Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 387

Chapter 387 Octagonal Lightning (2)

After returning from Qin Mubai, Lanzhou felt as if her soul had returned to her body. Everything had returned to normal, and she had gradually regained her former vitality. Although the Silk Road Commercial Road had not yet been fully opened, there were still tremendous business opportunities in Helong Fertile Wilderness Thousand Miles Prefecture and County, which was in the period of “great development”. As a result, the inland business trips became active again, traveling between Lanzhou and the pass. The clear sound of the camel bell awakened the sleeping Gobi and injected a trace of fresh blood into Lanzhou.

Amongst the countless caravans that came and went, there was a recognized leader in the business world, and that was naturally the Wu Clan’s business name.

Regardless of whether it was in the business industry or outside the industry, everyone was unanimously acknowledged that the Wu clan business with Qin Mubai behind them would be the undisputed leader of the River Dragon business. All the merchants followed his lead and listened to the wind. Very tacitly, the Zheng Clan of Chang’an, the world’s largest merchant in the Great Tang Dynasty, did not dabble in Lanzhou at all. They handed over this huge business profit space to the Wu Clan’s firm. Not only that, but the large quantities of silk cloth, grain, and even forbidden items such as salt and iron that the Wu clan traders brought from the mainland could get extremely low prices. Naturally, Zheng shi was also secretly providing great convenience.

The layman watches the fun, the expert watches the door. Just as the peddlers were jealous of the huge profits made by the Wu clan, some shrewd and sensitive figures vaguely thought of something-why the Wu clan’s business was no longer mainly focused on Qin Xianjiu, but had instead turned to dealing in sensitive materials like grain, salt, and iron. After contacting the particularity of Lanzhou and the newly appointed Lord of Lanzhou, Qin Mubai, the husband of Wu Meiniang, many people came to the same conclusion that Wu Meiniang had become a thorough official businessman, even a military businessman. What she was doing now was no longer purely for money, but for the sake of the military and politics!

Recently, Qin Mubai had also changed. Perhaps it was because of the influence of Hou Junji and Wu Meiniang, or perhaps because he had experienced too many things and had some changes in his thinking, he began to “act recklessly”.

An injunction was enough to make his “ambition” clear-under the Van Lanzhou Governor’s Mansion, other than the Wu Clan’s firm authorized by the Governor’s Mansion, no caravan was allowed to operate such official goods as grain, salt, and iron, otherwise, they would be punished as treason!

If this was the case in the inland, the capital, no matter who it was, even if the emperor had changed his course, he would have immediately attracted countless curses and impeachments. But Qin Mubai didn’t care. Now there was only one word left in his mind-dare to do it.

Since the Imperial Court does not give me money, do you still not allow me to earn it myself? In the end, wasn’t it for the sake of Helong’s peace and the country’s grand plan? Someone on the court wanted to impeach him, let him play; If the Emperor wanted to blame him, he would blame him. As long as I, someone Qin, have one more day to sit in the Governor’s Mansion, I will have to do this step by step according to my own steps!

In a short period of two months, the Wu clan business unified the Helong business. Qin Mubai’s name was either thunderous or notorious. In any case … the streets, alleys, and courtyards were all discussing him.

During these two months, Qin Mubai was busy with military affairs, and he often ate and slept in the barracks. Firstly, he had to train the newly acquired “Fiery God Army”. Secondly, he had to train his subordinates and secretly prepare for recruitment. He traveled between counties and shepherds, often not returning to the prefecture for ten days and a half months. Thirdly, he planned to build a “military academy” in Lanzhou, which was called “Anxi Yi Prefecture”, meaning a guard unit that was privately recruited to protect Marshal Qin Shubao in Anxi.

Apart from Qin Mubai, the “old principal” of the Hundred Cavalry, Su Dingfang and a hundred Hundred Cavalry soldiers were also the core confidential figures of the Anxi Yi Manor. After the core was established, Qin Mubai selected suitable confidants (such as some junior officers who had originally graduated from Hundred Cavalry) from the elite cavalry he had brought from Chang’an to join the Yi Manor and set up a solid team in Anxi Yi Manor.

In the huge backyard of the Lanzhou Governor-General’s Mansion, a mysterious new military mansion silently appeared in the military mansion next to the Governor’s Mansion. It was the barracks of the “Anxi Yi Mansion”. There were strict military rules here, and no one except Qin Mubai and Su Dingfang was allowed to enter or leave.

At the beginning, he had accepted 600 students. It was estimated that half of them would be eliminated within three months, leaving only three hundred people. Including the original squad, the Anxi Yi Manor had no more than 500 people. With the addition of the 500 newly arrived Fiery Divine Army, there were no more than a thousand people in this mysterious camp-even the trump card that Qin Mubai wouldn’t reveal easily, but had the ability to turn the world around!

Qin Mubai was busy, and Wu Meiniang was even busier than him. Apart from traveling between the mainland and Lanzhou prefectures and counties, the size of the new business was enough to make her worried. Due to the lack of strength in her arms, Wu Meiniang repeatedly sent letters to Xiangzhou and Chang’an, urging the original group of people detained there to deal with the aftermath, to end the matters in her hands as soon as possible, and quickly rush to Lanzhou to help.

Not long after, Wu Mu’s Yang Clan, Wu Clan brothers, and Wu Meiniang’s group of capable housekeepers all gathered in Lanzhou. At this time, Qin Mubai had no choice but to admire Wu Meiniang’s foresight. The Qiongyu Villa that she had prepared a long time ago had now become the headquarters of the Wu clan’s business. The entire mountain villa was already filled with hundreds of people. The lights were burning day and night, and the carriages and horses were like dragons. They had become the most famous commercial center in the River Dragon Lands!

When Qin Mubai saw the unprecedented splendor of Qiongyu Villa, he couldn’t help but think of the commercial streets of Suisse Bank, New York and Shanghai. At the same time, she sighed emotionally. Wu Meiniang was truly an unparalleled genius!

On this day, Qin Mubai returned from the barracks of the field army outside the city to discuss with Su Dingfang about the military aircraft and talk about some gossip for a nap. Today was also the day that Hou Junji and Li Daozong had agreed to compete in martial arts. It turned out that both of them had quite a few brushes. In just a short month or two, they had trained their horses to the extreme. Naturally, it was difficult to determine the outcome of such a competition. It wasn’t that Hou Junji really didn’t know whether it was good or bad to go to the Li Daoist Sect and bet on the head or crotch. Adding on Qin Mubai’s mediation, this matter would not be settled.

As a result, the Li Dao Sect helped Qin Mubai build a staircase for Hou Jun Ji to come down. Hou Jun Ji also went down the slope to buy this favor and joined Qin Mubai’s camp half-heartedly. Today, Qin Mubai gave Hou Junji the command of the 30,000 field troops and the 10,000 elites of the Yi Manor to the commander-in-chief of the Yi Manor. Hou Junji did not refuse, and immediately asked Qin Mubai for money, food, and equipment, urging him to recruit as soon as possible.

Qin Mubai was secretly delighted. These signs indicated that Hou Junji had indeed been suffocated long ago. After getting down this stairs, he immediately entered the role. Right now, he couldn’t wait to make a big move. There were only forty thousand troops left to him, which was a little too little. However, for a person like Hou Junji, there were no more soldiers but more elites. They were no longer brave but plotting. Forty thousand troops was enough for him to perform a legend.

“Major Marshal, I found out a little thing today. It’s very strange.” After chatting about military affairs, Su Dingfang said, “Do you still remember Liu Shanyin, the young master of the Honglu Temple who sent an envoy to Tibet?”

“I remember. I’ve been gone for over a month. What’s wrong?” Qin Mubai asked.

“On my way back to the city today, I passed by the Lanzhou Pavilion and went in to get a cup of water. I met Liu Shanyin’s eldest son, Liu Yi.” Su Dingfang said, “Isn’t this strange? Since Liu Shan sent an envoy to Tibet, why did he bring his son to Lanzhou? Not only that, he went to Tibet himself for more than a month, but Liu Yi still lives in the post.”

“Perhaps it’s a private matter?” Qin Mubai said, “Did you question him?”

“Liu Yi and I met once in Chang’an. We were acquainted. We only chatted a few times and did not question each other.” Su Dingfang said, “I asked him why he came here. He said that he followed his sick father all the way. After his father left, he stayed in Lanzhou and waited for his father to return. At that time, he would return to Chang’an with him. As a filial son, it was not convenient for me to interrogate him. However, I always felt that his words were flickering with intent and didn’t want to tell me the truth.”

Qin Mubai pondered for a moment and said, “That Liu Shanyin is indeed quite strange.” He had served in Honglu Temple for many years as a full-time foreign envoy and was proficient in various Hu languages of Turkic, Tibetan and other countries, but before he left, he asked the governor, Xiao Liang, to hire three local Hu people to be his interpreter’s guides. It’s odd, but I can’t figure out why he did it for the time being. Hearing what you said just now, it’s even more suspicious. But I don’t think he’s a traitor … How about this, you send a few people to watch the post day and night, but don’t alarm Liu Yi for now. Maybe we’ll need him sometime. ”

“Yes.”

At this time, the door official came to report that there was a woman requesting to see him outside the Great Governor’s Mansion, claiming to be a person from the “Wu Clan Trading Company”. Su Dingfang smiled and cupped his hands to say goodbye. Qin Mubai called for the doorman to invite someone in.

Wu Meiniang had gone to the other counties for many days, so she must have already returned to Lanzhou and sent someone to invite her. Thinking of this, Qin Mubai was secretly delighted. A day without seeing each other was like three autumn, and the two of them were so busy that they wanted to enjoy a moment of warmth, but they also had to be busy and leisurely.

The person who seeks to see is admitted. Qin Mubai couldn’t help but laugh when he saw that person!

“Who am I? So it’s you, this old witch!” Qin Mubai laughed.

“Qin, why are you cursing?” That person was also impolite. He curled his eyes and snorted, “No matter what, I almost went on a blind date with your skin. A husband and wife were grateful for a hundred days of the night. Even if it wasn’t for the fact that they should have known each other before, you treated me like this. Didn’t I betray you a little back in Chang’an? I didn’t harm you. Why did you …”

“Alright, stop! Hurry up and stop! I haven’t seen you for a few days. You’ve really become an old woman. You’re so nagging!” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Su Lianqing, when did you arrive in Lanzhou?”

“Today, I came back from Qishan with the big boss. I brought a large amount of good wheat from Long Shang to feed the tens of thousands of good pigs under your command.” Su Lianqing sat down on the guest chair without any politeness. She put down her legs and slapped the table repeatedly, “Serve tea, serve tea! Do you want to die of thirst? This is the way to treat guests in your Lanzhou Governor’s Mansion!”

“Haha! Someone, serve tea!” Qin Mubai smiled and walked to her side to sit down. “Mother Mei sent you to call me over. Is there something important?” She asked.

“Heh, I’ve returned to Lanzhou with my big boss. Isn’t this a big deal? Do you need anything else?” Su Lianqing took a sip of tea and rolled her eyes a few times, saying, “There’s another person that you might really want to see.”

“Who is it? It can’t be Zheng Anshun, right?” Qin Mubai said casually.

“Heh, you still miss him! How about it? Are you still afraid that he will rob you of your love?” Su Lianqing said with a wicked smile.

“Let’s get down to business. Don’t be so oily.”

“No.” Su Lianqing’s expression was exceptionally lively as she said, “It’s a half-dead person that we picked up halfway. But when you see him, you will definitely … be able to do that. How about it, how about it!”

“Who?”

“This old lady must sell this juncture-let’s go, Young Admiral Qin! Please move your steps a bit, Qiongyu Villa is waiting for you!”

Qin Mubai shook his head and smiled. He called for carriages and horses, then left the Governor’s Mansion with Su Lianqing and headed for the Jade Villa.

Qiongyu Villa had already become an ordinary existence in West Chang’an City. Apart from its smaller size, there was almost no difference. Within the enormous mountain villa, there were actually many new houses that were used as hotels, restaurants, and discussion halls to specially receive business travelers. Of course, all of these properties belonged to Wu Meiniang. Not only did she earn money from the merchants, she also earned money from the merchants. Everyone in the industry said that her business was considered to be flourishing.

Only one area in the backyard, the courtyard where the Jade Pavilion was located, was closed to the public. This was where Wu Meiniang’s own family lived, and there was also a quiet bedroom that belonged exclusively to Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang.

The carriage entered through the back door of the manor. Su Lianqing invited Qin Mubai to the main hall of the mansion. The Wu Mu Yang Clan and the Wu Meiniang siblings were all there. It seemed that they were resting after traveling a long way home.

However, seeing Qin Mubai arrive, the entire room immediately became lively. Wu Meiniang smiled indifferently as she watched Qin Mubai and her family chat with each other. She inadvertently revealed her infinite affection and warmth. Qin Mubai kept it in his eyes.

After exchanging greetings, Qin Mubai asked Su Lianqing where the “half-dead man” he picked up on the way was. Wu Meiniang smiled and said, “Don’t listen to her nonsense. A half-dead person is just an old acquaintance who fell ill halfway. However, that person is indeed worthy of your seeing.”

“Who is it? Where is it?” Qin Mubai asked.

“Follow me.” Wu Meiniang stood up and took Qin Mubai upstairs. The second floor was a bedroom for lodging guests. Qin Mubai pushed open the door and saw a person lying quietly on the bed inside, seemingly asleep. Beside him was an old doctor writing prescriptions.

Qin Mubai walked to the side of the bed and looked at it. “Why is it him?” She cried out in surprise.

The old doctor glanced at Qin Mubai and said, “Young Master, please keep your voice down. This person is extremely exhausted. If he is woken up now, it will be very detrimental to his condition.”

“Alright, let’s go out first.” Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang walked out of the room and closed the door, asking, “One-armed Zhang Tong, shouldn’t he be far away from Xiangyang? Why did he come to Lanzhou to let you meet him?”

Wu Meiniang smiled gently and said, “What do you think?”

“I said?” Qin Mubai was stunned, “How would I know?”

“Isn’t he here because you’re in Lanzhou?” Wu Meiniang paused for a moment and whispered, “Mubai, you should be grateful to have such an old clan or friend.”

Qin Mubai couldn’t help but be shocked and said, “Are you saying that he came to Lanzhou from Xiangyang thousands of miles away to find me?”

“Yes.” Wu Meiniang nodded affirmatively and said, “We met him at the county post forty miles outside Lanzhou. He was seriously ill at that time, but we talked for a while.” He said that although he was in Jianghu, his soul was on a hundred cavalry, his body was broken, but his heart was still alive, he still followed the general and led his horse into the stirrup, dying without regret! “Mubai, this is his original words. I can guarantee that I won’t miss a single word.”

After hearing this, Qin Mubai was speechless for a long time.

After taking a deep breath, he said, “Mother Mei, please take good care of Zhang Tong. After he recovers from his illness, I will let him take charge of my Great Commander-in-Chief’s Handsome Flag.”

“You said that you want him, a one-armed man, to take over the banner and act as your handsome banner messenger?” Wu Meiniang said in surprise.

“Yes.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “The banner, the soul of the army, the banner is alive, the banner is dead. No one is more suitable to be my banner envoy than Zhang Tong, because his iron blood, loyalty, tenacity and strength are the qualities that my army must possess!”

“I understand … Although Zhang Tong is crippled, his unique qualities are truly admirable.” Wu Meiniang nodded and said, “Mubai, I don’t understand what happened in the army.” But I understand the feelings of a soldier. Even though a small figure like Zhang Tong was humble, he could still inadvertently move and shock people. After coming to Lanzhou for so many days, I came into contact with many people like Zhang Tong. Now I know why you have such feelings for the army and your comrades. “Because military men are truly much more respectable than many business officials!”

“Is that so?” Qin Mubai laughed craftily. He glanced around and said with a wry smile, “Then I am also a soldier, am I worthy of your respect?”

“Stop!” Wu Meiniang giggled and said, “There are still a few guests. I’ll take you to see them. At that time, I’m afraid you won’t be in such a smooth mood.”

Qin Mubai was stunned, “There are still guests? What day is today, some friends have come from afar.”

“Come on, you’ll know when you see it.” Wu Meiniang smiled mysteriously. She took Qin Mubai to the corridor on the second floor and stopped in front of one of the most luxurious rooms a few times. She said, “Go in!”

“Who is it? It’s so mysterious?” Qin Mubai was full of suspicion, but he deliberately pretended to be careless as he pushed open the door and entered.

Upon entering, two women in military uniform were sitting at a table drinking tea. Bright Light Armor, Qilin Robe, Flaming Red Tassel Helmet, and a sword hanging from his waist. A typical Hundred Cavalry Officer dressed in a valiant and heroic manner made one’s eyes shine.

“Greetings, Major Marshal!” The two women stood up and cupped their fists in salute, their heroic spirit bursting forth.

“Why are you here? Aren’t you the Hundred Cavalry of the Chang’an Imperial Palace?” Qin Mubai was surprised. His mind lit up and he immediately said, “Could it be … Princess Gao Yang has come to Lanzhou?”

The woman in uniform was either someone else or the twin killers of the past. Currently, there were only two female officers in the world, the Tantai sisters.

The two women pursed their lips and smiled at the same time. Even their expressions were the same. “Major Marshal whispered. The princess was tired from the long journey. She just fell asleep for a moment.”

Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment, “That fellow really came … Really?”

“Haha! Is Mubai here?” “Bandit Military Academy, stinking man! This princess is here, why don’t you quickly come in and pay your respects?” The extremely unladylike and excited Hedong Lion roared out from the bedroom across the curtain.