Lanzhou, after returning from Qin Mubai, it was like the soul returning to the body, everything was back on track, and gradually regained its former vitality. Although the Silk Road trade route has not yet been fully opened, there are hundreds of thousands of people in Qianli County, Helong, and it is in the period of "great development", so there are still huge business opportunities. As a result, the business travel in the mainland became active again, shuttling back and forth between Lanzhou and Guannei, and the clear sound of the camel bell woke up the sleeping Gobi and injected a trace of fresh blood into Lanzhou.

Among the countless caravans that came and went, there was a recognized leader in the business world, and that was naturally the Wu Clan's firm.

Whether it is in the business industry or outside the circle, everyone unanimously agrees that the Wu firm, which has Qin Mubai behind him, will be the undisputed business leader in Helong. It is very tacit that Chang'an Zheng, the largest businessman in the Tang Dynasty, did not set foot in Lanzhou for half a point, and gave up this huge commercial profit margin to Wu's firm. Not only that, but a large number of silk, grain, and even forbidden items such as salt and iron transported by the Wu Clan from the mainland could be fetched at very low prices. Naturally, there is also the Zheng family who secretly provides great convenience.

The layman looks at the bustle, and the insider looks at the doorway. Just when those small merchants and peddlers were coveting the huge profits made by the Wu family's business, there were also some shrewd and sensitive people, who vaguely thought of something - why the Wu family's business was no longer based on Qin Xian wine as before, but turned to dealing in sensitive materials such as grain, salt and iron. Connecting with the particularity of Lanzhou and the newly appointed lord of Lanzhou and Wu Meiniang's husband Qin Mubai, many people have come to a conclusion that cannot be proven - Wu Meiniang has now become a complete official businessman or even a military businessman. Everything she is doing now is no longer purely for money, but for the military, for politics!

Recently, Qin Mubai has also changed. Maybe he was influenced by Hou Junji and Wu Meiniang, or maybe he had experienced too many things and his thinking had some changes, and he began to "act boldly".

A ban is enough to make his "ambition" clear-under the rule of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion in Fanlanzhou, except for the Wu Clan firm appointed and authorized by the Metropolitan Governor's Office, no caravan is allowed to operate official materials such as grain, salt and iron, otherwise it will be punished for the crime of treason against the enemy!

If this is in the mainland, Jingshi, no matter who it is, even if the emperor changes to do this, it will immediately attract scolding and countless impeachments. But Qin Mubai didn't care. Now there are only four words left in his mind - dare to do.

Since the court doesn't give me money and food for soldiers and horses, don't you allow me to reach out and earn it myself? In the final analysis, isn't it for the peace of Helong and the military plan? If someone wants to impeach, let him go; The emperor will blame, and he will blame; As long as I, Qin, have one day to sit in this Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, this matter must be done step by step according to my own steps!

In just two months, Wu's firm dominated the Helong business community; Qin Mubai's name is either thunderous or notorious, anyway...... The streets and alleys are all talking about him.

In the past two months, Qin Mubai was busy with military affairs, often eating and living in the barracks, and he had to train the newly arrived "Vulcan Army"; Second, he had to train his soldiers and horses and secretly prepare for recruiting troops and horses, going back and forth between various states and counties and horse herding supervisors, often not returning to the government for ten days and a half months, and third, he was ready to build a "military academy" in Lanzhou that imitated the hundred horses, but it was only called "Anxi Yifu" to the outside world, which meant a guard team trained by Marshal Qin Shubao for the capital of Anxi.

The core confidential figures of Anxi Yi Mansion, in addition to Qin Mubai, the "old principal" of the hundred horses, there are also Su Dingfang and a hundred hundred horsemen. After the core was formed, Qin Mubai selected suitable henchmen (such as some low-level officers who had originally graduated from the Hundred Cavalry) to join the Yifu from the elite Yue Cavalry of the Yi Mansion that he brought from Chang'an, and formed a solid team of the Anxi Yi Mansion.

In the huge backyard of the Lanzhou Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, a mysterious new military camp quietly appeared, which was the camp of the "Anxi Yi Mansion". The military regulations here are strict and guarded, except for Qin Mubai and Su Dingfang, no one is allowed to enter and leave at will.

In the beginning, 600 students were accommodated. It is estimated that half of them will be eliminated within three months, and only 300 people will remain. With the addition of the original team, there are only 500 people in Anxi Yifu. Coupled with the newly arrived 500 Vulcan Army, there are only a thousand people in this mysterious camp - it is the trump card in Qin Mubai's hands that will not be easily revealed, but has the ability to turn the tide and turn the tide!

Qin Mubai was busy, and Wu Meiniang was even busier than him. In addition to traveling back and forth between the mainland and various states and counties in Lanzhou, the affairs of the new firm were enough to make her anxious. Suffering from lack of manpower, Wu Meiniang sent letters to Xiangzhou and Chang'an again and again, urging the original team who were detained there to deal with the aftermath to end the affairs in hand as soon as possible and rush to Lanzhou to help.

So not long after, the martial mother Yang, the Wu family brothers, etc., as well as Wu Meiniang's previous group of capable housekeepers, all gathered in Lanzhou. At this time, Qin Mubai had to admire Wu Meiniang's foresight, the Qiongyu Villa she had prepared very early had now become the base camp of the Wu family's business. The whole mountain villa has been full of 100 people, day and night, the lights are not turned off, and the cars and horses are like dragons, and it has become the most prestigious commercial center in the land of Helong!

Seeing the unprecedented grandeur of Qiongyu Villa, Qin Mubai always unconsciously thought of places such as Ruishi Bank, New York, and Shanghai's commercial streets. At the same time, I sighed, Wu Meiniang, she is really an unborn genius!

On this day, Qin Mubai returned from the parade in the field army camp outside the city, and discussed with Su Dingfang about the military plane and gossiped to take a break. Today is also the day of the "competition" agreed between Hou Junji and Li Daozong a long time ago. As it turned out, both men had a couple of brushes. In just one or two months, the soldiers and horses have been trained to the fullest. This kind of competition can't be judged by life and death, and Hou Junji doesn't really know how to find Li Daozong to win or lose, bet on people's heads or drill down the crotch, plus Qin Mubai mediates, this matter will be over.

As a result, Li Daozong helped Qin Mubai build a step for Hou Junji to come down, and Hou Junji also got off the slope and bought this favor, and joined Qin Mubai's camp half-pushed. Today, Qin Mubai handed over the command of the 30,000 field army of Lanzhou and the elite Yue cavalry of the 10,000 metropolitan governors of Yifu to Hou Junji, the "general of Yifu". Hou Junji did not shirk, and immediately opened his mouth to ask Qin Mubai for money, food and equipment, and urged him to recruit troops as soon as possible.

Qin Mubai was secretly happy in his heart. These signs show that Hou Junji has indeed been suffocated for a long time. Immediately after getting down this step, he stepped into character. Now, he can't wait to make a big move. Only 40,000 soldiers and horses were handed over to him, which is a little less, but for people like Hou Junji, the soldiers are not more than fine, and the soldiers are not brave but strategic, and 40,000 soldiers and horses are enough for him to interpret a legend.

"Young marshal, I heard about a small matter today, and I am very surprised." After chatting about military affairs, Su Dingfang said, "Do you still remember Liu Shanyin, the young secretary of Honglu Temple who sent an envoy to Tibet? ”

"I remember, it's been more than a month. What's wrong? Qin Mubai asked.

"When I returned to the city today, I passed by the Lanzhou Pavilion Station and went in to ask for a glass of water. There he met Liu Shanyin's eldest son, Liu Yi. Su Dingfang said, "Isn't this strange? Liu Shanyin sent an envoy to Tibet, so why did he bring his son to Lanzhou? Not only that, he himself has been in Tibet for more than a month, and Liu Yi still lives in the pavilion. ”

"Maybe it's a private matter?" Qin Mubai said, "Do you have any interrogations?" ”

"I had a relationship with Liu Yi in Chang'an, and we were acquaintances, so I only chatted a few words and didn't interrogate much." Su Dingfang said, "I asked him why he came here, and he said that he followed and served his sick father all the way; After his father left, he stayed in Lanzhou to wait for his father's return, and then returned to Chang'an together. For the Son of Man to be filial to the Son of Man is like this, it is inconvenient for me to interrogate more. But I always felt that his words flickered as if he had hidden intentions, and he didn't want to tell me the truth. ”

Qin Mubai pondered for a moment and said, "That Liu Shanyin is indeed quite strange. He served in Honglu Temple for many years to receive foreign guests and envoys, and was already proficient in all kinds of Hu languages of Turkic, Tibetan and other countries, but when he was leaving, he asked Xiao Liang to hire three local Hu people for him to be interpreters and guides. It was a strange thing, but I couldn't figure out why he did it for a while. Hearing you say this just now is even more suspicious. But I don't think he is a traitor...... In this way, you send a few people to observe and monitor the pavilion post day and night, but don't alarm Liu Yi for the time being. Maybe we'll need him at any point. ”

"Yes."

At this time, the doorman came to report that there was a woman who asked to see her outside the gate of the Dadu Governor's Mansion, claiming to be the person of the "Wu Clan". Su Dingfang smiled and retreated, and Qin Mubai asked the doorman to invite someone in.

Wu Meiniang went to other counties for many days, presumably because she had returned to Lanzhou, so she sent someone to invite. Thinking of this, Qin Mubai was also secretly happy in his heart. One day is like three autumns, and both of them are so busy, if they want to enjoy a moment of warmth, they also have to be busy.

Those who seek to see are admitted. As soon as he saw that person, Qin Mubai couldn't help but be happy!

"Who am I, it turns out to be you, an old witch!" Qin Mubai smiled.

"The surname is Qin, why do you open your mouth and scold people?" The man was also not polite, squinting and pursed, "How can I say that the old lady almost went on a blind date with you, and the husband and wife were a hundred days in one night; Even if it's not husband and wife, it should always be an old acquaintance, and when you meet an old acquaintance in a foreign country, you treat me like this? Didn't I betray you once when I was in Chang'an, and I didn't hurt you, why did you ......?"

"Okay, stop, stop. I haven't seen you for a few days, and you've really become an old woman, so nagging! Qin Mubai smiled, "Su Lianqing, when did you arrive in Lanzhou?" ”

"Today, I came back from Qishan with the big boss and brought a large number of good wheat from Longshang to feed these tens of thousands of good pigs under your command." Su Lianqing sat unceremoniously on the guest chair, picked up Erlang's legs and slapped the table with his palm, "Tea, tea!" Are you going to die of thirst? This is the hospitality of your Lanzhou Metropolitan Governor's Mansion! ”

"Huh! Come on, serve tea! Qin Mubai got up with a smile and walked over to her and sat down, and asked, "Mei Niang sent you to call me over, but is there something important?" ”

"Heh, the old lady and the big boss have returned to Lanzhou, isn't this a big deal, do you need anything else?" Su Lianqing took a sip of tea and rolled her eyes a few times, and said, "There is another person, you may want to see it." ”

"Who? It can't be Zheng Anshun, right? Qin Mubai said casually.

"Oh, you still miss him! How about it, are you still afraid that he will snatch love? Su Lianqing smiled evilly.

"Get down to business, don't be slippery."

"It's not." Su Lianqing's eyebrows fluttered, and her expression was unusually rich, "It's a half-dead person we picked up halfway, but when you see him, you will definitely ...... It's going to be that, how, how! ”

"Who?"

"The old lady has to sell this pass—let's go, Young Marshal Qin! Please take a short step, Qiongyu Villa is waiting for you! ”

Qin Mubai shook his head and smiled, called for carriages and horses, and left the Governor's Mansion with Su Lianqing and headed for Qiongyu Villa.

Qiongyu Villa has become a general existence in Chang'an West City, except that the scale and boundary are smaller, there is almost no difference. Inside the huge villa, a number of new mansions have been built to serve as hotels, wine shops and discussions, and to receive business travelers. Of course, these properties are all under Wu Meiniang's name. She not only makes money by herself, but also earns money from businessmen along the way. Peers all said that her business was perfect.

Only one boundary in the backyard, that is, the other courtyard where Qiongyu's tower is located, is not open to the public. Wu Meiniang's own family lives here, and there is also a unique and quiet bedroom, which is the two-person world exclusive to Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang.

The carriage and horse entered from the back door of the villa, and Su Lianqing invited Qin Mubai to the hall of the main house, where Wu's mother Yang and Wu Meiniang's brothers and sisters were there, and it seemed that they were resting after returning home from a long journey.

But seeing Qin Mubai coming, the room suddenly became lively. Wu Meiniang smiled indifferently at Qin Mubai and her family, asking for warm gossip, inadvertently revealing infinite affection and warmth, Qin Mubai took it in his eyes.

After greetings, Qin Mubai asked Su Lianqing where the "half-dead man" he picked up on the road was. Wu Meiniang smiled after hearing this, and said: "Hugh listened to her full of nonsense, what a half-dead person is just an old acquaintance who fell ill halfway." However, that person is really worth meeting you. ”

"Who is it and where is it?" Qin Mubai asked.

"Come with me." Wu Meiniang got up and took Qin Mubai upstairs. The second floor is the bedroom for the guests, and when he opened a door, Qin Mubai saw a person lying quietly on the bed inside, who seemed to be asleep, and there was an old doctor writing prescriptions next to him.

Walking to the side of the bed, Qin Mubai was really surprised and exclaimed: "Why is he?" ”

The old doctor glanced at Qin Mubai and said, "Son, please be quiet." This person is extremely tired and has collapsed in qi and blood, and if he is woken up at this time, it is not conducive to his condition. ”

"Okay, let's go out first." Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang came out of the room and brought the door to the door, and asked, "One-armed Zhang Tong, shouldn't he be far away in Xiangyang, why did he come to Lanzhou to let you meet?" ”

Wu Meiniang smiled softly and said, "What do you say? ”

"I say?" Qin Mubai was stunned, "How do I know?" ”

"Isn't it because you're in Lanzhou that he came?" Wu Meiniang paused and said softly, "Mu Bai, you should be relieved to have such an old department, or a friend." ”

Qin Mubai couldn't help but be taken aback, and said, "You mean, he came to Lanzhou from Xiangyang all the way to find me?" ”

"Yes." Wu Meiniang nodded affirmatively and said, "We met him in the county post house forty miles outside Lanzhou Prefecture, when he was seriously ill, but he talked to me a few words. He said that although he was 'in the rivers and lakes, his soul was in a hundred horses; Although the body is crippled, the heart is not dead; When you still follow the general and lead the horse and fall into the stirrup, you will die without regrets'! Mu Bai, this is his original words, I can guarantee that I will say it word for word. ”

After listening to this, Qin Mubai was speechless for a long time.

After taking a deep breath, he said, "Mei Niang, please take good care of Zhang Tong." When he is healed, I will put him in charge of my Metropolitan Governor's Banner. ”

"You say, you want to let him, a one-armed man, take charge of the banner and serve as your commander?" Wu Meiniang said with surprise.

"Yes." Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "The flag, the soul of the army, the flag is in the people, the flag is dead; Riding envoys, handsome of the Zhang, where the handsome is where the flag goes. There is no one more suitable to serve as my flag envoy than Zhang Tong. Because his iron blood, loyalty, tenacity and strength are exactly the temperament that my army must have! ”

"I see...... Although Zhang Tong is crippled, his unique characteristics are indeed admirable. Wu Meiniang nodded and said, "Mu Bai, I don't understand things in the army; But the emotions of the military, I understand. A small person like Zhang Tong, although humble, can always move and shock people inadvertently. In the past few days in Lanzhou, I have come into contact with many people like Zhang Tong. Now I know why you have such affection for the military and your comrades. Because military men are really much more admirable and respectable than many business officials! ”

"Really?" Qin Mubai sneered, looked around at no one else, and sneered evilly, "Then I am also a soldier, am I also worthy of your admiration?" ”

"Come less!" Wu Meiniang chuckled, "There are a few more guests, I'll take you to meet them." At that time, I'm afraid you won't be in the mood for this oily tone. ”

Qin Mubai was stunned: "There are still guests?" What day is it, some friends have come from afar. ”

"Come on, you'll see." Wu Meiniang smiled mysteriously, and took Qin Mubai to shuttle between the corridors on the second floor a few times and stopped in front of the most luxurious guest room, and said, "Let's go in!" ”

"Who is it, so mysterious?" Qin Mubai was full of suspicion, but deliberately pretended not to care and pushed the door in.

When I entered the door, two women in military uniforms were sitting at the table drinking tea. Mingguang armor, unicorn robe, fiery red tasseled helmet and sword hanging from the waist, typical appearance of a hundred cavalry officers, sassy and heroic posture is eye-catching.

"Meet the young marshal!" The two daughters stood up together and clasped their fists and saluted, heroic and vigorous.

"How are you? Aren't you serving in the hundred horsemen of the Chang'an Palace? Qin Mubai was surprised unexpectedly, and his mind lit up quickly after he finished speaking, and he immediately said, "Could it be...... Princess Gaoyang came to Lanzhou? ”

This pair of women in military uniforms is none other than the twin killers of the past and the only two female officers in the world now, the Lantai sisters.

The two daughters pursed their lips and smiled at the same time, and even their expressions were the same, so they said: "The young marshal whispered, the princess was too tired from the long journey, so she just slept for a while." ”

Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment, "That guy, it's really here...... No way! Is it really coming? ”

"Haha! Is Mu Bai here? In the inner bedroom separated by a layer of beaded curtains, a very unladylike and extremely excited Hedong lion roared suddenly, "Thief Military Academy, stinky man!" This princess is here, so don't come in and pay homage quickly! ”