Late at night, the study of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion was still lit with lights and candles, and there were many people.

Qin Mubai held the lamp in one hand and cut the back of the other, standing alone in front of the big map, staring for a long time.

Lanzhou is facing a huge catastrophe that has swept the world. Dafeichuan, the war is imminent, although Gar Qinling is a barbarian, but he is a famous general for a while, and he is a strong opponent with a veteran Taoist city. The 200,000 plateau iron horsemen under his command should not be underestimated; At the same time, Lanzhou's vitality has not yet fully recovered, the military and people's livelihood are in ruins, and its strength is not strong. At present, the soldiers and horses that Qin Mubai can take out in his hands, in addition to the 50,000 defenders of Dafeichuan, there are only 30,000 or 40,000 Zuoweiwei field troops led by Hou Junji outside Lanzhou City. In total, there are less than 100,000 people, and a small half of them are recruits......

It is difficult for a good woman to cook without rice, and Qin Mubai's white brows are deeply locked.

If it's just a difference in strength, it's just a matter of self-defeat. In the area of Gaochang, Puchanghai, and Yuyang Erguan, a total of 50,000 elite teachers from Lanzhou have been detained, and now they are quite passively falling into a huge trap, and life and death are unpredictable. If this brigade of soldiers and horses is transferred back to Lanzhou, Qin Mubai will have full confidence and certainty to let go of the battle with Garqinling.

However, how could it be so easy to let go of the main forces of Lanzhou that the Garqinling was deliberately luring the enemy to divide the main forces of Lanzhou? He borrowed a knife to kill people, used the Western Turks and Gaochang and other Western Regions countries to contain Qin Shubao's people, and then set fire to the backyard to rob while the fire was burning...... I have to admit that Gar Qinling's hand is extremely beautiful, which is enough to demonstrate his good overall situation and exquisite strategic deployment ability.

This war is no longer a pure pre-battle battle. This is related to the overall situation of the entire Helong and the Western Regions and the game of international forces.

Originally, these major matters should have been solved by the Tang Dynasty. But now, all of them were pressed on Qin Mubai's shoulders. At the same time, it is difficult to say whether the court will receive Qin Mubai's favor, and it is estimated that in the end, he will be sanctioned.

"Huh! ......" Qin Mubai smiled indifferently at the corner of his mouth, and couldn't help but groan, "The vicissitudes of the sea show the true character of a hero!" I haven't done anything out of the ordinary for many years, and I'm always so timid and submissive, and I'm so tired of living! Garchinling, I'm ready, come and give it a go with me! ”

"What a hero!"

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Hou Junji walked in.

"Finally let me see your ambition and arrogance." Hou Junji looked at Qin Mubai, smiling rather than smiling, with sharp eyes.

Qin Mubai put down the lamp and smiled indifferently, and said, "A man, if he has no ambition and retribution, how is it different from the walking dead?" ”

"You don't have to quibble." Hou Junji walked to a big chair beside Qin Mubai and sat down, looked at him with his hands on his chest and tilted his head with interest, and said, "To tell me the truth, do you want to support the army and stand on your own?" ”

"." Qin Mubai sneered and did not answer.

"Don't be naïve." Hou Junji said, "At this point, even if you don't have to be independent and self-reliant, you must support the army and respect yourself." Otherwise, it's a dead end. ”

"You mean to let me hold on to the army?"

"Of course." Hou Junji said, "I don't like to talk nonsense. You have decided to fight to the death with the Garqin Mausoleum, and I admire your courage and domineering. But I also advise you not to give it a go. If you really lose cleanly, you'll be at the end of the road. ”

"What do you mean?" Qin Mubai's eyes narrowed and he stared at him.

Hou Junji grinned at the corner of his mouth, and said with a sly smile: "The marshal of the town of the feudal commander of the frontier is all self-fattening. The cunning rabbit is dead and the lackey cooks, everyone knows this truth. In this battle, if you really kill the Garqin Mausoleum, your road will come to an end. In the same way, if you fail, it will be even more doomed. ”

"Huh! ......" Qin Mubai smiled, and he said, "Thank you for your kind reminder." But if I want to tolerate adultery or be afraid to move forward, I will not be guilty of arbitrarily advocating and acting arbitrarily as I do now. I sent a request to Chang'an to let everything be arranged, why bother to suffer so much? ”

"Qin Mubai, you are really a mantis arm that is beyond your strength." Hou Junji sneered, "Do you think that you can compete with a dynasty in Tubo and dozens of countries in the Western Regions on your own?" Don't be stupid! - You must understand psychologically that the imperial court has already regarded us as outcasts when it threw us people in Lanzhou. No matter who comes to Lanzhou, they will not seek no merit but no fault. ”

"I understand that, but I'm not the 'whoever it is.'" Qin Mubai said, "Actually, this is not His Majesty the Emperor's intention. The civil and military rivalry above the court was in dire straits, and the civil officials were in charge of the mouthpiece of the imperial court, so His Majesty had to temporarily slow down the implementation of Lanzhou's militaristic plan in order not to provoke contradictions between the two factions. ”

"Your Majesty alone can't solve all problems." Hou Junji suddenly interrupted Qin Mubai's words and said, "You are not in the center, and you don't understand the subtleties. Think about it, if anything can be decided by His Majesty, where are there so many turmoil and disputes? For example, if you want to abolish the crown prince and establish the king of Wei, but what is the result? Your Majesty doesn't know that King Li Zhi of Jin is cowardly by nature and has shallow qualifications to take on a big role, but as a result, it is the King of Jin who is now in charge of the country. What does this mean? ——In the face of the overall situation, even His Majesty the Emperor is powerless. I tell you all this for one purpose - don't be too naïve and take your father-in-law, the Emperor, as a talisman to avoid death. Zhuge Liang is still tearing and slashing horses, what are you? ”

"Don't worry, I'm not naïve enough yet." Qin Mubai looked sideways, looked at Hou Junji with a glint in his eyes, and said, "What do you want to tell me when you come today?" ”

Hou Junji stood up, stood proudly in front of Qin Mubai with his hands behind his back, and said, "Have you thought about the consequences?" Did you really decide to turn the tide on your own? ”

"Of course." Qin Mubai also looked at him without shying away, "Go on." ”

The corners of Hou Junji's mouth rose slightly, and a rare smile of kindness was revealed, "Then, Hou Mou will rest assured that he will follow him." ”

"Thank you." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "With your help, great things can be done." ”

"Really? But you don't trust me completely. Hou Junji shook his head and said.

"How so?"

"Su Dingfang led the soldiers and horses of Yifu out of the city in the starry night. I don't know what he's going to do, but why not me? Hou Junji said, "You handed over the command of the 40,000 field army in Lanzhou to me, but the elite of Yifu has been holding it in his hands and refusing to let go." When it really came time for urgent military affairs, the first one to be dispatched was still Su Dingfang. Qin Mubai, suspicious people don't need to be suspicious, since you can't trust me Hou, why is Hou sticking to your cold ass with a hot face? ”

Qin Mubai shook his head, turned to look at the military map, and was silent.

"Nothing to say?"

Qin Mubai still smiled and said nothing.

"Qin Mubai, at such a juncture, if you can't work together from top to bottom, it will be difficult to succeed." Hou Junji said, "Hou Junji is not unreasonable. If you can't trust me, Hou doesn't want to take his life in a daze, and he won't let you be in a dilemma. ”

"Hou Junji." Qin Mubai said, "I sent Su Dingfang to lead my troops out of the city to Puchanghai to deliver military orders and receive my father's return. ”

"So what?"

Qin Mubai was silent for a long time, and said, "No one can guarantee whether my father can come back safely." If there is a mistake, even though I, Qin Mubai, will not blame you, but what do the soldiers and civilians of Lanzhou think of you? ”

Hou Junji's expression changed suddenly, and he was suddenly dumbfounded.

"You don't need to say it, you understand. In the eyes of the military and civilians of Lanzhou, you are an outsider, and sooner or later you are still suffering from white eyes and exclusion. Although you are a battlefield general, your popularity and prestige in the Lanzhou army are not very good for the time being. Qin Mubai said, "How could I give you such a task?" If you are in a hurry to make meritorious contributions, sooner or later there will be a place for you, and you have saved up enough energy for me to be ready to give it a go, so why bother to be so suspicious? ”

Hou Junji took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, nodded slightly, and said softly, "Thank you." ”

These two words are easy to say in anyone's mouth. Only Hou Junji is difficult.

Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "Lanzhou Zuo Weiwei's field army will be handed over to you." This is the only remaining main division in my hands, as long as you don't let me down. ”

"Rest assured. Whether it is the Galkin Mausoleum or the barbarians of the Western Turks, my Hou Junji has not taken them into account yet! Hou Junji sighed heavily and arched his hand, "From now on, Hou Mou is assured to boldly follow you, galloping across the field and smiling proudly!" No matter how it ends, it's a dripping pleasure! ”

"That's exactly what I wanted."

"Farewell!"

Hou Junji had just walked long, and a maid of Wu Meiniang found the study, saying that the night was late, and the princess and the owner invited him to go back to Qiongyu Villa to rest.

After Princess Gaoyang came to Lanzhou, she settled in Qiongyu Villa, and was inseparable from Wu Meiniang all day long, enjoying herself, and she consciously didn't come to the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion to cause trouble for Qin Mubai.

"Report to the two ladies, just say that I am busy with military affairs today, and I will rest in the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion. Please go to bed early and don't have to wait for me. Qin Mubai said.

The maid agreed, and instead of leaving, she stepped forward, presented a collar robe and a food box, and said: "Actually, the princess and the host know that you will probably not go back tonight, so they sent the maidservant to bring a cold night coat and a porridge soup to nourish the stomach, and ask the young marshal to take care of his body." ”

"I got it......"

Putting on his robe and drinking a few sips of warm and fragrant wheat porridge, Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile, his tense mood relaxed slightly, and his spirit was much better.

With a major war imminent, he must personally cut and decide on all military deployments and the formulation of strategies and tactics. Garqinling is a tricky opponent, Qin Mubai doesn't dare to take it lightly, not to mention that his own side is still in a weak position.

The night was very deep, there was silence in the four fields, and occasionally heard a few owls and domestic dogs neighing, Qin Mubai finally couldn't resist the sleepiness, and fell asleep on the desk.

At some point, the robe he was wearing fell to the ground, but someone gently lifted him up and put it back on.

Qin Mubai woke up in shock, and saw a person in a sleepy eye, who was adding oil to the lamp, gently plucking the wick.

The jade face is hazy, and the smile is like a flower.

"Your Highness the Princess?" Qin Mubai got up busily, "It's late at night, how did you get to Weichen's study?" ”

The person who came was actually Princess Wencheng Li Xueyan.

"Why should the general have a share?" Princess Wencheng plucked the wick and put down the tweezers, and said with a slight smile, "Isn't it bad as before?" ”

Qin Mubai smiled and nodded, "Princess, please take a seat." ”

Li Xueyan was not detained, and sat down in front of Qin Mubai generously, and said, "It's late at night, why don't you rest early?" The big war is coming, and the body is important. ”

"It's okay, I'm used to it." Qin Mubai said, "But the princess needs to rest early, the water and soil in Lanzhou are not very good, and if the princess doesn't pay attention to her body when she comes from afar, she is easy to get sick." ”

"Don't worry, I'm not as fragile as you think." Li Xueyan smiled and said, "Mu Bai...... Well, can I call you that? ”

"Of course. This is actually my word, which is already a very polite name. Qin Mubai smiled, "My real name is Qin Liang." ”

"Mu Bai, I've actually always wanted to ask...... What do you do everything for? ”

"What do you mean?"

"In terms of facts, it means - war with the Garchinling!"

"Princess, don't you think I'm here for you?" Qin Mubai said with a smile, regretted it after speaking, and said in his heart: The old problem is committed, why should I 'harass' her like this if I have nothing to do?

Li Xueyan's face turned slightly red, and she said, "Naturally, I won't be so sentimental. I just don't understand, Mu Bai, since you are a relative of the emperor after the Xunmen, everything should be transferred by the will of His Majesty and the court. But since you came to Lanzhou, I have treated the court as nothing, and acted boldly...... It's not like you. ”

"Does the princess think that I am right or wrong to do this?"

"It's not a simple 'right or wrong' thing to determine." Li Xueyan said, "In the eyes of many people in the court, you are simply a minister who is not a minister; In the eyes of the military and people of Lanzhou, you are the supreme god; In the eyes of the Tibetan enemy, you are a stinger that must be removed; In my Li Xueyan's opinion......"

"How?"

"The current you are the real you."

"Haha!" Qin Mubai smiled, and he laughed loudly. He said, "How can the princess know me when she has met me very little and has never had a deep friendship?" ”

"It may not take a lifetime to get to know someone, but sometimes, it doesn't take much time and a lot of work." Li Xueyan pursed her lips and smiled, and said, "Mu Bai, in fact, when we first met, I heard your heart from the notes at your fingertips. You are like an eagle in a cage, has been looking forward to the day when you spread your wings and soar, for this reason, you do not hesitate to change your appearance to play the role of a bird, low your eyebrows and obedient eyes to endure self-control in the cage. Your chest is full of lofty retribution and deep emotions like the sea, but you always have cynicism and indifference on your face. ”

Qin Mubai put his hands on his abdomen, tilted his head, and looked at her with the kind of 'cynical' smile that Li Xueyan said on his face, smiling without saying a word.

"What, am I wrong?" Li Xueyan's smart eyes blinked for a few moments and asked.

Qin Mubai smiled and replied, "Princess, what do you want to tell me?" ”

"The peace with the relatives has failed, and the war is imminent, and I, the so-called princess, have become a redundant and embarrassing person." Li Xueyan shook her head and said with a self-deprecating wry smile, "If I knew this, I should have believed you in the first place." ”

"Trust me what?"

"Believe what you said in my house that day." Li Xueyan said, "Don't you remember? You said that the problem of Tibet can only be completely solved by force. One day, you will step on the plateau and capture Zampu, and completely integrate the Tibetan people into the Chinese nation. ”

"So, you didn't believe it at first." Qin Mubai laughed.

"Yes. That's so arrogant after all, how can I believe it? Li Xueyan shook her head and sighed, "I thought I was already great." I am willing to leave my hometown and marry on the plateau, in order to give alms to the people on the wild plateau, calm the war between the two countries and benefit the people. But now...... I'm really disappointed! War is still unstoppable! Reality is like a ruthless reckless man who gave me a hard slap in the face of this stupid woman who is self-inflicted! ”

"Princess, it's not your fault." Qin Mubai said, "The dispute between the two countries and the course of history cannot be influenced and resolved by anyone. You and I are just insignificant pawns; Destiny is not in your own hands. ”

"Then what are we living for?" Li Xueyan raised her head and looked at Qin Mubai with wide eyes, waiting for his answer hungrily.

"For survival and ideals? I do not know. Qin Mubai smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "It seems that I have been doing something that I can't choose and can't avoid, like a puppet who can't control myself, living a bitter and boring life." This time, I was finally able to do what I wanted to do...... It's like a wild beast that has been locked in a cage for many years, and then suddenly escapes and goes back to the forest and is free, even if I know that I will be hunted by hunters or eaten by other beasts, then I can face my predetermined fate calmly, rather than being willing to go back to that cage again. ”

"My father once said that when you are young, you should not be frivolous, and in your life, men will always have to do something they want to do, so that they will be hearty and have no regrets." Li Xueyan stared at Qin Mubai and said, "Mubai, I really envy you!" At this moment, you are so honest and calm, living a wonderful and generous life. I have always believed that only a man as true and frank as my father is the most amiable and lovable...... If I could turn back the clock, I would have met you, a man as majestic and straightforward as my father, when I was youngest and most ignorant. ”

"Why?" Qin Mubai asked with a smile.

"That way, I can stick to your side with confidence, and go wild like a child's willful nonsense until I grow up." After Li Xueyan said this, she stood up and said softly with a smile, "I really envy the imperial sister...... It's true! …… She once said something to me that touched me deeply. ”

"Which one?" Qin Mubai scratched his head a little embarrassed and asked politely. He knew it in his heart...... The Li Xueyan in front of him has obviously opened her love for him. If it weren't for the identities of the two and the delicate situation in front of her, she might have blatantly "attacked" a long time ago...... What a sin!

"Sister Huang told me that as early as the beginning of your acquaintance, you once said a half-truth and half-truth funny thing to her, but her heart was deeply moved." Li Xueyan said, "At that time, you were in Jiangzhou, and the imperial sister suddenly ran to look for you...... You said to her, 'If you go wild, I will serve wine with you.'" ”

"......" Qin Mubai was stunned, "I'm sorry, I may have forgotten it myself." ”

"From then on, the imperial sister has always been relieved to be bold and wild, and you, like a god, have been quietly waiting by her side, no matter whether you succeed or fail, you will accompany the wine." Li Xueyan smiled and said, "You two are really a match made in heaven, you live such a wonderful life, and you are free and easy!" ”

"Yes......" Qin Mubai smiled, not knowing what to say. When a woman becomes emotional about you, it's best to be cautious. Because from then on, she either trusts you very much or even loves you, or she hates you very much or even hates you.

"If you are wild, I will serve wine with you...... There is no woman who is not deeply attached to such a man. Li Xueyan pursed her lips, and a bitter smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, "It's a pity, Snow Goose has a thin life." Even if there is wine, no one will ...... it."