Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 403

Chapter 403 Conspiracies Are Like Ghosts, Yang Schemes Like Floods

“Bang–scratch!!”

Thunder surged, lightning like a dragon, and the majestic ancient capital of Chang’an trembled under the awe of this rumbling heavenly might.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night for many people. Changsun Wuji was one of them.

There was no light in the study. Occasionally, lightning would tear apart the curtain of the night, making their faces look extremely ugly.

So handed over to the youth, eldest Sun Wuji has followed the emperor for nearly 30 years. Today, only today did Li Shimin slap him in the face in front of everyone.

In Changsun Wuji’s mind, the scenes that occurred during the evening court discussions were constantly reflected … King Jin of the Overwatch Kingdom rushed over and was kicked back by Li Shimin like a cold iron. At that time, he said, “There is no need for you here.”

This simple and ordinary sentence was like a sharp dagger that pierced straight into Eldest Sun Wuji’s heart.

Everyone knew that it was because Eldest Sun Wuji hated the former Crown Prince Li Chengqian and was at odds with King Wei, whom Li Shimin had always loved, and supported King Jin, Li Zhi, that he openly sat on the throne that didn’t fit him at all.

At that time, the fight for the throne had reached a critical juncture, and the Emperor had even asked Eldest Sun Wuji to publicly announce this decision–what a privilege and respect it was!

From then on, Li Shimin went into seclusion to recuperate and gave all the matters of state to Li Zhi, but in reality, he had only given them to Eldest Sun Wuji … Everyone could imagine what this meant. Obviously, Li Shimin just wanted to see what would happen if he really gave Jiang Shan to Li Zhi, this mediocre and blunt son of his?

To put it bluntly, Li Shimin was taking advantage of his time to make a bold attempt, or rather, an experiment.

The results of the experiment are obvious to all today.

Li Shimin was not an ordinary disappointment-first of all, the blueprint he had drawn up for the Western Regions a few years ago had met with strong opposition from a group of civil servants led by Eldest Sun Wuji. Thus led to today’s situation-Gaochang fell to Qin Qiong martyrdom, Tibet wreaked havoc on the national prestige!

Someone had first slapped Li Shimin in the face!

Actually, Li Shimin knew what Eldest Sun Wuji was thinking. In Changsun Wuji’s mind, everything was based on and centered on Li Shimin. In his opinion, following Li Shimin’s rule of law, following his path, continuing the prosperity and stability of the Chastity Temple, and letting Li Zhi become a guardian lord who did not seek rewards but did not seek faults, his eldest grandson Wuji’s task would be completed.

After a hundred years, he would be able to explain himself to Li Shimin!

Privately speaking, there was absolutely no doubt about Changsun Wuji’s loyalty and support for Li Shimin. Yu Gong said that he had established the rise and fall of the entire dynasty and nation on the word “explanation”, which made Li Shimin furious!

During the court meeting today, Li Shimin scolded him more than once, implying that the civil and military of the Manchu Dynasty only knew how to flatter his eldest grandson, Wuji, and forgot about his true abilities. To his eldest Sun Wuji, this was undoubtedly a thunderous alarm!

No emperor, especially a hero like Li Shimin, who possessed both domineering aura and ability, would be able to easily create a powerful official in his own court that would dominate over an emperor!

However, the current situation was precisely that the civil service group led by Changsun Wuji had firmly grasped the power of the court to speak. Even generals leading troops outside had to be restrained in every way-Qin Qiong, who had died in battle in Gaochang, was a tragic product of this unbalanced situation of power competition!

If it wasn’t for Changsun Wuji and the others controlling the court, but for Li Shimin still leading the court platform, then the Western Regions plan he had set in his early years would be implemented step by step. In this way, it would not happen in a situation where military intelligence was like fire. Qin Shubao resisted the decree and went deep into the army alone. Instead, he would prepare a large army to advance and raze the small country of Gaochang without any suspense. Thus, there would not be such a passive situation and a tragic and humiliating result!

It could be said that today, after Li Shimin finished paying tribute to Qin Qiong, he poured a portion of his grief and indignation onto the indirect “murderer”, Eldest Sun Wuji!

“Bang–scratch!”

Another bolt of thunder and lightning struck, causing Changsun Wuji’s entire body to tremble with a chill, as if goosebumps had appeared on his body. Just as he was about to get up and close the window, the door was knocked on.

“Has father ever slept?”

It was his second son, Eldest Sun Huan.

“Come in!”

Eldest Sun Huan came in, covered the door, knelt down respectfully opposite his father, and bowed in salute.

“What is it?” Changsun Wuji said coldly, feeling a little depressed and distracted.

“Father, this child already knows what happened at the court meeting today.” Changsun Huan said carefully, “I’ve been thinking for a long time, but I can’t sleep on my left and right, so … I came to talk to my father.”

“What did you say?” Changsun Wuji expressionlessly said indifferently, “You are a city gatekeeper, it’s not your turn to discuss such matters.”

Changsun Huan awkwardly grinned and was speechless for a long time. Ever since he was kicked out of Mubai by Qin Baiji, Eldest Sun Wuji had treated him coldly like this. That matter was not a small shame to the eldest grandson clan of the Rongguan Great Tang Dynasty-Eldest Sun Wuji’s son was inferior to Qin Qiong’s son. Wasn’t everyone talking about it like this?

Not to mention, Qin Mubai was now a romantic creature with a hundred thousand kilometers of domains and a reputation for being the most coquettish in the world. His eldest son, Huanghuan, was still a small Chang’an City Gate Lang. To put it bluntly, it was a watchdog at the corner of the Imperial Capital City.

The difference between clouds and soils could not be more so.

“Father, please calm down. This child does not want to talk about anything rashly. It’s just that … I have an idea that I want to ask father’s permission.” Changsun Huan said cautiously.

“Speak.” Boss Changsun Wuji said impatiently.

“This child is thinking … Since the overall situation is like this, His Majesty has already shifted his favor to the main warring faction and Qin Mubai. Why don’t we accept this situation for the time being?” Changsun Huan secretly said, “As the saying goes, mountains do not spin, and people have to lower their heads under the eaves. No matter what, we can’t defeat His Majesty’s will, right?”

“What do you want to say? Don’t beat around the bush, go straight in!” Zhang Sun Wuji frowned.

Changsun Huan took a deep breath and summoned up the courage to cupped his hands. “Child, what I mean is … why don’t we join hands with Qin Mubai’s ex-wife?”

“What are you talking about?” “Didn’t you always hate him to the bone?”

“Father, there are no eternal enemies or friends in the court. There are only eternal interests. You taught me this!” Changsun Huan said, “Didn’t you help Qin King with Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, Cheng Biting Jin and the others in the early years, and ultimately achieve great achievements and share the glory of grace?” Afterwards, the different dao is not conspiracy, civil and military do not stand, father and Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng and others with Qi Lianzhi in charge of the central; Afterwards, wasn’t his father also incompatible with Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and the others? Right now, His Majesty is clearly dissatisfied with his father. He wants to start weakening his father’s power in the court and cultivate a military power led by Qin Mubai and the others. He only hopes to restrain his father and achieve the goal of a stable and mutually restrictive civil and military environment, so that he and his descendants can control it. The child was thinking that in a few years, the military would be raising their heads in the court. The ones who were most likely to become military leaders were Li Ji and Qin Mubai. Li Ji was indifferent and unfamiliar, so he could not conspire with him. Only Qin Mubai … ”

Eldest Sun Wuji looked at his son with a complicated expression. He was stunned for a while and was speechless.

“Father … what do you think?” Changsun Huan said timidly.

Eldest Sun Wuji took a deep breath and swallowed heavily. He suppressed his anger and said, “Are you asking your father to admit defeat to that yellow-mouthed boy Qin Mubai and curry favor with him?”

“Father, father, that’s not the case!” Eldest Sun Wuji said anxiously, “Those who succeed in great things don’t care about trivial matters, and bearing the burden of humiliation is something a man can do!” Why not focus on the overall situation? Between the Changsun Clan and the Qin Clan, there was only some personal grudge. If the Venerable Father was willing to take the initiative to repair it, would he, Qin Mubai, dare not give this face to his father? Moreover, Qin Mubai was also a person of extreme rape and hypocrisy, seducing the princess, joining King Wu, becoming a disciple of Li Jing, and currying favor with the Jiang Xia King. This brown and brown thing was enough to see him as a person! Imagine, which of these people can compare to you, father? If you take the initiative to invite him, is there any reason for him not to shake his tail and show his goodwill? In the future, if he really makes it to the top, our Changsun Clan will have a powerful ally, wouldn’t it be convenient? “If he fails, I won’t lose anything, father!”

Eldest Sun Wuji pondered for a long time before spitting out a mouthful of turbid air.

To be fair, Changsun Wuji knew that Changsun Huan’s words were very reasonable. However, letting his eldest grandson Wuji take the initiative to show his goodwill towards Qin Mubai was indeed a bit difficult!

A crow is never the whiter for washing herself often!

If Eldest Sun Wuji had the bosom and bearing of Fang Xuanling, and wasn’t so hard and tyrannical and greedy for power, how could he have come to this day?

“Father, why don’t you consider it?” Changsun Hua took the opportunity to strike iron.

“You have to know that this is absolutely impossible for you to beg for your father and Qin Mubai. Don’t say it’s that young boy from the Qin Clan. Even when Qin Qiong was alive, she had to retreat three points when she saw Qin Qiong as her father!” Eldest Sun Wuji raised his eyebrows and stared at Eldest Sun Hua. He said in a deep voice, “If you have him, why would your father be in such a sorry state!”

Changsun Huan’s face turned embarrassed, truly embarrassed. His father brought up the old matter again–in the end, the Changsun Clan and the Qin Clan had never crossed paths. Wasn’t it because he, Changsun Huan, and Qin Mubai, couldn’t understand each other when they were in Baiji?

“Father, please calm down. This child has his own opinion …” Changsun Huan said carefully. “There is no need for father to come forward in this matter. This child was also a martial artist. Although he was not a weapon, he was still able to ride a fast horse, drive a hard bow, and fight in front of him was not inferior to him! Didn’t the Great Tang start a full-scale war with Tibet now? Father, just transfer me to Lanzhou and let me bear the burden of humiliation and serve under Qin Mubai! ”

“What are you talking about?” Eldest Sun Wuji was truly enraged this time. He raised his hand and roared angrily, “You useless thing!”

“Pa!”

With a slap, he firmly slapped Changsun Huan’s face!

“Father, please calm down, but take care of yourself!” Chang Sun Huan didn’t even dare to touch his face after receiving this slap. He still bowed his head and cupped his hands, saying, “Father, calm down, but please take care of yourself!” Actually, this child’s thoughts were only for his father and the long-term future of the Changsun Clan! Ning Shi’s ten friends won’t make an enemy of him. If Qin Mubai really soars in the future, with his petty temperament of vengeance, our Changsun Clan will surely suffer many calamities! Father, if you are not afraid of evil people, then you are afraid of being grinded by a lowly person! The child in changan, left and right is nothing, why not go to lanzhou to fight? “First, we can obtain the glory of the military industry, and second, we can also act according to the situation!”

“Do you think Qin Mubai will throw you in front of the formation and be slaughtered by the Tibetans like a pig or a dog?”

“No, no! Definitely not!” Changsun Huan hurriedly said, “Reaching out, don’t hit the smiley-faced man. No matter what, I am still a relative of the royal family, and I am your son! Furthermore, His Majesty is quite dissatisfied with his father’s opposition to the use of troops in Lanzhou. Doesn’t this opportunity also help to bridge the gap between His Majesty and his father? Father, you have to think twice about killing so many people!”

These last two words could be considered to have reached Eldest Sun Wuji’s heart.

Indeed, there was nothing in Eldest Sun Wuji’s mind that could compare to his “relationship” with Li Shimin. This relationship was once harmonious to the extreme, and even Li Shimin said that I owe most of the credit to Eldest Sun Wuji. But now, there was a crack in this relationship, which made Eldest Sun Wuji feel uneasy and fearful.

If he followed what Changsun Huanhuan said and sent his eldest son to the frontlines, wouldn’t he be able to obtain military service? At the very least, it would show that even if his eldest son’s political views were left, he could change his mind at any time. He was still firm and wholeheartedly following the Emperor’s footsteps!

Isn’t that right?

“Tomorrow, follow father into the palace!”

Yellow sand billowed, and the west wind blew like crazy.

Qin Mubai’s army wore helmets and wore white filial piety, leading a group of Baiji guards to walk in the huge school grounds. The one-armed Zhang Tong raised the handsome Qin flag, and it was blown into the wind as it fluttered about in the air.

The thirty thousand new recruits were currently undergoing their first drill after mixing with the forty thousand field troops of the Lanzhou Zuowei Guards led by Hou Junji.

Tens of kilometers around the camp and school grounds, thousands of galloping horses shouted to kill the heavens, morale like a rainbow straight to Xiao Han.

Qin Mubai was most satisfied with his high morale and neat morale. However, the most worrying and fatal problem was the sudden addition of more than 30,000 troops, tens of thousands of mouths to eat, and the logistical supply was rather tight.

Even though the people of Lanzhou were already united in their hatred, and most of the people who joined the army voluntarily brought their own food, rice, clothing, and even horses, they couldn’t let the people of Lanzhou pay for all the expenses of the army anymore. Squeeze all of them dry!

Besides, even if it was to be squeezed dry … Although Lanzhou’s economy had greatly improved, this was not a prosperous place like Chang’an Xiangyang, and the people did not have much money.

It’s not just grain. Currently, over 90% of the recruits in the camp were still wearing colorful military uniforms. In the past, there were only 24 people marching in the tent, but now there were at least 30 people squeezed in. In addition, there were weapons, armor, and horse flags, all of which were lacking.

Just as Fang Xuanling had said, what he fought was money. With blood energy and courage, what could he accomplish?

Wu Meiniang’s financial resources were already extraordinary, but she hadn’t reached the level where the Zheng Clan was as wealthy as a country. Before this, there wasn’t any war and she hadn’t recruited soldiers to expand her army, so she, the only military merchant in the clan, could barely cope with it. Now, if she wanted to support such a large army, it would be impossible for her to grow fat seedlings in the poor soil.

Seeing that the Mid-Autumn Festival was about to begin, but the troops under his command lacked even the logistical support, Qin Mubai felt a headache. Over the past few days, he had gathered the officials of the Governor-General’s Mansion at all levels to discuss with the governor of the prefecture and county to settle the logistical matters. Everyone in Lanzhou was doing their best. The civilians were just about to tighten their belts. However, there was still a huge gap in logistics.

However, the days were approaching day by day.

Qin Mubai had even thought of “disarmament”. However, he knew that this was definitely not feasible, because as long as he opened his mouth to disarm, the enthusiasm of the people in Lanzhou would be greatly dispelled, and the morale of the army would be weakened. At the same time, it would also give the impression that one’s confidence was shaken and one’s confidence was lacking.

The general’s heart was unstable, and the morale of the army was timid!

Qin Mubai clenched his teeth and didn’t turn his head to arrow.

Right now, the only thing he could hope for was a quick victory, defeating the Garqin Mausoleum in one fell swoop and obtaining grain from Tibet!

“In the past, it was all done by Tibetans. Why can’t we do such a thing?”

“The army, however, needs to prepare 50% of their armor and rations for March. They will be sent out immediately!”

“Don’t let those Tibetan barbarians in Garqin Mausoleum look down on our Lanzhou Iron Army and think that we don’t dare to go to war!”

If someone dies in battle, then inherit his armor and avenge him! The machete of Tibet is also very well forged. Go and snatch it from me! “The Tibetan swordsman said with a smile on his face,” If there is a lack of swords and spears, then find someone to share them with and take turns fighting. If someone dies in battle, then inherit his armor and avenge him! ”

“The highland barley, milk wine and dried meat of the Tibetan army are also very good. Go and rob them!!”

This was what Qin Mubai was saying to General Zuo. In the end, he said something that made Hou Junji feel proud and happy–

‘”Hou Junji, I really love to hear one thing-a tiger is inferior to a wolf! Our Lanzhou Iron Corps is not a tiger that occupies the mountains as king, but is a tiger that drags the land into prison. We have to be savage and fight a wolf that is thousands of kilometers away! If you want to eat meat, then go hunt, bite, fight to the death! Otherwise, you will be a dog, only worthy to eat shit!”