Qin Mubai returned to the pavilion and was not in a hurry to rest. The entourage of hundreds of horsemen called hot water to wash his feet, and he held a copy of "Liangcheng Geography", reading at will with the bean yellow oil beans, and roughly understanding some local customs and historical evolution.

"The young marshal is really attentive, no wonder he has become a human being." The pawn who washed his feet said coldly, "Characters of this generation like me, after dealing with errands, they only think about going to Fireworks Alley to have fun and have fun, wine and wealth, where can they still read at night like the young marshal?" ”

Qin Mubai couldn't help but be happy, and said with a smile: "You can also be slapped by you when you look at local chronicles, your kung fu is better than mine." Everyone has their own strengths. ”

The pawn nodded thoughtfully and seriously, and said, "Then what does the young marshal like about Hou Junji?" I think that guy is old-fashioned, even if he has some ability, he is also a stinky temper. Such a person is not a good lord to serve anywhere! ”

"Heh, you're quite knowledgeable." Qin Mubai laughed.

"That's it." The pawn smiled and said, "Even if it's a stubborn iron, you have to open up something after following the young marshal for a long time." Young marshal, I'm afraid you don't know how people outside tell you, right? said that you are a rare genius in a hundred years, both civil and military are exquisite, and God favors you everywhere, and even the woman who throws her arms to you is also the best in the world, I don't know how many people envy you. ”

"Is there one?" Qin Mubai smiled indifferently.

"Of course!" The pawn said seriously, "It's not a few miles yet!" - However, they only saw the scenery of the young marshal, but did not see the hard work and efforts of the young marshal. If you want me to say, this person has his own life, but how to grasp this life depends on himself. Although the young marshal was born as a general, he is much better than you in this world, and I haven't seen the second Qin young marshal in the Tang Dynasty, right? ”

"Haha!" Qin Mubai laughed and said, "Okay, I have to learn from you this sycophancy." ”

"Hey, hey!"

After washing his feet, the pawn left with the basin of water. Qin Mubai sat on the couch and moved the oil lamp to the head of the bed, ready to read a book for a while and rest.

At this moment, there was a string of small footsteps outside the door. Qin Mubai's martial arts practitioner was clear and deaf to hear it, but he was suspicious in his heart: This footstep is so familiar, and it is definitely not the sergeant next to me - how can there be such a slight sound from the feet of a big man?

With a cold spirit in his heart, Qin Mubai suddenly turned over in surprise, but he carefully lightened his steps and movements, and tiptoed to the door.

"Tuk tuk", there was a knock on the door.

Qin Mubai muffled and didn't agree.

At this time, a female voice sounded outside the door: "Hey, didn't you say that your general was still washing and fell asleep so soon?" ”

"The villain doesn't know, so the girl will take care of herself." The voice of the answer was far away, and it was obvious that the pawn was very "knowledgeable" and did not follow closer.

Qin Mubai is already in full bloom!

The person outside the door is not Wu Meiniang - who else could it be?

"That's it, don't bother him, I'll come back tomorrow."

Qin Mubai was anxious.

I wanted to hide behind the door to scare her, but I didn't think she was leaving.

So he turned around and opened the door - "Mei Niang, I didn't sleep!" ”

Wu Meiniang stood in front of the door with her elbows in her hands, obviously not half surprised or intimidated, her face was full of "as expected" expression, and she said with a smile: "What, do you want to scare me in the middle of the night?" ”

"Come on in!"

Qin Mubai was not polite to her at all, grabbed her wrist and dragged her into the room, and reflexively closed the door.

"Ah, you're hurting me...... Woo, don't do that! ……”

Wu Meiniang couldn't make a sound anymore, and her mouth seemed to be blocked by something.

After a long time.

Wu Meiniang finally got out of Qin Mubai's arms, her sideburns were messy and panting, she wiped her sweat in a little panic, and complained: "Bad guy! …… People are looking for you for important business, but you only think about some crooked ways, and you are not serious! ”

"Ahem! …… Which of the two of us just did something that wasn't 'important'? Qin Mubai smiled evilly, swallowed a mouthful of saliva and barely suppressed the fire in Teng Teng's heart, poured her a cup of tea to help her sit down, and said softly: "I drove to Lanzhou in the middle of the night to find me, there must be something important." Say, what is it? When did you arrive in Lanzhou, did the father and daughter of the King of Jiangxia and Su Lie come to Lanzhou with you? ”

"With so many questions, which one should I answer first?" Wu Meiniang took a sip of tea and was still a little panting, and rolled her eyes at Qin Mubai, still looking a little resentful, but the smoke in her eyes flowed and love was blurred, which made Qin Mubai's heart ripple more and more.

"Hurry up and talk about it first!" Qin Mu's white heart was ape, and she couldn't help but hold her soft little hand in her palm again, and rubbed it carefully.

"The grain transport team encountered a storm 170 miles west of Lanzhou, and it was a combination of mudslides and strong winds and sand, and it was unable to walk." Wu Meiniang's expression became a little grim, and she said, "The team of more than 10,000 people is detained there, and it consumes a lot of people to eat horses and chew every day. And the people are panicked, the tired and homesick people are clamoring to throw down the grain and grass and return to Guanzhong and even coax and snatch people, I can't stop the scene. I'm afraid that it won't be long before this batch of grain and grass that has been transported to Lanzhou with all the hard work will be lost. ”

"And that kind of thing?" Qin Mubai frowned and said, "Isn't there still King Jiangxia and Su Lie and three thousand iron armor who are on the same road with you?" Why don't they help you? ”

Wu Meiniang smiled bitterly and said, "Mu Bai, are you really confused or fake?" You arranged for me to go with them...... However, I am a businessman, and they are royalty and dignitaries. Just because you don't mind doesn't mean others don't mind. Well, even if they really don't mind, I can't salivate with this face and really go in and out with them, right? Moreover, the king of Jiangxia brought Princess Wencheng to Chang'an to discuss the marriage, and he was a state envoy, how could he go all the way with a large number of people who were in a miasma? ”

Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment, and said guiltily: "I'm sorry, I didn't think it through...... Wouldn't you be the only one who escorted the grain and grass all the way? ”

"And a few of my henchmen and maids......

"It's hard for you." Qin Mubai clenched her hand distressedly, gritted his teeth, strode to the door, and shouted, "Someone!" ”

"What does the young marshal command?" Someone immediately came to answer the promise.

"I will send my letter to Lanzhou on a fast horse in the starry night, and I will order Shi Xiaoliang to dispatch Yifu soldiers and horses to the east of Lanzhou City one hundred and seventy miles away to receive grain and grass as quickly as possible, there must be no mistake!"

"No!" The pawn turned around and was about to leave.

"Wait!" Wu Meiniang suddenly came out and stopped the pawn, turned around and said to Qin Mubai, "No, I have to go back with me immediately." Otherwise, those people only recognize me, and don't recognize Xiao Liang and the army in Lanzhou, and if there is a riot or panic, it will be even worse. ”

"You don't have to work so hard, my subordinates can understand this little thing." Qin Mubai didn't let her go.

"Mu Bai." Wu Meiniang covered his hand, looked up at him sincerely, and said softly, "Let's still have time, isn't it?" ”

Qin Mubai's heart was hot, and he clenched her hand with pity and guilt, and said, "Then rest for one night and then leave, no later than this moment." ”

"The three armies have not moved the grain and grass first, this is the lifeblood of your Lanzhou, and it is the heart and liver of my Wuzhao. The overall situation is important, why not be tired? - You don't have to say go with me, you have your business, and I can do such small things. Wu Meiniang smiled, pursed her lips and nodded, and said, "It will only take a few days to go back and forth, and then we will meet in Lanzhou." ”

After that, Wu Meiniang didn't hesitate to look back and left.

Qin Mubai was relieved.

Come fast, go faster. Wu Meiniang, this fiery and decisive style is better than a man.

Thinking about it, Qin Mubai was even a little ashamed. Because of Fang Cai, he desperately hoped that Wu Meiniang could stay and finish the things that the two of them had just "not finished" in the room. But Wu Meiniang's heart was only filled with those grains and grasses.

Perhaps, in her opinion, it is not just a batch of grain and grass and a batch of goods.

Now Wu Meiniang is already very rich. With only 300,000 stones of grain and grass, even if all the chickens and eggs beat her, she can afford to pay for it, and she can't touch his heart and liver. Although she is a businesswoman, she is not the kind of miser who cherishes money like her life.

"This is the lifeblood of your Lanzhou, and it is the heart and liver of my Wuzhao", which is a promise and a wish.

The heart is connected, there is a woman like this, what more can the husband ask for?

This night, Qin Mubai couldn't sleep well. Somehow it was until dawn, Xue Wanche came to invite, and the two went to the barracks together to supervise the relocation and change of guards.

"The rain stopped today, but the roads were very muddy and the progress was not fast." Xue Wanche frowned and said with a sad face, "I already know the priority of the matter, and I don't dare to slack off." Why don't you hand over the matter here to the humble post, how about the young marshal return to Lanzhou as soon as possible to preside over the overall situation? ”

"What, rush me away?" Qin Mubai smiled, "This is not hospitality!" ”

"Ahem, ahem! ......" Xue Wanche coughed twice in embarrassment, and said with a warm smile, "Young marshal, isn't there another 'important matter'?" ”

Qin Mubai knew that he was referring to what Wu Meiniang had come to, and said with a smile: "The most important thing in Lanzhou at the moment is to change the defense in Liangzhou. As for my personal affairs, I can take care of anything. ”

Xue Wanche blinked his eyes and whispered, "What...... People, came overnight, and left overnight? Is there a need for lowly service? ”

"You're asking too much." Qin Mubai smiled, "If I want to go to the cave room, can you also help?" ”

"Huh? Ha, haha! Xue Wanche smiled dumbly, waved his hand and said, "It's a lowly job...... Well, that Hou Junji still hasn't returned to the official mansion. ”

Qin Mubai nodded, "Let him go." Don't worry about him, as long as he doesn't do anything out of the ordinary. ”

Xue Wanche answered the promise and asked, "Why should the young marshal be obsessed with him?" Yes, he is capable and talented, but he is also too obedient and wild to be tamed. At present, my Lanzhou is full of talents, and the young marshal is full of echoes, why is there a lack of a Hou Junji? Moreover, judging from the experience of leading soldiers for lowly officials, adding a wild and untamed fierce horse in vain to a group of tame good horses may also have a very bad effect. ”

"I understand what you mean, you are afraid that even if Hou Junji agrees to be with us, it will be really difficult to control and will bring bad consequences, right?" Qin Mubai smiled disappreciatively and said, "The sea is tolerant of all rivers, and tolerance is great." I, Qin Mubai, want to manage thousands of territories and lead the Li people's army, if I can't even accommodate one Hou Junji in my chest, how can I accommodate others? …… Hou Junji, his shortcomings and advantages are as prominent. If he can make the most of his strengths and avoid his weaknesses, his role is immeasurable. ”

"But I see that he is self-agitating and absurd, and he is already broken and disheartened." Xue Wanche said, "Such a person, even if he has the ability, I'm afraid he won't be useful." ”

"Hehe, you're wrong." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "The more he is like this, the more it shows that he is unwilling to be unconvinced, and he still has ambitions and ambitions in his heart." ”

"Huh?" Xue Wanche was surprised, "Why didn't I see it?" I think he's just desperate, and one day at a time. ”

Qin Mubai didn't talk right away, was silent for a moment, and said, "A few years ago, my father was exactly like him. The health is not good, and the temper is very bad every day, and the heroes of the past are like two people. But now, without me having to say, you know that. ”

"So?" Xue Wanche blinked as if he didn't understand, "What does the young marshal mean is that as long as Hou Junji still has a temper and continues to be like this, the more it means that he still has ambitions and ambitions?" ”

"That's right." Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "In fact, in this world, anyone who is outstanding in a certain aspect will have a bit of a strange temper. Hou Junji, the march and battle are definitely far better than me. If I don't use him in Liangzhou, then I will be jealous and jealous, and I don't care why he was demoted to Liangzhou. Actually, he didn't disappoint me at all. I didn't complain at all about his cold reception and rudeness, on the contrary, I was very happy. There is a sentence you have put in place, as long as he still has a temper, it still proves that he still has ambition in his heart, and he still has the desire to display his talents. On the other hand, if it is me who is available and submissive to me, it proves that he is really content with the status quo and has no hope. I don't want that kind of Hou Junji. ”

"It seems that the young marshal is proficient in the way of recognizing and employing people...... Xue Wanche suddenly realized, "No wonder the more rude Hou Junji is to you, the more peaceful you are." But...... Is the young marshal really sure to subdue him? I think that at the beginning, he was one of the best people in the military in the government and the opposition, how could he be willing to be subordinate? It is estimated that except for His Majesty the Emperor, there is no one who can subdue his fierce horse! ”

Qin Mubai looked into the distance, smiled faintly, and said, "Of course I don't have the ability to domesticate a fierce horse like Your Majesty. But I'm sure that this fiery horse won't be willing to die nameless. Now, there is only me Qin Mubai in the whole world, who can give him a chance to gallop. I won't look for him again. However, he will definitely come to me. ”

"Definitely?" Xue Wanche was obviously very skeptical of his judgment.

"Yes. Certain. Qin Mubai wrote lightly, "I will be in Lanzhou for a few more days." Not surprisingly, within three days, Hou Junji will come to see me on his own initiative. ”

"I don't believe it." Xue Wanche shook his head very unceremoniously this time and said, "Hou Junji's arrogance and stubbornness, that is unsurpassed. If you want to say that he will kneel down and beg His Majesty the Emperor to pardon him and return to the court, I still believe it. To say that he came to beg the young marshal...... It's rude to say it, and I don't believe it if I am killed! ”

Qin Mubai smiled indifferently and said lightly: "You must not be beaten to death, otherwise, who will help me suppress Ganliang?" ”

Xue Wanche laughed. This feeling of being needed is very useful.

In Qin Mubai's heart, his thoughts were quite clear.

Li Jing once taught him that there is a specialization in the art industry, and no one is omnipotent. A character like him, Qin Mubai, who dabbles in everything, can be regarded as excellent, but he is definitely not outstanding.

In business and financial management, Qin Mubai is not as good as Wu Meiniang and Zheng Anshun; Governing the people, he may be on the same level as his deputy Lanzhou Thorn Shi Xiaoliang, and compared with Fang Xuanling's eldest grandson Wuji, he can't catch up even if he pat the horse; Marching and fighting, there are more people who are stronger than him, not to mention the farther, there are his father, the Xue brothers and Hou Junji closely.

However, if you can gather these people who have outstanding skills around you and use them for your own use, you will be in another higher realm - the royal people.

Li Jing said that he would no longer teach Qin Mubai the Art of War, what he had learned was enough. From now on, Qin Mubai should learn the way of being an official and learn the art of guarding people. Using each other's strengths to make up for their own shortcomings and making the best use of their talents is the most profound art of war, and it is also the most profound art of war.

Historically, only those in higher positions have learned and mastered such "art of war".

Now, Qin Mubai has taken over the big stall in Lanzhou. You can't afford it on your own. So, he needed helpers, a lot of helpers who were good and skilled, and who were quite good.

At present, the civil official group is led by Xiao Liang and others, and they can still respond to the government for the time being. Lanzhou is a place of many battles, and generals in the army are especially important. My father led Xue Rengui, Yuwen Hongtai and Qibi He Li and others to Gaochang, where a lot of manpower, material resources and human resources may be needed if anything is to be built. At present, there are only the Xue brothers and Su Dingfang in his hands, and if he goes to his father's side to divide one or two, the manpower at hand will be stretched.

In particular, there is a lack of senior handsome talents like Hou Junji who can lead the big war and stand alone.

Regarding Hou Junji's ability to march and fight, Qin Mubai had to admit that among the three disciples of Wei Gong's family, he was better than himself and Su Dingfang, at least, he was more experienced. And compared with Qin Mubai and Su Dingfang, they are still fledgling stunned boys at all. Even if he can surpass him one day in the future, it will be a very "future" thing.

Instead of crossing the river by feeling the stones yourself, why not move a ready-made bridge?

Hou Junji, in Qin Mubai's strategic layout, is such a ready-made bridge.

He's ambitious, and that's a good thing. That is not only his source of motivation, but also his life, Qin Mubai just took advantage of this, first punished his heart, and then let him use his heart.

If people have no desire and ambition, they will become a stubborn rock on the side of the road, worthy of only being abandoned and ignored.

Therefore, Qin Mubai firmly believes that he has no ambition and no heart. With Hou Jun in hand, Lanzhou is like a tiger with wings; In the future, there will be more trump cards in his hand and another layer of confidence in his chest.

Compared with the expected big returns in the future, at present, because Hou Junji has racked his brains, spent a little bit of his lips, and received a little cold reception, this investment is already a very cost-effective investment.

Whether it is considered from the immediate or long-term perspective, it is imperative to subdue Hou Junji.