A storm that had rarely been seen in recent years had just blown above the court, which made Xue Shao's mood messy. But Princess Taiping's mansion is sunny and peaceful.

Seeing his family, especially after hugging his baby son, Xue Shao's already corrupted mood became much more relaxed and happy.

It's nice to have a home.

Just at lunchtime, seeing that Xue Shao had brought back the guests, the officials hurriedly arranged a banquet to entertain them. Princess Taiping was a little curious, and asked Xue Shaodao: "Who is this person?" ”

Xue Shao smiled: "He, he is the Song Jing who interrogated me not long ago." ”

"Is that him?" Princess Taiping immediately lowered her face, "I don't know how to offend you, if you don't clean him up, why do you bring him home to entertain?" ”

"Madame Baby, you only know one thing and you don't know the other." Xue Shao said with a smile, "This Song Jing is a talent, and he is a talent with noble conduct and great affection, which is very worthy of friendship." Previously, he was ordered to try me just in public office, how can you blame him? ”

Princess Taiping blinked, "According to what you say, I think of an old man." ”

"Who?"

"Isn't it the previous time, did I recommend it to Xiao Zhizhong, the queen mother?" Princess Taiping said, "This person has the same noble character as Song Jing, and he is extremely affectionate, and you have been throwing him in the deserted yamen of the Martial Arts Academy for a long time, shouldn't you take a look?" ”

"Don't say it, it's true!" Xue Shao suddenly remembered Xiao Zhizhong and the Martial Arts Academy, but he was curious, "Why did you mention Xiao Zhizhong again and again?" ”

Princess Taiping smiled, "What, are you still jealous?" ”

Xue Shao's face was flat, "Is there this necessary?" ”

"Hey, hey, hey!" Princess Taiping laughed evilly and said, "Xiao Zhizhong's grandfather used to be my father's teacher. When I was young, his grandfather once brought Xiao Zhizhong into the palace to visit my father, and I played with Xiao Zhizhong a few times, so I had some impressions of him. As a child, he is a person who values etiquette, is affectionate and very committed to him. I remember one time we made an appointment to catch dragonflies in the garden, but I forgot to go because I didn't go for a while, so I sent someone to inform him. As a result, he was alone in the Imperial Garden from noon until the next morning, until he saw me, and then he left. He was only eleven years old that year! ”

"It's another donkey who admits death, and it's indeed somewhat similar to Song Jing." Xue Shao smiled and said, "I've been busy lately, so I didn't care about the martial arts academy. He'll take a look at his leisure. ”

Princess Taiping nodded with a smile and said softly: "Xue Lang, you have been rooted in the army in the past few years, and you have met a lot of robes who share life and death. Now, you are already the most shining star of the Tang military, and even my mother attaches great importance and reliance on you. But with thousands of troops, you can't always take them with you all the time, can you? If you really want to make a big difference, you still have to focus on the court. If you can't manage your contacts well in the capital, no matter how much credit you have made with your troops abroad, you still don't have strong strength after returning to the dynasty. Your lifeblood is still in the hands of those prime ministers and scholars. Isn't this embarrassing? ”

"Hit the nail on the head!" Xue Shao's eyes lit up, looked at Princess Taiping with a smile, and said, "My baby lady, you have been growing a lot lately!" ”

"Less sycophants!" Princess Taiping smiled beautifully, "It should be said that I have always been so wise and intelligent, but you don't know how to appreciate it!" ”

Xue Shaohaha laughed a few times, and then said, "You're right. This time, I had a vicious fight with Pei Yan, and I have always been at a disadvantage and even become a prisoner of the ranks. Although there was no danger, it also made me personally experience the helplessness and sorrow of the general. Regardless of your high merit and thousands of troops under your command, the sword and pen can beat you back to your original shape and even destroy your home with a single word. In the final analysis, the military is in the service of politics. Military power and military merit cannot compare to political power! ”

"Yes. Isn't it all about improving one's political status and gaining political power above the court if a person wants to obtain military power and military merit? Princess Taiping smiled slightly and said, "Now that you have military power and military merits, it's time for you to seek a place in the court." Aren't you a squire of the school inspection department? - You have made great contributions in this Hebei War, and the court has not rewarded you yet. Why don't you ask your mother to be officially appointed as a squire in the military department? Otherwise, what about the prime minister who is attached to the political affairs hall as a peaceful minister? I think the Queen Mother will definitely agree! ”

"This ......" Xue Shao blinked, and thought in his heart: Previously, Pei Yan and others wanted me to return to the court to serve as the secretary of the military department, but I refused. Now I'm taking the initiative to ask for an official again, is this appropriate? …… By the way, it must be Princess Taiping who doesn't want me to leave Chang'an and return to the army, so she deliberately lobbied me like this!

"Hey, what are you waiting for?" Princess Taiping angrily pinched the soft flesh on Xue Shao's waist, and Xue Shao jumped up exaggeratedly.

"Oops—it hurts, it hurts!!" Xue Shao ran away while shouting, "Lin'er, Lin'er!" Come and medicate me, I'm hurt!! ”

"......" Princess Taiping was stunned and speechless, and said to herself angrily: "Bad guy who pretends to be bad!" You obviously just don't want to stay in Chang'an for a long time! …… What is so good about that bitter cold place in the Northwest Frontier that is worthy of your unforgettable thoughts? ”

……

The banquet started, Xue Shao and Song Jing sat down and hadn't drunk the first cup yet, and a guest arrived.

Xue Chuyu came with his new wife.

Xue Shao was overjoyed, and personally greeted him and his wife, "Why are you here?" Is the fifth brother well? How is Ling Zun's funeral handled? It's been hard all the way and you haven't eaten yet, so hurry up and have some wine and rice together! ”

Xue Yao's family was amused, and Xue Chuyu also smiled and said, "Second brother, you ask so many questions at once, how can you let the younger brother reply?" ”

"Okay, then sit down and talk slowly!" Xue Shao laughed heartily, hurriedly called Linlang to recruit Xue Yao's family, and personally took Xue Chuyu's hand and walked into the dining room.

Xue Chuyu knew Song Jing and didn't need Xue Shao's introduction, but he was very surprised how Song Jing could appear in Princess Taiping's mansion?

Before Xue Chuyu could ask, Xue Shao asked first, "Why did you suddenly come to Chang'an?" Ling Zun has just been laid to peace, how are things handled at home? ”

Xue Chuyu replied: "According to the will of the imperial court, my third and fourth brothers will stay in their hometown after the fifth and seventh days of my father. Originally, I also wanted to stay in my hometown for a few more days to accompany my family, but when I heard about the Yangzhou Mutiny, the second brother might have a place where the younger brother could be useful, so I immediately set off for Chang'an. ”

"Good brother!" Xue Shao patted him on the shoulder with relief and said with a smile, "It's good that you don't know the news of my detention and interrogation." Otherwise, I'm worried about what you're going to do. ”

"What, you're in captivity and interrogation?" Xue Chuyu's face changed suddenly.

"Don't be nervous, it's all over." Xue Shao said with a smile, "It was Pei Yan who set up a bureau to treat me, but today, Pei Yan has been thrown into prison." He's finished! ”

"Really?" Xue Chuyu was suddenly overjoyed again, "In the future, no one should restrain our Shuofang army, let alone anyone come up with some foolish ideas to defeat the battle, right?" ”

"I hope so." Xue Shao smiled, "Don't say it, you came at the right time." Let me ask you first, how is your body doing? ”

Xue Chuyu slapped his chest a few times in a row, "You can fight a tiger with your bare hands!" ”

"Don't you brag?"

"The younger brother never brags, let alone in front of the second brother!"

"That'll be fine." Xue Shao frowned slightly, straightened his face, and said, "I want to recommend you as a general to go to Yangzhou to fight against the rebellious Li Jingye in Yangzhou." Do you think there is a problem? ”

"Nope!" Xue Chuyu replied categorically, "Give me 5,000 light horses, and guarantee that you will get Li Jingye's head within ten days!" ”

Xue Shao immediately laughed, and said in his heart that this kid is better than me, I also said in front of the Queen Mother that I wanted 20,000, and he only needed 5,000!

At this time, Song Jing interjected, "General Yuguan, I heard that you are good at riding battles, and your command is unparalleled in the world." However, there are many clumps of grass and water in the Yangzhou area, which may not be conducive to cavalry combat. ”

"That's a problem." Xue Shao said, "Fifth brother, you have never fought in the south, have you?" ”

Xue Chuyu was slightly stunned and nodded, "I've never been to the south yet." ”

"I'm not familiar with it either." Xue Shao wrinkled his eyebrows and pondered for a moment, and said, "In this way, the crusade against Li Jingye cannot rely too much on the cavalry. Moreover, the people who lead the troops must be familiar with the geography and hydrology of the Jiangnan area, so that they can flexibly respond to the complex terrain there. ”

Xue Chuyu thought for a while and said, "Second brother, have you forgotten Wei Yuanzhong?" ”

Xue Shao's eyes lit up, and he suddenly slapped his thigh, "That's right!" How did I forget about this master? ”

Xue Chuyu said: "Wei Yuanzhong, like Guo Yuanzhen, is a scholar from the imperial examination, but they both have talents in military affairs. In his early years, Wei Yuanzhong once learned the "Kyushu Danger Map" from a master, and then he spent several years traveling all over the world to practice the content of this strange book. It can be said that Wei Yuanzhong is well aware of the geography and hydrology of all states and counties in the Tang Dynasty. Where the turbulence is dangerous, where the wind is tight, where the troops can be stationed and where the danger can be defended, all of them are in his control - such a genius, why didn't the second brother recommend it to the imperial court and let him lead the troops to crusade against Li Jingye? If he goes out, the younger brother is willing to be the vanguard under his command! ”

"If the two of you merge wisely and bravely, you will inevitably be caught." Xue Shao smiled and nodded, "In this way, I will definitely recommend the two of you to the imperial court." ”

"After a few months, the little brother can finally gallop on the battlefield again, fortunately!" Xue Chuyu picked up the wine glass excitedly, "Little brother respects my brother with a glass!" ”

Song Jing sat on the side with a smile on his face, like an outsider.

Xue Shao looked at him, "Song Jing, come together." ”

"Thank you, colt!" Song Jing also raised his glass.

After the three of them drank a glass, Xue Shao said: "Song Jing, you are selfless and strict in law enforcement, and you once served as a marching manager under Xue Laoshuai. I want to recommend you to accompany the army to the east to crusade against Li Jingye, and serve as the marching Sima in charge of military law, how about it? ”

"As long as he serves the country, Song Jing is duty-bound." Song Jing was completely pampered and unfazed.

Xue Chuyu was a little sullen when he saw it, and said in his heart, why is this person so ignorant, I don't know if my second brother is deliberately planting compensation for you and giving you the opportunity to make meritorious contributions and be promoted?

"Okay, let's do it first!" Xue Shao smiled disapprerovingly, "The ugly words are ahead, I don't dare to guarantee that my recommendation will be realized." If it fails, don't blame me! ”

As soon as Xue Shao's words fell, a voice came from the door of Princess Taiping's mansion from afar, and the long voice and shouting unique to the eunuchs in the palace - "The Queen Mother has arrived!" ”

Xue Shao suddenly smiled, "Today's meal, the more people eat, the more people eat!" ”

Song Jing and Xue Chuyu were stunned at the same time, "Do we want to avoid it?" ”

"Not necessarily." Xue Shao stood up, "The queen is just right." You two go out with me! ”