Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 488
Chapter 488 Feng Feixi
“Feng Feixi flags
Sharpen your saber and spear with a big horn
Heaven and earth, boundless wilderness
Blue Sky Hut Hunting Ground
“Sharp Dysprosium Roaring Tiger Hawk–
After the victory, Hou Junji and his subordinates sang the military song “Big Horn Song”, which belonged to the Great Tang Dynasty. It moved forward like a city wall, aiming straight at Luo Xie City.
They were like pawns crossing a river on a chessboard, with no retreat and a determination to move forward.
Behind them were mountains of corpses and fireworks.
“Will the world treat us like demons, ghosts, or beasts? It doesn’t matter anymore!”
“We’re just doing it. The only thing we can do right now!”
“Before we die, let the blood in our chests surge even more recklessly and thoroughly!”
…
Hou Junji pointed his saber at the sky and shouted, “Brothers, are you happy?!”
“Happy!!!”
“Then let us continue to enjoy ourselves!–Let the once arrogant plateau barbarians tremble under our iron hooves!”
“Just like Dong Zan Yu Song, he wants to beg us to kill him!”
All the soldiers roared in unison, “General Hou is mighty!”
“Brothers are mighty!” Hou Junji laughed loudly, “Continue advancing, target-Luo City!”
“Tibetan barbarians, Qinling children, get out of your tortoise shells and fight to the death with your grandpa! Grandpa wants to take off your pants and see if all of you are like Dongzan Yusong, without eggs!”
“Hahaha–”
The wild laughter shook the thin air on the plateau. Liuyun also seemed to tremble as he ran in a panic.
Da Feichuan, in the tent of the Guanxi Army main camp’s marshal.
Qin Mubai, Li Ke, and Quan Wanji set up separate tables and tables. Beside them were more than ten civil servants, large and small, who were busy approving military documents. After Hou Junji left, Qin Mubai gave Quan Wanji the position of marching Sima temporarily. He led the army in logistics, internal affairs, and military affairs and enforced military law.
The 300,000 troops had just entered Dafeichuan, and they had a lot of military affairs. Therefore, Qin Mubai and the others had been very busy these past few days, so busy that they were no longer in the mood to talk dirty jokes.
After Qin Mu’s white-collar army arrived, Dao Sect Li, who was originally leading the army to guard this place, let out a sigh of relief. The two armies changed defenses, acting as Lanzhou Governor-General Li Daozong still returned to Shanzhou to take care of the supplies.
Before leaving, the generals bid farewell to Li Daozong. After the banquet, Li Daozong drank a little wine and pulled Qin Mubai to privately say, “Mubai, I shouldn’t have told you about Yan’er at such a time, but …”
“Your Highness, if you have something to say, just say it.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “I’m like half of your son. What else is there to worry about?”
“After Xue Yan returned to the capital, she became a monk.” After Li Daozong said those words, he looked straight at Qin Mubai’s face.
Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment, “Monk?”
“It’s not a Buddhist secular disciple with hair to cultivate, or a fake Taoist nun who pretends to cultivate, but she’s really hiding in an ancient temple deep in the mountains to refine pills and cultivate.” Dao Sect Li sighed and said, “Right now, no one knows where she went.”
“…” Qin Mubai was speechless for a moment and sighed. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. It was all my fault.”
Li Daozong shook his head and waved his hand, his expression a bit bitter. “I don’t blame you. She’s because of her temperament. If you want to blame her, you can only blame us parents for being too arrogant and spoiled with her. But then again, how can she be better than marrying to the plateau?”
“That’s true” Qin Mubai nodded silently.
“Alright, let’s not talk anymore.” Li Daozong laughed bitterly at himself and said, “Use your troops well. Don’t think too much about anything else. Don’t take anything I said to you about Yan’er to heart. Just treat it as a joke. From now on, you will treat Li Xueyan as the last person in the world.”
Qin Mubai didn’t know what to say, so he nodded gently. “Your Highness, don’t worry, I will do my best to fight this battle. I won’t think too much about anything else now. The only thing that worries me is that I can rest assured now that your Highness is in charge. Besides, I’ll have to trouble you to take care of my wife and children.”
“Don’t worry.” Dao Sect Li abandoned these two words and returned to Shanzhou with more than 40,000 Lanzhou recruits and a large number of civilian workers who were transporting military resources.
After the army was stationed, Qin Mubai gathered all the generals and began to discuss and arrange the strategy and tactics for the future.
Actually, the general strategy was already very clear. It was to attack Tibet together with Yuchi Jingde, who came from Sichuan Province, and take down Luo City. However, when it came to specific tactics, it wasn’t that easy.
The biggest problem in front of him was not the military’s combat strength, strategy, or logistical rations, but altitude sickness.
As soon as they arrived in Dafeichuan, many people, including Li Ke, developed obvious altitude sickness-headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, tinnitus, chest tightness, and so on. Seriously, vomiting, diarrhea, facial edema, and even fainting on the ground without waking up.
Most of the people who were beset by high altitude sickness were the reinforcements that had just arrived from the pass and the Huihe soldiers from the grasslands. Most of the old tribes in Guanxi Army that had been active in this area were able to adapt.
All of this was naturally within Qin Mubai’s expectations, and he had already made the relevant arrangements. One of the most important things was the Red Flower Soup, a special decoction that was popular on the plateau. It was said that this medicine was invented by Tibetan adepts to alleviate altitude sickness. It was made from Rhodiola, Carthamus tinctorius, Astragalus membranaceus, and other medicinal ingredients, and was prepared in large quantities by the Kansai army all year round. In addition, there are Tibetan butter tea and plateau Shenjing salt as dietary supplements.
The adaptability to high altitude sickness and the length of adaptation time are different according to each person’s physique. Therefore, the soldiers could only gradually adapt. For example, in Dafei Chuan, he would first adapt to ten days and a half months, then advance thirty to fifty li northwest, and station troops at a slightly higher altitude to rest and adapt for a period of time.
Therefore, the overall strategy could only be to advance step by step, and it was impossible for Dama Jindao to immediately lead his army to the plateau. If that was the case, before the Tibetans could lead the army to counterattack, Guanxi Army would have lost more than half of its fighting strength.
“Then how did the Hou Jun Market’s troops fight on the plateau?” This question was raised.
Qin Mubai replied, “Most of the troops led by Hou Junji are Guanxi Army veterans who have been stationed in Dafeichuan all year round.” Their ability to adapt to the plateau was already strong, this was one of them; Secondly, Hou Junji chose to make a lateral detour to the Kunlun Mountains instead of going deeper into them immediately. Therefore, he actually followed the principle of advancing layer upon layer and gradually adapted to the rising plateau. “The third point … they have already risked their lives.”
Everyone was silent after hearing this. Not everyone could play this kind of game, so it was obviously not suitable for the current Guanxi Army.
At the military meeting, it was agreed that they would first rest in Dafeichuan for ten days and divide all the soldiers into three groups through observation. The first batch was the most adaptable to the plateau, forming a vanguard force. The second group was barely able to adapt to the high altitude, and the third group was unable to adapt to the high altitude for a time because the high altitude reaction was too intense. The last two batches could only be used as backup troops, allowing them to dispatch troops at their discretion in the rear, giving them more time to adapt.
Li Ke had just arrived from You Zhou, ten thousand kilometers away. He was already uncomfortable with the situation, but now he had a serious illness due to high altitude sickness, and he could not get out of bed.
Qin Mubai went to his bed to visit him, but she still didn’t forget to tease him, “Your Highness is really a delicate and precious person like Weak Liu Fufeng! If I had known earlier, I would have asked you to supervise the logistics in Shanzhou. Why did you come here to get sick?”
“You’re still mocking me at a time like this?” Li Ke, who had a scorched face, was about to be enraged.
“Alright, don’t be angry. Drink some water?”
“No!”
“Have some fresh fruit? This thing is quite rare in Dafeichuan!”
“No!”
“I just found two beauties. They are outside the tent …”
Li Ke’s eyes immediately lit up, “Help me up and change my clothes!”
Qin Mubai clapped his hands seriously and said, “Tantai, come in and change your clothes for His Highness!”
Li Ke was instantly like a deflated ball and became angry with embarrassment, “Get out!!”
Qin Mubai laughed loudly, “Your Highness, please calm down. Your health is of utmost importance. I was afraid that you would be extremely bored in bed, so I came to amuse you.”
“What are you joking about? You’re clearly making fun of me!” Li Ke didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. But his spirits were better.
“Actually, I have something to tell you.” Qin Mubai said.
“Speak.”
“Hou Junji killed Changsun Huan before he left.” Qin Mubai whispered, “You still don’t know about this news, do you? The Guanxi Army army has already ordered it to be sealed off.”
“What?” Li Ke’s expression instantly changed. “Then does my father know?”
“I know. I was at Yumen Pass at that time, so the King of Jiangxia dared not not report such a big matter! But I estimate that His Majesty the Emperor secretly suppressed this news and hasn’t told Changsun Wuji yet. Otherwise, I really don’t know what big trouble will happen.” Qin Mubai whispered, “But paper can’t stop fire. Sooner or later, Eldest Sun Wuji will know. This also means that we have completely broken away from Eldest Sun Wuji. There is absolutely no possibility of reconciliation. There will be no room for manoeuvre between the two of us.”
Li Ke frowned and slowly nodded, “I understand. Even if there is no killing of Changsun Huan, he still can’t tolerate me. Because he always feels that I am an unorthodox bloodline, a potential enemy with ambition that can threaten his safety.”
“In the end, isn’t it because you are the son of His Majesty the Emperor?” Qin Mubai asked meaningfully.
“But I didn’t think about those things!” Li Ke suddenly said seriously.
“What is it?” Qin Mubai chuckled.
“You know what to ask!” Li Ke was a little angry.
Qin Mubai rubbed his nose and smiled softly. “Do you think so? Only you know. The reality is that His Majesty the Emperor may have some interest in letting you give it a try.”
Qin Mubai’s casual words caused Li Ke’s expression to change greatly!
“Mubai, even you think so?” Li Ke whispered in shock, “Do you think I have an unorthodox ambition?”
“Wrong. It’s not what I think you’re thinking; it’s what a lot of people think you have.” Qin Mubai curled his lips and said, “Including His Majesty the Emperor.”
Li Ke fell into silence. After a long time, he nodded helplessly and said, “I can’t deceive myself.” Imperial Father suddenly transferred me from You Zhou to Lan Zhou. He said that without any intention in that regard, it would definitely be impossible. However, such a thing as “abolishing the first wife and establishing the second wife” was like a taboo in all dynasties, causing people to turn pale! As far as I know, not only did the court minister have Eldest Sun Wuji, even Fang Xuanling was resolutely opposed to this. I know my situation. I don’t have a chance. “That’s why I sometimes think that Father Emperor deliberately did this to push me to the forefront of the storm and let me be a shield to protect the Monarch he really wants to establish!”
A gratified smile appeared on Qin Mubai’s face. He nodded and said, “Your Highness, you are really smart.”
“I was destined to have a tragic ending, wasn’t I?” Li Ke added bitterly, “The party struggle in the dynasty has been so serious that it has affected the rise and fall of the entire empire. The core and root of it is nothing more than the struggle for the monarch.” Big Brother Crown Prince has fallen. I have left You Prefecture. Only King Wei and King Jin are left. If they really wanted to compete, in what way, King Jin was far from being a match for King Wei. Now that Eldest Sun Wuji had joined forces with King Wei, King Jin had no chance of winning. Under such circumstances, if Father wants to protect Prince Jin, the only way is to divert the attention of the eldest grandson and Prince Wei and make them change the direction of their spearhead–so, I will return to the capital to oversee the Lanzhou army! ”
“Are you saying that the one His Majesty really wants is King Jin? And you and I are just playing one of the two idiots fighting for the mussels?” Qin Mubai asked calmly.
Li Ke shook his head blankly, “I don’t know … no one can know.” I guess even my father himself doesn’t know. In terms of bloodline ability, after the Crown Prince’s eldest brother was crippled, King Wei had the upper hand in all respects, and no one could compete with him anymore. However, the previous events had completely exposed his hypocritical and sinister side to his father. Moreover, King Wei was too eager for quick success and instant benefits. In order to compete for the position of Savage Lord, he had lost his rightful stand and integrity. If he openly joined forces with his former enemy, Eldest Sun Wuji, he would only need to publicly force the Palace Saint to drive. This kind of blatant alliance is actually the most taboo thing for my royal father. Otherwise, when Eldest Sun Wuji suggested that Prince Wei come to Lanzhou to supervise the army, Father Emperor wouldn’t have sent me here unexpectedly. This was like slapping him fiercely in front of everyone and giving him a harsh warning. Therefore, no matter when, my father Emperor will not allow others to control the overall situation. “No one dares to offend this taboo, no matter who he is!”
“That’s right.” Qin Mubai nodded and praised, “This time, King Wei was indeed too anxious or panicked. He did a stupid thing with Eldest Sun Wuji, who was similarly afraid of losing power.”
Li Ke said, “After thinking about this, I dare to guess. My father himself is a little uncertain about the matter of the Li Chu. He suddenly pushed me onto the stage. Perhaps it has nothing to do with the Li Chu. He just wants to set up an equal opponent for the eldest grandson and King Wei in the court so as to achieve the goal of balancing the court.”
“Your Highness is truly wise!” Qin Mubai praised again.
“So, instead of thinking so much, don’t think about returning to your original self–I’ll just fight! No matter what happens in the future, the boat will naturally come straight to the end of the bridge!” Li Ke smiled calmly.
Qin Mubai nodded, secretly exclaiming in his heart, “As expected of a prince with a royal bloodline who grew up in conspiracy and yang conspiracy.” Li Ke, who had gone through many trials and hardships, had made great strides in his cultivation. Right now, his cold wisdom, sharp eyes, and calm and steady eyes have far surpassed my imagination. Originally, he wanted to persuade him not to think too much about fighting, but now it seemed that he could save his breath!
