do anything about it!”
"God's will... Could it be that it is really God's will?" Li Xueyan suddenly became confused and murmured to himself.
"What's wrong, Yan'er, are you okay?" Li Daozong's heart suddenly tightened, fearing that his precious daughter would suffer from heart failure and go crazy.
"Dad, look!" Li Xueyan hurriedly took out a small white tips bag from the close part of his arms, handed it to Li Daozong, and said, "This is one of the three tips Mu Bai... gave me before he was poisoned. The two daughters had already taken it apart on their own before. Mu Bai said at that time, if there is an extreme crisis and even your father is unable to do anything, just take it apart!"
"Is there such a thing?" Li Daozong was very confused and hurriedly tore the white cloth bag. There was a piece of white silk in it, which was used by the army to write military orders and issue orders to the Chinese army. Special silk book.
It was actually a military order!
It also has Qin Mubai's personal signature and seal on it!
"This... how is it possible!" Li Daozong was immediately surprised.
"What's wrong, dad?" Li Xueyan asked curiously.
"Let's not talk about it for now. It's a good time for you to rest here. As a father, I need to find Hou Junji and Xue Wanjun immediately!" After saying that, Li Daozong didn't even bother to look at Li Xueyan and left in a hurry.
Li Xueyan sat on the couch calmly and murmured to herself: "This third tip bag is still the same as the first two. Is Zhizhu mastering the information like a god? Mu Bai, you must not be dead yet. Right?… "
In the commander's tent of the Chinese army, Li Daozong unfolded the white silk and put it on the commander's table. He said to Hou Junji and Xue Wanjun: "When Qin Mubai was in the army, he would issue orders and comment on military records every day. His handwriting You must recognize it!"
Hou Junji and Xue Wanjun came forward to take a look in surprise, and they both shouted in unison: "Where did the prince get it from?"
"Don't worry about this!" Li Daozong said, "You should abide by the military order left by Qin Mubai, right? You must read every word of this clearly! -" General's order: All officers and men of the Kansai Army should abandon all their baggage and carry only Horses and rations, light troops and troops set out immediately to retreat to Dafeichuan and retreat to Shanzhou! - Signed by Qin Mubai, the chief marching officer of Guanxi Road, and signed by the chief marching officer and personally signed by Qin Mubai! "
"This... how is this possible?" Xue Wanjun was immediately stunned, "Could it be that the young commander's heroic soul appeared?"
"Just take it as such!" Li Daozong said, "Tomorrow, I will read out Qin Mubai's last order in front of all the soldiers. You are unwilling to listen to my order, but what Qin Mubai left behind You should always listen to military orders, right?"