In the evening, a few strange guests came in the Star Picking Tower. As soon as they walked into the restaurant, the drinkers and diners present couldn't help but stare at them, and the chopsticks that were put to their mouths stopped.

It's a few male guests, the handsome ones are too handsome, the ugly ones are too ugly, or cold or silent, in short, they don't look like ordinary people. The shopkeeper's Shi Kequan knew one of them, and he was one of Chu Tianya's personal guards, Liuhe. A few others he had just brought back from outside.

The Qingwei that Chu Tianya wanted to take away were all in place. The handsome and handsome Liuhe, the first assassin Xuanwu, the gentle scholar Gou Chen, the big fat sky, and the master of Hong Fist beetle snake. Together with the Suzaku and nobles who set off early, there are seven in total. The remaining five people stayed and did not leave.

Several people arrived in Chu Tianya's room, and the two sisters, Xiaofei and Taichang Taiyin, were still there. Chu Tianya sealed the letterhead written to the major leaders and handed it to Xiao Fei, and asked him to deliver them to the leaders one by one, and then explained some small things to Taichang Taiyin, about some of Xiao Linglong's living habits, and asked them to take good care of them.

Not long after, Yao Chong was also ready and went to the Star Picking Tower to meet Chu Tianya. He brought two sergeants with him, both dressed as short fighters, and the three of them pretended to be Chu Tianya's entourage.

"It's not early, let's go to Huanglong Valley." Chu Tianya saw that he was ready, so he asked everyone to set off.

Just as he was about to leave, there was a small commotion in the lobby of the Star Picking Building. The people were suspicious, so they told Taichang to go out and have a look. When she came back, she looked surprised, "Lord, Lord Xiao is here!" I also brought more than 100 female soldiers with me! ”

"Why is she here? And brought more than 100 female soldiers? No wonder there's a commotion downstairs! Chu Tianya was also a little surprised, and said in his heart that someone must have leaked the news.

As he was talking, there was already a sound of footsteps at the staircase, Xiao Linglong had already come up with a group of female soldiers, and fell off the post as she walked, and a group of women wearing military uniforms and carrying knives and jacquard guns made the Star Picking Building look like a military camp. The drinkers and diners present were both surprised and amazed, and they said to each other when did we have female soldiers in the Great Song Dynasty? Hey, one by one it's pretty and has a special taste! - The leading female general is really beautiful, just like a fairy, but she is wearing a purple and red battle armor, and her majesty in striding is not lost to the male general!

The female soldiers completely ignored the comments and eyes of these men, and treated them as if they were air. A few people who had drunk too much got closer and laughed at a female soldier, who neither dodged nor talked nonsense, but slapped him over with one shot without hesitation, and fell to the ground on the spot with a whining and couldn't get up.

There was an exclamation in the hall, Xiao Linglong stopped and looked back, sneering. The hall was immediately silent again, and Shi Kequan, the shopkeeper, hurriedly beckoned all the drinkers not to be troublesome, and sent someone to pull away the knocked over splash skin.

Xiao Linglong continued to go upstairs with people.

Chu Tianya's heart was entangled. Seeing that Xiao Linglong was not good at this frame, she also brought soldiers with her. Maybe there are still her Khitan cavalry and full female soldiers outside the city.

"You're waiting outside." Chu Tianya sent Qingwei out, leaving the door open and waiting for Xiao Linglong to come in. Yao Chong also avoided it with interest.

At this moment, the military patrols of the Taiyuan Yamen came quickly. When I first entered the restaurant, I was still drinking loudly, and when I entered the door, I was immediately stunned when I saw this frame - where is this army?

It's okay for the yamen to bully the common people, but they don't dare to provoke the real army. But they really hadn't seen such an army, so they were all stunned. Shi Kequan hurriedly went up to greet them, the faces of a few people turned white, and he left with those troublesome splashes, slapping their ears as he walked, and the fans snapped, but he didn't dare to stay for a moment. The drinkers seemed to be wrong, and they hurriedly checked out and left.

I can't say, these splashes have to be beaten up today. It's not good to mess with anyone, and you provoke a character that the prefect doesn't dare to provoke?

Xiao Linglong walked into Chu Tianya's room, and Chu Tianya smiled, "His Royal Highness the County Lord put on such a big show today, what is the situation?" ”

"I came to arrest my man, and he ran away from home without saying a word." Xiao Linglong said half-jokingly and half-seriously, glancing at the room, there were no idlers, so she reflexively covered the door.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Chu Tianya deliberately smiled and said lightly, "I have always been very low-key and don't like to swagger. ”

"I like it." Xiao Linglong walked in front of Chu Tianya, her expression was sad, and there was resentment in her eyes.

"Okay, okay, don't make a fuss." Chu Tianya smiled and hugged her.

Xiao Linglong's tears fell suddenly, and she punched Chu Tianya's chest fiercely.

"Say, why don't you say goodbye? Have you ever thought about my feelings?! ”

"Ahh

This punch was really powerful, and Chu Tianya cried out in pain while holding his chest.

"Ah, are you alright?" Xiao Linglong was taken aback, and hurriedly went to help him rub his chest.

"It doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt, it's fine." Chu Tianya was still hippie smiling, and he also caught Chu Tianya's hand.

"I feel sorry......" Xiao Linglong took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, her eyes were red.

"Don't make it look like you're going to die, okay?" Chu Tianya smiled, "I'll go out for a few days and come back immediately." ”

"Nonsense, you are not allowed to keep your mouth shut!" Xiao Linglong glared at Chu Tianya in annoyance, and the word "death" made her heart tremble.

"Is it Bai Xu or Jiao Wen's announcement?" Chu Tianya still asked with a smile.

Xiao Linglong's face suddenly became a little stricter, and she walked to the door and shouted outside: "You all go downstairs and wait!" ”

"Yes!" The Qingwei and female soldiers outside the door agreed to their promise, and invited Yao Chong and others downstairs in succession. On the second floor of the entire Star Picking Building, there was no superfluous person except for Chu Tianya and Xiao Linglong.

"What are you doing to be so nervous?" Chu Tianya was a little puzzled.

"What do you think I'm here for, please take me with you, or will you pester you to not let you go?" Xiao Linglong wiped her eyelids, pulled Chu Tianya to sit down together, looked at him seriously and said, "You made a mistake carelessly, do you know?" ”

"How?" Chu Tianya asked curiously.

"How can you hand over all the military power to Bai Xu alone?" Xiao Linglong whispered, "I know he is very capable and loyal. But have you thought about it, during the time you leave, everyone will gradually form a habit centered on Bai Xu, and even if you come back, you will be set aside! ”

Chu Tianya smiled slightly, "No." I still have that confidence. Why did you suddenly become concerned about this? ”

"It's not all of a sudden, I've always cared." Xiao Linglong said seriously, "You've only been the lord for a few days?" Do you really think you can fully master a qiē? In the past, it was the second brother who fought with you, but he was not your opponent, and he was soon defeated. But in fact, all along, your biggest opponent is not the second brother, you know? ”

"You mean nothing?" Chu Tianya smiled, "He is my right-hand man." ”

"That's right. I didn't say he was unfaithful or dissent. Xiao Linglong said, "But as the lord, there are some things that must be guarded against." Power is a delicate thing, it's easy for you to let it out, but it's not so easy to take it back. Bai Xu was originally a military advisor in charge of the military aircraft, and his power and prestige were already very great, and now you still let him give full authority to order, isn't this a complete transfer of power to him? He doesn't have a single figure around him who can check and balance him, how can this work? - Who has done this like you? ”

Chu Tianya was slightly stunned and fell into deep thought.

Xiao Linglong's words made sense, she was actually not suspicious or slanderous, but said to Chu Tianya that as a superior, the standard when dealing with the issue of decentralization of power, that is, she must not let her subordinates have a dominant status quo, and she must create a balance that she can control.

Power is desirable, but it can also be lost.

No one can guarantee that no matter how virtuous a person is, he will not degenerate or go astray in the face of the temptation of power and in the struggle for various powers. Powerful ministers, like Zhuge Liang, have been rare throughout the ages, and more of them have been beaten back to their original form or died from "meritorious masters", and some have really rebelled.

"If you do this, it will not be good for you or Bai Xu." Xiao Linglong still said patiently, "The lord is hollowed out of real power or the power of the minister is too inflated, which often means the beginning of infighting. In the current Hedong Righteous Army, you trust and rely on Bai Xu excessively, but neglect to cultivate a person who can go hand in hand with Bai Xu. If you are here, the situation is better, and everything can be controlled by you; Once you leave, all the focus will shift to Bai Xu. Have you thought about it, the other leaders and soldiers have finally adapted to being centered on you, and now they are changing to Bai Xu, can they adapt in a short time? Will there be a situation where orders are not understood, the upper and lower levels are not satisfied, and the power struggle leads to infighting? - Moreover, when you come back in the future, maybe everyone is used to listening to Bai Xu's orders, and your prestige and orders as the lord may not be as effective as Bai Xu's words. What will you think then? Do you feel that Bai Xu has seized your power - how many good and loyal ministers have been ruined in this way throughout the ages? They may not have thought about seizing power, have no ambitions, and have always been loyal to the lord, but it is because they have made great achievements and their prestige and power are higher than the lord, so that the lord has a sense of crisis and has to kill him to get rid of the trouble! ”

Chu Tianya gasped and looked at Xiao Linglong in surprise.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Xiao Linglong raised her sword eyebrows lightly, "I'm not instigating you to kill people, or to drive a wedge between you and Bai Xu." I just want to remind you that when something like 'Gong Gao Zhen Lord' happens, the responsibility is actually more on the lord. Power is a sharp sword, and you must grasp it well. The more you trust someone, the more you have to pay attention to whether the amount of power ceded to him is appropriate. Don't decide the power of your subordinates because of your own likes and dislikes, likes and hates, it's very unfair and harmful! ”

"I know...... Chu Tianya let out a deep breath and looked at Xiao Linglong gratefully, "Feihu'er, you're right." It was my negligence, I was too inexperienced. I entrusted Bai Xu with carte blanche like this, which is the greatest trust in him, and in fact, it is also the greatest harm to him. But changing the coach before the battle is a big taboo. Xiaocangshan has always been assisted by me personally sitting in charge of Bai Xu, and now who can fill my vacancy? ”

"The leaders of the four major military aircraft, you took Jiao Wentong away, aren't there still two?" Xiao Linglong said, "Meng De is so idle in Xishan, why don't you use him?" Let him fill your vacancy, and then Bai Xu will still assist him, this situation is far better than Bai Xu's family being dominant. Yes, Meng De's ability is far inferior to Bai Xu, but as long as he can control Bai Xu, isn't it? Because Meng De is your own brother, or the prestige of the founder of Xishan is not under the white words, his temperament and mind have always been the most convincing, and everyone in the righteous army obeys him. Therefore, everyone will not have any doubts and conflicts with Meng De, and Bai Xu will not have any objections! ”

"The truth is that's right, but, I've already explained Bai Xu like this, how can I change my order overnight, what will this make Bai Xu think?" Chu Tianya said, "Trusting this thing is like a piece of paper. When it is crumpled, it can no longer be smoothed. If I change Meng De to temporarily replace me now, I'm afraid Bai Xu's heart will ......"

"The end of the world, for big things, can't stick to this kind of subsection." Xiao Linglong said, "I am from the royal family, and in my impression, the struggle between politics and power has always been the most ruthless and ruthless. If you lose the overall situation in order to take care of Bai Xu's love, then it is the true benevolence of a woman, and the way to self-destruction. You are the lord, Bai Xu is a subordinate, and you don't need to explain too much to him what you do. If Bai Xu can't even accept this, it proves that he is not a good subordinate, or is it ...... He really has a different heart! ”

Chu Tianya's eyebrows flicked, and he looked at Xiao Linglong in surprise, "I can't see it, Flying Fox, you actually think so deeply?" …… I have to admit that my experience in this area is indeed inferior to yours. This time, you reminded you right and in time. I think I'm going to ask you more for advice in the future. There is an old saying that women are born politicians, and that's right! ”

Xiao Linglong blinked her eyes, "Where is the old saying, why haven't I said it?" - Tianya, I don't want to fight for power, and I never ask you about military and political affairs. But seeing that you have committed such a strict negligence, I have to remind you. How high the position is, how much risk there is. Preventing the slightest is not the same as being suspicious and cruel, if you want to be a master, you must cultivate to the extreme in the 'Imperial Technique'. ”

"You're not in vain!" Chu Tianya smiled, "You know a lot more about officialdom than I do—you came with a female soldier swaggering today, do you want to show it to anyone?" ”

"Of course it's for Bai Xu to see." Xiao Linglong said, "When you go back and change the order, Bai Xu will know that I went to persuade you to change it." In that case, you won't be blamed for the white promise. If you want to blame me, it's just me. There are many things that are inconvenient for you, the lord, to come forward to do, so you can only do it for the people around you. I am willing to bear this notoriety for you. Because this fame, this resentment, must not fall on your head. This is also one of the techniques of the Imperial Majesty! ”

"Taught, taught!" Chu Tianya hugged his fists and laughed, "But you and Bai Xu are both people from Qixing Village, and they are like brothers and sisters, so you are not afraid of tearing your face with him?" ”

"There is a clear distinction between public and private, and this is not the same as in the past, and this must be clearly distinguished." Xiao Linglong said, "Do you remember what happened to Guan Shan and Jiao Wentong? They just mixed too much personal feelings into their official affairs, and as a result, they ended up in a dilemma, and finally caused a tragic ending. I think a smart person like Bai Xu can understand. Even if he really resents me, that's okay. I'm a woman, I'm small-minded and big-tempered, I'm going to do this, what can he do? ”

Chu Tianya laughed, "Well, this is indeed your gender advantage. ”

"The End of the World...... As I said, I am no longer a Xiao County Lord, nor an incorruptible star monarch, but your woman, and the Qingwei Queen who protects the lord! Xiao Linglong said softly, "I will not interfere in your affairs, nor will I restrict your freedom." But when I see you make mistakes, and when I see that you can bring disaster because of your mistakes, I will not be silent. You have many advantages in being talented, but after all, you don't have much experience in power struggles, you don't know how much temptation and stimulation power can bring to people, and you don't know where the real sinister nature of the human heart lies. You can't have the heart to harm others, but you can't have the heart to prevent people. This kind of thing must not be forgotten at any time. From the beginning of this incident of Bai Xu, I can play the role of the villain by your side. If you are not good at coming forward, you are not good at making a move, you can do it by me. I don't mind if everyone thinks of me as Empress Lu next to you - because around you, you need someone who dares to do evil! ”

"No, this person can't be you." Chu Tianya said decisively.

"Why?" Xiao Linglong frowned.

Chu Tianya stood up, paced a few steps with his hands on his back, and said, "What you just taught me is to guard against the slightest, I don't want you to become a person like Empress Lu." I don't even want my women to get involved in anything power-related, and I've even thought about not letting you lead troops or being a leader. ”

"Okay, I see. We'll talk about leading troops later, but it's actually just my interest, and I'm not really greedy for military power. Xiao Linglong didn't argue, she also stood up and walked to Chu Tianya's side, and said, "But you remember, light and darkness always complement each other. You have so much uprightness, and there is such a sinister and vicious person around you to help you do something, and it is inconvenient for you to come forward to do things yourself. This person, now you don't have it around. So this time, I can only act for the time being-give an order, I brought female soldiers here with great pomp, just to let everyone know that it was I who went to Xishan to pick up Meng De, and then go back to hand over the order to Bai Xu. If he wants to hate, hate me! ”

Chu Tianya wrinkled his eyebrows and pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Okay." ”

"Power and emotion are sometimes very contradictory. It's hard to make a trade-off. Xiao Linglong said, "However, if you blindly succumb to your feelings and let power make concessions, then you are not far from death." ”

"Okay, I got it. Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for your kindness, the students have really been taught this time. Chu Tianya smiled, spread out the pen and paper and prepared to write, and said at the same time, "But you have to promise one thing, Teacher Xiao." ”

Xiao Linglong was also amused, "What's the matter, you say." ”

"Don't be Queen Lu." Chu Tianya's expression became stern.

"Trust me, it won't." Xiao Linglong smiled slightly, and replied very sincerely, "But this time after you leave, I will help you keep an eye on Bai Xu." Because what you leave behind is not only your hard work, but also a family business surnamed Chu. I am your woman, a member of the Chu family, and I have this responsibility. ”

"Staring at Bai Xu?" Chu Tianya's pen paused, and said suspiciously, "Do you still have something to hide from me?" ”

"Nope." Xiao Linglong's expression was very calm, and she said, "I mean, I will also remind my Fourth Brother Bai from time to time how to grasp a 'degree' and grasp this balance of power between him and Meng De." But rest assured, I will not interfere with any of their decisions or orders, unless they will hurt you! ”

Chu Tianya pondered for a moment, then nodded with a slight smile, "Okay." I can trust both Meng De and Bai Xu, and I can trust you even more. You guys won't let me down! ”