The Imperial Council began, chaired by Wu Zetian.

In such a formal and heavy political occasion, the seating ranking is very rigorous. Xue Shao was neither the prime minister nor the new face of the political affairs hall, so he just sat in an inconspicuous little corner.

Before discussing the military of Fengzhou, Wu Zetian first reported an incident. Xue Yuanchao, who stayed in Chang'an, sent a letter of resignation to the imperial court, saying that he was suddenly suffering from a strange illness and could no longer speak, and his physical condition had also deteriorated rapidly. Therefore, Xue Yuanchao asked to resign from the rank. The imperial court had already sent a commissioner to Chang'an to comfort Xue Yuanchao and learned that his illness was true. Therefore, after consulting with the prime ministers, the Queen Mother has decided to allow Xue Yuan to rest and recuperate.

Wu Zetian only made such a "notice", not to discuss with the ministers.

Xue Shao was a little surprised when he heard this, I had seen Xue Yuanchao a few months ago, and he also persuaded me for a while about the matter of "reporting the funeral", and his physical condition was very good at that time. Months later, why is this like this? …… Is it because Xue Yuanchao thinks that Pei Yan will not let him go after he becomes the minister of Tuogu's life and his words above the court?

Xue Shao felt that it was necessary for him to visit Xue Yuanchao in person. However, regardless of whether Xue Yuanchao is really sick or for other reasons, his retirement seems to be an ironclad fact!

When the queen of heaven reported this matter, many people subconsciously looked at Xue Shao. Xue Shao understood what they meant, the clan elders and leaders of the Xue clan in Fenyin retreated like this, of course, it was not a good thing for him Xue Shao. This means that he is more lonely and the pressure on him is greater.

The meeting officially began, and the Queen Mother spoke, first making a report on the military situation in Fengzhou. Then ask the ministers to discuss how to deal with the current militaristic crisis.

Except for Wu Zetian, Pei Yan and Xue Shao, the others had just heard about this matter, so they all began to think seriously, and some people whispered to each other. Not far from Xue Shao's side sat Cheng Wuting and Zhang Qianqiao, and the two of them glanced at Xue Shao together, and the meaning couldn't be more obvious - invite Xue Shao to come forward together and ask for war on behalf of the military!

Xue Shao smiled secretly in his heart, the attitudes of these two generals were very consistent with their personalities and identities.

While everyone was still pondering and deliberating, suddenly a voice rang out—

"The Queen Mother, the minister thought that Fengzhou was just a remote and bitter cold land, but it made the Tang Dynasty spend a lot of military expenditure every year to defend this place, and it was very difficult to transport grain and grass. Nowadays, the Turkic invaders, if they want to hold Fengzhou, they have to send more soldiers and horses, and waste more money and food. But if you keep it, it won't necessarily do you any good. Therefore, it is better to move all the soldiers and civilians of Fengzhou and the money and grain of the household registration to Xia and Lingzhou, and then rely on Xiazhou to strengthen the defense in case of the Turks. ”

Everyone saw that the person who said this "best policy" was actually the one who had just taken office as the secretary of the military department and came to participate in the imperial meeting for the first time, Wu Chenghe!

All the ministers were stunned together, such a heavy military matter, it should be the highest-ranking minister and chief prime minister Pei Yan who spoke first, followed by other prime ministers to express their opinions, when will it be your turn to get a newcomer to the last to sensationalize? -- What's more, you, a newcomer, still say such frivolously, "a remote and bitter cold land", is this kind of thing also the words of a minister who seeks the country and the king? Even if you think so, you can't say it in public!

"Lack of heart" -- many people cursed in their hearts.

Xue Shao sneered and said nothing, the stupid man is really different!

Wu Chengsi used such a reckless and stupid speech to show off, which made Wu Zetian's face a little unbearable, and she said: "Wu Chengsi, the prime ministers haven't spoken yet, what are you anxious about?" ”

Wu Chengsi was stunned for a moment, knowing that he seemed to have committed some taboos, so he hurriedly shrunk his neck and stopped making a sound.

"But now that you've said it, it's a good idea." Wu Zetian talked about the matter and said to the ministers, "Zhong Aiqing, what do you think is the opinion of Wu Chenghei, the secretary of the Ministry of War?" ”

Everyone knows very well in their hearts, Wu Chengsi has never been formally involved in politics and military affairs, how can he have any claims about the military affairs of Fengzhou? He just inquired about the idea from others, and then took it to the political hall to say it to make a show, and used it to prove that he deserved to be worthy of the name of the "secretary of the military department".

In this way, although Wu Chenghe's limelight is a mess, his opinion actually represents the attitude of some important ministers here. So Wu Zetian asked like this, and several ministers on the spot agreed. It is said that Fengzhou is remote and bitter cold and extremely difficult to defend, and it is difficult for the imperial court to send troops to reinforce at this time, so it is better to abandon it and retreat to Lingxia Erzhou, which is the best policy.

Cheng Wuting was in a hurry, and before he could exchange views with Xue Shao, he hurriedly stood up and said: "Queen Mother, the minister thinks that Fengzhou must not be abandoned!" ”

"General Cheng." Wu Zetian said quietly, "Tell me your opinion." ”

"Yes!" Cheng Wuting bowed in front of the court, and said very loudly.

Xue Shao laughed when he heard him say these words, he was also a general on the battlefield, and Cheng Wuting's opinions were slightly different from his own, except that the organization of his words was slightly different, and the core meaning was almost the same. It's just that Cheng Wuting doesn't have such a political consciousness as Xue Shao, and he doesn't think about the issue of "sinners through the ages" for Wu Zetian, he just thinks that the strategic significance of Fengzhou is too heavy, and if he gives up Fengzhou, it will be equivalent to giving up thousands of miles of territory, which will be the "biggest national shame" of the Tang Dynasty since the founding of the country. And it will be very difficult to retake Toyosu in the future. Because the Turks will take away the goods of this thousand-mile territory, plunder all the cattle, sheep, horses, and people, and thus grow unprecedentedly!

Cheng Wuting is a rough person, his words are far less graceful and beautiful than what Xue Shao said, when he said these words, he directly bombarded Wu Chengsi for a while, and said, "Wu Shangshu doesn't know military affairs, please don't talk nonsense, mislead the country and the army!" ”

The secretary of the military department does not know military affairs, which can be regarded as serious. Wu Chengsi's face turned red on the spot, and his face was full of anger and he almost jumped up and fought with Cheng Wuting!

But everyone knows that Wu Chengsi doesn't have the guts. General Evil can poke him to death with a single finger.

Wu Zetian was also choked by Cheng Wuting's words, but she didn't express any dissatisfaction, but said with a smile: "General Evil Lai is straightforward and talks about things quickly, Wu Chenghei, don't care about it-Zhong Aiqing, General Evil's opinion, what do you think?" ”

Zhang Qian stood up one by one, "Queen Mother, the minister seconded the proposal!" ――Toyosu must not be abandoned! The imperial court should send troops as soon as possible to reinforce Toyoshu! ”

Zhang Qianqiao has just been promoted to the general of the right feather Lin Wei, and in terms of rank, he is on an equal footing with Cheng Wuting. But everyone knows that there is only one leader of the Beiya Forbidden Army, and that is Cheng Wuting. Therefore, Zhang Qianmiao's attitude was not unexpected by everyone at all.

Only three generals were invited to participate in today's imperial meeting, so many people naturally set their eyes on Xue Shao.

In front of everyone's eyes, Xue Shao owed a debt and arched his hand: "Queen Mother, the minister also seconded the proposal." ”

In just a few words, it was the first time Xue Shao appeared in the political hall, and he was the only one to speak.

But that's enough.

Because soon after, Pei Yan, the minister of Gu Ming, also agreed to increase the troops in Fengzhou to defend it to the death, Wu Zetian made a public statement on the donkey down the slope, saying that Fan Yunxian, the general of Zuo Yu Linwei, was appointed to lead the army to rush to Fengzhou.

The ministers knew that the generals sent by the imperial court were not famous and not high-level, and the troops would definitely not be too many. But this is enough to represent the attitude of the Empress Dowager Wu - never give up Fengzhou!

Cheng Wuting was still a little anxious and wanted to fight by himself, but Wu Zetian and Pei Yan easily blocked him back and asked him to obediently guard the palace and guard Luoyang City.

Xue Shao knew that after Wu Zetian went back yesterday, he must have communicated with Pei Yan and reached an agreement. Although he longs to be able to take command and go to Toyosu to fight, this is really unrealistic at the moment. Now at this moment, he can only stay in Luoyang with the right guard army. I'm afraid that this qiē will have to wait for the new monarch to take office, and then it will be changed.

The imperial meeting was over, and the ministers dispersed in a row, and it seems that there were still some people who had reservations and did not support the imperial court sending troops to the battle. But for Xue Shao, this is a routine meeting without suspense and going through the motions. The only "highlight" is probably that Wu Chengsi acted in a clown play.

"General Xue!"

Xue Shao had just walked out of the door and was not far away, when someone called behind. He looked back and saw that it was Cheng Wuting.

"General Evil." Xue Shao got off his horse and bowed with his fists folded.

Cheng Wuting also got off the horse, led the horse and walked side by side with Xue Shao, and said: "There is such a big event in Fengzhou, and the imperial court only sends Fan Yunxian to lead a small number of soldiers and horses to gallop to help, what is the use?" I was going to ask for a fight, but the Queen Mother and Pei Shizhong did not agree. Xue Gongzi, as the head of the Twelve Guards of the Southern Ya, doesn't he have any ideas? ”

Xue Shao smiled bitterly and looked left and right, there were many people.

Cheng Wuting was an anxious man, and grabbed Xue Shao's reins, "Let's go, go to my house, sit down and talk!" ”

In this way, Cheng Wuting couldn't help but pull Xue Shao to his house.

Cheng Wuting is a rough military man who is used to being simple in the frontier, and it is the same when he returns to the imperial capital to be a big official, he does not buy land, does not leave any surplus wealth, and does not like luxury, his home is very simple, and Pei Xingjian's former residence has to fight.

After the two sat down, Cheng Wuting asked eagerly: "I see that Xue Gongzi seems to have a bamboo in his chest, could it be that you already know how the imperial court will decide?" ”

Xue Shao frowned and said, "Don't hide the evil general, the Queen Mother went to my house yesterday." ”

Cheng Wuting was stunned, and then nodded repeatedly, "Understood, understood!" …… General Tuogu, sure enough, lives up to its name! ”

Xue Shao smiled bitterly, "Don't misunderstand, General Evil. Recently, there have been a lot of rumors about me, and the Queen Mother went to my house mainly to visit the sick, and asked my personal opinion by the way. And what I said, the Queen Mother and Pei Shizhong are just a reference. Otherwise, there would be no need to convene this Imperial Council today. ”

"You mean, your opinion agrees with mine?" Cheng Wuting was surprised.

Xue Shao smiled, "Heroes see the same thing, didn't I also seconded it in the political hall?" ”

Cheng Wu laughed, "Since Xue Gongzi can be of the same heart as Cheng, Cheng will be relieved!" ”

Xue Shao sighed, "Actually, I also want to take command of the battle." But now...... Can't pull away! ”

Cheng Wuting nodded, "The new monarch is about to become pro-government, and I don't know what the court of the Tang Dynasty will become." Xue Gongzi, I am deeply worried about Xinjun, he ...... Will he be able to manage such a large piece of the family business? ”

Xue Shao answered Cheng Wuting's question with a wry smile - what do you say?