The heavy snow finally stopped.

Although the snow on the road still hadn’t melted, which was very detrimental to the troop’s movements, Qin Mubai didn’t want to wait any longer. He dispatched three thousand soldiers to set off one day ahead of schedule to clear the snow and cut down trees. He immediately led sixty thousand troops and forty thousand Huihe cavalry to Lanzhou.

Su Dingfang and the Commander of the Southern Court of the Western Turkic Empire, Ba Ximi, sent them off together and returned ten miles away. When Qin Mubai said goodbye to Su Dingfang, he said that after he led the troops back, he would see how the royal court was going. There were probably only two extremes. One was that the Great Tang had finally been thoroughly enraged and had risen up to launch a decisive battle against Tibet; The other was that the Imperial Court had changed the strategy of the Western Regions and its foreign policy towards Tibet. At the same time, it also meant that Qin Mubai’s military and political career might have come to an end. This time, Lan would probably never see each other again.

Su Dingfang said that it was estimated that the former was more likely. The reason for that was because the Emperor of the Great Tang was a tyrannical lord, and it was impossible for him to stop the war because the Western Region had suffered losses from the attack. On the contrary, if Lanzhou did not gain any benefits from its victory over Gaer Qinling, the Emperor might take advantage of the victory to fight for peace and save the country’s strength to reduce casualties.

Qin Mubai thought for a moment, and Su Dingfang’s analysis was reasonable. However, the temple was always full of strange things that could happen. Qin Mubai warned Su Dingfang to “prepare with one heart and two hands”. It was good that the Imperial Court did not change its strategy and national policy; If it was changed, the original Lanzhou General Leader might have to be replaced, because Su Dingfang had to be prepared to “protect himself from being harmed” first.

“Ah!” Su Dingfang let out a long sigh. “We, the generals, have brought our brothers to the battlefield to fight. Whether we win or lose is a matter of life or death. In the end, we have to worry about the imperial court looking for us to settle the scores. The world only regards us as generals. Who would be wise to deal with the difficulties and bitterness of generals?”

“Actually, there’s nothing to complain about. Don’t say that being a general, even an emperor, becoming a minister also has its own difficulties. In short, take care of yourself, senior brother!” Qin Mubai smiled helplessly before saying goodbye to Su Dingfang and leading the troops away.

A hundred thousand troops formed a tens of kilometers long snake formation, winding towards Shanzhou. The distance between Shanzhou and Yumen Pass was thousands of kilometers. The entire journey was desolate and desolate, and it was the most arduous part of the Silk Road. Now that it was snowing heavily and the road was exceptionally cold, the march was quite arduous. Although there were thousands of soldiers leading the way, the army’s advance speed was quite slow. The wheels loaded with grain and supplies were stuck in the mud of the frozen soil, so they couldn’t get up quickly. Unfortunately, he did not throw away these supplies and light weapons. Otherwise, at night, the icy cold dripping on the great Gobi Desert and the cold wind cutting into the bone marrow could freeze everyone to death.

Ten days had passed, and the army had only advanced three hundred kilometers with all their might. Qin Mubai couldn’t help but feel a little anxious.

That night, the army set up camp to spend the night. Qin Mubai returned to the barracks and ate two large cakes of hot tea cooked with snow water. Then, she lit up the oil lamp to look at the various military passbooks that the school had given them and prepared to give them a reply.

Chen Yan quietly tidied up the bed and boiled hot water for Qin Mubai to soak his feet and relieve his fatigue.

“Alright, I’ll do it myself.” Qin Mubai smiled gratefully.

“You’re busy. Leave your feet to me.” Chen Yanwan smiled and took off Qin Mubai’s shoes and socks.

Qin Mubai’s heart was warm. She smiled happily and nodded her head. She allowed Chen Yan to wash his feet, but she still concentrated on reviewing the military passbook.

“Looks like we have to stop for another day or two.” Qin Mubai muttered to himself, “We’re running out of firewood for the army. In this kind of damn weather, if we don’t have firewood to heat the water at night, we’ll die.”

“This march to war is really not easy.” Chen Yan said, “Being a soldier is really bitter. Let’s talk about you. If you are in Chang’an, when will it be your turn to eat this kind of crude tea? Speaking of which, it’s time for you to take a bath again.”

“Make do!” Qin Mubai grinned and said, “At most, if you don’t take a bath, then none of us will dislike anyone. Isn’t there still a shortage of firewood right now? If you can save it, then save it.”

“Screw you! I’ll tell you the truth. I’ve scrubbed your body with this water for you to wash your feet.” Chen Yan scolded angrily, “No wonder Duke Gaoyang called you ‘Thief Military Academy, smelly man’. So it turns out that a soldier is really smelly!”

“You scrubbed it? That’s good, that’s good.” Qin Mubai smiled warmly and lascivious.

Chen Yan helplessly shook her head and smiled, but her face was flushed.

Qin Mubai looked at it with beauty in her heart. Her bed with Chen Yan was the happiest. If it wasn’t for her accompanying him these past few days, he would probably have been suffocated to death long ago. As a mother, she perfectly fused the shyness of a woman from a good family with the rich charm of a mature woman. She wanted to refuse and welcome the most exciting people, but when she was in love, her initiative and wildness were enough to make every man’s bones and legs go soft.

After washing her feet, Chen Yan picked up the basin and walked away. When she turned around, she whispered, “Go to bed early.”

Qin Mubai’s mouth was a little dry and his tongue couldn’t sit still anymore. Hearing the sound of Chen Yan folding the blankets in the back tent bedroom, Qin Mubai was about to blow the lamp and go in to rest. However, someone asked from afar, “Has Major Marshal slept?”

“This subordinate doesn’t know. This subordinate doesn’t dare to disturb you so late at night. I only saw that the lights in Major Marshal’s tent are still on.”

When Qin Mubai heard this, it was Xue Rengui. “Rengui, I’m not asleep yet. Come in!”

“Excuse me!” Xue Rengui sins and enters the tent.

“Is something the matter?”

“There’s a problem with the supply of the army.” Xue Rengui said straightforwardly, “There is a lack of firewood for cooking and warming and grass for the horses. When we first set up camp in the afternoon, I had already sent a few teams out to search for the forest. In the end, I was lucky enough to find an oasis on the Gobi Desert. So, I thought, should we pause for a day or two to replenish it?”

Qin Mubai immediately smiled and said, “Ren Gui, I told you, I can’t afford to lose an arm like you. Not only are you invincible in charge, you are also able to handle small matters without leakage. I just received news from the Rear Army that I was about to order people to rest for two days to search for firewood, but you already took care of everything.”

“Mubai is flattering me.” Xue Rengui smiled and said, “Actually, all of this is my responsibility. A troop of 100,000 people, large and small, can’t be carried by Major Marshal alone. As a subordinate, we can share it. Actually, there are some things I don’t understand in my heart. I want to ask you to give me some advice.”

“I don’t dare to give you any advice. Let’s just casually chat!” Qin Mubai invited him to sit down and poured some tea. A few pieces of charcoal were added to the fire.

“Mubai, I heard your conversation with Ding Fang when we left that day. I was deeply moved.” Xue Rengui said, “Xue Zhishu has always thought that a man is a man who wants to make contributions to the land development and the people’s safety in the battlefield.” I have always thought that my Great Tang is a radical and energetic dynasty, and that His Majesty is also the master of wise divine martial arts. That was why he was willing to join the army and sprinkle a mouthful of hot blood on the territory of the Great Tang! However, after the incident with Hou Junji, I suddenly felt that being a general was quite sad. If I were Hou Junji, I probably wouldn’t be able to watch Gaer Qinling let him flee to the Western Region to cause trouble. But even if he made such a small mistake, it would cause an irreparable loss. Hou Junji also thought that he would die, and his net was broken. ”

“Things are sad for themselves!” Qin Mubai smiled bitterly and said, “Actually, Hou Junji is both hateful, cute, and pitiful.” He was like a lonely wolf walking alone in a desolate wilderness. He was filled with passion and pride, but no one could understand him. His personality was rather eccentric, which made him unbearable. Otherwise, with his ability to lead troops to war and his outstanding contributions, how could he fall into the situation of Liangzhou Sima? ”

“I’m also very stupid. I don’t know how to be an official. I don’t know how to be tactful.” Xue Rengui frowned slightly and said indifferently, “Will I end up like Hou Junji one day?”

“Rengui, aren’t you thinking too much? When did you become so cautious?” Qin Mubai smiled.

“I just want to be a real general and charge into the front lines to protect the country and the people.” Xue Rengui smiled and said, “I don’t save money, I don’t greed women, I don’t buy land, I don’t want nobles, I just want to concentrate on leading the troops to fight.” This is both my retribution and my pleasure. Follow Marshal Xi Zheng for a while, until today, I have finally realized what a true war is, what a true soldier is-Marshal, is our Martial Cultivator General; And Hou Junji is the other extreme! ”

Qin Mubai gently nodded and said, “In fact, Hou Junji is an outstanding general talent.” However, he had too many desires and ambitions. After gaining fame on the battlefield, he still wanted to earn more fame and fortune in the Imperial Court. However, he did not have a good eye or mind in politics. Rather than saying that he had lost to Eldest Sun Wuji, it was better to say that he had lost to his own ambitions and desires. Therefore, benevolence, you should not have the sadness of a rabbit dying and a fox dying. You are different from Hou Junji. He is a rebellious and untamed hungry wolf, but you are a rare Thousand Miles Divine Colt. Even hunters would only aim their bows and arrows at the hungry wolf, not be foolish enough to shoot the Thousand Miles Divine Colt. ”

Xue Rengui grinned, “Mubai, you’re ridiculously praising me!”

“It’s not a false praise, it’s the truth.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “There is a saying that character determines success or failure. Actually, a person’s ability could be cultivated. No one was born a general. However, his personality could not be changed easily. Hou Junji’s temperament decided his outcome today. Actually, he was worth it. Da Feichuan, fifty thousand prisoners and his burial; Another tens of thousands of brothers accompanied him on the final madness, killing off the plateau. I don’t know how many bloody things he will do on the plateau, but I think this must be an unprecedented catastrophe for Tibet. This was because no army had ever attacked the Tibetan Plateau before. Hou Junji was going against his will and attacked him unprepared. Now, the moment he waved his butcher’s knife, he would never put it down again. Unless someone cuts off his head. ”

“I understand” Xue Rengui nodded gently. “Hou Junji wants to use the last bit of his life to do something that no one else dares to do. His arrogance and savageness were truly amazing! In other words, although his behavior will cause many criticisms, he is actually a straightforward and simple man. He has always been unscrupulously pursuing what he wants. Although he is a bit extreme, I think he is a true man with a bloody temperament! –Even if he is a real villain, he is still stronger than a hypocrite! ”

“Agreed.” Qin Mubai nodded in agreement, “When I took the initiative to visit Hou Junji and decided to use him, many people advised me not to do so in order to avoid raising tigers in the future.” But my thoughts are the same as yours. Even if he is a real villain, he is still stronger than a hypocrite! Actually, I admire Hou Junji very much! It’s not that I haven’t thought about what he’s doing right now, but I can’t do it, and I don’t dare to do it. How could a nation melt without the root causes of war? Can we do this by relying on the scholars in the temple to sit and talk? In the final analysis, it’s still up to us soldiers to play the negative role of executioners! War is about dying. No matter how you die, you die! In war, there was no real justice to speak of, it was murder! If I don’t kill the enemy, the enemy will kill me–Hou Junji, is a true general! He clearly understood the naked rules of the game, and then … he let go! ”

Xue Rengui frowned deeply, speechless.

He had already killed his enemies more than once or twice. Stop talking about the casualties of the two armies after the battle. Even the people who died directly under Xue Rengui had already been quite a few. Facing the war and participating in the war, he might not understand the true meaning and essence of the war-Qin Mubai’s words just now had actually shocked him!

There was no distinction between justice and evil in war, it was the result of people from different positions, artificially beautifying or demonizing; War is a life-and-death struggle, in which one becomes king and loses, and then the survivors write everything about war.

As for the general, he was actually the machine of war. It was like a cold saber hanging on a soldier’s body. There was no distinction between good and evil. The so-called “Righteous Sword” and “Evil Butcher’s Saber” were the attributes given to it by human beings.

“Hou Junji is a true general. He understands the true essence of war and has carried out his mission as a general without hesitation! However, there will be many people who have nothing to do with war, or outsiders who do not understand war, who will judge him from different moral perspectives, criticize him, and give him a humiliating evaluation!” After a while, Xue Rengui suddenly said, “This is really unfair!”

“Just as there are no absolute good people or bad people in this world, there is no real fairness. Even the things that have happened in history, in different times and from different moral perspectives, people will have different views and opinions on it. Today’s hero may be tomorrow’s sinner; Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, “The traitors of the past may be overturned by someone one day and become a hero of a certain kind. Therefore, since we have chosen the path of joining the army, we should calmly go on.” “I’ll give you one sentence. Take care of the matters in front of you. How can you comment behind your back?”

“Hou Junji, he is more straightforward and carefree than us. He did it like this!-What a man!” Xue Rengui said through her teeth.

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Rengui, your entry into the military is still shallow, and you are most likely in contact with the military.” But even as a general, his roots were in the royal court, because war was an extension of politics. So a lot of things you have to slowly understand and accept. One day, the battle will be over. When Ma Fangnan Mountain comes, it will be the time for us to return to the court. At that time, we will not only be generals, but also officials and politicians. There is no escape from politics, which we have to face

“I, Xue, stand up. I don’t know how to be an official. From now on, I can only learn from you slowly.” Rengui Xue smiled awkwardly and stood up. “I’m really sorry to have disturbed you for so long in the middle of the night!” Recently, there has always been a gloomy cloud in Xue’s heart. I began to doubt my ambitions and ideals. Tonight, it was better to talk to Jun than to study for ten years. Now, I feel much more relaxed in my heart. There must be a way before the car arrives. I will follow Mubai step by step! ”

Qin Mubai laughed heartily, “If Brother Xue isn’t worried that I’ll sell you out, then follow him!”

“I’m not afraid!” Xue Rengui also smiled, “I have nothing to offer. I only have a huge appetite! Sell it! Someone has to dare to buy it!”

“Haha!”

The two laughed loudly and chatted for a while before Xue Rengui left. When he left, his footsteps were obviously much lighter.

Qin Mubai knitted his eyebrows and said thoughtfully. The matter of Hou Junji had already begun to affect Guanxi Army’s morale. If the imperial court’s judgment and treatment of Hou Junji were too vicious and unfair, it would definitely chill the hearts of some people. After all, Hou Junji had always worked hard for the Great Tang in addition to the’unnecessary ‘rebellion in his life, and had contributed a lot to it. However, his reputation in the outside world was incomparably stinky. His fate was also filled with sorrow and misfortune.

Even if he died in the future, he might not receive the respect he deserved.

“Perhaps this is fate, life, and humanity. The three great gods, the secular, the ethical, and the programmatic, really can’t afford to offend them.” Qin Mubai secretly smiled bitterly. He shook his head and sighed, “Hou Junji, there are only 13 words in the letter you wrote to me-‘If a scholar dies as a confidante, I will not disappoint Qin Sanlang’!”

“You already understand why I sent you to Dafeichuan, not Xue Wanjun or myself … It’s like a house that is often visited by thieves. The host will tie a fierce dog to guard the house, but the difference is that I’ve tied a hungry wolf that can’t be tied at all!”

“Perhaps I will be the hero they call me in the future, but one day people will understand that you are the real hero!”

“This is truly a skill that can wither ten thousand bones! Within ten thousand bones, there are not only enemies, but also our own compatriots!”

‘”This thousand years of history is like a chessboard with tens of thousands of miles of rivers and mountains. To strip off the skin of the characters on the surface, we are actually just insignificant chess pieces! The difference is that some chess pieces were eaten long ago and disappeared on the chessboard. Some chess pieces will stay at the end to mark the so-called victory and defeat …”

“Your death fulfills my life; your sin fulfills my name; your fault fulfills my work!”

“These 13 words are your vows and last words. They are also my chains and irreparable sins! Just like the death of my father …”