After talking about the Turkic matter, Xue Shao took the initiative to apply again, that is, to remove the two temporary positions of inspecting the Imperial Forest Army and Shangwutai Sacrificial Wine.

Wu Zetian disagreed, but Xue Shao insisted on resigning.

"Then you have to give Bengu a reasonable explanation." Wu Zetian said.

Xue Shao replied: "The envoy of the Thousand Horsemen of the Minister's Inspection School was originally a temporary measure during the turmoil in the Heavenly Gate. Now, the new deputy envoy of Qianqi, Zhou Jitong, is already familiar with his new ministry, and Qianqi is also very stable internally, and everything is on the right track. The minister now only occupies a vacant title, but let Zhou Jitong come to me for instructions first when he encounters trouble, which will inevitably make him unable to exert his constraints everywhere, but delay a lot of things. Therefore, the minister believes that it is time to correct Zhou Jitong and let him take the lead alone. ”

"What about Shangwutai?" Wu Zetian said, "This is the new yamen you founded, how can it leave you?" ”

Xue Shao said: "At the beginning of the establishment of Shangwutai, there was a lot of waste to be rebuilt, and it was indeed inseparable. But now, all the preparations for Shangwutai are ready, and it is only necessary to wait for the first martial arts to be held in the spring of next year, even if it is officially on the right track. For most of the six months, there was basically nothing else to do except arrange the curriculum, train the instructor and improve individual details. Shangwutai Cheng Xiao Zhizhong has always been in charge of daily work and has done a good job. The minister's intention was to free up most of this half a year to him, so that he and other Shangwutai ministers could get used to each other's role positioning and work cooperation earlier. If there is really something that can't be dealt with, the minister, Xia Guanshangshu, can still take care of it. ”

"Hongu understands what you mean." Wu Zetian nodded, his attitude was obviously greatly relaxed, and said: "Do you hope that Zhou Jitong and Xiao Zhizhong will provoke the big beam as soon as possible to stand alone, right?" ”

"Yes." Xue Shao cupped his fists and bowed, and said: "The minister remembers that the queen mother once told the hundred officials about "Zhenguan Political Dignitaries" above the court, and there was a passage in which the minister was deeply impressed - the building is cloudy, not a branch of a tree; The work of the emperor is not a one-man strategy. I have a lot of talents, no less than Weichen. It is a violation of the official system for a minister to hold multiple positions, and at the same time, it also restricts other colleagues from giving full play to their talents and contributing to the court. In the long run, the minister will become a cancer of the court, blocking the promotion path of other people of insight! ”

Wu Zetian thought thoughtfully, "Have you really thought clearly?" ”

"Absolutely!" Xue Shao smiled bitterly, "Actually, I wear many hats...... The minister is also feeling a little tired! ”

Wu Zetian smiled and nodded, "Okay, then follow your request." ”

"Thank you for your understanding!" Xue Shao bowed.

Wu Zetian smiled and nodded, and there was a hint of recognition and appreciation in his eyes when he looked at Xue Shao.

Because, not everyone knows how to be happy in the face of power and can really advance and retreat wisely.

Power is like a drug, and it is only possible to maintain its unique pleasure by constantly increasing its dose. Therefore, people who hold great power but do not seize power and are greedy for power have always been extremely rare.

Wu Zetian and Xue Shao thought of Pei Yan together, he was once also a good minister of society who was loyal to the country, and he could be said to be perfect at first. Otherwise, with the ability of the two saints to recognize people, they will not place high hopes on him and entrust him with important tasks. But then he gradually lost himself in the charm of power, which eventually led to his disrepute.

Xue Shao's application for these two abdications was entirely deliberate. It is indeed too tiring to wear multiple hats, and it is impossible to take care of it if you are greedy and chewy, but it turns out that it attracts jealousy and hatred. Moreover, with Xue Shao's own understanding of Wu Zetian, she would never let her subordinates have another powerful minister similar to Pei Yan. It is already very good that I can firmly grasp the most critical and core military strength.

Of course, there is another important intention, that is, to ease the "tense relationship" between Wu Zetian and Wu Zetian.

Although the turmoil this time did not directly tear his face, Xue Shao knew in his heart that there must be a crack. He can turn the purple gold fish talisman into scrap iron, and treat the pastoral courtyard as if it were nothing, can Wu Zetian not worry in his heart? So Xue Shao took the initiative to give up some power, which may make her feel a little at ease.

It is true that Wu Zetian, a superior who is familiar with the emperor's mental arts, will not absolutely trust anyone, but at least he has made it clear that he has a correct attitude of not intentionally seizing power and only focusing on military affairs. If she thinks about it more, that's her business.

"Queen Mother, if there is nothing else to do, please retire." Xue Shao was about to leave, "The Luoshui battalion is conducting a military exercise, and the ministers need to preside over it in person." ”

"Wait!" Wu Zetian suddenly said, "There is another important matter, this palace wants to discuss with you." ”

Xue Shao blinked, "Please also ask the Queen Mother to show me?" ”

Wu Zetian got up and slowly walked to Xue Shao's side.

Xue Shao knew her habitual action, if it wasn't a major or private matter, she wouldn't do it.

"There's one thing that this palace has been thinking about for a long time, and I've been looking for a good opportunity to tell you." Wu Zetian said, "Today, it seems that the time is coming. ”

Xue Shao was confused, "The Queen Mother has something to do, she can order it directly, so why bother to delay Russia?" ”

Wu Zetian actually showed a wry smile, "You don't know how difficult this matter was for the palace. Now, at last, there is a solution that is not a good solution. ”

"What the hell is going on?"

Wu Zetian's expression became a little more serious, and he reprimanded everyone in the imperial study before he said, "Do you remember what you and I said on Wangxian Terrace?" ”

"Of course I remember!" Xue Shao said, "The minister still insists that the queen mother should be on the throne as soon as possible." ”

Wu Zetian took a deep breath, and then exhaled a long breath, "It's not easy to talk about!" ”

Xue Shao's heart lit up, come on, she finally stopped pretending to be garlic and admitted it directly in front of me! - Does this mean that she didn't really think of me as a confidant until this moment?

"In thousands of years of China, have you ever seen an empress?" Wu Zetian smiled slightly bitterly and said, "Don't say that she is the empress who reigns over the world, even if it is a small family, women are not allowed to meddle in their affairs." The only way to find a family is ...... Hehe! ”

"The minister knows that the resistance and pressure faced by the Queen Mother are very great." Xue Shao nodded, Wu Zetian's "hehe" really contains a lot of information.

"You're right." Wu Zetian said leisurely, "This palace is undoubtedly going against the sky, and it has been extremely lonely along the way. Because there have always been very few people who can really help this palace. ”

Xue Shao blinked, "Queen Mother, can a minister be counted as one?" ”

Wu Zetian smiled, "This palace has always been eager to hope that you can help me." ”

Xue Shao's heart lit up, and it was easier to say it, so he said: "If the monarch is not right, the world will be restless, and they will disturb internal and external troubles. Although the minister's ability is limited, the minister will definitely try his best to assist the queen mother, and the throne will be prosperous together! ”

"Early monarchy, create a prosperous era together." Wu Zetian took a deep breath and blinked his eyes again and again.

Xue Shao is very familiar with this micro-expression of hers, because Princess Taiping also has such a habitual action - when other people's words come to her heart!

"I don't dare to guarantee anything else, the minister will try his best to persuade the major generals of the army to lead his generals and troops to support the queen mother's accession to the throne." Xue Shao said, "There is also the Fenyin Xue clan, and they will also fully support the Queen Mother!" ”

Wu Zetian's eyes lit up, "How sure are you?" ”

"Ninety percent!"

Wu Zetian's expression was extremely excited and relieved. She expressed her mood at the moment with an action that she had never done before - she stretched out her hand and patted Xue Shao's shoulder.

"Bengong, after all, he didn't see the wrong person!"

"The early monarchy ended the chaos, and the monarchs and ministers worked together to create a prosperous era." Xue Shao arched his hand and said seriously, "This is the minister's original intention!" ”

Wu Zetian took a deep breath again, "In that case, what this palace wants to tell you is very easy to speak!" ”

"Please show the Queen Mother!"

"You can marry another daughter of a samurai family!" Wu Zetian said with a smile, "The palace will give her the title of princess, and the special gift of the wife, which is equivalent to Taiping." ”

"Uh......?" Xue Shao was stunned.

"Two dynasties and horses, two wives, the first person in the world throughout the ages - what do you think?"

Xue Shao was speechless, blinking his eyes with an embarrassed expression.

"The intention of this palace is very clear. In your wisdom, you will be able to understand deeply. Wu Zetian said, "As for the other party's candidate, this palace has already painstakingly selected in every possible way. In the end, you will be satisfied. ”

Xue Shao smiled slightly bitterly and scratched his head, "Queen Mother......"

"Don't excuse yourself, and you don't need to ask too much at the moment." Wu Zetian said, "You just think that this is an important errand given to you by this palace, and its importance is no less than any war you have experienced." Therefore, it is important to do it without mistakes! ”

"Yes!"

Xue Shao clenched his fists, got it, and said everything thoroughly - in fact, I thought so in my heart!

Wu Zetian let out a long breath.

At the same time, Xue Shao also breathed a long sigh in his heart.

-- Two big stones in my heart fell to the ground at the same time!

"Queen Mother, can the minister go to the Luoshui camp now?" Xue Shao asked again.

"No." Wu Zetian said with a smile, "In vain, you used to be known as the son of Lantian, how can you become so incomprehensible now?" ”

Xue Shao's eyes were straight, "What should I do now?" - Nacai asked Najib to ask for the date, this is a little too early! ”

"When the time comes, you won't have to worry about such trivial matters yourself." Wu Zetian said, "The importance of your brown marriage is no less than your wedding with Taiping." So, you'll have a lot of things to do yourself. With your wisdom, it must not be difficult to think of what kind of things are there, so there is no need to repeat them one by one. In short, you are not allowed to go anywhere during this time, and you can even go to court without official duties - go and prepare for the marriage! ”

Xue Shao smiled bitterly, "Okay, the minister knows!" ”

"Go get busy!" Wu Zetian smiled and was very kind, and said, "This palace recommends that you meet someone first. ”

"Who?"

"Tiantai Baiyunzi, Sima Chengzhen!"