The ten winners of the first martial arts class entered the examination hall in turn and accepted the "face examination" of Xue Shao and several assistants.

Xue Shaoti's questions are all tricky and strange, which may be a detail in the Tang Dynasty's military system, or it may be the weather, hydrology and geographical knowledge that should be paid attention to when marching and fighting. Or to comment on and analyze the classic examples of ancient wars, there is also a hypothetical war dilemma for candidates to find a way to solve.

Each candidate is given five questions of varying difficulty. For each question, Xue Shao and all the assistants will be scored on a ten-point scale, and the one with the highest comprehensive score will win.

Not only were these candidates confused and anxious about the exam, but even Wu Zetian and the other assistants were secretly anxious in their hearts: If these questions were answered by me, they might not be able to answer satisfactorily!

After a whole day of exams, it's finally over. There is no need for the emperor to appoint the champion, and there is no need for Xue Shao to promote anyone, the score says everything.

The one with the highest score was neither a student who had studied in the martial arts platform earlier, nor a child of a eunuch from a military family, but a bald young monk.

This surprised everyone!

It's just that this young man is a little dazzling except for his bald head, his physique and appearance are first-class, his speech is also outstanding, and his martial arts are even more outstanding. Otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed martial arts to rise to the top of the list.

Xue Shao called the little monk with the legal name "Loneng Neng" to the empress and the examiners and asked him, "Loneng Neng, are you willing to return to the vulgar?" ”

This question caused hilarity on the spot, and even Wu Zetian burst into laughter.

The little monk was obviously a little nervous in the face of so many big people and this strange question, he was stunned for a long time, and said: "It's already vulgar in the bottom, but the hair hasn't grown yet." ”

Another burst of laughter.

Xue Shao smiled: "When are you still vulgar?" ”

Silence replied: "When I came to Luoyang to refer to Wuju, I was removed from the Shaolin Temple and returned to the vulgar. ”

Xue Shao nodded and smiled, "Since you have become a monk, how could you think of joining the WTO and joining Rong?" ”

Lin Neng suddenly became a little excited, and hugged his fists and said: "Becoming a monk is not what I want, I have always dreamed of becoming a general, becoming a person like Xue Gong!" ”

"Oh?" Xue Shao couldn't help but be a little curious, "Why?" ”

Silence suddenly knelt down, "Engong, don't you remember me?" - I'm Qin Poyu! ”

Xue Shao was slightly stunned, and after thinking for a long time, Dou Ran remembered, "Hebei Yinglie Village, Qin Poyu? ”

"Engong, that's me!" Silence can tears rained down, "Back then, Engong and a group of robes saved my life from the hands of the Turks, and personally named me Qin Poyu. Since then, I have dreamed of joining the army and dreaming of being a general! Later, my aunt and I went to Hebei, and my aunt died of illness and I had nothing to rely on, so I was adopted by the wandering monks of Shaolin Temple to go up the mountain. Since then, I have been practicing martial arts and studying day and night, hoping that one day I can make meritorious contributions from Rong and become a general who defends the family and the country, and live up to the name of 'breaking captives' that Engong gave me! ”

Since the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, Shaolin Temple has been contributing their "monk soldiers" to the imperial court. These monks not only learned the traditional martial arts of Shaolin Temple, but also learned swords, horses, archery, and military formations. It's not hard to explain how Silence stands out.

Wu Zetian and the others were surprised, and they all looked at Xue Shao. Xue Shao was also very surprised and surprised, stunned for a long time, and said: "Before that, you must first study at the Wutai for a year to accumulate knowledge. By the way, it will also make your hair grow. In my Great Zhou's army, there are no bald generals. ”

In the midst of a loud laugh, the martial arts ended.

The eighteen-year-old Shaolin monk Qin Poyu became the first martial champion in history.

According to the rules that had been laid down in advance by the platform, the champion and all the winners of the rank and file would not be awarded the rank of official immediately, and they would first have to study for one year at the platform before they could take up positions in the army.

In addition to enhancing military talents in all aspects, "political education" will also become the top priority in this year's study. In this way, we can ensure to the greatest extent that the talents selected by the martial arts can be loyally used by the country.

Wu Zetian praised Xue Shao's approach very much. Because no one understands better than she how much trouble a disobedient general can bring. Now the Great Zhou Dynasty has a complete and reasonable system for the selection and training of military generals, which can not only ensure the supply of military talents, but also greatly avoid the hidden danger of military rebellion.

But there is one thing that will be unavoidable, all military talents who come out of the martial arts platform will be Xue Shao's protégés. It won't take many years for "the world's generals to go out of Xuemen" will become another fact.

For Wu Zetian, this is something that cannot be helped. Even if one day Xue Shao no longer serves as Xia Guanshangshu, "martial arts" is still Xue Shao's great contribution to this country and this nation, who can erase it?

So Wu Zetian simply did a favor, and publicly said that Xue Shao was "the martial arts sect of the world" above the court, and gave him a final "official certification".

……

At this time, the Turkic envoys had already returned to Yudu Jinshan and reported the results to the Khan Gululu.

"Brother Khan, since the southern kingdom has agreed to a peace alliance, it's time for us to send troops!" Mo Si was already waiting impatiently, and said, "As long as Brother Khan gives an order, the younger brother will immediately go to the Khitan and capture Li Quanzhong and Sun Wanrong alive to come and sacrifice them in front of the tent!" ”

Gu Lulu didn't show the same enthusiasm as Mo Si, but said lightly: "Don't worry." ”

Mo sobbed: "Is Brother Khan really going to change his military plan against the Khitan because of a note of unknown origin?" ”

Gu Lulu was noncommittal, and only said: "The origin of the note is not important. Importantly, it makes sense. ”

"Brother Khan's forgiveness, what kind of truth the minister thinks is not as important as the revenge of the major tribes." "We have been preparing for this battle for a long time, and the major tribes have been actively preparing for several months. Now that he suddenly changed his words and said that he would not fight, the ministers were worried that they would lose the hearts of the people and damage the prestige of Brother Khan! ”

Gu Lulu nodded, he knew that what Mo Si said made sense. Now, I urgently need to find the person who gave the note. He is the only one who can convince Mo Si and all the clan leaders. Even if he can't convince him, at least it won't detract from his prestige as a khan.

"Where is that man?" Gu Lulu sighed and ordered again, "Send more people to expand the scope - find me the one who digs three feet into the ground!" ”

In another tent, Ai Yan was teaching Krakus to read with Xuan Yunzi, reading the Confucian classics of the Han family.

Ai Yan has never understood why a warrior who aspires to become the king of the grassland should learn the Confucian doctrine that binds human nature. But Xuan Yunzi insisted on teaching like this, so she didn't object. What surprised her was that Krakus was actually quite energetic in learning, and he had a lot of respect for Xuanyunzi's teacher. Sometimes Ai Yan feels that the intimacy between their teachers and students is even greater than that between mother and son. Because of this, she often reflected, is it really too harsh and harsh for my son? He didn't get much maternal love from me, so he could only go to Xuanyunzi to seek more warmth and love...... He's still a kid after all!

After reading for a while, Ayan sent for "Sheep Numun Erba" and told him to take Krakus to practice horseback riding and archery. In fact, it is secretly passing on his martial arts.

Ai Yan made an excuse to drive the slave girl out of the tent first. After Moneba came in, he whispered a few words to Xuanyunzi, and then went out with Krakus.

Ai Yan hurriedly asked, "What did he say?" ”

Xuan Yunzi's expression was a little serious, "He said, it is very likely that Yuan Zhen is not dead. The mysterious person who sent the Khan a note of advice during the Spring Discussion is likely to be Yuanzhen! ”

"What?" Ai Yan was slightly startled, "Where did he get the news?" ”

"I don't know." Xuan Yunzi said, "The people around him have their own set of secret methods for private contact, which is difficult for outsiders to crack, and sometimes they can't even find any clues. ”

Of course, Ai Yan knew who the "he" in Xuan Yunzi's mouth meant, so he said, "You mean, this is likely to be the news sent by Wang Yu?" ”

Xuanyunzi nodded.

Ai Yan took two breaths of cool air, "If Yuanzhen doesn't die, then it's a big trouble!" ”

"You're saying I'm in danger?" Xuan Yunzi said.

Ai Yan nodded, "When I lived in Shenshan before, my female slaves were all sent by Yuanzhen. Now that you have appeared in the sky, how can you not arouse her suspicion? ”

"This is a trivial matter...... Xuan Yunzi twisted his eyebrows slightly, and said: "In case Yuanzhen returns, Meng Erba may be exposed, and it will be difficult for Wang Yu to come out again." All our plans will come to naught! ”

"Can't let him come back!" Ai Yan gritted his teeth fiercely.

Xuan Yunzi looked at her with a slight frown, silent.

Ai Yan blinked, "Are you suspicious, I miss his old kindness, and I can't bear to attack him?" ”

Xuanyunzi still didn't speak, but it was a tacit acquiescence.

"Humph!" Ai Yan sneered, "If one day, someone locks you in a cage and shows off to outsiders like a rare animal, how do you feel?" ”

Xuan Yunzi smiled slightly, "I understand, you don't have to explain." ”

"I have to explain." "Because I don't want to be in a cage again!" ”

Xuan Yunzi frowned and said, "Let's assume that Yuan Zhen is really not dead and is about to return." What will the situation look like? ”

Ai Yan thought for a while and said: "The military power has been returned to Mo Si, Yuan Zhen wants to come back, and the first one who disagrees is Mo Si." He is now actively urging the Khan to use the Khitan, but the Khan has been a little hesitant to send troops. I think it's probably because of the note that Yuanzhen sent! ”

"Yes." Xuan Yunzi said, "Then Yuanzhen, why do you want to stop the Khan from using the Khitan? ”

"Because of this battle, it is very likely that it will not be of much benefit to the Turkic Khanate." Aiyan said, "In addition, now that the Khan has handed over his army to Mo Si to take on an expedition, the consequences will be unimaginable if he is disobedient. These things, only Yuan Zhen would think about for the Khan. ”

"That's right." Xuan Yunzi nodded in praise, and then said, "If I were Yuan Zhen, I wouldn't show up easily." Because as soon as I show up, there's a good chance I'll be killed by Silent Si! ”

Ai Yan's eyes lit up, "In this way, we can't let Yuanzhen return, and we should also help the Khan to guard against Mosi?" ”

"Yes!" Xuan Yunzi smiled slightly, "In the past, there were many factions in the Turkic Khanate, including those who were Yuanzhen, those who were silent, and those who were silent. Now that Yuanzhen and Duxi are gone, the power of Mo Si has risen unprecedentedly. The Bone Lu Khan must have felt threatened, so he accepted Wang Yu as a colt for the first time. Wang Yu is an outsider, and he does not belong to any faction. Once the Khan entrusted him with the task of being a son-in-law, he would be loyal to the Khan alone. The Khan must have hoped that he would be able to form some restraint on the Mur and assist his son in succeeding to the throne in the future. But now, if Yuanzhen really reappears, it will undoubtedly make the Khan change this plan, because in the Khan's heart, Yuanzhen is the first choice. Therefore, we must first prevent Yuan Zhen from making a comeback, and then find ways to push Wang Yu up to power. The princess has not been pregnant until now, it must be Wang Yu, a stupid boy, who can't figure it out. We must find an opportunity to convince him, because that is the first step for him to gain the Khan's trust! ”

"Very well, just do as you say!" Ai Yan was a little excited, "If we can really succeed, we will have a bright future!" ”

Xuan Yunzi held her hand and smiled: "Be patient, we will get through it!" ”

"I have a plan to attract Yuanzhen out, and then ...... Kill them to the end! Ai Yan said.

Xuan Yunzi frowned, "You mean, using yourself as bait?" ”

"Hmm!" Ai Yan nodded, "I don't know how sincere Yuan Zhen is to me, but he will definitely not forget Ashina Ai Yan's special value." If I leave the tent and wander freely, he will come to me on his own initiative. It just so happens that now the Khan is also eager to find Yuanzhen, and I will go to the Khan to offer this plan, and I will definitely be able to get it! ”

Xuan Yunzi pondered for a moment and nodded decisively, "That's it!" ”