"That's right." Wu Zetian nodded, "After Yuanzhen Heisha retreated, their pseudo-khanate Gu Lu sent envoys to come, intending to sue for peace. ”

"Summation?" Xue Shao was surprised, "There is such a thing?" How did I not know? ”

"Don't you know now?" Wu Zetian said: "The two sides are at war and the border passes are impassable, and the Turkic envoys are secretly escorted by the order of the palace himself. Not long after they arrived in Chang'an, you know before the prime ministers. ”

Xue Shao couldn't help but take a deep breath, "What do they want?" ”

Wu Zetian said: "The Turkic self-reliant khanate, the self-proclaimed khan, has been fighting with the Tang Dynasty for many years. Fighting back and forth, both sides suffered heavy losses. Therefore, Gu Lulu sent people to ask for peace and call off the army for a truce. ”

"Please make peace? Strike a truce? Xue Shao's brows suddenly twisted and fell into deep thought.

Wu Zetian waited quietly, and after Xue Shao thought about it for a long time, she asked, "Chengyu, what do you think?" ”

Xue Shao came back to his senses, this is a first-class military event, but it is not a short-term matter in the family. So he got up and bowed his hand and said: "The Queen Mother, such a military secret, the Queen Mother should consult with the prime ministers participating in politics in the cabinet department." ”

"It doesn't matter. This palace just wants to hear your opinion before the cabinet meeting. Wu Zetian said indifferently, "You are the commander of the army ordered by the first emperor, and you have repeatedly clashed with the Turks. Your opinion is very valuable. ”

"That's it, that's all." Xue Shao said seriously, "Based on the minister's understanding of the Turks, especially Yuanzhen, this must be a deception. ”

"How?" Wu Zetian asked.

Xue Shao replied: "The Turks are originally wolf-natured, wolves are ferocious and deceitful, and it is their usual style to repay blood debts and blood debts if they have revenge. The minister broke the Turks several times in succession, especially the most recent time in Daizhou, where the minister wiped out their army of 50,000 in one time. Later, the old marshal Xue Rengui broke Mo Si and his subordinate wolf riders in the first battle of Yunzhou, and the corpses of the pro-Xun troops who were killed were all over the field. For this reason, Mo Si, who picked up a life and went back, was dismissed from office. With such a blood feud, the Turks will inevitably only retaliate desperately, and there is absolutely no possibility of calming things down. ”

"You're right." Wu Zetian said, "After several battles, the Turks and the Tang Dynasty have already formed a mortal enmity. But now, whether we admit it or not, the Turks are no longer a rebellious tribe, they have their own state. Since it is a country, there will be a policy of a state. The economic security of the state cannot only rely on hatred and war, but also war and diplomatic relations. Gu Lulu and Yuan Zhen, traitors, are still a little capable. This is a superficial truth, they must understand. ”

"The Queen Mother is right." Xue Shao said, "Although they are enemies, the minister has to admit that Gu Lulu and Yuan Zhen are indeed capable. If there is a large grassland, the tribes are numerous, each with their own soldiers and horses, attacking each other and falling apart, but they have been twisted into a country in a very short time. Compared with Fu Nian and others who instigated the grassland rebellion in the previous two times, they can be called the heroes of the world. ”

"Sure enough." Wu Zetian smiled.

Xue Shao was puzzled, "Queen Mother, what do you mean by it?" ”

"Only a person like you, who has had a deep deal with the Turks, can have such a rational and sober understanding." Wu Zetian said, "There are still many people in the Tang Dynasty today who are stubborn and old-fashioned, believing that the Turks are just a group of rabble who have not achieved anything, and they are no different from Li Jingye's rebellion in battle. They also believed that the Tang Dynasty could put down this group of grassland rebels. This kind of argument is still quite widespread in the court. As if this is not the case, it cannot show that my Tang Dynasty is the Zhengshuo Heavenly Dynasty, and they are all ministers of the society. ”

Xue Shao smiled and nodded, it is understandable, after all, the Turks had obediently lay at the feet of the Tang Dynasty for more than half a century. Those civil servants who have never been on the battlefield have their own dreams of the Heavenly Dynasty in their hearts. Therefore, even if the Turks have swallowed up most of China, they can still be so stubborn in their old thoughts.

"It is precisely because of this that the palace secretly allowed the Turkic envoys to enter Beijing." Wu Zetian said, "Many courtiers do not have a clear understanding of the Turks, border defense, and war. Therefore, they will decide on militaristic policies based on the imagination of their hearts. If they knew that the Turks had sent envoys to negotiate peace, the first thing they wanted to do was to angrily scold that the Turks were not a country at all, so where did they have the qualifications to send envoys to the Tang Dynasty? …… Therefore, it is impossible to discuss. ”

Xue Shao heard Wu Zetian's voice, so he asked: "What does the Queen Mother mean, this discussion is negotiable?" ”

Wu Zetian's expression was very stern, but he didn't answer directly, only said: "You are the one who leads the troops, and you should know the truth that 'although the country is great and warlike, it will perish'." ”

"The soldiers and the people are commanded, and the ministers understand." Xue Shao nodded.

"In fact, the Turkic rebellion can be traced back to the pacification of Liaodong at the earliest." Wu Zetian said, "At that time, there was a shortage of soldiers in the Tang Dynasty, so they began to frequently recruit cavalry from the Turks. Later, the Tang Dynasty fought with the Tibetans for several years, and the Western Regions were also fighting endlessly, all of which recruited soldiers from the Turkic tribes. Fighting naturally leads to death, and the Turkic tribes have lost a large number of people, and there are many orphans and widows in the tribe. The seeds of hatred for Datang were planted in their hearts. And the successive wars made the wealthy Datang feel tired of coping. In recent years, the Turks rebelled, and Pei Gong commanded two major battles to pacify the Turks during his lifetime, using more than 300,000 soldiers and horses, and consuming countless amounts of grain, grass, money, and silk. After Pei Gong went, there were several more battles commanded by you. Although there are frequent victories, Datang's consumption has intensified again. Reputation, not a family does not know that firewood, rice, oil and salt are expensive. This palace will give you a bottom today...... Datang, I can't afford to fight! ”

"You can imagine it." Xue Shao nodded, "It's hard to be poor." After the minister went to Xiazhou, he frequently asked the court for money, food, manpower and material resources, which was quite difficult for the queen mother. It is for this reason that the minister personally went to suppress the squire bullies in Suizhou and raided his home, and the thieves from Bai Tieyu were used as military purposes. If you really want to investigate it, some of the minister's actions are indeed intolerable by national law. If it weren't for the Queen Mother's efforts to maneuver above, the minister could really be reduced to a prisoner of the lower ranks now. ”

Wu Zetian smiled, "With your words, this palace is already very pleased." ”

"Today, I solemnly thank the Queen Mother." After Xue Shao bowed his hand, he said: "Fortunately, now that the Yinchuan military camp has been reclaimed, the Shuofang army can be self-sufficient. It can reduce the military expenditure for the imperial court and save a lot of trouble for the queen mother. The minister's heart is somewhat stable. ”

"Whether it's Wenzhi or martial arts, you have done a good job in Xiazhou and Shuofang." Wu Zetian said, "You have made many military achievements before, and the court has not rewarded you, which seems very unfair. In fact, it is this palace that wants to choose a good opportunity to reward you for your merits. Now that the Turks are asking for peace, regardless of their true or false schemes, there should be no more border wars for at least a short time. You can take advantage of this time to hand over the military affairs of Shuo Fang and return to the DPRK to take up your post. As for the size of the official position, any yamen of the three provinces, six ministries and nine secretaries, above the third grade, is chosen by you. ”

Xue Shao couldn't help but take a breath of cool air, three provinces, six ministries and nine secretaries, this is the central organ of the Tang Dynasty. If you are challenged by more than three products, this blank check can be described as more than just "generous".

But Wu Zetian's words also revealed another meaning - the sixteen guards of the army are not within the scope of your choice.

In other words, don't be a general.

Wu Zetian's expression was quite kind, and he said: "Chengyu, this palace knows that you are an unborn general. But to use you in a bitter cold border place like Shuofang is actually a condescension. If you stand on top of the court, you can build more merit for the country. Hongu hopes that one day, you will become the mainstay of this dynasty, the Optimus Stone. ”

Xue Shao pondered for a moment and said, "Queen Mother, of course the minister wants to make meritorious contributions to the country. However, the ministers are still shallow and inexperienced, and at most they can only take care of a little military affairs. Which of those ministers in the three provinces, six ministries and nine secretaries has not accumulated decades of administrative experience? Compared with them, there is no advantage! ”

"No one is born to do things, they all have to learn." Wu Zetian said, "Most of the general ministers in the DPRK and the central government start from the magistrates at the county order level, and slowly step by step to become state officials, and then transfer to the center as officials, and perhaps transfer to the state and county." This is conducive to them accumulating rich administrative experience and being familiar with the government affairs of various departments and ministries, so that they can work together with each other to ensure the soundness and stability of the Tang Dynasty. ”

"That's right!" Xue Shao said, "The minister has only been in the army since he joined the army, and he has not been the governor of Xiazhou for a few days. Not only are the local officials inexperienced, but they also have no knowledge of the government affairs of the three central provinces, six ministries, nine secretaries, and departments. If the minister wants to be a high-ranking official of the third grade, isn't it a corpse vegetarian meal? ”

Wu Zetian smiled, "What this palace just said is the career trajectory of ordinary ministers. But are you an ordinary servant? ”

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

"Let's put it this way!" Wu Zetian said with a smile, "The deceased Emperor and the current Emperor, have they ever been a county commander or a general for a day?" ”

Xue Shao suddenly smiled, "Of course there is none!" ”

"That being the case, they even did it for the emperor, but you couldn't be a high-ranking official of the third grade? Don't forget, you are the only colt in the dynasty, and you are the inner family of the royal family. And with your current merits and prestige, no one will say that the court is cronyistic. Wu Zetian smiled, "Of course, more importantly, I believe that with your ability, nothing can stump you." But if you don't understand, you can concentrate on learning. ”

Xue Shao thought to himself, in fact, returning to the dynasty to be an official may not be a flood beast. Throughout the ages, hundreds of millions of people have been eager to enter and exit the phase, which is a great honor and achievement. Fang Cai Wu Zetian said so much, but also expressed her expectations for me - she needs a helper now, a powerful helper, a right-hand man who understands military affairs and can share her worries at any time!

"You think about it carefully, think about it carefully and then reply to this palace." Wu Zetian was still in a consultative tone.

Xue Shao doesn't know if it's bad or bad, in fact, if the court wants to transfer an official position to which courtier, he can just give an order, so where is the need to discuss? Wu Zetian has already given himself a lot of face.

"Queen Mother, the minister is still the same sentence." Xue Shao said, "The minister is willing to return to the court to be an official." But the minister really can't believe the Turks' request for peace, and he can't rest assured of the Shuo army. ”

Wu Zetian smiled slightly and said, "As you said, the Turkic wolf is cruel and deceitful. It is possible that they surrender today and go to war tomorrow. ”

"Yes!" Xue Shao said, "I'm just worried about this. ”

"The court of the Tang Dynasty is not so easy to fool. As long as you are on guard, you are not afraid of their deception. Wu Zetian said, "Chengyu, you might as well think about it deeply, in fact, the armistice and this matter, Datang can only accept it now, and it is not easy to refuse." ”

Xue Shao was slightly stunned and thought about it carefully...... Wu Zetian's words make sense.

In recent years, especially after the death of the first emperor Li Zhi, there have been many wars around the Tang Dynasty, and there are frequent internal turmoil. Far from it, the Yangzhou rebellion has just been put down. The Tang people, who have enjoyed decades of peace, now feel a little panicked.

In addition, the new monarch has just established Pei Yan to step down, and the court can also be described as a "hundred wastes waiting to be revived".

It is only through turmoil and catastrophe that people will realize the value of tranquility and peace. Today, everyone in the Tang Dynasty and the opposition is longing for peace and tranquility, which is the trend of the times and the desire of the people. Under such a general premise, and regardless of the sincerity of the Turks in asking for peace, the imperial court could only accept it first. Otherwise, it will be a deviation from the people's aspirations, and will eventually lead to the dispersion of people's hearts and more turmoil.

As a result, Wu Zetian, who is in power, doesn't want to sit firmly in his position anymore.

"So, it's a conspiracy." Xue Shao took a deep breath and said, "Gu Lulu and Yuan Zhen seem to have seen through our hearts, livers, spleens, lungs and kidneys, and they even understand better than ourselves what we urgently need now." ”

Wu Zetian nodded with a cold expression, "For these two evil wolves, I can only tolerate them for the time being." Sooner or later, it will still have to be defeated! ”