The Tang Dynasty: Wu Zetian made me her imperial tutor

"Lord Lu, I have come uninvited to express my gratitude for your recommendation!"

"To my shame, I was defeated and captured in the battle of Qinghai twelve years ago, a fact I still consider a disgrace..."

"I've harbored this grudge for so many years, and I dream of going back to the battlefield to fight the Tibetans and avenge the humiliation of the past!"

"Fortunately, Lu Shiyi proposed the strategy for the Hexi region and the Anxi strategy, and also recommended Wang, which gave me the opportunity."

Mr. Wang is extremely grateful!

Wang Xiaojie was in his early fifties, with a burly and robust build. His muscles bulged and defined beneath his purple robe. When he spoke of what happened back then, his eyes gleamed with hatred.

As the chosen general to recapture Anxi, he has been discussing the plan at the summer palace these days, and the plan has been largely finalized.

Although I had met Lu Jun, it was always in official settings, and we didn't have much private interaction.

Unexpectedly, they came to visit in person.

"May I ask, General Wang, do you know Li Yuanfang and Zeng Taiyao?" Lu Jun finally couldn't help but ask after holding back for a long time.

Wang Xiaojie was taken aback: "I don't know him, what's wrong?"

"It's alright, I don't know them..."

Lu Jun smiled and raised her arm to welcome the two distinguished guests into the house, leading them directly to the main hall in the front courtyard for reception.

Wang Xiaojie was bewildered the whole way. Tang Xiujing laughed and said, "Lu Shiyi often says surprising things, even in front of the Empress Dowager. You'll get used to it, Brother Wang."

Both distinguished guests were high-ranking officials of the third rank. Lu Jun dared not sit in the main seat, so the three of them sat down facing each other from east to west.

Although Wang Xiaojie came to express his gratitude, Lu Jun could not accept the credit for his recommendation and smiled, saying:

"I have heard a little about the Battle of Qinghai twelve years ago. It was the commander-in-chief's failure to come to the rescue that caused General Wang's failure to fight."

"General, you bravely led the charge, fighting to the death without retreating. You are a model for the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty. How can there be any shame in this?"

"This appointment of the general is the will of the people and the decree of the Empress Dowager. I dare not take credit for it, much less speak of the favor."

There was loose tea readily available at home, which Yan Niang had already prepared and served in order of guest and host.

Lu Jun raised her teacup: "With this tea, I wish the two generals a great victory over the Tibetans, the recapture of Anxi, and a triumphant return!"

This battle was led by Wang Xiaojie, with Tang Xiujing stationed in Xizhou to provide support, hence the presence of both Wang Xiaojie and Tang Xiujing.

Tang Xiujing and Wang Xiaojie both raised their glasses and took a sip, but did not respond with congratulations. Their faces were cautious, and their muscles were stiff when they smiled.

"The tea-drinking tradition is ultimately the authentic one from Lu Shiyi's family; even the palace can't match it," Tang Xiujing said politely.

He glanced to his side.

Wang Xiaojie chimed in, "I hadn't heard Lu Shiyi's insightful remarks before, but during these past few days of discussions, I've greatly admired his strategic thinking. He's truly a young talent..."

He praised Lu Jun one by one for his insights into Tibet, his strategy of sowing discord, his key points of defense, and his future plans.

Lu Jun smiled and said:

"Your presence is an honor to my humble abode; how could I possibly accept such praise?"

"If I am not mistaken, the two generals must have important matters to discuss with me. Please speak frankly."

If we want to express our gratitude for the recommendation, Wang Xiaojie can do it himself; there's no need to involve Tang Xiujing as well.

The fact that the two of them came together must be related to a military campaign.

Snapped--

Wang Xiaojie slammed his teacup down on the table and said loudly, "I'm a straightforward man; I'll say what I mean!"

"Fighting for the country and recovering lost territories is a man's duty, and avenging wrongs is also my bounden duty!"

"But the Empress Dowager demanded that the troops be dispatched this winter, leaving only six months to prepare, which is really too rushed."

"These past few days, we've been discussing the plan, and everyone thinks a year from now would be more suitable. We've submitted it several times, but the Empress Dowager disagrees. She also disagrees with changing it to six months..."

"Even new recruits might not be trained well in six months, and the defense lines in Longyou and Hexi are not yet secure. It was all done in a hurry."

"Although speed is of the essence in war, and the Tibetans would find it difficult to defend against a sudden attack, there is ultimately no guarantee of victory."

"In winter, the grass in Tibet withers, making it difficult to conduct long-term operations deep into the Western Regions. However, the freezing weather also makes it difficult for our army to perform its duties."

"Not only will our men and horses freeze, but we might not even be able to draw our bows, which will greatly diminish our combat effectiveness!"

"The Empress Dowager is being rather hasty..."

Ministers rarely discuss the monarch among themselves, for fear of speaking too much with someone they don't know well and being reported to the emperor.

Wang Xiaojie directly criticized the Empress Dowager, which shows that he is indeed straightforward and also that he is really anxious.

Lu Jun looked at Tang Xiujing and saw him nod silently, clearly indicating that the two agreed.

"Is there anything you two wish to do for me?"

Tang Xiujing immediately nodded: "Shiyi is indeed a clever man. You are trusted by the Empress Dowager, and you were the one who initially devised the strategy. Could you persuade the Empress Dowager to postpone it for another six months?"

Lu Jun pondered for a moment, then asked in return, "You two know the Empress Dowager better than I do. May I ask if the Empress Dowager ever interfered in military affairs in the past?"

Tang Xiujing and Wang Xiaojie exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing deeply, and shook their heads simultaneously.

Tang Xiujing said, "Unless the enemy forces are pressing in and we have no choice but to engage them immediately, the decision should be left to the generals."

Wang Xiaojie said, "Although I haven't been leading troops on the front lines all these years, I know that the Empress Dowager won't concern herself with such details."

Lu Jun then asked, "So, why do you two insist on scheduling this year's winter again?"

hiss--

Tang Xiujing gasped, "I understand."

Wang Xiaojie asked blankly, "What do you mean?"

Tang Xiujing didn't say anything, but raised his hands and clasped them above his head, making a coronation gesture.

Wang Xiaojie suddenly realized, and slammed his hand on the table: "So that's how it is! No wonder I couldn't persuade him!"

Both of them sighed and fell silent, knowing that even if Lu Jun tried to persuade them, it would be impossible to change their minds.

The hall was solemn and silent.

Lu Jun beckoned to Yingniang and gave her a few instructions. Yingniang went out for a moment and returned with a plate on which were three silver cups and a silver wine pot. She then picked up the wine pot and filled the silver cups of the guest and the host in turn.

Lu Jun smiled and raised her glass: "My humble abode is simple and my hospitality is lacking. Please have a drink with these two distinguished guests to express my sincere gratitude."

"This..." Wang Xiaojie frowned even more.

"It's not that we're disrespecting Lu Shiyi, but we're all extremely anxious and really have no mood to stay and drink."

He came with a request, not to attend a banquet, and assumed that Lu Jun was going to host a feast, so he immediately declined.

Lu Jun smiled and said, "Just a sip is enough."

"Okay, I'll drink this one!"

Without saying a word, Wang Xiaojie picked up the silver cup in front of him, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Then, he coughed repeatedly, his face turned red, and tears welled up in his eyes.

He hurriedly picked up the teacup in front of him, gulped it down in two mouthfuls, and, still not satisfied, snatched Tang Xiujing's tea and drank it all.

He clutched his chest, took a long breath, and felt a burning sensation all over his body, from his stomach to his throat, and then to his head and face.

After a long while, I finally recovered.

He asked, "What kind of wine is this? It's much stronger than Jiannan Shaochun!"

Wang Xiaojie joined the army at a young age and spent more than 30 years in the military. Soldiers all like to drink, and he was a man of the world who felt that there was no stronger liquor in the world than this.

"It has no name; it was brewed by the family cook."

Lu Jun also took a small sip; it was the same strength she was familiar with from her previous life, but the taste was still far from the same.

Science and engineering are not his forte, and he can't handle anything too complicated, but distilling spirits isn't too difficult for him.

The yeast starter was bought from Nanshi. After fermentation, it was distilled in a wooden still. The liquid was then returned to the bamboo tube, and the beginning and end of the distillation were removed.

However, due to the lack of blending with aged wine and the fact that it has not been properly aged, although the alcohol content is high, it is ultimately not considered a fine wine.

If we were to take it to a winery to sell, given the current customer preferences and the taste of the wine, it probably wouldn't sell very well.

But when used in the military...

"This wine, like the newly brewed tea, is a recipe left by the Medicine King that I obtained by chance. It is mellow and strong."

"Last year, when Minister Wei led his troops into the Western Regions, they encountered heavy snow, and countless soldiers froze to death, which shows how harsh the climate is here..."

"It was early autumn in July then. General Wang was waging war in winter, so you can imagine how bitter the cold must have been."

"In fact, if we only talk about combat, Tibet relies more on archery and horsemanship. Our troops are freezing, and so are the Tibetans. Our troops have difficulty drawing their bows, and so do the Tibetans."

"In comparison, our army has more food and supplies reserves and a more diverse mix of military branches, so we are not necessarily at a disadvantage."

"This humble official only understands general military strategy, not tactics, and is physically weak, unable to serve on the battlefield..."

"The brewing method for this wine has been written down. You may take it to the army. Don't drink too much; just a sip will keep you warm."

"Let this official do his best."

Seeing Wang Xiaojie choke and turn red in the face, and hearing Lu Jun say it was a prescription left by the Medicine King, Tang Xiujing couldn't help but take a small sip as well.

With a "ha!" sound, it rushed up from my throat, and even though I was mentally prepared, I was completely out of control.

His gray beard trembled wildly, and he coughed repeatedly, wanting to drink tea to soothe his throat, but the cup was already empty.

Yan Niang and Ying Niang, quick-witted and agile, hurriedly poured tea for the distinguished guests, helping the two generals to temper the strong aroma.

Tang Xiujing and Wang Xiaojie both clicked their tongues in approval: "The wine is excellent, it's really potent! It'll be useful in winter battles, both for warmth and to boost morale. I'm going to take some with me to the army!"

Feeling a little relieved, I finally managed a smile.

A major battle often ends in half a day, with the main engagement spent probing each other and seeking opportunities to strike.

Both sides are testing morale, competing in logistics, and seeing who has the strongest defense, so maintaining a stable morale within the army is very important.

Drinking strong liquor in moderation can ward off the cold and boost morale, which is indeed helpful in combat.

Lu Jun smiled and said:

"This item has another purpose..."

"You two have been in the army for a long time, so you naturally know that soldiers can die not only from direct combat but also from suppurating wounds and excessive pain."

"Alcohol cannot remove the pus; it is still necessary to clean the wound with salt and alum, then cut it open and scrape it clean, or cauterize the wound with a hot iron."

"Many soldiers couldn't bear the pain and lost their lives as a result, which is truly regrettable."

"Give this wine to the army doctor, add some anesthetic powder, and the wounded soldier will get drunk faster, making it easier to carry out the operation."

"Even if the anesthesia doesn't work, the pain won't be as intense due to the intoxication and clouded senses, and maybe I can get through it..."

Strong liquor alone cannot disinfect.

Medical alcohol needs to reach 75 degrees; anything lower is ineffective, while anything too high will cause a protective film to form on the surface of bacteria, hindering alcohol penetration and thus failing to completely kill bacteria.

With the technology available at the time, it was difficult to repeatedly distill to this degree, let alone precisely control it to 75 degrees.

Therefore, Lu Jun proposed that the role of the military doctor should be to provide pain relief and anesthesia, thereby reducing the soldiers' pain.

"Not bad!" Wang Xiaojie slammed his hand on the table again.

He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lu Jun and said, "This trip of mine has not been in vain. Although I could not persuade the Empress Dowager, my confidence has increased."

"Since I have received Heaven's favor, I cannot complain about leading the army. I will not grumble or whine!"

"Lu Shiyi, your ability to think of the soldiers shows that you are a man of honor and loyalty, not just a smooth talker who is greedy for fame and fortune."

"Soldiers value loyalty. If you're willing to pick up lost items without hesitation, then I, Wang, will definitely consider you my friend!"

"I am a third-rank general, and you are a close minister of the emperor. Let's not talk about who is trying to climb the social ladder."

"If you'd like to become friends, let's share a drink!"

He beckoned to Liniang to fill the cup with wine, raised the silver cup, and looked intently at Lu Jun.

Lu Jun raised the glass and drank it all in one gulp: "How could I possibly refuse!"

Wang Xiaojie nodded and downed his drink in one gulp: "Refreshing!"

Then they both coughed and coughed, choking and feeling dizzy, but still had smiles on their faces.

Tang Xiujing also raised his cup: "It is generally not advisable to associate with officials both inside and outside the court. With cruel officials in power, caution is the only way to survive. However, Lu Shiyi has not been ambiguous, which shows that he is a man of principle. I am also willing to be your friend!"

Lu Jun was certainly aware of this rule, but how could she not show respect to the men who were fighting for their country?

Actually, he has something else that can help in the battle, but it's hard to say whether he can produce it in time, so we can't mention it for now.

The two generals stood up: "It's too late for you to stay any longer, farewell!"

To avoid suspicion, they left without notice.

Upon reaching the door, Tang Xiujing whispered, "There are people watching the corner of Shiyi's house. Shiyi, be careful of being framed by villains..."