Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 33

Chapter 33 The New Officer Took Office
Coincidentally, the guardian general of the Pill Phoenix Sect today was Qin Mubai’s eldest brother, Qin Tong. He was a rank five corps commander of the Left Supervisory Guard, the city gatekeeper of the Imperial Palace. Don’t underestimate this small city gate lang. Although his position isn’t that big, it’s related to the survival of the emperor. Back when Li Shimin was in the Black Warrior Sect’s upheaval, if it weren’t for the fact that the Black Warrior Sect’s general had always fallen in his direction, how history would have developed was truly unknown.

“Third Brother, are you on duty for the first day today? Not bad. You look neat and energetic. You’re a good man from my Qin Clan.” Eldest Brother Qin Tong was born with a tiger’s back and a bear’s waist, half a head taller than Qin Mubai. He laughed loudly and patted Qin Mubai’s shoulder armor, “This armor is really good.” I heard that your armor was specially made by the Young Manor’s Supervisory Armor Workshop Department last year. You’re the only one in the world who wore this armor. Look, this shoulder armor is thin, translucent, and sturdy. Even the chest armor can reflect a human figure. His entire body was seamlessly wrapped in silk and did not appear to be swollen. It was far more gorgeous and sturdy than ordinary bright light armor. It was worn on his body like a raging flame. “In addition to this royal apricot-yellow battle robe, it’s the most eye-catching anywhere.”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Big brother, don’t embarrass me. This little brother is from the general, not the peacock who came to open the screen. Why do you only pay attention to my appearance?”

“Haha! That’s right! Our Saburo is versatile in both civil and martial arts. That’s not a lie.” Qin Tong laughed heartily and patted Qin Mubai’s shoulder, “Go in! The Emperor is in the Hanyuan Main Hall. Oh, you don’t need to unload your sword here. The Emperor has a decree, and the Hundred Cavalry Envoys can bring troops close to him.”

“Thank you, brother. I’m going in to see you.” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and bowed as he walked into the Pill Phoenix Gate.

The law of the Tang Dynasty strictly stipulated that bringing weapons to the emperor without permission was a crime of conspiracy. The Eldest Sun Wuji, who had been trusted by the Emperor the most in his early years, had forgotten to know how to match his sword when he entered the palace. As a result, a huge disturbance had arisen. Although the emperor didn’t care about his uncle and brother, the imperial historians refused to let him go. As a result, even the captain, Sun Wuji, was almost impeached and the general of the garrison was punished. Right now, the emperor’s decree to allow Baiji to carry a saber with him was undoubtedly a major privilege he had promised Qin Mubai to show his trust and favor.

The newly built Hanyuan Palace of the Great Ming Palace had an extraordinary imposing aura. The Dragon Tail Dao’s Thousand Grade Longevity Stage was like clearing the clouds, and there were also soldiers guarding the front of the hall. Shoujiang was the emperor’s most trusted confidant general, General Li Junxian.

Li Junxian was Wang Shichong’s general when he fought for hegemony at the end of Sui Dynasty, and led the people to surrender to the Great Tang when Li Shimin conquered the world. Shortly after Li Shimin ascended to the throne, he directly handed over the Imperial Palace Guards to his commander and became the general of the Emperor’s Imperial Guards.

Li Junxian also had a friendship with Qin Shubao. Apart from working with Qin King Li Shimin in the Qin Palace, at the beginning of Zhenguan, Qin Shubao was appointed as the Left Dragon Martial Guard General and the Right Dragon Martial Guard General, Cheng Zhijie, led half of the Imperial City Guards. At that time, Li Junxian was the Left Dragon Martial Guard General, one of Qin Shubao’s direct subordinates and right-hand men.

Li Junxian saw Qin Mubai walk up the dragon tail and took a few steps forward. She smiled at him from afar and said, “So it’s General Qin. I said, why haven’t I seen anyone wear such a shining armor? So it’s the Hundred Cavalry Envoy Qin Mubai!”

“General Li is making fun of me.” Qin Mubai clasped his fists and saluted, “Is His Majesty in the hall?”

“It’s in the Imperial Study in this hall. You can go in and see for yourself.” Li Junxian looked up and down at Qin Mubai with mixed emotions. He nodded and said, “The younger generation is more terrifying than the younger generation!”

“General Li is the role model for us juniors. Sooner or later, this junior will listen to the general’s teachings. Please be generous with your advice.” Qin Mubai cupped his fists and said.

“Easy to say, easy to say.” Li Junxian chuckled, “Go, the emperor has specially invited you today. There must be something important, don’t delay.”

“Thank you, General Li. This junior will leave first.” Qin Mubai cupped his fists with a smile and walked towards the palace.

Li Junxian looked at Qin Mubai’s back and shook his head with a sigh. “Old, not as good as young! Just this appearance alone, this younger generation is several times better than me … It’s time for someone else to be around His Majesty.”

Qin Mubai walked into the Hanyuan Palace and felt a little dazzled. This newly built palace was the main hall of the Great Brightness Palace. Normally, the emperor would be here to review the music or rest and recuperate. The furnishings in the palace were extremely gorgeous and dazzling. In fact, Li Shimin had always been a rather frugal emperor. Back then, this palace was built to honor his father, Li Yuan. Therefore, it was extremely magnificent. Compared to the dignified Taiji Palace, the Great Ming Palace was even more noble, and the royal aura of wealth was undoubtedly revealed.

A deacon eunuch led Qin Mubai through the corridors of the grand Hanyuan Palace for a long time before stopping in front of a mansion in the rear hall and saying, “General Qin, please take your leave. Your Majesty is in this study.”

“Thank you, Eunuch.” Qin Mubai heaved a sigh of relief and straightened her clothes. She was ready to knock on the door and join in.

From the moment he entered Vermillion Bird Sect, he felt as if he had entered another world. In Chang’an City, there was a peaceful and prosperous scene. Generally speaking, it made people feel relaxed, harmonious, and relaxed. Within the palace, there was a dignified, solemn, and rigorous atmosphere. It was luxurious and magnificent, but it did not seem to be vulgar. There was a vast and righteous aura echoing in the palace. Everyone in the Imperial City, from officials to small eunuchs and palace maids, was active, confident, and optimistic, full of vitality.

The so-called Han and Tang spirit, ‘positive, optimistic, self-confident, hard work ‘, is one of the indispensable parts. The atmosphere of the Zhenguan Great Tang was especially prominent in this palace. Thanks to the braided director’s great fortune, Qin Mubai had seen many Qing Palace TV dramas. Regardless of how these scenes were dressed up, Qin Mubai could always smell the dense smell of slavery and the depressing aura of decay. If he were to work in such a palace, he would probably become a slave like a eunuch in three to five years.

There were eight guards on duty in front of the imperial study. Seeing that Qin Mubai was approaching with a saber, they were somewhat surprised. After a routine inquiry, a eunuch entered the study and announced that Qin Mubai had been announced into the study.

In the study, the furnishings were extremely simple. Without the embroidered carpet and rare treasures Qin Mubai had imagined, there were only two large bookshelves, a brazier, a bed, and a book table. Li Shimin wore a loose and comfortable brocade robe and sat by the brazier, casually flipping through a book.

Qin Mubai had already entered to pay his respects. Li Shimin put down his book and smiled, “No need for greetings. Mubai, how does it feel to be in the Great Ming Palace on the first day today?”

“It feels good.” Qin Mubai replied, “So His Majesty is not only a good ruler, but also a good subordinate. The entire imperial city is full of vitality, wealth without pride and luxury. Everyone is diligent and respectful. This lowly official feels quite deeply.”

“Well said.” Li Shimin smiled and said, “Becoming a great person, putting people first. This is what I have always insisted on. As the saying goes, if you want to restrain the people below you, you have to set an example first. A family is like this, an army is like this, and a dynasty is like this.”

“This lowly subject has been taught.” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and said to himself, “The Emperor is teaching me how to govern the army of Baiji.”

“Mubai, I specially took the time today to summon you alone for three things.” Li Shimin said, “One of them is to talk to you about the training of the Hundred Cavalry. Tell me what you think.”

“Yes.” ‘”Your Majesty, I don’t have the experience to lead troops. I’m not good at training military forces, so I want you to appoint a skilled veteran general to guide me. However, I’m worried about a small matter.” Qin Mubai thought for a moment before replying, “Your Majesty, I don’t have the experience to lead troops. I’m not good at training military forces, so I want you to appoint a skilled veteran general to guide me.”

“Tell me.”

“What I’m worried about is that these 600 Baiji soldiers and officers are all from wealthy official families.” Qin Mubai said, “There should be some people among them. They have developed the habit of being arrogant, lustful, and lazy since they were young. Now that they have entered Baiji to work beside His Majesty, they have the capital to be proud of themselves. I believe that the most important thing in governing this army is to treat the heart.”

“Well said.” Li Shimin clapped his hands and smiled. “This is also a problem that I have been worried about. These officials’ children have received much better education and training than commoners’ children. Their overall quality is several times better. This is the reason why I have taken a fancy to them. At the same time, I have to guard against the drawbacks on their bodies. Tell me about your thoughts and how you plan to cure your heart.”

“This lowly official’s idea is very simple. It’s fine to implement a competitive elimination mechanism.”

“What is a competitive elimination method?”

“Your Majesty, it’s like this.” Qin Mubai said, “Didn’t the Hundred Cavalry have a quota of 600?” You can carry out the assessment for three months or half a year, and cut down some of them. Every soldier and every general, including Wei Chen, underwent evaluations in the fields of morality, military, culture, and so on. A batch of backward and unqualified people were eliminated periodically and fresh blood was added in. I believe that only by maintaining the steaming of the Hundred Cavalry can we overcome the arrogance of the officials’ children. ”

“Well said. Your thoughts coincide with mine!” Li Shimin laughed heartily, “Qin Mubai, I didn’t expect you to be so knowledgeable at such a young age. It’s not easy.” You can start doing this right away. As for how the normal training will proceed, I have appointed Li Junxian to temporarily serve as the head of Baiji and have him help you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, learn from him. I have an agreement with you that the Baiji exam will be eliminated for a period of three months. At that time, no matter who it was, whoever failed the assessment would be dismissed. You don’t need to have a burden on your mind. You are afraid of offending others and fear your hands and feet. I will stand by you. ”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and sneered in his heart, “Eldest Sun Huan, Yuchi Baoyun, I’ve already made my move first.” This golden hoop curse was bestowed by the Emperor. I hope you won’t be naughty with me when the time comes.

“The second thing is to confirm the candidate for the Baiji officer.” Li Shimin took out a piece of paper and said, “Take a look. Do you have any objections?”

“Your Majesty … I don’t need to look at this lowly subject.” Qin Mubai did not receive it. He cupped his hands and said, “It’s up to His Majesty to decide on major matters. This lowly official does not dare to go overboard.”

“It doesn’t matter. There’s no harm in taking a look.” Li Shimin smiled and said, “These people will be your colleagues and subordinates in the future. It’s best if you know them well.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and glanced at the list. As expected, the three vice cavalry envoys were Changsun Huan, Yuchi Baoyun, and Cheng Huaibi. The other generals were mostly youngsters under the age of thirty.

“Your Majesty, I have no objections.”

“That’s good.” Li Shimin smiled and said, “I, Zhen Guan Tang, want to work with one heart and one mind.” As a Hundred Cavalry Envoy, you must unite with everyone in the Hundred Cavalry. We must not create contradictions or split. Of course, you can’t let any of the hundred cavalry ride on your head and dictate things to you. The general was the soul of the army. How capable you are, Qin Mubai, will determine the strength and appearance of this Hundred Cavalry. “Mubai, don’t disappoint me.”

“Your Majesty, don’t worry, this lowly official will definitely live up to his mission!” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and said to himself, “I can hear the Emperor’s hidden message-if you can’t even suppress your subordinates, then you will be defeated.” Don’t be cowardly just because you have a few subordinates who have a good background, let go of your courage and do it.

“Alright, I will be waiting for this.” Li Shimin said, “The third thing is also the most important thing. Baiji is a new army. Although it was formed after strict selection, it is still difficult to guarantee that the good and the bad are not united. I have formulated a military rule specifically tailored for Baiji. You must make sure that every Baiji learns to comprehend it within these three months and keep it in mind.”

With that, Li Shimin handed over a thick folding book.

Qin Mubai took a quick glance at it and understood that it was not only a military rule, but also a textbook for political education. No wonder the Emperor’s personal guards were brainwashed politically. The ability of this army was secondary, and loyalty was what Li Shimin valued the most.

No wonder he said that this matter was the most important.

“Your Majesty, don’t worry. I will let these military rules be branded into the bones of every Hundred Cavalry until they die.”

“Very good. You are very smart and perceptive. I am looking forward to seeing you polish this Hundred Cavalry into a true royal master.” Li Shimin chuckled and said, “Three months from now, the Hundred Cavalry will officially take over the defense at my side. From then on, there will still be guards, Golden Cavalry Guards and other armies guarding my side. However, no matter how other armies are changed, the Hundred Cavalry will always be closest to me. Don’t disappoint me.”

“Yes!”

“Go. Find Li Junxian outside the hall. He will bring you to the Hundred Cavalry Camp and tell you everything you want to know.” Li Shimin looked at Qin Mubai with a smile on his face. He paused for a moment and said, “There is no need for suspects. There is no need for them to be suspicious. I give you a special decree. If there is anything important, you can report to me directly at any time. If you do not dismount or remove your sword, you can move freely in any corner of the imperial palace.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and bowed, but a strange thought flashed through his mind. The harem is boundless in spring. Aren’t you trying to lure wolves into the house? Cough …