The Tang Dynasty: Wu Zetian made me her imperial tutor

"A reduction of 100,000 troops?"

The Imperial Secretary Xing Wenwei immediately rebuked him: "Lu Shiyi, you must be cautious when answering questions before the Emperor, and do not make boastful claims!"

Xu Qinming also raised his voice: "The number of soldiers needed for each army, town, garrison, outpost, and beacon tower is determined by the frontline commanders based on the terrain and enemy situation. How can it be so easily falsified? Lu Shiyi, you'd better watch your words!"

The former was a warning to Lu Jun to be cautious, while the latter was a reminder not to offend the commanders of Shuofang and Hedong.

That statement could easily be misinterpreted as—

Lu Jun implied that Shuofang and Hedong were hoarding troops and acting independently.

Those who lead troops are ruthless people. If they find out, they will definitely retaliate in various ways, openly or secretly.

Lu Jun understood their good intentions, but he wasn't afraid to reveal the details of today's discussion.

"Lord Xing and Commander Xu have misunderstood. I am not being presumptuous, nor am I saying that the front lines are giving false reports."

"My strategy is contained in the chapter on the southern desert. If we follow the plan, we can reduce the number of troops stationed here."

"Once the time is right, within three to five years, 100,000 soldiers can be withdrawn and sent back to their hometowns to farm..."

"Ahem!" Wu Zetian waved her hand.

"Chu Yu, today we will only discuss the strategies for Hexi, Longyou, and Anxi, not for the southern desert."

She had now walked back up the steps, looking down at the high-ranking officials, and said sternly:

"I have read Lu Chuyu's policy document repeatedly. It is not an exaggeration, nor does it mean to blame anyone. There is no need to say more."

"I can only say that it is another ingenious plan, but since Anxi has not yet been recovered and the time is not yet ripe, it will not be made public for the time being!"

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Xing Wenwei, Xu Qinming, and the others respectfully bowed their heads and said, "Yes!"

I'm getting more and more curious...

Is Lu Chuyu's strategy really that deep?

Defending the Hexi Corridor, winning over the Dangxiang people, recovering Anxi, deploying troops on three routes, sowing discord among the Tibetans, negotiating peace and introducing Buddhism, and trading tea... all these steps were interconnected, demonstrating profound strategic planning.

This is just the beginning? Judging from the Empress Dowager's words, the recapture of Anxi is actually paving the way for the reconquest of southern Mongolia...

No wonder that strategy article has not been published yet, but it has been designated as the top one. Who knows how many brilliant strategies it contains!

Sigh, I want to hear more, please update more frequently.

Seeing that Lou Shide and Xu Qinming had stopped asking questions and only Anxi remained, Tang Xiujing spoke up:

"Regarding the recapture of Anxi, I have been reflecting on the gains and losses since Prime Minister Wei's defeat last year."

"Upon seeing Lu Shiyi's strategy, I wholeheartedly agree. I believe that reorganizing the Four Garrisons should be done sooner rather than later. As long as preparations are sufficient and the right people are appointed, the Four Garrisons will not be difficult to recover!"

"If the Empress Dowager is determined, I believe that troops can be dispatched within one or two years!"

He and Lu Jun already shared the same views, so they didn't raise any objections on the general direction to avoid delaying the decision-making process.

Based on historical trends, Anxi was recovered two years later, and his estimate was basically the same as Lu Junce's.

Wu Zetian shook her head: "It's too late! Since we've decided to fight, let's start preparing this month. Six months from now, when winter comes and the grasslands of Tibet and the Turks are withered, we'll strike immediately!"

This winter...

The high-ranking officials looked at each other, their faces showing worry.

Having suffered a crushing defeat just eight months ago, even if we were to take action, we should wait until the enemy's morale is low before we have a better chance of winning.

Moreover, there is a lot of preparation work to be done, and it's really hard to say whether it can be completed in six months...

But hearing Wu Zetian's resolute tone and seeing the determination in her eyes, they knew she had made up her mind and dared not say anything more.

Lu Jun instantly understood the Empress Dowager's meaning; this winter would definitely be the time when she planned to ascend the throne.

It was to present a gift for his own coronation ceremony.

I really enjoy playing this game...

"Since you all have no objections, let's move on to the next topic: who should be chosen as the general to recapture the four garrisons?"

"Lou Qing, Xu Qing, and Tang Qing are guarding this area, and their responsibilities are heavy. To prevent a counterattack from the enemy, none of them should be moved lightly."

"Any other generals you would recommend?"

Wu Zetian's gaze swept intently across the faces of the prime ministers one by one...

Xing Wenwei, Wu Youning, Wu Chengsi, and Cen Changqian lowered their heads, remaining silent and each lost in their own thoughts.

The first two were worried that if they recommended the wrong person, they would be implicated and dismissed from their posts. There are too many precedents for this. To say nothing of the distant past, Fan Libing was just imprisoned because of this.

The higher the position, the easier it is to fall from grace; one is less likely to speak frankly than when serving in the middle or lower ranks.

The latter two then pondered: "Is the Empress Dowager hinting that she would recommend Xue Shi for the position of Grand Commander of the Army?"

Last May, the Turks invaded the border. The Empress Dowager appointed Xue Huaiyi as the Grand General of the Qingping Road Army, who then left after making a brief visit.

In September, he was appointed Grand Commander of the Army and led an army of 200,000 to attack Kutlug. It was still a group self-funded tour.

However, he was therefore awarded the title of Assistant General of the State.

Right Guard General

E Guogong,

Zhuguo,

Two thousand bolts of silk are bestowed upon him!

The Empress Dowager was really good to Master Xue. He should have been given the opportunity to shine, such as the recapture of Anxi.

The problem is that this march will be a tough battle, and although Master Xue is also good at fighting tough battles, his opponent can only be a woman.

Moreover, this kind of thing can't be said openly. The people sitting in the Huiyou Hall are all respectable, and it's not appropriate to talk about matters of the flesh...

"Hmm? The court is full of talented people, isn't there anyone you can recommend?" Wu Zetian snorted.

His gaze shifted from the prime ministers to the border garrison commanders and important summer officials in the back row.

Tang Xiujing, Lou Shide, Li Zhaode, Yao Yuanchong, and Zong Chuke simultaneously raised their tablets and declared, "Your Majesty, we have a recommendation!"

"May I make a recommendation?" Lu Jun asked.

When Shangguan Wan'er heard him say he wanted to make a recommendation, her heart skipped a beat. She remembered the day of the preliminary examination, when Wu Sansi and Li Zhaode questioned the candidates for generals on the spot.

Looking towards the Phoenix Throne, the Empress Dowager smiled broadly: "Recommending virtuous and talented individuals is the duty of those who have overlooked talent; of course, you can do it!"

Wan'er finally breathed a sigh of relief: "I had forgotten that he was already a high-ranking official in the Censorate."

For some reason, I remembered Lu Jun's quick movement just now.

Wu Zetian had always despised ministers who were obsequious and subservient. Seeing that none of the prime ministers dared to speak up, she was furious. But when she saw six people bravely making recommendations, she was overjoyed.

"Yes, these are the true ministers of my court! What's the point of holding a position if no one dares to take responsibility?"

"Guards, give paper and pen to my six ministers. Each of them should write a recommendation, and I will see who I wish to recommend!"

He glared fiercely at the prime ministers, then smiled at Tang Xiujing and the other six.

The purpose of having them write down their own thoughts is to obtain their genuine ideas, so as not to simply parrot others or produce shoddy work.

A moment later, six sheets of paper were presented...

Tang Xiujing wrote: "Wang Xiaojie"

Lou Shide wrote: "Wang Xiaojie"

Li Zhaode wrote: "Wang Xiaojie"

Yao Yuanchong wrote: "Wang Xiaojie"

Lu Jun wrote: "Wang Xiaojie"

Zong Chuke wrote: "Deputy Chief Steward Wang Xiaojie".

It's all written by the same person, but one piece of paper has something written on it that stands out unusually...

The addition of the title "Deputy Chief Steward" implies that the position of "Chief Steward" is vacant, and it is self-evident who it will be reserved for.

The deputy chief steward actually took charge, while the chief steward remotely supervised him. One did the work, and the other took credit, so neither was neglected.

Lu Jun glanced at Zong Chuke across the street and thought to herself, "A sycophant with culture, how terrifying..."

Wu Zetian held up six sheets of paper and laughed, "Since they have all recommended the Right Eagle Guard General, I don't need to ask why. It must be because he is familiar with Tibet and is brave and daring in battle!"

In fact, Wang Xiaojie has a long career.

Twelve years ago, Li Jingxuan served as the Grand Commander of the Taohe Road Army. He fought against Lun Qinling at Qinghai Lake and suffered a crushing defeat.

At that time, Wang Xiaojie was the deputy commander-in-chief. He and Liu Shenli, the Minister of Works, led the vanguard in a bloody battle against the Tibetans. Because Li Jingxuan did not move his troops, the vanguard was almost completely wiped out. Liu Shenli and Wang Xiaojie were captured by the Tibetans and taken back to Lhasa.

Fortunately, Wang Xiaojie was blessed with good fortune. The seven-year-old king saw that he looked like his deceased father and treated him with great respect.

After detaining them for a while, they were released back to the Tang Dynasty.

Brother Xiaojie lived in Tibet and fought fiercely in Qinghai, so he has a deep understanding of their tactics and customs.

Therefore, Tang Xiujing, Lou Shide, Li Zhaode, Yao Yuanchong, and Zong Chuke all thought of him.

But... Lu Jun has only just entered officialdom, how could she know about his past?

The others looked on in surprise, but didn't bother to pay attention to Zong Chuke's little scheme.

Wu Zetian also thought of this: "Chu Yu, I remember that in your policy document you only said that you needed someone familiar with Tibet and a veteran general skilled in battle, but you didn't mention any specific candidates. How do you know that General Wang is capable of this?"

Of course, I'd watch "Detective Dee"...

"Your Majesty, there is a history museum in the Imperial Library. I went there a few days ago and saw General Wang's resume."

"Tsk tsk!" Wu Zetian gave him a thumbs up. "So that's how it is. Chu Yu is truly diligent in his duties!"

Typically, when officials are appointed to new positions, they first need to learn the regulations and build relationships with their colleagues, and it takes several months before they can make any achievements...

But he had already devoted himself to governing the country; what a virtuous minister!

Wu Zetian was even more pleased, and said to everyone with a smile, "Do any of you still have any questions about the general plan for the defense and conquest of Hexi, Longyou, and Anxi?"

When the top boss holds meetings, he only focuses on the direction and confirms whether stakeholders have reached a consensus on key aspects.

If there are no objections, then the person in charge can be selected, the outline can be drawn up, and each person can hold a small meeting to discuss the details.

The prime minister, the supervisor, and the high-ranking officials in charge of summer affairs exchanged glances and all shook their heads: "We have no objections!"

It's not that there's none at all.

The biggest hidden danger is that the deployment time is too rushed, after all, there is a lot of preliminary work to be done.

Military conscription, household registration, recruitment, troop deployment, land reclamation, troop training, and the formulation of plans to win over the Dangxiang people and the Anxi campaign...

However, these matters can be discussed in detail and then reported and considered in a reasoned manner; one cannot directly go against the Empress Dowager's wishes.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Wu Zetian nodded and smiled.

"Alright, that's enough for today. This matter will be handled by the Ministry of War, with the Minister and Vice Minister leading the development of a strategy."

"Let's have some tea first. I've been staring at those jade bowls for a long time, and I'm already thirsty!"

"Chu Yu, I eagerly await your fine tea!"

Lu Jun thought to herself, "You're the one who likes good tea..."