Chapter 344 The Battle of Lanzhou

In the next few days, Qin Mubai spent most of his time in the palace. Following the officials of the Neiyuan Supervisor, the Ministry of Ceremonies, Taichang Temple, Hongyu Temple and other relevant government officials, they are familiar with and practice various wedding events.

It is said that the emperor's daughter doesn't worry about getting married, isn't it just because she has a good father? There are few royal marriages that are not political. This kind of marriage has long gone beyond marriage itself, and more often shows and political dramas.

Originally, according to traditional customs, when the emperor married his daughter, at most the ministers of the court came to congratulate her, and it was enough to make a lot of fun. But this time, the emperor married his favorite daughter, Princess Gaoyang. The emperor's son-in-law is the young and strong faction in the military world in recent years.

The important generals of the Twelve Guards Army are the first to attend, and there is no need to mention the Ministry of War and the Second Department of War and the Second Department of the North and the South. In addition, Qin Mubai sent officials to congratulate Xiangyang, who served as an official, Jiangzhou, who had worked, and all the states and counties in Lanzhou Helong and other places.

It makes sense for these local officials to congratulate, but under their leadership, many local officials have also come to Chang'an to follow the wind. On the grounds of congratulating the wedding, they come to contact the way to the capital or get close to Qin Mubai. No matter how bad it is, they can set a set of feelings between colleagues. It's not easy to be an official. I know the reason why many friends have fewer roads, fewer enemies and fewer walls.

As a result, Qin Mubai's marriage gradually evolved into a "public event". Officials from various places gathered in the capital for different purposes, which is a great view.

If you come to visit Qinfu in the past few days, you will also break the threshold.

Qin Mubai was very helpless and couldn't reach out to hit the smiling face. So he simply hid in the palace for most of the day, so as not to be anxious and dry in the face of those busy guests.

This is ten days.

The wedding date is close, with only five days left.

Princess Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang were a little tired. Marrying is like a war.

This day, Qin Mubai and Princess Gao Yang went to the Tianwang Temple in the harem to protect the country. They asked for a purity from Master Qingshan, boiled tea, and listened to her talk about Zen. But neither of them was in the mood to listen to any profound Buddha's principles today, and they were drowsy for a long time. Princess Gaoyang even fell asleep directly on the table.

Qin Mubai put his own cloak on her and apologized to Master Qingshan and said, "Don't blame the master. Even the date to learn all kinds of etiquette, I'm afraid the princess is exhausted."

"It doesn't matter. Let the princess sleep in this pure place. Qin's son-in-law might as well send her to the Zen room.

"It's good."

Qin Mubai picked up Princess Gaoyang and sent her to a quiet Zen room. She asked two nuns to take care of her and returned to the Zen hall.

"Why does Qin's son-in-law have time to go to the temple today? Can you give me some advice?" Master Qingshan asked with a smile.

"Master, Qin has been full of glitz for days, and his heart is tired. He just wants to be clean, so he came." Qin Mubai said.

"Three thousand red dust, who can be not tired when rolling down?" Master Qingshan sang a Buddha and said, "The Empress Defei also came to the temple from time to time, either chanting the Buddhist scriptures, or meditating meditation. The world is impetuous and people are at peace. It's also common."

Qin Mubai frowned and said, "It's not completely true. I don't know why, I have felt particularly impetuous in recent days, and an unknown industry fire in my heart has always risen uncontrollably. A small thing that was common in the past can also touch my liver. When I fell asleep at night, I didn't sleep well. Occasionally have some nightmares, or dream of the Jinge Iron Horse's battlefield expedition, and the blood flows for thousands of miles.

Master Qingshan was stunned and said, "The son-in-law is approaching, and he comes into contact with some festive things every day. Why did he have such a dream?"

"I don't know either." Qin Mubai took a long breath and said sullenly, "I've never been like this. Even if you really get to the front line of the border gate, you can sleep soundly in the rumbling drums. Now that I'm home, I'm in a trance and don't feel at peace.

Master Qingshan nodded and said, "That's what the general thinks about every day and dreams at night. The so-called haunting dream, where you are, you are at ease; but if you leave, you are thinking about it over and over again. General, although your people are in Chang'an, your heart is not in Chang'an.

Qin Mubai was stunned and had a little sense of enlightenment. He nodded and said, "What the master said is very true. Although I was preparing to get married to the princess, the repeated rituals and entertainments have made me tired of dealing with it, and I didn't have the joy of a big wedding. On the contrary, I can't rest assured of Lanzhou's city and army, and I always miss my father. It's a pity that the son is going to get married, but the father is away. Nowadays, there are many things to do at the border. I have fun at home and the guests are having fun every day, but my father is eating at the cold moon. I am very uneasy.

"So it is." Master Qingshan put his hands together and closed his eyes and said, "Amitabha, Qin's son-in-law is loyal to the country and benevolent, which is admirable. But that alone is not enough to mess up the son-in-law's mind. There must be something else."

Qin Mubai frowned and meditated for a long time, and suddenly his heart lit up: That's right! In the past few days, I have only been concerned about the wedding and haven't returned home much. I have forgotten about Su Lianqing's affairs!

"Thank you, Master, Qin knows what's going on. The master forgives his forgiveness. Qin has something to cook and is about to leave the palace now, and Her Royal Highness has temporarily entrusted the master to take care of him.

"Don't worry, don't worry!"

Qin Mubai left the Tianwang Temple of Huguo and asked for a horse from the military prison of Xuanwumen. After riding it, he flew out of the palace directly to the Qinxian Pavilion.

Su Lianqing has been in the Qinxian Pavilion and has been waiting for almost a whole day.

"General, you make it easy for me to find!" As soon as the two sat down, Su Lianqing said anxiously, "I've been looking for you for you for days, but I don't see anyone. You go out early and come back late. There are some things that I can't turn to others to tell you."

"Now, it's concise." Qin Mubai said.

"Good." Su Lianqing took a sip of tea, took a breath and said, "The Tai sisters have successfully lurked to the king of Han. The king of Han liked her two sisters very much and said that he would accept them as a companion. The two sisters also used some means to snard his appetite, but they refused to comply.

"Let's talk about it."

"They heard an important news!" Su Lianqing said, "In recent days, the king of Han and Fang's love have been hidden in the East Palace. They have discussed some secrets with the prince day and night, and no one can hear any news. Only once the King of Han drank more, and the Mingtai sisters danced with them. After drinking, they said nonsense. What's so great about that guy? It's so beautiful! Xiao Wang will break his prestige in public and make him lose his reputation. Sooner or later, he will die!"

"Is it about me?" Qin Mubai frowned.

"Who else can it be?" Su Lianqing said righteously, "Although he didn't name it, the two women didn't dare to ask more out of caution. But the left and right guesses must be aimed at you. Aren't you getting married recently? The movement is quite big, and the scenery is infinite. You have a grudge against him. If it's not against you, who else can you target?

"Is it clear? What exactly are they going to do to me?"

"No." Su Lianqing shook his head and said, "They are doing quite mysteriously, and they can't get any information. But I guess that most of them are going to do something on your wedding, ruining your reputation, or even framing you with something to spoil your interest and ruin your face."

"Wrong. They won't make such a big fight and work hard for the prince. They want to put me to death and end the future trouble forever. Qin Mubai narrowed his eyes slightly, smiled coldly and said, "I can't think of what earth-shaking things can these wastes do together to harm me?"

"General, be careful. As the saying goes, the king of hell is easy to provoke the little ghost, and what he is afraid of is this kind of vicious villain. Su Lianqing said, "Other than that, if it's a wedding gift, I'll change a glass of poison wine for you to offer to the emperor... Can you afford such charges?"

Qin Mubai raised his eyebrows: "If they have such guts, it's not in vain for me to treat them as opponents!"

"It's hard to say! The dog is in a hurry and has to jump over the wall!" Su Lianqing said, "Although I am not from the officialdom, I also know that the Prince of the East Palace is now in a hurry. The situation is in danger. What else is there that he dares not do? The king of Han is a pure bastard. He even dares to provoke the concubines left by his father in the harem. What else is there that he dares not do to lose Lund?

"Well, have you found the exact evidence about the concubine of the harem?"

"There is evidence. The Xingtai sisters almost saw him happy at the bedside with their own eyes. He was so bold that he even brought people out of the palace and locked them in the house day and night. Su Lianqing said.

Qin Mubai nodded and said, "Continue to stare at him."

"General, I don't understand. Such charges can kill his head at will. What are you still tolerant of and looking for? Su Lianqing asked.

Qin Mubai smiled and said, "This is also what I want to ask Li Yuanchang. He has done such killing things so easily. What on earth can he rely on? That's why I came to you. In recent days, please keep an eye on it. If there is any wind and grass, please report it to me at any time.

"Good."

Su Lianqing hurried away. Qin Mubai rested for a while and also returned to the palace to protect the Tianwang Temple. Princess Gaoyang woke up and was in better spirits, so she asked Qin Mubai to accompany her to the Xianju Hall to visit her mother and have dinner together.

Yin Defei is as beautiful as ever, elegant and dignified. The silver hair on her head adds a different kind of mystery and charm to her.

When the son-in-law arrived, Yin Defei naturally welcomed him enthusiastically, and also invited Li Shimin to dinner together. Recently, Qin Mubai has been in the palace for most of his time and often meets with Li Shimin. It is common for him to have a meal together.

During the banquet, the two gentlemen and ministers naturally talked about Lanzhou. Li Shimin said that with the progress of time, the situation in Lanzhou is close to tension, and the front line of Dafeichuan has entered a state of combat readiness. Xue Wanjun asked Qin Shubao to increase his troops, practice day and night and tighten the vigilance, and used to prevent Tibet. In addition, the Silk Commercial Road from Liangzhou to Lanzhou has also strengthened its management day and night, just in case. In addition, after the closure of border trade, the local situation in Lanzhou is also a little tense, mainly because the merchants stranded there face losses, which is more difficult to appease. In order to avoid the enemy's fine efforts to mix in and stir up trouble, the pressure of local martial law and public security is also relatively large.

Without Qin Mubai, who is in charge of internal affairs, the governor Qin Shubao must be very busy now.

Qin Mubai felt very uncomfortable when he heard this, so he hoped that the marriage would get married soon. He would go to Lanzhou earlier to take care of these military and political affairs and relieve his father's pressure.

These are actually just small things. The real trouble is still hidden. Gaochang and other countries on the Silk Road in the Western Regions may seek rebellion at any time. This kind of thing can't be prevented. Once it really happens, there seems to be no other way but to send troops to suppress it. However, the Tang Dynasty still could not take the initiative to send troops, otherwise the division would not be named. In the Western Regions, force is mainly supplemented by politics, which is definitely not as simple as fighting a war.

That is to say, on that side, although the Tang Dynasty can be reasonable, it will always be passive. Gaochang has nothing to do for a day, and Lanzhou will be on guard for a day. As soon as Gaochang happens, Lanzhou will send troops immediately. Otherwise, the Silk Road of the Tang Dynasty will be completely cut off, and the hegemony in the western region of Helong will collapse. Therefore, the chain reaction of the pull must be great, and it may also affect the Mobei Turkic grassland that has been pacified, causing drastic changes there.

Lanzhou, he took a hair and moved his whole body. At the moment of tension, Qin Mubai was preparing to get married here, which made him very uncomfortable.

"Father, how can you have a meal and talk about this?" When Princess Gaoyang saw that Qin Mubai was unhappy, she complained to Li Shimin.

"Hehe, okay, don't talk about it anymore." Li Shimin laughed and said, "You girl, you scold your father and emperor to the stinky boy. It's really the water spilled from your married daughter. The girl doesn't want to stay!"

"Hey hey, I'm asking if I can help you or not. Let's eat! Eat at ease!" Princess Gaoyang smiled and drank wine for Li Shimin.

Qin Mubai smiled and toasted Li Shimin, but muttered in his heart: If there is nothing wrong with Lanzhou, I have to invite my father to get married. Or, I got married at a staggered time, took care of Lanzhou first, and it was also good to get married with peace of mind. I'm annoyed. Tubo people take advantage of this time to make waves and make me upset!

Lanzhou, the governor's office.

Qin Shubao sat on the chair in a royal costume and a golden knife. He read a letter in his hand for a while. He smiled at Xue Rengui standing beside him and said, "Rengui, I really didn't expect that the baby of Princess Gaoyang would write to me."

"Oh? This is indeed a novelty." Xue Rengui smiled and said, "What did Your Highness say in the letter?"

Qin Shubao smiled in a rather cheerful mood. He got up and paced a few steps and said, "The child didn't have the air of a princess in the letter. He said a father on the left and a father and a father on the right, which warmed my heart. She didn't mention anything big, but casually talked about her wedding with Mu Bai. They also said that they miss me very much and hope that I can attend their wedding. It's a pity that I'm not here on the wedding day.

"I didn't expect that Her Royal Highness was careless and careless, but her mind was so exquisite and clever. The last general really congratulated the governor for receiving such a good daughter-in-law. Xue Rengui said.

"Haha! Among the emperor's daughters, only Princess Gaoyang is the most intelligent. In the past, I just heard that it is true to say it now. This baby is thick and thin, and his wisdom is like a fool! You see, Mu Bai has been back to Chang'an for many days. Although there are also letters and exchanges, he mostly talks about business. This Gao Yang made my heart warm. The regret of not eating my son's wedding wine has also swept away most of it. Uncle Qin Bao said with a happy smile, " Even Mu Bai is not as careful as her. Where can I find such a daughter-in-law?

"That's true." Xue Rengui said, "I really can't see that the emperor of Princess Gaoyang is so spoiled to respect the elders and sympathizes with the elderly. This kind of filial piety and care is very rare. If you are such a filial daughter-in-law and return to the field another day, you will definitely enjoy the joy of family!"

"Haha!" Qin Shubao laughed loudly, "When Mu Bai returns from his wedding and finishes the Western Regions, I began to plan to hand over the shift to him and retire to the field to enjoy the joy of family!" At that time, I guess Mu Bai will also add a grandson to me, haha!"

The two of them were chatting happily when suddenly a military academy flew in - "Report!! Emergency military situation!"

Qin Shubao's eyebrows were awe-ins, and his smile was red just now. In an instant, the tiger was majestic and awe-instant: "Report!"

"Tuchi's 30,000 iron riders wandered around the front line of Dafeichuan for harassment. Each has its own victory or defeat in a small confrontation, and the loss of troops on both sides is no more than a hundred. General Xue Wanjun asked for an expulsion!"

"Are you finally here?" Qin Shubao sneered disdainfully and said, "I ordered Xue Wanjun not to keep it strictly. Unless the Tubo people come to attack the village, they can fight back, and the pursuit must not exceed five miles. Otherwise, the military order will be severely punished!"

"Yes--" The pawn took the order and left.

"The governor is wise." Xue Rengui said, "Our army has been operating in Dafeichuan for a long time. The camp is like iron, and the generals and soldiers are all strong. With the help of Shenwu cannons, 30,000 Tubo iron riders can't shake our Dafeichuan camp at all. At this time, the Tubo people are looking forward to our army taking the initiative to fight against it in the field, and it must be a siege to wait for work.

"Not bad." Qin Shubao said, "But I'm not so stupid that I won't abandon the camp and attack each other with my own shortcomings. In addition, the soldiers and horses along the way must be suspicious all the way, and they will not seriously come to attack the city and pull out the fortress. I believe that the Tubo people are still vivid in the Yuwei of the previous Shenwu cannon.

"In this way, the Tubo people must have another move? I just don't know what they are going to do. Xue Rengui said.

Qin Shubao stood up and squinted his eyes slightly. He stroked his head for a long time and said, "Now that the suspects have come out, it's time for the soldiers to appear, otherwise it's time to startle the snake. I believe that it won't take long for the news to come. Rengui, let's talk about it. If you are a native of Tubo, you have sent all the way to harass Dafeichuan, how should you use the other soldiers and horses?

"Two uses." Xue Rengui said without thinking, "One is to enter the hometown of Tuyuhun, cut off my connection with the Central Plains behind Lanzhou, or penetrate into the hinterland of Lanzhou and the Central Plains for plundering. But this way, the soldiers and horses are more risky, because our army's sentries and troops on that line are relatively strict. If our army reacts immediately, they may fall into a heavy siege and be besieged by our army.

"That's right. Sure enough, he is resourceful and makes good use of soldiers. Sanlang didn't misread you." Qin Shubao nodded and praised, "Go on, the second one?"

"The second is..."

"Report--"

A shout interrupted Xue Rengui's words, and another scout ran into the interior and said, "Report to the governor, Liangzhou Military Emergency Report!" Along the way, nearly 10,000 Tubo soldiers and horses crossed Qilian Mountain and broke through the guard lines of our army along the mountain. They attacked Liangzhou overnight, and the business station suffered serious losses. General Xue Wanjun, the acting governor of Liangzhou, sent a letter for emergency! At this time, the official road between Liangzhou and Lanzhou was cut off, and most of the Shangyi and Bingyi along the way had fallen into the hands of the Tubo army!"

Qin Shubao suddenly raised his eyebrows angrily: "There is no such reason! Tubo boy, so untrustworthy and unrighteous! A month ago, I sent someone to send beef, mutton, wine and meat to show my flattery. In a blink of an eye, I turned my face and didn't recognize people. I was weak and attacked my Liangzhou, and my business trip was bad to kill my army and the people! - Come on, beat and gather generals!!"

"No!!"

Xue Rengui's face also changed, and he held his fist and said in a low voice, "Dadu, the last general, please be the vanguard!"

Qin Shubao frowned and said, "Rengui, the second method of military use of the Tubo people you just mentioned is to attack Liangzhou from Qilian Mountain?"

"This... I dare not talk nonsense. It has happened..."

"You are, aren't you!"

"Yes!"

Qin Shubao nodded with a solemn expression and said, "Then what do you think Tubo people will do next?"

Xue Rengui said, "After the previous consecutive defeats, Tubo must have known that we are powerful in Lanzhou. This time, the suspected soldier was not in Sichuan and attacked Liangzhou. According to the last generals, it was a false move, but it was just a siege and aid to delay our army.

"This intention coincides with the old man." Qin Shubao said, "Tubo people have always only done some burning, killing and looting. After fighting and robbing, they run away. This time, the suspects and strange soldiers came out together. It seems that they are making a big step. The purpose is either to take our Lanzhou, or to plot an outpost for the Western Regions, hoping to delay our army and give courage to Gaochang and other countries!"

"The governor is wise!" Xue Rengui said, "So, please send a general to the army to fight. There are not many soldiers, and you can ride more and more than 3,000 fine iron. The last general led this brigade to help Liangzhou. If the Tubo people fought to the death, it proved that they were indeed besieging the city to delay our army, with the intention of being in the Western Regions. If they fled in a false battle, they would transfer the tiger to leave and wanted to transfer our main army out of Lanzhou and then attack Lanzhou. Just ask the governor to sit in Lanzhou and adapt to all changes!"

"This is a wonderful plan!" Qin Shubao nodded with appreciation and said, "No wonder when Sanlang left, he deliberately told me that if there was a war, you can ask Rengui. It turns out that you are really so resourceful. OK, just follow your plan. I ordered you to be the vanguard and lead 3,000 Chinese troops to help Liangzhou sweep the official road. If the Tubo people fight to the death, I will lead a large army to help; if the Tubo people are defeated, they don't need to chase, just guard Lanzhou and various military roads. At that time, I will wait for work in Lanzhou!"

"The last general takes the order!!"

Not long, the military generals came together, and the colonel set up a position to talk about martial arts.

Lanzhou, which has been silent for a long time, is like a pot of water that is about to boil...