Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 514
Chapter 514 Heroic Expedition for Ten Thousand Li
On the field of Lanzhou University, iron hooves fluttered with yellow sand and banners fluttered with majestic might.
Guanxi Army, who had been recuperating for several months and had been replenished with fresh blood, was in high spirits and was undergoing field drills.
Today was the first drill after the truce. Qin Mubai and Li Daozong, as well as the three court pillars and eight military platforms of the Kansai army, except Su Dingfang, were present. Even Secretary Xiao Liang and the officials at the fifth rank and above under the Governor-General’s Mansion were supposed to attend the drill. It also attracted some commoners to climb over the distant mountains to look at the might of the army, and the crowd within a hundred kilometers was boiling with noise.
His momentum was extraordinary and unprecedented.
After resting for many days, not only did Lanzhou recover its vitality from the chaos of war, but the feelings between the army and the people became even deeper and more cohesive. The people of Lanzhou were all proud of Guanxi Army. Whose son could join the army was the honor of the whole family.
The folk customs outside the fortress were already valiant. After the Battle of Calming Tibet, the space of Lanzhou’s Martial Arts Flames was blazing. Soldiers enjoyed a unique status and honor here. In the past, business travelers had even treated this place as a paradise and harbor, not only because Lanzhou’s business had regained its vitality, but also because Xiao Xiao did not dare to cause unbridled chaos in Lanzhou.
In just half a year, after the war, Lanzhou had comforted the people’s livelihood with astonishing speed and regained its vitality. Past business travelers all said that although Lanzhou did not have the luxury and prosperity of Chang’an, the tranquility and safety here were the best nourishment for wealth and business opportunities. Businessmen were very happy to go to the Silk Road Transit Station in Lanzhou to do business. Here, they could get the best protection and the most convenience. As a result, it brought rolling business taxes to the Lanzhou Governor-General’s Mansion.
It was precisely because of this that even though Lanzhou now had more than 100,000 more troops than before the war, it did not need to wait for the Imperial Court to supply its military supplies to become self-sufficient. Apart from that, there was also a surplus. Qin Mubai ordered the secretariat to give most of the taxes to the civilian population. The first priority was to ensure that the martyrs’ families were compensated in time, and then to speed up the repair of the businesses, travel posts, and irrigation and water conservancy projects damaged by the chaos caused by the war.
This not only comforted the people, but also resumed production.
Now, Lanzhou was full of vigor and vitality. The city was prospering day by day, and the army was becoming more and more powerful, forming an excellent virtuous circle.
Qin Mubai’s popularity in Lanzhou had reached its peak. In the Kansai army, Young Marshal Qin had almost become synonymous with Shen Ti. As long as he waved his arm, tens of millions of people would go through fire and water without any hesitation. In the folk, Qin Shubao’s War God Temple’s ancestral hall could be seen everywhere. And beside the War God Temple, there must be a living shrine of the Major Marshal Temple–the people of Lanzhou–that treated Qin Mubai as a sacred tribute.
As for Qin Mubai himself, he treated Lanzhou as his second hometown. In this lifetime, it would probably be difficult for him to part with this special emotion between Lanzhou and himself.
Guanxi Army’s original veterans numbered around 140,000. During the World War I, they had recruited 60,000 new recruits. Now, they had practiced almost as well. Recently, the Imperial Court sent over another 100,000 troops of life force, 70% of which were the Kunlun Cavalry, a subordinate of Garqin Mausoleum in the past.
Three hundred thousand troops, strong troops, high morale.
Qin Mubai chose two hundred thousand troops to prepare for the western expedition. The two hundred thousand men were then divided into eight wartime divisions-the front and rear left and right corps, the left and right Yu Hou corps, and the Zhongjun and Yi mansions, each under the command of a military platform. As for Xue Rengui, Yuwen Hongtai, and Pang Fei, they were the three generals under the marshal. They were in charge of training, management, and distribution of logistical supplies.
After recuperating, Guanxi Army’s mechanism had become more perfect and complete in the past, just like a person who had grown from a fierce teenager to a stable middle-aged man, appearing more mature and experienced.
Li Daozong, who was born in Rong Wu’s half-life as a soldier, said that the current Guanxi Army could only be called the true “Hundred Refinements into Strength” and “Tiger Wolf Master”. This army was extremely rare since the founding of the Great Tang Empire-an army of maturity, stability, bravery, and unity.
It was not easy to obtain such an evaluation from Li Daozong. Back then, he was a famous marshal who fought side by side with Emperor Li Shimin. Dao Sect Li’s words meant that Qin Mubai’s Guanxi army was comparable to Li Shimin’s and Li Jing’s.
The parade was going on very well, and the officials from the Governor’s Mansion came to report that there were letters from the Prince of Wu from Luo City and sent them straight to Young Marshal Qin.
Qin Mubai opened it and saw that it was a large piece of white paper with only a few big words written on it-“Get me two packets of tea!”
Li Daozong, Xue Rengui, and the others also saw it and laughed loudly. They said what happened to King Wu, only two packets of tea. As for sending someone to deliver a letter for thousands of miles? He even wrote the words in such an exaggerated manner that they were utterly exaggerated.
Qin Mubai smiled and remained silent. He had almost thought of Li Ke’s madness on the plateau.
Who is Li Ke? The romantic prince also!
In Lanzhou, he had never opened meat before because of his identity. Afterwards, there was no need to say anything about joining the army. He could only covet Qin Mubai and hug Snow Lotus to sleep every day. Right now on the plateau … the heavens are sorry to see that there is only a Tibetan martial sister who slaughtered sheep with her bare hands, where did she get such a charming beauty?
Qin Mubai kept the letter silent. It was just a parade to call Ponfey and instruct him to find some delicate tea leaves for King Wu and send someone to deliver them to Luo.
Pang Fei had followed Qin Mubai for so long. He was the cleverest and most sensible. Without Qin Mubai having to tear his words apart, he had brought a few women to the inn with him at night. Qin Mubai went out for a stroll after dinner and took a look inside. The sisters she found were really good, and she was interested in teasing them. Thus, he instructed Pang Fei to arrange for someone to send it to Li Ke.
After finishing the task, Pang Fei smiled at Qin Mubai and said, “Master, you and King Wu really have a tacit understanding.”
“Heh, how can I not know that he is just a little bit dainty?” Qin Mubai also smiled. “However, this letter of his also revealed another piece of information to me.”
“Is there another mystery behind this short sentence?”
“Yes.” Qin Mubai sighed and said, “King Wu, you’re getting impatient in Luo City.”
“He wants to return to the capital?”
“Not really.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “But he didn’t dare to say anything to anyone, let alone complain. He didn’t even dare to write to me openly. Thus, the words on the letter made Zhang Yawu scratch her teeth. It was obvious that he was venting the frustration in his heart.”
“That’s true. After all, King Wu was used to living in brocade and jade. When he arrived in Luo City, he was not used to eating and even breathing. No one liked to stay there for a long time.” Pang Fei said.
Qin Mubai shook his head with a smile and said, “If it was only for these reasons, why did King Wu go with the army? He must have been able to endure this little bit of pain. He was just anxious, haha!”
“What’s the hurry?”
“I’m anxious for someone to get the moon before the water!” Qin Mubai smiled.
Pang Fei immediately regained his senses and hurriedly nodded, “The student understands … The student has asked too many questions. Master, forgive me!”
“Don’t mention it.” Qin Mubai smiled generously and said, “Actually, everyone can guess King Wu’s mood at this moment.” Although he had always denied any interest in the position of Crown Prince, he could only deceive himself and others. Now that he was far away in Luo, King Wei accompanied His Majesty the Emperor every day. It was said that the Imperial Court of King Jin had not paid much attention to it for a long time, so the chances of King Wei entering the Eastern Palace would greatly increase. King Wu, can he be calm? If you’re not in a hurry at this time, then you’re truly hypocritical. ”
“Actually, for us generals, King Wu’s position as Crown Prince is naturally of great benefit. However, we cannot influence the imperial court’s thinking. Even if we want to help, we can’t help King Wu!” Pang Fei said with a look of embarrassment on his face.
Qin Mubai smiled and said, “I have always been the same saying. If there is no dispute, then there will be a great dispute.” This was the case before, and it is still the case now. On the surface, it seemed like a crucial moment for every inch of land to be fought for; But the more this happened, the more he had to calm down. That’s why I advise King Wu to stay obedient and not think too much or do anything unnecessary. At this time, if there was any change, it would be to receive a confession from someone else. Actually, the farther away we are from Chang’an, the safer we are and the more likely we are to win. On the contrary, if the Imperial Court recruits me and King Wu to return to the capital at this time, it will be a bad thing. Therefore, I must set off as soon as possible to explore the Western Regions. ”
Pang Fei’s expression changed slightly as he whispered, “Master, you said that it is possible for the Imperial Court to summon you back to the capital at this time in order to cut off your military power and cut off King Wu’s wings?”
Qin Mubai raised his eyebrows and did not answer this question directly. Instead, he said, “The Imperial Court is far more dangerous than the battlefield. The swords, spears, and arrows on the battlefield were all visible to the eyes. Conspiracies and traps in the Imperial Court often constituted undetectable killing intent step by step. Sometimes, even a knife would not come back to its senses when it was placed on its neck. It’s not that I can’t trust the Imperial Court, I’m just doing what I have to do. “Originally, I was the Protector General of Anxi. There’s nothing wrong with sending troops to the Western Regions at this time.”
“The student understands!” Pang Fei’s eyes lit up and he whispered, “So this letter from King Wu is urging Master to leave Lanzhou early just to preserve his strength!” He had probably anticipated that the Imperial Court would cut off your military power at this time. Even if it wasn’t specifically targeted at you, it was to take all the initiative in his hands, so that he wouldn’t be affected by you, a feudal official! –In other words, the Imperial Court was very likely to be about to set up the Monarch! King Wu is very worried about losing your biggest backer at this critical moment! This letter of his reminds you to come! ”
Qin Mubai smiled and patted Pang Fei on the shoulder.
Pang Fei hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed, “It was master who formed it well!”-Master and King Wu, what a tacit understanding! A text message that no outsider could see, yet you two seemed to have had a heart-warming chat with each other! ”
Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Actually, King Wu is not so uneasy. I hope he will feel relieved when he receives the few beauties I sent over. By the way, ask the people accompanying him to tell King Wu that I have already sent troops to the Western Regions. Naturally, he will be relieved.”
“Yes, the students will do as you wish!”
“In addition, you will stay behind to guard Lanzhou after I leave. After the war ends, I will return to my post. The acting Governor of Jiangxia King is already out of work. I estimate that he will return to Chang’an shortly.” Qin Mubai said, “Lanzhou is our main camp. We can’t afford to lose. I’m worried about leaving it to any outsider. Stay here and run your business properly. Don’t make any mistakes.”
“Yes! Students swear not to disgrace their lives!” Pang Fei solemnly promised and said, “When is Master going to leave?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“So fast? We just paraded today and leave the day after tomorrow?”
Qin Mubai looked up at the sky and heaved a sigh of relief. “Pang Fei, although everything is calm now, there are many happy events after the victory of Ping Fan. But look at this day, it seems like a storm is approaching. I left a day earlier, and I have a bit more initiative in my hands.”
“Then Master, leave as soon as possible! After the students return, they will immediately pack some logistical supplies in case they leave the day after tomorrow!”
“Yes, let’s do it!”
After returning home, Qin Mubai told his family about the expedition the day after tomorrow.
The house immediately exploded. Princess Gaoyang said anxiously. She had just finished fighting Tibet and had not rested for a few months, yet she was leaving again? Didn’t you send someone to pick up Mother and Shuang’er? They haven’t come yet, yet you’re leaving!
Xue Lian rubbed her belly and remained silent. Chen Yan, who had never interfered with Qin Mubai’s business, also reminded us that you weren’t by our side when we were about to give birth. Now that Blood Lotus is about to give birth and you want to leave, can you wait a few days?
Qin Mubai said, “No.”
The girls didn’t say anything else. Princess Gaoyang gritted her teeth and ran back to her room. She threw a pink fist at the quilt with hatred.
Qin Mubai did not waste his breath trying to persuade or comfort anyone, because he knew that Chen Yan would definitely help him with these matters. The women beside him were also reasonable people. Even though Princess Gaoyang usually had a small temper and liked to make trouble, she would never hold back or act emotionally when the time came.
After traveling thousands of miles to the Western Regions, it was unknown when they would meet again. Qin Mubai was also reluctant to part with his family, especially his younger children.
The family reluctantly spent two days together. Qin Mubai left on time and led the army.
Two hundred thousand Guanxi Army, traveling far in the Western Regions, male expedition ten thousand miles.