Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 321

Chapter 321 Recover From One’s Loss
As he pondered, Qin Mubai swayed around the Imperial Garden. It was already cold winter, and most of the vegetation had declined. The plants in the imperial garden weren’t too flourishing, so there was a sense of bleakness.

The imperial palace was extremely familiar to Qin Mubai. At the beginning of their acquaintance, he and Princess Gaoyang had left behind many tracks and laughs here. It felt good to visit the same place again. He sat down beside a corridor pavilion, feeling a rare sense of peace in his heart.

After listening to Master Qingshan’s loud talk that day, Qin Mubai felt that his mood had calmed down a lot, and it was as if he had settled down. Originally, Qin Mubai did not have much interest in Buddhism and Dao, but now he felt that religion was not useless. Perhaps it would be a good idea to talk to Master Qingshan another day if he was upset.

Just as he was meditating on something, someone from afar called out, “Third brother? Is that third brother?”

Qin Mubai turned around and saw that an exceptionally tall figure was his eldest brother, Qin Tong.

It had been a long time since this half-brother had met. Qin Mubai stood up to greet him and respectfully cupped his fists, “Younger Brother pays respects to your elder brother!”

The Great Tang placed the greatest importance on filial piety. In the absence of his father, his eldest brother was like his father, so it was only right for him to be polite. Moreover, it had been several days since he had returned to the capital, and Qin Mubai had not come out to visit his two brothers. He felt somewhat ashamed in his heart.

Qin Tong was a typical born martial artist. He was a rough man and laughed loudly, “Haha! What a third brother!”

He happily embraced Qin Mubai’s fists and smiled happily, “I’ve heard that you’re back. Foolish Brother can’t get out of the palace when he’s on duty. Today is ten days off, and I was just about to invite your second brother to come home with you to meet your mother, but I met you here. Very good, very good!”

“I’m ashamed!” Qin Mubai said, “It has been several days since I returned to the capital. I didn’t take the initiative to pay my respects to the two brothers first.”

“Third Brother, what are you talking about!” Qin Tong waved his hand and smiled indifferently, “You are the emperor’s great celebrity now. You are going to be the emperor’s son-in-law again. There must be a lot of things inside and outside. I don’t blame you. It’s good to be back. Your second brother and I were going to ask for orders to go to Lanzhou together at first, but Father didn’t agree. We don’t dare to make a move. Now that we brothers are gathered together, we will be in vain!”

“That’s!” Qin Mubai was also very happy. Whether they were kissing or not, they were flesh and blood. A blood brother was a blood brother. They were always stronger than outsiders, and there wasn’t a single layer of estrangement between them.

The two brothers were both in high spirits, so they left and chatted. They prepared to go to the Hongwen Pavilion to invite the second brother, Qin Bin, to go home together for a lively reunion.

When they arrived at Taiji Palace’s Martial De Palace, it was the place where the emperor usually went to court and handled political affairs. Hongwen Library was not far from here. The two brothers were just about to pass by when they happened to meet Li Shimin’s phoenix carriage, so they stood at the side of the road to greet him.

Today, it was clear and sunny. Li Shimin saw Qin Mubai from afar in his canopy car. He stopped the car and waved to Qin Mubai, “Mubai, follow me to the Imperial Study. I just happened to have something to do with you.”

“This lowly official obeys the decree.” Qin Mubai agreed and said to Qin Daodong, “Big Brother, I’ll be right back. You and Second Brother will be waiting for me in Hongwen Library.”

“Alright, you go!”

Qin Mubai followed Li Shimin into the Imperial Study. A large furnace rose up in the room, and Lang Chu Suiliang was also there, recording Li Shimin’s words and deeds from the side; A few eunuchs brought over a large number of memorials selected by the pavilion and placed them on the table. Li Shimin asked Qin Mubai to serve Mo from the side.

In the past, when he was in Baiji, he had done this more than once. At that time, Li Shimin intentionally cultivated Qin Mubai’s ability in politics and broadened his knowledge. Now, it seemed that the results were not ordinary. Today’s story was heavy, and Qin Mubai felt familiar and intimate. Originally, this kind of work was done by Chu Suiliang, but now he was sitting at the side writing notes with a gentle smile on his face.

Chu Suiliang was a good person and was worthy of acquaintance. Qin Mubai had always thought so.

After a while, Li Shimin did not say anything else. He only asked Qin Mubai’s opinion on the memorial occasionally, whether he listened to it or not, or whether he refuted it or agreed. It was more like a “sparring” than a trick. In the past, Qin Mubai had increased his talent and knowledge through such criticism and debate.

Li Shimin heaved a sigh of relief, put down his pen, and prepared to rest for a while before taking a walk in the room. Chu Suiliang continued to write down the emperor’s words and deeds.

Qin Mubai saw that Li Shimin had been hesitating to speak, as if he was afraid of Chu Suiliang, so he took the initiative to say, “Your Majesty, I just strolled around the Imperial Garden. I saw that there was something different about it. It’s very different from spring flowers and autumn moons. You can express your feelings. If Your Majesty is interested, you can take a walk there to rest.”

“Alright!” Li Shimin immediately took the message and turned around to say, “Chu Suiliang, please tidy up the memorials that I approved just now and hand them over to Fang Xuanling in Hongwen Library.”

“Yes.” Chu Suiliang agreed, smiled at Qin Mubai, and went to clean up the memorial.

The two of them walked out of the Martial Palace to the Imperial Garden. After taking a few steps, Li Shimin scolded the eunuchs and palace maids that followed them a little further away and said, “Mubai, I have something to ask you.”

“Your Majesty, please speak.”

Li Shimin frowned and said, “Do you still remember the matter that I mentioned to you about letting you be the master of a childish slave?”

“I remember. What’s wrong?”

“It’s like this. After the New Year, the childish slave will be fourteen years old. He should have opened his mansion two years ago. I thought about how he lost his mother when he was young, so I stayed by his side for two more years to accompany his younger sister. But recently, I’ve been thinking about it. It’s not a good idea to keep him by his side. It’s better for him to leave the mansion and live on his own.” Li Shimin paused, “What do you think?”

Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment, “Is it my turn to ask me about this?” What a strange question … From what Li Shimin said, it seemed that he wasn’t willing to let Li Zhi leave the palace to open his mansion, so he wanted to leave him in the harem to take care of himself and dote on him. Could it be that someone else could put pressure on the Emperor to get Li Zhi out of the palace?

Thinking of this, Qin Mubai’s mind lit up.

Qin Mubai analyzed the situation when he went to the Duke Wei’s Mansion to see Li Jing. Now, there seemed to be a force in the court that even the Emperor could not control, losing some balance. This was probably brought about by the struggle for the first wife, which in turn restricted the Emperor from taking the initiative to choose a successor. Otherwise, why would the Emperor be so anxious to push a kid like me, Qin Mubai, who has just entered the official career, to the top?

Wasn’t it to balance the balance of power in the court and make it easier for him to control it?

This was the Emperor’s mental art.

Thinking back and forth, other than Changsun Wuji, there seemed to be no one else who could cause the imbalance in the power of the Imperial Court!

Only he, Li Zhi’s biological uncle, had the qualifications to ask Li Zhi to leave the mansion.

But what was his purpose?

Thinking of this, Qin Mubai couldn’t help but be shocked. In history, wasn’t it Eldest Sun Wuji who helped his nephew, Li Zhi, ascend to the throne in the end?

That’s why! …

“Your Majesty, this lowly official thinks” Qin Mubai pondered for a moment and said obscurely, “This is just your Majesty’s family matter.”

“Well said.” Li Shimin’s answer was also ambiguous. He suddenly changed the topic, “It’s a family matter, but aren’t you my son-in-law? Son-in-law is better than half a son. I should ask you, right?”

It seemed that the Emperor was determined to send this army. Qin Mubai smiled helplessly, but he also knew that it was time for him to answer after avoiding this. “Actually, I was thinking that His Highness King Jin’s age is right, but Duke Jin Yang is mostly lonely in the palace without his biological brother, who grew up with him since he was young.” “Especially since Princess Jin Yang’s health is not very good. If she is still in a bad mood, it will not be a good thing for her!”

Li Shimin stopped at his feet. He revealed a gratified and grateful expression. He smiled sincerely, “So, I said, if you were my own son, how good would it be? You know how to remember flesh and blood better than anyone else. It’s really good.”

Qin Mubai grinned and said, “Your Majesty, there is no need to compliment me. Actually, I have been accompanying Princess Jin and Princess Jin Yang for a long time. I know that they are brothers and sisters, so I didn’t think too much about it. If Princess Jin wants to open the mansion, it won’t be too late. When Princess Jin Yang grows up, it won’t be too late.”

Li Shimin nodded in agreement, “This is a warm words. This time, I will listen to you!”

“On behalf of His Highness Princess Jin Yang, I thank my Emperor!” Qin Mubai smiled and cupped her hands.

“Haha, you brat!” Li Shimin smiled very comfortably. Like the two of us, he shook his shoulders forcefully and whispered to him, “Mubai, outside, help me get rid of the enemy and expand the territory.” Inside, you will help me with my family matters. You are truly a blessed general of me! Those ministers, royal relatives, and famous ministers and generals are all too selfish in their deeds, and they don’t care about my feelings. It is as if I am not a flesh and blood body, nor am I a father to the Son of Man. Sometimes, I am really cold-hearted. ”

“Your Majesty, it’s not easy for me to be a minister, and it’s even harder for me to be a monarch. This lowly official knows better than anyone else.” Qin Mubai said, “This lowly official is my own subject. I didn’t have to say that I was accompanied by His Majesty for a long time back then, but I also have a deep understanding of His Majesty’s distress! In fact, His Majesty is probably the hardest person in this world.”

“Ai! I am truly relieved to hear your words!” Li Shimin sighed deeply and said, “Everyone has a good reputation. You have to know that each power is divided into two parts, one is harmful and the other is decentralized.” One point high, one point bitter. The more you get, the more you lose. I am determined to be a good emperor. In fact, I have sacrificed a lot for this goal. Some ordinary people can easily enjoy happiness and beauty, to me, it is simply an unattainable luxury ah! “Sometimes I’m tired, tired. Not to mention resting for a while, I don’t even have a confidant that I can talk about … No one knows about my sufferings!”

“Imperial Concubine Yin De, isn’t she His Majesty’s confidante?” Qin Mubai smiled.

“Oh?” Li Shimin was stunned, then laughed loudly. He forcefully kidnapped Qin Mubai’s shoulder and tried to throw him down. “Brat, it must be that stupid girl Gaoyang who told you? Haha! How dare you interfere in my personal affairs!”

“Haha, Your Majesty, forgive me!” Qin Mubai also laughed loudly and dodged Li Shimin’s arm.

‘”Ai! The weather is really good today, and I feel happy! It’s been a long time since I’ve relaxed like today! Let alone, I haven’t moved for a few days-Mubai, accompany me to the Great Ming Palace’s Imperial Forest Garden to hunt!” Li Shimin was in high spirits.

“This lowly official obeys the decree!”

“Be careful, don’t let that old bull nose of Wei Zheng know?–Haha!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll go arrange it.” Qin Mubai smiled and cupped his hands. Find the nearby Baiji officers on duty, let them get all their hunting clothes, stuffed them in the carriage and dragged them out of the Black Tortoise Gate. Li Shimin also changed his uniform and mounted his horse, leaving the Black Tortoise Sect with Qin Mubai and a team of Baiji.

Hunting could be considered the best entertainment in winter. Li Shimin, the Immediate Emperor, had always had this hobby. However, Wei Zheng and the others had always been “criticized and educated” because of this matter, so it was very restrained in recent years. Today, he was in a good mood, so he couldn’t care less about this much. Accompanied by Qin Mubai and the others, he happily went hunting once and gained quite a lot. This was the first time Li Shimin had displayed his outstanding equestrian and martial arts skills in front of Qin Mubai. In Qin Mubai’s opinion, he was definitely not inferior to a general like himself and the Xue brothers. At most, he was slightly inferior to Xue Rengui’s divine arrow.

On the way back, the sun was already on the west side, and Li Shimin was relaxed. He talked a lot with Qin Mubai, and talked a lot about current politics, national customs, and family affairs in the north and south of the country. He even vaguely mentioned that he was actually very happy that Imperial Concubine Yin De could return. However, because of his face, he refused to speak openly.

When they arrived outside the Black Tortoise Gate, Li Shimin stopped his horse and let the Baiji wait in front of the gate. He stood side by side with Qin Mubai and said, “Mubai, I have been thinking about something. I want you to show your stance today.”

“What is His Majesty thinking?” Qin Mubai asked.

“It’s about the vacancy of General Zuo Wei.” Li Shimin said, “Previously, General Zuo Wei was my brother-in-law, Duke Huo Chai Shao, but he has died of illness. Since then, the position of General Zuo Wei has been vacant. You know, Zuo Wei is the leader of the sixteen guards of the Great Tang. It is extremely important to lead the elites of the capital to guard the capital. He who is not capable and trustworthy is not competent. For the sake of this position as a general, many people have fought head-on and bloody battles, causing me to be extremely annoyed. “Tell me, who would be more suitable to take up the position today?”

“This” Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment and asked blankly, “This lowly official An dares to speak rashly about such a military and national matter?”

“It doesn’t matter. If I ask, you can say it. To be honest, there’s no need to beat around the bush. Also, if you say it, I might not believe you. I’m just listening to one more opinion.” Li Shimin’s expression was relaxed, as if he was chatting.

Qin Mubai knitted his brows and said, “This Left Guard is indeed very important. He must be the person His Majesty trusts the most and is the most capable to be competent. I don’t know much about the general in the army when I first joined Rong Wu. Based on my impression and feeling, I can only choose these few people.”

“Tell me.”

Qin Mubai said, “First, Yuchi Jingde. Second, Cheng Zhijie. Third, Li Daliang. Fourth, Li Junxian.”

Li Shimin frowned and pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, “Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Zhijie definitely can’t do it.” The two of them were originally one of the sixteen great generals, and now they were both at the border or governed by the prefectures and counties, so their duties weren’t small. If I transfer any of them back to serve as the Left Guard Grand General, wouldn’t I be tearing down the east wall to make up for the west wall? Neither could Li Daliang. He’s too old. In recent years, his health hasn’t been too good. He’s almost turned into a medicine jar. Moreover, he is a Great General of the Right Guard, similar to the Left Guard! ”

“Haha!” Qin Mubai smiled bitterly, “Your Majesty, this lowly official has already said that I really can’t come up with any good ideas.”

“No, you’re dishonest. You refuse to tell me the truth. You’re trying to perfunctory me!” Li Shimin’s expression became serious as he stared at Qin Mubai.

‘”Uh, this” Qin Mubai smiled awkwardly. “Your Majesty, this lowly official is indeed not good at talking about such a military and national matter. Furthermore, this lowly official himself is also the person in charge of the army. Isn’t there a suspicion that this lowly official has a melon field to take care of?”

“Oh, I understand what you mean.” Li Shimin smiled and said, “You’re actually trying to say that you’re the most suitable candidate, aren’t you?”

“No, I definitely don’t mean that.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “This lowly official has his own position. Lanzhou is extremely important. This lowly official hasn’t planned to leave yet. At the very least, I’ll have to stay there for three to five years to smooth things out.”

“That’s the truth.” Li Shimin nodded, “Therefore, I am prepared to promote Li Junxian. Although he is not particularly capable, he is loyal and I can use him easily. As for the capital officials, especially the generals leading troops in front of me, such people are quite suitable.”

Li Shimin nodded, “It’s pretty good.”

Qin Mubai wasn’t completely without fantasies about the position of Left Guard Great General. No matter what, he was the leader of the sixteen guards’ regular army. Although it wasn’t as dazzling and cool as Baiji’s, he really had real power in his hands. However, Qin Mubai also knew how important and important he was. It would be good if he could manage Lanzhou well first. Everything else would naturally come naturally and there was no rush.

“But in this way, the problem arises again.” Li Shimin said, “Li Junxian is in the Hundred Cavalry, and now there is no one to replace him!” He was also an assistant envoy and an elder. From the moment you left the Hundred Cavalry, he was the actual commander. I have been choosing someone to replace him, but it doesn’t seem to be easy for me to do so. The other two deputy envoys, Yuchi Baoyun and Cheng Huaibi, were not outstanding, nor could they be said to be incompetent, that was all. Without Li Junxian as the backbone, I am truly worried that the Hundred Cavalry squad will disperse. “Did you know that the Hundred Cavalry already have 1,000 to 2,000 people, and they are constantly sending talents to the Tang army?”

Qin Mubai’s heart lit up. After taking a long detour, Li Shimin actually wants me to recommend a person who can let him take over the Hundred Cavalry at ease! After all, I was the one who built the Hundred Cavalry. Who has a better say in this matter than me?

“Your Majesty, this lowly official thinks that the system of Baiji is already perfect. It is not impossible to change into a commander who can’defend ‘it now.” Qin Mubai said, “In other words, someone who is loyal, reliable, and reliable.”

“Go straight to the heart of the matter.” Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction and smiled, “Then tell me, who is suitable?”

Qin Mubai couldn’t help but laugh. He cupped his hands and said, “As the saying goes, if you don’t want to avoid relatives or enemies, then this lowly official will say it.”

“Tell me, who is it?” Li Shimin looked at Qin Mubai with interest.

“My eldest brother Qin Tong and second brother Qin Bin. They can be deputy envoys and chief envoys to fill the vacancies left behind by Li Junxian.” Qin Mubai said.

“Haha! You stinking brat, you really dare to say it!” Li Shimin laughed loudly and looked at Qin Mubai meaningfully. Suddenly, he raised his whip and sprinted forward on the horse’s butt, throwing a sentence at Qin Mubai–

“I’ll think about it once I get back to the palace!”

The corners of Qin Mubai’s mouth curled into a smile as he thought to himself, “One person gets the dao, and a chicken and a dog ascend to the heavens.” Even Yuwen Hongtai, Xue Rengui, Pang Fei and Tu Youhai have been promoted by me. How can they treat my two brothers unfairly? Baiji, the trump card master that I personally forged, the current Great Tang Military Academy, and can it fall into the hands of others? Li Shimin circled around for a long time and said, “Don’t you feel relieved that my Qin Family will be in charge of Baiji?”

The army of Hundred Cavalry was different from the others. In the other armies, if you take the Imperial Court’s letter of appointment and military talisman, then all the soldiers will obey your orders. Not in the Hundred Cavalry. Everyone in this army had a natural sense of pride and superiority. Moreover, the nature of this troop was extremely special. They were the personal bodyguards of the Emperor. First, they had to let the Emperor rest assured.

If a new face was suddenly inserted, it was certain that he would be excluded. It was hard to say if the Emperor and the people from the harem were worried.

From this point of view, Qin Tong and Qin Bin were extremely suitable. The two of them were the direct descendants of the Qin Clan’s General Sect. Qin Tong had been a guard for many years and Qin Bin was a member of the Emperor’s Think Tank. The two of them were quite familiar with the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor knew them well. In addition, the two of them were Qin Mubai’s brothers, so who would dare to refuse to accept the fact that they had joined the Hundred Cavalry Army? This also solved the big problem of the Hundred Cavalry’s internal crowding out of them.

From the looks of it, these two brothers seemed to be the best candidates to fill the vacancy of the Hundred Cavalry!

Qin Mubai felt very happy in his heart. For a long time, although he had been holding the title of Inspector Hundred Cavalry Envoy, he felt that the Hundred Cavalry were getting further and further away from him. At most, there was only a little bit of “spiritual energy” left. Now was good. If the emperor could appoint two of his brothers as deputy envoys and a long history, it would undoubtedly be an announcement that the Hundred Cavalry had returned to his hands.

What a great amount of capital it was to regain what he had lost!