Gale howled, yellow sand rolled.

Qin Shubao immediately flew his robe with a spear and a ruined stone pier, and raised his eyes into the distance.

The eye is blank. As far as the eye can see, I can see that heaven and earth border without cliffs.

"The Grand Duke!" Several cavalrymen trotted in, and one of them shouted, "The soldiers searched everywhere for water, but found nothing." ”

Qin Shubao couldn't help pursing his dry lips, threw the tiger's head chisel golden gun to a junior colonel beside him, jumped off the horse and stepped forward and said: "Rengui, we have been out of Yumen Pass and Yangguan for more than 100 miles, this section of the road is the most difficult on the silky road, one is the lack of water, and the other is less wind and sand. There is no way, let the soldiers hold on a little longer. A hundred and ten miles further west, out of this great desert, is the old land of the ancient kingdom of Loulan and Puchanghai (Lop Nur), where there is not only a water source but also an important market town on the Silk Road. We will take it down, and we can use it to rest and raise troops for the time being. ”

Xue Rengui hugged his fist and said, "That's it." Since our army left Lanzhou, it has fought 16 battles and won all battles. However, at this time, people are already sleepy, horses are lacking, and there is a shortage of food, grass, water and rice, and if you don't rest, it will be the end of the crossbow. I hope that Pu Changhai does not have a large number of Tubo soldiers and horses or rebels in the Western Regions, otherwise, it will be another bloody battle of life and death. ”

"What, scared?" Qin Shubao smiled, sat down on a red clay stone beside him, knocked his knee and said, "It's only sixteen formations, what is it?" I'm also old, and my body is not as big as before. I remember that in the past, when I followed His Majesty to fight in the south and the north, it was common to fight for several days and nights without stopping for half a moment. Now I have only galloped for more than a thousand miles, and I feel sleepy. ”

"The last general is naturally not afraid." Xue Rengui smiled and said, "Sixteen consecutive victories, such a record can be regarded as brilliant." The Tubo soldiers and horses and the rebels of the Western Regions have been killed by the Governor of the Metropolitan to the point of fear, and they thought that the two battles of recovering Yumen Pass and Yangguan would be so tragic, but they were unexpectedly won so easily. However, our army has also suffered a lot of casualties after such a number of battles, and when they went out, they were full of 20,000 elite cavalry, and only more than 13,000 remained. ”

"If you fight, you will die, and there is no way to do it." Qin Shubao snorted slightly with his eyebrows, and said, "Six or seven thousand heroic souls buried in the wilderness, in exchange for thousands of miles of land in the Tang Dynasty, and more than 20,000 enemy bones were buried, and they died without a loss." This Yue Qi was trained by San Lang when he was in Lanzhou with Yuwen Hongtai, which is really good. Brave, disciplined, and quite tenacious. Running for thousands of miles, lacking food and water, people are sleepy and lacking horses, the old man was stunned and didn't hear anyone complaining, and his morale was still high. With such an iron army, why not win? Another thousand-mile rush to fight sixteen battles in a row, and the old man is not afraid at all! ”

"With a god of war like the Grand Governor as the commander, the brothers are naturally even more desperate." Xue Rengui said, "The last general is only worried about one thing now. The governor left Lanzhou and led the army to attack Gaochang, and Lanzhou lacked the backbone, how to do it? Although Xue Wanjun has a talent, it may be difficult for him to stand alone and guard the Governor's Mansion; Moreover, if the imperial court investigates the next strict order to ask for the crime, won't we give up halfway? ”

"Huh!" Qin Shubao stroked his beard and smiled, and said, "Rengui, San Lang often praises you for being thoughtful and cautious in front of the old man, and it is really not bad. You are rightly worried, and the old man has thought about these problems many times. However, after all, you don't know the imperial court, and you don't know the emperor. ”

"Oh, how do you say?" Xue Rengui asked curiously.

Qin Shubao smiled slightly and said: "Whether Lanzhou is war or peace, there will inevitably be endless arguments in the court, and His Majesty the Emperor will also make a decision for a while." At this time, there should be a reckless person like the old man, who will cut first and then fight, since it is a foregone conclusion, no matter how much argument is made in the court, it will be in vain. ”

Xue Rengui exclaimed: "What if someone impeaches the Grand Governor because of this? ”

"Impeachment is impeachment, what are you afraid of!" Qin Shubao said disapprerovingly, "The old man has already led the troops thousands of miles away, even if I am impeached, this holy decree to punish the old man will catch up with us, and it will be a matter of the Year of the Monkey." By then, we'll all take Gaochang! Besides, His Majesty the Emperor didn't know how much he wanted to teach Tubo to pacify Gaochang, but it was only because of the criticism of those Confucian scholars above the court that he had always been able to make a decision. Even if the old man's move resisted his holy decree, it was also in line with his original intention. You say, is it possible for His Majesty the Emperor to really cure me for my great sin? Even if you want to cure me for a big crime, it doesn't matter, when the old man takes Gaochang, it's just a matter of offsetting the merits and demerits, at most, he will remove me from my official position and let me unload my armor and return to the field, right? Ha ha! In this way, it is also a good deal. Anyway, Lanzhou is a place for San Lang to come into play sooner or later, and it doesn't hurt to give him one day earlier, the old man is happy to go home as soon as possible to hug his grandson and enjoy the joy of family. Until then, I'm going to enjoy the pleasure of riding on the battlefield. When I've had enough, it's time for Saburo to take over my fiery horse spear. ”

"The Metropolitan Governor is ambitious and far-sighted, and he will not be able to do so!" Xue Rengui clenched his fists and sighed.

"Don't praise me." Qin Shubao stroked his hair and smiled, smiling a little proudly, "I'm doing everything according to San Lang's intentions." That kid is resourceful. In the past few years, the old man, who is a father, has always acted according to his wishes. Planning, I am not as good as him; Thousands of miles to attack the enemy, he is not as good as me. While the old man's old bones can still move, let's help him do more things! Not surprisingly, as soon as I send troops, the emperor will inevitably send San Lang back to Lanzhou to take charge of the overall situation. Rengui, you don't have to have any worries, just rush forward and gallop hard! In front of it is Puchanghai, the ancient country of Loulan, which is an important road on the Silk Road in the Western Regions, no matter who is entrenched there, step on it! ”

"No!" Xue Rengui clenched his fists and said loudly, "Metropolitan Governor, let the last general lead three thousand iron armor to take the first step, step on Loulan within twelve hours to clear the obstacles, and welcome the Metropolitan Governor and the soldiers to enter the city and rest their horses!" ”

"Good!" Qin Shubao stood up, laughed and patted Xue Rengui's shoulder armor sonorously, and said, "San Lang repeatedly told him before leaving, he has his own opinions after discussing with Rengui in everything; Large and small battles can be entrusted to him as the vanguard commander, and the attack is not without defeat. This time, the Western Expedition fought sixteen battles in a row, and won every battle, and you Xue Rengui should remember the first credit! ”

Xue Rengui smiled slightly, and arched his hand: "This seventeenth formation, let Xue take it alone, the metropolitan governor will rest for a while, and tomorrow at this time, please invite the metropolitan governor to join in the ancient city of Loulan to get drunk!" ”

"Go ahead!"

"Yifu Yue Riding Pioneer, get on the horse!" Xue Rengui jumped on his horse and fastened his cloak, pointed forward with the halberd in his hand, and shouted, "Target Loulan, a hundred miles of rapid attack, conquer it in one drum within twelve hours-go!" ”

"No-" Three thousand Yue rode out and rolled up, rolling up dust and dust.

Qin Shubao stroked his beard and stood up, squinting his eyes at Xue Rengui's cavalry that gradually disappeared into the Gobi and the sky in the distance, and sighed: "Qin Qiong, with young talents like San Lang and Xue Rengui taking over your war horse and spear, you can indeed unload your armor and return to the field without regrets...... Gaochang is the last battle of your life! ”

At night, by the polo field of the old Qin's back house.

Qin Mubai came to the armor and armor room where the weapons and armor were parked alone, took out oil, water, cloth towels and other things, took out the armor, weapons, saddles, bows and arrows one by one, and sat alone in the room and carefully wiped them.

These weapons are extremely precious, and Qin Mubai would not use them when he usually practiced. The armor is the golden bright light armor given by Emperor Li Shimin personally when he successfully ran for the first time as a hundred horsemen. Although it was not difficult for Qin Mubai to get a good armor in a high position in the army after that, the so-called "good armor" in general was difficult to compare with the best gold armor of the imperial tribute. The knife is a righteous knife sent by Li Daozong, and it is a knife that needless to say, the significance is also extraordinary. The gun is the Qin family's heirloom tiger head chisel golden gun, which is exactly the same as that used by his father Qin Shubao. Others, such as a gold-carved saddle, a thrush-striped iron-tired bow, and a special snake-headed steel armor-piercing arrow, are extraordinary.

Especially the bow and arrow, Qin Muvain put a lot of effort into transforming it according to the bow and arrow he used in the competition in his previous life, and then asked a master craftsman to tailor it for himself, which is very different from the ordinary bow and arrow now. In addition to the tension of the bowstring to match your own arm strength, it is also more scientific and convenient to use, and the accuracy is greatly improved.

These things have been idle for too long.

Qin Mubai wiped it quite carefully and seriously, and he was not annoyed at all, and he was reluctant to fake others. For a soldier who goes into battle to fight, weapons and armor and war horses are closely related to his life.

Now, Qin Mubai is a little looking forward to leaving Chang'an as soon as possible and rushing to Lanzhou to go to the battlefield. It is true that Chang'an is a gentle and comfortable nest, and the interior of the Central Plains is full of flowers, and the country is peaceful and peaceful, but Qin Mubai feels that he is destined to belong to that piece of yellow sand territory. Since returning to Beijing from Lanzhou last year, many unexpected events have occurred one after another. After several ups and downs, some people around me have left, some people have come, some people have developed, and some people will never recover.

After seeing too many joys and sorrows, and tired of intrigue, Qin Mubai felt that on the battlefield in the barracks, the simple man with hot-blooded horses and spears was much more refreshing and comfortable!

About half an hour later, a little girl whispered outside: "Third son, there is a visitor." ”

Qin Mubai paused in his hand and said, "Didn't I say that I won't see anyone today?" Why bother me? ”

"The third son forgives the sin, and the servant didn't dare to disturb him. It was the master's mother who asked the maid to invite the third son. Say...... The guests who came, the third prince is better to meet. ”

"Who?"

"Her Royal Highness Princess Gaoyang, and Wu Meiniang."

Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment and said, "Just the two of them? ”

"Yes, just the two of them."

"Then invite them here."

"Yes......"

Qin Mubai was still sitting in the hut, wiping his weapons and armor. I thought to myself: I'm leaving, they're here to say goodbye to me...... I didn't want to be inseparable from them when I parted, so I deliberately avoided them, but I didn't expect them to come together. That's it, come on, come on! After all, I don't know when and where the next time we meet.

After a short time, Princess Gaoyang and Wu Meiniang came, standing side by side at the door and calling softly: "Mu Bai ......"

"What's the matter, come in!" Qin Mubai smiled, "It seems that you have become a lot stranger to me, in the past, you were not so polite." ”

The second girl smiled slightly, walked in with her front and back feet, sat down beside him, and watched him silently and silently as she wiped the tiger head chisel golden gun in his hand.

"I'll help you." Wu Meiniang said, and reached out to pick up the rag in Qin Mubai's hand.

"No, you don't." Qin Mubai said, "I never pretend to be someone else's thing for this kind of thing. ”

"Am I also 'someone else'?" Wu Meiniang smiled.

"Alright then, here you go." Qin Mubai smiled helplessly and said, "Remember, the gun head needs oil, not too much, too slippery and easy to miss when it intersects with other people's weapons; Don't be too little, if you don't stab into someone else's armor and robe, you can't pull it out. More than half of the body of the gun needs to be dipped in a little oil so that the blood can flow quickly; Less than half of the oil is not visible, otherwise my own hand slips, and I can't say anything. ”

Wu Meiniang frowned and shook her hands, and then gave the rag back to Qin Mubai, and said worriedly: "It's better for you to come by yourself!" I can't afford to miss it. ”

"Mu Bai, you know how to scare us." Princess Gao Yang frowned deeply and said in a low voice, "I know that we are worried about you, and you still say such a terrifying thing!" ”

"Huh!" Qin Mubai smiled, "I know that it was the most uncomfortable when I was separated, so you still came?" ”

Wu Meiniang and Princess Gaoyang glanced at each other, their faces were worried, and they were silent.

"Alright! Don't make it look like life and death, it's not the first time I've left Chang'an to go on a journey. Qin Mubai pretended to be relaxed and said.

"Mu Bai, I know, you want me to be obedient, sensible, and obediently stay in Chang'an to serve my mother-in-law and take care of my family. I want to do this too, but ......" Princess Gao Yang said halfway, pursed her lips with an embarrassed face, and said softly, "But I want to go to Lanzhou with you more, okay?" ……”

The movements in Qin Mubai's hands paused, the corners of his two mouths rose slightly, and he was silent.

"Well, when I didn't say it......" Princess Gao Yang sighed lightly and turned her head away.

"Thank you, Ling'er......" Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "We haven't been together for a day or two, you know me, and I know you." Superfluous words, we don't have to say. In short, I will come back intact, and you will stay in Chang'an well and obediently, don't let me worry. ”

"Hmm......" Princess Gao Yang nodded lightly and said no more.

Wu Meiniang said: "Mu Bai, when I accompanied you to see Fang Xuanling the day before yesterday, I was already preparing for the promised matter of raising grain and grass. I believe that it will not take long to get the first batch of grain and grass of about 300,000 stones, and set off from Chang'an with Su Dingfang and King Jiangxia, who sent their relatives. ”

"So fast?" Qin Mubai was surprised, "Chang'an is not Xiangyang, you haven't done grain business here, right?" ”

"Isn't there still the Zheng family? You forget, the Zheng family is the biggest grain and salt merchant in Chang'an, the imperial court! Wu Meiniang said, "If it weren't for the permission of the imperial court, who would dare to move the grain and salt business, let alone do the grain business in Chang'an." Although I took over the grain and salt order that you and Li Ke got for me in Xiangzhou, I really can't do anything in Guannei. Fortunately, I can also use the Zheng family to do things. ”

"Oh, no wonder you have such confidence, boasting about 500,000 stones of grain and grass in front of Fang Xuanling!" Qin Mubai said.

Princess Gao Yang blinked her eyes and asked, "500,000 stone grain and grass, is it very expensive, and how much is it worth?" ”

"It's not particularly expensive, it's estimated to be worth a Qinxian Pavilion in Chang'an." Qin Mubai smiled, "But at the front line, money can't buy such a thing." Moreover, to transport 500,000 stones of grain and grass to Lanzhou, the cost on the way is more than 250,000 stones! In addition, the huge team of people and chariots and horses is not something that ordinary people can afford to invite and prepare. ”

"Mei Niang, you are so capable......" Princess Gao Yang said enviously and jealously, "You can do so much for Mu Bai, but I can't help anything." I don't think I'm of any use compared to you! ”

"Not really!" Wu Meiniang hurriedly said, "You are the lucky star of Mu Bai's life, if there is no you, there would be no Mu Bai who is illustrious today." Well, I have nothing but business, nothing but money, so I can only do a small favor to Mu Baibang. In the end, you helped him more! ”

"Really?" Princess Gao Yang turned her face and smiled, and asked, "Mu Bai, is that so?" ”

"Huh!" Qin Mubai shook his head and smiled, "Okay, you two are the lucky stars of my life, and you are also my best virtuous helper, so you don't have to brag to each other." ”

"Hey, hey!" Princess Gao Yang and Wu Meiniang laughed together. The sorrow of parting has finally faded a lot.

"It's getting late, let's all go back and rest early!" Qin Mubai was ruthless, gave an eviction order, and said, "I still have a pair of armor to wipe, and I will go to bed early when I finish it." At the end of the day, I had to go to the barracks outside Chang'an City to raise troops, and I got up at dawn and went out very early. ”

Princess Gao Yang and Wu Meiniang both stood up silently, looked at him with four bright eyes, and said softly: "Then let's go......"

"Hmm......" Qin Mubai replied softly, without looking up at the two of them. I only heard their rustling footsteps walking away lightly.

"Huh......" Qin Mubai breathed a sigh of relief, and said secretly: Gentle Township, Hero Tomb...... I'm not a big hero, but I don't want to be distracted by my children's concerns. Do they understand?

At this time, a series of small footsteps came from far and near, and Qin Mubai couldn't help frowning: Gao Yang, go and return?

has been together for so long, and the sound of her footsteps is very familiar to Qin Mubai.

"Mu Bai ......" Princess Gao Yang really came back, ran into the room like a tanuki, and pounced on Qin Mubai's back and hugged his neck.

"What?" Qin Mubai asked with a smile.

"!"

Qin Mubai almost fell to the ground, "What is it!" ”

"Anyway, if you ask, I'll answer, and I won't regret it!"

"Naughty! - What about Mei Niang? ”

"I asked her to come and sleep with the three of them, she was shy and went home, hehe!" Princess Gaoyang grinned evilly, bit Qin Mubai's ear and said, "Mu Bai Fujun, San Lang baby, I want to give you a son!" ”

"What husband, baby, who did you learn from?" Qin Mubai couldn't cry or laugh.

Princess Gao Yang giggled in Qin Mubai's ear, and her voice became bewitching and bewitching, and she snorted, "You only know that you are busy for the past few days, and you don't mess with me." I have been away from Chang'an for so long, and I don't know when we will meet...... You just, don't have any ideas? ”

"Aren't I just afraid, when you wake up at dawn tomorrow and there is no one around you, are you sad and sad?"

"Whatever he does! As you said, the Spring Festival is worth a thousand gold, and you can go to Lanzhou to wipe this gun! - Come on, go to the room, give birth to a son! ”

"......" Qin Mubai was so speechless that the corners of his mouth were about to cramp, and he gritted his teeth and said, "It's not a hurry to give birth to a son, I just know that you are going to be miserable tonight!" ”

"Come on! Come on! If I'm afraid of you, I'm not your Qin Mubai's woman, hehe! ”