Thirty miles away from Shanzhou City, the army of Zanpo set up camp here.

Now, the arrival of the Qinling Tomb has stained this camp with a bit of frost, after all, there are only a little more than 10,000 people left in the 200,000 troops and tens of thousands of slaves in the Qinling Tomb, which has undoubtedly aggravated the worries of the Long-term attack on Shanzhou City and the Tubo generals.

The weather in the north gradually began to get hot, but Non Chin Ling and Non Tsang Po did not feel warm at all. Because they have no time to waste.

Just last night, news came from the family that Tubo Zampu had assigned the territory of the Geer family in the north of the city to the Wei tribe. The Wei tribe is one of the few noble tribes that intermarried with the Sibuye clan of the Tibetan Zampu family, and the tribe has always been attached to the Sibuye clan. If the Zamp crossbow Sirang wants to take charge of the military and political power, he must rely on these tribes.

The territory of the Geer family in the north of the city was assigned to the Wei tribe, which shows that Zampu has received the support of more tribes, and the Geer family is already in danger, if it is still in Wuzhou at this time, it is really unwise, but Shanzhou City is difficult to capture in a short time, so there is only one way to negotiate peace.

Immediately, after thinking about it again, he sent an envoy directly to Luoyang, the divine capital, to negotiate peace, hoping that the woman in Wuzhou would be anxious to end the Zhou-Fan War and compensate for something, so that the losses of this war could be recovered.

Wu Chu rested in Linzhou for half a month, recruited another 20,000 recruits, and after the training, when the new assassin Hu Buwei came, he left Linzhou with Yao Yuanchong. Out of Linzhou City, the two told each other to cherish it.

Yao Yuanchong went and officially entered the center of the imperial court. If there is no accident, he will soon enter the government hall and become the deputy prime minister, so that he can make great achievements. But with it comes danger. Cool officials such as Lai Junchen and Wu Yizong are still very rampant, making hundreds of officials unable to guard against it, and every day when they release the court, they have to pray not to be targeted by these two people.

Wu Chu led an army of 60,000 to the north to support Shanzhou City, of which 20,000 were the Jishi Army, and in the first battle of the Luohan Valley, the Jishi Army suffered few casualties. There were only more than 100 people, and after removing the disabled, some young people were recruited. It was supplemented to 20,000, and Wu Youxu still commanded the Jishi Army and was controlled by Wu Zheng.

Due to the drought in Longyou Pass, hungry people are everywhere. So it's easy to recruit soldiers. Wu Chuan also took this opportunity to recruit the first logistics engineering corps, a total of 10,000 people, not to participate in the war, specifically responsible for logistics and building bridges and paving roads, this army, Wu Chuan handed over to Guo Zhiyun, although Guo Zhiyun was unwilling. But it is also understood that the king of Wei attaches great importance to the logistics engineering troops. That's why I trained as hard as I could. Wu Chu also invited professors to these young people, with only one purpose for the time being, that is, to teach these people to read.

In this way, the armies suddenly realized that this army must not be simple. Why did King Wei pay so much attention to these soldiers, but Wu Chu only smiled slightly and did not explain. They don't understand the explanation given to these old people, and this is completely outside the scope of their cognition.

Of course, things like recruiting troops and building an army were played to the empress, and the empress agreed.

Fast forward to July.

Luoyang, the capital of the gods, Liritai of the Taichu Palace.

An urgent feather letter was placed in front of the empress, and the empress waved away Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi, and then ordered someone to call Shangguan Wan'er, and now Shangguan Wan'er is not only drafting the book, but also participating in decision-making, and even many decisions are almost from Shangguan Wan'er's mouth.

Shangguan Wan'er soon came to Liritai, and after the salute, the empress asked her to open the feather letter and take a look at the music. Shangguan Wan'er didn't dare to slack off, so she took it out immediately, and then after reading it carefully, her face showed a touch of solemnity.

When the empress saw Shangguan Wan'er's complexion, she couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart, and asked, "Sue sù me, what happened!" ”

Shangguan Wan'er said slowly: "Cao Renshi, Zhang Xuanyu, and Ma Renjie, who went to Yingzhou to level the Khitan Rebellion, were all wiped out and captured by the Khitan!" ”

Suddenly, the empress was silent for a moment, and then laughed loudly, her voice was full of anger, Shangguan Wan'er looked at the empress blankly, and did not speak.

After a while, the empress stopped laughing wildly, and a pair of eyes gave a terrifying look, and asked, "Is there any news about Li Duozuo and Zhang Jiujie?" ”

Shangguan Wan'er said in a low voice: "When the army arrived in Hebei, Cao Renshi sent Zhang Jiujie as the vanguard, and Li Duozuo stayed behind to supervise the transportation of grain and grass. Zhang Jiujie led 5,000 soldiers and horses to repel 30,000 soldiers and horses of Khitan Sun Wanrong who besieged Danzhou, and Cao Renshi immediately ordered Zhang Jiujie to flank and pursue the Khitan Sun Wanrong Division, and encountered the officers and soldiers who escaped from Yingzhou, and the officers and soldiers said that the Khitan could not provide for food and clothing, and they could not bear to kill them, so they let them go. Cao Renshi immediately led his army in pursuit, but was ambushed in the West Kip Stone Valley, and the whole army was annihilated. Only the 10,000 troops of Li Duozuo, who supervised the transportation of grain and grass, and the 5,000 soldiers and horses of Zhang Jiujie, remained. ”

After listening to Shangguan Wan'er's retelling, the empress didn't bother to read it, but how to quell the rebellion made her fall into deep thought, Wu Sansi and Yao Xuan are not the material for war, and the soldiers of the state governments are almost deployed, how to solve it?

Suddenly, she felt a splitting headache, and then she screamed and fainted.

Shangguan Wan'er was shocked, shouted "Holy Lord", and ordered someone to summon the imperial doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

When the empress woke up, the empress saw Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Taiping accompanying her, and she couldn't help but be moved, but her face still didn't show it.

Seeing the empress wake up, Princess Taiping hurriedly said, "Quickly send the imperial doctor." ”

The Empress said, "Daughter, I feel that I have not seen you for a long time. ”

Princess Taiping shed two tears and said: "Mother works hard for the country day and night, and her daughter can't share her worries, which makes her mother sick, and it's not her daughter's." ”

The Empress closed her eyes and said nothing. Princess Taiping said slowly: "The fourth brother heard that my mother was sick, and I also came to see you, but without your permission, I have been wandering in front of the palace gate and dare not come in." ”

The empress was stunned for a moment, then sighed and said, "Just let him in." ”

Taiping was overjoyed, but Shangguan Wan'er was suddenly furious in her heart, she knew that Princess Taiping was not towards Wu Chu at all, why did she want people to inform Princess Taiping? Well, the balance that the empress had already tilted towards Wu Chu began to level again, so how long could she wait? She really wants to give the child and Brother Qing's child!

Not long after, the palace maid led the imperial heir Li Dan in.

Now Li Dan's face is ruddy, and he doesn't see any unhappiness or resentment at all. It can be seen that he has been enjoying himself all day long, and he has indeed been raised for nothing, and he came to the dragon couch. Kneeling on the ground, "The child has seen the mother!" The court and China can't do without the mother emperor for a day, and I hope the mother queen will recover as soon as possible. ”

The empress waved her hand and motioned to Shangguan Wan'er to help her up, Shangguan Wan'er understood, so she helped the empress up, and the empress leaned on the head of the bed. said: "Your filial piety, my mother understands, my mother is really old." ”

Forthwith. With a long sigh, he waved his hand and said, "You all go down, Wan'er stays." ”

Princess Taiping did not dare to disobey. He and Li Dan withdrew from the main hall.

In front of the temple. Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi happened to arrive, and when they saw Princess Taiping and the imperial heir Li Dan, Zhang Changzong was stunned, and he didn't know what to say, he had always hoped for Princess Taiping, but since serving the queen, Zhang Changzong didn't dare to think about it, but he also left Princess Taiping's entrustment behind. Now I see Princess Taiping. I was stunned for a moment.

Zhang Yizhi knew that their brothers could have where they are today thanks to Princess Taiping. So, he hurriedly pulled down Zhang Changzong, bowed down and said: "Zhang Yizhi, Zhang Changzong, I have seen the princess and your highness." ”

Princess Taiping understood that these two people were the darlings of the mother queen, and they couldn't be offended, so she smiled slightly and nodded.

When Taiping and Li Dan walked away, Zhang Changzong said: "Fifth brother, why are you so polite, according to generations, we are elders!" ”

Zhang Yizhi glared at Zhang Changzong and said: "You and my brother can have today's status, they are all recommended by Princess Taiping, we should be grateful, not to mention, the empress is old, I don't know how many years I can live, if the empress dies, who should you and my brother be attached to?" Is it the Lee or the Wu?

Zhang Changzong disagreed, muttered, and said, "Why do we want to cling to the two of them? Our brothers are the queen's pillows, so why can't we build up our power? ”

Suddenly, Zhang Yizhi stared at Zhang Changzong, this younger brother who didn't have much city government since he was a child, was able to say this, could he have opened his head?

However, what Zhang Changzong said was not what he thought? Is it just that the time is right now? There are constant wars in the north, and the empress is busy with court affairs every day, and if she builds up her own power at this time, I am afraid it will backfire, so it is better to wait for a while.

"Okay, you should pay attention in the future, this matter is not the time, you and I just need to serve the saint." Zhang Yizhi finally made a decision.

In the main hall, the empress was discussing Khitan matters with Shangguan Wan'er.

"Wan'er, how do you think this Khitan matter should be resolved?" The empress closed her eyes and asked, then waited for Shangguan Wan'er's answer.

Shangguan Wan'er paused and said, "Actually, the Holy One, you have the answer in your heart, why bother with the slaves?" ”

The Empress smiled bitterly, sighed, and said, "Wan'er, you are really smart, if my children were half as smart as you, I would not have come to this point." However, I have never regretted that since ancient times, women have not been in charge of the world since Emperor Wa, not to mention the matter of Emperor Wa, the truth of which is difficult to distinguish. I believe that no matter a hundred years, a thousand years, or ten thousand years, my name will always be engraved on the green Jane. But I am not reconciled, I can't let the four seas rise to peace, I can't let the four Yi submit, how can I hand over such a country to my successor, this is not my style. Wan'er, you understand! ”

Shangguan Wan'er didn't understand that the empress still had a strong desire for power, and she said slowly: "What His Majesty said is very true, but it is up to His Majesty to make the decision, I believe that King Wei will also understand His Majesty's suffering." ”

Bitterness, Wu Chu is very understanding, to be able to ascend to the great treasure and create the Great Zhou Dynasty, the empress's ability and desire for power have prompted her to go further, but unfortunately, a person's power is limited after all, not to mention that controlling such a large empire requires not only energy, but also the determination to work hard, but also to have a group of capable ministers.

And this qiē, the empress has but does not have.

Able ministers such as Di Renjie, Li Zhaode, Wei Yuanzhong, etc., all regard themselves as Li Tang's former ministers, although they are in the Zhou Dynasty, their hearts are towards Li Tang, and they can work for the Great Zhou, but they are actually waiting for the opportunity. And other talents, such as Yao Yuanchong, Song Jing, Xiao Song, Liu Zhiji, He Zhizhang, etc., all belong to science talents. And the people promoted by the empress, such as Yang Zaisi, Su Wei, Li Qiao, Song Zhiwen, Yao Xuan, etc., are just sloppy people. Of course, people such as Xu Yougong and others are also rare talents.

And most people in the world regard the empress as Li Tang's daughter-in-law, and Wu Zhou, who is in charge, is just guarding Li Tang's inheritance.

The empress appoints cool officials, and there are hundreds of families at every turn, but there are so many people in the world, how many can she be registered? The limitations of history made the empress unable to see through the fog and see how cruel the future would be to the Wu family.

The two royal families have never been seen in the past, and someone has already submitted a letter, willing to ask for the removal of the Wu prince. Just looking at it from this, you will find that there are indeed many people who are not optimistic about the Wu family. The people's hearts are still on Li Tang's side.

At this time, the empress is still unclear, and the future situation is even more confusing.

But in this case, the envoy of the Tubo Treatise on Qinling came to Luoyang, the capital of the gods.

In the main hall, after the imperial physician Cao Mingfu prescribed a few pairs of tonic medicine to the empress, he told him not to work too hard and left Le. In fact, the empress's illness was purely caused by old age, and there were no other problems, plus her pleasure led to a loss of qi and blood, and she only needed to recuperate to heal. It's also good that ten women, if it's a man, I'm afraid I'm almost ready for the future.

The next day, Si Binqing reported that Tibet was coming. The Empress was surprised, so she got up and immediately summoned her.

After the Tibetan envoy saw the ceremony, he presented the national letter, in fact, the so-called national letter is just a fabrication of the Qinling, in order to negotiate the rationality of peace, and also hope to be recognized by the old woman Wu Zhou.

The empress was not energetic, but she didn't want to show her feet in front of the Tibetan envoy, and endured the torment of her eyes, so she read it, but the content couldn't help but make her angry, and then threw the national letter down Le Danqi! Said sharply: "You Tubo looks at me and no one calls me in Dazhou?" ”

The Tibetan envoy was not afraid at all, arched his hand, raised the head of the unique hair ornament of Tubo, and said slowly: "I Tubo is sincere in discussing peace with the Great Zhou, one is to avoid the two countries fighting each other, and the other Great Zhou can also concentrate on dealing with the Khitan, and by the way, inform the Great Zhou Emperor that the Eastern Turks are afraid that they have already gone south and are coming to Liangzhou City." I am sincere in discussing peace, and I hope that His Majesty of the Great Zhou will think twice. ”

The accompanying ministers looked unhappy, it was really too arrogant for this Tubo, thinking about Emperor Taizong's time, that Tubo was a self-proclaimed nephew, but now it is so arrogant, it is really Shishi no longer coming.

Although the empress was angry on her face, she was really attracted by the second one in her heart, because in this way, Wu Chu could free up her hands. But to give up the four towns of Anxi and give Tubo 100,000 stone of grain, which made her hesitate, 100,000 stone of grain is nothing, but the four towns of Anxi are not trivial.

However, this matter still needs to be discussed, so he said: "Your envoy will go down and rest, and let me think about it for a few more days." ”

"How many days?" The Tibetan envoy was a little anxious in his heart, but he couldn't see any expression on his black-red face, so he bowed and retreated. (To be continued......)