After chatting for a while, Wu Zetian borrowed an excuse to let the Kudi clan take the children to have fun, but he and Xue Shao walked in the quiet tree-lined path. Except for the two attendants, one leading the way and the other following, there was no idle eyes.

Wu Zetian is really a "retired old lady" now, she has changed out of the gorgeous and dazzling court clothes she used to wear, and put on simple and simple home clothes, and even the gold and silver headdress and facial makeup have been reduced by more than half. For a walk, she still carried an old cane taller than a human in her hand—though she didn't need it at all.

But Xue Shao clearly felt that although her appearance had changed a lot, her spirit had not weakened by half. Between gestures, she is still the style of the Tang Iron Lady in the political arena.

There was no one around, Wu Zetian no longer talked nonsense and went straight to the point, she said: "After the Turkic rebels killed the assassin Li Sijian in Ulzhou, and transferred the tiger to capture Cui Zhibian, the governor of Fengzhou, the imperial court sent Fan Yunxian to increase troops to aid Fengzhou. The Turks seemed to have anticipated this move, and they immediately gave up on continuing the attack on Fengzhou, and instead aimed their troops at Lanzhou. Just a few days after Li Sijian's death, Wang Demao, the assassin of Lanzhou, also sacrificed his life for the country. Immediately afterwards, the Turkic rebels went to besiege Shan Yu Duhu Mansion without stopping. Sima Zhang Xingshi led the army to quell the rebellion, and was defeated and Chengren's entire army was annihilated. ”

Xue Shao's brows furrowed when he heard this, "Even the Turkic rebels of Shan Yu Duhufu have been broken?" ”

Shan Yudu Hufu is the "military town" and "political power institution" of the Tang Dynasty in the northern grasslands. The fall of the Duhufu alone meant that the Turks completely broke the Tang Dynasty's rule over the steppe.

Wu Zetian nodded with a stern expression and continued: "Almost at the same time that the Turkic rebels were besieging Shan Yu Duhufu, two other groups of Turkic soldiers and horses went to Dingzhou and Yanzhou together. However, these two ways of war are more like a feint attack to besiege the city and contain the reinforcements. After the soldiers and horses besieging the capital were successful, the two lines of soldiers and horses retreated in vain. ”

Xue Shao took a deep breath, "It seems that this time, the Turkic people's actions are no longer as blind and impulsive as before. They have a long-term plan and a well-thought-out plan of action. They first harassed the military town of Datang Border Pass, so that we put our attention and troops in places like Fengzhou. Then they began to focus on Shan Yudu Protectorate, and adopted such sophisticated tactics as besieging the city to send reinforcements to contain the reinforcements - the Queen Mother, the rebel camp must be a master of useful soldiers! ”

Wu Zetian's expression became more and more serious, and he said in a deep voice: "The above are just some of the things that this palace said concisely. In less than two months since the death of the first emperor, the Turks have launched more than ten military rebellions, burning, killing, and looting in different parts of the northern Xinjiang of the Tang Dynasty. Sometimes their forces are scattered and their own attacks annoy our border towns, and sometimes they gather together to attack in one place, so that we are overwhelmed. As you said, there are now masters of using troops in the camp of the rebels. Whether this 'master' is Ashina Gu Dulu himself, we can't tell at the moment. However, Datang must no longer underestimate the enemy, and it must no longer tolerate the traitor! ”

"What the Queen Mother said is true!" Xue Shao frowned and nodded, "Actually, I had a guess when Ashina Gu Dulu first invaded Fengzhou, his purpose at that time was definitely not to really enter the hinterland of the Tang Dynasty and try to seize Guanzhong. In terms of his strength at the time, it was almost a fool's dream. However, we must not take precautions with a fluke mentality, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable. Now it turns out that the Turkic rebels are much more cunning than we think, and they are very good at avoiding our main military forces and attacking where our forces are weak, and they are also very good at using strange tactics such as obfuscating the people and diverting the enemy. Such tactics were able to maximize the mobility of their cavalry. But it is very bad for our army, our cities, and the land and people that need to be protected. ”

"Yes." Wu Zetian nodded approvingly, and said: "It is precisely because of these natural advantages and disadvantages that we have to strengthen our defense even if we know that the Turks are making a feint. Because they can give up or change their military plans at will, we must not risk our cities and our people suffering. ”

"Queen Mother, such a strict defense is definitely not a way." Xue Shao said, "In this situation, Datang must take the initiative to attack instead of defending." If they can defeat their main rebel force in one fell swoop or kill the backbone of the rebel army, the northern frontier of the Tang Dynasty can truly restore peace. ”

"You're right." Wu Zetian nodded and said, "This palace deeply feels that the ambition and ability of this group of Turkic rebels are far superior to those of Ni Shu, Fu Nian, Wen Fu and others who launched the first two rebellions. Their military plans were arranged with great ingenuity and precision, and their generals and armies were as closely coordinated as the limbs of a man. Chengyu, it is really unfortunate that you have said it - the Turks will eventually become a big trouble for their henchmen! ”

Xue Shao's heart sank slightly, Wu Zetian said this, was he complaining about the militaristic mistakes made by Pei Yan before? -- If the imperial court had not had nowhere to kill the enemy, the Turks would definitely not have been in the situation they are in today!

"Queen Mother, the matter has come to this moment and there is no room for delay, please let the minister lead the army to go on the expedition to crusade against the Turkic rebellion!" Xue Shao clenched his fists and solemnly asked for battle, "This army under the command of the minister now was originally a rebellious Western Expeditionary Army. Now that the Western Expedition has Wang Fangyi to do the work on his behalf, the minister can't let this elite army who dare to fight idle in the flowery land of Luoyang, and become more and more lazy and fall into sharp spirit. Now the Turks are rampant and have repeatedly violated the borders of our Celestial Empire, and they have gradually become a problem for their henchmen. The minister thinks that there is no reason for the minister and the army under his command to hold on! ”

Wu Zetian listened very carefully, and after listening, he frowned and nodded slowly, "I asked Mrs. Huayang to send you a message, just to let you go out to quell the rebellion." ”

"Empress Dowager Xie!"

"Wait!"

Wu Zetian's shout was like a cold water suddenly pouring on Xue Shao's head.

Xue Shao frowned, "Queen Mother, how is it?" ”

Wu Zetian was silent for a moment, and said quietly: "Such a major military matter is not something that can be decided by this palace alone. Now that His Majesty the Emperor has been in power, there is also Pei Zilong, the minister of Gu Ming, above the court. How to distinguish it, we have to look at the opinions of His Majesty the Emperor and Prime Minister Gu Ming. ”

Xue Shao took a deep breath and nodded silently.

Wu Zetian looked at Xue Shao twice and walked forward slowly.

Xue Shao took a step behind and walked up.

"I heard in this palace that on the first day of the pro-government, His Majesty the Emperor took the queen to your mansion and visited in private?" Wu Zetian asked suddenly.

"Yes." Xue Shao truthfully admitted, how could this kind of thing be concealed from Wu Zetian?

"He went to you, what was he doing?" Wu Zetian asked.

Xue Shao smiled bitterly, "His Majesty the Emperor intends to worship me as the third grade of the Tongzhong Book." ”

Wu Zetian's reaction was very calm, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, as if a sneer appeared, "What then?" ”

"Of course the minister refused." Xue Shao replied truthfully, smiling bitterly as he spoke, "The Queen Mother Mingjian, the minister has only been in the official for less than two years, and he has no administrative experience except for a little military knowledge. How can you be the prime minister? If this is the case, wouldn't it be a misguided country and a misguided people? ”

"Huh!"

Wu Zetian smiled, and his smile seemed to be a little cold.

But Xue Shao knew that this "coldness" was definitely not aimed at him.

Sure enough, Wu Zetian said: "The emperor has no opinion and no deep plan. It must have been Wei Xiang'er who persuaded the emperor to act like this. ”

Xue Shao agreed in his heart, but kept silent. The old queen mother's heart is like a mirror, do you still need to talk too much? Chewing the root of the tongue and saying bad things behind the back of the emperor and empress is not a good thing after all.

Wu Zetian didn't delve into this matter further, changed the topic, and said: "How is the matter of the army?" ”

"Ongoing." Xue Shao said, "The minister went with Cen Xianggong yesterday to receive the supplies for the army, and they can start distributing them today." ”

Wu Zetian blinked, "Did His Majesty the Emperor say that he would go to the Luoshui camp to preside over the military ceremony?" ”

Xue Shao knew what she meant, so he replied: "Your Majesty didn't mention going to the army in person, but only asked Cen Xianggong to do things according to the rules." ”

Wu Zetian nodded with a satisfied smile. According to the "chapter", Xue Shao's implication is, of course, that this favor of the army is still yours of the Queen Mother.

The two walked for a short distance as if they were taking a leisurely walk, and Wu Zetian said again: "If you have time, you have to ask Pei Zilong for advice." As a minister, he is in charge of the overall situation, and all the affairs of the court are under his control. Your business, of course, is no exception. ”

"Yes." Xue Shao agreed, thinking that Wu Zetian was hinting to me, let me go to Pei Yan to discuss it privately, and take the initiative to ask for battle.

"Private grievances can never prevail over the social state. This is the most fundamental principle of the court. Wu Zetian said seriously: "Chengyu, even if others have done this and hurt you, I hope you don't fight back in the same way." I hope that your mind and vision can be more open-minded and long-term. This is the demeanor of a real famous general and a minister of society! ”

"Minister, be taught!"

Xue Shao bowed.

Wu Zetian nodded with a smile, "I am convinced that you will not let me down." ”

Wu Zetian's words fell less than a moment, and several colorful figures appeared on the other side of the boulevard. Xue Shao and Wu Zetian looked over there, and Queen Wei Xiang'er came with a group of her followers.

The two of them laughed tacitly at the same time, the news that the new queen is in the harem is quite well-informed now!

Wu Zetian stood still, waiting for Wei Xiang'er to come forward. Xue Shao moved two steps to the side and stood sideways, retreating with the courtesy of a courtier.

Wei Xiang'er stepped forward and greeted Wu Zetian with the courtesy of her daughter-in-law, and Wu Zetian responded lukewarmly with a sentence of "no courtesy" and had nothing to say to her.

Xue Shao bowed out of courtesy, "The minister sees the queen." ”

"Xue Yuma, as an important minister of the outer court, how did you come to the inner court harem?" Wei Xiang'er laughed and groaned, but the cold air swished between her words, "This palace, as the queen of the lord of the six palaces, why didn't she know in advance?" ”

When Xue Shao heard this, this little girl was obviously looking for fault on the upper platform. This matter really has to be investigated, and it is enough to be a crime of "trespassing in the harem".

As soon as Wei Xiang'er's voice fell, Xue Shaodu didn't have time to answer, Wu Zetian said majestically, "It was the palace that called him to come and inspect the Pei family to fulfill his duties." Why, when this palace is doing this now, does it have to ask you for instructions in advance? ”

Wei Xiang'er suddenly wilted, and hurriedly bowed, "The Queen Mother Rongyu - I have to ask about the responsibilities of this palace." Please forgive the Queen Mother and Xue Yuma! ”

"Stand down!"

As soon as Wu Zetian threw these two words, Queen Wei Xiang'er didn't dare to say a word, and flashed quickly like a maid who had done something wrong.

Xue Shao was happy in his heart, telling you to pretend to be forced, and you were beaten in an instant and your nose and face were swollen, right?