The Tang Dynasty was about to accept the Turks' request and reconcile with them.

This was another earth-shattering event that occurred after the Yangzhou rebellion was put down.

The Turkic Khan Ashina Gulu said in his letter of state that he was willing to surrender to the Tang Empire, and like the Silla State on the Chaoxian Peninsula, he would respect the Tang Dynasty as the suzerainty and pay tribute every year.

This was the first thing Wu Zetian announced to the government and the opposition. At first glance, it sounds very exciting, because the Turks surrendered without a fight and obediently surrendered.

But people with a little political sense have noticed the abnormality - when did the Turks become a "country"?

Originally, the "legality" of the establishment of the Turkic Khanate was a rather acute and important issue, so important that it directly touched the bottom line of the Tang Dynasty. Just imagine, if the Yihu tribes under the rule of the Tang Dynasty were to split off and become independent like the Turkic tribes, how could the consequences be unimaginable?

However, this major issue seems to have been quietly covered up by the stubborn "please surrender and ask for peace". The vast majority of the people do not know the truth, and it is difficult to think of the depths; Those who can think of the depths know that today's Datang has to temporarily sacrifice a little bottom line in exchange for peace on the frontier. Years of conquest have made Datang tired of dealing with internal and external troubles.

To put it nicely, it's called taking a step back and opening up the sky.

That's all the outside world can know. The core details of the "peace talks between the two countries" are really involved, but only Wu Zetian and a few prime ministers and important ministers participated in and knew about it.

Of course, Xue Shao was also among them, and he participated in every peace meeting. Neither Wu Zetian nor Emperor Li Dan directly attended the meeting, but only listened to the report after the meeting. The candidates for the two sides of the peace talks must be of equal rank.

The one sent by the Turks was their Yehu Ashina Si Lu, the younger brother of the Khan Gulu. "Yehu" is the official name of the Turks, second only to the Khan. Even Yuan Zhen, the Apodagan, who commanded all the Turkic soldiers and horses, had to concede three points in front of him. Of course, if you talk about real power, Du Xilu is definitely not as good as Yuan Zhen.

The first time Xue Shao dealt with Lu Xilu, he felt that he and his own brother Gu Lu were diametrically opposed. The bones are calm, heavy, and introverted, and the atmosphere is slick and cunning. He always had a humble and amiable smile on his face, but Xue Shao clearly felt that he had a bright knife in his chest that could be pulled out at any time to kill.

With such a person, Xue Shao didn't want to say much. The bargaining at the negotiation table has never been Xue Shao's liking. As a result, after several meetings, he almost never expressed an opinion, like a bystander with no more than him and no less than him.

Towards the end of the negotiations, the important details were almost finalized. Datang is worthy of being a "big country", and has shown considerable generosity on many issues, some of which are even "conniving" in Xue Shao's opinion. For example, the Turkic Khanate did not accept the envoys sent by the Tang Dynasty to be stationed in their tents for the time being, implying that the Tang Dynasty was not allowed to interfere in their internal affairs. The garrisons on the border of the two sides are not open to trade for the time being, and the Turks will not return the Tang people they once captured. Others, such as the Tang Dynasty officials and garrisons, are even more impossible to talk about.

The sincerity of the Turkic peace talks was only manifested in a letter of surrender from Gu Lulu and a little tribute to the grassland specialties. What Datang rewarded back was the bottom line of continuous concessions and a large number of gold and silver treasures.

Xue Shao was naturally unhappy in his heart, but after considering the overall situation, he endured it. To be honest, it is not that Wu Zetian and these prime ministers are defeated, Datang has this example, but whenever foreign vassal countries come to pay tribute, Datang will inevitably give back several times the feedback. This shows that if it can really be exchanged for a period of border peace, it is actually a good deal - the money burned in the war must be much more than this reward. What's more, you have to die to fight!

And when it comes to this, it's basically finalized. Xue Shao himself summed up the peace talks in one sentence, that is, the two sides who were originally fighting for life and death temporarily hid their knives behind them, sat down calmly, and signed a peace covenant that seemed peaceful but was actually false.

After the last meeting, Xue Shao and the prime ministers went to report to Wu Zetian. Emperor Li Dan has always been in the side hall of the harem to "recuperate", and Wu Zetian is in charge of the overall situation of the government.

After the letter of alliance was handed to Wu Zetian, the important ministers were all silent.

"Most of these detailed treaties are a loss for Datang." After saying this, Wu Zetian's face was almost expressionless.

None of the important ministers replied, and the scene was very quiet.

"Draw the whole picture, don't fight for the small sections." Wu Zetian threw the alliance book on the table gently, "That's it, just do it!" ”

"Obey your orders!" The ministers all breathed a sigh of relief and bowed their respects together.

Wu Zetian was still expressionless, but the pair of blazing dragon eyes that were rarely born on a woman's face looked at Xue Shao, and asked: "Xue Aiqing, this palace heard that you almost didn't say a word after several meetings. Why? ”

The prime minister's ministers and ministers also looked at Xue Shao together, which may also be what they want to ask.

Xue Shao walked out of the train and bowed, and said: "Back to the Queen Mother, bargaining with the peace talks is not the minister's strength, so the minister does not dare to get an axe, so as not to mislead the country and the people." ”

As soon as these words were said, the faces of Wu Zetian and the important ministers present sank. Obviously, Xue Shao was not willing to negotiate peace at all.

"Xue Aiqing, this palace knows that you are not angry and do not want to negotiate peace with the Turks." Wu Zetian said in public, "At the same time, this palace is also very pleased, you can abandon your selfish thoughts and take care of the overall situation, and promote this peace talk." ”

"Back to the Queen Mother, the minister respects the overall situation and maintains his own opinions." Xue Shao replied, "Peace talks can be successful, naturally the best." If not, the minister is willing to go to the battlefield immediately, and use our Tang sword and Han sword to beat them until they kneel and surrender! ”

"Princess, now do you know why Xue Aiqing didn't say a word during several meetings?" Wu Zetian raised his voice and said loudly, "Tang Dao and Han Sword are his language!" ”

"The ministers know!" The important ministers paid homage together, and then bowed to Xue Shao together to show respect.

Xue Shao returned the salute, and couldn't help but think in his heart: This peace negotiation was originally instructed by Wu Zetian, otherwise these important ministers would not accept these details of the peace talks that are dedicated to losing money. Although they are powerless, they are definitely not cartilage people who sell their country for glory - at least, not all!

But after the incident, Wu Zetian wanted to save a little face in front of these ministers, as if to say that the Tang Dynasty was not forced to negotiate peace because it couldn't defeat the Turks...... We just, we don't want to beat them up just yet!

Looking at the different expressions and demeanors of Wu Zetian and the important ministers present, Xue Shao muttered to himself in his heart: "The double reed just now is really boring...... Leave me in Chang'an, that's what you do this kind of thing? ”

At noon the next day, Wu Zetian was going to hold a banquet in the Qide Hall to invite and send off the Turkic envoy Ashina and his party. Xue Shao was really a little tired of such an occasion, and wanted to refuse, but he couldn't resist Princess Taiping's soft grinding and hard bubbles, so he had to go through the motions again.

"Xue Lang, being an official in Beijing is like this, you have to adapt slowly." Before leaving, Princess Taiping persuaded her with such gentle words.

"I understand that being a Beijing official is nothing more than eating, drinking, laughing, and bye-bye." Xue Shao said angrily.

Princess Taiping laughed, "It seems that you are very unhappy about this peace talk." ”

"I could have beaten that guy alive, but now I'm going to watch him take away our gold and silver goods, and I'll have to laugh with a smile on my face." Xue Shao said angrily, "You say, what kind of feeling will I have in my heart?" ”

"Alright, don't be childish." Princess Taiping stroked Xue Shao's back and said with a smile, "You are not a border commander now, but an important minister of the imperial court." Don't always think about war, you should think more about the far-reaching and the big picture. ”

"Alright then, let's stop talking." Xue Shao sighed, "I'm going to eat and drink, you take the children at home and wait for me to come back." ”

"Go, husband." Princess Taiping smiled, "Remember to eat and drink to your heart's content, even if you are drunk." My name is Linlang waiting outside the Qilin Palace, and the chariots and horses are waiting. ”

Xue Shao whipped the horse and galloped away.

Princess Taiping was slightly stunned, but the smile on her face froze a little...... In the past, when he left home, he always led the horse slowly, looking back and smiling from time to time. Today, but he flew away and never looked back. It seems that his heart is really unhappy.

"Linlang."

"Yes."

Princess Taiping frowned slightly and was silent for a moment, and asked in a low voice, "Husband, what's wrong?" ”

Linlang looked at each other and shook her head together, "Your Highness doesn't know, how can the slave know?" ”

Princess Taiping was slightly stunned, "Hasn't my husband stayed in your sisters' room these days?" I didn't say anything to you? ”

Linlang still shook her head and whispered, "In the past few nights, it has been the moon slave who has accompanied her husband......

Princess Taiping was slightly stunned at first, and then she had a sense of sudden realization.

"Or, the slave maid will go and summon the moon slave, and His Highness will question her face to face?"

"No need." Princess Taiping replied and said, "The moon slave is different from you. Unless she is willing to take the initiative to come and talk about it, it is difficult for me to ask her, let alone ask questions. ”

Linlang was startled at the same time, as if she was stunned...... Her Royal Highness Princess Taiping, will she not be able to provoke a woman in her own family?

Princess Taiping looked at the puzzled and surprised expressions on their faces, shook her head and smiled bitterly, and whispered: "Don't think nonsense, this palace is only out of respect for her husband, so she doesn't go to Yuenu to inquire and question." ”

Linlang nodded understandingly, and said suspiciously: "Strange, what is the husband hiding from us?" Look at him all day long, he is depressed! ”

"He has nothing to hide from us." Princess Taiping sighed lightly and said, "It's just that he still has half of his heart and half of his soul, and he hasn't come back yet." ”

"Huh?" Linlang was shocked at the same time.

Princess Taiping shook her head gently, "The husband has already divided himself into two. Half in Chang'an, half in Shuofang. This half of Chang'an, you and I can understand. But the half of Shuo Fang can only be understood by the moon slave! ”