While thinking in his heart, Qin Mubai wandered around the Imperial Garden. It was already winter, most of the plants and trees were decaying, and the grass in the imperial garden was not too prosperous, so there was a sense of gloom.

The palace is very familiar to Qin Mubai. When they first met in the past, he and Princess Gaoyang left a lot of footprints and laughter here. It feels good to revisit the old place. He sat down by a gallery pavilion, and his mood was rare and peaceful.

After listening to Master Qingshan's talk that day, Qin Mubai felt that his state of mind was much calmer and more peaceful, and people seemed to settle down. Originally, Qin Mubai didn't have much interest in Buddhism, but now he felt that religion was not useless. Another day, if you are impetuous, irritable and bored in your chest, it may be a good idea to talk to Master Qingshan again.

was sitting alone thinking about something, when someone called out in the distance behind him: "Third brother? Is it the third brother? ”

Qin Mubai looked back, and an unusually tall figure was his eldest brother Qin Tong.

This half-brother has not been seen for a long time. Qin Mubai got up to meet him, and respectfully hugged his fists: "Foolish brother to meet brother!" ”

Datang attaches the most importance to filial piety, the father is not there, the eldest brother is like a father, and it is also appropriate to be righteous. And it has been a few days since he returned to Beijing, and Qin Mubai has never taken the time to visit his two elder brothers, and he is somewhat ashamed in his heart.

Qin Tong is a typical natural martial artist, a rugged man, and laughs unrestrainedly: "Haha! What a third brother! ”

He happily greeted Qin Mubai and hugged Qin Mubai's fists, and said with a happy smile: "I have heard that you are back, and the foolish brother can't pull away from the palace on an errand." Today's holiday, I was about to make an appointment with your second brother to return home with you to meet your mother, but I met you here, very good, very good! ”

"Shame on the foolish brother!" Qin Mubai said, "It's been a few days since I returned to Beijing, and I didn't take the initiative to visit the two brothers first. ”

"Third brother, what are you talking about!" Qin Tong waved his hand and smiled disapprovingly, "You are now a big celebrity in front of the emperor, and you are going to be a colt again, there must be a lot of things inside and outside, I don't blame you." It's good to be back, it's good to be back. Your second brother and I were ready to go to Lanzhou together, but my father didn't agree, and I didn't dare to wait. Now that our brothers are together, we should be a big white! ”

"That's it!" Qin Mubai was also very happy. Kiss or not, flesh and blood, brothers are brothers, they are always stronger than outsiders, there is no barrier.

The brothers were very interested, and they were going to go to Hongwen Hall to invite the second Qin Bin to return home together for a lively reunion.

When you arrive at the Wude Hall of Taiji Palace, it is the place where the emperor usually goes to court and deals with political affairs, and Hongwen Hall is not far from here. The brothers were about to pass by here, and just happened to meet Li Shimin's Luan, so they stood on the side of the road to greet them.

Today, the weather is sunny and the winter is shining, and Li Shimin is driving in the canopy car, and he also sees Qin Mubai from a distance. He stopped and waved to Qin Mubai: "Mubai, follow me to the imperial study, I just happened to find you something." ”

"Wechen obeys." Qin Mubai agreed to the promise and said to Qin Daodao, "Big brother, junior brother will come when he goes, you and the second brother will wait for me in Hongwen Pavilion." ”

"Okay, there you go!"

Qin Mubai followed Li Shimin's car into the imperial study. A big stove was raised in the room, and Chu Suiliang, the living room, was also there, recording Li Shimin's words and deeds from the side; Several eunuchs brought a large number of excerpts selected by the cabinet to put on the desk, and Li Shimin asked Qin Mubai to serve with ink from the side.

In the past, when I was a hundred horsemen, I did this kind of thing more than once. At that time, Li Shimin intended to cultivate Qin Mubai's talents in political affairs and broaden his knowledge, but now it seems that the results are not ordinarily good. Today's story is reactive, and Qin Mubai still feels quite familiar and friendly. Originally, Chu Suiliang did this kind of work, but now he is sitting on the side and writing a note, with a smile on his face, which is quite soft.

Chu Suiliang is a good person and worthy of intersection, Qin Mubai has always thought so.

After criticizing the twists and turns for a while, Li Shimin didn't say much, but occasionally asked Qin Mubai's opinion on the twists and turns, whether he listened or not, or refuted or agreed, not so much asking for a plan, but "discussing". In the past, Qin Mubai increased his talent and insight in such criticism and debate.

When the fold was almost done, Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief, put down his pen, and was about to take a break, so he took a walk in the room. Chu Suiliang is still sitting with a pen, recording the emperor's words and deeds.

Qin Mubai saw that Li Shimin had been talking and stopped, as if he was a little jealous of Chu Suiliang, so he took the initiative to say: "Your Majesty, Weichen just wandered around in the imperial garden, and saw that there was a sense of gloom, which is very different from the spring flowers and autumn moon, and you can use it to express your feelings." If Your Majesty is interested, you may wish to go for a walk there and rest. ”

"Okay!" Li Shimin immediately took over the words, turned around and said, "Chu Suiliang, you sort out the folds I just approved and take them to the Hongwen Pavilion and hand them over to Fang Xuanling." ”

"Yes." Chu Suiliang agreed to the promise, smiled at Qin Mubai knowingly, and went to clean up the folds.

The two of them walked out of the Wude Hall and came to the Imperial Garden, and after walking a few steps, Li Shimin reprimanded the eunuch and palace maid who followed a little farther away, and said, "Mu Bai, I have something to ask you. ”

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Li Shimin frowned and said, "Do you remember what I mentioned to you about making you the prince of the childish slave?" ”

"Weichen remembers, what's wrong?"

"That's right. After the Chinese New Year, the young slave will be fourteen years old. He should have opened his house two years ago. I remembered that he lost his mother at a young age, so I stayed by my side for two more years to accompany his little sister and son. But recently, I have been thinking about it, and it is not a way to keep him by my side, so it is better to let him go out of the palace and open the mansion to live by himself. Li Shimin paused when he said this, "What do you think?" ”

Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment: Is this matter to be asked about me? That's a strange question...... Listening to the meaning of Li Shimin's words, it seemed that he was not willing to let Li Zhi leave the palace and open the mansion, so he wanted to leave him in the harem to take care of him, and he was very doting on him. Could it be that someone could still put pressure on the emperor to get Li Zhi out of the palace?

Thinking of this, Qin Mubai's mind lit up: It's possible!

Linked to the scene when he went to the Weiguo Mansion to see Li Jing, Qin Mubai analyzed that now there seems to be a force in the court that even the emperor can't control, and some balance has been lost. This was probably brought about by the battle for succession, which in turn restricted the emperor from taking the initiative to choose a successor. Otherwise, why is the emperor in such a hurry to push me, Qin Mubai, a kid who has just entered the official career, to the top?

Isn't the purpose to balance the balance of power above the court and make it easier for him to control?

This is the emperor's mental technique.

Thinking about it, this force that can make the power of the court unbalanced, except for the eldest grandson Wuji, it seems that there will be no one else!

Only he, as Li Zhi's maternal uncle, is qualified to propose to let Li Zhi go out to open a mansion.

But what is his purpose?

Thinking of this, Qin Mubai couldn't help but feel a stir in his mind: In history, wasn't it the eldest grandson Wuji who vigorously supported his nephew Li Zhi to ascend the throne in the end?

I see! ……

"Your Majesty, Wei Chen thinks it's ......" Qin Mubai pondered his words for a moment and said vaguely, "This is just a family matter for Your Majesty." ”

"Well, that's a good point." Li Shimin also replied ambiguously, and the words suddenly changed, "It's a family matter, yes, but aren't you my son-in-law?" Son-in-law wins half a son, I ask you, right? ”

It seems that the emperor is determined to take this army. Qin Mubai smiled a little helplessly, but he also knew that he should answer after he had done enough to shirk this, so he said: "Actually, Weichen is thinking that His Royal Highness King Jin is at the age of right, but the Duke of Jin Yang is mainly separated from him, his own brother who has grown up with him since childhood, and it will be very lonely to be alone in the palace." In particular, Princess Jinyang's health is not very good, if this mood is not good, it is not a good thing for her! ”

Li Shimin's feet paused for a moment, his face actually showed a look of relief and gratitude, and he smiled very sincerely: "So I said, if you are my own son, how good it would be!" It's really good that you know how to think about flesh and blood affection more than anyone else. ”

Qin Mubai grinned and said, "Your Majesty doesn't need to praise you. In fact, Weichen has also been with King Jin and Princess Jinyang for a long time, and he knows that their brother and sister are deeply affectionate, so he didn't think too much about it. If the king of Jin wants to open a mansion, it will not be later than a year or two. It's not too late to wait for Princess Jinyang to grow up a little more and her body and bones to get better. ”

Li Shimin nodded thoughtfully, "This is heartwarming." I'll listen to you this time! ”

"Her Royal Highness Princess Jinyang on behalf of Weichen, thank you to my emperor!" Qin Mubai smiled and gave up his hand.

"Hehe, you kid!" Li Shimin laughed very comfortably, shook his shoulders vigorously like the two of them, and whispered to him, "Mu Bai, outside, you will open up the territory for me to eliminate the enemy; Inside, you share the family chores for me and solve problems. You're really a good fellow! Those ministers, whether they are relatives of the emperor or famous ministers and generals, are too selfish in doing things, and they don't take my feelings into account. It seems that I am not flesh and blood, I am not a son and a father, and I am sometimes really chilling. ”

"Your Majesty, it's not easy to be a minister, and it's even more difficult to be a king. This Weichen knows better than anyone else. Qin Mubai said, "Needless to say, Weichen himself is a courtier, when he was by His Majesty's side for a long time, he also had a deep understanding of His Majesty's distress!" In fact, Your Majesty is probably the hardest person in the world. ”

"Hey! I am really relieved to have your words! Li Shimin sighed deeply and said, "Everyone in the world is good for the powerful, you must not know, one power, one harm; One point is high, one point is bitter. The more you gain, the more you lose. I am determined to be a good emperor, and I have actually sacrificed a lot for this goal. Some happiness and beauty that ordinary people can easily enjoy are simply unattainable extravagance for me! Sometimes I'm tired and tired, let alone take a break, and I don't even have a confidant to talk to...... No one knows my suffering! ”

Qin Mubai smiled slightly: "Concubine Yinde, isn't it Your Majesty's bosom friend?" ”

"Oh?" Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, then laughed, and grabbed Qin Mubai's shoulders hard to knock him down, "Stinky boy, it must have been Gao Yang's stupid girl who told you, right?" Ha ha! You are so bold that you dare to meddle in my private affairs! ”

"Haha, Your Majesty forgives your sins!" Qin Mubai also laughed, and turned around and dodged away from under Li Shimin's arm.

"Alas! The weather is really nice today, and I'm happy! It's been a long time since I've been so relaxed like today! Not to mention, I haven't moved for a few days - Mu Bai, accompany me to the Imperial Forest Garden of Daming Palace to shoot and hunt! Li Shimin was in great interest.

"Wechen obeys!"

"Be careful, don't let Wei Zheng's old bull nose know? - Haha! ”

"Don't worry, Wechen will arrange it." Qin Mubai smiled and retreated. Find the hundred cavalry officers who are on duty nearby, let them get all the hunting outfits, stuff them in the carriage and drag them out of the Xuanwu Gate first. Li Shimin also changed into military clothes and rode on a horse, and went out of the Xuanwu Gate with Qin Mubai and a team of 100 horsemen.

Hunting is the best winter pastime. Li Shimin, the emperor immediately, has always had this hobby. It's just that he has always been "criticized and educated" by Wei Zheng and others because of this matter, so he has been very restrained in recent years. Today's mood is so good, I can't care about it. Accompanied by Qin Mubai and others, he hunted happily, and he really gained a lot. Li Shimin also showed his good equestrian skills and martial arts in front of Qin Mubai for the first time. From Qin Mubai's point of view, he would never lose to generals like himself and the Xue brothers, at most he was slightly inferior to Xue Rengui's magic arrow.

On the return trip, the sun was already in the west, and Li Shimin was quite relaxed physically and mentally. He talked a lot with Qin Mubai, the current affairs of the country, national customs, and family and private affairs. even vaguely mentioned that Concubine Yin De could come back, he was actually very happy. It's just that for the sake of face, I don't want to say it clearly.

When he arrived outside the Xuanwu Gate, Li Shimin stopped his horse and let those hundred horsemen wait in front of the door, then stood side by side with Qin Mubai and said, "Mubai, in fact, I have been thinking about one thing. I'm going to make a statement for you today. ”

"What is your majesty thinking?" Qin Mubai asked.

"It's about the vacancy of the general of the Left Guard." Li Shimin said, "Previously, General Zuo Wei was my brother-in-law, Huo Guogong Chai Shao, but he had died of illness. Since then, the post of General of the Left Guard has been vacant. You know, Zuo Wei is the head of the sixteen guards of the Tang Dynasty, and it is extremely important to command the elite Gongwei Beijing Division of Gyeonggi. Unless you are competent and trustworthy, you will not be competent. For the position of this general, many people are fighting for the first time, which makes me annoyed. Tell me today, who would be the right person to be in the role? ”

"This ......" Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment, and said blankly, "Such a military event, Wei Chen'an dares to speak presumptuously?" ”

"It doesn't matter. I asked, and you said. To be honest, there is no need to go around the bend under the guise of a corner. Also, I may not accept what you say, but I just listen to one more opinion. Li Shimin's expression was relaxed, just like chatting.

Qin Mubai wrinkled his brows and said, "If you want to say that this left guard is indeed very important, you have to be the most trusted and powerful person of Your Majesty to be competent." When Weichen first entered the military force, he didn't know much about the generals in the army. In terms of impressions and feelings, the candidates are none other than these. ”

"Tell me."

Qin Mubai said: "First, Wei Chi Jingde. The second is Cheng Zhijie, the third is Li Daliang, and the fourth is Li Junxian. ”

After hearing this, Li Shimin wrinkled his brows and pondered for a moment, shook his head, and said, "Wei Chi Jingde and Cheng Zhijie are definitely not good. These two were originally one of the generals of the Sixteen Guards, and now they are both managing troops at the border or in the state and county, and their responsibilities are not small. Didn't I transfer any of them back as the general of the Left Guard, tearing down the east wall and making up the west wall? Li Daliang can't either. He is too old, and his health has not been very good in recent years, and he is almost becoming a medicine jar. Moreover, he is the general of the right guard, which is similar to the left guard! ”

"Huh!" Qin Mubai smiled bitterly, "Your Majesty, Weichen has said it, but he really can't come up with any good ideas." ”

"No, you kid is not honest, he refuses to tell the truth, and he is perfunctory!" Li Shimin's face became serious and glared at Qin Mubai.

"Well, this ......" Qin Mubai smiled embarrassedly, "Your Majesty, such a military matter, Wei Chen is indeed not good to say. Moreover, Weichen himself is also the person in charge of the army, isn't it suspected of being a melon field? ”

"Oh, I see what you mean." Li Shimin smiled, "You actually want to say that you yourself are the most suitable person, right?" ”

"No, that's not what Weichen meant." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Weichen has his own position, Lanzhou is very important, and Weichen has no plans to leave there." There, to say the least, you have to stay for three or five years to get things done there. ”

"That's a big truth." Li Shimin nodded, "So, I'm going to promote Li Junxian." Although he is not particularly capable, he is loyal and I can use it well. Jingguan, especially the general who led the troops in front of the Emperor, such a person is quite suitable. ”

Li Shimin nodded: "It's pretty good." ”

Regarding the official position of General Zuowei, Qin Mubai is not completely without illusions. How to say, it is also the head of the general of the regular army of the Sixteen Guards. Although there are no hundred horsemen to make those wind and dazzling, but there is really real power in their hands. However, Qin Mubai also knows his current weight and weight, and it would be good to be able to run Lanzhou well first. The rest, when the time comes, will naturally come naturally, and there is no hurry.

"But then, the problem arises again." Li Shimin said, "Li Junxian is riding in a hundred horses, and now there is no one to replace him!" He is both a deputy envoy and a chief historian, and he has been the de facto commander since you left the Hundred Horsemen. I've been picking people who can replace him, but none of them seem to be too handy. The other two deputy envoys of the hundred cavalry, Chi Baoyun and Cheng Huaibi, are not outstanding, and they can't be said to be incompetent, so that's all. If I didn't have Li Junxian, I was really worried that the team would disperse. Do you know that there are now one or two thousand people in the Hundred Cavalry, and they are constantly sending talents to the Tang Army. ”

Qin Mubai's heart lit up: Understood! After a long detour, Li Shimin actually wanted me to recommend him a person who could let him rest assured to take over the hundred horses! After all, I built the Hundred Horses single-handedly, and who else has a better say in this matter than me?

"Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that the establishment of the hundred horsemen is already very perfect, and now it is not impossible to replace it with a commander who can 'keep it'." Qin Mubai said, "In other words, the kind of person who is loyal and reliable, and who works honestly." ”

"Hit the nail on the head." Li Shimin nodded and smiled with satisfaction, "Then tell me, who is suitable?" ”

Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile, arched his hand and said: "As the saying goes, you don't avoid relatives and enemies when you move inside, so you can say it." ”

"Tell me, who?" Li Shimin looked at Qin Mubai with interest.

"My eldest brother Qin Tong, second brother Qin Bin. The two can serve as deputy envoy and chief historian respectively to fill the vacancy left by Li Junxian. Qin Mubai said.

"Haha! You stinky boy, you really dare to say it! Li Shimin laughed, looked at Qin Mubai with deep meaning, and suddenly whipped on the horse's buttocks and rushed forward, throwing a sentence to Qin Mubai-

"I'll go back to the palace and think about it again!"

The corners of Qin Mubai's mouth were lightly raised, revealing a smile, and he said secretly: If one person gains the Tao, the chicken and dog will ascend to heaven. Even Yuwen Hongtai, Xue Rengui, Pang Fei and Tu Youhai have been promoted by me, how can they treat my two brothers badly? Baiqi, the ace division I built with my own hands, the current Datang Military Academy, and can it fall into the hands of others? Li Shimin went around and talked for a long time, or did he just rest assured that my Qin family would be in charge of the hundred horses-isn't it exactly this kind of intention?

This army of hundred horsemen is different from the rest. In other armies, if you take the appointment letter and military talisman of the imperial court, then the officers and soldiers will obey your orders. This is not the case in the hundred cavalry, everyone in this army has a natural sense of pride and superiority, and the nature of this team is also extremely special, it is the emperor's personal bodyguard, and the emperor must first be reassured.

If a fresh face is suddenly inserted into it, it is certain that he will be excluded, and it is difficult to say that the emperor and these people in the harem are not at ease.

From this point of view, Qin Tong and Qin Bin are too suitable. Both of them are descendants of the Qin family, Qin Tong has been a general of the Imperial Forest Army for many years, and Qin Bin is a member of the emperor's think tank, the two are quite familiar with the palace, and the emperor also knows them well. In addition, the two of them are Qin Mubai's own brothers, and they have entered the army of hundred cavalry, who dares to disagree? This also solves the big problem that may be crowded out of them within the Hundred Riders.

In this way, these two brothers seem to be the best candidates to be there early to fill the vacancy of the hundred horses!

Qin Mubai's heart was very happy. For a long time, although he himself has been hanging the title of a hundred horsemen who inspect the school, he always feels that the hundred horsemen are drifting away from him, and at most there is only a little "spiritual power" left. Now fortunately, if the emperor can appoint his two brothers as deputy envoys and chief historians, it will undoubtedly be a declaration that the hundred horsemen are back in his hands.

What a lot of capital to lose and regain!

[This chapter is nearly 1,006 words, and there will be another chapter later.] How's that, the recent update is amazing, right? Justifiably ask for red ticket encouragement! ]