Because Wu Chenghe's illness came quickly and violently, Wu Zetian was a little worried that he wouldn't be able to survive for long, so he advocated that the marriage of his children be done as soon as possible. Thinking that there will be many sacrifices and ceremonies in the imperial court in the first month, the wedding dates of the two brown weddings are set before the New Year.

It's winter now, and the time is quite tight.

But for Xue Shao and his wife, none of these things mattered. Although on the surface, Wu Chenghe's initiative to ask to remarry his daughter was an "insult" to Xue Shao, but this happened to be a good thing that Xue Shao and his wife couldn't ask for. In the final analysis, Wu Chenghe, who failed to seize the heir, is already a garbage stock.

To be out is to be out, and Wu Chenghei cannot have any political future. Fortunately, the empress is still in power, and Wu Chengsi and his descendants can still be a parasite of imperial power with no interest next to the empress. Otherwise, according to the convention of history, even if he is not eradicated, he will at least be exiled and miserable to be a wild man.

In just one or two months, many major events have happened one after another. From the two concubines of the imperial heir who fell into the witch Gu case to the emperor's imprisonment, and then the return of King Luling and the marriage of the children of the current Wu Chenghei, these shocking scenes staged by the princes and princes are dizzying.

How much danger there is in this, really only those who have been involved in it can understand. Any one of these things can set off a huge bloody storm above the court. But miraculously, this series of events has become a thing of the past in such a thrilling way.

Seizing the heir has always been a very dangerous thing, once the victory is settled, the losing side is usually a person who has been beaten countless times, but this time there was no huge earthquake in the court of the Great Zhou. Although the emperor and Wu Chengji are now out, the expected tragedy of the "factional purge" did not happen.

Xue Shao and Wu Zetian's teaming up this time was more successful than ever before. At present, the court is stable, the army is stable, although there are surprises but no dangers. Except for a few important ministers, most of them have not yet understood what is happening, and everything is settled.

The king of Luling and the king of Wei are going to marry their sons and daughters, which is the biggest thing in the imperial court at present, and it attracts the attention of almost everyone. Xue Shao is like a hermit chivalrous man who "brushes off his clothes to hide his merit and fame", and quietly faded out of the public eye.

It's as if all these events have nothing to do with him.

The banquet in the Wei Palace's mansion was lively, and Xue Shao and Princess Taiping raised their glasses in their bedrooms and touched them lightly.

It's been a while since the couple had such a fun drink as today.

Princess Taiping's mood couldn't be better, just like his son was going to marry his daughter-in-law today. Xue Shao's mood was also very good, and this time he made a move, almost without revealing a trace, and defeated his long-time enemy Wu Chenghei in one fell swoop. And this matter was done in front of Wu Zetian. Xue Shao was not complacent about his cleverness, the important thing was that the operation was successful.

"Xue Lang, what should we do next?" Princess Taiping asked.

Xue Shao played with the wine glass in his hand with great interest, and said: "Although Wu Chengsi has collapsed, the power of the Wu family's sons and nephews has not died, and Wu Sansi will take over Wu Chengsi's position and become the new head of the Wu family's forces." They may restrain themselves, but they will never give up power willingly. ”

"I think so too." Princess Taiping said, "In comparison, Wu Sansi is more cunning and yin. Now that the overall situation of the battle for the storage position has been decided, Wu Sansi will definitely not compete for the storage position with great fanfare. He will collect the remnants of Wu Chenghei as soon as possible to strengthen his own strength. Aren't we going to do something about it at this juncture? ”

"As long as your mother is still in power, the power of the martial arts family will not decline for a day." Xue Shao said, "No matter what Wu Sansi wants to do next, it will be the embodiment of your mother's will." We don't have to interfere. Provided, of course, that he doesn't offend us. ”

"Forgive him for not daring." Princess Taiping said, "Wu Chenghei jumped over the wall in a hurry and married King Luling as a family of children, just hoping that his family can rely on it in the future, at least have a capital to save his life." I estimate that Wu Sansi will also try his best to reach a marriage with King Luling, and this will also fall into the hands of King Luling. ”

"That's right." Xue Shao said, "King Luling has been away from Beijing for many years, and he no longer has much power in the court. If he wants to quickly establish a foundation and stabilize his position, the best way is to marry. Since they have already become sons and daughters with Wu Chengsi, he will definitely not mind forming an alliance with Wu Sansi again to form an alliance between Qin and Jin. I guess your mother will approve. Since she has made up her mind to make King Luling the crown prince and let him take over the country and return to the Tang Dynasty in the future, she will definitely consider the future life and death for the sons and nephews of the martial family. ”

Princess Taiping nodded in deep agreement and whispered: "People will definitely not forget how many Li family's royalties my mother killed when she changed Tang to Zhou. If the Tang Dynasty returns again, the Li clan cannot guarantee that he will not take revenge on the Wu clan. If the Wu family can still enjoy wealth after Li Tang's return, the only way is to let the Wu family and the Li family marry, and it is many marriages. ”

Xue Shao pursed his lips, "Fortunately, our sons and daughters are all surnamed Xue, so they will not be traded like items in such a change of dynasty." ”

Princess Taiping smiled, "I seem to remember that there was a person surnamed Xue who almost became a martial artist's concubine?" ”

"When did it happen, why don't I remember?" Xue Shao blinked in confusion and calmly diverted the topic, "When these marriages in front of me are completed, it will be time to officially crown King Luling as the crown prince." Now that the Spring Festival is not far away, I estimate that this will be done at the beginning of spring next year, before the suburbs. After this major event is completed, there should be no more major events in the court in the short term. It's time for me to start dealing with the Turkic problem. ”

Princess Taiping frowned, "You're not going to go to war again, are you?" ”

"War is not the only way to solve problems." Xue Shao smiled, "Actually, war is always the last choice. ”

Princess Taiping said: "Now that the Turks have surrendered and have not invaded, is it possible that you still want to take the initiative to provoke disputes?" ”

"Nope." Xue Shao said, "The Turks will always be our henchmen, and he is now surrendering because he does not have enough strength to come and attack." I will solve the Turkic problem once and for all while I am alive and in my hands and in power of the army. Otherwise, no one could have predicted what kind of retaliation they would take against the Central Plains in a few years. ”

"Is it true that people who are not of my race must have different hearts?" Princess Taiping muttered, "Between the Central Plains and the grassland, is it destined to be impossible to live in peace?" ”

"Not necessarily." Xue Shao said, "If the Central Plains and the grasslands are merged into the same country and receive the same civilization. After a few generations, they were able to merge into the same people. This is the ultimate solution to the grassland problem once and for all. ”

"How many generations from now?" Princess Taiping was stunned for a moment, "Then how long can you live?" ”

"Someone has to take the lead in doing this kind of thing, right?" Xue Shao smiled lightly, "I don't know how many generations it will take to complete this historical event." But Xue Shao is willing to become the first generation of the original! ”

The Spring Festival is coming soon.

On the second day of the first lunar month, Xue Shao entered the palace with Princess Taiping as usual to pay New Year's greetings to Wu Zetian.

Unlike previous years, Wu Chenghei, the king of Wei, did not come today, and he sent his eldest son Wu Yanji as a representative to enter the palace to pay New Year's greetings to the empress.

The news that King Wei was seriously ill and died soon after is no secret now.

Another difference is that the family of Li Xian, the king of Luling, also appeared today, and Wu Yanji is also Li Xian's son-in-law.

Because of the marriage a few days ago, Li Xian and the people of the martial family were quite close, but they were a little estranged from Princess Taiping and the imperial heir.

Xue Shao knew in his heart that these superficial things could not be taken seriously. In front of Wu Zetian, Li Xian must be closer to the Wu family, otherwise it will be against the empress's wishes.

Wu Sansi and these people don't need Wu Zetian to speak to teach them how to do it, they are all trying to get close to the "quasi-prince" of King Luling, hoping to be able to enjoy the shade with their backs to the big tree in the future.

Xue Shao saw it in his eyes, and only sneered in his heart.

Now on the surface, it seems that the King of Luling, who has just returned, is a promising potential stock, and he is unanimously optimistic about many ministers. But in Xue Shao's opinion, maybe one day, King Luling will become a garbage stock that is even more cheating than Wu Chenghe.

There are many reasons, the most important of which is: Xue Shao will be a trader.

After the family banquet was dispersed, Wu Zetian invited Xue Shao and his wife to stay and summoned them to the palace for a private conversation. In the past few years, Wu Zetian would discuss some things with Xue Shao on the second day of the first lunar month, and today is no exception.

It's just that the things we discuss today are more important than in previous years.

Wu Zetian asked Xue Shao, do you want to concurrently serve as an official in the East Palace?

The important ministers of the court concurrently serve as the official of the East Palace to assist the prince, laying the foundation for the prince to take over the governance of the country in the future, which has always been a precedent of the Tang Dynasty, and now it seems that Wu Zetian also intends to copy it as it is.

Xue Shao didn't think about it, and refused in one bite.

"You'd better think again, right?" Wu Zetian persuaded, "Many prime ministers, Shangshu and generals will also serve as officials in the East Palace. The stability of the East Palace is the stability of the foundation of the country's future. Why did you, the imperial captain, refuse? ”

Xue Shao smiled indifferently and replied: "The minister is more concerned about the present, His Majesty the God Emperor's country is stable, and the court is stable. ”

Wu Zetian smiled.

Xue Shao's answer was exactly the answer she expected, and it was exactly what she wanted most.

Other ministers can hold official positions in the East Palace, but "being a court captain" cannot. Because this weight is too heavy, as soon as he throws it at the East Palace, the scales of the throne will immediately tilt.

At that time, it will not be a question of whether the East Palace is stable or not, but whether Wu Zetian's throne is stable or not!