The new emperor Li Shouli is far away in Youzhou, and he is still on the way to Beijing, Chang'an has formed a pattern, Princess Taiping meets with important ministers in the Zichen Palace every three or two days, and the prime minister must see every day...... After Li Shouli arrives in Chang'an, it is estimated that there will not be much power left.

Xue Chongxun is also actively involved in it, and in addition to the new emperor's accession to the throne, the most important thing that everyone is discussing recently is foreign relations. After the rise of Tibet, it has always been a huge threat to the Tang Dynasty and has to be guarded against.

Natural disasters to prevent man-made disasters, internal strife to prevent foreign criminals, that's all.

Zhang Shangshu of the Ministry of War said that he played a side matter: "Those who must be guarded against, the Western Regions and Helong." Before the Great Sage Emperor (Wu Zetian), the imperial court lost the four towns of Anxi, in order to reset the four towns, the vertical arch, Yongchang, and longevity fought three bloody battles with Tubo during the years, and the soldiers and civilians were killed and wounded hundreds of thousands. ”

Zhang said that he deliberately said that Wu Zetian's merits meant that flattering Taiping was the emperor, and Taiping on the throne was really domineering: Mother can achieve such feats, can she still lose it in my hands?

"Datang has no reason to abandon the frontier land in vain." Taiping said in a threatening voice.

Zhang said again: "Helong, the key point of communication between Jingshi and the Western Regions. Since Tubo occupied Tuyuhun, the vassal soldiers directly threatened our Helong region, and if they controlled Helong, they could cut off the connection between the imperial court and the Western Regions, and it could also become the foundation for attacking our hinterland. Where it matters, where it must be contested! ”

Taiping asked, "Do you have a precautionary plan?" ”

"Please increase the envoys of the two towns of Hexi and Longyou, manage the land of Helong, and increase troops to prepare for war; At the same time, he tried his best to reach a peace agreement with Tibet, so as to avoid making enemies with him when the initial internal decision was unstable. ”

When he heard the word "Jiedu Envoy", Xue Chongxun immediately thought of the Anshi Rebellion, he didn't think much about it, and immediately said: "Jiedu makes the military, government and financial powers one, beware of the big tail in the future." ”

Zhang Shuo glanced at Xue Chongxun, and there was a trace of contempt in his eyes. Probably because Xue Chongxun was not qualified to participate in national politics before, and his qualifications were too shallow and inexperienced?

Xue Chongxun didn't say anything and kept silent.

Zhang Shuo ignored Xue Chongxun's words, and said: "Second, the original date of sending Princess Jincheng to Tubo has been postponed again and again, and this matter should be handled as much as possible to promote peace." ”

Xue Chongxun stood up again and sang the opposite: "It's useless to send the princess and relatives, it's just an enemy." ”

He didn't mean to talk to Zhang, he really didn't have a good impression of Heqin. But Zhang Shuo was annoyed and couldn't help asking, "What is an enemy?" ”

Xue Chongxun said: "Originally, my Datang was superior to the barbarians in milling, weaving, pottery, papermaking, calendars, rules and regulations, etc., but when I was in harmony, a large number of dowry items and talents were sent to the enemy country, so that they could develop and narrow the gap. I think that in the future, we will have to carry out technological control, prohibit the export of advanced technology abroad, and maintain our advantages for a long time in order to be in the interests of our own people. ”

Zhang said that the first time he heard the word "technical control", he was stunned and a little annoyed: "What nonsense! We're talking about militaristic affairs, what do you mean by that? ”

At this time, Taiping smiled, flicked his long sleeves and said: "Zhang Xianggong doesn't have to be as knowledgeable as him, he is just reluctant to go abroad in Jincheng." ”

When the ministers heard this, they naturally remembered the polo match last year, the incident between Xue Chongxun and Jincheng, and suddenly they couldn't help laughing, and the atmosphere was a little lighter.

Zhang Shuo shook his head and sighed: "How can it be a child's play when it is a major event of the country? ”

Taiping was busy with comfort: "The two things you said, if the other ministers have no opinion, I also agree." ”

This matter is just a business matter, and everyone naturally has nothing to say, so they have seconded and supported Zhang's statement. Only Xue Chongxun insisted on disagreeing with the family, but it had no impact on the decision-making and did not help.

After discussing the matter, everyone dispersed, and Taiping Du left Xue Chongxun and persuaded: "Now there are so many unmarried princesses in Daming Palace, why are you obsessed with one person?" I've only met once...... State relations are important, and I'm sure you can figure it out. ”

Xue Chongxun sighed, and said in his heart that he was really tired and panicked to convince these ancients, like the last time he dealt with Li Longji, he really used all his strength. Last time, he was forced by the pressure of life and death, but this time he was really a little powerless, so he had to say helplessly: "Mother, I really didn't say that because I fell in love with Princess Jincheng. Those barbarian states are poor and backward, and they are reckless in their military force, and they are ready to peek into the rich land of our Central Plains, so what do we care about their life or death? ”

Taiping held his hand, still maintaining a kind smile on his face: "You are still hard-mouthed...... In this way, you live in the palace for a while, and there are many princesses at the banquet, and you secretly see that your mother is the master for you. ”

The management of the Daming Palace is not as strict as the later Forbidden City, the court is very large, the atmosphere is relatively open, and the emperor is not the only one male in the palace. It's like the Hanlin Courtyard is in the palace; In the past, Empress Wei's brother was a general of Yulin and also lived in Daming Palace. Therefore, there is no problem for Taiping to arrange a place for Xue Chongxun in the palace.

But Xue Chongxun is not very interested, and there is no shortage of women to play in his family, so why rush to marry a woman he doesn't know? He wanted to refuse, but he was afraid that his mother would be upset, so he said, "I'll go back and get something and come back." ”

Taiping said: "There is nothing missing here, what do you want to take?" ”

Xue Chongxun smiled: "A rabbit." ”

Taiping looked at him puzzled, and he hurriedly explained: "A friend sent it, and I made a bet to ask me to feed it myself for half a month, and it has been ten days until today, and I feed it every day, and it's a pity to give up halfway." ”

Taiping couldn't help laughing: "I see that you haven't grown up yet." ”

Xue Chongxun is also very cooperative in the relationship between mother and son: "In the eyes of parents, children will never grow up. ”

Taiping's eyes became gentle: "In the future, you should go to the palace to accompany your mother." ”

Xue Chongxun nodded, and saluted: "Erchen will retire first, and come back to have dinner with his mother later, I hope this time I won't make my mother angry again." ”

He walked out of the corridor of the Zichen Hall and rode out of the palace through the Xuanwu Gate. went home and rested for a while, and then took the white rabbit back to Daming Palace with the white rabbit, and the guards sent it to Xuanwu Gate and went back.

Just when it was time for the dinner, the lights were on, and the palace was gorgeous. Daming Palace is a happy place, usually a small banquet in three days, a big banquet in five days, singing, dancing, wine and drunken gold fans. The banquet that fascinates the women the most is this kind of dinner, where they can wear beautiful clothes and dance in the temple, singing and dancing and having fun at will.

Xue Chongxun rode a horse to the Chengxiang Hall where his mother lived first, preparing to put the rabbit there first and then go to the Zichen Hall on the south bank of the Taiarmpit Pond to eat and drink.

On the road, there were palace maids carrying palace lamps in the shape of the moon passing by with different small steps, and some saw the dark Xue Chongxun, and covered their mouths and smiled; Some court ladies in horse-drawn carriages passed by, and the road was very lively for a while. These court women were dressed in revealing clothes, with their breasts exposed, which made Xue Chongxun dizzy.

Some bold women will also laugh a few words, "Isn't this His Highness's eldest man?" ”

At this time, Xue Chongxun hugged his fists on the horse as a salute, looking at the milk groove on the one hand, and acting like a gentleman in a dignified manner.

At this moment, he suddenly found that there was a little lady wearing a light-colored dress in the water pavilion built on the bank of the Tai Armpit Pond, because no one went to the water pavilion to play at night, so that little lady made Xue Chongxun feel a little curious. But the light was dim, and I couldn't see her appearance clearly, only that she was not very tall.

He took a look, and when he was about to ride away, he suddenly heard a woman next to him laughing: "Li Yan'er is over there, it's really pitiful, people won't let her go." ”

Another said: "It's good to be able to let her wander around." ”

Xue Chongxun paused for a moment in a daze. At this moment, suddenly the man in the water pavilion ran out and shouted, "Aunt Jincheng! ”

Xue Chongxun turned his head when he heard the sound, and saw a carriage with a bamboo curtain lantern coming this way...... The carriage of the Golden City? But when he saw Li Yan'er coming, he felt that it would be embarrassing to meet again, so he bowed his head and wanted to leave.

"Xue Lang......" A voice came from afar, really like a heavenly sound. Xue Chongxun clutched the reins tightly, and his palms were soaked with sweat.

In hesitation, the carriage had already caught up, and at the same time Li Yan'er also came, Rao is Xue Chongxun lowered his head and was also recognized.

For some reason, Xue Chongxun felt a deep sense of guilt for Li Yan'er. He had done several evil things, and he never felt much pressure, but he couldn't let go of this matter, and he knew that he shouldn't have gone to the Fifth Prince's Mansion in person that day...... Maybe it's because Li Yana and Jincheng have a good relationship. At least in Xue Chongxun's opinion, the relationship between the two of them is good, Li Yan'er has come to this point, and Jincheng is still in contact with her.

So Jin Cheng became even more beautiful in his mind, and she had become a goddess.

At this time, I heard Jincheng's pure voice without any noise: "I heard a father-in-law in the Inner Servant Province say that everyone in the court is urging peace today, but Xue Lang is the only one who strives to ...... Thank you. ”

Xue Chongxun was ashamed and said: "People are only a little talker, I haven't done anything." ”

"With your heart, I'm already very content." Kaneshiro said calmly and gently.

Xue Chongxun was silent, and at this time, Jin Cheng said in a slightly surprised tone: "The hairpin on your neck ......"

Xue Chongxun touched it, and the hairpin that he had worn as a necklace in his clothes came out at some point...... Kaneshiro rewarded him with something at last year's polo tournament. He hurriedly grabbed it in his hand and said with some embarrassment: "I got used to it, so I didn't take it." ”

Suddenly, Jin Cheng sighed faintly and said, "You can throw it away, I don't want you to be like this." ”

Xue Chongxun's heart suddenly ached, and he found that he was numb and actually felt it! The horse's hooves lingered lightly on the ground, and he lost his mind on the horse's back, as if he had lost his soul.

At this time, Li Yan'er felt that something was not quite right between the two of them, and she didn't speak, so she turned her head angrily and left.

"Yan'er......" Jin Cheng hurriedly shouted. G