In the early morning of the next day, Qin Mubai got up early in the morning and practiced archery in the backyard.

is about to go to the border, and bow horse kung fu will inevitably come in handy, so he has been practicing more diligently in recent days. In terms of martial arts, Qin Mubai felt that he was second-rate at best, and he was of the same grade as Yin Yang and Yuwen Hongtai. But there is still a big distance from his father Qin Shubao and Wei Chi Jingde, who are veterans of the battlefield.

As for the "god"-like pinnacle Xue Rengui, not to mention. Qin Mubai always felt that Xue Rengui might be a little more powerful than his old man. It's just that he is used to being humble and rarely shows it deliberately. But because of this, Xue Rengui always gives people a mysterious and unpredictable feeling, which makes people inevitably estimate how strong his martial arts are.

The tiger-headed golden spear Qin Mubai has been on his body for more than a year, and it is still brand new and has never seen blood. Today, I was taken out and practiced once, and I practiced the marksmanship of the Qin family's Taiji gun several times, and I suddenly felt that my arm was sore.

"You still have to practice!"

When he finished practicing, he was already sweating profusely, and after taking a bath and changing clothes, he was ready to have breakfast with his mother and sister. When I arrived at the front hall, I found that there were guests in the courtyard of the front house, and there was a man in casual clothes and a shirt who was strolling in the forest garden to enjoy the plum blossoms.

Qin Mubai glanced at it, wasn't that Li Tao?

Li Tao also saw Qin Mubai and waved at him from afar. Qin Mubai walked forward quickly and arched his hand: "When did Uncle Shi come, it was really a long way to go!" The people in this house are also stupid, and they haven't made a report! ”

Li Tao smiled: "Don't blame them, I didn't let them pass it on." I heard that you were practicing martial arts, so I walked between the gardens without disturbing you. ”

In addition to Qin Mubai, there were only mothers and sisters, and there was no one to greet them, so Li Tao actually waited in this garden for an hour. Qin Mubai couldn't help but be a little apologetic, and hurriedly invited Li Tao into the hall to worship and take a seat, and invited him to have breakfast together.

If you don't go to the Three Treasures Hall for anything, a person like Li Tao came alone early in the morning, and there must be something. After the tea and dinner, Qin Mubai asked, "Uncle Shi deigned to come to the door, I don't know what to see?" ”

Li Tao smiled to himself and said, "There are still a few things to discuss with you." ”

"Please also ask Uncle Shi for advice."

"Don't dare to be." Li Tao smiled and said, "Recently, I have been busy with the transfer of troops and generals on the orders of His Majesty. The prince of Luguo, Junji, had led all the way south to Songzhou to defend against the enemy. The other group of people and horses is going to Lanzhou, and they are almost deployed, and in the near future, they can prepare all the food and grass and set off with armor and equipment. His Majesty once secretly instructed Wei Chen that the commander who led the army to Lanzhou was none other than you, Qin Mubai, right? ”

"Yes, Your Majesty has indeed given me an edict, but the imperial court's order has not yet been issued." Qin Mubai said truthfully.

Li Tao nodded and said, "It is estimated that it will be a matter of the past two days, you have to prepare." The purpose of my visit is to consult with you on the selection of generals. ”

"General?" Qin Mubai twisted his brows slightly, "What do you say?" ”

"Lanzhou will become an important military town and barrier, not the same as the ordinary governor's mansion, it is related to the future of the Tang Dynasty's Guanhe and military plans!" "Therefore, on the question of the selection of generals, I must listen to your opinions. The former Lanzhou Governor's Mansion is just an ordinary military town, and your father holds the position of Governor, and there are very few powerful people under him. Now that His Majesty has sent you here, it can be regarded as adding a powerful arm to him. But it's not enough for you and your father. The Lanzhou Governor's Mansion is about to be expanded, and the land that originally had Lan, He, and Kuo Prefectures under its jurisdiction may now be demarcated from Liangzhou. The number of soldiers and horses under his rule will also increase from more than 20,000 to nearly 50,000. The original Lanzhou Lower Governor's Mansion will also be rebuilt into the Central Governor's Mansion. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the number of competent personnel. ”

"Oh? What good talents did Uncle Shi choose? Qin Mubai asked.

Li Tao smiled and said, "These people are going to work with your father and son in the future, of course, I have to ask your opinion first." I have selected a few people, and Your Majesty has appointed a few candidates, so I will inform you now—take them and see them! ”

After that, Li Tao took out a list, which was the official generals added to the Lanzhou Governor's Mansion this time.

The Central Governor's Mansion is a relatively large military base, and the highest governor is the Governor, with a rank of three grades. The three most important deputies are the other driver under the fourth grade, the long history under the fifth grade, and Sima under the fifth grade. In addition, there are several military officers such as soldiers, lawyers, soldiers, soldiers, cangs, and gongs, as well as other officials such as city orders, cheng, zuo, doctors, and assistant teachers. The structure of these officials is quite similar to that of the local Assassin's Office. However, because the Governor's Mansion is more inclined to govern the army, there is also a military establishment of the Governor's Guard. If, according to Li Tao, the number of soldiers and horses under the jurisdiction of the Lanzhou Governor's Mansion will reach 50,000, then according to the general establishment, there will be at least 20 military offices, and there will be more than 20 commanders.

In addition, the soldiers and horses of the Lanzhou Governor's Mansion are subordinate to the establishment of Zuo Weiwei. When Qin Shubao was first activated, he was awarded the rank of General Zuo Weiwei and the governor of Lanzhou. That's the veritable supreme military commander. Most of the officials under the Governor's Office, especially the military attachés, also held the positions of Governor's Guard and Governor's Office at the same time.

Qin Mubai glanced at the list of personnel given by Li Tao, the officers of the original Zuo Weiwei had not changed much, but the official position of the Governor's Mansion had been greatly changed. First of all, Sima and Changshi were replaced, and the two people who were replaced, Qin Mubai didn't expect - Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche, two brothers!

These two brothers have excellent martial arts and outstanding military achievements, and their prestige in the army is not small. Moreover, the current official rank is not low, and the generals who are assigned to the left Tunwei and the right Wuwei are the same as Qin Shubao, and they are one of the twelve generals of the three grades and on an equal footing; In addition, Xue Wanche is also Li Shimin's brother-in-law and a relative of the emperor.

It can be said that if it weren't for the emperor's reactivation of Qin Shubao, the founding veteran, not long ago, the prestige and fame of the Xue brothers now are far superior to Qin Shubao!

In addition to serving as Changshi and Sima, the Xue brothers transferred the rank of general of Benwei to the inspector, and General Zuo Weiwei (a total of two people, the deputy of the general) was also served by them. That is to say, their military rank was not lowered or Sanpin (the general of the inspection school), and the ministry officer was transferred to a general one level lower, serving as the deputy of the general Qin Shubao.

Due to the increase from the Lower Governor's Mansion to the Central Governor's Mansion, Lanzhou has added an adjutant official that only has the Central Governor's Mansion - Beijia, that is, the position second only to the Governor, is the highest civilian official who assists Qin Shubao in governing the people's livelihood.

This candidate is empty.

The other civil and military officials are not very important, and they are basically selected from the guards of the various prefectures and the yatai supervisors of the imperial court.

After Qin Mubai finished reading, he was silent for a long time and didn't speak.

"What are you thinking?" Li Tao drank the tea unhurriedly and asked with a smile.

"Uncle Shi, you are not an outsider either. The junior has something unclear and wants to ask. Qin Mubai said.

"Speak."

Qin Mubai didn't hide it anymore, so he said: "As everyone knows, the Xue brothers have made outstanding achievements in recent years, and my father has faded out of the court and army for many years, and he is also a little old, and his reputation is not as good as the Xue brothers. Now, His Majesty the Emperor has asked the Xue brothers to be my father's deputies...... How does this convince the two? If there is disharmony within the Governor's Palace, it will not be good. ”

Li Tao smiled disappreciatively, as if he had expected Qin Mubai's worries. He said: "Your Majesty has made such an arrangement, and we as courtiers should also be considerate. After all, Lanzhou is related to half of the west of the Tang Dynasty, and it is a barrier and a gate for the country. If you don't choose a good man, you won't be able to. If all the competent people chosen are united and hugged, it may not be what His Majesty wants to see. ”

As soon as Li Tao said this, Qin Mubai suddenly realized in his heart!

Yes, kings are suspicious!

Lanzhou, such an important military town, with an army of 50,000 in hand, directly facing the naked Tang Guanzhong, and controlling the Silk Road is related to the plan to dominate the Western Regions, it can be said that it can become a country of its own. If there is a change here, the risk to Datang will be more than a million times greater than that of Tubo!

Since the founding of Zhenguan, the Xue brothers have not been of the same faction as Qin Shubao and other old generals of the Qin Palace. Not to mention that there are contradictions with each other, at least they are secretly competing and not convinced. Li Shimin's intention to play this hand is obvious, that is, to make Lanzhou strong, and at the same time there are two obvious factions.

The emperor is the most disgusted by the partisan faction, but he is the most willing to take advantage of it. If there is a contradiction between the courtiers, it is convenient for the emperor to reconcile and control. If it's all a gang, it's a gang. If this is the case, Lanzhou, which is "a country of its own", will only know the governor and not the emperor at that time, which will not work.

After thinking about this layer clearly, Qin Mubai smiled with relief. The emperor's mind is like this. It can't be said that Li Shimin is narrow-minded, and the emperor also has the emperor's difficulties, it's just that!

So he didn't break the casserole on this issue and asked to the end, and changed the topic and said, "Then why is this other job vacant?" Well, there are also Yifu Lang generals of Zuo Weiwei, Zhonglang, Zuo Lang, and Right Lang Saburo are all vacant. ”

His Majesty the Emperor deliberately ordered this arrangement. Come to think of it, this other job is naturally yours. Li Tao smiled, "Your father is the governor, but he, like the Xue brothers, is from the military and is not good at civil governance. You are the most important addition to the three of them. ”

"That's interesting." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "I'm not driving, I'm still driving on the two Changshi and Sima of the Xue brothers." They're suffocated. ”

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. They govern the army and you govern the people, and each has its own division of labor. Li Tao said, "Moreover, in the army, the two generals can stand alone, but you are just the Yifu proximity in charge of Zuo Weiwei, and you are the general who follows your father." ”

"In other words, I may be the commander of Lanzhou Beijia and the general of Zuo Wei Weiyi's mansion, right?" Qin Mubai said.

"Very likely." Li Tao nodded, "But in the end, we have to wait for His Majesty the Emperor to decide." ”

Qin Mubai nodded and smiled, understanding in his heart. The emperor forcibly inserted the Xue brothers into the Lanzhou Governor's Mansion. In the Governor's Mansion, these two people were almost at the same level as him Qin Mubai, and they assisted Qin Shubao together; In the army, the two men shared the post of general and were nominally subordinate to Qin Shubao's subordinates, but they held enough military power to compete with Qin Shubao.

The father and son of the Qin family and the Xue brothers, this power is very intertwined. When the time comes, it will be difficult for you to fight for me without making trouble. But these four people are all people who have a bottom line and vision to do great things, and they will not miss state affairs because of private fights - from this point of view, Li Shimin's arrangement can be called exquisite. The emperor's city and mental skills can be said to be vividly displayed.

"The purpose of my request is for you to recommend two fierce generals, who will be appointed as the left and right generals of Zuo Wei Weiyi Mansion, that is, your left and right deputies in the army, and the generals of the general and the Chinese army." Li Tao said.

Qin Mubai smiled bitterly: "Who can I recommend?" It's still Uncle Shi who has the final say! ”

"Mu Bai, don't worry about anything." Li Tao smiled and said, "If you go to Lanzhou, there will definitely be a march and a war." When you are charging into battle, is it possible that you and your father will take the lead? That's not going to work! Therefore, it is necessary to have two handy lieutenants to take on the heavy responsibility of charging into battle. The Xue brothers are a pair of fierce generals, but your father and son will definitely not be able to summon them well. On the front line of the border, it can be fatal, you know? ”

Qin Mubai nodded and said, "However, I really don't have a suitable candidate!" It must be a fierce general, and it must be something that we can send at will. Such a character...... Not really! ”

"Why not?" Li Tao smiled mysteriously, "Aren't there several over there in King Wu's Mansion?" ”

"Huh?" After hearing this, Qin Mubai immediately shook his head, "They are King Wu's people!" ”

"That's also from the imperial court!" Li Tao said lightly.

When Qin Mubai heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little vigilant in his heart-what did Li Tao mean by this? What does he want me to poach from King Wu? Such things have always been the most unkind and hateful. With Li Tao's sleekness and deep insight into world affairs, how could he persuade me to do such a stupid thing?

After thinking about it, Qin Mubai thought that after returning to Beijing this time, he and Li Ke coincided with each other and thought that they would keep their distance from each other and draw a clear line. Li Ke also became more and more low-key, huddled in the house all day long, and even refused to preside over the engagement ceremony for Qin Mubai and Gao Yang, openly showing that the two had a conflict.

Thinking of this, Qin Mubai probably understood: Most of this is what Li Ke meant!

He is now an idle prince who has returned to Beijing, what else can he call for raising so many generals and soldiers and horses in the mansion? As soon as these people are idle, they may be poached at any point. After all, if the imperial court wants to use someone to transfer him to King Wu's command, that is a matter of one sentence. Above the court, I don't know how many people want to cut him Li Ke into a light pole.

Instead of waiting for people to dig into the corners of the wall and break their wings, it is better to take the initiative to give up sending these people out - giving them to Qin Mubai is of course the most cost-effective!

Moreover, the emperor may also intend to reduce the talent force around Li Ke. After all, he is a small concubine, and he has the right to live in the world, and there are Xue Rengui, Yuwen Hongtai, Yin Yang and other generations, where these people are placed, they are all first-class talents, and now they are all nested in Wu Wangfu. Not to mention that King Wei, the crown prince and others are not at ease, Li Shimin will feel dazzling if he sees too much!

"When Uncle Shi said this, I really remembered it." Qin Mubai didn't break it, and said with a smile, "Of the three fierce generals of the Wu Palace, two of them were recommended by me. That is Xue Rengui and Yuwen Hongtai. If these two are transferred to Zuo Weiyi's command, I will be able to send them handy. ”

"Then they are!" Li Tao didn't say much, and actually made a decision directly.

It seems that this is all tacit, and there is really a tacit understanding.

"In addition, the hundred horsemen who followed you to Xiangzhou in the past have also been transferred back, and they have returned to the hundred horse camp a few days ago." Li Tao said, "Your Majesty means that these people follow you to the south and the north to find friendship. When I got to the border and went to the battlefield, I wanted this kind of flesh and blood brother to take care of. Your Majesty said, you are his old man's precious son-in-law, and these hundred horsemen are still under your command, serving as military attachés such as Yifu Rank, Zhonghou, and Sige, and they will fight the Chinese army with you. ”

"Okay!" This made Qin Mubai a little overjoyed, those thirty brothers are the most intimate iron rods, with them by their side, they have to have multiple layers of confidence in their hearts.

"But Pang Fei didn't come back." Li Tao said, "He will take over the position of Xiangzhou Governor you left behind, and continue to stay there." The lad is nice and long. stunned from an ordinary pawn to grow into a one-sided captain. Mu Bai, I didn't expect you to be discerning and well-trained! ”

"Haha! Uncle Shi made fun of it! Qin Mubai was also very happy in his heart. Pang Fei, this kid, is now a real talent.

"That's pretty much it, that's it." Li Tao has always been crisp and neat. After finishing speaking, he folded the list and put it in his arms, and got up: "I'm leaving, I don't have to send it off." You have prepared early, and you will be leaving Beijing in the near future. ”

"Thank you, Uncle Shi!" Qin Mubai still sent him all the way out of the mansion.

Li Tao turned on his horse and left.

Qin Mubai paced in the courtyard, thinking left and right: Compared with the Lanzhou Governor's Mansion, Xiangzhou is really a table of wine. Went there, to face a real war with a real enemy. The situation will be more complex, both externally and internally. Moreover, it also shoulders the military plan of the Tang Dynasty, which can also be said to be a millennium plan related to the entire Chinese territory!

Well, a new challenge, again!