Compared with the last time they met, Xue Yuanchao's attitude has changed greatly. Not only did he not hide in the study and wait for his son to come in and invite him, but he also took the initiative to greet Xue Shao outside the eaves of the main hall. It's just that unlike the last time we met, this time Xue Yuanchao was on crutches. The spirit is not so vigorous.

Xue Shao stepped forward in a decent manner and worshiped each other as a son and nephew. Xue Yuanchao politely returned the salute, called Xue Shao a "virtuous nephew", and personally invited him to the main hall to serve tea.

The idlers retreated, and Xue Yao, a five-grade master, acted as a tea waiter, standing aside and personally serving Xue Shao and Xue Yuanchao.

Xue Shao obviously felt that Xue Yuanchao was also looking forward to today's meeting.

People's political retribution (or political ambition) does not decay with age. As the leading banner of the Xue clan in Hedong, the son-in-law of the three phoenixes in Hedong, when the Tianxia Sect, Xue Yuanchao has always been very smooth in literature, art and official career, and his reputation and political achievements have been harvested. However, in the past year or two, Xue Yuanchao, who has been appointed as the central official to worship the Zhongshu Order, has been strongly impacted by Pei Yan. Until now, he was actually forced to fade out of the political hall and not come out to avoid Pei Yanfeng.

It is not difficult to imagine that a political strongman like Xue Yuanchao, who has struggled all his life, cannot be willing after encountering such frustrations and setbacks.

This is also the main motivation for Xue Shao to come to "ask for help" Xue Yuanchao. For the political family, there are no eternal enemies and friends, only eternal interests. If he can reach a consensus with Xue Yuanchao this time and pursue a common goal, it will not be difficult to form a political alliance with him. In this way, no matter what, it is better than fighting alone!

As soon as the guests sat down, Xue Shao inadvertently raised his head and saw a plaque on the main seat of the main hall.

Familiar.

There is a line of words written on the plaque - Xue Zi should be the hero of the world!

Xue Shao couldn't help but smile and arched his hand: "The little nephew's rebellious words, why should my uncle take it seriously?" ”

Xue Yuanchao stroked his beard and smiled, "The old man is a snob, after hearing that the virtuous nephew had made great contributions in the Northern Expedition, he framed this painting and hung it above the main hall. Anyone who goes to the old man's mansion will see this plaque. I have a large number of talents in the Xue family of Fenyin, and the Xizu lineage has always been prosperous in literature. Now that there is such a young hero as a virtuous nephew, wouldn't it be happy and strong! ”

"Uncle, I'm smiling!" Xue Shao shook his head and waved his hand and smiled, thinking that Xue Yuanchao was known as the "Heaven and Earth Sect", and in addition to the article Jinxiu, he was also a moral model in the world. It's really not easy to get him to say things like "the old man is a snob"!

Obviously, Xue Yuanchao was using a self-deprecating, humble and witty way to easily open the unhappy page between him and Xue Shao. This skillful communication wrist of four or two thousand catties really made Xue Shao sigh in his heart - Jiang is old and spicy, and Xue Yuanchao's wrist is rigid and soft, and it is not idle!

"Having said that, it is really amazing and admirable that the virtuous nephew made such a special achievement in the army for the first time." Xue Yuanchao changed his words, as if he had already cut to the point, he said: "I don't know what the virtuous nephew has seen and heard in this Northern Expedition?" ”

Xue Shao's heart froze slightly, in this case, Pei Yan had just asked. But the same question asked by two different prime ministers obviously has different starting points and intentions.

Pei Yan is a follower or a knock on the mountain and a tiger, trying to find out Xue Shao's position; Xue Yuanchao seemed to be asking for help, he really wanted to know what was happening on the front line.

In today's words, there is no voice without an investigation. For a prime minister like Xue Yuanchao, if he can truly understand the real situation on the front line, he will have the confidence to return to the political hall and express his opinions there. This is exactly what Xue Yuanchao expects from Xue Shao.

If there is no common point of convergence, there is no possibility of cooperation, before coming to Xue Yuanchao's house, Xue Shao had already thought through this layer. So, Xue Shao told Xue Yuanchao what he had seen and heard on the front line almost without reservation, including the inside story and process of the surprise attack on Heisha, the case of Bingzhou and the battle of Yudu Jinshan, and the focus was of course to introduce the deeds of Avona Funian, Ai Yan, and Ashdwin Fu's father and son.

It's just that Xue Shao still left the last hand, and he didn't say much about the grassland situation after the battle of Jinshan in the capital. Just briefly mentioned, "people's hearts fluctuate".

Xue Yuanchao is such a keen and spicy politician, how can he not hear the key points and concealment in Xue Shao's words. The merger case is very important, but it has already been dealt with. The Battle of Shuozhou, the Battle of Black Sand and the Battle of Yudu Jinshan can be said to be the three most important battles of the Northern Expedition, but none of them involve the root of the court's politics, and there is not much that Xue Yuanchao wants to know.

What Xue Yuanchao really wants to know is the aftermath after the war. This is also the key to his political agreement with Pei Yan. If he wanted the Jedi to fight back, Xue Yuanchao was eager to know the truth about the grassland tribe and the northern frontier of the Tang Dynasty after the Northern Expedition. Most of the reports from the front were vague or covered, if Xue Shao still refused to talk in detail, Xue Yuanchao could really only be a blind man touching an elephant.

At this time, Xue Yuanchao's heart was also quite clear. At the critical moment, Xue Shao stopped abruptly, hoping to see a little "sincerity" from himself. It is absolutely unrealistic to expect others to confess and give to oneself regardless of the return.

"Virtuous nephew, if you are really a natural talent, it is rare to meet in a hundred years!" After listening to Xue Shao's narration, Xue Yuanchao sighed angrily, "A military wizard like a virtuous nephew, the imperial court should vigorously promote and reuse it, so that you can have more opportunities to protect the territory and the people, and make meritorious contributions." ”

In a word!

Xue Shao's heart froze a little again, Xue Yuanchao's mind was really quite calm, he had already seen my frustration and desire - both sides have what they want, and it is possible to reach an alliance!

"Uncle laughed." Xue Shao smiled indifferently and said, "The imperial court will soon order me to cut my military position and promote me as a member of the military department." ”

"Oh?!" Xue Yuanchao's expression looked surprised, "How can this be?" ”

Xue Shao smiled bitterly, "The imperial court, there are considerations of the imperial court." Little nephew, you can only accept it. ”

This means that words have a heart, and the listener has an intention. Xue Shao euphemistically expressed his dissatisfaction, and Xue Yuanchao expressed his sympathy and grievances with surprise at Xue Shao's treatment.

Both sides know in their hearts that cooperation, or alliance, has made a good start.

Xue Yuanchao pondered for a moment and said, "It's a good thing that the virtuous nephew knows his duty and knows the general situation. But when the court employs people, it should also measure the talents. I don't know what the shape of the northern frontier is now? If you are at peace, the virtuous nephew can indeed be a peaceful horse and enjoy happiness; If it is difficult to be at peace...... How can a general like a virtuous nephew be discarded? ”

When Xue Shao heard this, his heart was happy.

This has been said very clearly, Xue Yuanchao is writing a blank check to show his sincerity. The implication of his words is nothing more than - if you tell me the true situation in the northern Xinjiang and help me turn over in the political hall, I will allow you to return to the army and fight again!

In Xue Shao's heart, there was a faint feeling of "wolf bèi is a traitor". But on the other hand, we did this not only for our own career and retribution, but also out of consideration for the interests of the country and society, and we did not poison the people and harm the court, which is not considered a "traitor"!

After comforting himself like this, Xue Shao calmly told Xue Yuanchao what he had seen and heard in Northern Xinjiang, focusing on the post-war situation!

Xue Yuanchao listened quite carefully, and ordered his son Xue Yao to write it down from the side for memorization. Especially when Xue Shao said that when Ai Yan, the princess of the Ashina clan who was captive from the north, was still in his house, Xue Yuanchao was so excited that he almost got up, and immediately said: "Can you let the old man see her?" ”

Xue Shao smiled knowingly in his heart and said, "The imperial court has not come forward to take over Ai Yan for a long time, I am afraid that it is because the opinions have not yet been unified. At such a time, my uncle wanted to meet Ai Yan in private...... The little nephew said something that should not be said, which is not timely and has a certain risk! ”

"It's okay!" Xue Yuanchao waved his hand in a bold manner, "If you can properly handle the affairs of Northern Xinjiang, it will be for the benefit of the people of the country." Even if the old man will be criticized and even lose his future and fate afterwards, he will admit it! The old man's heart to serve the country can show the sun and the moon, regardless of the aftermath! ”

"Good!" Xue Shao praised and said, "Since my uncle is so generous and righteous, my little nephew is willing to help him!" Tonight, the little nephew will secretly take her to a safe place to meet her uncle for an interview. As for where to choose this safe place, my uncle might as well give me some advice? ”

Xue Yuanchao's expression became both excited and solemn, and after pondering for a moment, he said, "The location is chosen by the virtuous nephew." You do things, the old man can rest assured! ”

When Xue Shao heard this, he knew that the other party was complimenting, but he was faintly happy in his heart, which is the wisdom of a familiar person.

"Uncle, Guiyifang in the southwest of Chang'an is relatively remote, there is a village where the palace people go out to buy resting places, and the people there are very knowledgeable about the rules and very safe." Xue Shao said, "If my uncle agrees, my nephew will arrange it immediately." ”

"Okay." Xue Yuanchao, who is quite cautious on weekdays, promised to be categorical, "Guiyifang buys the village, and I will see you tonight!" ”

"See you or leave!"

After the agreement, Xue Shao did not stop much in order to hurry up and arrange the meeting. After leaving Xue Yuanchao's home, Xue Shao quickly returned to the Xuanwu Gate of Daming Palace, at which time the palace gate was closed and forbidden to enter and exit. Fortunately, the Yulin army guarding the city all recognized Xue Shao, although Xue Shao did not enter the city, but entrusted the people in the city to go to the princess Taiping to pass the word, saying that they would borrow the maid Linlang by her side.

The forbidden palace is strict and the area is vast, and this is more than an hour, and Xue Shao is a little hungry and impatient. When the night was dark, the Xuanwu Gate was opened, and a pair of lovely people in white costumes walked out of it.

And Ti Linlang.

Xue Shao let out a long breath and finally came. Princess Taiping must know that I ran to the Forbidden Palace so late at night to borrow Linlang, which was definitely not child's play. Although she is full of vinegar, the princess has a good temper, but she still won't drop the chain when it is critical!