From the day the memorial was sent, Qin Mubai refused to leave the house, citing illness. All matters in the army were left to Pang Fei; in the governor's office, the governor Xiao Liang and others had full authority.
The door of Qiongyu Villa is closed all day long and no visitors are allowed.
One evening, Pang Fei, who was very drunk, came to Qiongyu Villa and knocked on the door, but no one opened the door. As a result, he knelt here all night and still received no attention.
This incident became known throughout the city of Lanzhou, and there were many speculations. But they couldn't guess what happened between Qin Mubai and Pang Fei. Later, I heard that Pang Fei no longer returned to the army to serve as a director, but only spent his whole day getting drunk and hanging out in the Huajianliu Lane in the city.
There are rumors that after Pang Fei knelt in front of the gate of Qiongyu Villa that night, he was kicked out of the house by his wife Liu when he returned home. Liu even forced Pang Fei to commit suicide by hanging himself and asked Pang Fei to write a letter of divorce to end their relationship as husband and wife. As a result, Pang Fei never dared to set foot in his house again.
This incident caused uproar all over the city...
Although Qin Mubai never stepped out of the front door, he had also heard these rumors. For this reason, he could only sigh. Thinking back to the beginning, Qin Mubai and Pang Fei were both born in Baiqi, and they were called master and apprentice as brothers. At that time, Pang Fei was just a smart but simple-minded newborn calf, but he was always willing to learn, practice, and work hard to make progress. Later, he followed Qin Mubai and traveled all over the country to gain experience.
Looking back now, it was probably in Xiangyang that Pang Fei's life turned around. At that time, Qin Mubai took Pang Fei and other thirty 100-horse soldiers to the Xiangzhou Military Mansion. Pang Fei was Qin Mubai's deputy. Everyone worked together to destroy the water ghosts and eradicate the local bullies in Xiangzhou. It was at that time that Pang Fei fell in love at first sight with Xiangyang socialite Liu, known as the Flower Lady, and they were married by Qin Mubai. From then on, the couple fell in love with each other very much, and Pang Fei never once asked for a woman or a concubine.
Later, Qin Mubai was transferred back to Chang'an, and Pang Fei stayed in Xiangzhou and took over the post of Zhechong Captain left by Qin Mubai, and became the leading local military governor.
Perhaps it was the days when Pang Fei stayed alone in Xiangzhou that made him change. Later, when Qin Mubai returned to his hometown, he discovered that the ignorant and young boy in the past had been deeply assimilated into the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty. Although he is as smart, resourceful, diligent and motivated as ever, he has also become slick, worldly, and scheming.
"As long as we live in this world, people will change in order to adapt to their own living environment. How can I not be the same?" Qin Mubai sighed secretly, "Pang Fei, actually I don't blame you. You are just trying to survive. You Why bother?"
A few days later, Xue Rengui and Yuwen Hongtai led the 300,000 main Kansai army of the Western Expedition to Lanzhou. Pang Fei, who had ignored military affairs for many days, was finally "dragged" to the military mansion by his subordinates to arrange the placement of the army.
When Xue Rengui and Yuwen Hongtai came to Lanzhou, the first thing they did was to meet Qin Mubai. But the two of them were also rejected. Surprised, the two asked someone for details.
It doesn't matter if you don't inquire; if you inquire, big trouble will happen.
Yuwen Hongtai, a hot-tempered and reckless man, was extremely anxious when he heard that Qin Mubai fell ill and saw people again. When he heard that Qin Mubai "seemed" to be "sick from anger" by Pang Fei, he was furious!
He rushed to a Yingyuan in Lanzhou City to find Pang Fei. Without saying a word, he dragged him out of the gentle and drunken place and beat him so violently that he almost demolished the entire store!
Pang Fei was very drunk, and Yu Wen Hongtai beat him up, but he didn't fight back. He even vomited blood from the beating and kept laughing and saying, "Well done, well beaten."
In the end, if the detectives from the Governor's Yamen hadn't heard the news and came to stop him, Pang Fei's life might have been lost here!
Yuwen Hongtai was beaten well, but he admitted his crime and allowed the Yamen detectives to take him into prison. After entering the prison, he still spread the word that as soon as he came out, Pang Fei would be beaten every time he saw him, and he would only hate his parents for having him from now on.
Later, Xue Rengui came after hearing the news and took Pang Fei back to the army and asked military doctors to treat his injuries. When asked about the specific reasons, Pang Fei remained silent. Xue Rengui didn't ask any more questions, and went to visit Yu Wen Hongtai in prison again to reprimand and persuade him. Yu Wen Hongtai just said that he would become enemies with Pang Fei from now on and would fight him whenever he saw him. No one could persuade him!
In desperation, Xue Rengui had to come to see Qin Mubai. When I arrived at Qiongyu Villa, I saw Xiao Liang, the governor, also waiting anxiously at the door. However, the door did not open. They both had no choice but to stop at the door and sigh.
After a long time, the door of Qiongyu Villa finally opened, and it was Chen Yan who opened the door.
Xiao Liang and Xue Rengui were overjoyed together. They came forward to pay homage and then asked to see Qin Mubai.
Chen Yan replied: "Master Xiao, General Xue, Mu Bai is indeed seriously ill and contagious, so it is inconvenient to see guests. He asked me to deliver a message, saying that the army has military regulations and state laws, and everything can be done according to the laws. Military Xue Rengui will be in charge of the affairs for the time being; all matters in the Governor's Office have been entrusted to Lord Xiao.
Xiao Liang and Xue Rengui were worried and speechless after hearing this.
"It seems that the young marshal doesn't want to see us anymore, hey..." Xiao Liang sighed, "Mrs. Chen, please tell the young marshal that the matter in the Governor's Mansion will be taken care of by the humble office, and please rest assured to recover."
"good."
Xue Rengui held a fist and said, "Mrs. Chen, I would like to ask you a bold question - if there is no master in Guanxi and if this continues, what can be done if the army mutinies?"
"How could it be?" Chen Yan smiled and said, "Mu Bai said that he would let you take charge of the military power in Guanxi because he believed in your ability. As long as you, General Xue, are here, the Guanxi Army will be fine. Besides, it won't take long for the court to have General Xue ordered the generals to take a rest for a while and find out the outcome. "
"Is it a decree from the imperial court?"
Chen Yan smiled and said, "I don't dare to ask more questions about important military and national affairs. In short, Mu Bai said that the important military and political affairs during this period will be entrusted to the two of you. Once the imperial edict is issued, everything will be done in accordance with the order. "
"Okay..." Xue Rengui and Xiao Liang had no choice but to agree and leave without interrupting.
Chen Yan closed the door and sighed, shook her head and returned to the villa.
At this time, Qin Mubai was teaching Xiaolouer to play the guzheng on the Qiongyu stage in the villa. The Tantai sisters were coaxing Qin Ying and making tea, Xuelian and Mrs. Liu were playing with their second son, Chengsi, and Shuang'er was wandering around in the flower garden happily holding the little flute in her arms.
The family is so lively and warm, and it seems that they are not affected by the outside world at all.
Chen Yan returned to the balcony and winked at Qin Mubai. Qin Mubai walked aside with her and asked, "How was it?"
"They were all sent away," Chen Yan said, "but Pang Fei's incident was quite a big deal, and there was a lot of discussion in the city. If it continues like this, the impact will probably be worse. Let's just let it go. If the army is affected and... What should we do if there is any turmoil?”
"Don't worry, it won't happen." Qin Mubai said calmly, "Just lock Heizi up for a few days and prevent him from causing trouble."
"They still don't know that Pang Fei is acting like this because he betrayed you. If they find out..." Chen Yan hesitated and said, "If they find out, Yuwen Hongtai might really kill Pang Fei!"
Qin Mubai frowned, then shook his head and sighed, saying: "Xiao Liang is a sensible person, and he probably knows the inside story. Let him keep Yuwen Hongtai in prison for a few more days, and Pang Fei will be there when the imperial decree is issued. Lead the troops back to the capital. Just don’t let Yuwen Hongtai and Pang Fei meet again.”
"That's all we have to do..." Chen Yan also sighed.
Qin Mubai looked into the distance with his eyebrows slightly twisted, and sighed leisurely: "The deep love, the deep responsibility... In fact, the relationship between Hong Tai and Pang Fei was very close in the past. It can be said that they were brothers who died. But Hong Tai is just an eye. There is no room for a person with a grain of salt in his heart, and his grievances are so clear-cut that even I am a little afraid of him being stubborn. "
"Mu Bai, looking at your situation, you want Pang Fei and Xue Rengui to return to the court and be granted titles, but you want Yuwen Hongtai to stay, right?" Chen Yan asked.
Qin Mubai nodded, "I also arrange their future and outlet according to the people. Pang Fei is smart and smart, suitable for being an official. Moreover, he is a member of His Majesty the Emperor. In addition, he made great achievements in the surprise attack on Golmud when he pacified Tubo. Not to mention that Xue Rengui, a talent like him, has a bright future. His achievements will not be comparable to those of Pang Fei and others. After returning to the court together, they will all be honored for their merits. Only Hong Tai... is actually not suitable for being an official. If I let him leave my side, I am afraid that he will get into trouble and die. Therefore, I decided to keep him with me. Go to Samojian by your side. This also fulfills the promise I made to Su Lianqing. I, Qin Mubai, will arrange the future of her family."
"I think so." Chen Yan nodded in approval, "Yuwen Hongtai is upright and fierce by nature, hates evil as much as hatred, and is loyal to you. In his heart, I am afraid there is no one else but you, not even the law, the court, the emperor, and the emperor. Scruples. If you leave him alone, he will definitely do anything stupid."
Qin Mubai stared at the distant eastern sky, looking in the direction of Chang'an, and sighed leisurely, "There really is no banquet that lasts forever!"
Chen Yan looked at Qin Mubai's profile and saw for the first time that his expression showed so much loneliness and sadness.
"Mubai... Since ancient times, it has been difficult to have both loyalty and filial piety. Now you have sacrificed your own glory and taken care of the stability of the country and the brotherhood." Chen Yan said softly, "This is already not easy."
Qin Mubai smiled slightly, put his arms around Chen Yan's waist, and said, "Fortunately, you and your family are with me."
"Will you return to Chang'an?"
Qin Mubai's expression froze slightly, and he raised his eyes again to the distant east, looking in the direction of Chang'an. His eyes narrowed slightly and he stared for a long time.
"have no idea… "
Hearing these three words, Chen Yan felt inexplicably sad. Because she heard that these three words Qin Mubai said were full of infinite nostalgia and bitterness.
At this moment, Chen Yan thought with empathy: Chang'an, hometown; there is everything about Qin Mubai... Maybe from now on, it can only appear in Qin Mubai's dreams!