Chapter 46: Ink and Powder Take the Stage

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  Li Shimin saw the touching scene of these soldiers and took the initiative to ask Qin Mubai for mercy. He asked if the assessment standards could be relaxed a bit, especially since it was the first assessment, whether an exception could be made not to eliminate anyone? Otherwise, these three hundred good generals would be eliminated, what a pity!

  Qin Mubai flatly refused the emperor, saying that military orders are military orders and rules are rules. If everyone is ultimately selected, wouldn't it be extremely unfair to those soldiers who trained harder and performed better? From now on, if we start training again, no one will be willing to put in their best effort. Elimination and competition will be the eternal melody of the Hundred Riders from now on. Only then can the entire army gradually mature and progress.

  Li Shimin, the emperor who had led troops before, didn't say much more. Shaking his head and sighing, he let out a long sigh: "This kid is indeed ruthless, he's got what it takes to do great things! I, have not misjudged him! From now on, will there be any army under the sky that can surpass the Hundred Riders?"

  The examination method announced in advance, everyone trained together day and night, a completely fair examination, the people who stayed behind were relieved and grateful, while those who left were convinced and reluctant to part ways.

  Even Zhang Sun Rui, Wei Chi Bao Yun and others who were initially not on good terms with Qin Mu Bai, although they still couldn't muster up any good feelings towards him, could only secretly admire this guy Qin Mu Bai in their hearts.

  In three months, Qin Mubai became the absolute and supreme commander of the Hundred Riders Army. His authority was unshakeable, including his "enemies" such as Changsun Rui, everyone had to bow their heads in submission to him.

  After some days of rest and adjustment, the new hundred riders can finally take office formally.

  Li Shimin's expectations and favoritism towards this hundred-strong cavalry unit were beyond the ordinary. He ordered the people in charge of armaments to work overtime, rushing to produce a batch of the most luxurious and high-end armor and weapons, which were specially distributed to the hundred cavalry as their unique equipment.

  Uniformly golden bright armor, white robes and white ribbons, every suit of armor helmet can clearly imprint a human shadow. What's different is that on the left chest plate and scabbard of each suit of armor, a "Qilin Army Beast Totem" symbolizing 100 riders is engraved, which is also the emblem of their medals and honorary officers.

  Qin Mubai, the highest officer of the Hundred Riders, was specially awarded a crimson gold-embroidered battle robe with a qilin pattern, in addition to the golden armor. On his battle robe, there was also a five-clawed golden dragon - the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, which is the symbol of the imperial flag. This became Qin Mubai's special emblem as the Hundred Riders' messenger. As long as he wore this cloak, Qin Mubai could move freely in any corner of the palace, carry a sword by his side, and do anything to protect the emperor at any time - for example, in times of crisis, he could draw his sword and kill anyone who might pose a threat to the emperor.

  The status and function of the Hundred Riders' Envoy are so special that they have already made some famous ministers and generals in the imperial court jealous and resentful.

  The great ministers and generals, they only have the share of envy and fear. They all know clearly that when the emperor formed this new army, he deliberately chose young newcomers with a clear purpose. First, when selecting people, the emperor was selected from the aristocratic families. Leaving the children of the ministers and generals by his side as officials has great benefits for winning over, uniting and controlling those ministers.

  Furthermore, young people are mostly inexperienced and simple-minded, easy to manipulate and brainwash, making them absolutely loyal to the emperor. Those officials and generals who have been in office for tens of years, however, are not so easily controlled. They have all been around too long and are all cunning individuals. Moreover, among the families of high-ranking officials, who is not closely connected with others through marriage or other relationships? Private friendships and grudges between them are also numerous.

  Such a person is too complicated, thinks too much, and when doing things, hesitates and is indecisive. Their mind is filled with considerations of personal gain and loss. The private bodyguards that Li Shimin wants should be a team that kills decisively and only follows the emperor's orders. They don't need to be smooth or worldly, the only requirement is - obedience!

  So, Qin Mu Bai's gift of a hundred horses to Li Shi Min made him extremely satisfied, which coincided with his original intention and even far exceeded his expectations.

  One summer day, Bai Qi finally made his official debut, and Fen Mo took the stage.

  On this day, Emperor Xian of Han held an early court session. Qin Mu Bai and Vice Envoy Chang Sun Jie led a cavalry of 100 men to welcome the emperor at the Great Ming Palace and escort him to the Taiji Temple's Taiji Hall for the morning audience.

  The Emperor rode in a dragon carriage, with Qin Mu Bai and Chang Sun Jian, two hundred riders officers, carrying armor and swords, standing on both sides of the dragon carriage to attend. The hundred riders soldiers surrounded the Emperor's side, and the outer layer was the Jinwuwei soldiers holding the Emperor's flag number, hundreds of people went to the Taiji Palace in a mighty manner.

  In the past, these tasks were all handled by the Golden Guard. Now, seeing a team of hundred riders separating them from the emperor, the people of the Golden Guard couldn't help but feel unhappy in their hearts. However, since they are all part of the Imperial Guards, they also know about the special status of the hundred riders in the emperor's mind, and have heard about how formidable they are. So, although they are unhappy, they don't dare to show any dissatisfaction.

  "What can you do? They have the capital of a cow!"

  The Emperor went to court. Qin Mubai and Changsun Gan, one step behind the Emperor, walked into the Golden Hall before the ceremonial eunuchs and stood with their swords at their waists in front of the hall. The other hundred riders stood inside and outside the temple, offering the closest protection for Li Shimin. In the past, this function should have been performed by the Thousand Cattle Guard. Now, the soldiers of the Thousand Cattle Guard were sent to stand guard on the Dragon Tail Road outside the Golden Temple. The Feathered Forest Guard, with the largest number of people and the most famous name in the Imperial Forest Army, was arranged around the Taiji Palace, with a sentry every five steps and a post every ten steps, and the entire imperial palace was heavily guarded against any illegal activities.

  As the emperor said, no matter how the garrison troops around him changed in the future, the hundred riders would always be the closest and most intimate to him.

  The civil and military officials entered the imperial court one after another, casting their eyes on the hundred riders who had just arrived, paying even more attention to Qin Mu Bai and Chang Sun Ran, the two ministers closest to the emperor.

  At this moment, Qin Mubai could not possibly know all the civil and military officials in the court. However, everyone undoubtedly knew him.

  In the morning, officials discussed matters and presented their memorials one by one. At this time, Qin Mu also remembered several famous figures. For example, there was Fang Xuanling, a famous minister of the Zhenguan era. In his early years, when Li Shimin was still the King of Qin, among the three most important strategists around him, one was his brother-in-law Longsun Wuji, and the other two were "Fang's plans and Du's decisions" - Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling.

  Du Ruhui had passed away six or seven years ago. Now, the wise and cautious Fang Xuanling was one of Li Shimin's most trusted arms.

  Fang Xuanling is now over 50 years old, with a kind and gentle appearance, not tall but slightly fat. He speaks slowly and steadily, giving people the feeling of being sharp and insightful. In just one morning court session, he received several verbal praises from Emperor Taizong of Tang, who said that Fang was deeply thoughtful, far-sighted, loyal, and dedicated to the country, setting an example for all officials.

  Qin Mubai stood in front of the Golden Hall, escorting the emperor. Although he had no right to participate in politics or policy-making, he heard every word that the emperor and those people discussed.

  Listening to these politicians, who are considered the most knowledgeable and capable today, Qin Mubai felt that this was more rewarding than reading tens of thousands of books. Here, it's simply a university of the highest level in the world today, which is hard to come by and cannot be entered even with money. So he sometimes thought that even if he were just a humble lamp wick, listening to Buddhist scriptures every day in front of Buddha's statue, he would eventually attain enlightenment and become a great achiever.

  The morning meeting was dismissed, and the emperor left first. Qin Mubai and Changsun Gan followed behind the emperor, entering from the side of the Golden Hall through the dragon gate exclusively used by the emperor. The other civil and military officials, on the other hand, formed a neat queue and exited in an orderly manner from the main gate.

  After leaving the imperial court, Li Shimin went straight to the Wude Hall Imperial Study Room to review some memorials. At this time, Qin Mubai, as the highest-ranking official, could "move freely". The hundred riders implemented a typical "three-shift system". Three deputy envoys took turns coming on duty every day at the scheduled time. Qin Mubai, as the chief envoy, if there were no special tasks assigned by the emperor, could arrange his own work freely. He could lead the team in person or handle other military affairs within the hundred riders' camp.

  Moreover, the Hundred Riders also have a strict holiday system, ensuring that every general has several days of vacation time each month. Overall, this job is tense and serious, but still relaxed and enjoyable.

  In the late afternoon, Qin Mubai and Cheng Huaiyi led a team of people to the Wude Hall for handover, preparing to escort the emperor back to the rear palace for dinner and rest.

  The current harem is the entire Great Ming Palace. Empress Changsun has already passed away, and the other four consorts and nine concubines all live in separate palaces here. In addition, there are also the eunuchs' quarters where palace maids and eunuchs reside. Normally, even the prime minister would not dare to come here unless summoned by the emperor.

  Today is Bai Qi's first day on the job, so Qin Mu Bai deliberately familiarized himself with each of Bai Qi's work positions.

  After the emperor entered the Daming Palace, he first went to the Hanyuan Hall for a meal. At this time, the legendary Emperor personally raised the little prince Li Zhi and the little princess Li Mingda appeared.

  Li Zhi, the successor of Li Shimin in history, Emperor Gaozong, is now only ten years old and still a minor. Li Mingda, on the other hand, was Li Shimin's most beloved daughter, born to Empress Longsun, and is four years old this year, being a sibling of Li Zhi.

  When Qin Mubai first saw the siblings, Li Shimin only took a glance and then walked into the inner chamber with one in his arms and another by the hand, where he enjoyed a family reunion under the service of eunuchs and palace maids. Qin Mubai could only stand outside waiting for orders. As night began to fall, Jin Wang Li Zhi and Jin Yang Princess Li Mingda were taken away by their wet nurse. After a busy day, Emperor Li Shimin finally left Hanyuan Hall and headed towards the rear hall where his concubines resided.

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