In the next few days, Qin Mubai spent most of his time in the palace. Follow the officials of the Inner Garden Supervisor, the Ministry of Rites, Taichang Temple, Honglu Temple, and a number of other relevant yamen, to familiarize themselves with and practice various wedding ceremonies.

It is said that the emperor's daughter is not worried about getting married, isn't it just because she has a good father? There are few royal marriages that are not political. This kind of marriage has long gone beyond the marriage itself, and more often it has to be a show and a political drama.

Originally, according to traditional customs, the emperor married a daughter, at most, the ministers of the court came to congratulate him, and it was just a big extravagance. But this time the emperor married his favorite daughter, Princess Gaoyang, and the concubine was Qin Mubai, the leader of the young Zhuang faction in the military circles in recent years, so there was more drama to do.

The important generals of the Twelve Guards Army, which were the first to attend, needless to say, were also the military department and the two yas in the north and south. In addition, Qin Mubai's Xiangyang, where he served as an official, Jiangzhou, where he once worked, and all the prefectures and counties in Lanzhou and Helong, all made exceptions and sent officials to congratulate them.

It is reasonable for these local officials to come to congratulate, but under their leadership, many local officials also followed the trend and came to Chang'an, on the grounds of congratulating the wedding, or to contact the capital or to get close to Qin Mubaitao, no matter how bad it is, they can also set a set of feelings between colleagues. It's not easy to be an official, you can understand the truth of multiple friends, how many roads, fewer enemies, and fewer walls.

As a result, Qin Mubai's marriage gradually evolved into a "public event". Officials from all over the world gathered in the capital with different purposes, and it was a grand spectacle.

Those who have come to visit the Qin Mansion for a few days have also broken through the threshold.

Qin Mubai was very helpless, and he couldn't reach out to hit the smiling man. So he simply hid in the palace for most of the day and did not come out, so as not to face the overwhelmed guests who came to visit, and his forehead and mouth were dry.

This is ten days.

The wedding date is fast approaching, with only five days left.

Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang are a little tired, and getting married is like fighting a battle.

On this day, Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang went to the harem to protect the country of Tianwang Temple, begged for a clean from Master Qingshan, boiled tea, and listened to her talk about Zen. But neither of them had the heart to listen to any profound Buddhist teachings today, and they both fell asleep after a while. Princess Gao Yang even fell asleep directly on the table.

Qin Mubai put on her own cloak, and smiled apologetically at Master Qingshan: "Don't blame the master, even after learning all kinds of etiquette, the princess is afraid that she is tired." ”

"It doesn't matter. Let Her Royal Highness the Princess sleep in this pure place, and Qin Juma might as well send her to the meditation room. ”

"It's fine."

Qin Mubai picked up Princess Gaoyang and sent her to a quiet meditation room, entrusted two nuns to take care of her, and returned to the meditation hall by herself.

"Why did Qin Horse have the leisure to go to our temple today, do you have advice?" Master Qingshan asked with a smile.

"Master, Qin has been touching the glitz for days, his heart is tired, and he just wants to be pure, so he came." Qin Mubai said.

"Three thousand red dust, who can not get tired after rolling down?" Master Qingshan sang a Buddha and said, "Concubine De Niangniang also comes to our temple every three or five times, or chanting Buddhist scriptures, or participating in meditation. The world is impetuous, and people are at peace. It's also a common thing. ”

Qin Mubai twisted his brows and said, "It's not entirely like that. I don't know why, in recent days, I have felt particularly impetuous, and a nameless karmic fire in my heart is always rising uncontrollably. A trivial thing that was commonplace in the past can also touch my liver. I fell asleep at night, and I couldn't sleep well. Occasionally, I have some nightmares, or dream of the battlefield of the Jin Ge Iron Horse, and the blood will flow thousands of miles. ”

Master Qingshan was stunned for a moment, and said: "The great joy of the horse is approaching, and every day is in contact with some festive things, why did you have such a dream?" ”

"I don't know." Qin Mubai let out a long breath and said sullenly, "I've never been like this." Even if you really get to the front line of the border pass, you can sleep peacefully in the rumbling drums of war. Now that I'm home, I'm in a trance. ”

Master Qingshan nodded and said, "That is the general's thoughts day and night's dreams. The so-called haunting dreams, being in that place, but being at ease; But if you leave, you think about it repeatedly. General, although your people are in Chang'an, their hearts are not in Chang'an. ”

Qin Mubai was stunned, feeling a little enlightened, and nodded: "What the master said is very true. Although I was preparing to marry the princess, I was tired of coping with the repeated ceremonial entertainments, and I lost half of the joy of the wedding. On the contrary, I can't rest assured that the city and army of Lanzhou will always miss my father. It is a pity that the son is about to get married, but the father is away. Nowadays, there are many events at the border, and I have fun at home with guests at the banquet every day, but my father is eating and sleeping at the cold moon, and I am very uneasy. ”

"I see." Master Qingshan folded his hands, closed his eyes and chanted, "Amitabha, Qin and Ma are loyal to the country, filial piety and benevolence, which is admirable. But that alone wasn't enough to mess with the horse's mind. There must be something else. ”

Qin Mubai's eyebrows twisted heavily and he groaned for a long time, and suddenly his heart lit up: That's right! In the past few days, I have only cared about the wedding, and I haven't returned home much, and I have forgotten about Su Lianqing's affairs!

"Thank you, Master, Qin knows what's going on. The master forgives the sin, Qin has something to do and is about to leave the palace now, and Her Royal Highness the princess will temporarily entrust the master to take care of it. ”

"Don't worry, don't worry!"

Qin Mubai left the Tianwang Temple of the Protector of the Kingdom, asked for a horse from the Xuanwumen Military Supervisor, and after riding it, he galloped out of the palace directly to Qin Xian Pavilion.

Su Lianqing was already in the Qin Immortal Pavilion and had been waiting for almost a whole day.

"General, you let the old lady find it easy!" As soon as the two of them sat down, Su Lianqing hurriedly said, "I have been looking for you for days, but I haven't seen anyone, you go out early and return late, and I don't want to tell you some things from the mouth of others." ”

"For now, be concise." Qin Mubai said.

"Okay." Su Lianqing took a sip of tea, took a breath and said, "The Tantai sisters have successfully lurked beside King Han. The king of Han was very fond of her two sisters, and said that he would accept them as widows. The sisters also used some means to whet his appetite, but they refused to give in. ”

"Getting to the point."

"They have important news!" Su Lianqing said, "In recent days, the King of Han and Fang Yiai have been hiding in the East Palace, discussing some confidential matters with the prince day and night, and others are not close to inquire about any news. Only once did King Han drink a little more, and the sisters of Tantai danced to accompany him, and after drinking, he said nonsense, what is so great about that guy, such a scenery! Xiao Wang is going to fold his prestige in public, make him lose face and ruin his reputation, and sooner or later he will die! ”

"Say me?" Qin Mubai frowned.

"Who else could it be?" Su Lianqing said solemnly, "Although he didn't name him, the second daughter didn't dare to ask more out of caution." But guessing left and right must be aimed at you. Aren't you getting married recently? The movement is quite big, and the scenery is infinite. You have a grudge against him, not against you, but against whom? ”

"Then do you want to make it clear, what exactly are they going to do to me?"

"Nope." Su Lianqing shook her head, "They are quite secretive, and they can't find out any news." But I guess most of them are going to do something on top of your wedding, ruin your reputation, or even plant something to give you, ruin your happiness and ruin your face. ”“

"Wrong. This kind of petty fight, they will not make such a big move, and they will also work the prince. They want to put me to death and never suffer again. Qin Mubai's eyes narrowed slightly, smiled coldly, and said, "I can't think of any earth-shattering things that these wastes can make do together to plant me?" ”

"General be careful. As the saying goes, Hades is easy to mess with little ghosts, and what he is afraid of is this kind of vicious villain. Su Lianqing said, "Don't say anything else, if it is at the wedding, you will be exchanged for a cup of poisoned wine and let you go to the emperor to pay tribute...... Can you afford such a crime? ”

Qin Mubai raised his eyebrows: "If they have such guts, it won't be in vain for me to treat them as opponents!" ”

"It's hard to say! The dog is in a hurry and has to jump off the wall! Su Lianqing said, "Although I am not a person from the officialdom, I also know that the prince of the East Palace is now in a hurry, and the situation is dangerous, what else does he dare not do?" King Han is purely a bastard, he even dares to provoke the concubines left by his father in the harem, what else does he dare not do to lose Lund? ”

"Well, have you found definite evidence about the harem concubine?"

"There is evidence. The Tantai sisters almost saw him happy at the bedside. He is really daring, and he actually got people out of the palace and locked them in the house to prostitute themselves day and night. Su Lianqing said.

Qin Mubai nodded and said, "Keep staring at him." ”

"General, I don't understand. You can kill his head at any time on charges like this, what are you still putting up with, what are you looking for? Su Lianqing asked.

Qin Mubai smiled and said, "This is also what I want to ask Li Yuanchang." He did this kind of head-killing thing so easily, what did he rely on? That's why I'm here for you. In the last few days, you have been keeping an eye on me, and if there is any trouble, feel free to report to me. ”

"Okay."

Su Lianqing hurried away, Qin Mubai rested for a while, and also returned to the palace to protect the Tianwang Temple. Princess Gaoyang woke up from a sleep and was in better spirits, so she shouted that Qin Mubai would accompany her to visit her mother in the Xianju Hall and have dinner together.

Concubine Yin De is still as glamorous and beautiful as ever, graceful and dignified, and her full head of silver hair adds a different kind of mystery and charm to her.

When the son-in-law arrived, Concubine Yin De naturally greeted her warmly, and invited Li Shimin to dinner. Recently, Qin Mubai has been in the palace for most of the time, and he often meets with Li Shimin, and it is not uncommon to have a meal together.

During the banquet, the two gentlemen and ministers naturally talked about Lanzhou. Li Shimin said that with the advancement of time, the situation in Lanzhou was close to tension, and the front line of Dafeichuan had entered a state of combat readiness. In addition, the silk trade route from Liangzhou to Lanzhou has also been strengthened day and night to prevent accidents. In addition, after the closure of border trade, the local situation in Lanzhou was also a little tense, mainly because the merchants stranded there faced losses, which was more difficult to appease. In order to prevent the enemy from mixing in and fanning the flames, the pressure of local martial law and law and order was also relatively great.

Without Qin Mubai, the right-hand man in charge of internal affairs, Qin Shubao, the metropolitan governor, must be very busy now.

Qin Mubai felt very bad when he heard it, so he looked forward to the marriage ending soon, and went to Lanzhou to take care of these military and political affairs as soon as possible to reduce his father's pressure.

These are just small things. The real trouble is still hidden. Gaochang and other countries on the Silk Road in the Western Regions may rebel at any time. This kind of thing can't be prevented. Once it does happen, there seems to be no other way than to send troops to suppress it. However, Datang can't take the initiative to take the lead in sending troops, otherwise the division will give people a handle without a name. In the affairs of the Western Regions, force is supplemented by politics, and it is definitely not as simple as fighting a war.

In other words, in that aspect, although Datang can take advantage, it will always be passive. Gaochang has nothing to do for a day, and Lanzhou is on guard for a day; As soon as the incident in Gaochang happens, Lanzhou will definitely send troops immediately. Otherwise, the Silk Road of the Tang Dynasty will be completely cut off, and the hegemony in the Helong Western Regions will collapse, and the chain reaction will be great, and maybe it will affect the Turkic steppe of Mobei that has been pacified, causing drastic changes there.

Lanzhou, the whole body is moved, just at the moment of tension, Qin Mubai is here to prepare for marriage with great fanfare, which makes him feel very uncomfortable.

"Father, why do you have to talk about this for a meal?" Princess Gaoyang saw that Qin Mubai was sullen and complained to Li Shimin.

"Hehe, okay, don't say it, don't say it." Li Shimin said with a smile, "You girl, you scolded your father and emperor to the stinky boy, it is really the water spilled by the married daughter, and the woman is not left!" ”

"Hehe, I'm calling it a helper, not a relative, eat! Eat with peace of mind! Princess Gaoyang poured wine for Li Shimin with a smile.

Qin Mubai smiled and toasted Li Shimin, but muttered in his heart: If Lanzhou is fine, I have to invite my father to get married, how good it would be. Or, I staggered the time to get married, took care of the affairs of Lanzhou first, and it was also wonderful to get married with peace of mind. Annoyed, annoyed, the Tubo people take advantage of this time to make waves, annoying me!

Lanzhou, the Governor's Mansion.

Qin Shubao sat on the chair in a military uniform and a golden sword, looked at a letter in his hand for a while, and smiled at Xue Rengui who was standing aside: "Rengui, the old man really didn't expect that Princess Gaoyang's baby would write a letter to the old man." ”

"Oh? This is indeed a novelty. Xue Rengui smiled, "What did Her Royal Highness the Princess say in the letter?" ”

Qin Shubao smiled heartily, got up and paced a few steps, and said: "That baby doesn't have the slightest princess in the letter, the left sentence is daddy, the right sentence is daddy, and the old man's heart is warm." She didn't mention anything important, she just talked about her and Mu Bai's wedding in a homely manner. He also said that they missed the old man very much and hoped that the old man could attend their wedding. It is a big pity that the old man is not there on the wedding day. ”

"I didn't expect Her Royal Highness the princess to be so heartless and heartless on weekdays, and her mind was so delicate and well-behaved. The last general really congratulated the Metropolitan Governor for accepting such a good daughter-in-law. Xue Rengui said.

"Haha! Among the emperor's daughters, only Princess Gaoyang is the most intelligent. In the past, the old man had only heard about it, but now he has come forward to say it, and it is indeed true. This baby is thick and fine, wise and foolish! You see, Mu Bai has been back to Chang'an for many days, although there are also correspondence exchanges, but most of them talk about business. This Gao Yang, but he coaxed the old man to warm his heart. This regret that I didn't eat my son's wedding wine, and I swept most of it. Uncle Qin Baole smiled and said, "Even Mu Bai is not as careful as her." Where to find such a daughter-in-law? ”

"That's true." Xue Rengui said, "I really can't see that Princess Gaoyang, the emperor and nobleman, are so pampered and so respectful of the elderly, and it is very rare to be filial piety and carefulness." Such a filial piety and virtuous daughter-in-law, the governor of the capital will unload his armor and return to the field another day, and he will definitely enjoy the joy of family! ”

"Haha!" Qin Shubao laughed loudly, "When Mu Bai returns from the wedding and finishes the affairs of the Western Regions, the old man will begin to plan to hand over the shift with him, retire to the field and enjoy the joy of family!" By that time, it is estimated that Mu Bai will also add a grandson to the old man, haha! ”

The two were chatting happily and speculatively, when suddenly a military academy flew in from outside - "Report!! Emergency military intelligence! ”

Qin Shubao's eyebrows froze, and his smile was red, and in an instant, the tiger was majestic: "Report it!" ”

"The 30,000 iron cavalry of Tubo wandered around the front line of Dafeichuan to harass, and there were small encounters with their own winners and losers, and the losses of troops on both sides were no more than 100 people. General Xue Wanjun asked for an order to expel him! ”

"Is it finally here?" Qin Shubao sneered disdainfully and said, "Order Xue Wanjun back and order him to strictly guard it." Unless the Tibetans came to attack the village, they could counterattack, and the pursuit should not exceed five miles. Otherwise, the military order will be severely punished! ”

"Yes—" The messenger took the order and left.

"The Governor is wise." Xue Rengui said, "Our army has been operating in Dafeichuan for a long time, the camp is like iron, the generals are all strong, and there are Shenwu cannons to help, and 30,000 Tibetan iron cavalry can't shake my Dafeichuan camp at all." At this time, the Tubo people were looking forward to our army taking the initiative to attack and fight with it, and they must have set up an encirclement to wait for work. ”

"Not bad." Qin Shubao said, "But the old man is not so stupid, he will not abandon the camp and attack the strengths of the other with his own shortcomings." In addition, this road of soldiers and horses must be suspicious all the way, and they will not really come to attack the city. The aftermath of the previous Shenwu cannon, I believe that the Tubo people still remember it vividly. ”

"In this way, the Tubo people must have made another move? I just don't know what they're going to do. Xue Rengui said.

Qin Shubao stood up and his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, stroked his hair and pondered for a long time, and said: "Now that the suspicious soldiers are out, it should be time for the regular soldiers to show up, otherwise it will be a surprise to the grass." I believe it won't be long before news arrives. Rengui, let me tell me, if you are a Tubo person, you have sent one suspicious soldier to harass Dafeichuan, how should you use the other road of soldiers and horses? ”

"Two uses." Xue Rengui said without thinking, "One is to advance into Tuyuhun's hometown, obliquely insert me behind Lanzhou to cut off my connection with the Central Plains, or infiltrate the hinterland of Lanzhou and the Central Plains to plunder. However, the risk of this road is relatively large, because the guards and troops arranged by our army on that line are relatively tight, if our army reacts immediately, they may fall into a heavy encirclement if they go deep alone, but they will be surrounded and annihilated by our army. ”

"That's right, it's really resourceful and makes good use of it, San Lang didn't misunderstand you." Qin Shubao nodded and praised, "Go on, the second one? ”

"The second is ......"

"Newspaper—"

A shout interrupted Xue Rengui's words, and another scout came and ran into the inner bow and said, "Report to the Metropolitan Governor, report the military situation in Liangzhou!" There are about 10,000 Tubo soldiers and horses across the Qilian Mountains to break through the sentry defense line of our army along the mountain roads, and attack Liangzhou overnight, the merchant brigade station suffered serious losses, and the acting Liangzhou Governor General Xue Wanjun sent an urgent letter for help! At this time, the official road between Liangzhou and Lanzhou was cut off, and most of the merchant posts and military posts along the way had fallen into the hands of the Tibetan army! ”

Uncle Qin Baojin raised his eyebrows angrily: "How can this be reasonable! Tibetan children, so faithless and unrighteous! A month ago, he also sent someone to send cattle, sheep, wine and meat to show his knot, turned his face and didn't recognize people, attacked me weakly, attacked me Liangzhou, and ruined my business brigade and killed my soldiers and civilians! - Someone, drum and gather!! ”

"No!!"

Xue Rengui's face also changed, and he clenched his fists and said in a deep voice: "Grand Governor, the last general will invite the vanguard!" ”

Qin Shubao wrinkled his brows and said, "Rengui, the second method of using troops of the Tubo people you just mentioned is to rush out of Qilian Mountain to attack Liangzhou?" ”

"This ...... The last general will not dare to talk nonsense, things have already happened......"

"You are, aren't you?"

"Yes!"

Uncle Qin's sword raised his eyebrows, nodded solemnly, and said, "Then you say, what will the Tubo people do next?" ”

Xue Rengui said: "After a series of defeats before, Tubo must have known that I am powerful in Lanzhou. This time, the suspicious soldiers were not in Sichuan, and the sudden attack on Liangzhou seemed to be a false move according to the last general, but it was just a siege to delay our army. ”

"This intention coincides with the old man." Qin Shubao said, "The Tubo people have always only done some things of burning, killing and looting, and after they finished looting, they ran away. This time, it was the suspicious soldiers who came out together, and it seems that they are making a big move. Its intention is either to take my Lanzhou; Or, it is to plot rebellion and fight outposts for the Western Regions, in the hope of dragging our army and emboldening Gaochang and other countries! ”

"The Governor of the Metropolis is wise!" Xue Rengui said, "So, please order the last general to lead a division to fight, there are not many soldiers, and three thousand fine iron can be ridden." The last general led this brigade of iron cavalry to aid Liangzhou, and if the Tubo people fought to the death, it proved that they were indeed besieging the city to send reinforcements to delay our army, intending to be in the Western Regions; If we flee in a virtual battle, we will transfer the tiger away, and we want to transfer our main army out of Lanzhou, and then attack Lanzhou. Please ask the Metropolitan Governor to sit in Lanzhou and respond to all changes without change! ”

"That's a brilliant plan!" Qin Shubao nodded appreciatively and said, "No wonder San Lang deliberately said to the old man when he was leaving, if there is a war, you can ask Rengui, it turns out that you are really so good at planning soldiers." Well, it's up to you. Ordered you to be the vanguard, and led 3,000 Chinese troops to gallop to Liangzhou to clear the official road. If the Tubo people fight to the death, the old man will lead a large army to help; If the Tibetans are defeated and leave, they do not need to pursue, they can just hold Lanzhou and various military routes. At that time, there will be an old man waiting for work in Lanzhou! ”

"The last general commands!!"

Not long after, all the generals and colonels arrived together, and the big school field set up a formation to talk about the generals.

Lanzhou, which has been silent for a long time, is about to toss like a pot of water that is about to boil......