Fang Xuanling, who was worrying alone in the inner hall, was slightly stunned when he heard that Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang were visiting. Recently, there have been many events in the court, and there are many civil and military generals who have come to visit the Fang family. But Qin Mubai would come in person at this time, and Fang Xuanling still felt a little surprised.

While dressing up, Fang Xuanling ordered his family to dismantle the mourning hall and clean up the main hall for hospitality. Mrs. Fang's Lu refused to splash it, and when she heard that Qin Mubai was coming, she was crying and wanted to find him desperately. Fang Xuanling, who rarely got angry once in ten years, was furious, and forced several servants and maidservants to take his wife to the backyard and lock him up and not release him, and the mourning hall was quickly demolished.

Qin Mubai and the others waited patiently at the door, and they were not in a hurry, they had to give Fang Xuanling a little time and space to adapt, so as not to embarrass both parties.

The hands and feet of the Fang family are quite quick, and the work of not taking care of a cup of tea is clear. Fang Xuanling wore a formal suit and took his eldest son, Fang Yizhi, to the door to greet him and perform the courtesy of the minister.

"Her Royal Highness the princess and the concubine are here, and the ministers are disappointed, and I hope to forgive my sins!"

"Husband, please get up quickly." Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang stepped forward to help each other and returned the salute, Qin Mubai said, "We are all uninvited guests, take the liberty of disturbing, and ask the landlord not to be surprised." ”

Fang Xuanling's slightly sickly flushed face didn't show any joy and sorrow, calm and indifferent, as silent and humble as ever. He led the way and invited Qin Mubai and the others to enter, and the etiquette was quite sufficient, which made Qin Mubai feel a little uncomfortable.

After entering the main hall and sitting down, although the surrounding area was cleaned very cleanly, there was still the smell of incense candles and paper money burning in the air. Qin Mubai turned sideways and Fang Xuanling arched his hand and said: "Fang Gong's mind is like the sea and his magnanimity is elegant, and he is both ashamed and admired. Today, I came to your house uninvited, and I made a special trip to ask for guilt and accept punishment. In the past, there were many reckless offenses, but today but with the fate of the house, there is no complaint in the next. ”

"The pony is serious." Fang Xuanling seemed to have expected Qin Mubai to say this, smiled lightly and returned the salute, "Fang's adopted son is unfilial and violates the law of the country, and both father and son should be guilty; The previous son of evil repeatedly committed evil and killed and injured people first, and the horse acted out of self-defense, and Fang could understand it. Let him pass the past! Fang's family is unfortunate, so he should have never given birth to this son! ”

"Fang Xianggong...... We are so ashamed of what you say! Princess Gao Yang said in a low voice, "As early as the beginning ......"

"Your Royal Highness, don't talk about the past again." Fang Xuanling waved his hand to interrupt her words, shook his head helplessly and smiled bitterly, "There is a certain number in the dark, and in the past few years, my Fang family has had several ups and downs, and the old man can be regarded as seeing through it." People are not as good as heaven, and in the end, no one is to blame. Her Royal Highness the Princess, the horse, if the two of you come today just to make amends, Fang Mou can say that you have come in vain. One, you are not guilty; Second, Fang has never held a grudge against the two. ”

Qin Mubai shook his head in shame, and sighed: "The more generous Fang Gong is, the more ashamed Qin and the princess feel. If Fang Gong and Mrs. Ling can beat and scold us, we will feel a little more comfortable. ”

Fang Xuanling smiled lonely and said, "Presumably, the two of them came to the door, but I just heard that my Fang Xuanling has a powerful lady, right?" As you say, my lady has always doted on her son, and if it weren't for that, he wouldn't be where he is today. Now Fang Mou understands that he can't rely on this for everything. The fate of the son of evil is the best example. ”

Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "This is a family matter, so it's inconvenient for me to ask more." In fact, Qin Mou came here today without any deep meaning, one is to make amends and accept punishment to Fang Gong, and the other is to thank Fang Gong, this is the third one, Qin is cheeky, and there are some trivial things to ask Fang Gong to help. ”

Fang Xuanling was still as calm as water, nodded lightly, and said: "The first two things came out of nowhere, so please talk about the third thing!" ”

"Thank you." Qin Mubai arched his hand and said, "Fang Gong was ordered by His Majesty to be in charge of the transfer of troops in the First Battle of Lanzhou, and Qin will rush to Lanzhou to preside over the overall military and political situation in the near future. Qin wanted to know, what kind of generals and horses is the imperial court going to allocate to me? It's good that I have a number in mind to prepare. Of course, if it is a matter of confidentiality and inconvenience, it will be treated as if Qin did not say hello. ”

"What can't be said about this." Fang Xuanling chuckled lightly and said, "You are the main general, and this matter actually has to be discussed with you." It's just that time is in a hurry, and Fang hasn't had time to inform the horse. In the Lanzhou War, after discussing with the important members of the military department, the prime minister of the imperial court decided to allocate 10,000 cavalry from Chang'an, and increase the original 30 100 cavalry private guards to 100 people. 100,000 people of grain and grass, 6,000 people are being prepared, and they can accompany them all the way to the expedition in the near future. ”

"That's it?" Princess Gaoyang was surprised, "Soldiers, horses, money and food, there are so few!" ”

"If the princess doesn't understand, don't interject." Qin Mubai turned his head and said to him, and said to Fang Xuanling, "Qin knows." ”

Fang Xuanling bowed back, and said to Princess Gaoyang: "Her Royal Highness the princess thinks that the soldiers and horses have little money and food, which is also natural. To tell the truth, such a big war situation in Lanzhou, more than 10,000 soldiers and 100,000 grains and grass is really a drop in the bucket. However, the recent turmoil in the imperial court has made it difficult to dispatch troops and horses for a while. In addition, now is the important season of spring ploughing and farming, and it is the time when the green and yellow are not harvested, there is not much grain stored in the imperial court's Taicang, and even if there is a lot of grain and grass, it is difficult to recruit many people for a while. Therefore, 100,000 grains and grass and 6,000 people are already the limit of the court's ability. ”

"I don't think so, right?" Wu Meiniang, who had been sitting on the side without interjecting, smiled slightly, and saluted Fang Xuanling and said, "Fang Xianggong, please forgive the people's daughter for being rude." ”

"The girl has something to say, but it doesn't hurt to speak." Fang Xuanling said very politely.

Wu Meiniang thanked and said: "As far as I know, last year, Guanzhong was ripe, and Jiangnan, Shannan, and Shuzhong were even better. The tax grain collected by the imperial court in the late autumn and early winter should have filled Taicang, and even the price of Chang'an, the most expensive rice in the world, has fallen by three percent, and many of my fellow grain sellers have lost their capital. In addition, the King of Wei raised funds to prepare for the construction of the Great Ci'en Temple, and now before the construction started, he had already collected more than 7,000 people from all over the world to carry flowers, stones, grasses, prefabricated Buddha and other things. The three armies did not move the grain and grass first, even if they did not allocate many soldiers and horses to Lanzhou, but they should give a little more grain and grass. After all, once the war starts, Lanzhou's local agricultural and animal husbandry production will be greatly affected, and in addition to the remote location, it will be difficult to buy grain and rice even if you have money. I wondered, could it be that the war of the empire was not as heavy as a temple? Will the imperial court not be able to take out food and recruit people? ”

"Mei Niang Hugh has a lot to say!" Qin Mubai snorted lightly and said, "Military affairs, how can you be allowed to discuss in vain?" ”

Wu Meiniang bowed her head and jaw very cooperatively to admit her mistake, and said softly: "Prime Minister Fang, please forgive me, the people's daughter is shallow, so she naturally thinks of something and says something." ”

"Huh...... I have heard for a long time that Wu Meiniang is as smart as a hair, but the woman is heroic, and when I saw it today, it really deserved its reputation! Fang Xuanling shook his head helplessly and smiled, and said, "Your knowledge is not shallow at all, your words are to the point." In fact, the horse also understands people, so Fang Mou won't talk anymore. Taicang has grain and grass, and the problem of recruiting people is not very big, but the imperial court also has to prepare a large amount of dowry for Princess Wencheng, who is about to marry Tubo, which is not easier than dealing with a war, so it is too busy for a while, one of them; Second, since last year, Lanzhou has not asked the imperial court for a penny or a grain of grain, and it is completely self-sufficient. Therefore, some people in the court insisted that since Lanzhou could be self-sufficient, the imperial court would not need to support grain and grass for the time being. After all, this more than 1,000 miles has been transported to the past, and it takes a lot of manpower and material resources. ”

"In other words, it is clear that we want to choke Lanzhou's neck, so that we can hold on to it and the expedition will be powerless, right?" Qin Mubai sneered softly and said.

Fang Xuanling smiled helplessly and said, "Donkey, since you understand the reason, you don't need to say more. The difference in stance cannot be accommodated in a sentence or two. can allocate 10,000 soldiers and horses, 100,000 grain and grass, Fang has done his best! ”

"Hmph, it's the eldest grandson Wuji again, right?" Princess Gaoyang was straightforward and said hatefully, "Why does he have to get along with Mu Bai and Lanzhou?" This court is not his family, and the money and food of this soldier and horse are not taken out of his pocket, what is he in a hurry, really! ”

"Okay, let's say a few words." Qin Mubai dissuaded her with a smile, and then said to Fang Xuanling, "Qin knows that Fang Gong has always done his best to serve the country impartially, and now there can be such a situation, whether Fang Gong needs it or not, Qin is really grateful to you!" Qin went to Lanzhou, and he will definitely make a good living, and it will not be in vain to serve the country and the people! ”

"Hehe, it's serious!" Fang Xuanling waved his hand and said with a smile, "Fang Mou is planning his own affairs in his position, and he doesn't dare to be selfish." ”

"Fang Xianggong, the people's daughter has something to say again." Wu Meiniang said suddenly.

"Hehe, you say it!"

Wu Meiniang smiled, and Shi Li said: "Since the imperial court can't allocate grain and grass to recruit people's husbands, can the people's girls organize a private volunteer caravan by themselves and spontaneously supply grain and rice materials to Lanzhou?" ”

"Oh?" Fang Xuanling was very surprised and said, "Although the state has something to sponsor by a righteous businessman, this matter is not new, but such a matter of thousands of miles of capital is really rare." Wu Meiniang, if you want to fund the imperial army in your private name, this is naturally allowed. However, Lanzhou is thousands of miles away, and it is not only difficult to transship, but also risky. Moreover, the cost of transporting a pound of grain from Chang'an to Lanzhou is at least three catties. Have you calculated this account? ”

"It doesn't have to be counted." Wu Meiniang smiled faintly and said, "Even if the family is bankrupt, Wu Zhao must do this!" ”

"Mei Niang, this matter is not a child's play, you better not mix blindly." Qin Mubai was also a little surprised and said to her, "From Chang'an to Lanzhou, it's not as easy as running to Xiangyang." This journey has been thousands of miles, and many of them are Gobi sandstorms, and the transportation is miserable. Lanzhou is like a lonely overseas hanging, how can you lead more than 10,000 people on a long journey? ”

"Mu Bai, you don't have to worry about this. Am I one of those reckless people? As long as you and Fang Xianggong promise to let me transport grain, I can do it, and I will be safe!" Wu Meiniang smiled confidently, "The imperial court only gives you 100,000 grains and grass and 6,000 people, and I will transport 500,000 stone grains and grass for you, and 30,000 people-how about it, you can use it well for a while!" ”

This statement made Fang Xuanling, who was in the dark way of money and food, take a breath, and he exclaimed: "This is a huge handiwork!" Even if the imperial court wants to tribal, it will cost a lot of manpower and material resources. Wu Meiniang, are you really good? ”

"No problem!" Wu Meiniang smiled confidently and said, "Fang Xianggong, you just agree!" Anyway, we don't want the court to worry about anything! As long as you have a warrant, Wu Zhao will transport the grain, grass and military materials to Lanzhou to ensure that the soldiers are not hungry! ”

"Fang is naturally very willing...... It's just ......" Fang Xuanling twisted his brows and twisted his beard, and shook his head gently.

"If Fang Gong has something unspeakable, why don't you say it?" Qin Mubai asked.

Fang Xuanling nodded and said with a wry smile: "In this way, the imperial court will accept the great favor of the Wu family." Fang Xuanling, how can he represent the emperor and the imperial court as this family? If you don't agree, Fang Mou should go and ask His Majesty the Emperor! ”

After hearing this, Qin Mubai smiled unconsciously and wondered: People say 'Fang Xuanling is indeed resourceful and old-fashioned', but his personality is indeed a little soft and lacks a little courage, otherwise he would be a perfect strategist, what is the use of Du Ruhui, who is also 'good at decisive'?

At this time, Wu Meiniang smiled and said: "Fang Xianggong, don't go and tell His Majesty the Emperor!" ”

"Why?" Fang Xuanling was surprised.

Wu Meiniang smiled mysteriously and said softly: "If Fang Xianggong goes to tell His Majesty the Emperor that the imperial court can't give money and food to the people and let Wu Zhao sponsor it privately, won't this make His Majesty the Emperor lose face?" Could it be that if a big Tang court is not as rich as a people's daughter? Of course, this is not true. Because of this, if Fang Xianggong went to tell the emperor, as soon as he pondered it, he would naturally know that there were some people in the court who deliberately made it difficult for Qin Mubai and the Lanzhou soldiers...... In this way, it has to stimulate the contradiction again, and the husband will also have a bad reputation of complaining. ”

"Oh? It makes sense! Fang Xuanling was surprised, "I can't see that a woman at your young age is actually proficient in the art of conspiracy, it's really breathtaking!" …… Having said that, Fang Mou wouldn't have just suffered from your hundreds of thousands of stones, right? That's a fortune that rivals the riches of a country! ”

"It's okay, I'll give it to my man." Wu Meiniang said with a smile, "How can a man have no food to eat when he is out marching and fighting?" Not only could he not go without food, but the soldiers around him could not go hungry. Otherwise, you don't have the strength to fight, what if you can't win on the battlefield? Fang Xianggong, you should be decisive, Wu Zhao is a businesswoman who never does things without returns, but this time it is really an exception - I am for my man, nothing else! I don't need the court to owe me any favors, and I don't even need the emperor and the eldest grandson Wuji to know - you just treat me as me, sell grain to Lanzhou without permission, and give me a white fish order to get out of the customs! ”

"Okay!" Fang Xuanling finally made a decision, and nodded affirmatively, "I'll give you a token to get out of the customs, and write a handwritten letter to you in your private name, and it will be a little convenient to pass through some checkpoint states and counties along the way." ”

"Thank you!" Wu Meiniang happily gave a salute and said with a smile, "Fang Xianggong, the people still have something to ask for!" ”

"Hehe, you say it!" Fang Xuanling seemed to like Wu Meiniang very much, and said with a smile, her tone and expression were a lot more relaxed.

"The folk girl knows that Mu Bai has a senior brother who is proficient in the art of war and is very powerful, called Su Lie Zi Dingfang, and he is usually called Su Dingfang by his characters." Wu Meiniang said, "Mu Bai has a deep relationship with him, and the day before yesterday, Su Dingfang came to ask Mu Bai to take him to Lanzhou to use troops. Mu Bai is not good at prevarication, but he does not dare to openly ask for the room. Therefore...... Hehe, the folk girl said it on his behalf. Please say yes! ”

"Haha!" Fang Xuanling laughed, "You are really a quirky and smart woman!" Let Fang owe you a favor first, and then come to me to do something...... All right! Is Su Lie Su Dingfang right? The prison guard Zhonglang General, the senior apprentice of the Wei Guogong Li Yaoshi, although Fang is not very familiar with him, he also knows that he is a rare talent. Putting it in the prison guard to guard the imperial city is indeed a waste of Qu Cai - okay, let him go to Lanzhou with Chunhe to make contributions to the country! ”

Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang thanked each other together, and Qin Mubai said: "Fang Gong, in this way, Lanzhou has gathered a large number of generals, will some people worry that we and other self-formed factions will not be able to fall?" ”

"Whether they worry or not, it's their business." Fang Xuanling smiled slightly, "Xingzheng is not afraid of shadows, as long as you are worthy in your heart, you don't have to think so much." Besides, is there a difference between you people and not being together? Hehe......"

"That's right." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Now, some people are not at ease with the generals who are leading troops outside, and they can't recall all the soldiers and horses back to Guanzhong, and all the generals will be transferred back to the court for him to control." But in this way, who will be stationed at the border of Datang to defend against foreign enemies? The overall situation is important, and we don't bother to pay attention to it! - Fortunately, there is also His Majesty the Emperor, who has a clear mind and a clear insight into everything, which can save us from worries. ”

"Hmm...... It's good to know. Fang Xuanling nodded lightly and said, "The wind and clouds above the court are surging and thrilling, and it is actually a relief to be able to lead troops to be stationed abroad. If you go to Lanzhou, you don't have to think about the affairs of the court for the time being, just concentrate on bringing good soldiers to govern the people, and do your part. As for the follow-up soldiers, horses, money and food, Fang will try his best to support it, please rest assured. ”

"Good! With Fang Gong's words, Qin really has the confidence to rest assured that he can gallop boldly and boldly! Qin Mubai clenched his fists heavily and said, "Qin, thank you Gong Xie again!" ”

"No need to be polite. It's all about serving the public for the sake of the country, and Fang should do his best! ”

……

Until they left the Fang family, the famous woman, Mrs. Fang, did not show up, and Qin Mubai and his party all breathed a sigh of relief, and suddenly felt relaxed!

The three passers-by talked about Fang Xuanling, and they all had a feeling - a good old man who was loyal and honest!

Honest and honest, these four words are easy to say, but not easy to do. Qin Mubai thought about it, if he was Fang Xuanling, no matter who killed his biological son for whatever reason, not to mention abandoning his previous suspicions with him, and not killing his whole family to dig his ancestral grave would be a great gift!

"Fang Xuanling can be regarded as the most gentlemanly person I have ever seen!" Qin Mubai sighed, "In comparison, I'm really a villain. ”

"Do you still use a ratio?" Princess Gao Yang smiled evilly, "You have admitted it a hundred times, you are a real villain!" ”

"That's better than a hypocrite!" Qin Mubai said indignantly.

"Yes, yes, yes." Princess Gao Yang and Wu Meiniang both laughed together, "If you are not a villain, we are really not used to it!" ”