Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 412
Chapter 412 Business Is Business
Just as Li Xueyan left, Qin Mubai unhesitatingly dispatched a fine horse to Lanzhou to inform the Li Dao Sect.
It was the first time in his two lifetimes that he had done such things as betrayal and betrayal so righteously and cleanly.
“You don’t have to be so stupid! You want to change the overall situation just because of your wishful thinking? That’s impossible!” Qin Mubai thought very clearly, “Although I don’t hate you, Li Xueyan, but in front of such a big deal, even if it was Chen Yan, Wu Meiniang, Princess Gaoyang, and even my mother and sister, it would still be the same!”
“No one can stop the wheel of history from advancing!”
“No one can stop me, Qin Mubai, from fighting to the death with Gaer Qinling!”
“No one can erase the blood feud in my heart and eliminate the ambitions of an empire!”
“Nobody!”
The next day, at dawn, the army began to train their horses in the barracks. The majestic roar was like a tsunami, making it impossible for anyone to sleep peacefully. Princess Li Xueyan, who was already full of worries, was naturally no exception.
Ruo Da’s tent was allocated to the three women to live in. The Tantai sisters sat on the couch wiping their swords and chatting. Li Xueyan could not interrupt and felt even more lonely.
“Ladies and gentlemen, can you go out and see if Young Marshal Qin has the time to come over for a short talk?” Li Xueyan said.
The Tantai sisters exchanged a glance and said, “Princess, when the young marshal arrives at the barracks, he will probably not be able to withdraw from the barracks due to the busy military affairs in the viceroy’s mansion.”
Li Xueyan smiled bitterly, feeling ashamed and lonely, and said, “You two sisters, if you speak straightforwardly, do you also think that I am very annoying and ignorant of the times?”
“This …” The two sisters were stunned and said, “Princess, don’t say that. It is said that Daoists have their own aspirations and can’t force them. The Princess’ aspirations are actually quite admirable …”
Hearing the Tantai sisters’ pale compliments, Li Xueyan felt even more bitter in her heart.
At this moment, Qin Mubai’s voice sounded from outside the tent. He was asking the soldiers outside the tent, “Did the princess get up? Did she serve An Hao last night?”
“Mubai, I’m getting up. Quickly come in!” Li Xueyan shouted without much thought.
Just as she finished shouting, her face turned red to the root of her neck. The Tantai sisters looked at her with meaningful smiles.
Qin Mubai pushed the bill and entered. Li Xueyan sorted out her thoughts and smiled, “Young Marshal is busy with military affairs. Why are you free to look at me?”
“I’m not particularly busy.” Qin Mubai smiled and looked around. “Are you still used to living?”
“Thank you for your concern, Young Marshal. Everything is fine. It’s really troublesome.” Li Xueyan carefully whispered.
The Tantai sisters tactfully found an excuse and left the tent, leaving Qin and Li alone.
“Princess, I thought about it all night yesterday. I think it’s necessary to persuade you one last time.” Qin Mubai said, “As the saying goes, ‘the general trend ‘cannot be reversed by manpower. Do you think you can stop the collision between the Great Tang Empire and the Tibetan Empire just by relying on your wishful thinking?”
Li Xueyan nodded and said, “Actually, I’ve thought about all of this … I know I’m a little overconfident. However, if I don’t give it a try, I really won’t give up. My strongest wish is to have two fewer wars and fewer deaths.”
“Then do you know what the meaning of war is?” Qin Mubai said.
“…” Li Xueyan was stunned for a moment and said, “Interest struggle? Admiration or hatred?”
“Neither.” Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, “Sima Fa said, ‘Kill to stop killing, kill can also’. The implication is that the real purpose of war is to quell war and prevent more wars from breaking out.”
“Isn’t this contradictory?” Li Xueyan said blankly, “War always kills, it means blood.”
Qin Mubai wasn’t in a hurry and said gently, “Although you are intelligent, you are still young. It is normal for you not to understand these principles. Have you ever thought that even if you succeeded in marrying Tibet and bringing peace to the two countries for 30 to 50 years, what will happen after 30 to 50 years?”
Li Xueyan was speechless again.
“If you don’t expect it, I’ll tell you.” Qin Mubai said, “There is an old saying that although it is extreme, it is not without reason-if it is not of my race, its heart will be different.” Tibetans lived on the plateau, always drooling over the fertile Central Plains. Their purpose in waging war was simple, clear and primitive, and it was precisely for the sake of profit. To put it more bluntly, for money, cattle, sheep, and women. From the current standpoint, it would be worth it to use you, Princess Wen Cheng, plus some gold, silver, and wealth to exchange for the imaginary peace of the Great Tang for thirty years. However, the contradictions and antagonisms between the Great Tang and Tibet were like the relationship between a mountain and two tigers, irreconcilable. Even after thirty to fifty years, war would still break out. Moreover, another eruption in the past 30 to 50 years would only be even more tragic than now. Moreover, no one can guarantee that the Great Tang will be as prosperous and powerful as it is today, and that it will be able to contend against Tibet in thirty to fifty years. ”
Li Xueyan stared at Qin Mubai with her eyes wide open without blinking.
Qin Mubai smiled and said, “I mentioned these similar words to your father when I visited him in Chang’an earlier.” I said that back then, but I still believe that the only effective way to eliminate the conflict between the Great Tang and Tibet is to completely subdue and merge them. War and peace constitute history and promote history. This was an established law from ancient times to modern times, and no one could change or stop it. Don’t say it’s a princess like you. Even the current Emperor is unable to stop the war from happening. I advise you to think it over. ”
Li Xueyan fell into silence. After a long time, she said, “Thank you, Mubai. I know you did it for my own good. But please forgive my willfulness and stubbornness, or stupidity and ignorance of the times. I really … have decided! Xueyan is a girl who is insignificant, even if she dies. If I don’t give it a try, I will regret it for life!”
“Alright then!” Qin Mubai wasn’t angry, or rather, he wasn’t in the mood to be angry with her anymore. He just smiled and said, “Since you’ve already said that, I’m also responsible. I have no choice but to do business.”
“Please speak” Li Xueyan looked at Qin Mubai with a hesitant expression, her heart beating faster. Although she had expected such a situation to happen, she was really afraid that she would say something heartless from Qin Mubai’s mouth. Even she herself was very contradictory. She knew that doing this would cause Qin Mubai’s disgust and deviation, but she couldn’t help but do these things … She had never cursed or cursed herself-“Could it be that I really envy Wu Meiniang and Princess Gaoyang, or was it just a’cheap ‘word playing tricks on her?”
“Princess, listen carefully.” Qin Mubai said expressionlessly, “Originally, out of duty, the two armies were facing each other. As the Commander-in-Chief, I absolutely cannot let anyone go to the enemy camp. This is for the sake of military secrets and security. You can definitely understand this.”
“En … Don’t worry about that. I definitely won’t do anything to betray the country.”
“But now that you are so determined, for the sake of getting to know each other, I can only fulfill your wish.” Qin Mubai said with a straight eye, “I’ll send you a horse one day. You can go to the Tibetan military camp yourself! Yes, you can only be alone. There won’t be any attendants, maids, or dowry. If you go, you can only represent Li Xueyan. You can’t represent the Kansai army, nor the Tang Empire, let alone Princess Wencheng. You must think this through clearly.”
Li Xueyan’s face gradually turned pale. She gritted her lips tightly and did not dare to look at Qin Mubai. She lowered her head and nodded gently.
“Alright, I’m done.” Qin Mubai sighed softly. “Finally, for the sake of His Highness, I won’t hesitate to persuade you to think twice before taking your leave!”
“Wait!” Li Xueyan suddenly shouted and stopped Qin Mubai.
“What else do you need, Princess?”
Li Xueyan took two steps forward to Qin Mubai and raised her head to look at him. “As the saying goes, the difference in dao is not conspiracy. It’s my ignorance of the times and stubbornness that caused you a lot of trouble. I’m sorry!”
“Forget it!” Qin Mubai raised the corner of his mouth and smiled indifferently, “Everyone has their own aspirations.”
“Mubai … I’m afraid we’ll never see each other again after this farewell.” Li Xueyan hesitated.
Qin Mubai wanted to laugh and cry, “Your Highness, what do you want to say?”
“Nothing …” Li Xueyan turned her head and whispered, “I really like to hear you play the pipa, especially the song” I hope you can live for a long time … ”
“Let’s talk about it when we have the chance in the future!” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and said, “I still have military affairs to attend to. I’ll take my leave first!”
Qin Mubai left. If the barracks were empty and quiet, Li Xueyan could almost hear her breathing.
“Am I really wrong?”
“Why am I living so painfully, hesitating, and in a dilemma?”
“Why is it that my ideal is so far away that I can’t follow the person I like?”
“Am I too stupid, or is fate too foolish?”
Qin Mubai, who had walked out of the tent, secretly heaved a sigh of relief. Looking back at the military tent, Li Xueyan’s figure was faintly revealed in the tent floating in the wind. She could also be seen hesitating and confused between the light and darkness, with a trace of depression and sadness mixed on her face.
Qin Mubai shook her head and smiled bitterly helplessly. She thought to herself, Li Xueyan, if you are just a simple girl from a good family, you are a good girl. Unfortunately, you’re too thoughtful. Originally, there was nothing wrong with this. Unfortunately, these ideals of yours are too “idealistic”. That is to say, you are ignorant of the times and have fantasies. But you said that you loved selflessness, kindness, and peerlessness, or that you were utterly stupid and unreasonable … But no matter what, I will still respect you. I won’t stop you from doing anything; As long as you don’t get in my way!
