Xue Shao knew very well in his heart that at this juncture, the imperial court would never send troops to fight.

Now that the emperor has just died, and the Tang Dynasty is facing a change of imperial power, it is the top priority to stabilize the dynasty and ensure the tranquility of the imperial capital. In contrast, the rest of the events were secondary, including the Turkic rebellion.

Even if the Tang Dynasty loses a few border towns and some territories, in the eyes of people like Tianhou and Pei Yan, it is just a disease of scabies.

But since the queen of heaven asked, Xue Shao said bluntly. Because of the responsibility, it is up to you whether to say it or not; Whether it is adopted or not, it is a matter for the imperial court.

"If you send troops, how many soldiers and horses are enough? Who can be in charge and competent? Wu Zetian did not rush to deny it, and continued to ask.

Xue Shao replied: "After the Queen, the Turks are mainly cavalry, and their movements are swift and fluttering, and their style of warfare is also uncertain, unless we know in advance where they are going to attack, we can only stretch the battle line and defend it to the death." There are thousands of miles of border in the north, and if you want to prevent the Turkic cavalry from plundering south, you must at least hold the 700-mile Yellow River defense line in the area of Fengzhou south of Yinshan. ”

"Fengzhou, seven hundred miles of Yellow River defense line?" Wu Zetian took a breath, "How many soldiers and horses do you have to garrison?" How much food do you have to support? ”

"The minister conservatively estimated that the 200,000 army was barely enough." Xue Shao said, "As for the money and food...... You'll probably have to ask the prime minister and the people in the household. ”

"200,000, barely enough to ......" Wu Zetian's expression became more and more ugly, and she simply didn't bother to ask another question about the candidate for the commander.

Looking at the Tang Dynasty and the army today, except for Cheng Wuting and Xue Shao, who else can bring 200,000 troops?

"Then, how about abandoning Fengzhou and defending against the enemy according to the important town of Shuozhou in Xiazhou?" Wu Zetian asked.

Xue Shaozhi shook his head, "After Heaven, along the Yellow River in Fengzhou, seven hundred miles, it is the only way for the Turks to go south after crossing Yinshan. Once this gap was opened, the thousand-mile road from Fengzhou to Xiazhou was unguardable. At most, we can only resist a little in Xiazhou to prevent the Turks from breaking through the western frontier and inserting into the hinterland of Guanzhong in the Tang Dynasty. If Fengzhou is abandoned, thousands of miles of territory will be lost to the enemy. The arrogance of the Turks will continue to rise, and their strength will also be greatly enhanced, and they will become the biggest border trouble in Datang. The consequences are unimaginable! ”

"This doesn't work, that doesn't work, so what?" Wu Zetian was annoyed.

Xue Shao said cautiously: "Queen of Heaven, let the minister lead the soldiers of the Western Expeditionary Army of the right guard to guard Fengzhou, right?" ”

"No!" Wu Zetian suddenly raised his voice, "You are injured like this, you can only rest in bed." The palace doesn't want to bury the century-old pillars of the Tang Dynasty because of temporary gains and losses! ”

Xue Shao smiled bitterly, "That...... Let General Evil Lai lead the army forward, too! ”

"......" Wu Zetian was silent for a while, then stood up, "Let me think twice." ”

"Minister, send off the queen of heaven." Of course, Xue Shao will not be stalked and bowed up.

"You just have to lie down and rest, if there is a serious military situation, this palace will come to discuss with you in person. You should try to hand over the trivial military affairs of the Right Guard Army to Li Duozuo and Xue Chuyu to handle on your behalf, and you don't have to think about the rest of the things. Wu Zetian admonished.

"I know."

Wu Zetian left, Xue Shao breathed a sigh of relief and lay on the bed.

Sensition on military affairs is the power of the prime minister. But today, Wu Zetian talked to Xue Shao about so many militaristic things, which made Xue Shao feel that his role in the court had undergone some subtle changes.

Xue Shao, who was on the fringes of the previous system, seems to have officially entered the court today and participated in the military and political decision-making of the Tang Dynasty. Although the ideas he proposed may not necessarily be adopted and implemented, at least, he has been able to express his will directly to the imperial court.

This is important.

This conversation with Wu Zetian has a "milestone" significance for Xue Shao.

Pei Yan?

It was difficult for Xue Shao not to think of this person, and when he returned from the Northern Expedition, he was repeatedly suppressed, provoked, and even humiliated by him. For example, on Cheng Qizhi's wedding, such as when he wanted to mourn Pei Gong.

But to this day, can he still do that to me?

Xue Shao thought about it repeatedly, Pei Yan was a heavy stumbling block in front of him. Sooner or later, he will meet him in battle and fight to the death.

But definitely not now.

Now that Datang is facing a serious crisis, all personal grievances should be left behind, and it is the top priority for everyone to work together to overcome the crisis. If he, the commander of the army and the prime minister in power, have a conflict at such a time, it will bring immeasurable and irreparable losses to the entire country and the imperial court. In that case, both of them will be spurned by the state and the nation, which is tantamount to digging their own graves.

Xue Shao firmly believes that Pei Yan also has such a bottom line and consciousness in his heart. Even from the very beginning, Xue Shao believed that the assassination case was never committed by Pei Yan. The kind of stupid conspiracy that ignores the overall situation, harms others and defeats the country, and is not beneficial to oneself is not something that a person like Pei Yan can do.

So for now, Xue Shao still plans to put aside personal enmity and political disputes, and sincerely unite with Pei Yan to tide over the crisis together.

So the next day, Xue Shao took the initiative to propose to the queen of heaven that he wanted to talk to Pei Yan and Pei Xianggong face-to-face.

Wu Zetian was surprised, but she agreed.

Although Pei Yan is the prime minister, Xue Shao is sick, so Pei Yan deigned to come to Xue Shao's ward.

"General, what are you looking for me?" Pei Yan took the initiative to open his mouth, but his face was pleasant.

"Pei Xianggong, don't tell lies in front of real people, and you don't have to make any detours." Xue Shao said, "This time, we may be facing a serious militaristic crisis. ”

"Benge knows." Pei Yan nodded, "Yesterday you discussed with the Queen of Heaven, and afterwards the Queen of Heaven has already told this pavilion." The general is still very insightful, and the cabinet still admires the general's military talent. ”

"You don't need to admire it." Xue Shao smiled indifferently and said, "The top priority is to come up with a way to deal with it." The changes in Mobei are still a military secret, and only you and I and the queen of heaven know. All of us, it's up to the three of us to come up with the idea. ”

"Of course." Pei Yan said, "Now that His Majesty has just died, the imperial court is in danger and turmoil. For the sake of overall stability, this matter is kept secret for the time being. If the solution is to be implemented, it must be done in secrecy. ”

"Then Pei Xianggong, did you have a way to deal with it?" Xue Shao asked.

Pei Yan frowned, his expression was a little annoyed and a little embarrassed.

Xue Shao felt a little refreshed in his heart, aren't you the prime minister, the military affairs are all under your control, can't you come up with a way to deal with it? …… I know you're not good at military affairs, and I asked you that on purpose! If you dare to come up with a stupid method like "beheading and thinking" again, see if I don't scold you on the spot!

- Others are afraid of you, Pei Gong tolerates you, even the queen of heaven protects you, I'm not so easy to mess with!

Pei Yan thought for a while, and said faintly, "Does the general want to let the pavilion kill himself to thank the world, and then send the head of the pavilion to the grassland to appease the grassland people?" ”

Xue Shao almost laughed.

Well, that's the way to got!

But this method seems to have little practical value. It is true that Pei Yan was the mastermind behind the beheading of Fu Nian and others, but taking the prime minister's head to appease the Turks not only did not play a role in appeasing, but would make the Turks more complacent and unscrupulous.

Pei Xianggong laughed. Xue Shao tried his best to say in a normal tone, "If the Tang Dynasty has been reduced to using the prime minister who killed him to appease the border troubles, then it is better to let the country lose its enemies!" ”

Pei Yan's face tightened, and his beard trembled a few times.

Obviously, he was choked by Xue Shao's cold humor.

"What about the general's wishes?" Pei Yan was a little self-contained, held back and didn't have a seizure, and asked rhetorically in a normal tone.

Xue Shao said: "I think that even if the imperial court does not send a large army to Fengzhou to garrison, it must at least make a posture of strict precautions. It is necessary to let the Turks know that Datang has been vigilant and precautionary. That way, at least, it can make them suspicious and jealous, and they will not be so fearless. As the saying goes, if this method can delay the Turkic rebellion and southward raids, it will be the biggest gain! As soon as the imperial court has overcome the current crisis, we will have our hands free to deal with them! ”

Pei Yan's eyes suddenly lit up!

Xue Shao read a message from his micro-expressions - this method is wonderful!

"Pei Xianggong, what do you think?"

"The meaning of the general's words is to let the Tang Dynasty make a big noise in the Fengzhou area, and there are many suspicious soldiers?" Pei Yan asked rhetorically.

Xue Shao nodded, "I'm just a general, and I'm in the army." I don't really know if this is possible in practice. All I know is that if the enemy comes to attack our army is weak and unable to resist it, I will either smear oil on the soles of my feet and slip away as soon as possible. Or, I'll use such a suspicious tactic to confuse the other party. Even if you don't scare him away, you can buy time to wait for reinforcements. ”

Pei Yan snorted, and there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Xue Shao couldn't help but almost be happy again, it was obvious that Pei Yan, a traditional and old-fashioned Confucian doctor, felt both amazed and felt the practical value of his military tactics like "soldier oil".

Of course, this is also the way that Pei Yan can't think of!

"Since the general has already made a bamboo in his chest, why didn't he say it to the queen of heaven last night?" Pei Yan asked.

Xue Shao smiled and said, "The queen of heaven coordinates the overall situation, and asks about national policies and strategies. So I only said a general strategic mention to the queen of heaven. Pei Xianggong is the prime minister, and he is specifically responsible for the handling and arrangement of various major military affairs. That's why I told Pei Xianggong about the specific tactical arrangements. Moreover, this tactic is a little bit unacceptable, how can it be said to the queen in person? ”

Pei Yan nodded thoughtfully, Xue Shao's words still made sense.

"If Pei Xianggong thinks it is feasible, he should arrange for people to implement it as much as possible. If you don't think it's feasible, you should come up with other ways to deal with it as soon as possible. Xue Shao said, "If nothing else, the Turks will soon be in action." Because of Luoyang's assassination, they have already scared the snake. There's not much time left for them, and even less time for us! ”

"Benge knows." Pei Yan nodded, stood up and bowed to Xue Shao very formally, "Thank you for the general's advice, this pavilion, I am respectfully taught." ”

"Pei Xianggong is polite!" Xue Shao smiled and returned the salute, "Since you are a minister in the same hall, you should be in the same boat and go to the national disaster together!" ”

Pei Yan's brows furrowed slightly, his eyes looked at Xue Shao deeply, and nodded, "What the general said is extremely true. Together, go to the national disaster together! ”

Xue Shao smiled slightly, and Zi said, the gentleman is harmonious but different, and the villain is the same but not harmonious.

Pei Yan is an enemy, but he is definitely not a villain.

[I'm tired, there is only one shift today]