Princess Gaoyang returned to the back house and hurriedly found Chen Yan and said to her, "Sister Yan, we can't stay in Lanzhou for a long time!"
"Why?" Chen Yan asked in surprise.
Princess Gao Yang's eyebrows were deeply furrowed, and she said with a bit of gritted teeth: "I don't know who in the court made slanderous remarks to my father, saying that Mu Bai, the master of great achievements, might have disobedient intentions. No, my father will Chu Suiliang was sent to invite us to return to Chang'an. Fortunately, Mu Bai left early. Chu Suiliang wanted to take me and Xiao Di'er back to Beijing, but I refused and put him off. I was thinking that my father was paying homage first. This time it’s an invitation, next time it might be a ‘catch’, so we must leave Chang’an and go to the Western Regions to stay with Mu Bai!”
Chen Yan was slightly surprised. After thinking for a long time, she shook her head and said, "Princess, I think exactly the opposite of what you think."
"Oh?" Princess Gao Yang said in surprise, "You mean we can't leave?"
"You must not leave." Chen Yan said sternly, "I don't know what the emperor and ministers are thinking. I just think that people are not afraid of the shadow. Since Mu Bai has no disobedient intentions or actions, Why should we be afraid? He is currently leading an expedition to serve the country, and he is not plotting something treacherous. Why should we be worried? - But if we run away to find him in the Western Regions at this time, it will prove that Mu Bai has evil intentions! Therefore, we can't leave!"
After hearing these words, Princess Gao Yang nodded silently, and her expression suddenly dimmed.
"Princess, what's wrong with you?" Chen Yan asked with concern.
Princess Gaoyang took Chen Yan's hand and said helplessly and sadly: "Sister Yan, if one day Mu Bai and my father fight, who should I help?"
Chen Yan was startled and said quickly: "This day will never happen."
"I mean - what if!" Princess Gaoyang said stubbornly, "Now, I seem to have seen some bad signs. My father does not trust Mubai as much as we imagined. In other words, the emperor has never trusted Mubai. I don’t trust a minister completely.”
Chen Yan sighed softly, shook her head again, and said, "I don't know either. To be honest, I have never had a good impression of people in the officialdom, and Mu Bai is the only exception. In my opinion, no matter it is Whether it's an emperor or a general, anyone in a power situation will sooner or later seem to be possessed and unable to control themselves. In their view, except for power and interests, everything can be given up, including family affection, love, and even love. other."
"Is this the reason why you left Mubai to give birth to Xiaolou'er alone?" Princess Gao Yang asked.
"That's right!" Chen Yan smiled slightly and said, "Although Mu Bai is pure in nature and not a treacherous person, as long as he is still an official, he will inevitably be troubled by the officialdom. We know Mu Bai and know that he is not unlucky. He has the heart of a minister, but outsiders don't think so, especially his political opponents in the court. Princess, there is no need to think too badly. The emperor just wants to invite you to go home and have a look. Maybe he has no other intentions. ?”
"Sister Yan, you don't understand my father." Princess Gaoyang said, "No matter what kind of things he does, he always uses force and force. Only this time, when Mu Bai and I were asked to return to the capital, he used a very soft approach. The word "please" was used, and Mu Bai was asked to decide whether and when to go to Chang'an. This was too abnormal - after all, my father was a little afraid of Mu Bai now, otherwise, he could have issued an imperial edict. Is there any reason for Mu Bai and I not to go? "
"In other words, even the emperor is a little scared now because he accidentally offended Mu Bai?" Chen Yan was also a little surprised.
"No!" Princess Gao Yang was a little anxious, "What does it mean to be a minister that even kings should treat with caution?"
Chen Yan took a deep breath and slowly exhaled it. She frowned and thought for a long time, then suddenly said: "Princess, why don't you go back to the capital, meet your father, and explain everything clearly in person. Otherwise, all this back and forth will lead to suspicion. It’s really not good if the gap between you and me is getting bigger and bigger!”
"I can't go!" Princess Gaoyang said anxiously, "Mu Bai went on an expedition, but my father took me and Xiao Di'er back to Chang'an. In the eyes of Mu Bai and outsiders, wasn't this just taking us back to Chang'an as hostages? ? - People’s words are terrible!”
"In comparison, these rumors are not as serious as the emperor's suspicion of Mu Bai." Chen Yan said decisively, "The emperor specially sent a minister close to the prime minister to invite the three of you back to Beijing very politely. If none of you are Go, it really doesn't make sense. Why don't you go to Chang'an to see the saint, and the princess will excuse herself from being ill and be unable to travel, and stay in Lanzhou under the care of the nannies and you. , if he really doesn't even believe you, then you can imagine what Mu Bai's fate will be when he returns to Chang'an. But I believe that rumors stop with wise people, and the emperor and Mu Bai are both wise and understanding people. Don’t worry about any rumors!”
Princess Gaoyang clenched her silver teeth and thought for a moment, then nodded decisively - "Okay! I'm just going home to visit my father, the emperor, mother and concubines, not the dragon's den or the tiger's den. What should I be afraid of?! After all, this world is still the world of my Li family, and Mubai is my Li family. My son-in-law, no matter who dares to play tricks on him, I will definitely let him die in an ugly way! When I get back to Chang'an, I will see clearly which treacherous people are slandering my father and sowing discord between us. The love between a monarch and his daughter! If I find this person, I will kill him with one strike without mercy!"
"It's better not to be too impulsive." Chen Yan patiently persuaded her, and then said, "In addition, you have to write a letter telling him that you took the initiative to go back to Chang'an for a kiss because you missed your parents. Otherwise, if you go through someone else's If Mu Bai learns these things through words, it’s really hard to say whether he will think too much about it. This is how many misunderstandings and conflicts arise!”
"Yes, yes!" Princess Gaoyang said three correct words in a row and said hurriedly, "I have to tell the emperor and Pang Fei not to tell Mu Bai that Chu Suiliang has been here! Otherwise, he will be far away The anxiety in the Western Region is not conducive to his peace of mind in fighting the war! "
"Yeah! That's it!"
A few days later, Qin Mubai led his army to Gaochang, Datang's first stop in the Western Regions.
When Xue Rengui left and pointed his sword at Gaochang Kingdom again, after Gaochang King Qu Zhisheng surrendered under the pressure of Nanting, this place became Xizhou under the rule of the Tang Dynasty, under the jurisdiction of the Anxi Protectorate. There are five counties below. Since the Anxi Protectorate has not yet been formally established, Xizhou is just a military town outside the Great Wall, guarded by a few generals left by Su Dingfang and more than a thousand Kansai troops.
Today, the former residence of "Anxi Daduhufu" where Qin Shubao lived in Gaochang City still remains. Qin Mubai, Xue Rengui, Yuwen Hongtai and other generals entered the city together and came here.
The house is not big, and a gray-white wooden board hangs at the door, with the words "Da Du Protectorate" written on it.
Seeing this plaque, Qin Mubai's heart felt like being pricked by a needle, and suddenly it shrank into a ball due to the pain.
This is Qin Shubao's own handwriting.
Yuwen Hongtai had rushed into the courtyard first and saw that although the courtyard was clean, it was empty. On the left side of the large courtyard when entering the entrance is a row of horse-tying posts and grass and arrow stacks. This is where Qin Shubao, Yuwen Hongtai and others usually rest their horses and practice martial arts.
When they broke out that night, everyone stood in this courtyard and swore goodbye.
Seeing things and thinking about people, Yuwen Hongtai stepped forward and hugged the arrows and cried loudly, which made Qin Mubai and Xue Rengui come to comfort him.
Everyone walked into the main hall again. There were two rows of chairs and a formal desk in the hall. Behind the hall was a bedroom and a bed. It was so simple and shabby that it didn't look like the yamen residence of a feudal official.
The surroundings were quiet, no one spoke, and everyone felt a little heavy.
Qin Mubai walked slowly to the front of the case, pulled out the handsome chair, and sat down.
The case in the left hand, the inkstone in the right hand, the three wolf-hair pens and the jade flower stone on the right front are just like the furnishings in Qin Shubao's study at home, simple, clear and meticulous.
Qin Mubai put his elbows on the table, pressed his forehead with his fingers crossed, closed his eyes and concentrated.
The past events are vivid in my mind. Scenes of getting along with my father at home came to mind.
The picture is vivid and the sound is vivid.
Unexpectedly, after parting ways with Lanzhou that year, Qin Mubai returned to Chang'an to get married, but would never see his father again.
Later, my father's death in battle directly triggered an earth-shaking change.
Gaochang was recovered, Tubo was pacified, and now the Tang Dynasty's imperial banners had penetrated deep into the hinterland of the Western Regions and spread far and wide.
…
"Young Marshal, a letter has arrived from Lanzhou..." Xue Rengui's voice interrupted Qin Mubai's meditation.
"Oh, get it." Qin Mubai took a deep breath and returned to reality.
It turned out to be a letter from Princess Gaoyang. The letter said that because she missed her father, the emperor, and her concubines, she had returned to Chang'an to visit her relatives. Xiao Dier was too young to travel far, so she stayed at home and let Chen Yan take care of her so that Qin Mubai didn't have to worry.
After reading the letter, Qin Mubai smiled and said, "As expected, not long after I left, the imperial court sent someone to ask me to return to the capital. As a result, when I was away, Gao Yang was worried that the emperor would be suspicious of me, so he went by himself. He was worried about my misunderstanding before leaving, so he wrote a book to calm me down."
The generals were a little surprised and asked: "Is it because the imperial court is asking you to go back now to do something bad for you?"
Qin Mubai smiled without saying anything. He folded the letter and put it away, saying: "Man, you are walking in the right direction. I will not pay attention to those groundless rumors. Maybe the imperial court is about to appoint a prince, so it needs to recall some leaders. Is it unfavorable for me to say that I am a high-ranking official in the border area? I, Qin, have always done my best to serve the country! - I am not allowed to say anything like this again, so as not to confuse the military!"
"yes!"
"Report—General Su Dingfang of the Western Expedition is reporting to the army on horseback!"
Everyone's expressions became serious, "You came just in time, we have just arrived in Gaochang!"
"Bring it!"
Qin Mubai opened the urgent military report and took a look, his face suddenly changed slightly, "This is new! Such an enemy actually jumped out!"
"What's wrong, Marshal?"
Qin Mubai handed the military report to Xue Rengui, "Dashi invasion! See for yourselves!"
All the generals were surprised and hurriedly crowded together to check the military report.
"Report—Nanting urgently reports military information!"
"here we go again!!"
When everyone looked at the military information sent from Nanting, their mood became more solemn and the atmosphere became more tense.
It turned out that Su Dingfang led his army to Samajian in the state of Kang to deal with emergencies, and discovered Dashi who was about to invade there. Originally, the coalition forces besieged Gongyue City and had already captured it, but just a few days after Su Dingfang left, Beiting coach Ni Shuchui bottomed out and suddenly launched a counterattack against Gongyue City. The Nanting Allied Forces, who had just won the victory, were caught off guard and fled in defeat. The coach of Nanting, Basimi, died on the spot!
Soon, Ni Shuchu took advantage of the victory and pursued and killed them all the way, directly reaching the Suihe Shuiya tent in the South Courtyard. At present, Ni Shuchuo leads an army of 200,000 to besiege Yazhang. The morale of Nanting's new defeat is low, and there is a shortage of major generals in front of the Khan's tent. The situation is extremely critical, so he has to seek medical treatment urgently. While rescuing Kang Guo Su Dingfang, The envoy asked for help from the Tang army in Gaochang.
"Xue Rengui!" Qin Mubai shouted.
"The general will be here!" Xue Rengui promised loudly.
"I order you to lead your troops with 30,000 Yueqi as the vanguard, and set off immediately to Suihe River to relieve the danger in the South Courtyard!" Qin Mubai ordered, "Remember, you can't be too obsessed with fighting or pursuing, you just need to relieve the siege!"
"No!" Xue Rengui loudly agreed, received the general's order, and walked out with flying strides.
"It's Xue's vanguard again!" Yuwen Hongtai shouted from the side.
"What, do you have any objections?" Qin Mubai glanced at him.
"No, I have no objection..." Yuwen Hongtai was immediately ashamed and his neck shrank.
Everyone couldn't help but think of Yuwen Hongtai's only vanguard battle on the Tubo Plateau. If Qin Mubai hadn't sent Vulcan to help him at the critical moment, he would have been defeated and almost lost his life. From then on, everyone in the army jokingly called him "Yuwen Pioneer". But when he heard this nickname, Yuwen Hongtai's face turned red, as if a thief had been caught.
"Yuwen Hongtai!!" Qin Mubai shouted.
"Here!!" Yuwen Hongtai became more energetic now.
"I order you to lead 50,000 elite troops in our headquarters, and then set off to prepare to meet Xue Rengui. Remember to bring more medicine, food and rice with you. Nanting Yazhang must have been besieged for a long time and are in urgent need of these supplies." Qin Mubai said.
"Yes!" Yuwen Hongtai also received the general's order and ran happily to chase Xue Rengui.
"Generals, listen to the order!" Qin Mubai shouted, "After everyone returns to the camp, order the camp to break out! The army speeds up and the target is the Nanting Yazhang!"
"promise!!"
Less than an hour after entering Gaochang City, Qin Mubai and others came out again and returned to the military camp.
The order was given, and after the soldiers hurriedly buried pots and made rice to fill their stomachs, the marching stoves that had just been dug were immediately filled up, and the huge camp of 200,000 troops was immediately pulled up shortly after it was dug in.
Xue Rengui went into battle lightly and led 30,000 elite troops to ride ahead. Yuwen Hongtai then set off with a large amount of supplies.
While the camp was busy, unexpectedly it rained heavily. Gaochang is located in a basin, but when the temperature changes, it is prone to sudden showers in spring, summer and autumn.
The heavy rain soon stopped, but a rainbow appeared in the distant northwest sky. Soon some sharp-eyed sergeants shouted - "Look, brothers! Is that a handsome man?!"
Everyone was astonished. Looking along, they saw a man with a beautiful beard standing between the mountains in the distance, standing facing the southeast. That figure and aura are indeed eighty-nine times like Qin Shubao!
Qin Mubai took one look and was shocked! —Father, how come you are standing in the rainbow? !
"The commander has appeared, he has appeared!" The sergeants were deeply shocked, and countless people hurriedly knelt down and knelt down to worship.
At this time, many people in Gaochang City also saw this strange scene from a distance, and they knelt down and worshiped, shouting "True God's blessing"!
Qin Mubai was really shocked and confused for a moment, and almost believed that it was his father who had descended to earth and appeared. He sent people to ask the people, and the people replied that after a thunderstorm, the "true god" Qin Shubao would show miracles in the northwest of the Flame Mountain! Because of this, Qin Shubao has now become the patron saint worshiped by all merchants on the Silk Road, and is the true god that people in the Western Regions believe in deeply!
After listening, Qin Mubai was as surprised and even shocked as everyone else. Later, after thinking about it, I realized that the people of Gaochang built a huge statue of Qin Shubao on the Flame Mountain as a way to forgive sins and commemorate him. The appearance of a rainbow after a thunderstorm is a meteorological optical phenomenon. Various coincidences caused Qin Shubao's statue to appear in the rainbow. From a distance, it looks like a "miraculous appearance".
"Order - stop kowtowing and send out troops immediately!" Qin Mubai ordered loudly, "With the blessing of my father, the commander-in-chief, the Kansai Army will be invincible and invincible!!"
"Every battle is invincible and every attack is invincible!!" All the soldiers roared like mountains and tsunamis.
Morale is soaring! !
…
Qin Mubai mounted his horse, straightened his clothes, looked at his father's image among the ethereal rainbows, and whispered: "Father... Sanlang, finally set foot on the land of the Western Regions and stood where you once stood. I swear, I will completely conquer the Western Region and defeat all enemies here! ... to comfort your spirit in heaven!"