After dinner, Qin Mubai and his family took a break for a while, and then went to Qin Mubai's new "Horse Mansion" to visit. At this time, the marriage is approaching, and the project is nearing completion, and the general picture can be seen at a glance.

Originally, Qin Mubai's house was not very large, but it was rare and precious in Chang'an City, where every inch of land was valuable. Now it is going to be used as the new horse mansion for the wedding of Princess Gaoyang, so it has expanded a circle, added more than ten acres of land, and encircled the houses of the neighbors on the left and right, which naturally cost a lot of money. The expansion of the area is mainly the back house, originally there was only a simple polo field here, Qin Mubai was used to ride a horse to practice martial arts on weekdays, and now the plain white grid has become two pieces, one is the "Spring and Autumn Garden", the pavilion garden is planted with flowers and plants, used as a princess and a horse to spend time on weekdays, just one of the strange flowers from the Tianzhu country "Mahanati" value, it is enough for the average person to spend a year, on weekdays only in Li Shimin's favorite Penglai Palace Imperial Garden has a small planting, The dare was directly transplanted by Li Shimin's fingers, because Princess Gaoyang loved this flower very much.

This garden alone seems to be made of mountains of gold and silver. The expansion of the whole village, the dougong tile house of the front house has been replaced with the twelve-layer stone steps that the royal family is accustomed to, the eight-legged incense burner squatting on the big stone platform, and the main house has also been replaced with a three-story flying carving building with a golden and brilliant dragon and phoenix, supported by twelve flying phoenix pillars, the golden light is shining and the red glow is shining, and the furnishings in the house are even more gorgeous and unusually not inferior to the palace......

I don't know how much it costs!

Princess Gaoyang, who didn't know that firewood, rice, oil and salt were expensive, was naturally happy to see it, but she looked at Qin Mubai's family astonishingly. Although the Qin family has been rich and noble for many years, they have always been unaccustomed to luxury. If this is seen by Qin Shubao, who has always been low-key and thrifty, he will definitely refuse to accept this house. Zhenguan Datang has always advocated frugality, and an honest courtier like Wei Zheng can grow weeds in the house, and the furnishings at home are not as good as a small food and clothing business trip.

This time, the emperor made a big deal about Princess Gaoyang's marriage, and he might have to be blamed and criticized.

It's just that these issues are not for Qin Mubai to consider. He never made any requests. The emperor insisted on such an arrangement, but what Qin Mubai saw was the emperor's preference for his daughter and his importance for the horse. This is a favor, even if you have no intention of showing off and being high-profile, you must accept it. Otherwise, it will inevitably embarrass the emperor who is not a human being.

After visiting the house, Qin Mubai prepared to send Princess Gaoyang back to the palace, first, to return to Beijing to return to her life, and second, to thank her for the matter of the house. Princess Gaoyang stubbornly said, "I'm tired today, I'm going to rest for one night, why don't I go tomorrow?" Qin Mubai couldn't help her this time, saying that she had just returned to the capital and was stared at by people all around, so it was better for the princess to go back to the palace to rest tonight if she took care of the royal system.

Princess Gaoyang had no choice but to obey. The two packed up their carriages and horses, and brought some gifts from Xiangyang and went to the palace.

It's nightfall, and Chang'an City, which is rich in nightlife, is bustling. Carriages and horses pass by from the West Market, stop and go, enter from the Xuanwu Gate of Daming Palace until the harem. asked the eunuch on duty, saying that His Majesty the Emperor had not returned to the harem and was still discussing matters in the Wude Palace. The two of them sent away the palace maids and eunuchs, and the servants went to unload the salute first and reported to Concubine Yinde, and then went to the Wude Hall to meet the driver together.

Far away from the Wude Palace, I saw the iron armor holding the torch, and the emperor was indeed still here, but he stopped at the Hongwen Pavilion, and it seemed that an important meeting was still being held. Generally speaking, if it is an ordinary discussion, it will be in the imperial study of the Wude Palace. If it is an important meeting, it will be officially issued and the "Imperial Meeting" will be held at the Hongbunkan, and most of the participants are the prime ministers of the three provinces and the responsible officials of the relevant government offices.

The hundred cavalry officers on duty here today are really Qin Mubai's eldest brother Qin Tong. The two brothers saw it from afar, and eagerly greeted each other with joy. Because of their official duties, the two of them did not talk much, Qin Mubai only heard Qin Tong say that today's imperial meeting has been held for more than two hours, as long as the prime minister and important ministers in Beijing are here, even Wei Zheng, who is seriously ill and bedridden, has asked someone to carry him over, and Li Jing has also been invited. To ask about the content of the meeting, Qin Tong did not know. It's just that Shi Qinbin, the commander of the hundred cavalry of Congwen, is in charge of the emperor's guard, and he may know when the time comes.

Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang had to wait patiently. Nearly half an hour later, when the night was already deep, the door of the Hongwen Pavilion opened, and a few ministers walked out of it. Under the light of the fire, Qin Mubai, who was standing in the dark, clearly saw the eldest grandson Wuji and Fang Xuanling and other cadres, Wei Zheng was really carried out in a sedan chair, and Li Jing's crutches with a tall beard were also particularly eye-catching.

Qin Mubai wrinkled his brows, secretly wondering what a big deal it was, and invited the semi-retired Wei Zheng and the retired Li Jing to discuss it so late at night?

Princess Gao Yang sat in the car but waited impatiently, and when the ministers were almost gone, she shouted: "Mu Bai, can you go in?" This meeting is over! ”

"Well, go ahead!" Qin Mubai opened the curtain of the carriage and asked Princess Gaoyang to get off.

At this time, a man who was not wearing an official robe but wearing a crane white robe walked out of the Hongwen Pavilion, fluttering leisurely in the night breeze with a faint fairy appearance.

The white-robed man seemed to be bright-eyed and deaf, and when he heard Princess Gaoyang's call of "Mu Bai" from a distance, he suddenly looked sideways at this dark corner, and walked straight over.

Qin Mubai and Princess Gao Yang also noticed this person and were curious. When she got closer, Princess Gaoyang recognized it, and hurriedly said, "Ah, it's Li Banxian!" ”

"Li Banxian?" Qin Mubai's heart sank slightly: Could it be "Li Chunfeng"? !

When he was hesitating, the white-robed man walked up to the two of them, and said loudly with a wave of his hand: "Humble Li Chunfeng, I have seen Her Royal Highness the Princess, and I have seen General Qin." ”

Sure enough, it's Li Chunfeng!

Regarding Li Chunfeng, before coming to the Tang Dynasty, Qin Mubai, like many Chinese people, had heard a lot of legends about him. He, like Yuan Tiangang, is a well-known "god stick" in this era.

This god stick is not derogatory, because it is obviously an exaggeration to say that he is a god, so he has to deign to the "god stick".

Regardless of the many miraculous legends left by the two in history, just a "Tui Bei Tu" is enough to establish the name of the two of them. The magic of "Tui Tu Bei" is that it was born in this era, but it deduced important events such as the establishment of the Great Song Dynasty in later generations, the entry of the Qing army, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and the Japanese invasion of China, which can be called a divine book.

In addition, the two studied mathematics, astronomy, geography, and physiognomy, and now the calendar of the Tang Dynasty was formulated by Li Chunfeng, the Taishi Ling. Yuan Tiangang, on the other hand, is more proficient in physiognomy, giving people the accurate fulfillment of their appearances, and from a face, you can see the life, death, wealth and end of life.

Therefore, Qin Mubai has always been very curious about Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng. It is reported that Yuan Tiangang showed Wu Meiniang a fortune telling when she was very young, saying that if she was born as a man, it would be the destiny of the Son of Heaven. This statement is grandiose in the annals of history, but it is not made up by Wu Zetian, who later ascended the throne, because Qin Mubai once personally verified Wu Meiniang, and the answer he got was quite positive.

These things really can't be explained by science.

But there are many things that science cannot explain, just as many years ago people did not believe that the earth is round and refuted the fallacy that science is the devil. Maybe one day, many things from the ancient traditions that the Chinese people studied before them will come into the house?

Now, Li Chunfeng, a half-immortal, was standing in front of him, and he took the initiative to come forward, Qin Mubai became more and more curious.

"Li Taishi is exempt." Princess Gaoyang spoke up first, and said with a smile, "Half-Immortal Taishi, what kind of good thing do you have to take care of this princess and the concubine today?" I'm about to get married, are you here to send auspiciousness? ”

"Huh!" Li Chunfeng twisted his three-foot long hair and smiled easily, and said, "Her Royal Highness the princess and General Qin are in love, made in heaven, this is the greatest auspiciousness, and in the future, you will be able to live a long life and be full of descendants, so why bother?" Humble and presumptuous to stop the driver, there is a piece of words to talk to General Qin. ”

"Oh, it's none of my business?" Princess Gao Yang pursed her lips, "That's it, you guys talk about things, I'll go in to find my father." ”

With that, Princess Gaoyang left. Qin Mubai smiled and said to Li Chunfeng: "Don't blame Mrs. Li, Her Royal Highness the Princess is such a straightforward character. ”

"It doesn't matter. The humble and Princess Gaoyang are also familiar with each other. General Qin, please take the step to speak. Li Chunfeng arched his hand.

The two walked to a quiet place, and Qin Mubai asked Taishi Gong what advice he had?

Li Chunfeng was only in his early thirties, but his eyes were as bright as the stars, and he stared at Qin Mubai up and down three times without evading. Weird! Weird! ”

This time, Qin Mubai was curious, so he asked with a smile: "Why did Li Taishi say three strange sounds?" Could it be that someone in Qin is in trouble? ”

"No, it's not." Li Chunfeng laughed at himself with a little embarrassment, and then apologized, "Although the lowly position was in the palace with the general, the lowly position was arranged in the Taishi Bureau by observing the heavens, and rarely met the general. But the humble post once remembered that a few years ago, Senior Brother Yuan (honorific title, referring to Yuan Tiangang) once gave Ling Zun and the general you touched the bones and looked at each other, and said that Ling Zun was only fifty years old and would die. General Qin should be able to explain this? ”

"Nature." Qin Mubai furrowed his brows, looked at Li Chunfeng squarely and said, "Yes, my father will definitely not live to be fifty years old, and among his three sons, only I am a concubine, which means that I will also die soon after my father's death." Moreover, my Qin family has been in a slump since my father left, and at most I will keep some wealth and not include poverty. ”

"Exactly." Li Chunfeng's expression became more and more solemn, staring at Qin Mubai's eyes and eyebrows repeatedly, his face became more and more novel, and he couldn't help but smile and said, "It's really strange!" Since his debut, Senior Brother Yuan has never made a move easily, but every time he touches people's bones, all of them are effective, and he is unpleasant. But only the Qin family's life, he can't see it well? ”

Qin Mubai's heart moved: Could it be because I crossed over and changed all these fates?!

In the dark, there are really days to do?!

"Oh, the humble position is also a moment of curiosity, if there is any offensive language, I hope that General Qin Haihan!" Li Chunfeng saw that Qin Mubai also fell into silence and hesitation, and hurriedly made amends.

"It doesn't matter." Qin Mubai smiled magnanimously, waved his hand and said, "However, this is the first time I've heard of this matter today. Mr. Yuan once gave his father a face-to-face with Zaixia, is it really true? ”

"Seriously." Li Chunfeng smiled slightly, and the immortal wind was natural, and said, "His Majesty the Emperor knows a lot about this matter. At a banquet in the early years, Senior Brother Yuan and Zai were ordered by His Majesty to give many founding ministers a face-to-face meeting, but the rebuttal was not said to those old ministers, only His Majesty knew. If General Qin doesn't believe it, he can go to His Majesty's place to collect evidence. ”

"Oh, that's not necessary, I believe that Li Taishi is." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Then Li Taishi has deduced, why has my Qin family's fate changed?" ”

"Nope." Li Chunfeng smiled slightly, but he didn't make any fuss, and said, "Senior Brother Yuan has been away from Kyushu for many days, and this skill of touching bones and faces is not something that I am good at. However, if General Qin is also interested, he may wish to report his birthday to Li to know, and Li can calculate it carefully after he goes back. ”

"Okay!" Qin Mubai smiled generously and reported his birthday to him.

Li Chunfeng listened, pinched his fingers and made a rough calculation, and his face was suspicious.

"Is that clear? How is it? Qin Mubai asked curiously.

Li Chunfeng's eyes actually showed a trace of horror, and even anger.

Qin Mubai frowned: "Why should Taishi Gong be like this?" Could it be that there is something wrong in the next place that angered Tai Shi Gong? ”

Li Chunfeng frowned heavily, and said in a deep voice: "General Qin, please forgive me for being rude." It's just that we and other physiognomy practitioners have many taboos, and the life of this dead person must not be counted, otherwise it will hurt the merit and longevity. After listening to General Qin's birth date, a cloud of doubt rose in his heart, and he pinched his fingers and counted slightly, and he could easily know that this was a dead man's birthday! ”

Qin Mubai couldn't help but feel a chill on his neck, and he also broke out in a cold sweat!

My good boy, awesome!

In this way, the "Qin Mubai" of Datang in this life should have died a long time ago? If it weren't for me passing through the Soul, he would have turned to dust by this time?

Qin Mubai hurriedly changed his face, patted his forehead vigorously, and said busily: "Don't blame Taishi, don't blame!" In the next moment, I was confused, and I reported the wrong day of birth! But the month and the year and the hour were right, but the day was not five, but fifteen! ”

This is the birthday of his previous life in the 21st century. It is indeed a coincidence, but the year and day of birth are different, and the month and hour are the same.

Li Chunfeng took a deep breath and nodded slowly, pinched his fingers again, his face was a little lighter, and he smiled slightly: "That's right." After returning from his humble duties, he will calculate and see what the general's life is. However, this is not a humble duty after all, and it is enough to take military power as a joke, and it does not have to be taken completely seriously. ”

"Of course." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Li Taishi doesn't have to take care of it, you might as well speak up when you have something to say." ”

"Good. The lowly one will retire first, and he will visit him later. ”

The two said goodbye, Qin Mubai walked into the Hongwen Pavilion, and saw Princess Gaoyang holding Li Shimin's arm and walking out together, and the father and daughter talked happily.

Qin Mubai stepped forward to salute, Li Shimin smiled and said, "Mubai, are you back?" I heard that you Xiangyang and your party had a lot of fun, so that's fine. I came back to rest for a while, and in half a month, some rituals and ceremonies began one after another, and I had to be busy. Until then, recharge your energy and save some energy. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty." Qin Mubai smiled and bowed his hand, and then thanked him for a while, and while chatting, the monarch and the ministers went to the harem under the escort of the hundred horsemen.

In front of the gate of Daming Palace, Qin Mubai stopped and arched his hand: "Your Majesty, Weichen has stopped." The night is already deep, and His Majesty can rest early for state affairs. ”

Li Shimin nodded, it seemed that he had something to say to Qin Mubai, Princess Gaoyang and Baiqi and others were also interested, and obediently stopped. The two of them took a few steps forward and were alone.

Li Shimin cut his hands behind his back, his brows were twisted a little, and he said: "Mu Bai, you just returned to Beijing, I shouldn't have told you about these big things." It's just that since today's Hongwen Pavilion Imperial Council has been bumped into by you, I might as well talk to you. What was discussed at today's meeting is about Lanzhou. ”

"Oh?" Qin Mubai's spirit sank, "There is a war in Lanzhou? ”

Li Shimin frowned and nodded: "It's okay to say that, but for a while, the war didn't start." To put it simply, things are the same. Do you still remember what I told you about the Tibetan people's marriage proposal when you came back from Lanzhou? ”

"Of course I do." Qin Mubai said, "The Tubo people are so rude, knowing that Your Majesty has already given me a marriage, I want to ask Her Royal Highness Princess Gaoyang to give me a marriage!" ”

"Be quiet, don't say it too much." Li Shimin glanced at Princess Gaoyang not far away, and said, "I naturally can't agree to this matter." At that time, he told the Tibetan envoy that Princess Gaoyang had no possibility of changing the Tibetan Zanpu. The matter of marriage should be discussed again. The Tibetan envoy was naturally displeased in his heart, but he did not dare to make a mistake. So he stayed in Chang'an and took the trouble to ask about it from time to time. I was annoyed by their questions, so I said that I would marry another princess and marry Tibet. The Tibetan people were overjoyed. At the end of the year, I summoned the royal family and prepared to select a young unmarried woman from among the royal family daughters to be a princess and remarry Zangpu of Tibet. Just as he was about to discuss a result, the Tibetan envoy heard the news from nowhere, and blamed me for not giving his own daughter, showing his disrespect for Tubo Zanpu, and not sincere intermarriage and peace, so he actually touched his sleeves and said goodbye! ”

"So unreasonable!" Qin Mubai was suddenly angry, "Why do the Tubo people pick fat and thin? Originally, they were defeated, and the 60,000 army was beaten by my 200 people in Dafeichuan and lost their armor and fled. How can this really be! ”

"How can you be more angry than me?" Li Shimin couldn't help laughing, shook his head and patted Qin Mubai's shoulder, and said, "I am naturally very angry, the Tibetan barbarians, they just don't understand the law and don't know how to respect and inferiority, these truths don't make sense of their stupidity. Originally, I repaid my grievances with virtue, and I wanted to stop fighting and shed less blood, and to care for the people and the army. They didn't think about it, and they didn't necessarily take themselves too seriously, thinking that I was really afraid of their group of barbarians. Let's go, I'm not uncommon. If they want to attack again, don't I still have Qin Mubai? Ha ha! ”

In a few words, Qin Mubai's blood boiled!

Clenching his fists heavily, he said: "Your Majesty, as long as you give an order, Qin Mubai jumped his horse and speared him, picking up the snowy plateau of Tubo!! ”

"Haha, good! I just like your wildness and madness, just like when I was young! Li Shimin laughed heartily, "I know that you are a staunch main battle faction." If you were in Chang'an these two days, this imperial meeting would not have to be so much. ”

Qin Mubai twisted his brows slightly, and said in a low voice: "There are still many people in the DPRK who oppose a war with Tubo? ”

Li Shimin's face showed a hint of embarrassment, sighed lightly and nodded, and said, "It's no wonder that they are not to blame." In fact, it is indeed better not to fight than to fight. Fighting a war means attrition and bloodshed. Killing a thousand enemies and losing eight hundred has been the same since ancient times. This time is indeed a good time to negotiate peace with Tubo, and it is indeed a pity that we have delayed because of the delay in the matter of who to marry. You must know that in the past few years, the manpower, material and financial resources invested by our Tang Dynasty in the war against Tibet are enough to empty the treasury for three or five years, not counting the loss of Ding Zhuang and population, as well as the people and wealth that will continue to be consumed. ”

"Your Majesty, the account can't be counted like this." Qin Mubai rarely didn't give Li Shimin face, and didn't speak according to his wishes.

Li Shimin really raised his eyebrows, this topic was provoked, he seemed to be very interested in chatting, and actually turned around and said to Princess Gaoyang, let her go back to the harem to accompany her mother first, and he wanted to return to the imperial study of Wude Hall with Qin Mubai and talk at night.

It is in Qin Mubai's arms!

So the two of them returned to the imperial study of the Wude Palace, boiled tea and sat with candles.

Li Shimin said: "You just said that the account can't be calculated like this. Tell me, how do you count it? ”

"Your Majesty, Weichen is not a little against His Majesty's words and majesty. In Weichen's heart, he thought so. Qin Mubai didn't evade it, and said directly, "Standing in the current position, it is indeed impossible to fight. In fact, in any era and from any standpoint, war is not a good thing. ”

"Isn't that right?" Li Shimin smiled and asked, "Then why do you refute me?" ”

"The reason why Wei Chen refutes it is precisely because of this reason, Your Majesty!" Qin Mubai clenched his fists and said, "Your Majesty Mingjian, in any era and any position, there will be wars. Standing at the height of history and the times, we should reduce some wars for future generations! If I have a strong army in the Tang Dynasty and Thailand, and the majesty is spread in the universe, all the seas will be shocked! - At this time, when will you not use force? At this time, Weichen wants to tell the truth that it is time to kill the head - every king and every dynasty hopes that they can live forever and inherit for hundreds of generations, but is there really such an emperor and dynasty? ”

Li Shimin's expression became a little solemn, and he nodded: "This is indeed a big truth, and it is indeed not." ”

"There is a reason for the rise and fall, and there is a basis for victory and defeat! When Datang is strong, it will not forcibly conquer the four to pacify the barbarians, but when? Qin Mubai said in a deep voice, "Standing in the position of Zhenguan for the fourteenth year now, it is indeed difficult for us to start a war, because once there is a war, this year's wealth may be lost in the shadow of the sword and sword." However, if we consider it in 10, 20, or even 100 years, we should go to war at this time! Now if we fight a war, we can subtract the cost and payment of ten battles for future generations, and even never suffer in the future! - Your Majesty!! Isn't that a good deal?! Is the fourteenth year of Zhenguan important, or the ten years and centennial of the Tang Dynasty, and the thousand-year inheritance of China? ”

Li Shimin's eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression remained unchanged, and he wrote lightly: "It's all important." But if war is really necessary, I will not shy away from it. That's how I have always been. ”

"Between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet, there is absolutely no war. Even if His Majesty marries Princess Gaoyang to Tibet, he may be able to exchange for ten, twenty, or even thirty years of false peace, but the contradictions and conflicts will always be backlogged, and they may be even more terrifying when they really break out. If you want to put an end to the war of annihilation at all, you will not have to do it unless one side actually falls. In your majesty's time, Tubo probably had no possibility of defeating the Tang Dynasty. But Your Majesty, can you guarantee that in a hundred or two hundred years, Tubo will be able to defeat the Tang Dynasty? Moreover, in the past two hundred years, how many times will the conflict and friction between Tubo and the Tang Dynasty take away the wealth and income of Zhenguan for 14 years? Qin Mubai spoke amazingly again.

After Li Shimin listened, he didn't speak, but got up and stood with his hands in his hands, paced to the window, and looked up at the moon.

"I've thought of all these things you've said. These are just some of the big truths. Anyone who has a little insight in the DPRK and China may be able to understand. ”

"That's true." Qin Mubai walked over and said, "Weichen thinks that he is not particularly clever. The difference is that in addition to sharing worries for His Majesty and solving problems for Datang, Weichen hopes that our children and grandchildren can live a better life. ”

Li Shimin's expression froze slightly, turned his head to look at Qin Mubai, and said, "This sentence has come to my heart—I hope that our children and grandchildren can live a better life." I am not a god, and I cannot predict what will happen decades or 100 years from now. Everything I have done since I ascended the throne is to hope that my descendants and all the people of the Tang Dynasty can live a better life. It is precisely because of this idea and thought that I have been able to support all the new policies you have implemented in Lanzhou. From a close point of view, your measures are absolutely laborious and costly, but from the perspective of history and long-term interests in the past century, this is a good deed. There are many ministers in the court, and they are more concerned about what kind of good advice and advice they have given, how they can win the name of pure goodness here or leave their name in history. They could think of the beauty of such a century-old plan, but they did not hesitate to oppose it because it was contrary to their immediate goals and interests. To be honest, I do sometimes feel a little disappointed in some people. But in their own right, they are not wrong, they are doing their duty. The only explanation, and that is...... They don't have a sense of historical responsibility like yours, Mu Bai. ”

"To be praised like this by Your Majesty, Wei Chen is really happy in his heart!" Qin Mubai smiled heartily and said, "Actually, although Weichen is only three years old, he can be satisfied. A very famous minister in the world, married His Majesty's favorite princess, and the scenery is dazzling. But Wechen was not satisfied at all. The only and most important reason is that Datang can be better, can stand at a higher historical height, and can do more things for future generations! His Majesty is more in the prime of life, and Weichen is also very young. As soon as I thought of the future, Wechen could accompany His Majesty to do many vigorous things, Wechen was excited, very excited!! ”

Li Shimin smiled for the first time today, and although there was a little tiredness in his smile, he was full of relief. He patted Qin Mubai's left and right shoulders with both hands, and said, "Mubai, aside from the identities of you and my monarch and son-in-law, you and I can be regarded as forgetful of the years. Xiongtu, Dazhi, these four words, I don't know if they have been said tens of thousands of times this year. But in my eyes, there is only Qin Shi Huang who can really understand and implement the fulfillment. The Han martial arts are also good, but the martial arts of the Han Dynasty are more than enough to govern the country, so there are three troubled times. I hope that the Tang Dynasty, which I will create together with my ancestors and you, will be able to achieve a temporary period of glory. ”

Qin Mubai nodded lightly and said:

Wechen believes that Datang ...... Not to mention that there will be no one in the future, at least, there will be no ancients in the future! ”