Chapter 29: The Strife for the Dragon Flag

  At dawn, the sky was still pitch black. Qin Mubai woke up and was about to get out of bed when there was a knock at the door. Opening it, he found Qin Subao standing outside.

  "Today's exam is very important, you can rest in the morning and don't have to go for a run." Qin Shubao walked into the room and naturally sat down on Qin Mubai's bed, but found his son looking at him with surprised and astonished eyes, and couldn't help but furrowed his brow: "Liang'er, why are you looking at your father like that?"

  "Nothing... really." Qin Mu Bai let out a breath and smiled, "My child sees that his father's complexion is getting better every day, so he's delighted in his heart."

  It seems that Yuan Tiangang's calculated lifespan for Qin Shubao has thoroughly gone up in flames - great!

  "Hmm." Qin Shubao nodded, stroking his long beard thoughtfully and said, "Today is the big test for selecting military officers from among a hundred riders. There are some things I'd like to entrust to you."

  "Please show it to father."

  Qin Shubao slightly furrowed his brow and said, "Yesterday, your Uncle Cheng went to the Xuanwu Gate to take a look and came back to tell me that this time, there are many people participating in the hundred-horse competition. Among the sons of military officers who have signed up, there are no lack of sons and nephews of current high-ranking officials. For example, Li Shentong's third son, Li Mian, Wei Zheng's third son, Wei Baojun, and your Uncle Cheng's third son, Cheng Huaibi, are all among them."

  "It's still the Third Young Master." Qin Mu Bai couldn't help but smile, "The eldest son inherits the title, the second son is in charge of the household. The eldest and second sons of these high-ranking officials are either future inheritors of the national title or have already married a princess to become an imperial son-in-law. Only the third son is left, just like a child, wanting to compete for this Hundred Riders position and serve by the Emperor's side."

  "That's well said." Qin Shubao slightly furrowed his brow, "But do you know why your second brother didn't marry the princess?"

  "Isn't Second Brother because he got married too early?"

  "Of course not!"

  Qin Mubai's expression changed slightly as he looked surprised and suspicious: "Why is that?"

  "In the Qin Wangfu's old ministers and the founding fathers of the Zhenguan era, only your father and you, Uncle Cheng's son, did not marry a princess." Qin Shubao paused for a moment, stroking his long beard, saying, "Moreover, in recent years, we two have gradually been kept at arm's length by the Emperor. Your father has almost retired from public life, and Cheng Zhiyue is far away serving as an official in the provinces, basically being ignored on the court... All of this is because of a trivial matter several years ago..."

  "What's going on?" Qin Mu Bai asked.

  "Several years ago, the governor of Lizhou, Yi'an Wang Li Xiaochang and the right Wuwei general Liu Deyu plotted a rebellion, but were discovered and executed. At that time, they didn't make much noise and didn't become a big deal. However, this Liu Deyu was a general who was promoted by my father and recommended to serve under General Cheng Zhijie's command. Because of this incident, you and I, Uncle Cheng, got a stain on our reputation. Although the emperor is wise and didn't implicate us in the execution, there were some people at court who thought otherwise. Therefore, we had to deliberately keep a low profile and avoid attention. That's why my father has been holding a position without actual power, refusing to see guests, and not asking about state or military affairs all these years. General Cheng Zhijie hasn't returned to Chang'an for several years because of the lingering influence of this incident."

  "The child understands. Not being envied is a mediocre talent. Father and Uncle Cheng have such an unjustified stigma, so some people on the court have used it to write articles, wanting to squeeze you out, right?" Qin Mubai said.

  "Not bad."

  "Who is that?"

  Qin Shubao slightly furrowed his brow, paused for a moment, and said: "This is the reason I came to talk to you today. As expected, with your current martial arts skills, even if you don't become a Baiqi Envoy, you can at least get the position of Deputy Envoy. From then on, you will be working together with some people, and there are things that must be understood."

  "It doesn't matter which dynasty or era, courtiers' struggles and generals' jostling are common occurrences." Qin Shubao said, "As for the divisions among us generals, they are demarcated by the events before and after the Xuanwu Gate. Before the Xuanwu Gate Incident, I and you, General Cheng, were among the brave and trusted generals under King Qin's command. During the Xuanwu Gate Incident, although I and Cheng Zhiye stood firmly on King Qin's side, we were dispatched by Prince Qi to prepare for a northern campaign at the time, and when we rushed back, they had already made their plans, so we didn't take key positions but were instead sent to command the garrison troops defending the imperial city. Therefore, we did not directly participate in the incident. On the other hand, generals like Yuchi Jingde achieved great merit during that major political upheaval."

  "After that, Wei Zhengde rose to prominence and became the most trusted general of the Emperor. I and Cheng Zhijie were surpassed by him. When the Emperor ascended to the throne and distributed fiefs, Wei Zhengde's and Changsun Wuji's fiefs were almost twice as many as mine and yours, Uncle Cheng." Qin Shubao said, "You and I followed King Qin for over a decade, achieving countless brilliant military merits, but in the end, we didn't compare to Wei Zhengde who rose to prominence in a single political event... As a result, a struggle and opposition began between us old generals of the Qin estate and Wei Zhengde. In the end, Wei Zhengde was increasingly favored, while we were forced to retreat due to our involvement in that treason case."

  "The child understands. As the saying goes, people compete for a mouthful of air and Buddha competes for a stick of incense, Father and Uncle Cheng are not convinced in their hearts, which is also normal human nature." Qin Mubai nodded and said, "It seems that this court is not as calm as it appears on the surface, there is competition and squeezing between civil and military officials. Is Father telling me these things to make me deal with the descendants of Longsun Wuji and Yuchi Jingde in the future?"

  "Not bad." Qin Shubao nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "My son has exceptional talent and insight, I'm not worried that you'll lose to them. As long as you have a grasp of these things in your heart, there's no need to flaunt it. Just remember one thing: on the imperial court, everything is under the emperor's control. You can overlook anyone else, but you must always keep the emperor in mind."

  "Listen carefully to your parents' teachings!"

  The grand martial arts arena in front of the Xuanwu Gate of the Imperial City was filled with a magnificent scene of military might. Under the fluttering dragon flags and yellow silk umbrellas, Li Shimin, who normally wore dragon robes and imperial headdresses, today donned a white and gold uniform with a hat adorned with a "far-traveling" badge, his face beaming with joy as he watched forty young military officers ride into the arena on tall horses, forming a neat square formation.

  "Long live our Emperor, may he reign for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, and ten thousand more!"

  Civil and military officials, officers and soldiers all together pay their respects in a mountain-shouting ceremony.

  "Let's all calm down!" Li Shimin walked out of the canopy, mounted a majestic purple-blue horse, and led two rows of iron-clad guards to stand in front of Qin Mubai and others. His eyes swept over the crowd of strong men, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face.

  "I was 16 years old when I joined the army, and for over a decade, I fought battles all over the world. From that time on, not a single moment has passed without me thinking about military affairs. Today, seeing you all, I am delighted. You are the outstanding young talents of my Great Tang Empire, the backbone of our future army."

  "Today, I personally preside over the selection of the Hundred Riders officers," said Li Shimin. "The Hundred Riders are my personal guards, not subject to the control of any provincial or military authorities, and only take orders from me alone. Therefore, my first requirement for the Hundred Riders officers is absolute loyalty to me! On this point, I have absolute trust in you."

  "Long live our wise Emperor!" All the strong men bowed down with their fists clasped together in respect.

  Qin Mubai thought to himself: Li Shimin indeed has a good hand, in his treatment of people and things, he first shows openness and trust... the upper and lower classes follow suit, the people of the Great Tang Dynasty during the Zhenguan era value honesty above all else. The charm of a king's character determines the atmosphere of a dynasty, this saying is really true.

  "As for the method of competition, I have been thinking about it for days and came up with many ideas. In the end, I rejected them all - because I think 'returning to simplicity' is the best approach." Li Shimin laughed and said, "Today, you forty young warriors will truly experience the battlefield for the first time - you are all from a peaceful era, probably don't even know what a real battlefield looks like? Well, today I'll show you!"

  A unanimous stir in everyone's heart: what does the emperor want to do?

  "For a general, the battlefield is his fate. A general who cannot take to the field and participate in actual combat is a failed general!" Li Shimin said, "The method of selecting military officers that I have come up with is to let you charge into the battle array - to take the enemy general's head in the midst of a million troops! The winner will be selected, the loser will be eliminated!"

  "What? Really kill someone?!" The crowd exclaimed in unison, and Qin Mu Bai also furrowed his brow: What was the Emperor trying to do?!

  "In the solemn imperial city, of course, you can't really kill people. However, there will also be absolute risks." After finishing speaking, Li Shimin waved his hand and a team of iron-clad soldiers who had been prepared behind him ran out in an orderly manner. On the large drill ground, they formed a circular military formation similar to the Taiji Bagua formation. In the center of the formation, a red flag was erected high, flying high against the early spring's biting east wind.

  "Have you all seen it?" Li Shimin pointed to the flag, "That is the military flag I have chosen for the hundred riders - on which is printed my exclusive five-clawed golden dragon! Whoever can rush into this array of three thousand iron armor and seize this dragon flag will be the hundred riders' messenger I want!"

  "Ah——" The whole field was filled with exclamations, and the athletes began to discuss it in an uproar. Even the civil and military officials who came to watch the battle couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

  "The rules are simple." Li Shimin spoke again, and the whole scene fell silent. "I don't care if you're alone or in groups, I only recognize one hundred riders' envoy. As for the three deputy envoys of a hundred riders and other officers, they will be personally selected by me after observing your competition. Now, you can start planning and receiving arms!"

  "Yes, sir!"

  Li Shimin rode his horse back to the canopy, laughing loudly and picked up a bowl of tea, enthusiastically starting to watch the performance.

  Qin Mubai and the other strongmen dismounted their horses and came to the armory to receive their weapons. A tense and solemn atmosphere began to spread among the strongmen.

  As the emperor said, these "rich second generation" sons, even if they were born into a military family and trained in martial arts from a young age, not many of them had actually been on the battlefield. Now they have to face real-life killing and competition, and their hearts are inevitably filled with anxiety and tension. Moreover, forty people facing three thousand iron armor, going to compete for a dragon flag, this difficulty is indeed great.

  All the military equipment that can be received has been processed. The gun has no gun head, the arrow has no arrow cluster, and the knife has no blade edge. It is obvious that this is to avoid loss of life. However, despite this, even if it is a bare-handed fight, it is inevitable that there will be casualties, let alone a big melee with horses and equipment. For each strong man, as long as they rush into the iron armor array, every person inside may become their own opponent!

  This is the most deadly!

  "We must have a helper!" Almost at the same time, Qin Mubai and other strong men had this idea. Unfortunately, among these people, he didn't know almost anyone. Many people gathered in twos and threes to discuss, just like playing online games, they were all busy forming teams.

  At this moment, a young man walked up to Qin Mu Bai and patted his shoulder heavily: "Third Brother Qin!"

  Qin Mubai suddenly turned his head, and at that moment, a bright light flashed before his eyes: This guy must be Cheng Zhijie's third son - Cheng Huaibi, he looks so much like him!

  "Cheng Huaiyi, is that you?" Qin Mubai took a bold guess. The other party suddenly smiled with a grin, "Haha, it's been many years since we last met, and you still remember me? It seems like we used to play together in our childhood! Yesterday, I heard from my father that you're also participating in the selection, so today I was looking for you in the crowd - heh heh, you're really easy to find. You look just like Qin Erbo, and his portrait is something every household can see!"

  "Haha, I was just looking for you!" Qin Mu Bai laughed and said, "How about it, shall we form a team?"

  "This goes without saying!" Cheng Huai burst out laughing, then winked at Qin Mu Bai and whispered, "Actually, I noticed you during the preliminary selection yesterday. I'm clear in my heart that when it comes to martial arts, I'm definitely not as good as you. My father also told me that with you around, I shouldn't even think about being a hundred riders' messenger. Let's make a deal between us brothers first - I'll help you win the dragon flag, and the hundred riders' messenger position is yours. At most, I just want to be a deputy messenger. What do you think, Third Brother?"

  "Haha! You're not even successful yet, and you're already thinking of dividing the spoils?" Qin Mubai couldn't help but laugh. He looked around and said, "It's really hard to succeed with just one person. Look, these people have all formed teams of three or four, some even have seven or eight people together, their strength must be very powerful. We should be careful."

  "Third brother, don't worry, I'll listen to you!"

  The two men chose their weapons - seven-foot-long spears with the spearheads wrapped in cloth and coated with quicklime. They mounted their horses and stood facing each other.

  Half an hour later, the golden horn sounded on the large campus, and forty strong men formed their teams, rubbing their fists and palms, eager to try. They were waiting for a cannon shot in the field, and then they would start a fierce dragon flag competition.

  Cheng Huai Bi glanced at the side and said in a low voice: "Third brother, look over there - Zhang Sun Ruan and Wei Chi Bao Yun's team has a lot of people, we must be careful!"

  Qin Mubai responded with a glance, and saw that on the right side, there were seven or eight riders gathered together, all of whom were young masters wearing bright armor and fine robes. The two leaders were a handsome white-faced young master and a tall, dark-faced, powerful man who looked like charcoal, presumably Long Sunyan and Wei Baoyun.

  Call for red ticket support, thank you!!!!

  .??，！