Late at night, Qin Mubai, who had just been newly married, locked himself alone in the study and sat with candles. Holding a pen in his hand, he hesitated again and again, not knowing how to put pen to paper.

He was writing a report to Emperor Li Shimin. After returning from the Western Expedition, he had to report on the details of the conquest of the Western Regions, his diplomacy with the Great Zhao Wu Kingdom, and a series of military and livelihood issues that needed to be resolved after the pacification of the Western Regions.

He didn't know how many copies of this kind of music he had written. Today, I just can't move my pen.

Putting down the pen, Qin Mubai put his hands on his lower abdomen and sat back, closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

"The birds are all gone, and the good bow is hidden; The cunning rabbit dies, and the lackey cooks ...... He's treating me as a thief, but I'm still worried about the aftermath of the Western Regions. Am I loyal or cheap? Thinking of this, Qin Mubai's heart was falling inch by inch, and it was cold.

He reached out and pressed the bridge of his nose between his eyes to refresh himself, but still picked up the pen and decided to finish the note.

"This may be the last thing I, Qin Mubai, can do for Datang!"

Writing a note, he described in detail the current pattern and problems faced in the Western Regions, and suggested that the imperial court should divide a reasonable pattern of states and counties in the Western Regions as soon as possible, and assign a number of powerful feudal officials to govern it. In addition, diplomacy with the Great Zhao Wu Kingdom is very important, and in the next few decades or hundreds of years, the two major hegemons of the East and the West, the Tang Dynasty and the Great Eclipse, will definitely have a confrontation with each other, either openly or covertly.

The existence of the Great Zhao Wuguo, in addition to ensuring that the Tang Dynasty obtained stable and huge commercial profits from the silk trade route, was also the intersection and integration point of the first military defense line of the Tang Dynasty against the West and the political, cultural and economic aspects.

Geographically, Zhaowu is located between the Tang Dynasty and the Great Eclipse, and is an important military buffer zone and strategic ally for both countries. Therefore, the Tang Dynasty must do its best to protect and win the Zhaowu Kingdom. Otherwise, between one loss and one gain, one positive and one negative, it is a major change in the balance of strength.

As for the small countries and tribes in the Western Regions that have already surrendered, Qin Mubai suggested that the imperial court, on the premise of respect and equality, adopt the national assimilation strategy of "boiling frogs in warm water" for them, and not to overdo it, and not to use the previous policy of dealing with the Turkic aftermath and implement any measures of 'large-scale relocation'. Instead, it is necessary to let the political culture of the Tang Dynasty slowly penetrate into these tribes, and use time to gradually assimilate them. In less than 50 years, when two or three generations are handed over, the entire territory of the Western Regions will be completely integrated into the Chinese nation. At that time, the grand plan of "conquering the Western Regions" will be truly completed!

Datang can truly become the overlord of the East!

……

The night was deeper, and Qin Mubai's recital wrote a thick stack. But he feels that there is still a lot that has not been said.

There are hundreds of thousands of soldiers under the command of the commanders of the three armies, and the territory under the jurisdiction of the feudal officials is tens of millions of miles. Over the years, Li Shi has thrown the Qin family's father and son to Lanzhou, and he has never interfered much in the affairs of the west. It can be said that from that day on, the Helong and Tubo of the Tang Dynasty and the entire land of the Western Regions were all controlled by Qin Mubai.

Now, when it was finally time to hand over the shift, Qin Mubai felt like he was sending a child he had raised for many years back to his biological parents.

Logically speaking, this should be done, but in my heart, I am a little reluctant after all. After all, there are years of hard work and affection between myself and my father.

"I hope that the emperor and the imperial court can be kind to the soldiers of the Kansai Army who have made contributions to the country, and the people of all ethnic groups who have been poisoned by the war......" put down his pen, Qin Mubai sorted out the paper manuscripts he wrote page by page.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door, "Mu Bai, haven't you slept yet?" ”

It's Snow Lotus.

"Come in!"

Snow Lotus pushed the door in, holding a soup cup in her hand. She walked up to Qin Mubai and put down the soup cup, and said, "Tired, right?" You don't sleep so late...... Hey, are you writing a recital for the imperial court? ”

"Hmm." Qin Mubai took the soup cup, which was a bowl of warm red bean gruel, which was best used to spend the night in the middle of the night to nourish his stomach.

Qin Mubai drank porridge, Xuelian walked behind him, gently rubbed his temples and ears for him, was silent for a long time, and suddenly said: "Mubai, you resign and go into hiding!" Shall we go to the prairie together? ”

Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment and said, "Why did you suddenly say this?" ”

"I'm too tired to see you." Xue Lian said, "I overheard the conversation between you and Pang Fei yesterday...... Hey, I didn't expect that! ”

Qin Mubai waved his hand to interrupt her words, chuckled indifferently, and said, "Don't mention this." Xue Lian, I am indeed already handing over military and political affairs, and I am ready to resign and go into hiding. I have already chosen a place to settle in the future, but unfortunately, it is not the grassland. Would you mind? ”

"Where is that?"

"The capital of the Jokhang Wu Kingdom, the city of Sama was built."

Xue Lian was slightly stunned, and then nodded, "If you have a heart, you will be at home everywhere." As long as we are together as a family, it is the same wherever we settle. I said go to the grassland because there are not so many non-fame and fortune struggles in the Central Plains. But now that you have a better place in mind, I'm fine. In short, you don't want to be an official anymore. Whether you're away on the road or back home, you're not in peace. Not to mention that you are tired and tired, our family will also worry about you, and worry about you all day long. ”

Qin Mubai smiled, handed the sorted fold to Xue Lian, and said, "You can take a look." ”

Xue Lian looked at it curiously for a while, and said in surprise: "You asked Pang Fei to lead the main army of 300,000 Kansai and return to Chang'an?" ”

"That's right." Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "Since the imperial court is jealous of my Qin someone's army and power, then I will dispel their concerns." The army, I don't want it, all of it will be returned to the court; Official, I won't do it either. When Pang Fei leaves, I will ask him to take my handsome seal official and the talisman of the soldier. ”

Xue Lian's brows furrowed deeply, and she said worriedly: "Mu Bai, are you giving up on yourself, or are you protesting silently?" ”

"Neither." Qin Mubai smiled indifferently and said, "Actually, the current game is like chess, and all the people in the game are addicted to it, thinking that they can turn the tide. But in reality, the big picture has been decided, and no one can change it. ”

"Including His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he can't change it?"

"If he can change and decide everything because he is the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, why should the current situation evolve into today's situation?" Qin Mubai said, "All the political hidden dangers of the Tang Dynasty originated from the dispute in the East Palace. Evolution to this day has long exceeded the scope of the emperor's own ability. He, only through continuous attempts, temptations, and even ruthlessness to cut off the flesh and mend the sores, can he avoid letting Datang fall into endless infighting and chaos. ”

"Try? Test? Flesh and sores? Xue Lian looked confused, "I don't understand!" ”

Qin Mubai held her hand and put it on his shoulder, motioned for her to press it for him, and then said unhurriedly: "The candidate for the future monarch of the Tang Dynasty has always given His Majesty the Emperor a headache. Once, he tried to do his best to train his eldest son, Li Chengqian. In fact, Li Chengqian still performed very well at the beginning, it can be said that his qualifications are actually very outstanding, and he has also worked hard to be a good prince and a good emperor. But under the heavy pressure, it is actually difficult to bear, with such an extremely outstanding father as the emperor, Li Chengqian will always live in the shadow of his father. Especially those old ministers who followed the emperor all the way to conquer the country, they always compared him with the emperor. This is called 'dwarfed,' and Li Chengqian will never be able to satisfy them. Coupled with the emperor's strength and eagerness and the excessively strict requirements for the crown prince, Li Chengqian gave up on himself and finally collapsed. ”

"I know that." Xue Lian said while massaging Qin Mubai, "Li Chengqian was finally deposed because of the rebellion involving Li Yuanchang, the king of Han......"

"Yes! That incident hit the emperor hard. Since then, he has changed his thinking, thinking that the future monarch of the Tang Dynasty does not have to be very good, and can be assisted by a group of capable courtiers. Qin Mubai said, "So, the young Jin King Li Zhi was pushed to the stage by his maternal uncle, the eldest grandson Wuji, and became the prince of the prison state. Although on the surface at that time, it seemed that it was the eldest grandson Wuji who stood out alone, but in fact, it was not difficult to pay attention to it, and there must be the emperor's approval or even instruction in secret. At that time, the emperor ignored the government on the grounds of recuperation, and completely handed over the government to the king of Jin and the eldest grandson Wuji. He just wants to take a look, in case he is killed, can this uncle and nephew govern Datang? ”

"The result?"

Qin Mubai smiled, "As a result, King Jin sat on the dragon chair all day in fear and panic, and he almost peed his pants in fright. He even came to beg me for help because he was afraid that he would provoke the King of Wei. At the same time, the eldest grandson Wuji monopolized the dynasty, and the court of the Tang Dynasty became his hall, together with Fang Xuanling, Chu Suiliang and Wei Zheng, who were Zaifu, they could only stand aside. But it was at this time that the eldest grandson Wuji made a mistake, that is, on the issue of dealing with the peace of Tubo, he went against the emperor's original intention and decided to make peace. At that time, the emperor also saw that if this pair of uncles and nephews were allowed to take over the Tang Dynasty, then the future that the emperor himself had drawn for the Tang Dynasty would have to change, and it would become what his eldest grandson Wuji wanted. To put it more explicitly, once the emperor dies, it is difficult to say whether the surname of the Tang Dynasty is Li or the eldest grandson. ”

Xue Lian nodded approvingly, "In such a situation, His Majesty the Emperor will definitely veto King Jin?" ”

"That's right. Since then, King Jin can be said to have been given up by His Majesty the Emperor and faded out of the competition for the throne. Qin Mubai said, "Then, the emperor only has one concubine left, and that is King Wei!" ”

"Everyone in the world says that King Wei is most likely to become the crown prince?" Xue Lian said, "I heard that he is very scheming and has always been deeply loved by the emperor. As early as when Li Chengqian was the crown prince, there were rumors that the emperor of the Tang Dynasty wanted to abolish the crown prince and replace the king of Wei as the crown prince, right? ”

"Yes." Qin Mubai nodded and said, "In all fairness, King Wei's mental skills, city government, knowledge, and background are all the best candidates for the crown prince. However, he made a big mistake! ”

"What's the big taboo?"

"If the heart is not right, the brothers are not harmonious!" Qin Mubai's eyes narrowed and said, "This, in fact, has violated a major taboo in the heart of His Majesty the Emperor!" …… The change of Xuanwu Gate, you know, right? ”

"Of course ......"

Qin Mubai sighed, "What the emperor is most worried about is that his sons, like him, will fight each other for the throne. This worry has nothing to do with his status as emperor, but only out of the selfishness of a father. However, the emperor is also a human being, and his selfishness is also a national matter! ”

"Then what kind of things did King Wei do to violate the taboo in the emperor's heart?" Xue Lian asked.

"A lot." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "For so many years, King Wei has never given up secretly hurting and slandering the former crown prince Li Chengqian and King Wu Li Ke. Although the things he did were secretive enough, I believe that they could not be hidden from the emperor's eyes at all. Once or twice, the emperor can continue to observe without concealment; Three times four times...... King Wei's future was ruined like this! But what really killed King Wei, I think it must be the assassination of King Wu this time! ”

"Didn't you say that day that King Wu's case was definitely not done by King Wei and the eldest grandson Wuji?" Xue Lian was puzzled, "Why is it ...... now?" What about the King of Wei? ”

"Yes, that's what I said. But this does not mean that King Wei has nothing to do with this case. Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Actually, I confirmed by reverse deduction that the emperor has given up on King Wei!" ”

"Backwards? Why? The more I listened, the more confused I became! Snow Lotus said.

Qin Mubai smiled, "It's because of the sudden arrival of Steward Lu and Pang Fei's various performances that helped me confirm that the emperor had a certain number in his heart, and he wanted to abandon the King of Wei and establish the King of Wu." Therefore, I deduce that the emperor must have done this because he learned that the assassination of King Wei and King Wu had something to do with it, thus ruining the last vestiges of illusion in his heart about King Wei. Moreover, Li Ke must still be alive in the world, which gives the emperor a choice. In other words, now the position of the East Palace is none other than King Wu, and there is no need for anyone to fight for him anymore! Because, all his opponents have been abandoned by His Majesty the Emperor. That's what I just said – scavenging flesh and mending sores. ”

"Where do you know?" Xue Lian asked in surprise.

Qin Mubai replied with a smile: "Think about it, Pang Fei, as the emperor's dark line, doesn't dare to make assertions to stimulate and tempt me. Otherwise, if I really rebel, will he be able to afford to be guilty? So I surmised that he must have received a secret decree from the Emperor to test my loyalty. Have you ever wondered why the Emperor is spying on me everywhere and testing my loyalty at this critical time? ”

"I don't understand...... Xue Lian shook her head in confusion, "To be honest, the minds of the Han people are too delicate and weird, and I really can't figure it out at all." If you have to say something, it may be that the emperor is worried that after you hear the news of Li Ke's assassination, you will raise troops to avenge him, right? ”

"Of course not!" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Even if Li Ke is really assassinated, in what name will I raise troops to avenge him?" Even if I raise an army, who am I going to fight? Fight the emperor, the court or the king of Wei? It's all untargeted, and the teacher is nameless! The prince was killed, and he had his own emperor and the law, so it would not be my turn to act beyond my authority. Moreover, the emperor has the ability to recognize people, and he knows very well that I, Qin Mubai, are not a brain-rebellious person. Therefore, even if rumors are circulating all over the world that I am going to rebel, he will turn a deaf ear. It's called, rumors stop at the wise! ”

Xue Lian said angrily: "Then he still frequently tempts you and stimulates you? - Faint King! ”

Qin Mubai smiled and said: "Actually, when the emperor first summoned King Wu back to Beijing, it is very likely that he wanted to make him the prince. I just didn't expect that something really went wrong halfway. But later, the emperor must have known that King Wu was safe and sound. So he will do his best, put on a posture of fire prevention, theft prevention and anti-thief in Chang'an to stimulate me, and let Pang Fei keep provoking and testing me at this time, he just wants to know - am I, Qin Mubai, loyal enough and calm enough, and capable of the important task of assisting the new monarch Li Ke in the future? ”

"Oh my God, how can there be such a scheming person in the world?" Xue Lian was dumbfounded after hearing this, shook her head and said, "Mu Bai, if you don't make a half-difference in the slightest investigation, or say a few inappropriate words in front of Pang Fei, wouldn't it be a big disaster?" Since you are so powerful and not loyal enough, the emperor will definitely get rid of you as soon as possible, so as to prevent future troubles?! ”

"Pretty much! Therefore, accompanying the king is like accompanying the tiger, not just talking. Qin Mubai smiled indifferently, "No, in order to make his old man completely reassured, I, Qin, will completely let go!" You have also seen it, I handed over the important military and political affairs, handed over the military power and returned the soldiers and horses, and then resigned and went into hiding! - Caress your clothes and go deep, hide yourself and your name! ”

"Wise move, I've got your back!" Xue Lian nodded seriously, "Mu Bai, seriously...... I'm really not worth it for you! You set up a world-famous honor for the birth and death of the Tang Dynasty, but in the end you suffered such suspicion and the risk of killing! Even if, even if you really rebel, it will be justified! ”

"Hehe, why bother?" Qin Mubai smiled lightly, "Actually, the emperor only wants to entrust me with important tasks in the future, so he frequently monitors and tempts me. This is only out of prudence, or rather, kings have such mental skills. Although his methods seem a little despicable and villainous, his starting point is still more important than mine. It's a pity that someone Qin is tired of playing! Datang has never lacked talents, and without one of them, the sky will not fall. Those fame, fortune and power, let them fight to take their heads and break their blood, Qin is not rare, so I will not accompany him - to this day, I, Qin Mubai, do not owe anything to Datang, if I want to leave or stay, I clearly understand and justify it. Even if His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty sits on the four seas and governs all the people and can decide anyone's life and death, he can't change the will of the people after all! ”

"Go, go!" Xue Lian said categorically, "If you stay any longer, who can guarantee that something like this will not happen again?" Who can guarantee that there will be a day when you will be invincible, but you will die under the sword of your own people? ”

Qin Mubai scooped up the last spoonful of gruel in the soup Gu and drank it, smacked his lips and nodded and smiled, and then said four words-

"Madame is wise!"