"Yang Fan?"
Wu Zetian saw Yang Fan and revealed a slightly surprised expression.
Yang Fan bowed and said, "Yes, it is me! I was slightly injured in Hebei and could not follow General Li Duozuo into battle due to the inconvenience of riding a warhorse. I am indebted to General for your consideration in allowing me to return to the capital first! "
As Yang Fan said this, he quickly glanced at Shanghai Wan'er. Wan'er's eyes were already brimming with tears of joy. She hurriedly lowered her head and pretended to smooth her sleeves to hide her uncontrollable joy.
Wu Zetian's face darkened and she coldly stared at him. She slowly said, "Do you know who I executed at the Tianjin Bridge?"
Yang Fan said, "I have already heard. I believe that Yan Zhiwei should be executed. Your Majesty executed her entire family to serve as a warning to others. However, the entire Yan family has already been executed. It is not appropriate to leave their corpses exposed on the streets. I did not know Yan Zhiwei and did not have any personal feelings for him. It was purely... to protect Your Majesty's benevolence! "
Wu Zetian coldly glanced at him again and quietly thought for a moment. She did not mention this matter and changed the topic. She asked, "Yang Xuan captured the Khitan General He Ah Xiao at the frontlines. Later, the Khitan Generals Luo Wuzhen and Li Zangu surrendered with their troops. Then, Fei Mo killed Sun Wanrong and surrendered with his head. Before this, the court suffered heavy casualties at the East and West Gorges of the Hebei Province. These Khitan Generals killed the most of our soldiers that day. Most of the civil and military officials in the court believe that they are unforgivable and should be executed to wipe away their previous shame. You came from the Hebei Province and know them well. What do you think I should do? "
Yang Fan did not dare to be perfunctory about this matter. He thought for a moment and answered seriously, "In the battlefield, everyone serves their own masters. I do not think it is appropriate to use this as a reason to kill captives and surrender. However... He Ah Xiao is a cruel person. Among the Khitan Generals, he killed the most and often enjoyed torturing and killing the common people. He is guilty of the most heinous crimes and should not be pardoned. This official thinks that he should be punished in the open to deter thieves and thieves! "
Wu Zetian nodded slightly and asked, "What about the other generals?"
Yang Fan said, "Since Fei Mo killed his leader and led his people to surrender to the court, I believe that the court should accept it. Otherwise, if there is another threat on the border, the Yidi would rather die in battle than surrender. Moreover, the six Khitan tribes that are still residing in the Yingzhou region will also feel sympathy for the loss of their own kind and will have different opinions about the imperial court!
Wu Zetian smiled bitterly. Hearing Yang Fan say this, she knew that he still did not know that the Xi Tribe had already submitted to the Turks. The Six Khitan Tribes were now essentially independent. Da Zuorong had also taken the opportunity to establish his own state. The Great Zhou Dynasty had now lost the entire northeast.
Moreover, she had heard that Fei Mo had integrated the remaining forces of Sun Wanrong and Li Jinzhong's Daya Clan. Nominally, the Daya Clan was the leader of the Khitans, but in terms of strength, they no longer lived up to their name.
In addition, she had heard that Fei Mo had integrated the remaining forces of Sun Wanrong and Li Jinzhong's Daya Clan. In name, the Daya Clan was the leader of the Khitans, but in terms of strength, they no longer lived up to their name.
If they were allowed to return to Yingzhou, then the Khitan Six Tribes, whose strength had been preserved, and the Daya Clan, who had nominal authority over the Khitans, would inevitably fight for power. It would be normal for this fight to last for eighty to a hundred years, so their internal friction would be extremely beneficial to the Wuzhou Dynasty.
Thus, although Yang Fan's reasoning was not as good as hers, it still gained her approval.
Yang Fan continued, "As for Li Kaigu and Luo Wuzhen, they are brave and skilled in battle. They are indeed talented. Moreover, during the period when they were leading the troops, their discipline could be considered strict. Although they did plunder property, they rarely harmed the common people. Now that they have taken the initiative to surrender, your subject believes that the imperial court can take them in. "
Wu Zetian said, "But most of the officials and generals in the imperial court think that they are Khitans and cannot be trusted. What do you think?"
Yang Fan said, "In the Lingyan Pavilion, Yuchi Gong and Qu Tutong are not Han. Heitei Changzhi, Li Duozuo and Shazha Zhongyi are also not Han. Yan Zhiwei, who was just executed by His Majesty, is a Han. Your subject believes that loyalty and treachery, courage and cowardice, have nothing to do with which clan they belong to. If His Majesty treats them with sincerity, how can they not die for His Majesty? "
Yang Fan was discussing the matter on its own merits. He felt that the Khitans should be treated differently. Luo Wuzhen and Li Kaigu were brave and skilled in battle. If they could be subdued, it would be beneficial to the country. However, he did not expect that his words today would protect Li Kaigu's life and future. Otherwise, the famous general of the Tang dynasty, Li Guangbi, would not have the opportunity to be born again.
Listening to Yang Fan's words, Wu Zetian pondered for a moment. Her heart was filled with ambition again.
She believed that with her courage, she could definitely subdue these two surrendered generals. Therefore, she nodded and said, "When Elder Di wrote to the imperial court about the treatment of the surrendered generals, there are many similarities with what you have said. Master Di is experienced in scheming for the country. You are also familiar with these two Khitan generals. Zhen deeply agrees with your suggestion."
Wu Zetian was most skilled in grasping people's minds and human nature. But perhaps she was too old, so old that she did not have the energy to see through other people's minds. When she once again used Di Renjie and entrusted him with heavy responsibility, she completely forgot the confession that Di Renjie wrote in anger when he was imprisoned: "Great Zhou revolution, all things are reformed. Tang's old ministers are willing to be slaughtered!"
In Di Renjie's heart, he had always regarded himself as an old minister of the Tang dynasty. At this moment, Wu Zetian did not notice the coldness hidden deep in Yang Fan's eyes.
Wu Zetian's expression softened. Looking deeply at Yang Fan, she slowly said, "Alright, Zhen knows what you did in Hebei. Zhen has always been fair in rewards and punishment. I will not forget your contributions. Since you are injured, go back to the residence and rest. When the matter in Hebei is over, Zhen will put you in an important position! "
Yang Fan bowed in agreement. When he hurried to leave, he looked at Shanghai Wan'er in a daze.
"Wan'er, follow Zhen back to the palace! Wan'er? "
Wu Zetian slowly turned around. After taking two steps, she suddenly noticed that Shanghai Wan'er did not move. She could not help but look at her strangely.
"Ah! Wan'er is thinking... thinking about the matter of the Turks. Since the Khitan generals can treat the Turks differently, can Your Majesty also temporarily use the policy of restraining them? "
Wan'er hurriedly chased after Wu Zetian and casually found an excuse.
Wu Zetian slammed her walking stick on the ground and angrily said, "The Turks! The Turks! They put Yan Xiu under house arrest. The imperial court sent messengers to urge them, but they refused to let her go! The Xi tribe was originally a vassal of Zhou, but they dared to brazenly snatch it from Zhen's hands! Now they are asking for rewards for sending troops to help Zhen fight against the rebels! How preposterous! "
Wan'er softly advised, "Your Majesty, it is not the right time for our imperial court to start a war with the Turks. Your Majesty, please bear with it for now. Build up the strength of the country. Sooner or later, we will make them pay back with interest!"
Wu Zetian angrily walked a few steps. Finally, she dejectedly sighed and said, "Then... I will add Moche as the Great Chanyu of Jie Di Li Shi and the Khan. As for the rewards, you decide!"
"Yes!"
Wan'er bowed and agreed. She was thinking of finding a convenient opportunity to ask Wu Zetian for a few days off to "visit relatives". That enemy, every time he went out, he was always worried. He didn't know how much she had to worry for him. Now that he saw her, he would definitely not be able to have peace!
...
"Officer, take care!"
Zhang Xitong respectfully sent Yang Fan to the palace gate and politely said a few words.
Yang Fan smiled and said, "We are brothers, no need to be so polite!"
He patted Zhang Xitong's shoulder and warmly said, "We are good brothers who went to the Western Regions together. It has been a long time since we met. I have just returned, so it is not convenient for me to meet these two days. How about five days later? Five days later, I will host a banquet at the 'Thousand Gold Drunk' and have a gathering with my old brothers. I will have to trouble you to inform our brothers. "
Zhang Xitong was overwhelmed by the favor. He hurriedly said, "Haha, officer, thank you for your generosity. Actually, all of our brothers are looking forward to meeting with you. However, because you have always been busy, we did not dare disturb you. Don't worry, Lieutenant. Leave this matter to me! "
Yang Fan nodded, turned around, and walked out of the side gate. In the past, he had only interacted with high-ranking officers, but now he felt the need to gather these comrades who had gone through thick and thin with him in the Western Regions. They were all part of the Hundred Cavalry, and perhaps … when the time came, he would need them the most.
Yang Fan walked out of the side gate. Not long after, a guard of honor approached him. Yang Fan didn't pay them any mind, and even deliberately moved to the side to avoid them. Unexpectedly, the guard stopped right in front of him, and a voice came from the carriage. "Erlang!"
Yang Fan raised his head and saw that it was King Liang, Wu Sansi, sitting in the carriage. He hurriedly crossed his arms and bowed. "Yang Fan greets Your Highness, King Liang!"
Wu Sansi smiled and solemnly said, "Get in the carriage!"
"Yes!"
Yang Fan replied and boarded the carriage. King Liang's carriage was quite spacious, and there were seats on both sides. Wu Sansi had him sit in the side seat. He looked him up and down, and then said with a smile, "You did well in Hebei. This king is already aware of that."
Yang Fan still had to feign civility with Wu Sansi, so he couldn't show any impatience. He bowed and said with a smile, "The situation was urgent, and Great General Li Duozuo's subordinates were lacking in eloquence. I had no other choice, so I had no choice but to do what I could. Compared to the soldiers who fought on the front lines, what I did cannot be considered a great contribution!"
Wu Sansi waved his hand and said, "There is no need to be humble when you deserve credit. Mencius once said, 'Those who use their minds govern others, and those who use their strength govern others.' These words are not false. Even on the battlefield, those who are good at using schemes and strategies are still superior to those who are brave and valiant. "
He smiled and stroked his beard. He looked at Yang Fan and said, "You have made a great contribution this time, and His Majesty will definitely reward you. You were delayed in your appointment at the Ministry of Personnel, but with this contribution, it won't be difficult for you to make a comeback. What are your plans? Perhaps this king can lend you a helping hand! "
Yang Fan's heart moved. After thinking for a while, he put on a wry smile and said, "I am indebted to your highness' praise. In fact, this official's scheming can only be used in front of those illiterate generals. Compared to the minds of the officials in the court, this is far from enough. From the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Personnel, this subject has always been reckless and impetuous. It was only through my courage and Your Highness' care that I was able to continue my journey. Otherwise, I would have fallen a long time ago. This subject feels that the path of a civil official is not suitable for a martial artist like this subject. This subject wishes to return to the Imperial Army and the Hundred Cavalry. What does Your Highness think? "
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