Chapter 284 The Emperor and the God of War

In the evening, he still had a vegetarian dinner with the big monks in the palace, and burned incense and candles to do some business. Qin Mubai rode his horse and left the palace, ready to go home for a rest.

When he left the palace, he thought of something. It has been two days since I returned to Chang'an. Anyway, I should go to Li Jing's house to pay a visit. Although there is no master and apprentice name between the old man, there is a master and apprentice, and there are many things that I don't understand in the art of war. Do you want to ask him for advice?

So Qin Mubai turned back home, and his mother and girls were waiting for him to have dinner together. However, he took the Jade Account and one of his notes and let them eat by themselves. He left home without stopping for a moment.

Liu Shi shook his head full of pity and smiled annly: "This child doesn't stop all day long, and there are always endless things to do. I just didn't see him do anything."

"Mom, what I do is all business!" Shuang'er muttered beside him.

"Nonsense!" Liu's face was rigid, "As an adult, I'm not in a hurry to ask a daughter-in-law to come in. What kind of princess or business girl? Let's just marry one quickly. Your father and I are still in a hurry to have grandchildren!"

Shuang'er giggled: "Is this what you're talking about?"

"Of course!" Liu said rigidly, "There are three kinds of unfilial piety, and no queen is the greatest! You will be twenty-two at the beginning of the New Year! Your two elder brothers can run all over the yard at this age! Liang'er, this child, is so useless. Can I not be in a hurry?"

Shuang'er curled her lips and said, "Mom, don't worry. Maybe sometime, seven or eight children will jump out and call your grandma. In fact, my brother... He may have done it, but he likes to sneak around.

Liu was so happy that she came forward and twisted her ears: "You girl, you have a broken mouth. No wonder you can't get married!" Where did you learn these unruly promiscuous words? Look, I won't deal with you!"

Qin Mubai, who was riding on the horse, sneezed coldly, rubbed his nose and said secretly: Who is thinking about me?

The Duke of Wei has arrived.

He knocked on the door, and it was still the old man who came to open the door. He looked at Qin Mubai for a long time, turned his dizzy old eyes, and muttered, "Little baby, who are you looking for?"

This old man has a bad memory. Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Qin Mubai, specially came to visit the Duke of Wei."

"Qin Mubai... This name is so familiar!" The old man turned his eyes and didn't let Qin Mubai in. "You still have to go quickly. It's inconvenient in the house today. Don't come in."

"What's the matter?" Qin Mubai was stunned, "I'm a student of Wei Gong. Don't you know me? Is there any big deal in the house?"

"Don't ask, let's go!" The old man was about to chase Qin Mubai out and closed the door in a hurry.

"What's the noise?" Just then, a man came from the courtyard.

is a man in his early 40s. He is tall and strong. He walks like a wind and powerful man, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. He has a black beard half a foot long under his jaw. He wears a green brocade robe and a black shirt.

Maybe it's "peer attraction". Qin Mubai took a look and instinctively felt that the person in front of him was mostly a soldier from martial arts.

When the old man saw the man coming, he hugged his fist and muttered, "General Su, the master said that there are no guests in the house today, and this boy insisted on coming in."

"Go and have a rest. Leave it to me." The man smiled slightly, and the old man arched his hand and walked away.

The man turned his face and looked at Qin Mubai. He smiled and looked at him up and down. He hugged his fist and said, "Your Excellency is... Qin Mubai, General Qin?"

"It's exactly below." Seeing his fist, Qin Mubai's authentic military posture once again confirmed the speculation in his heart. So he saluted and replied, "I don't know what to call the general?"

The man smiled slightly: "Su Lie, the general of Zuo Wuhou. I've heard the name of General Qin for a long time. It's a pleasure to meet you.

"Su...lie? Su Dingfang?" Qin Mubai was slightly shocked.

"Oh? How could General Qin know the name of a certain family? That's right. Su takes the square of the word and is used to the word line. Su Lie smiled and hugged his fist and said, "Please come in!" The old servant is stubborn, please don't care.

Qin Mubai came in, and Su Dingfang personally covered the door.

Of course, Su Dingfang in front of him is not the evil person who killed Luo Cheng in novels such as "Romance of Sui and Tang Dynasties" (of course, there is no such person as Luo Cheng in history at all). In the era of disputes at the end of the Sui Dynasty, he first revolted with his father and became a brave and brave warrior. Later, he did work for Liu Heiyu. After the fall of Liu Heiqi, Su Dingyi returned to the countryside and lived in seclusion. In the early years of Zhenguan, Li Shimin knew the name of Su Dingfang and intended to recruit this outstanding talent in martial arts. So Su Dingfang became an official in the Tang Dynasty again.

Previously, Su Dingfang followed Li Jing, Li Xun and other Turkic countries in the north, because he showed that the officials worshipped Zuo Wuhou Zhonglang General and ranked fourth grade. From then on, he also became Li Jing's public direct descendant and learned the art of war from him.

The real Su Dingfang in history has made outstanding achievements in his life. He fought against the Turks and conquered Baekje in the east and paced the chaos of Congling. Most of the battles fought in his life are foreign wars, and he is upright and bold, which is by no means an ugly image. It is no exaggeration to call him a national hero.

However, most of Su Dingfang's achievements in history were made by Gao Zong. Now, although he is not unknown, he still lives under the aura of Li Jing and others. Outsiders know him, that is, the name of "Li Jingmen". No wonder Su Dingfang wondered why Qin Mubai knew his name.

After entering the door, Su Dingfang said, "General Qin is busy with his business. Why did he go to Wei Gong's house today?"

"To tell you the truth, General Su, I came here to visit the Duke of Wei." Qin Mubai replied, "Please ask for some military tactics."

Su Dingfang nodded and smiled: "A teacher said that he passed on half of General Qin's "Jade Account Sutra", which is the essence of his old man's life's military skills. Only a talented person like General Qin deserves to be taught. Su, you are so jealous!"

"Ha ha, General Su laughed." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Duke Wei disdains to accept me as an apprentice, so I'm aggrieved!" If you want to say envy, I envy General Su.

"Haha!" Su Dingfang laughed, "Although there is no name of master and apprentice, there is the truth of master and apprentice. Master has always been indifferent to such things as fame and fortune. Why does General Qin care?"

"It's true." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "In this way, Qin and General Su are also from the same family. They should be called General Su's 'brother'!"

"And dare and dare!" Su Dingfang hugged his fist and smiled, "General Qin's famous noble general Huzi, Su is reckless, and dares to cling to himself?"

"Well, we are all military people, so we don't have to imitate the literati to be so polite." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "That's right, the old gentleman just said that it is inconvenient to welcome guests in the house today, but why?"

"There is nothing special, but... His Majesty the Emperor is coming." Su Dingfang said.

"Oh?" Qin Mubai was stunned, "Is the emperor coming?"

"Yes." Su Dingfang said, "His Majesty the Emperor and Duke Wei have always been deeply in love with each other. They often call them brothers in private and walk around a lot. However, General Qin is not an outsider. Since he is here, please come in. There is nothing to avoid.

"It's good. If a wise man doesn't do secret things, why do he have to leave since he has come? Please ask General Su to spread it on his behalf. Qin Mubai said.

"There is no need to pass it out. His Majesty the emperor and Duke Wei are playing chess in the hall. It's okay for us to go ahead together. Su Dingfang said, "Please!"

"Please!"

The two entered the house together and came to the main hall of the front hall.

It seems that Li Shimin traveled very low-keyly. He didn't make a big deal. Only a few hundred riders came with him, and he only wore casual clothes. At this time, he was sitting in the main hall playing chess with Li Jing. Li Jing's white hair is particularly eye-catching.

The two of them did not shout and disturb. They quietly walked in and stood around the chessboard to watch the battle.

Li Shimin didn't look at them sideways while playing chess. At this time, he waved his hand to the side: "Sit down, don't stand, block the light."

The two sat on both sides of the chess table and silently appreciated the game between them.

Li Shimin's expression was grim and attentive, and Li Jing smiled calmly. On the chess surface, it is also Li Jing who has the advantage.

Li Shimin's chess skills were originally superb, but compared with Li Jing, he really became a bad chess basket. Moreover, Li Jing didn't seem to have any intention of releasing water. He took advantage of the victory and chased him, so he killed Li Shimin and threw away his armor.

"No! It's really disappointing to lose three sets in a row!" Li Shimin threw the chess pieces in his hand and patted his thighs.

"Ha ha!" Li Jing smiled, "Your Majesty, why are you so impetuous today?"

"Hey! It's not for those disappointing children to make trouble! ...Well, Qin Mubai, when did you come here?" At this time, Li Shimin saw Qin Mubai beside him and was shocked.

Qin Mubai couldn't help laughing and arched his hand and said, "Weichen has been here for a long time, and it's exactly the seat given by your majesty."

"Oh? Haha!" Li Shimin patted his thigh and laughed, "I was so involved in playing chess that I didn't pay attention to it. So, have you heard what I just said?"

"Yes, I did hear it all." Qin Mubai replied with a smile.

"Bold, how dare you eavesdrop on the secret talk between me and Mr. Wei!" Li Shimin slapped his face and said, "I'll punish you to make tea for us. Go quickly!"

"Yes." Qin Mubai put down the burden with a smile and got up to make tea.

Su Dingfang removed the chessboard and put on the coffee table. Li Shimin said with reminiscence, "Brother Jing, your chess skills are better! I have no one to practice in the palace, so I lost to you more and more. Among the sons, only Tai'er and Ke'er's chess skills are not bad. However, Tai'er is too cautious in playing chess, and he is very indifferent to the game. Ke'er is fierce and lacks fineness. He often accidentally loses the game with one move, and it is not enough to fight. It's still more enjoyable to play against Brother Jing, but I just lost too badly.

"Ha ha!" Li Jing stroked his head and smiled, "Your Majesty condescending to come to the old minister's house, isn't it just to look for defeat? How dare the old minister be invincible?

"You old fox!" Li Shimin stroked his palm and laughed, and Li Jing and Su Dingfang also laughed together.

At this time, Li Shimin picked up the burden put down by Qin Mubai and took a look and joked, "Qin Mubai sneaked into your house and brought such a bag of things. Is it possible that he came to bribe you? Shouldn't you bring a lot of good things from Xiangzhou, and don't you see him coming to honor me? I have to have a look!"

Li Shimin opened the burden and couldn't help laughing: "Oh! Yu Ting Jing, and his book record!"

After saying that, Li Shimin opened the records and took a look. After a few lines, there was a trace of surprise on his face. Gradually, I was fascinated and looked through several pages in a row.

At this time, Qin Mubai took the tea, and Li Jing gestured to him to silence. So Qin Mubai sat aside carefully and quietly added tea to them.

After reading more than ten pages in a row, Li Shimin nodded and praised, "Not bad! ...Mubai, you are still a little enlightened!"

"Oh? Did Your Majesty notice Weichen this time? Qin Mubai said with a smile.

"Do you think I'm really confused?" Li Shimin smiled, put the notes and military letters together in the bag and handed them back to Qin Mubai. He said, "Brother Jing, you have worked hard to calm Tuyuhun for a few years, and the place is now in chaos again. Before that, after Tuyu Hunping, the Tubo troops led by Songzan Gampo were timid, so they asked me to marry me. I refused at that time. Unexpectedly, after the messenger went back, he said to Songtsen Gampo and others that it was Murong, the prince of Xiping, the leader of Tuyuhun, who was given by me. Songzan Gampo took advantage of the topic and raised 200,000 soldiers in two ways, all the way south to Shuland to invade Songzhou, all the way east out of Dafeichuan, and attacked Lanzhou.

Speaking of this, Li Shimin deliberately paused for a moment, looked at Qin Mubai and said, "It's your father's Western Regions, Lanzhou."

"Hmm." Qin Mubai nodded and thought to himself: What did the emperor think of running to Li Jing's house to discuss military affairs?

At this time, Li Jing's reaction was calm. He said lightly, "The Tufan people have always been wild and unruly, and his heart is unconvinced. His leader, Songzan Gampo, can also be called a hero. He unified the various parts of Tibet, and his national strength is getting stronger and stronger. They had such a conflict with me in the Tang Dynasty, which was also expected.

"Yes!" Li Shimin nodded and said, "For so many years since I ascended the throne, the Turkic Khanate has been paced in the north, and since then, all the barbarians have been subdued. Only Tubo has always been convinced. They rely on their own plateau, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Wolves are ambitious and covet the Central Plains, and often invade Western Shu and Hetao. The reason why I tried my best to take down Tuyuhun was also to impeach and prevent them. This time, Songzan Ganzan used the topic to lead the military invaders. Brother Jing thought, what should I do?

Li Jing frowned slightly and said, "Your Majesty, do you mean to send troops to resist, or to give peace and marriage?"

"Yes." Li Shimin did not deny it and nodded simply.

Li Jing took a breath and slowly spit it out, and said, "Your Majesty should discuss this matter with Fang Wei Changsun and others."

Just now, Li Shimin had an expectant expression of "waiting for the following". At this time, he shook his head a few times with great disappointment: "Who knows more than Brother Jing? The reason why I'm here is not that I expect Brother Jing to give me a strategy first, so that I can have an accurate head in my heart?"

Li Jing smiled and didn't say anything.

"Why, if there are others, Brother Jing won't say much?" Li Shimin looked at Qin Mubai and Su Dingfang, "These two are not outsiders. One is my son-in-law soon, and the other is Brother Jing's son-in-law."

"It's not like this." Li Jing said, "Actually, your majesty has a final case in his heart. Why do you have to ask the old minister? The old minister has been retreating to the court for many days, without asking about the military and politics. Now I'm afraid it's wrong to speak in plain language, and I'm afraid it will mislead your majesty. Therefore, it's better to be cautious."

"Well, Brother Jing is so cautious, so I won't force you." Li Shimin nodded and said, "Then I'll talk about what I think in my heart. How about asking Brother Jing to help me find out?"

Li Jing nodded: "Okay."

Li Shimin said, "I have two ideas in my heart. First, if you fight back by force, you will not marry; second, if you fight back by force, you will be allowed to marry.

Qin Mubai and Su Dingfang frowned: Isn't this almost the same? It is the difference between marriage and not marriage.

"Uh-huh..." Li Jing gave a meaningful hum and nodded. Looking at his expression, he was very appreciative of the emperor's two decisions.

"What do you think, Brother Jing?" Li Shimin asked.

"Like your majesty said, whether it is given marriage or not, it will definitely be fought." Li Jing said, "Lao Chen, that's what I think in my heart. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, the strength of the Tang Dynasty has become more and more grand, the soldiers are sharp and the people are vigorous, and the battle is invincible. Nowadays, no matter for what reason, the Tubo people dare to attract troops, we, the Tang Dynasty, must fight back strongly. It's all about giving marriage or not. If marriage is given, it is a long-term plan. If this battle is not given, the battle is another way to fight, and it must be done once and for all. But it is obviously quite difficult to do this. Tubo is not as easy to calm down as the Turks in those years.

Qin Mubai listened to it - high theory!

This is the vision and strategy of the military master. Military is an extension of politics and a service to politics. If you fight, you can't kill the enemy in a daze. I'm afraid this is the difference between a good general and a commander!

"Brother Jing's high theory!" Li Shimin really praised repeatedly, "So, I must come to visit and ask what you mean. In fact, in my heart, I really want to clean up the Tubo Plateau like the Turkic grassland in those years. But I also know that this is not realistic. After the pacified of the Turkic Khanate in those years, it took several years to settle the Turkic ministries alone. The treasury was empty, and the people worked hard for it. So far, there are still things that have not been dealt with, and the aftermath is uneven. Tubo is located on the plateau, which is not conducive to our army's battle. The plateau is vast and vast, from Bashu to the congling in the western region and even Dashi Tianzhu, it is bordered by it, and the surrounding situation is complex. How easy is it to calm down its soil? Therefore, I have been thinking about how to have a long-term solution to solve the problem of Tibet? At present, Tubo is raising troops, and it is not a wedge machine. I want to take this opportunity to fight a big battle.

"Big battle?" Li Jing frowned.

"Yes." Li Shimin's expression was relatively firm. He held a few chess pieces, pinched them heavily in his hand, and said, "I am Shangwu in the Tang Dynasty, but for many years, I have been hiding armor and practicing school, and governing the country with benevolent kings. Nowadays, the world is usually for a long time, and the armor is inevitably dusty, and the soldiers are lazy. It took a long time for Tuyuhun to calm down, and the Tubo people dared to raise their troops to commit the crime. If there is no strong counterattack, there will be Tubo turbulence today, and tomorrow all the countries in the Western Regions will dare to rebel, even Goguryeo, and even the old Turkic who are not dead. Although today's Tubo Rebellion is a disease of scaby, it cannot be ignored. I plan to fight on two fronts. All the way, the soldiers and horses went south to Songzhou, driving the enemy to protect the peace of Xishu; the soldiers and horses on the second road went out to meet the enemy and deal with the Tubo people in Dafeichuan, Lanzhou and other Tuyuhun's hometowns. First, they helped Tuyuhun recover the lost land. Second, they tried to protect the peace of the Western Regions and the river commercial road.

"The soldiers are divided into two ways, their soldiers are few, their strength is weak, food and fodder are difficult to help, and the national strength of the Republic of China is greatly exhausted. Your Majesty, this is really a big war and a test of my national strength in the Tang Dynasty. Li Jing said.

"Yes!" Li Shimin frowned with some embarrassment, "Fian Xuanling will definitely oppose it. He has always been not like to fight, and he is afraid that he will waste money and food and lose national strength. I'm really worried that I can't say anything about him.

"Ha ha, if it hadn't been for your majesty's advice, how could it be prosperous today?" Li, please laugh.

"It's true!" Li Shimin smiled and said, "If this court is a family, I am the head of the family. Fang Xuanling is a careful and loyal little daughter-in-law. She teaches her husband and children to be good at taking care of the family, so that I have no worries. But if you want to make a big deal with the outside world, you have to be assisted by a figure like Brother Jing!"

"Haha!" Li Jing laughed loudly, "Your Majesty is really funny! In fact, Your Majesty doesn't have to worry too much. Tubo raised an army and committed me. The main battle was in Songzhou, Xishu, which caused a lot of chaos. It is natural for Your Majesty to send troops to resist. Presumably Fang Xuanling and others will also fully support it. However, if your majesty wants to take the initiative to attack out of Lanzhou in the west, it is the labor expedition. On the one hand, it is difficult to replenish the people and the money, and the other is to go deep alone, and the general can't do it. Therefore, at present, Your Majesty, please focus on Western Shu, Lanzhou, and Xu. Fang Xuanling and so on, there must be no more words.

"Vit's very good!" Li Shimin patted on the table, "Brother Jing is still smart! Isn't Lanzhou Qin Shubao my general of Wei Huo? However, Lanzhou is located in the western region, but the land is vast, people are sparse and the storage of scarce materials is limited, and the military strength is not very strong. Here, I took a hair and moved my whole body, and I really didn't dare to let him go to conquer other places. After listening to Brother Jing's good plan, I plan to build the governor's mansion in Lanzhou, open farmland, govern the military town, and maintain the people. I will give it three or five years, so that the Lanzhou army can be self-sufficient and make up for it. Then, based on this, the west map and north can achieve great things.

"Your Majesty is wise." Li Jing said concisely and praised.

"Okay, okay, okay." Li Shimin said three good words in a row. Looking at his expression, he saw the blue sky, but he looked like a big thing in his heart.

At this time, he looked at Qin Mubai again and said, "Mubai, what do you think after listening to it for such a long time?"

Qin Mubai was serious and arched his hand: "Weichen, I have benefited a lot, and I can't say anything for a moment."

Li Shimin smiled with an unfathomable smile. He made a few random strokes on the table with some tea in one hand, drew a rough territory map of the western border of the Tang Dynasty, drew a circle on the boundary of Lanzhou, and then hit this place three times with his fingers: "Lanzhou! Lanzhou! Lanzhou!! If the Tang Dynasty is in the Western Regions and the prestige of Tuyuhun and Tubo, then Lanzhou is very important. The so-called interm marriage is actually a last resort. If you can subdue it with force, why should you send a woman to abuse her? Mu Bai, you may have heard of it. That Tubo is so unreasonable. Before that, I named my name to marry my Princess Gaoyang. How could I promise my daughter to the barbaric person who has never been uninformed and ignorant of etiquette? Nowadays, they are still using this as an excuse to commit a crime. Do you have an idea?"

When Qin Mubai heard this, he couldn't understand it in his heart - didn't this mean that I should invite him to war? Before that, Li Xun had been talking to me for a long time. It can be seen that the emperor had also discussed with Li Xun before.

"Tsubun politely violated my territory and killed my people, and also humiliated the royal coveted the princess. The minister is public and private, and he must fight with him!" Qin Mubai was awe-inspiring and clenched his fists with his hands. "Your Majesty, please transfer the micro minister to the Western Regions to assist his father and rectify the armor in Lanzhou, so as to plan the future!"

"Uh-huh--" Li Shimin procrastined his voice, pointed to Qin Mubai's long smile, and said to Li Jing, "This boy, not bad! Give my daughter to him, and I will pay more or less. Brother Jing, what do you think? Both of your students are here, but you can't prefer Qin Mubai because he is my son-in-law. Ding Fang is good at Rongwu and has won your true biography. He is honest and cautious. He is a suitable candidate for Lanzhou to assist Shubao. I want to hear your opinion?"

Li Jing glanced at Qin Mubai and Su Dingfang, with no expression on his face, but an old-fashioned light flashed in his eyes.

"Let's go, Mu Bai!" Li Jing said.

"Oh, why?" Li Shimin seems to like to get to the bottom of the question today, and insisted that Li Jing make it clear.

Li Jing smiled bitterly and didn't know how to answer for a moment. Suddenly, he smiled strangely: "Songzan Gampo, and I didn't ask Ding Fang's wife to marry me. Naturally, it's suitable for Mu Bai."

"Haha!" Everyone laughed.

"You old fox, are you honorable for the old!" Li Shimin laughed and patted his hands on his thighs, "Okay, then Mu Bai! Let's discuss it in detail later. Don't disclose this matter to the outside world for the time being.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The three of them agreed together.

Li Shimin left later. When I left, my footsteps were light and my face was red. Obviously, I was much more cheerful.

Qin Mubai listened to the "teller's story" around Li Jing and Li Shimin for a long time today. He felt that this military god and an emperor was really smart and tacit.

Li Shimin had already transferred me to Lanzhou with ulterior motives, and Li Jing naturally knew it. Just like this chess game, Li Shimin is here to seek defeat, and Li Jing will never lose to him and win the battle.

Officials all flatter, and of course Li Jing also flattered. But he didn't show any trace, and he was already fascinated.

"Learn from him! I can't finish learning what this old fox has in my life!" Qin Mubai said to himself like this.

Not long after Li Shimin left, Qin Mubai came to ask Li Jing about his military tactics. Li Jing did not ask Su Dingfang to avoid it. The three sat together to discuss and communicate together.

When it comes to theoretical knowledge, Qin Mubai, a top student at the National Defense University, is not inferior to them; however, the combat experience on the battlefield of cold weapons is far worse. The three of them asked for advice for a while. Most of the time, it was Qin Mubai who was communicating with Su Dingfang. Li Jing dialed a sentence or two from time to time. In this way, unconsciously after an hour or two, the night was late.

Qin Mubai said goodbye and wanted to leave. Li Jing called him to the study alone and gave him a book - the lower part of the Jade Book!

"It's finally finished. Take it!" Li Jing said with a smile, "When I see you, I will almost see the upper part. Maybe it won't be long before you go to Lanzhou. I hope this military book is helpful to you.

"Thank you, Lord Wei!" Qin Mubai took over the military letter, kowtowed unequivoyly, and saluted as a master and apprentice.

This time, Li Jing did not refuse, but accepted with a smile. He said, "In terms of talent, you are better than Su Dingfang and Hou Junji. However, your future achievements may not be greater than them. Do you know why?"

Qin Mubai asked with a slightly surprised hand, "Please call Mr. Wei."

"Ha ha!" Li Jing stroked his bead and smiled and said, "Dingfang is calm and capable, and he is attentive and meticulous; Junji is infatuated with soldiers as his career. Got it?"

"Yes, I understand!"

Qin Mubai suddenly realized: Li Jing is teaching me that I should be dedicated and persistent!