Xue Shao entered the imperial study and saw that Li Zhaode was also there.

Xue Shao wasn't too familiar with him, but he had seen him stand up and speak a few times in the court. In his impression, Li Zhaode is a very "tough" guy, so hard that anyone dares to touch it, including cool officials like Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen, as well as princes like Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi, and even Wu Zetian himself.

There are actually a lot of such imperial histories, and Ge Yuanfu and Song Jing are also very famous. But none of them are as "stylish" as Li Zhaode at present.

In today's court, Li Zhaode is already an "outlier". Originally, he should have died a thousand times, but not only did he not die, but he continued to increase his official ranks, and until today, he has become the direct boss of Lai Junchen. Of course, he was able to create this "miracle" completely because of Wu Zetian's favor in him. It is precisely because of the special preferential treatment of the empress that Li Zhaode has always behaved a little arrogant, and no one pays much attention to it. In other words, he was born with this kind of arrogant character gene, and his father was also such a person back then.

Li Zhaode bowed his hand when he saw Xue Shao, Xue Shao nodded in return, and then saw Wu Zetian.

"Chengyu, you've come just in time. Li Zhongcheng specially came to persuade the "Slaughter Ban". Wu Zetian said, "What do you think about this?" ”

Xue Shao said indifferently: "Your Majesty, hasn't this matter been voted on in the court?" ”

"A referendum is the same thing as a vote, and I just want to hear your own opinion." Wu Zetian was obviously deliberately pressing.

Xue Shao smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the minister is in charge of the military. Outside of his own job, he is a layman, so it is inconvenient to say more. ”

Li Zhaode sneered, but did not speak.

Xue Shao glanced at him sideways, "Why is Li Zhongcheng laughing?" ”

"If the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty are like Xue Gong, and it has nothing to do with themselves, how can the world be the world?" Li Zhaode said.

Xue Shao smiled indifferently and did not argue, but said: "That's right, the rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of the husband." But there is a specialization in the art industry, and Xue has never liked to participate in extraneous things. ”

Li Zhaode sneered and was silent.

Wu Zetian said: "Chengyu, what if I have to force you to express your opinions? ”

Xue Shao smiled bitterly, "That minister, I have no choice but to talk nonsense." I just ask Your Majesty not to punish crimes, and not to joke. ”

"Say." Wu Zetian became interested, "I will pardon you for your innocence first, and I won't laugh at you." ”

Li Zhaode also pricked up his ears to listen, thinking to himself, I think what kind of truth can you say?

Xue Shao bowed his hand and said, "God has the virtue of a good life, and Buddhism still forbids killing." Your Majesty rejuvenates the Buddha and tames the people with benevolence. The minister agreed. ”

The corners of Li Zhaode's mouth raised and sneered again, and he said in his heart that he would only shoot the queen's ass!

"Hmm. Go on. Wu Zetian nodded.

Xue Shao's words changed, "But the issuance of the "Slaughter Ban Order", the minister did not agree. ”

Wu Zetian was slightly startled, "Reason? ”

Li Zhaode was also slightly taken aback, why is this?

Xue Shao said: "The principle of the sage, the grace and the insects and plants, take advantage of the weather and live with the cold and heat, which is said to be in accordance with the sky. However, the states in the south of the Yangtze River take fish as their life, and the land west of the river takes meat as their fasting, which is the way for the people to survive. His Majesty forbade slaughter, only because of his selfish intentions and good Buddha, but he made the people fall into a dilemma of food and clothing. Especially the soldiers who are fighting abroad, if they do not have meat to replenish their bodies, they will definitely be weak and weak and have no intention of fighting. If they go to the battlefield, how dangerous is their life? If the war is defeated because of this, the territory is lost, and the people are poisoned, how should the Buddha endure it? Therefore, the minister believes that the ban on maps is an overkill move that seeks fame and harm the people, and should not be implemented. ”

As soon as these words came out, Wu Zetian's expression stiffened.

Li Zhaode was also stunned, and said in his heart Xue Shao, your courage is greater than mine, what is the difference between this and pointing at the emperor's nose and scolding?

"Your Majesty, you have no jokes, you have pardoned the ministers." Xue Shao arched his hand and said timidly.

Wu Zetian blinked his eyes and recovered, and said, "Chengyu, you are above the court with these words, why don't you say it?" ”

Xue Shao smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the minister is in charge of military affairs. Something like the slaughter ban is already in the driver's seat, so why do you need to come and do it on your behalf? The ministers are inferior to others in terms of talent and morality, and they dare not interject indiscriminately in the layman and pre-insider. If you mislead Your Majesty because of this, wouldn't it be a disaster to the country and the people? ”

Li Zhaode couldn't help but feel a hot face, and said in his heart, Are you scolding me for being nosy?

"Of course." Xue Shao smiled and said again: "The imperial court is wide open, Your Majesty is like a stream, this is a good thing. The minister is just temperamental, and he doesn't like to talk much. ”

Wu Zetian shook his head and smiled helplessly: "You just don't want to worship the prime minister, why do you need to prevaricate left and right?" ”

Li Zhaode's eyes widened in astonishment, he didn't want to be the prime minister? Is there such a person in the world?!

"Hehehe!" Xue Shao smiled, "The minister has no such intention. Your Majesty, don't blame the ministers! ”

Wu Zetian smiled, "Li Aiqing, do you still have anything to say?" ”

Li Zhaode was stunned for a moment, and bowed his hand, "Your Majesty, what the minister wants to say, Duke Xue has already said it." The minister only added one sentence, and the minister seconded the proposal. ”

"Then you can step aside."

"The minister retired."

Xue Shao hurriedly arched his hand, "Chen Shicai's inappropriate words are offensive, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!" ”

"I have long forgiven you for your innocence." Wu Zetian smiled disapprovingly, "Besides, your insights are very appropriate, I should adopt them, and I should reward you." ”

"Your Majesty, there is no need for a reward." Xue Shao said with a smile, "If you can let the soldiers who go out eat meat, the minister will be very happy!" ”

Wu Zetian smiled, "I will immediately withdraw the "Slaughter Ban Order", and issue another order, and Di Renjie will prepare 50,000 cattle and sheep for the Western Expeditionary Army in Lingzhou to replenish military resources. Have you ever been satisfied? ”

"Your Majesty Shengming!" Xue Shao hugged his fists and bowed, "Tens of thousands of soldiers of the Western Expeditionary Army, thank you, Your Majesty!" ”

Wu Zetian nodded with a smile, "Listen to your tone, the formation of the Western Expeditionary Army is already in sight?" ”

Xue Shao said: "Your Majesty, the minister has already talked to a few generals. Chen believes that it is most appropriate for Wang Xiaojie to take command of the western expedition. ”

"Reason."

"There are three reasons for this." Xue Shao replied: "First, Wang Xiaojie's understanding of Tubo is far better than that of any one in the Manchu Dynasty. Second, the Anxi Tiger Division enjoyed a prestigious reputation in the Western Regions, and they were very familiar with the situation there. Third, Wang Xiaojie was once captured by Tibet, which was the shame of his life. Taizong once said, 'It is better to make merit than to do it', if Wang Xiaojie fights, he will definitely do his best to be ashamed. Moreover, the Anxi Tiger Division has always taken the recovery of the Western Regions as its own responsibility, so its morale is worry-free. Such a favorable time, place and people, Wang Xiaojie must be! ”

"If it were you, wouldn't it?" Wu Zetian asked.

"Nope." Xue Shao said, "In the Northern Expedition to the Turks, the ministers took the lead and did not let others. In the western expedition to Tibet, there is no second person except Wang Xiaojie! ”

After listening to this, Wu Zetian pondered for a moment and said: "After Wang Xiaojie leaves, who will be in charge of the left guards and horses guarding the capital?" ”

"Please also ask Your Majesty to choose the best generals to rule, and it is inconvenient for the ministers to participate." Xue Shao said, "The minister only talks about the Western Expedition. Xia Guan had already drawn up a preliminary plan, and the total number of soldiers in the Western Expeditionary Army was agreed to be 60,000. The ministers will draw 40,000 soldiers and horses from the army of Luoshui on the right guard to Wang Xiaojie, of which 30,000 are the elite of the old Anxi Tiger Division, and another 10,000 new troops. It is the tradition of our dynasty to use the old to bring in the new, so as to maintain the vitality and successor of the army. The other 20,000 soldiers and horses were selected by Wang Xiaojie among the left guards. ”

Wu Zetian blinked, and said in his heart that after handing over the old department of the Tiger Division, the strength of the Luoshui army would be greatly reduced, and there would be more people and horses in the left guard. Xue Shao is not greedy for military power, does not remember personal grudges, and is dedicated to the public, which is indeed rare!

"Why don't you recommend a good general and temporarily lead the Left Guard army on behalf of Wang Xiaojie?" Wu Zetian said.

"Your Majesty forgives the ministers for being rude, and it is really not appropriate for the ministers to participate in this matter." Xue Shao said, "Now, the minister is both in charge of the Xia official and in charge of the right guard, if another general is recommended to lead the left guard, then the king of the capital is in the hands of the minister." The security of the country is all the responsibility of one person, and this is the next policy. Moreover, even if His Majesty does not suspect Yu Chen, the minister will be suspected by the Manchu Dynasty and the people of the world. Therefore, I hope that Your Majesty will think twice before acting. ”

Wu Zetian nodded lightly, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh, saying in his heart that if Wu Chenghei had half of Xue Shao's talent or half of his mind, what else could I worry about?

"Your Majesty, can you consider meeting Wang Xiaojie in person?" Xue Shao proposed.

"Okay." Wu Zetian nodded happily, "Who do you think can assist Wang Xiao in his outstanding expedition?" ”

Xue Shao said: "Only Ashina Zhongjie can persuade Wang Xiaojie. Therefore, the minister proposed that Ashina Zhongjie be his deputy. ”

"Conquest and war depend on Yu Qing." Wu Zetian nodded again, "Chengyu, you have worked hard." ”

Xue Shao smiled, "Your Majesty, the minister took Fenglu." What's the hard work? ”

Wu Zetian also smiled, "If the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty could be as conscientious as you, I would have sat back and relaxed every day!" ”

"Your Majesty, please retire." Xue Shao arched his hand.

"Why rush to leave?" Wu Zezai said, "When Wang Xiaojie was young, let's talk about it together." ”

"Your Majesty, I still don't want to. With me present, Wang Xiaojie was so uncomfortable that he couldn't say a word for a long time. Xue Shao said with a smile, "It's still too late for the minister to leave for the boat now." The sea bass in the house has been eaten, and Her Royal Highness the princess is going to talk again. ”

"Haha!" Wu Zetian suddenly laughed, "When will you be able to give your mother-in-law a few filial piety to a few perch that you have personally caught?" ”

Kudi also interjected, "That's right, how can there be a reason to only love a daughter-in-law and disrespect your mother-in-law?" - Oh, there's another lady here! ”

Xue Shao laughed, "Tomorrow, the minister will pick a few of the largest and freshest sea bass and personally send them into the palace to honor Your Majesty and honor your master!" ”

"Go, go!" Wu Zetian waved his hand with a straight smile.

"The minister retired."

Xue Shao withdrew from the imperial study and strode away.

Wu Zetian let out a long sigh and said to the Kudi clan beside him: "Huayang, did you meet a man like Xue Shao when you were young?" “

Kudi pondered for a moment, and then said with a smile: "My husband was a little old back then, but he was both interesting and courageous, cherished his wife and loved his family, diligent and knowledgeable, versatile, and all-rounded in civil and military affairs. Come to think of it, there are quite a lot of similarities between his master and apprentice. ”

"Things gather by like, and people are divided by groups." Wu Zetian nodded with a smile, "You and Taiping are both fateful, you can meet the great man of your fate and be a real woman." I've almost forgotten my gender. ”.

[Please support genuine reading, vote if you're in a good mood, thank you!] 】