Compared with Wu Youning and even including marriage, Xue Shao believes that the court's attitude towards grassland captives is much more important. If Pei Yan's proposition is accepted by the imperial court, then Xue Shao's victory in the Northern Expedition with Pei Xingjian and the 300,000 generals may come to naught.

This will not only erase the merits of individuals, but will also have a huge impact on the future of the country and the nation.

Xue Shao felt a sense of crisis that he had never felt before, and the oath of "swearing to the death to defend it" seemed so pale and powerless in the face of power.

Because of a politician's proposition, the lives of countless soldiers can be sacrificed in vain!

"Don't worry too much, Childe." On the contrary, it was the Kudi clan who came to persuade Xue Shao, "At present, the court has not yet reached a conclusion, and I am just chasing after the wind." Since the imperial court has not officially issued an order, it means that the two saints and the prime minister have not yet reached a consensus on this matter, and there are still controversies and discussions. Maybe in the future, the imperial court will make a different decision? ”

"Such a major military event has always been highly confidential, and it will never be easily leaked, nor will it be groundless." Xue Shao waved his hand again and again and said, "Perhaps, someone deliberately released a little wind to see the reaction of the outside world." ”

Kudi was slightly stunned, and hurriedly said: "The outside world that Childe said is ...... Does it refer to the generals such as the husband and the son? ”

"Not only us, but probably the tribes of the steppe." Xue Shao's eyebrows tightened, "This matter is too important...... But unfortunately, I didn't even seem to have a chance to interject! ”

Kudi seemed to realize the seriousness of the matter, she hesitated for a moment, and then plucked up her courage and said, "Childe, I will say a short-sighted word in the opinion of a woman...... In Pei Yan's proposition, will there be selfishness? ”

Xue Shao frowned, "What kind of selfishness does Madam think he will have?" ”

"Childe, you want to!" The Kudi clan said vigilantly and cautiously, "Pei Yan and her husband are both from the Wenxi Pei family, and they are originally brothers of the same clan, but because of their jealousy of talent, Pei Yan has not been able to tolerate her husband, and the two have been at odds for a long time. After the victory of the previous Northern Expedition, there was talk in the court that the husband might join the cabinet because of this. But because of Pei Yan's resistance, the husband was only given a knighthood and a loose official, and did not worship the prime minister. This time the Northern Expedition has achieved a greater victory, and the prestige of the family husband will be even greater. If the imperial court once again adopts the militaristic proposition of the husband, the call for the husband to worship the prime minister will be even higher. So I think Pei Yan put forward such a proposition because of a layer of selfishness...... He wants to prevent his husband from entering the cabinet to pay respects! ”

"......" After Xue Shao listened, he fell silent.

People's hearts are separated from their stomachs, what Pei Yan thinks in his heart, maybe only he knows. But there is really a lot of truth in what Cudi said. The prime minister, the son of heaven and the common people, should be the public under the heavens. But the prime minister is also a human being, and it is not surprising that he is selfish. Moreover, every politician does not want his political ideas to be publicized and his political aspirations to be displayed. The best way to do this is to monopolize power.

Pei Yan is a young and powerful prime minister, but it is often such a person who most hopes to make himself a powerful minister under one person and above ten thousand people. Therefore, it is reasonable to exclude other people's political opinions and attack political opponents.

Xue Shao felt a headache because he didn't know Pei Yan very well. It stands to reason that on such a matter of principle, Pei Yan, as a Confucian scholar, should accept the correct opinions of others for the sake of the world, and achieve what Confucius said, "gentlemen are united but different", which is what a good minister should do.

However, political struggles are often cruel and despicable and regardless of the occasion, God knows what Pei Yan, a politician, thinks in his heart?

"Madam, do you know what the Queen of Heaven means, how do you know?" Xue Shao asked.

Kudi was slightly stunned, as a close minister of the two saints, it is a big taboo and a big crime to leak the secret words of the forbidden in vain. But the current matter is related to the fate and future of the Pei Xue family, and the Kudi clan thought about it in his heart, and plucked up his courage to say: "If I say it, the son can be kept secret, don't reveal it I told you!" ”

"Of course." Xue Shao said, "Spying on the secret words in the forbidden China, I am also a big crime!" ”

Kudi bit his lip and nodded, and said, "Because the matter involves my husband, the queen of heaven seems to be deliberately hiding in front of me and doesn't want me to know the inside story. But a few days ago, when the Queen of Heaven was discussing with the prime ministers in the political hall, the Queen of Heaven summoned Shangguan Wan'er to serve the pen and ink. After coming back, Shangguan Wan'er's expression seemed to be in a trance and her face was worried. I wondered, could the queen and the prime ministers be discussing the Northern Expedition that day and talking about something related to the son? ”

Kudi's words came to an abrupt end.

Xue Shao's heart moved slightly, listening to Kudi's tone, could it be that she also knew that I had a "friendship" with Shangguan Wan'er?

"Childe, Shangguan Wan'er should ...... I like you, don't you? Kudi was quick to speak, and he broke it on the spot.

Xue Shao said quietly: "There is no such thing. It's just that the Xue family and the Shangguan family had some worldly friends in the past, and I also gave some favors to her. ”

"I see, then it's no wonder." Kudi got off the donkey, clapped his hands and said, "At that time, I saw Shangguan Wan'er's expression was different, and I thought she was not feeling well, so I was concerned. Unexpectedly, Shangguan Wan'er said, let me take time out of the palace to visit Xue Gongzi, who has just returned to Beijing. At first, I thought it was strange, how could Shangguan Wan'er say such strange things to me? Later, when I thought about it, she had another mystery - she called me to pass the word! ”

"Madame is trying to say that Shangguan Wan'er wants to see me?"

"Isn't it?"

Xue Shao was noncommittally silent for a moment, "I know." ”

Kudi looked anxious, "Childe, now that my husband is far away from the border, the whip is out of reach. In the matter of Chang'an, we can only hope that Gongzi will be thoughtful. I have no claim at all, and I can only hope that my son will be the master of my Pei family. If Pei Yan's proposition is adopted by the imperial court this time, he will definitely resign with the temperament of a husband. At that time, our Pei family will really be finished! ”

"I follow Pei Gong and share weal and woe." Xue Shao said, "If Pei Gong is suppressed, I will also be miserable." Therefore, Mrs. does not need to doubt Xue's position and sincerity. I'll do my best to do it! ”

"Okay, that's great!" Kudi is a straightforward person, so he immediately bowed to the ground and gave Xue Shao a big salute.

"Madame, don't be like this, I can't afford it." Xue Shao hurriedly helped her up and said, "This matter is both public and private, and it is very important. Madame must be careful and be careful. If you have any news, please feel free to pass it on to me. ”

"I will!" Kudi nodded very affirmatively, "I really didn't expect that there would be such trouble after the victory of the Northern Expedition." It turns out that the enemies around you are far more unguardable than the enemies at the border! ”

Xue Shao nodded helplessly and smiled, Kudi's words are really rough, the open gun is easy to dodge and the hidden arrow is difficult to prevent, and then there is...... Have one's hand in the till!

"What are Childe's plans?" Still anxious, Kudi asked.

"I have to find a way to meet Shangguan Wan'er first. Madame can arrange it? Xue Shao asked.

Kudi blinked, "Why don't you invite Princess Taiping, wouldn't it be more convenient?" ”

"Nope." Xue Shao waved his hand and said, "Since the last time Shangguan Wan'er was beaten into Qiuseyuan, it was not convenient for her to get together with Princess Taiping again, and when she saw me, she was even more cautious and didn't dare to say a superfluous word." At such a juncture, it is even more difficult for me to meet with him openly, lest it arouse suspicion. The best way to do this is to arrange a chance encounter between me and her. ”

"This ...... It's harder! Kudi clapped his hands and walked around anxiously.

Xue Shao thought for a while and said, "Madam, what is Shangguan Wan'er's position as an official in the inner court now?" ”

"Just a female envoy." "After the Queen of Heaven returned from the amnesty of the Qiuseyuan, she did not resume her position as a secretary, but only let her work in the palace as a female envoy of the Shanggong Bureau. However, she is different from ordinary female envoys, she is rarely sent outside the palace, and generally follows the queen of heaven. That's why I said, it's more difficult. ”

"How is Madame's relationship with her?" Xue Shao asked.

"Acquaintances in general." Kudi replied.

Xue Shao smiled slightly, "I'll give you a token, and she will trust you when she sees it." If she has anything to say, she may ask her to convey it on her behalf. ”

"Oh, really?" Kudi was overjoyed, "What kind of token is it?" ”

Xue Shao didn't say anything, walked back to his study and brought a copy of the Book of Songs to Kudi, and said, "When Madam saw Wan'er, she said that I entrusted you to give her this book. She understood. ”

"The Book of Songs?" Curdi flipped through it curiously, "Nothing strange! ”

"It's just an ordinary book." Xue Shao smiled and said, "Madame, just take it, after she sees it, she will definitely understand." ”

"Okay......" Kudi accepted the book suspiciously.

Xue Shao breathed a sigh of relief, and secretly chanted in his heart the poem "Taoyao" in the Book of Poetry——

The peach is dying, scorching its glory. The son is home, and it is appropriate for his family......

"Shangguan Wan'er, last time you put a February peach blossom in my clothes, is that exactly what you meant?"

Thinking of this, Xue Shao smiled slightly, Shangguan Wan'er was cautious by nature, and she would not easily reveal her feelings to outsiders. If she can understand the meaning of the Book of Songs that I gave her, it is equivalent to acknowledging her heart for me. As for whether she will believe that Cudi asked her to speak on my behalf, it is all up to her own judgment. If she doesn't understand the meaning of the poetry I sent her, it means that I, Xue Shao, am amorous. Then it doesn't matter if it's a gift of a book between friends.

It can be said that the "Book of Songs" given by Xue Shao is not only a token to convey trust, but also a verification of affection.

Later, Kudi was gone.

Xue Shao calmed down and thought for a moment, and suddenly found that he was so isolated and helpless after leaving the army and returning to Chang'an—without half a powerful political helper and political ally. In the face of the military affairs of the court, not only did he not have any right to speak, but he didn't even have a chance to give Shenda's opinion!

If Pei Xingjian can be allowed to successfully worship the prime minister, this situation will change a lot. If he wants to do one thing, Xue Shao will inevitably face an opponent that he is unshakable at the moment.

Prime Minister, Pei Yan!