In the next ten days, Qin Mubai led his troops to recuperate and train troops in Shanzhou, while sending scouts to explore the enemy situation around Helong and the movement of the plateau, and on the other hand, collecting grain and grass on a large scale to raise military supplies.

It has been reported that the three-way reinforcement army sent by the imperial court, totaling 150,000 horses, has already crossed Weitao and has already entered the territory of Lanzhou to assemble as a group, and it is expected to arrive in Shanzhou within 10 days. It's just that there has been no valuable information on the plateau, and Hou Junji's group of people and horses is like a kite with a broken string, and there is no news. There is also no detailed information on the movements of the Garqin Mausoleum. In order to be prepared, Qin Mubai sent Xue Rengui, the most powerful general under his command, to lead 20,000 elite iron cavalry from the Qin Xun Yi Mansion to Dafeichuan to help Li Daozong and strengthen defense.

Spring in Helong is always late, but the ice and snow have finally melted, and the trees and grasses have begun to grow new green shoots. At this time, the newly recruited soldiers had more things to do—to reclaim the military camp.

As early as the beginning of the Qin family's father and son coming to Lanzhou, the army had already begun to open up the land and reclaim the wasteland. Originally, according to the Tang military system, the government soldiers had to go home to farm at this time, and after planting the fields, they would bring their own rations to enlist in the army. After the autumn harvest, the people paid the grain tax, and then handed it over to the yamen at all levels and then submitted it to the national treasury Taicang, and then distributed by the imperial court to all places in need of grain.

However, Qin Mubai felt that Lanzhou was a front-line theater and could be adapted to local conditions, so he left the soldiers in the army to reclaim the military cantonment. Half of the grain obtained is public and private, half of which is supplied to the army and half can be taken home by the government soldiers to make rations, and of course, it can also be resold to the army on the spot. In this way, it not only ensured the army's food, but also ensured that Helong agriculture had sufficient labor.

This is the unique land "system" of the Lanzhou Metropolitan Governor's Office, and it can be regarded as Qin Mubai's first initiative.

For this matter, some people in the court impeached Qin Mubai, saying that he "swallowed the grain tax to fill his own pockets, corrupted the original policy of establishing the country, and wanted to cut the land and the king"...... Such impeachment twists and turns, Emperor Li Shimin's imperial table desk does not know how much is pressed.

Qin Mubai also knows that in the past few years since he came to Lanzhou, he has done a lot of things that 'violate the law and discipline and corrupt the dynasty', just the military rations, reclaiming wasteland, collecting grain taxes privately, and letting Wu Meiniang monopolize the grain and cloth trade in Helong - if it was in the mainland, whoever dared to do this would have been beheaded by the raider.

There are also many well-meaning people who remind Qin Mubai to be "cautious". Qin Mubai smiled after thanking him, and replied: "If I am afraid of causing trouble, I will definitely stay in Chang'an and leave Qingfu." At least for now, Lanzhou is a place where people want to do things that they don't dare to do. Otherwise, it's the same for whoever comes, why am I still here? ”

"No longer young, still frivolous" - this is the evaluation given to him by the people around Qin Mubai.

This assessment is strange. Counting age, although Qin Mubai became a father, he is still less than thirty years old, whether in the military or political circles, he is a young man who is a rising young man; If you don't count age and only talk about military achievements, in this era, the young Qin Mubai is definitely an old ruffian and old fritter. As for "frivolity...... This originally derogatory word was used on Qin Mubai's body, but it was like a compliment, because when Li Daozong scolded him like this, the praise was always overflowing.

During the day, he trained soldiers and horses to deal with official duties, and at night accompanied his wife and daughter to enjoy the joy of family, Qin Mubai had a good time during this time. It's just that there is only one thing that has kept him choked in his throat, and that is Hou Junji.

"What happened to this wild wolf who broke free from his shackles and escaped from his house?"

Not only for personal emotional reasons, but also from a strategic and tactical point of view, Hou Jun's collection of people is also crucial. The embarrassing thing is that now Qin Mubai doesn't know anything about Hou Junji's news. It's like throwing a grenade out and there is no movement, and both yourself and the enemy have to be afraid.

After dinner that day, Qin Mubai walked in the garden in the temporary governor's mansion as usual, holding Xiaolou'er. Tantai has recovered well after both injuries, and now she has to take her sister to practice martial arts every day. At this time, the two sisters were competing in swordsmanship between a newly blooming peach forest, and Chen Yan leaned on the tree with her elbows to observe, pointing out from time to time.

Qin Mubai watched them compete with the sword while teasing Xiao Lou'er, it was really a fierce sword and sword killing, it was all a life-locking trick, and there was no showmanship. Several times, the sisters almost hurt each other, and even Qin Mubai couldn't help but jump in horror a few times. But Chen Yan is still watching the changes calmly, as if watching a play and listening to a music.

After practicing once, the sisters are already sweating like rain. Put away the sword and bow it to Chen Yan, "Sister Yan, how are we practicing?" ”

Chen Yan shook her head gently, "It's good, it's useless." ”

Qin Mubai and the two sisters were stunned together.

"Groaning ......"

Suddenly, there was a low and cold sound, and the sword in both hands arrived in Chen Yan's hand at some point. Like a lightning flint and no fancy to speak of, a sword stabbed out flatly, and there was an extra honey peak at the tip of the sword. After a moment's pause, the bee silently split into two pieces and fell.

The three of them stayed together.

Chen Yan picked a sword flower and threw it away, put the sword into the scabbard of Shuangshuang, and said: "I don't know how you two sisters became famous in the rivers and lakes, most likely because you didn't meet someone like me, otherwise you would have become a ghost a long time ago." What I want to tell you is that the battlefield is 10,000 times more dangerous than the rivers and lakes. One day, if you can train me like this, you can go to the battlefield with the young marshal to kill the enemy. ”

"Yes......" The two sisters bowed with red faces and bowed very convincingly.

Qin Mubai heard the truth, hugged Xiao Lou'er and stepped forward, and said with a smile: "Ah, Master Chen is teaching swordsmanship, why don't you give me a few instructs?" ”

"Don't come to the poor." Chen Yanwan smiled, and the coldness and seriousness of Fang Cai were swept away, replaced by watery gentleness. She hugged Xiao Lou'er over and kissed her face, and said gently, "Lou'er, can my mother take you to paint?" ”

"Yay!" Xiao Lou'er clapped his hands happily and said happily, "I want to learn to draw Daddy riding a big horse!" Daddy is the most handsome like that! ”

Qin Mubai laughed, "Who told you to say this?" ”

"My godmother!"

"Godmother?" Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment, and then smiled: "When did you recognize your godmother outside, are there still few mothers at home?" ”

"That's them." Chen Yan smiled and gestured to the Taitai sisters, and said, "I didn't tell you about this, I made the decision first." You can't blame me, do you? ”

Qin Mubai couldn't help but laugh, "Where do I dare?" These things at home are naturally up to you. ”

"Poor mouth again." Chen Yan smiled disgustedly, hugged Xiao Lou'er and left first.

The Lantai sisters have been standing aside with their swords and listening to Qin Mubai and Chen Yan's conversation, standing up straight, their faces flushed, and their hearts were pounding.

Qin Mubai glanced at them, couldn't help but laugh, and said, "Why do I look fierce?" You're so nervous and scared. ”

"No...... Be. The sisters smiled awkwardly.

"Sit down!" Qin Mubai went to the stone bench first and said, "I see that you two seem to have something to say to me, right?" ”

The sisters hesitated for a moment, sat down sideways with Qin Mubai left and right, and nodded with low eyebrows.

"Say it!" Qin Mubai smiled lightly, "Don't be nervous, what's there to be nervous about?" You have to learn from Su Lianqing and Chen Yan. The sons and daughters of the rivers and lakes should be refreshed and cheerful, and say whatever they have. ”

"Young marshal, you can incorporate us into the Kansai Army as generals!" The two sisters plucked up their courage and said in unison.

"Oh, that's it?" Qin Mubai smiled, "I understand." I heard that the imperial court has reorganized the hundred cavalry, divided into the left and right Yulin Guard Imperial Forest Army and the hundred cavalry prison yamen, and the original hundred cavalry soldiers have been redivided into ministries and ranks. You two are afraid that there will be no one to take care of Chang'an now, and you are worried that there will be no place in the future, right? ”

"There are concerns, but not really." Tantai Dandan said, "After the young marshal enlightened us, our sisters were reborn, and they broke away from their previous careers in the rivers and lakes and became officials of the imperial court. Originally, both of us sisters had been content, but after spending some time in the palace, we both felt ...... That place may not be much more comfortable and clean than the rivers and lakes. The same dangers, the same intrigues, cold guns and dark arrows. And the companion is like a tiger, and our sisters are wild people, and many rules in the palace often make us feel depressed and suffocated. But since we followed the princess out of Chang'an and came to Lanzhou, it was like a bird leaving the cage, and I really didn't want to go back to the palace. So...... We just thought...... I just want to ......"

Qin Mubai couldn't help but laugh when he heard her babble, and said, "You don't want to go back to the palace on an errand, do you?" ”

"That's right! Please make it happen! The two sisters said in unison.

"Okay, I'd like to figure it out." Qin Mubai got up and walked into the house. I kept laughing in my heart, and secretly said: These sisters have a lot of ideas, they first became Lou'er's godmother, and now they want me to take you as a concubine, right? Haha, I'm embarrassed to say it. I knew it by looking at Chen Yan's performance just now, and deliberately walked away with Xiaolou'er and let them talk to me alone...... Most of this matter was arranged by Chen Yan. It seems that she is not a saint who does not eat fireworks in the world, and she is also depressed when she sees me having an affair with other women, but she just doesn't have a seizure. No, she took the initiative to enrich my "family dinner", which means that she doesn't want me to "steal food" outside! - That's right, how can there be a woman in the world who is really not jealous? Unless, she really doesn't care!

The more Qin Mubai thought about it, the funnier it became, on the one hand, because he felt that he had been destined for two lifetimes, and on the other hand, because Chen Yan, a woman, the longer she got along, the more she could feel her extraordinary intelligence and the charm of a mature woman, which was really not comparable to a vase girl.

After returning to the inner courtyard, Qin Mubai was about to talk to Chen Yan about something, and an uninvited guest came to the house-Princess Hui, Ashina Blood Lotus.

"What a time!" Qin Mubai secretly smiled bitterly, and still welcomed her in with a smile and served tea to her.

"Sister Yan isn't there?" As soon as Blood Lotus sat down, she asked expectantly.

"Are you looking for her, or are you looking for me?" Qin Mubai asked with a smile.

"Looking for you." Blood Lotus straightened her face and said solemnly, "I'm here to ask for my resignation." ”

"Resign?" Qin Mubai frowned slightly, "What do you say?" ”

"I'm going back to the prairie." Blood Lotus looked at Qin Mubai's eyes squarely, and said solemnly, "I am here to ask for my resignation." ”

Qin Mubai blinked her eyes and looked at the blood lotus carefully, this time, this little girl was really not joking, nor was she acting rashly.

"How do you say just go? Didn't you say okay, you still want to go back to Beijing with me? Qin Mubai said.

"Nope." Blood Lotus took a sip of tea and said lightly, "After all, I am a member of the Ashina family, and I want to go back to the grassland to reorganize my tribe and inherit my father's official title." And ninety percent of my subordinates are Hui Ministry. After so many days away from the grassland, we all feel homesick. And...... Now the Tang Dynasty court will give you an additional 150,000 troops. We have tens of thousands of horses here, and we don't stay here much, and we don't stay here, but we don't have a lot, don't we? ”

When Qin Mubai heard this, he smiled.

Blood Lotus's words are full of mystery. Especially the last two sentences, which directly explained the real reason why she wanted to return to the grassland - she was afraid of being annexed and losing her military power!

In the final analysis, it was not that Blood Lotus was afraid of losing her soldiers and horses, but that the Hui generals who came with her were afraid of this.

Previously, Qin Mubai's troops were outnumbered, and he had to rely quite heavily on this Hui people. At that time, the 40,000 Iron Cavalry was very important for Qin Mubai. Now, the imperial court has increased the number of troops in Guanxi by 150,000, and the proportion of the number of Hui soldiers and horses has suddenly fallen, and at the same time, it is naturally not so important. Moreover, Qin Mubai used all kinds of means to annex the captives of Gaochang and Tubo before. These things are in the eyes of the Hui people. Although they wanted to tie up with Qin Mubai to do a great favor, they didn't want to lose such a big capital as 40,000 iron horses seriously.

Now that the favor has been done, it's time to retreat. As a result, the generals of the Hui Ministry, that is, the cronies of the Hui leader Tu Midu, naturally made this move - forcing Blood Lotus to come forward and ask Qin Mubai to resign and leave.

Today's events, as early as before leaving the Jade Gate Pass, Qin Mubai had already expected it. Therefore, in the face of Blood Lotus's resignation, he was not surprised at all, but he still made a rather surprised expression and said, "I thought you were ...... Won't be gone! ”

With a pun, Blood Lotus's face suddenly turned a little red. She avoided Qin Mubai's eyes and said lightly, "What are these words?" Why shouldn't I leave? ”

"Aren't you pretending to be confused?" Qin Mubai smiled so skinlessly that he coughed twice and said, "I have written to the imperial court and have also written to my family." ”

"What's the matter with me...... Blood Lotus's tone was still light, but there was a clear hint of throbbing and anticrisy in her eyes.

"Of course it's up to you!" Qin Mubai made a shocking gesture and said, "You won't ...... You can't think of it, right? ”

"Don't beat around the bush, have something to say!" The Blood Lotus Silver Tooth bit it, a little annoyed.

"Ahem...... I just want to be tactful, to leave a little room for imagination and charm. Qin Mubai said with a smile. At this time, even he felt that he was really shameless—wasn't this sacrificing hue for the sake of those 40,000 iron horsemen!

"I'll tell you." Chen Yan appeared.

"Sister Yan!" Blood Lotus smiled and said happily as if she had seen a relative, "You're here!" ”

Chen Yan nodded and smiled as she sat down beside Blood Lotus and said with a smile, "Sister, don't go." It's good to stay in the Central Plains. It's true that the grassland is your hometown, but as far as I know, there are few people in your Ashina tribe, and you go back to the grassland to live under the fence, where will you feel at home? On the contrary, there are quite a few Ashina people who have been sealed and settled in Chang'an. Compare General Ashina Simo, now called Li Simo, right? Even I know several! Obediently, when you return to Chang'an with us after the battle, Hugh said that you are the princess of the Ashina clan, and just thinking about your merits, the court has no reason to treat you badly. Besides, sister, can't I still accompany you, and I can also bring your sister and the relatives you miss from the grassland. At that time, when you live in Chang'an for three or five months, you will definitely not want to leave. How wonderful! ”

"That's a good thing to say, but ......" These words obviously entered the heart of the blood lotus. What she cares about is not the grassland and the army, but her family and her sister. But now, the home is gone, if she can take her sister to live with her in the Central Plains, she will naturally be happy. Although she was moved, Blood Lotus was still very hesitant.

"But you can't beat your generals, can you?" Qin Mubai broke through the heavens with one word.

Blood Lotus was startled at first, then sighed a little, nodded helplessly, and said: "My name is the commander-in-chief, in fact, there are six generals under my command who are in command of six battalions of men and horses. These people are all confidants and cronies of Tumidu, and they are actually in charge of the military. They are clamoring to leave, what can I do? ”

Qin Mubai laughed, waved his hand and said, "It's really that the lights don't pick up or turn on, and the words don't speak clearly!" As soon as you tell me that, I'll have a solution! Don't worry, don't say it's the six henchmen generals, even if Tumidu is here in person, I can cure him obediently! ——My Emperor of the Tang Dynasty once said, the Han and Hu families, since these 40,000 Hui compatriots are here, settle down in Lanzhou with peace of mind, don't leave! Whether you want to marry your own children or cattle and sheep land, you can arrange it! The relatives on the other side of the grassland can also be taken over one after another! - Aren't the steppe nomads often said that where there are relatives and grasslands, they are home? Rest assured, these will be there. ”

"I can't control this." Blood Lotus pursed her lips, "You said it easily, you go and convince them!" ”

"Okay." Qin Mubai smiled wryly, and simply agreed neatly.

Xuelian looked at his smiling face, half happy and half surprised, and wondered: He can surrender even the sworn enemy of Tubo, let alone a few Hui generals? It seems that he has premeditated, and sooner or later he will take these 40,000 horses into his pocket! …… Anyway, it's not my Ashina family's clan and soldiers, and it won't stop me from being hurt by anyone, let alone distressed. This surnamed Qin is clearly a master who is not afraid of things, has big ambitions and hard hands, and dares to do anything. Now I only hope that it is better not to let Hui Su and Datang have a dispute because of this matter!