Princess Consort of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 293 Black Tooth Changzhi's Urgent Letter
The capital was filled with a festive and peaceful atmosphere, but unexpectedly an urgent letter came very suddenly.

Luoyang is the capital of the emperor, and the order is in good order. If there is a busy city, it will either be played by a dandy and be severely punished, or it will be rushed for eight hundred miles!
If the emergency army reports resistance, it should be cut off, and idlers should avoid it.

When Shen Sanwen was at ease, the content of this military report resounded throughout the Taichu Palace.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, a large number of soldiers and horses were found on the border in the northern part of the Western Regions. There are no less than [-] people. General Black Tooth hastened for [-] miles."

The flushed and sweaty post soldiers were lying on the ground outside the Taichu Palace, but they still shouted with the last bit of strength and successfully delivered the general's order to Luoyang.

As the waiter sang loudly, the content of the military newspaper was known from the outside to the inside. For a moment, all the courtiers seemed to have a sharp sword hanging in their hearts.

Heizhi Changzhi recorded all the information he could collect and sent it to Luoyang, requesting the court to pay attention to it, so as not to lose the opportunity in the new war.

Wu Zetian looked at the memorial in his hand and fell into deep thought.The land of the Western Regions is a channel to connect the Northwest. Silk and porcelain can be exchanged for a large amount of spices and jewelry from outside the region, and it is absolutely impossible to let go.

However, with the information provided by Hei Chi Chang Zhi, it is difficult to make an accurate estimate of the big food in the north.

However, [-] soldiers are far from being able to compete with the prosperous Great Zhou in the Western Regions. Heizhichang's report needs to attract enough attention, but he has no confidence in this battle. too passive.

What Wu Zetian was worried about was not the menacing coming of the Great Food. The Great Zhou had been in the Western Regions for a long time, and the countries in the Western Regions were weak and weak.

What needs to be worried is that once the war breaks out, the Western Regions are located in a remote area and food is in short supply, and the shortest and smoothest route for transporting food, grass and military supplies needs to pass through the narrow pass of Jiannan Road at the junction with Tubo.

Lun Qinling is very ambitious, and Tubo has regained some of its vitality after years of cultivation. If they take this opportunity to threaten Wu Zhou to cause another disturbance and fight on two fronts, Da Zhou will become passive.

Today, domestic education reform is at a critical moment, and all materials are flowing to Luoyang.The reform will inevitably consume a lot of human and financial resources in the country, and the conscription and transportation will not be so smooth. This war comes at a very bad time.

Compared with progress, the stability of the empire is obviously more important.

Without a peaceful and stable environment to develop the economy, the prosperity of culture is like a sick flower that can only be slaughtered.

Wu Zetian is well versed in the way of family and country governance, so naturally she will not lose the big because of the small, and the education reform should be postponed.

Worried Wu Zetian looked at the sky and sighed, "Wu Zhou really had a lot of fate, and I don't know when I will complete this education."

Who has worries, but never give up existing ideals.

Under such a background, Shen Sanwen was summoned into the palace by the emperor.

The atmosphere in the palace today is not as cheerful as in the past. Men and women are filled with deep sorrow, as if they are worried about the future and destiny of the empire.Shen Sanwen looked very depressed, he hadn't seen Luoyang Palace where only the sound of footsteps could be heard for a long time, and he had a premonition that something big was going to happen.

Shen Sanwen didn't realize the seriousness of this matter until he saw Wu Zetian.

As usual, Her Majesty was surrounded by three tables of memorials, with Shangguan Wan'er and two important ministers sitting beside her, assisting in handling important events. The tea drink remained untouched.

Shen Sanwen just stood quietly aside, waiting for His Majesty to wake up from his heavy heart.

After a long time, when Shangguan Wan'er presented the difficult memorial, Wu Zecai saw Shen Sanwen standing aside.

Wu Zetian regained his composure, "Come?"

Shen Sanwen had an ominous premonition in his heart, and asked uneasily, "What is Your Majesty worried about?"

Wu Zetian sighed softly, "I intend to build the most prosperous Great Zhou in the world, but God is not beautiful."

Shen Sanwen thumped in his heart, what was he afraid of.

Wu Zetian continued, "This is Hei Chi Chang Zhi's [-] Li Express, take a look."

It was the memorial that Wu Zetian had not put down just now, and Shen Sanwen took it over and read it carefully word by word, how dare Arabia dare to provoke the prosperous Celestial Dynasty at this time.

To be reasonable, at least they have to wait for the Anshi Rebellion and the scuffle in the Central Plains, before they can fish in troubled waters and gain a certain right to speak in the Western Regions.Now that Wuzhou has a large population and excellent weapons, coming here at this time is no different from giving away a head.

Wu Zetian worried about a hammer?
Shen Sanwen looked puzzled.

Wu Zetian patiently explained to him, "Great Zhou's national strength is limited, and there is no way to support internal reforms and external wars at the same time. It is bound to have to choose one of the two. There is an old saying that a man is innocent and he is guilty, and the Great Zhou is prosperous. Far beyond the surrounding area, once the battle is defeated, it is conceivable how the surrounding enemies will attack it in groups.

Therefore, this battle is no small matter, and Da Zhou must not lose.

The matter of education reform is not only your expectation, but also my long-cherished wish. It is not to give up, but to postpone it. "

If he wanted to give up, Shen Sanwen would naturally not be reconciled. Da Shi had the guts to fight back at this time, so naturally he couldn't admit defeat.But there are all kinds of struggles inside and outside, and the empire is really in crisis.

Shen Sanwen recalled that at this time, the ruler of Arabia should be the Umayyad Dynasty of the Communist Party of China, who believed in Allah. The ruler only needs to say that this is the instruction of Allah, and the subjects are fighting for their religious beliefs. A fierce battle.

What His Majesty the Emperor is really worried about is the surrounding tribes. A single defeat will give people the impression that the empire is strong but profitable. The small neighboring countries don’t mind exchanging lives for benefits. What’s even more frightening is to form an alliance and attack together.

However, Shen Sanwen also remembered that the Umayyads were devoted to preaching and developing handicrafts in the north of the Western Regions, so why did they come to compete with the Great Zhou for the Western Regions.

Shen Sanwen asked, "Your Majesty, I heard that Dashi believes in Islam, and its doctrine is to obey Allah and uphold peace, and Dashi is a religion that disregards politics and religion, so how could he suddenly have the idea of ​​launching a war on his own initiative. "

Wu Zetian smiled and said, "It's also thanks to you."

Shen San asked with a dazed expression, why did this pot fall on me?Let me tell you first, I won't recite it.

Wu Zetian explained to him, "The black-toothed Chang suspected that it was the merchants from the Western Regions who spread the vast map of Dazhou to Dashi. According to the teaching you said, it should be the ruler of Dashi who coveted the prosperity and wealth of the East and deceived the whole people. Initiated this war to liberate the people of the entire East and let them gain the true faith.

In the past, this map was not available to ordinary people. The paper was expensive, and it was troublesome to draw. The maps viewed by the nobles required meticulous detail, so the price was even sky-high.

Merchants rely on experience to travel through the vast barren land again and again, and if they are a little careless, they will never come back.

The price of paper is reduced, the cycle of papermaking is shortened, and it is more convenient to buy paper. Many businessmen start to try to record every route on the paper, because they only need to indicate the distinctive scenery on the map they want to see, so that people can distinguish the most suitable ones. Just the route.

Someone succeeded, and recently the map of the Silk Road in the Western Regions began to circulate in a small range within some families.

But what they tried were not only trade routes, but also the customs and architecture of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the extensive regional specialties.

So, now this battle is inevitable. If they succeed by chance, the impression of Da Zhou's weakness and deceit will spread to the far west, and this battle will never end.They must be defeated in this battle, and it is a big defeat. "

Shen Sanwen nodded, it was indeed so, if a simple act of brutality obtained dazzling benefits, it would encourage people to seek further.If they don't teach them a profound lesson, the subsequent rulers of Dashi will continue to launch wars to plunder. Like the grassland, they will become a generational enemy.

Therefore, there must be no compromise on the issue of the Western Regions.

Wu Zetian continued, "Tubo has been poor and weak for a long time, and the Kingdom of the Central Plains has never taken them seriously. But for more than 60 years, they have been governed by Lu Dongzan and his son in an orderly manner. If Tubo can stand idly by, this battle will be easy. Education reform It's no big deal to continue. It's a pity."

Shen San asked for a moment, Tubo didn't have much time to take care of this matter now.

Tubo Zanpu grew up day by day, and it was time for a showdown with Lun Qinling. Zanpu took the name of justice, and he would suddenly attack him.Xin Zanpu is mediocre in intelligence, so he may not dare to fight Da Zhou.

Shen San asked: "Your Majesty, if the Qinling Mausoleum is no longer here, will Tubo not have to worry?"

Wu Zetian was not surprised that he had this idea. After all, she had been concerned about Tubo for a long time. She also had this idea, "Qinling's reputation in Tubo is very high, and it is far from something that can be shaken by Xiao Zanpu. Da Zhou can only make the best use of the situation. If it gets involved in Tubo It is not wise to face the enemy in internal affairs."

Shen Sanwen replied, "Zanpu has always been the nominal king of Tubo, and Qinling is arrogant and arbitrary, and his name is always wrong. According to my minister, Qinling will definitely lose in this battle for power."

Wu Zetian: "Their success or failure has nothing to do with this battle.

Tubo and Dazhou have always been old neighbors, and both sides are familiar with each other. Tubo can't help Dazhou, and Dazhou will not covet Tubo, which has barren land.

However, Dashi has a vast territory and has come from a long way. It is not yet known whether it will return with a fruitful experience in the Western Regions.

No matter who is in charge of Tubo, what he most wants to see is that both Dazhou and Dashi will suffer, and then Tubo will gain the greatest benefit by silking the Western Regions.

What Dazhou was afraid of was not Dashi, but the cooperation between Dashi and Tubo. Tubo knew Dazhou's diplomatic power, and Dashi could provide the necessary troops. This was the trouble. "

Shen San asked puzzledly, "Your Majesty thinks that they have reached an agreement?"

Wu Zetian shook his head, "If it had been prepared, Dashi would not be so aggressive. No matter how far the black-toothed Changzhi's scouts were sent, Dashi could divide up its troops and hide its actions. However, the two countries must be in contact."

Shen Sanwen also thought so, "We can provoke the relationship between Tubo and Dashi, let them kill each other, at least we should find someone to destroy their alliance."

Wu Zetian said, "Who do you want to go?"

Shen San asked back, "I want to go in person."

Wu Zetian couldn't help laughing, this position seems not suitable for you, "If you want to make meritorious service, you can go elsewhere, and Taiping will not want to see you take risks."

Shen Sanwen replied seriously, "The civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty only knew about Dashi from the words of merchants. They are not suitable, and I'm afraid they can't find a way to provoke them. I have a hunch that this time the discussion on Qinling will definitely be against Zan. In the first battle of Pu, Qinling’s younger brother, Zanpo, led a heavy army. If Xin Zanpu wanted to stabilize the situation, he would not dare to kill his ministers, but would treat him with courtesy. If Qinling won, he would keep his ministers in exchange for the greatest Benefit.

So go here, safety is guaranteed. "

Wu Zetian exclaimed in surprise, "If there are still big cannibals on the Tubo plateau."

Shen San asked and replied: "Tubo will definitely hide the big cannibal, and it may not be easy for the big cannibal to make trouble in Lunqinling's territory."

Wu Zetian smiled and said, "Whether it is feasible or not is another matter. Even if I agree, Taiping may not be willing to let him go."

Shen Sanwen was silent for a while, "This is a major national event, and the princess will naturally make the choice that is most beneficial to Da Zhou."

Wu Zetian just smiled and told him to back down, apparently not believing what he said at all.

Taiping is the most emotional among her children. When her half-brothers Li Shangjin and Li Sujie passed away, they were all sad. After so many years of government influence, they naturally know how powerful they are. This possibility is very small. .

She gave up hope.

And when Shen San asked, whether the problem could be solved was another matter.

Shen Sanwen was sitting on the carriage, admiring the bustling Luoyang. He was already used to the plants and trees here, but he was about to leave suddenly, feeling a little uncomfortable.

Back at the mansion, the princess leaned on the fence early in the morning to watch the spring, which was rare.

Her face was cold and graceful as before, which made Shen Sanwen feel a lot of reluctance, so he should try it out first, suddenly there was such a travel plan, and he didn't know how to speak.

Shen Sanwen fetched a cloak, tied it up for her, and hugged her, "What's the matter today, the fish in the lake dreamed that they were hungry?"

The princess smiled lightly, "Yes, they said that no one had chatted with it for a long time, and it was very boring to swim."

Shen San asked: "Then what are the princesses talking about with them, and I'm with them too."

Princess: "Let's talk about the beautiful scenery of Tubo."

Come on, this day is considered dead, Shen San asked a headache, did the news come so fast, he had just arrived at the mansion, and he had a spare time to pick up a piece of clothing.

Shen San asked happily, "Are you reluctant to part with me?"

Princess: "If you can't go, why are you so reluctant?"

Shen San asked: "I have to go, it's best for me to go."

The princess was puzzled, "Didn't you say that you don't know how to fight, and safety comes first?"

Shen San asked with a long sigh, "This is my responsibility. If I hadn't made the paper so that it can be seen everywhere, how could Dashi have come here? If I hadn't appeared, this war would not have come until at least a hundred years later. "

The princess frowned and said, "Absurd words, since it's a battle of fate, it doesn't matter if you come early or late."

Shen San asked: "I have to do something for you, for this country. I don't get rewarded for nothing. I need credit, otherwise it will be difficult to gain a foothold in the court. I don't want you to stand in the court and be surrounded by enemies on all sides in the future, and you need to be distracted." It is my responsibility to think for me."

The princess was silent for a while, "There won't be such a day."

Shen San asked loudly, "Trust me, I will definitely come back safely."

(End of this chapter)