Although he has the roots of being unruly and uninhibited, Qin Mubai rarely acts absurdly and does not do things that are very out of line and uncertain. In his previous life, when he was the second generation of officials and the second generation of riches, he occasionally acted rashly, but he never went beyond the system, that is, he knew that no matter how powerful a person was, he could not compete with the state apparatus; In this life, he became the son of Qin Shubao, and now he has become a man of the hour standing on the cusp of the storm, and he still knows this reason.

No one can stop the wheels of history from doing whatever they want – before you become the driver of this broken car of history.

But now, Qin Mubai has to fight an uncertain war, has to guess the trajectory of history and the future direction blindfolded, cast his life and the rise and fall of the family, and gamble!

For two days, he stayed at home, with the door closed. Originally, he wanted to be cheeky and go to visit Cheng Zhijie, Wei Chi Jingde, and Duan Zhixuan in turn. But he held back.

Li Jing asked Su Dingfang to say something to him, which gave him a feeling of enlightenment.

Rather than running around like this, it is better to wait and see what happens.

Just imagine, if Qin Mubai plus Li Tao and Li Daozong, he still can't change the established ending, and what is the use of adding Cheng Zhijie, Wei Chi Jingde, and Duan Zhixuan? was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, and rushed to the doctor to find someone to help, first of all, he lost his square inch and bearing. Secondly, it was the most sensitive and eventful time now, and I don't know how many pairs of eyes were staring at Qin Mubai. If the news of his lobbying in all directions reaches the palace, he will not be able to escape the suspicion of pulling mountains, erecting big flags, and forming a party.

This is undoubtedly the biggest taboo now!

Li Jing said, everything goes naturally, normal heart. In addition to persuading Qin Mubai not to act in a hurry, this may also have another meaning - he probably wanted to say that right and wrong have their own public opinions, and such a major matter related to the future of the dynasty and the century-old plan, the emperor could not let it go, and it was bound to be planned in his chest.

Therefore, whether it is the eldest grandson Wuji or Qin Mubai, no matter how much you toss and operate, it is in vain!

It's like a group of people gambling on the dice together, shouting fiercely and fiercely, the number of points covered in the dice cup is already doomed. All gamblers have to do is place their bets and wait for the moment when the dice cup opens.

Except for Li Shimin, who was the one who shook the dice cup, the rest of the people were all gamblers. No matter how rich a gambler you are, no matter how amazing your chips are, it won't change the outcome. Even if you're just one of the most humble gamblers who bet just one copper plate and just hit the point, you're the biggest winner.

Right now, what is in front of Qin Mubai is such a gamble.

What we are facing is a war that we are not sure of.

Perhaps, Li Shimin is the only one in the overall situation, who is Zhizhu in his hands and watches these people's performances coldly. He is like the scheming dealer who holds the dice cup at the table, can easily change the number of dice, and looks at the big or small bets placed by the gamblers, and sneers in his heart.

At noon, the Hongwen Pavilion sent a bachelor to inform Qin Mubai that at the end of the morning of the next day, please go to the Hongwen Pavilion to attend the cabinet meeting.

Hearing the news, a layer of cold sweat broke out in Qin Mubai's palms, whose face was as heavy as water.

Well, tomorrow at the end of the day, the dice cup will be revealed. Whoever killed the deer will be seen.

Qin Mubai raised his head and looked at the top of Zhongnan Mountain, the statue of the demon was under construction. He took a deep breath and said to himself, "You'er, perhaps it is because of your death that this battle that was originally lurking underwater has been stimulated to the table. Tomorrow, life and death will be decided. If I win, a grand picture will be at my feet. From now on, I will take your ashes to draw the blueprint of the southern and northern wars, and I may not be in Chang'an all year round. I will take you to listen to the wind in the Western Regions, the neighing of war horses and the roar of the battlefield. If I am defeated, I will abandon the official and retire to a house on Zhongnan Mountain, let him rise in the spring breeze or frost and cold mountains and rivers, I will play the pipa and accompany you. In tomorrow's battle, although there are no swords and armours, and no scepters, they will not lose a battle of 100,000 troops. If you have a spirit in heaven, bless me with triumph! ”

Boiling a pot of tea and burning incense, Qin Mubai sat in the stream pavilion in the backyard, holding the "Jade Tent Sutra" in his hand, and observed.

None of the family members came to bother.

Sinking like water and quiet like a mountain in the face of a big war, this is what Li Jing said, and it is the demeanor that a general should have.

Two hours passed, and it was almost evening, and the colorful clouds made the western sky.

Qin Mubai poured out the last cup of Birun Mingyue in the teapot and found that the charcoal fire in the furnace was cold. Just as he was about to get up and leave, he found two familiar figures outside the garden gate.

Wu Meiniang, with Princess Gaoyang.

The two women stood side by side without saying a word, standing in the distance and quietly looking at Qin Mubai.

Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile gracefully, got up and walked towards them, and said, "When did you come, and you didn't call me?" ”

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "I see that you are quietly reading books, and I don't want to disturb." ”

Princess Gaoyang's expression was rare in tranquility and tranquility, and she said with a smile: "Mei Niang is right. ”

Qin Mubai glanced at the two of them left and right, couldn't help but smile, and said, "It's rare that you two have such a tacit understanding. Come on, sit down and drink tea with me. ”

"Okay."

returned to the pavilion, added a fire and placed new tea, and the three of them sat opposite each other.

"Mu Bai, are you still studying the Jade Tent Sutra? Aren't you already familiar with this military book? Wu Meiniang picked up the military book and flipped two pages, saw the dense annotations and comments on it, and said.

"The art of war is not something that can be understood by memorization, and it is not something that can be used flexibly after understanding. Otherwise, it would be too worthless, and it would not have been a thousand years before there was a Pharmacist Li. Qin Mubai said with a smile while pouring tea.

Princess Gaoyang said: "I don't know the art of war, I've only heard a sentence, it's called victory and defeat, so don't worry too much." ”

"Hehe, Ling'er, are you trying to persuade me to take it easy?" Qin Mubai smiled, "Don't worry, I'm in a good state of mind now." First of all, I was ready for defeat; Then, when you go to the battlefield, you will do your best to win. ”

"Prepare for the worst and do your best, yes, that's how it should be. It seems that we are overly worried. Wu Meiniang said, "Mu Bai, since you joined the company, it has been smooth sailing. Although there are occasional small setbacks, they are all solved. But this time, even we know you're facing a war that you can't afford to lose. Your opponent...... It's so powerful! ”

"Really?" Qin Mubai smiled plausibly lightly and said, "You mean the eldest grandson Wuji?" ”

"Isn't it?" Princess Gao Yang said, "I have talked a lot with Mei Niang just now, although we don't know much about the things in the court, but often the more outsiders can see it really. Just one eldest grandson Wuji is no longer an opponent you can deal with. And in fact, the eldest grandson Wuji represents my father. If my father has already made any decision, and you want to disobey, isn't this a mayfly shaking the tree? Mu Bai, don't tell me that you didn't expect that your opponent this time may be my father? ”

Qin Mubai's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, wrinkled his eyebrows, and then said, "To be honest, I've thought about it, but I don't want to think about it. The most reluctant thing for me is to go against your father's wishes. If this time I face the Emperor, then it proves ...... It was the emperor who betrayed me, and he repented of his promise. ”

Princess Gaoyang's expression was already difficult to see to a certain extent, and she said worriedly: "Mu Bai, since you know, why do you have to ......?"

"Ling'er, this is just speculation." Qin Mubai sighed and said, "Now, maybe even the emperor is undecided. We're all gambling, and we can't give up until we see the end. It is true that your father is the banker, and he can decide our victory or defeat. But the gamble has already begun, and how can I back down? ”

Princess Gao Yang bit her lip and nodded slightly: "I understand." ”

"What do you understand?" Qin Mubai asked.

"I'm going to see my father and ask him to ...... You're going to win! Princess Gao Yang said suddenly.

"No." Qin Mubai's face changed, and he suddenly said sternly, "This gamble, you can't decide the outcome by virtue of the relationship between father and daughter, otherwise, there is no need to make such a big fuss." Ling'er, you just obediently be a bystander. If I win, all is well; If I lose, I don't care if you want to ask your father to do something. ”

"Mu Bai, tell me the truth...... If you lose, will your life be in danger? Princess Gao Yang said worriedly.

Qin Mubai frowned slightly, and shook his head: "I don't know." If I'm lucky, I can still stay in Chang'an, and I can still be a prosperous but idle colt master; Luckily, perhaps, the prince and Hou Junji are my role models. If any more bad luck......"

"Okay, you don't have to say it." Princess Gaoyang suddenly raised her hand to interrupt Qin Mubai's words, and said categorically, "The last situation, it will never appear!" If the eldest grandson Wuji really dares to cut the grass and eradicate the roots, I will dare to kill him with a sword in my hand, and then let my father and emperor personally execute me! ”

Qin Mubai's expression froze for a moment, and he wanted to persuade Princess Gaoyang for a few words, but in the end, he endured the words and said nothing, nodded and said, "Don't worry, it won't." ”

Wu Meiniang sighed lightly and said, "Mu Bai, princess, maybe things are not as heavy and complicated as we imagined. Take it easy, as the saying goes, stay in the green mountains without fear of no firewood. Even if you lose this time, you don't have to give up on yourself. If you don't go through a few ups and downs and don't try a few failures, where does you get the fighting spirit and arrogance of the clouds? If you can afford to lose, you can win! ”

Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile and said, "Mei Niang, have you gone to see my eldest brother and second brother?" ”

Wu Meiniang was stunned: "How do you know?" ”

This sounds familiar! My two brothers said that they would use the life and death of dozens of members of the Qin family to raise me with arrogance. Qin Mubai smiled, "What, are you two still pasted now?" ”

"What do you say?" The two girls said in unison, and then looked at each other and smiled tacitly.

Qin Mubai squinted his eyes left and right at the two most important women in his life, smiled slightly, and said, "This war, even if I lose, I have already won!" ”

"Even we can see it, you are not half sure, why do you still say that?" Wu Meiniang asked.

"No why." Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "You're right, if you can afford to lose, you can win." Just rushed to this sentence, and said to Ling'er that I was going to raise my sword and cut the eldest grandson Wuji, and I would have won! ”

At dawn the next day, it was still dark in the bedroom, Qin Mubai's eyes were open, and he woke up.

Just as he was about to get up, a pink arm next to him hugged his neck, and Princess Gaoyang murmured in his ears without any sleepiness: "Mu Bai, hug me and then go?" ”

"You haven't slept all night?"

"Hmmm......"

Qin Mubai took her into his arms and hugged her tightly, caressed her back distressedly, kissed her lightly on the forehead, and said, "Silly girl, didn't you sleep the most soundly with me in the past, especially after Wen Cun?" ”

"I don't know......" Princess Gao Yang didn't have the heart to joke, and said in a low voice, "I'm so worried." I've been thinking, if you really lose this time, there is no war in Lanzhou, and you marry the Tubo Peace Alliance, what kind of foothold will you have in the future? And your father, most of them will also be transferred back from Lanzhou, take back the military power, and be idle at home again. ”

"So what? It's a big deal to start all over again, and you can't die. Qin Mubai patted her back and smiled easily.

"Mu Bai, don't deceive yourself." Princess Gao Yang said softly, "Your heart is higher than the sky, and you definitely can't stand that kind of idle and boring life; Not to mention your father, Top Gun is so arrogant, how can he withstand such a blow? I can't imagine how dull and depressed it would be for you father and son to be at home at the same time! ”

"You're overthinking, Ling'er." Qin Mubai smiled lightly and said, "Mei Niang's words are good, if you can afford to lose, you can win." If you don't even have this kind of mind, how can you achieve great things? Okay, it's time to go to court, I have to get up. ”

"Okay, there you go!" Princess Gao Yang let go of her arm, pursed her red lips and thought for a moment, and said, "I'll just lie here and wait for you to come back and pick me up." ”

Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile dumbly, and said, "That's too lazy, right?" You are now the daughter-in-law of the Qin family, and I am not at home, so you, as a daughter-in-law, have to fulfill the responsibility of the province in the morning and dusk. Get up and go to Lao Qin's house early to say hello to my mother! ”

"Yes, husband-sama, hehe!" Princess Gaoyang immediately got out of the quilt, jumped on Qin Mubai's body and entangled him like a tree leprosy, and said with a thief's smile, "Hold it for a while, just for a while...... Yikes! Don't pinch my ass! ”

Putting on the court clothes that were rarely worn, Qin Mubai rode a horse and went out until he reached the Imperial City Vermilion Bird Gate.

Here, the civil officials got off the sedan chair and the military generals dismounted and walked into the palace in turn. Although Qin Mubai has been in the government for a few years, he previously served as an errand in the harem as a hundred horsemen, and then went to Xiangyang and Lanzhou to serve as a magistrate, and rarely participated in the court meeting as formally like this. The civil and military officials looked at him with a hint of surprise in their eyes.

The bell of the bell and drum tower of Taiji Palace rang, and hundreds of civil and military officials came out of the east and west courts, lined up in two teams to walk on the Longwei Road, and went to the early court.

In the military generals hall of the West Dynasty Hall just now, Qin Mubai saw Wei Chi Jingde, Cheng Zhijie and others, but they only met each other and nodded their heads, which was regarded as a greeting, and they did not talk. When he walked out of the Western Dynasty Hall, Qin Mubai saw Li Tai, the king of Wei, and Li Daozong, the king of Jiangxia, in the civil official train, but he did not see Wei Zheng and Fang Xuanling, nor did he have the eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang.

The civil and military officials entered the main hall of the Wude Hall and stood up, and Qin Mubai saw the eldest grandson Wuji, the king of Jin, Li Zhi and Chu Suiliang, entering through the side door of the court. Li Zhi sat on the dragon chair that was extremely inconsistent with his style, on the left was the first assistant prime minister, Sun Wuji, and on the right was Chu Suiliang, who was in Chaobing's notebook, like two teachers and two bodyguards.

Compared to when he just sat on the dragon chair a few days ago, Li Zhi was obviously much calmer, and there was even a little indifference in his eyes. He habitually glanced down the hall, and there was suddenly surprise and heat in his eyes, because he saw Qin Mubai.

The eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang followed Li Zhi's eyes and glanced at Qin Mubai unnaturally, with a little smile on their faces, and the eldest grandson Wuji said: "Today's court meeting, there is a morning play, and there is no retreat." ”

Chu Suiliang added: "His Royal Highness the King of Jin occasionally felt cold and unwell. ”

All the ministers heard a little bit of wind more or less, and knew that there was an important cabinet meeting to be held later, and the thoughts of Changsun Wuji and others were not on the court for a long time. No one will ignore the current affairs at this time to come up with some trivial things and delay the time.

As a result, the voice of "ministers have nothing to play" sounded.

"Okay, then let's retreat!"

The civil and military officials walked into the main hall of Wude and immediately retreated. It's just that many people who received the notice of the meeting tacitly stayed in the waiting hall of the East and West Dynasty Hall and did not leave.

In the waiting hall of the military generals of the West Dynasty Hall, in addition to Qin Shubao and others who led the troops on the front line, more than half of the generals of the Sixteen Guards and those above the rank of generals came and dozens of people came. Duan Zhixuan, Li Junxian and a few others got together to discuss and mumble in a low voice, while Wei Chi Jingde and Cheng Zhijie chatted absentmindedly about some military pasts, but Qin Mubai was sitting alone in the corner, quietly drinking tea.

In terms of rank and seniority, any one of you here is Qin Mubai's chief and senior. However, all the generals unanimously turned their eyes to Qin Mubai, intentionally or unintentionally, paying attention to his every move.

But after watching it for a long time, Qin Mubai didn't make any other superfluous movements except for occasionally picking up the teacup and taking two sips of tea, and he didn't even have a messy look in his eyes.

The generals were secretly surprised in their hearts: Good boy, Mount Tai is about to be overwhelmed, you can still be so calm!

At this time, a Hongwen Pavilion official walked into the waiting hall of the West Dynasty Hall, and bowed his hand to the generals: "Please go to the lobby of the Hongwen Pavilion to discuss matters!" ”

"Okay, let's go!" Wei Chi Jingde roared like thunder, stood up, as if a war had begun, and he rushed out first.

Cheng Zhijie smiled: "Lao Hei, what are you anxious about?" The protagonist hasn't even left yet! ”

Wei Chi Jingde turned his head to look at Qin Mubai who was sitting next to him, and with a tiger's eye, he stepped forward to pull him: "Silly boy, are you scared stupid?" Get up and go to Hongbunkan! ”

Qin Mubai got up with a smile, dusted off his wrinkled clothes, and said, "You are all superiors and seniors below, how can you be rude first?" Generals, please! ”

"Haha!" Cheng Zhijie laughed, "Don't panic when you are in battle, don't be chaotic when you are facing the enemy, Mu Bai, you have a few true inheritances of your Lao Tzu and Li Jing!" ”

Wei Chi Jingde looked Qin Mubai up and down a few times, and nodded with a rare seriousness: "Silly boy, you have a bit of a general's demeanor - today, I want you Qin Mubai to take the lead, what's the matter, don't give me this face?" ”

The generals laughed. Wei Chi Jingde is such a character, and they are all used to it.

"In this way, it is better for the younger generation to be respectful than to obey the fate!" Qin Mubai was not hypocritical, he bowed to everyone and said loudly, "Please!" ”

"General Qin, please!"

The little official of the Hongwen Pavilion who came to pass the word couldn't help but be a little dumbfounded, and watched the generals above the sixteenth and third ranks, followed by Qin Mubai, the general of the fourth rank, walked out of the West Dynasty Hall in turn and went to the Hongwen Pavilion.

On the other side, in the waiting hall of civil officials in the East Dynasty Hall, Li Tai took the lead, and a group of civil officials also came out of the Hongwen Hall one after another.

Qin Mubai saw that Li Daozong, the king of Jiangxia, who never participated in this kind of meeting to participate in the cabinet discussion, was an example!

In the Hongwen Pavilion, the eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang stood side by side by a window, watching the two columns of dozens of people coming, looking at each other, silent.

"Situ, looking at this formation, how do we feel like they are here to fight?" Chu Suiliang said.

Eldest Sun Wuji smiled, twisted his beard and said, "Even if we come to fight, we will definitely win this battle." What are you afraid of? ”

Chu Suiliang twisted his brows slightly, didn't say anything, turned his head to look, raised his hand and said in surprise: "Situ, please look - who will it be when there is a sedan chair over there?" ”

The eldest grandson Wuji followed what he pointed at, and suddenly showed a hint of surprise: "Could it be Wei Zheng?" Did he really come? ”

Chu Suiliang smiled slightly, and said meaningfully: "Even Li Daozong, who has never participated in such meetings, is here, how can he not come?" ”

Eldest Sun Wuji blinked, looked at Chu Suiliang thoughtfully, and asked, "Then you say...... Wei Zheng, friend or foe? ”

Chu Suiliang shook his head: "Who knows? Many times, even His Majesty the Emperor did not know whether Wei Zheng was an enemy or a friend...... He has always been right about things and not about people. ”

Eldest Sun Wuji pondered for a moment, nodded plausibly, and said, "Okay, even if he is an enemy...... In the past, Wei Zheng could even reverse the wishes of His Majesty the Emperor; But this time, even if it is ten Wei Zheng, it won't change anything! ”

"Really? ......" Chu Suiliang replied softly, as if smiling rather than smiling.