A few days later, it was Qin Mubai's birthday. I don't know who leaked the news, but early in the morning, guests and friends came to pay Qin Mubai a birthday.
The first person to come was Su Dingfang, the highest official of the Tang Dynasty stationed in the Western Regions, the Grand Governor of the Yuezhi Metropolitan Governor's Mansion and the Protector of the Anxi Metropolitan Government.
"Mu Bai, I'm here to wish you a birthday!" Su Dingfang was full of energy and his voice was as loud as a bell. He laughed loudly as soon as he entered the door, "Congratulations! Mu Bai, you are so blessed recently, I am very happy for you!"
"Senior brother is here!" Qin Mubai greeted him with a smile, "Senior brother has heavy military affairs and has many things to do. Why should I bother you to come personally to my mother's house when she is in trouble?"
"Haha, you are so outrageous when you say that!" Su Dingfang laughed, "Brothers, you and I haven't seen each other for a while - it's not just me, Zhu Bancheng and Xiao Xuanwu are coming today, and I'm two months in advance. I made an appointment with them! If others don’t remember your birthday, why can’t I remember them?”
"We're here!" Qin Mubai was also happy and said with a smile, "It's been a while since I've had a good drink with you good brothers. Today I specially prepared more than ten altars of the best Qinxian wine - let's not get drunk. No return!”
"Third brother, where is my third brother! Haha, Heizi is here to wish you a birthday!" When the two were chatting and laughing, a loud voice like thunder came from outside the door. Yuwen Hongtai was holding his youngest son Wushuang, behind him Following Madam Su Lianqing, she strode over, shouting from a distance, "Where's the wine? Where's the wine!! - Get the wine quickly, I want to offer three big bowls to my third brother first!"
"Hesitant!" Qin Mubai and Su Dingfang laughed and greeted him. Qin Mubai said, "You are such a troublemaker. My birthday is the day my mother suffered. If I want to toast, I must first toast to your godmother." ah!"
"Hey, third brother taught you a lesson!" Yuwen Hongtai smiled innocently, and immediately shouted, "Where is my godmother? She is the protagonist today. I must honor her and thank her for giving birth to my third brother! "
"Haha!" Everyone laughed.
At that time, Qin's mother Liu came out of the inner room wearing a Yongrong brocade robe, accompanied by Chen Yan and Princess Gaoyang, followed by Mingzhu and several wet nurses, holding a group of grandchildren, chattering lively.
Seeing this scene, Su Dingfang smiled happily and said, "Mu Bai, seeing you like this, I really envy others!"
Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Most civilians are like me, what's there to envy?"
"Cultivation of one's character, organization of one's family, governance of the country, peace of the world - you have accomplished it all. Now that you have returned to your true nature with perfect merit and virtue, and are enjoying peace and happiness, isn't it the envy of the world?" Su Dingfang said with emotion, "Throughout the ages, how many people can truly accomplish this? What about Zhiping? Either he is mediocre, or he is unable to have both loyalty and filial piety, or he has given up his family or lover for the sake of his ambition."
Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Okay, okay, you are here to pay homage to my birthday today, not to talk about ideals and life with me - I have already made a promise today, those who come must be drunk! Those who are not drunk, Don’t come into my house next time!”
Su Dingfang and Yuwen Hongtai both laughed heartily, just like they did when they were in the army, and clasped their fists in unison: "I have the order!"
"Come on, I don't want to lead troops now!" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "I am finally happy and relaxed. Don't create a tense atmosphere for me."
Just as he was talking, someone came to the door again. This time it was Wu Meiniang leading a group of ministers and generals from the Jokhang Kingdom to pay her birthday.
Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "Mei Niang, it's just an ordinary birthday for me, why do I need to invite so many people?"
"You think I invited you?" Wu Meiniang smiled and said: "I don't know how they knew about it. They came to me all together and asked me to bring them to congratulate you. You are a guest when you come to your door, don't you still? Welcome?"
"How dare you? I'm afraid of causing trouble to everyone." Qin Mubai hurriedly stepped forward to greet them and thanked them one by one.
One after another, the city lords of the Nine Cities under Zhaowu Kingdom and the chiefs of various tribes in the Western Regions either came in person or sent their trusted people to bring gifts to celebrate his birthday. The house was suddenly filled with guests and friends, and it was very lively.
When the banquet was held at noon, the large hall of the prime minister's residence at home could no longer accommodate anyone. Fortunately, the weather was fine, so we simply held the banquet beside the lotus pond and willow forest in the backyard. Everyone laughed loudly and drank glasses, and the atmosphere was extremely lively.
Just when the banquet was getting to its climax, the disciple suddenly came to report that an angel from the Tang Dynasty had arrived!
Everyone was surprised: What a coincidence!
Qin Mubai and his family went out to welcome the Angel of the Tang Dynasty, and all the guests followed him out of curiosity to see what was going on.
Upon seeing the messenger, Qin Mubai, Liu Shi, Shuang'er and others were immediately overjoyed - "Second brother!"
The one who came to announce the decree was actually Qin Bin!
"Third brother, let's put public affairs first and private affairs first - Qin Mubai takes the order!"
"Okay." Qin Mubai responded and led his family to receive the order.
Qin Bin unfolded the imperial edict and began to read out - "The Emperor Zhao of the Tang Dynasty said..."
The imperial edict was very long, and Qin Bin read it for a long time. All the guests outside the hall were also silent, listening quietly together. Listening and listening, everyone couldn't help but exclaimed!
Qin Mubai was granted the title of King by the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty! —The King of Gongyue County is hereditary and will not be replaced!
Qin Mubai himself was quite surprised and surprised. As soon as Qin Bin finished reading the imperial edict, he asked doubtfully: "Second brother, is this really an edict issued by His Majesty the Emperor himself?"
"Of course. Is it possible that Brother Yu still dares to fake it?" Qin Bin held the imperial edict over with his smiling hands, "Why don't you accept the edict and express your gratitude?"
Qin Mubai then thanked him and accepted the order, and then unfolded it again and read it in detail. Yes, it was Chu Suiliang's handwriting that was absolutely authentic. I had been working as a messenger for the emperor for a long time, and his seal and the handwriting of Chu Suiliang, who wrote the imperial edict, would never be mistaken!
"Congratulations, third brother, your merits have finally been fulfilled." Qin Bin cupped his hands and said, "My Qin family has a king. My father's spirit in heaven is also gratified, and our ancestors will also be proud of you!"
Princess Gao Yang came forward at this time and smiled: "Mu Bai, show me the imperial edict!"
"If you want to see it, take it!" Qin Mubai smiled and gave it to her.
Princess Gao Yang opened the imperial edict and read it with a smile. Suddenly her face changed and she said bitterly: "It's too partial, partial, partial!"
"What's wrong?" everyone asked in shock.
"Huh! Father is so partial!" Princess Gaoyang angrily shoved the imperial edict back to Qin Mubai and said angrily, "My majestic princess only has three hundred households, and she is still far away in Xianyang. This I'm afraid I won't be able to eat enough rice for the rest of my life. It's good for Mubai. A newly-confessed prince actually has 500 households in the city, and he is still in the rich and fertile Gongyue City. As soon as I left Chang'an, I became a poor princess. I won’t ask for pocket money from Mu Bai anymore!”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Qin Bin smiled and said: "Your Highness, please calm down. The law of the Tang Dynasty clearly stipulates that the princess's residence is no more than 400, and the prince's residence is no more than 700, but it does not limit the residence of the hero. Like Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and Yuchi Jing The founding fathers of Germany all have more than 700 households, which is higher than the prince. It is appropriate for His Majesty the Emperor to give you 300 households, but the princess will not go to Xianyang to receive it. I can't blame Your Majesty!"
Qin Mubai also smiled and said, "How about you go back to Chang'an every year and go to Xianyang to collect rent?"
Everyone was amused when they heard this.
Princess Gao Yang was also very angry and funny, "Go there once a year? I also go back and forth once a year! - Forget it, I'm married to you anyway, you should support me and give me money to spend! Hehe, From now on, I will be lazy and lively, and if I have no money to spend, I will ask you for it! If you don’t give it to me, I will sell all your property, your good horses, and your good knives!”
All the guests laughed together, leaning forward and backward.
"Hey, you prodigal bitch!" Qin Mubai feigned anger, "If you dare to do this to me, the wife of the Qin family, see if my mother won't teach you a lesson!"
Princess Gaoyang giggled and stuck out her tongue. She hurriedly ran to Qin's mother and held her elbow. She smiled and said, "My mother-in-law is reluctant to teach me a lesson. I don't know how filial I am to her!"
Just for fun, Su Dingfang and other guests came forward to congratulate Qin Mubai on his honorary title. Qin Mubai hurriedly responded to the greeting and made a fuss again.
Qin Bin then stepped forward to pay homage to Qin's mother, knelt on his knees and kowtowed as a complete courtesy.
Shuang'er was naturally happy to see her second brother and said, "It's not easy for my second brother to come to Zhaowu Country. At least I have to stay for a while before leaving."
"Don't worry, Brother Yu may have to live here for a year or two." Qin Bin said, "His Majesty decreed that the third brother should be crowned king, and ordered me to build a palace for the third brother in Gongyue City, and select food and land. . These things cannot be completed in one or two years.”
"Really? That's great!" Shuang'er said happily, "When will big brother come?"
Qin Bin shook his head: "Your eldest brother went to conquer Liaodong with the Crown Prince."
As soon as these words came out, the whole hall suddenly became silent.
Qin Mubai also heard clearly, and came forward and said: "Second brother, you said that the eldest brother followed His Highness the Crown Prince to conquer Liaodong?"
Qin Bin nodded, and then told Qin Mubai and others in detail about Li Ke being made the prince and the war between Tang Dynasty and Goguryeo.
Samajian is more than 12,000 miles away from Chang'an, so the exchange of news is not very convenient. It was only today that Qin Mubai, Su Dingfang and others learned of such a major event.
After listening to Qin Bin's words, Qin Mubai fell into silence for a long time, cut his hands behind his back, and walked out alone. I kept thinking as I walked and unknowingly arrived at the banquet venue.
"Li Ke finally became the crown prince, and the future of the Tang Dynasty became clear." He thought, "Looking around the Tang Dynasty, only Goguryeo is like a clown, often causing chaos. It is only a matter of time before the Tang Dynasty sends troops to Liaodong. Things. Presumably, Xue Rengui and my brothers from the Kansai Army went together, with Li Ji and Li Daozong as assistants, and Xue Rengui and our great army of the Kansai Army will definitely be able to take down Goguryeo! In the first battle, Li Ke not only needs to establish his prestige and popularity in the army, but also builds a military team to protect him. With the support of the army, he will be as stable as a rock in the future when he ascends the throne! "
When he suddenly came to his senses, Qin Mubai saw a family following him, and more than a hundred guests including Su Dingfang, all looking at him quietly.
"I'm sorry, I was distracted for a moment." Qin Mubai quickly apologized, raised a glass of wine, and said loudly, "Come on, we are celebrating today, let's have a drink together - Mom, today is the day of your suffering, my child respects you too! "
Everyone raised their wine glasses with a smile, "Your Majesty, please!"
Qin Mubai was startled for a moment, then laughed and said, "I'm not used to calling you your lord, your lord, and it's a lot of pressure!"
"Ha ha!"
Amid laughter, everyone drank from their glasses.
Qin Bin specially filled a glass of wine and walked up to Qin Mubai and said, "Third brother, today is your birthday. Brother Yu wants to toast you with a toast. Thank you for everything you have done for the Qin family and the Tang Dynasty!"
"Thank you, second brother!" Qin Mubai accepted it happily and had a drink with Qin Bin.
"Third brother, do you know? Now, you are already a legend." Qin Bin smiled and said, "In Chang'an, whether it is the army in the court or the ordinary streets and streets, your deeds are being circulated. ”
"Countless literati have written you into poems and passed them on to future generations;"
"In the main hall of the Baiqi Prison, in addition to the mercury wall hanging of Qilin Swallowing the Sun, it also adds to your dignity. The first thing anyone who joins the Baiqi Prison is to worship you as the first Baiqi Envoy;"
“During the New Year and festivals, in addition to posting pictures of the door god on their doors, families in Chang’an also offer tributes to the statue of your birthplace in the temple, so that households can live in peace and pray for peace.”
"In the place where the statues of the Three Fairies are placed in front of the 'Qinxian Pavilion' restaurant in Chang'an, there is a statue of you playing the piano. It is more than twice the size of the statue of the Three Fairies. It has become a scenic spot in Chang'an for everyone to look at."
Speaking of this, Qin Bin couldn't help but smile, and continued: "Even places like Goulan Prostitutes must pay tribute to you. It seems that if you don't do this, it will appear that the shops here are not classy and romantic. ”
Qin Mubai was completely stunned and said with a wry smile: "Then I'm really busy."
Yuwen Hongtai grinned and said stupidly: "Third brother, I know why those brothels want to pay tribute to you."
"You idiot, you definitely have nothing nice to say, don't say it!" Qin Mubai scolded angrily.
"I won't listen to you this time, but I have to say something." Yuwen Hongtai took a few sips of the yellow soup and felt a little more confident. He said loudly with a smile on his face, "You guys said, my third brother looks like this Jun, you have married so many beautiful wives, why don’t all the men in the world envy you? - Those old madams who build brothels are smart, they want the guests who come in to enjoy my third brother. Such treatment! Do you think so?"
"Ha ha!-"
All the guests in the hall burst out laughing, leaning forward and backward in confusion.
"You idiot, you are so talkative!" Qin Mubai pretended to be angry, "Someone, get this guy drunk, then take off his clothes and throw them into the street, and let him run naked!"
"Haha! - Got the order!" Su Dingfang, Zhu Bancheng and others became more energetic now. They rushed to Yuwen Hongtai's side and said with a malicious smile, "Hongtai, don't blame us. The prince has an order to take action." If you get me drunk and let you run around naked, we have to obey!"
"Hey, hey!" Yuwen Hongtai was already half drunk and said unsteadily, "I have been following Third Brother for so many years. What scene have I never seen before? Do you need to scare me? Get drunk and run away when you are drunk. What are you afraid of? — Come on, drink!”
Qin Mubai watched them huddled together, drinking and teasing each other, and smiled, his eyes narrowed with laughter.
"Mu Bai, let me toast you." Chen Yan walked up to him, held up a glass of wine, and said with a smile, "Today is a good day for you. No matter how many unhappy things happened in the past, they are all in the past. From today on, you must be healthy, safe, happy, and happy—your blessing is the blessing of all of us!”
"Thank you, Yan." Qin Mubai raised his glass, "I also want to thank you for everything you have silently sacrificed for me over the years."
"We also come to honor you!" Princess Gaoyang and Mingzhu came forward together, "Mubai, we wish you to be as happy and carefree as you are today! - Where is Mei Niang?"
Wu Meiniang was entertaining the ministers of Zhaowu Kingdom when she was summoned by Princess Gaoyang, "Hurry up, Meiniang, let's toast Mu Bai together!"
Wu Meiniang picked up a glass of wine and said to Qin Mubai: "Mubai, today I want to tell you something from my heart. In fact, I am a very small person. It was hard for me to imagine that I would be with so many sisters. I can share you as a man without any regrets. I don’t even remember when I fell in love with you. I only know... In this life, you are my first man and will also be my last. Man! In Wu Zhao’s heart, you are the only one and can never be replaced!”
"Thank you, Mei Niang... and Yan, Gao Yang, Mingzhu. In fact, sometimes I feel that I am a bad man, I am too carefree, and I feel sorry for you." Qin Mubai raised his glass and said, "I already owe you Everyone. Therefore, I can only use the rest of my life to treat you well. I don’t know if I can do it. I can only promise that I will do my best!”
Chen Yan smiled slightly: "Mu Bai, you are like this. You never speak your mind fully, and you always leave a leeway in everything you do."
"Yes, how cunning!" Princess Gaoyang said with a smile, "Today in front of my mother-in-law and all the guests, I want you to make an oath!"
Qin Mubai smiled and said, "What oath are you making?"
"That's what I once said!" Princess Gaoyang suddenly put down her wine glass, pointed one hand at her hips and the other at Qin Mubai, assuming the classic 'teapot shape', and said loudly, "From now on, the Qin family can no longer More women!”
"Hahaha—" The guests in the hall burst into laughter again. Even Qin's mother laughed.
"Look, you've made everyone laugh by playing tricks in public again!" Qin Mubai said with a smile.
Princess Gao Yang was also quite embarrassed. After laughing for a while, she deliberately kept a straight face: "You are telling me whether we agree to take this oath or not!"
"Okay, I stand!" Qin Mubai raised his hand and said to the sky, "Heaven above, I, Qin Mubai, swear here that from now on, except for the women we love deeply and the women I owe something to, I, Qin Mubai, will never marry any woman again, okay?"
"I...I, I'm going to faint!" Princess Gao Yang rolled her eyes in an unladylike manner, "What's the difference between making this oath of yours and not making it?"
"Yes!" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "At least I won't go to the Fireworks Alley and the Land of Willows, and I won't take the initiative to pick up flowers and mess around."
Chen Yan smiled and said: "Princess, you can rest assured! Mu Bai made such an oath for a reason. Have you forgotten Li Xueyan and the two of them?"
After saying that, Chen Yan pulled the Tantai sisters who had been standing silently beside her and said with a smile: "My mother-in-law has given an order for Mu Bai to accept and marry their sisters as soon as possible. Do you have any objections? After all these years , They have followed Mu Bai through life and death, and have always protected the Qin family without any regrets. If they had not worked hard to protect the Qin family, it is still unclear whether we would be reunited here today! "
Princess Gao Yang immediately grimaced, "There are two more... Wow! I can't even separate the pillows!"
"Ahem!" Qin Mubai coughed dryly and said, "How about we draw lots?"
"Fuck you!" All the girls scolded together.
…
Su Dingfang was drinking wine on a couch not far away. Seeing the Qin family members "besieging" Qin Mubai there, he couldn't help but smile to Qin Bin and said, "It seems that Mubai's glass of wine is not easy to drink." ah!"
Qin Bin also smiled and said: "My third brother is a romantic by nature and has a good rapport with women. But what's rare is that he has recruited so many women into his family, but he can still live in peace. This has to be admired! "
"This romantic affair is a sight to behold!" Su Dingfang said with a smile, "Presumably many of his romantic affairs are being spread around Chang'an now, right?"
"It's not just a rumor, it's almost turned into a legend." Qin Bin said with a smile, "Whether it's a romantic affair or a great achievement, in short, my third brother is worthy of the word 'heroic man'. He is destined to stay... Famous in history, heard in future generations, and turned into a legend!”
"That's right, that's right..." Su Dingfang raised a glass of wine, looked at Qin Mubai who was surrounded by Wu Meiniang and others not far away and could not open the glue, and said meaningfully, "This style has become a legend!"
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[Complete book]
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Let’s say a few words!
"Chang'an Romance" has been completed, and the new book is under review and will be available to everyone soon. Please stay tuned, thank you!
"Chang'an Romance" took two years to write and finally came to an end. The book has nearly 2.5 million words, and I broke two keyboards—maybe I bought a copycat product!
In 700 days and nights, I completed a book and experienced a life.
Thank you to every book friend for your silent protection and continued support during my interruption and low ebb. Without you, there would be no successful conclusion of "Chang'an Romance" today.
When I typed the three words "The book is finished", I lit a cigarette and was silent for a long time. There seemed to be thousands of words to say, but no words to say. I think this is probably the same as Qin Mubai's mood when he left Lanzhou.
To paraphrase a famous saying - why do I always have tears in my eyes? It's because I love "Chang'an" deeply!
Finally, thanks to all the book friends who have laughed, cursed, been angry, been happy, sad, confused, lamented, excited, angry, domineering, regretful, and shed tears with Mu Bai.
This romance has become legendary.
It is built by us together!