Chapter 27 Chapter Twenty Seven

"One is to attack the heart first, and attack the city as the bottom. In this way, the four towns can be recovered, and they can be stabilized after they are recovered. The second is to defeat them one by one. Our army concentrates its superior forces to attack one point, and conquer each town one by one. The third is soldiers. The horses have not moved, the grain and grass go first, and the transportation in the Western Regions is difficult, so the supply and replenishment of military supplies must be very timely." Wu Zetian was very satisfied with Wang Xiaojie's answer, she had the confidence in her heart, and a smile appeared on her face.That is to say, Wang Xiaojie was ordered to be the general manager of the Wuwei Army, and together with the general of Wuwei Ashina Zhongjie, he led the army to attack Tubo.Wang Xiaojie lived up to his holy orders, and in the winter of October, he defeated the Tubo army and took back the four towns. He still set up the Anxi Protectorate in Kucha and stationed troops to guard it.However, the thinking of the imperial court was not very unified, Yao Qi and other courtiers advocated abandoning the four towns.Right Shi Cuirong held the wat board in his hand and went out to play: "In the Tang Gaozong Dynasty, the officials in charge were obsessed with their duties and could not guard the four towns. As a result, Tubo became powerful. They drove from the west of Yanqi, passed through Gaochang, Cheshi, Changle, and crossed After crossing the Moheyan sandy moraine, the army came to Dunhuang. Now that Wang Xiaojie has taken back the four towns, how can he give up."

"Wang Xiaojie is amazing, he fought hard and beautifully, and saved the court's face." Wu Zetian was full of praise. "Your Majesty, if the four towns are left unguarded, Tubo will surely win the Western Regions, and the Qiangs who live in the south of the Western Regions will be forced to surrender. If Tubo and the Qiangs combine, the counties in Hexi will be greatly threatened." "Cui Aiqing, go on." "The Moheyan sand moraine is two thousand miles wide," Cui Rong was encouraged by Wu Zetian, raising his voice even higher, "There is no water and grass. Tubo controls the sand moraine. One man guards the gate, and ten thousand men cannot open it. Our army will not be able to cross." In the past. In this way, Yizhou, Xizhou, Beiting, Anxi and other places will all be lost."

"What you said is very true, the four towns must not be lost." Wu Zetian accepted Cui Rong's memorial and decided to defend the four towns with heavy troops.Since then, the Zhou Dynasty and Tubo often fought wars in the Western Regions and Qinghai.In March of the first year of Long live Dengfeng, Wang Xiaojie, the general manager of the Subian Road march, and Lou Shide, the deputy director, fought against the Tubo generals Lun Qinling and Lun Zanpo brothers in Lintan County, Gansu Province in Suluohan Mountain, and the Zhou army was defeated. .Wu Zetian, who was clear about rewards and punishments, demoted Wang Xiaojie to a commoner, and Lou Shide was demoted to Yuanzhou Ningxia Guyuan County as a foreign minister.When Lou Shide received the signature of Zuo Qian's ultimatum, he was so surprised that his mouth bulged.

"Oh, there isn't even one Guan Jue left behind?" He frowned, and instantly regained his composure: "That's fine, that's fine." Seeing that Lou Shide didn't make any request, the angel was at ease, without any expression of joy, anger, sorrow, joy or sadness on his face, with a look of detachment, thinking that he was just pretending.Lou Shide really didn't mind, calm and composed, not restless, not anxious, not in a hurry, packed his luggage by himself, and went to the post as scheduled.At the end of autumn, Tubo suddenly sent envoys to the Zhou Dynasty to ask for reconciliation.

Wu Zetian did not express her position lightly. She sent Cao Junjun and Guo Yuanzhen, the right military guards, to make a return visit to observe her movements and intentions.Tubo received very warmly and politely.Daxiang Lun Qinling is the grandson of Lu Dongzan, he is quite familiar with the customs of the Central Plains, he doesn't put on airs, his attitude is hazy, and his speech is gentle and tactful.He asked Zhou Zhe to return to the defenders of the four towns of Anxi, and also demanded to cede the jurisdiction of the ten surname tribes of the Western Turkic Khanate that belonged to the territory of the Zhou Dynasty, that is, Wudulu, the five defense areas in the east, and Wu Nushibi, the five defense areas in the west.Guo Yuanzhen was excited, and asked back: "The people of the four towns, the tribes with ten surnames, are different from the race of the Tubo Kingdom. If you ask the Zhou Dynasty to withdraw, don't you intend to annex it?"

"If we are greedy for territory, we will create disasters on the border and attack Ganzhou and Liangzhou to the east. How can we be willing to make a small profit thousands of miles away?" On Qinling's wording is smooth, with softness and rigidity, and rigidity with softness.The two had their own opinions, but they could not reach an agreement, and Tubo sent envoys to the Zhou Dynasty with Guo Yuanzhen.The officials of the Zhou Dynasty discussed and went, but could not make a decision. Wu Zetian summoned Guo Yuanzhen alone.Guo Yuanzhen stated his opinion from the analysis of the personnel: "Lun Qinling's request is obviously excessive, but this is an important opportunity for the change of interests. It is best for us to delay the time so that Lun Qinling does not despair of the peace negotiation. It is the best policy."

"How to answer?" Wu Zetian focused and listened patiently. "The four towns of Anxi and the ten surnames of Turks are all lands that Tubo aspires to occupy. Qinghai Lake and the former land of Tuyuhun, that is, the Qinghai area, are important territories of the country. Now we should answer Tubo in this way: the land of the four towns and ten surnames is As far as we are concerned, it is useless, so we only send troops to garrison to appease the countries in the Western Regions and disperse your forces so that you cannot concentrate all your troops and horses to invade eastward. If the Qinghai Lake area is returned, the western part of the Western Turks will be assigned to you."

"Okay, let's deal with him like this, so that we can break Lun Qinling's peaceful offensive without falling out." "If Lun Qinling makes a mistake, the responsibility will fall on him." "The main thing is that the four towns in Anxi and the tribes with ten Turkic surnames have belonged to us for a long time. If you don't understand their emotional orientation, don't analyze the pros and cons of the matter, and abandon them because they are far away, it will undoubtedly hurt the centripetal force of all countries towards us. Not a good strategy for subjugating nations and tribes."

"Your Majesty is wise." Guo Yuanzhen was overwhelmed with admiration, "As long as Lunqin Mausoleum is dragged down, Tubo will decline." "I don't need to flatter you, I'm following your thoughts. At the same time, according to Tubo's national conditions and Lun Qinling's calculation of using softness to overcome rigidity, that is, to treat him in the same way as others, and use soft methods to hold him until Drag him to death." "Your Majesty, what should we do next?" "Try hard again, and you will go to Tibet with his envoy. Talk to him slowly, move your lips more, say this way, say that way, the longer the better, by the way, get to know their internal affairs If the situation is dealt with in a targeted manner, the effect will be better."

"I must follow His Majesty's oracle and try my best to implement it." Guo Yuanzhen was ordered to stay in Tubo for a long time, extensively contacted people from all walks of life, and also met with Tubo Zanpu Qidu Songqi Nuxilong, and then returned to the court to play Wu Zetian in the palace. "Tibetan is constantly going out, the people are exhausted, and they hope for reconciliation. In order to gain military power, Lun Qinling refuses to accept it. If we send envoys to negotiate peace with him every year and negotiate terms, let Lun Qinling refuse to agree, and use this method to drive a wedge between him and him. Zamp's relationship has aroused public resentment."

"Wonderful!" Wu Zetian praised, "Our plan of alienation has been exhausted. Lun Qinling wanted to mobilize the people to join the war on a large scale, and it was difficult. Tubo was jealous, and civil strife would inevitably break out." Both Guo Yuanzhen's strategy and Wu Zetian's judgment were extremely accurate.Tubo Zanpu Qinuxi Nong was only eight years old when he succeeded to the throne. Lun Qinling was in power, and several younger brothers led troops to guard various places. Among them, Lun Zanpo was stationed in the eastern territory and brought more than 30 disasters to China. year.After Qi Nu Xi Nong grew up, he secretly planned with the minister Lun Yan to execute them.The Tubo royal family was called Lun, and the eunuchs were called Shang, and Lun and Shang constituted the ruling class of Tubo.Naturally, conflicts are unavoidable between the royal family and eunuchs, within the royal family, and between old and new officials of the eunuchs.In the spring of the second year of the Holy Calendar, Lun Qinling left the capital to inspect various places. Qi Nu Xinong pretended to go hunting, assembled the capital's army and horses, arrested and killed more than 2,000 relatives and party members of Lun Qinling, and then sent envoys to summon Lun Qinling. Brother Qinling.Lun Qinling refused to accept the order and raised troops to resist.The twenty-eight-year-old Zanpu was in his mature season, and he was defeated by Lun Qinling, forcing him to commit suicide.Lun Zanpo was in a predicament and surrendered to the Zhou Dynasty with more than a thousand remnants. Wu Zetian was delighted to descend from the sky, so he sent Guo Zhenyuan and Heyuan Ambassador Meng Lingqing to lead cavalry to meet him, appointed Lun Zanpo to be a special advance, and granted him the title of King De.Lun Qinling's son, Gongren, also led the Tuyuhun seven thousand tents under his jurisdiction to surrender. Wu Zetian appointed him as General Zuo Yulingwei and named him Duke of Jiuquan County.And use Lun Zan Po and Gong Ren to guard the border.Lu Dongzan's ancestors and grandchildren have been prime ministers for three generations. For more than forty years, the general trend of Tubo is on the rise.They contribute to the country, but also harm the country.Due to monopolizing state affairs, weakening the power of Zanpu, using troops for years, against the wishes of the people, and gradually falling into isolation in the country, and finally, as Wu Zetian and Guo Yuanzhen calculated, the whole family was killed and expelled, and Tubo was temporarily depressed and stopped its external expansion. .On March 16th, the first year of Dengfeng, Long Live, the Xinming Hall was completed. It is 294 feet high and 300 feet in length and width. It is slightly smaller than the Ming Hall that was destroyed by fire.On the roof stood a gilded iron phoenix, two feet high, which was later blown down by strong winds.Another "californium fire bead" with embossed flames on the surface was made to replace it, and it was held high by the dragons. Wu Zetian gave it an imaginative name Yitong Tiangong.Amnesty to the world.The year name was changed to Long Live Tong Tian.Within a year, three numbers were used, changing from Tianji Wansui to Yuan Wansui Dengfeng, and from Wansui Dengfeng to Yuan Wansui Tongtian.However, the word "Long Live" did not go well, and there were frequent foreign troubles.Not long after the Yuan Dynasty was changed, the imperial court received an emergency document from the northeast.Li Jinzhong, governor of the Khitan tribe in Chaoyang County, Liaoning Province, and Li Jinzhong, governor of Songmo, and Sun Wanrong, the governor of Jimi Prefecture in Guicheng Prefecture, gathered together and captured Yingzhou.The Khitan is one of the Donghu ethnic groups occupying the upper reaches of the Liaohe River in the Northeast region. It is a mixed race of Mongolian and Modi.In the Taizong Dynasty, the chieftain of Kuke surrendered and gave him the surname Li.From then on, Khitan's territory was divided into eight parts, each of which became the state of the Tang Dynasty, and the chiefs of each part served as governors.In the Gaozong Dynasty, Li Kuke passed away, and his grandson Li Jinzhong succeeded him as the governor of Songmo. When Wu Zetian came to the throne, he appointed Zhao Wenhui as the governor of Yingzhou.Zhao Wenhui was self-willed and self-willed. He regarded the Khitan people as barbarians, and treated the chief who served as the governor of the state as a slave.He created racial discrimination with one hand, and extorted money with the other, which led to an ethnic dispute.Li Jinzhong is Sun Wanrong's brother-in-law, both live near Yingzhou City.The Khitan tribe suffered a famine, and Zhao Wenhui refused to help.The two couldn't bear it anymore and jointly launched a mutiny.Li Jinzhong called himself "Khan of Heaven" and appointed his brother-in-law Sun Wanrong as a general.Khitan people came from far and near to vote, and tens of thousands of people gathered in ten days.Li Jinzhong defended Yingzhou and ordered Sun Wanrong to be the vanguard to attack Miyun County, Zhizhou, Beijing from Yingzhou to seize land.Wherever the army went, they conquered and surrounded Zhizhou. Wu Zetian sent 28 generals, including General Zuoying Yangwei Cao Renshi, General Youjinwuwei Zhang Xuanyu, General Zuoweiwei Li Duozuo, and Sinong Shaoqing Marenjie, to lead an army to crusade.In autumn, Chunguan Shangshu Liang Wangwu Sansi was sent to serve as the pacification ambassador of Yuguan Road, and Yao Qi was appointed as the deputy ambassador to guard the border to prevent the Khitan army from invading south.He also changed Li Jinzhong's name to Li Jinmie, and Sun Wanrong's name to Sun Wanzhan.When the Khitan army broke through Yingzhou, they captured hundreds of soldiers from the Zhou Dynasty, locked them in dungeons, and sent a Hun from the north of the Liaohe River to guard them.When the Northern Expeditionary Army was approaching, the head warder was ordered to deliver a message to the prisoners in the prison: "This time we rebelled as a last resort. We are hungry and cold, and cannot survive. We will surrender as soon as the officers and soldiers arrive." After a while, he released the captives from the dungeon, entertained them to eat porridge cooked with chaff, and comforted them: "We have no food for you, and we can't bear to kill you. Now let you live." Then all released.The captives arrived in Youzhou, Beijing, and reported what they heard.The soldiers and horses of the Northern Expeditionary Army scrambled to march towards Yingzhou. When they arrived at the Yellow Deer Valley, Xiqidan, Lulong County, Hebei Province, abandoned some weak cattle and horses by the roadside, and sent old and weak women and children to meet the surrender.Master Cao Ren believed even more, and couldn't wait to make great achievements, so they gave up the infantry and only led the cavalry to gallop.The Northern Expeditionary Army arrived at the north of Lulong County, Hebei Province, Xiashi Valley, and stepped into the pocket position.I saw the mountains on both sides layered on top of each other, and the situation was dangerous. The two generals Zhang and Ma just hurried on their way without making any judgments.When it was dusk, there was a sudden sound of trumpets and whistles, and a crowd of brave men protruded from the forest, swooping down.The front team is a pike soldier, who specializes in poking faces.The rear team is the Suobing Bing, who specially stumbles the horse's foot.Zhou's army is all light cavalry, and they can't look at each other up and down. If they are not stabbed to death, they will be captured alive.Zhang Xuanyu and Maren Jie also tripped over the lasso and became prisoners.The Zhou army was defeated in the chaos, and the valley was filled with corpses, and few people escaped with their lives.Li Jinzhong found the seal letter of the commander of the Zhou army from the captured general, and forged a document: "Our army has defeated the bandit army, and immediately marched into Yingzhou. If anyone violates the order or arrives late, the officers will be beheaded, and the soldiers will not be counted. " Then forced Zhang Xuanyu and others to sign, and issued it to the governor of Youzhou Yan Bandit and Zong Huaichang.Yan bandit Shi and others received the military order and marched day and night. When they were exhausted, they were attacked by the Khitan army who had ambushed in advance.The military newspaper passed it to Luoyang with a fast ride of six hundred miles. Wu Zetian was astonished as if a thunder had exploded above his head, and his breathing became short and choked.She put down the military newspaper in her hand, and paced back and forth anxiously in the imperial study.With a flash of eyes, he came up with emergency measures and issued an edict: All prisoners in prisons across the country, as well as servants in government and civilian households, who have courage, will be released. Attack Khitan.Ordered the states along the east of Shandong Xiaoshan to set up local self-defense knights.He also appointed the governor of Dali County, Shaanxi Province of Tongzhou, and Wu Youyi, king of Jian'an, as the general of Youwuwei, and also the general manager of the Qingbian Road Marching Army to crusade against Khitan.One wave is not flat, and another wave rises again.The foreign aggression has not yet subsided, and another conspiracy has been discovered in the country.Liu Sili, governor of Shanxi Quan County in Jizhou, once worshiped Taoist Zhang Jingzang as his teacher and learned physiognomy. Before he made his fortune, Zhang Jingzang prophesied: "You have a strange appearance on your face, and you will soon be promoted to governor of Jizhou, and it will not stop. Therefore, he will be promoted to the high position of Grand Master in the future." Taishi is the emperor's teacher, the head of the three teachers, a high-ranking official of the first rank, and the highest honorary official among the courtiers.Liu Sili believed in Zhang Jingzang's prediction and was very encouraged.But he was a little impatient, unwilling to let the years go by, let the time go by in vain, and wanted to find a shortcut, even crooked ways.Fainted by Li Lingzhi, he came to Luoyang with an excuse, and conspired with his friend Qi Lianyao, who joined the army as a Luozhou secretary, to rebel.Qilian is a compound surname, that is, the surname of Hu who was naturalized in the Western Regions. He has obvious Western ancestry: curly hair, a beard full of hawthorn, high nose bridge, concave eye sockets, broad forehead, and raised forehead. With imagination, it seems to be horn-shaped .It is said that in ancient my country, Shennong had horns on his head.Qi Lianyao's appearance is quite similar to the "two horns with different phases" mentioned in the Mai Yi Xiangshu.On the one hand, Liu Sili took advantage of Qi Lianyao's peculiar appearance, and on the other hand, he took advantage of people's potential rebellious psychology and unstable factors, and purposefully selected officials to lobby secretly: "The unicorn is a unicorn beast, which symbolizes auspiciousness. Qi Lianyao has a long head like a unicorn. Jiao, destined to be a king. If you take refuge in him and assist Qianlong, you will have inexhaustible glory and wealth in the future." Wang Jin, a member of Fenggeshe and the servant of the heavenly official, was so moved that he made a lot of efforts to make Liu Sili the governor of Jizhou.A prophecy was fulfilled, Liu Sili became more confident, and his activities became more frequent.Wei Jixu of Yonglefang County, Mayor of Mingtang County, heard about the plot and thought he was not capable enough, so he told Wei Laijunchen of Luoyang County, Hegong County.In the first year of Lai Junchen Yanzai's bribery incident, he left to join the army in Dali County, Shaanxi Province, Tongzhou.This super cruel official still committed all kinds of evil when he joined the army in Tongzhou.He saw that the wife of a colleague who joined the army was pretty, so he took her by force.The charm of the mother-in-law still exists, and he fell in love with it again, and took it all for himself.In the first year of Wansui Tongtian, Lai Junchen was transferred to Hegong County as a county captain and resumed his status as a Beijing official.He only wanted to make a comeback and regain his former prestige, and when he got the news from Ji Xu, he was ecstatic and urgently reported.However, Wu Zetian did not promote him, and did not submit the case to him for interrogation, but ordered Hanoi County King Wu Yizong to handle it directly. Wu Yizong was ugly, short and petty, and an abnormal phenomenon of inferiority complex appeared in him. He became extraordinarily cruel and ruthless, and became a downright sadist.People called him "Zhou Lai Zhi Yaliu". Wu Yizong knew that Ji Xu had been listed as one of the cruel officials, cruel and scheming, so he transferred him to be an assistant.When arresting Liu Sili, Ji Xu found that he was so frightened that his face paled with fright, he was fighting with his upper and lower teeth, and his voice was suffocated. He suggested that Wu Yizong use Liu Sili's fear to break through the line of defense.During the interrogation, Wu Yizong did not impose a sentence, but took the attitude of giving way, and ordered someone to loosen Liu Sili's shackles.He leaned forward, coaxing and persuading: "If you confess your accomplice thoroughly, you will be saved from death." Liu Sili believed it was true, and with a fluke mentality of escaping death, he confessed a large number of people: Qi Lianyao, Wang Jin, Fengge's servant Tongping Zhangshi Li Yuanyuan, Xiaguan's servant Tongpingzhangshi Sun Yuanheng, Tianguan's servant Shi Baozhong, Liu Qi, and others. Thirty-six people involved in the incident, including Zhou Yan, Wang Dong's brother, Wang Li, the governor of Jingzhou County, Gansu Jingzhou County, and his brother Wang Zhu, the supervisory censor, were all high-profile people in the country.Under the torture and torture, the cruelty was prepared, all confessed, and the sentence was decided.Thirty-six people were all executed, and more than a thousand relatives and friends were imprisoned and exiled.After Liu Sili confessed at the beginning, Wu Yizong released him and allowed him to move freely so that he could frame others.After the case was completed, he was re-arrested and taken to the execution ground to be executed.Lai Junchen wanted to monopolize the credit for this informant, and planned to falsely accuse Ji Xu of being an accomplice, otherwise, he would not have known about the Great Rebellion.Ji Xu got the news and claimed that there was an emergency and asked for an audience. Wu Zetian summoned him, and Ji Xu was able to escape Lai Junchen's murderous hands.Later, he was promoted to You Suzheng Taichung Chancellor, and won the favor of Wu Zetian.Lai Junchen reported the treason incident, but he was not allowed to be judged. Wu Zetian speculated that there was a fire in his heart, and promoting Jixu was like adding fuel to the fire. "It seems that we need to keep two hounds, otherwise even wild rabbits will slip by." She thought, "We should also give Lai Junchen a little sweetness and keep it relatively fair." So he was promoted to be the county magistrate of Luoyang.It is impossible for Lai Junchen, a mad dog, to be quiet at any time. He can't live without biting people.As soon as he took office, he instigated Luo Zhi, a member of the party, to report Fan Chi, an official of the judicial office, to be executed in connection with the Great Rebellion.Fan Chi's son went to the court to defend his father's grievances, but no one dared to accept him. He was so sad and angry that he cut his abdomen with a knife and wailed repeatedly.Qiu Guan's assistant, Liu Ruxuan, covered his face with his sleeves, and sighed in secret.Lai Junchen went to the Shu to accuse Liu Ruying of sympathizing with treason, was arrested, imprisoned, and sentenced to hang. Wu Zetian exempted him from the death penalty and exiled him to Qinzhou [Si County a, Guangxi, Liu Sili and other rebellious incidents were exposed, and Wu Zetian became more suspicious: "It is better to kill a hundred by mistake than to let one go. We must prevent problems before they happen." Lai Junchen Luo weaves Fan Chi's crime, she knows it is fake, and she lets the fake play be sung as a real one, and only leaves Fan Qi's life when dealing with it, and she is not willing to dampen the "enthusiasm" of a hawk like Lai Junchen.Lai Junchen was promoted again, and became a servant and Shaoqing. However, a cloud of darkness once again shrouded the heads of the courtiers.The greedy and complacent Lai Junchen, after some twists and turns, is now more rejoicing and greedy for money than ever.His appetite is getting bigger and bigger, and there is no shortage of wealth. It can be said that the wealth is overflowing, and the warehouse is full of gold and silver. He turned to sex again.The emperor rewarded Qi Lianyao with ten maidservants for reporting on Qi Lianyao's meritorious service. Lai Junchen went to Sinong Temple to check on the female slaves, but none of them caught his eye.The beauty got tired of playing and became interested in adultery.A wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as a concubine.If there is a woman he likes, if he can't steal it, he will try to falsely accuse her husband or master, and use extremely despicable "legal" means to achieve an ulterior and shameful goal.During the chat, someone said that Shi Le, the emperor of Zhao Dynasty, was licentious and shameless, and indulged in wine and sex.Lai Junchen boasted shamelessly and complacently: "What kind of bird is Shi Le? Compared with Lai, he is like a little witch who sees a big witch, and he has to learn from scratch." Khitan Heavenly Khan Li Jinzhong died of illness, and Sun Wanrong took over from him to lead his troops.East Turkic Khan Ashina took advantage of Khitan's lax guard to attack Songmo, the seat of his royal court, and captured Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong's wives and children. Wu Zetian got the report, and wanted to win over Mochuo, and named him "Jiebalishi Dashanyu" and "Khan for Contributing to the Country".Silently make progress, seek benefits, and obtain practical benefits.He sent envoys to Luoyang, asking to be Wu Zetian's adoptive son, and also asked to marry his daughter to the royal family's children. He expressed his willingness to return all the descendants who stayed in Hexi Zhihetao, and promised his tribe to serve the country, and sent troops to crusade against Khitan. . Wu Zetian knew that desires were hard to fill, but it was not easy to refuse. Offending him now would be harmful but not beneficial, so he sent Baotao Wei General Yan Zhiwei and Zuo Weilang General and Spinning Minister Tian Guidao to follow the Eastern Turkic envoys to the Eastern Turkic , He was also granted the title of "Qianshan Khan" as the general of Zuowei.Sun Wanrong gathered the remnants of his troops, revived his momentum, and dispatched the farewell generals Luo Wuzheng and He Axiao as the vanguard, captured Jizhou, Hebei County, and killed Lu Baoji, the governor, and slaughtered thousands of officials and civilians.He also took advantage of the situation to attack Hejian County, Hebei Province, Yingzhou, and shocked the north of the Yellow River.Foreign aggression came one after another, Wu Zetian remembered Di Renjie who was left as Peng Zeling in the first year of longevity, and appointed him to be the governor of Daming County, Hebei, Weizhou.The former governor, Dugu Sizhuang, was afraid of a sudden attack by the Khitan army, and forced the peasants from the suburbs to move into the city, repair the city walls, forge weapons, and prepare for war.When Di Renjie took office, he said very calmly: "The bandit army is still far away, why are you so flustered? If the bandit army comes, I will bear all the responsibilities." "Be prepared." Dugu Sizhuang kindly reminded. "Rebellion is unpopular. It's like pests in the crops. When the frost comes, they will die. Sun Wanrong's arrogance at this time is like a flashback. Once the imperial army arrives, it will be wiped out soon." "Di Cishi is very courageous and courageous, I hope you can predict things like a god." The common people applauded with one voice. "After you go back, I will visit you at any time, give some support as much as possible, and solve some difficulties." Di Renjie released all the farmers out of the city and told them to go back and farm with peace of mind.During the war, there were a lot of military documents piled up, and Yao Yuanchong, Xia Guanlang's doctor, handled them in an orderly manner. Wu Zetian found that his talent was extraordinary, and immediately promoted him to be Xia Guan's servant.Xu Yougong was expelled from office in the second year of longevity. Wu Zetian thought of his fairness in law enforcement and appointed him as the censor in Zuotai hall.The officials and the people all applauded and congratulated each other.Pan Haoli, director of Hebei Xinji City in Lucheng, wrote an article in the form of questions and answers, praising Xu Yougong for being loyal to his duties, obeying the law, sacrificing his life for righteousness, sticking to integrity, and not changing his nature because of life and death.The form of the article is active, the content is substantial, and it is widely circulated.Suppose the guest asks: Who can compare with Mr. Xu in today's world?The host Kanpei replied: "The world is the most vast, and there are many people. Maybe some people hide their talents, so I dare not make a judgment."But from what I've seen and heard, he's the only one.If you must find someone to compare with him, I'm afraid you can only go to ancient times to find it.The guest asked again: So, how about Zhang Shizhi?The master replied: What Zhang Shizhi did was easy, but what Xu Gong did was very difficult.Between difficulty and difficulty, high and low are presented naturally.Zhang Shizhi was lucky to be in the era of Liu Heng, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, and the world was peaceful. As for the theft of the jade ring from the temple of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, and the surprise bow incident at the Wei Bridge, it should be dealt with in accordance with the law and be impartial.What Xu Gong encountered was a change of dynasty, which coincided with the renewal of the world in Vientiane. The elders of the Tang Dynasty harbored evil intentions and made the monarch suspicious.And Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen are like the four villains in the time of Emperor Yao, who wantonly whitewashed evil words to frame virtuous people.And Mr. Xu sticks to the good way, digs deep into the truth, almost falls into prison, and has been impeached many times. You have seen and heard it all.The guest was filled with emotion: If Mr. Xu is appointed as Secretary of Criminal Affairs, he will be able to display his talents.The master was very passionate: You only saw Mr. Xu's law being fair and fair, and you thought he could be the Minister of Justice.When I observe him, he is loyal and tolerant, if he is used freely, he can be qualified for any official position, not only the position of secretary of punishment!Khitan launched an attack again. Wu Zetian reappointed Wang Xiaojie as the head of the Qing Border Road, appointed Su Honghui as the deputy head, and commanded 170,000 troops to conquer Khitan.Wang Xiaojie's army and Sun Wanrong's army met in Dongxia Shigu. Sun Wanrong's army couldn't resist and retreated steadily.Wang Xiaojie was eager to win, and personally led the elite as the striker, chasing after him relentlessly, hoping to wash away the humiliation of losing to Tubo with this victory.The mountain road became more and more treacherous, with steep cliffs on one side and unfathomable valleys on the other.Wang Xiaojie found out that he had been tricked, but it was too late to correct or take remedial measures.The Khitan army used the terrain to start a counterattack.Zhou Jun was forced to retreat in chaos.Wang Xiaojie took the lead in resisting the enemy's counterattack and encouraged the soldiers to kill the enemy and serve the country. On a cliff, he and his horse fell into a deep ravine.Almost all the forwards were killed in the rout.When Su Honghui learned that the former army had suffered a disastrous defeat, he turned around and fled back the same way.Guan Jizhang said that he ran back to the capital and reported it truthfully. Wu Zetian regretted the death of Wang Xiaojie very much, and posthumously presented him as Xia Guan Shangshu and Geng Guogong, and conferred on his son Wang Yuanze the post of doctor of Chaosan.Send envoys to the camp to kill Su Honghui to show the public.Before the envoys arrived, Su Honghui reorganized his army and fought with the Khitan army, won and escaped punishment.Jian'an Wang Wuyouyi, the general manager of the Qingbian Road, led the army to attack the Khitan and stationed in Jixian County, Tianjin City, Yuyang. When he received the news of Wang Xiaojie and the former army's defeat, he was terrified and dared not move forward.The Khitan army took advantage of the victory to attack the Beijing city of Youzhou, seized the city, and plundered the officials and the people. Wu Youyi stayed in Xingyuan and ordered the general to lead troops to rescue Youzhou.Because the general himself was afraid of the enemy and his morale was low, he was defeated and returned to Yuyang. Wu Youyi is greedy for life and afraid of death, sits on a large army and refuses to leave Yuyang, and has occasional small battles with the Khitan army and horses, forming a stalemate. Wu Zetian learned that Wu Youyi was unable to defeat the Khitan, so he appointed General Wu Yizong of the Right Jinwu Guard to be the chief commander of the Shenbing Dao March, and together with General He Jiami of the Baotao Guard, led the army to attack the Khitan tribe. Wu Youyi didn't know the art of war and was afraid of the enemy, so Wu Zetian had to send Lou Shide, who was good at leading troops to fight, as the deputy chief of the Qing Border Road.Lou Shide has been promoted from Yuanzhou Sima to Fengge Shilang and Tongping Zhangshi, and has resumed his phase.General Sha Zha Zhongyi of Youwu Weiwei served as the former commander of the army and led 200,000 troops to attack Khitan.Supplements from the right Chen Ziang likes to chew his tongue, and he remonstrates this and that. Wu Zetian was annoyed at his long-windedness, and was unwilling to review those irresponsible memorials, but he also forgave him for any unruly schemes. Let him go to the government to be a staff officer, let him go through the baptism of battle and experience the storm of war. Wu Youyi has no ink in his chest, he gets dizzy when he sees books, and he would rather take a detour when he meets a scholar, but Wu Chengsi transferred him another nerd Qiao Zhizhi who is even more stupid than Chen Ziang.Qiao Zhizhi, Feng Yi, a native of Dali County, Shaanxi Province, served as the doctor of the right division.He has a beautiful concubine named Biyu, who is as beautiful as a flower, she is good at singing and dancing, and is also very good at playing and playing.Every time Qiao Zhizhi wrote a new poem, she composed it into a song.Singing from her mouth, Sai is as clear and sweet as a yellow warbler, which is especially beautiful.The two people hit it off, as good as glue, and their relationship is as strong as honey that cannot be melted.Because of Biyu, Qiao Zhizhi didn't formally marry a wife.The two of them depended on each other all day long, and lived a leisurely and comfortable life.At that time, it was popular to keep happy prostitutes in private homes, and it was the same for the rich bureaucrats and the homes of literati. The social atmosphere formed from this, the number of prostitutes, and their sex skills all became objects of comparison. One of the nightlife of the upper class An important aspect is to hold a night banquet to entertain the guests. The performances of singing and dancing prostitutes not only create a cheerful atmosphere for the banquet, but also these lively and pretty flower-like prostitutes will accompany the guests to drink and drink, which further enriches the night banquet. Therefore, in social occasions, private prostitutes have almost become a beautiful landscape of the master’s house, a ribbon for connecting with society and communicating feelings. Since Qiao Zhizhi got Jasper, his net worth has doubled, and his popularity exceeds Many high-ranking officials and dignitaries, he himself is proud of it, gratified and elated as if he had found a treasure. As Wu Chengsi got older, he became more and more greedy for sensuality and pursuit of pleasure.There are many prostitutes and concubines in his family, and they are still greedy. They keep spending money to buy them, and they plunder everywhere, even by unscrupulous means.Qiao Zhizhi's jasper made him fall in love again, and he was so infatuated with it.The swollen eyes turned around and came up with a clever plan, ordering the housekeeper to do so.The butler brought a group of servants and maids, and brought a luxurious sedan chair to Qiao Zhizhi's private house.After greetings between the guests and the host, the butler said sincerely and gently: "My master likes singing and dancing, but none of the concubines is proficient in rhythm, so I specially asked you to come down and invite Miss Biyu to teach them." From the words and deeds of the butler, it seemed that there was no malice, and Wu Chengsi was a person who could not afford to offend. Qiao Zhizhi hesitated for a moment, then agreed, and asked the butler to carry Biyu to Wu Chengsi's mansion.The days flowed by day by day like Luoshui, but Jasper did not return.Qiao Zhizhi was burning with anxiety, as if ten cat's claws were scratching his heart.He couldn't restrain himself anymore, so he had to go to Wei Wang's mansion to see Wu Chengsi himself.Qiao Zhizhi notified his name, and then showed his name card.The door officer looked at the visitor, and simply replied: "Wei Wang has not returned from the court, so go to the palace to find something." "Where's Jasper?" "We haven't seen any jasper or sapphire." "It's the girl your housekeeper borrowed from the humble house." "Just answer you, we don't care about the affairs of the mansion, we don't know anything." When Qiao Zhizhi returned home, the more he thought about it, the more wrong he became, the more angry and anxious he became.For the last time, he wrote a note, begging Wu Chengsi to release Biyu, and his pleading also contained such words as begging for death, and please give him a way out.At first the door officer refused to pass it on, so Qiao Zhizhi stuffed an ingot of ingot, the door officer took it in his hand and weighed it, and then agreed. When Wu Chengsi saw the note, a nameless anger sprang up from his heart, his face turned from white to blue, and then he issued an order to transfer Qiao Zhizhi to Wu Youyi's army.Qiao Zhizhi knew that there was a ghost in it, but the king's order must not be violated, so he had to swallow his anger and report to Wu Youyi's chief manager's mansion on time. Wu Youyi assigned him to Chen Ziang and other staff, and asked them to deal with the paperwork.Qiao Zhizhi felt enraged, unwilling to reconcile, and told Chen Ziang everything about Biyu.Chen Ziang has a hot temper, a selfless heart, and says whatever he thinks, so he told Qiao Zhizhi the story of Luzhu, a famous prostitute in the Western Jin Dynasty, from beginning to end.According to legend, Luzhu was born in a pearl-fishing family in the South China Sea. His father was good at picking pearls. The locals called him the "Pearl Fishing King".Shichong, the governor of Jingzhou, made a fortune by robbing foreign tributes and merchants' wealth. He kept thousands of prostitutes, concubines and maidservants, singing and dancing day and night.He bought the green pearl with 30 dendrobiums of high-grade pearls, and the name of the green pearl came from this.Lvzhu is good at playing the flute and harp, especially good at dancing "Ming Jun", and also Wu Sheng's song "Regret Nong Song".Shi Chong paid special attention to green beads, and built a garden for them in the eastern suburbs of Luoyang, named "Golden Valley Garden".Later, the backer Jia Mi he relied on collapsed, and Shi Chong was demoted one after another.General Sun Xiu coveted the green pearl for a long time and forced Shi Chong to give it up.Shi Chong flatly refused: "The green pearl is my favorite, and I dare not obey." Sun Xiu was angry from the bottom of her heart, and her evil turned to the gallbladder. She urged Sima Lun, the king of Zhao, who was authoritarian in the government, to send a false imperial decree to arrest Shi Chong.Shi Chong said to Lvzhu: "I have come to such an end for you." Luzhu knelt down on the spot and kowtowed three times: "My lord let my concubine go ahead." Immediately jumped off the building to commit suicide.Inspired, Qiao Zhizhi improvised, filled with grief, indignation and passion of infinite nostalgia, and wrote a poem "Green Pearl Resentment", bribed the officials, and sent it directly to Biyu.Biyu unfolded the book paper, and saw that it read: Shijia Jingu re-sounds, Pearl Ten Dendrobium buys Pingting.This day is so pitiful, but at this time, singing and dancing are very humane.The Min Pavilion of Jun's house has never been seen, so Yu borrowed the singing and dancing.The spirit is heroic and unreasonable, and the arrogance and power are interrelated.I can't bear to resign from the king and go to the king. It is in vain to cover up and hurt the lead powder.A hundred generations of hatred live in high-rise buildings, and a generation of beauties are exhausted for the king.A burst of irresistible sadness shattered Jasper's guts, as if a sharp and ruthless knife was digging and cutting in her heart, and the blood flowed drop by drop.She frowned, stared blankly at the dark sky, walked to the mouth of the well, and threw herself into the well with a plop.Then the maid who followed was trembling in panic, and shouted with a trembling voice, "Help! Help!" "What's up?" Wu Chengsi walked over in a square step, unsteadily, "Why are you yelling?" "Da, lord, someone died, new, new person jumped into the well." "Shut up! If you make a fuss, I want your head." Wu Chengsi ordered people to salvage Biyu's body, and found a book note from her skirt. The handwriting of the poem "Green Pearl Resentment" is still recognizable. Wu Chengsi knew at a glance that it was written by Qiao Zhizhi.But when he was in the army, he couldn't do anything to him for a while, so he strictly ordered the news to be blocked, and quietly buried Biyu.身在军中的乔知之，远离神都洛阳，对碧玉的情况一无所知，心中不免牵挂，情绪消沉。幸亏有诗友陈子昂作伴，军务之外，二人饮酒和诗，道古论今，倒也不感到十分寂寞。Chen Zi'ang, courtesy name Boyu, was born in Shehong, Zizhou [Shehong County, Sichuan]. He was born into a wealthy family for generations.他年轻时使气任侠，后发愤苦读，开耀年间考中进士。二十四岁的他血气方刚，锐意进取，授麟台正字，迁右拾遗。此次随武攸宜东征，抵御契丹，到了燕京一带地方。 武攸宜无将略，前锋大败，他几次向武攸宜献计献策，并自告奋勇请战。 “乞请麾下分拨一万人马，让我上前线杀敌报国。” “老实说，你们读书人只会纸上谈兵，打仗真刀真枪地干，那可是要命的买卖，连我都怕，谁敢给你带一万人去送死。” “王爷，不打胜仗，我不回来见你。” “你安心歇着吧，不要老来缠我。” 武攸宜不但不采纳陈子昂的谋划，反而对他产生了厌恶感，把他从参谋降职当军曹。陈子昂受到武攸宜的打击，那种怀才不遇的悲愤情绪油然而生。当他抱着如此的心情，登上古老的幽州台，眺望苍茫寥廓的天穹和袓国北方的山河时，吊古伤今，哼出了一首慷慨激越的悲歌一《登幽州台歌》。 前不见古人，后不见来者念天地之悠悠，独怆然而涕下。 短短的几句抒情诗，包容着感念寰宇的悠远无穷和有限人生的短促，并且又感到没有同心戮力立功报国的知音，无法实现自己的雄图壮志，不能不喷发出一种孤寂、忧愁、郁闷、无聊而又悲愤的感叹。 陈子昂无论在朝中、军中，都不得伸展志向，奉献自己的聪明才智。班师后，便以家父年迈为由，辞职回乡。射洪县令、酷吏段简受武三思的指使，以莫须有的罪名诬谄他，逮捕入狱，陈子昂优愤而卒时年四十二岁。他一生在政坛上郁郁不得志，而在唐代文坛上却是一位具有承先启后意义的大诗人。他大胆提出了诗歌革新的主张，并在创作实践中产生了一些优秀作品，诗风刚健质朴，意境深邃，诱发联想，为唐代诗歌的发展开辟了道路，诗仙李白和诗圣杜甫都受其影响。他的文章讽议时政，重视散体，反对浮艳，为古文运动的先导。 乔知之在历史上没有什么名气，只因蓄养妓妾碧玉留下了终生的遗憾，也因此赢得了人们的同情。后来他随武攸宜返回朝廷，武承嗣先发制人，示意酷吏罗织罪名告密，把他抓进监牢处死，并屠灭全族。 事情本来算结束了，料想不到半路里却杀出个程咬金来，碧玉之死大大激怒了来俊臣。他两眼喷火，牙巴骨咬得咯咯响：“既然没有福气消受，何不乖乖地让给老子。武承嗣呀武承嗣，你小子只晓得利用我，从来没有考虑过我，以为我是小菜一碟。嘿，老子要拿点狠的给你看看，叫你吃不了兜着走。” 原来，武承嗣强占碧玉，早已引发了来俊臣的嫉妒之火。来俊臣本来也看中了碧玉，打算先陷害乔知之，处死他，然后收取碧玉。 武承嗣却急不可耐，结果事与愿违，一下逼死了碧玉，同时也粉碎了来俊臣的南柯梦。来俊臣气恨难平，一声冷笑，心头涌起了谋杀武承嗣的念头。曾经高居首席宰相之位的李昭德，由于锋芒毕露，垄断朝政，遭致同僚反感，群起而攻之，被贬到岭南钦州南宾当县尉。薛怀义死后，武则天将他召回朝廷，担任监察御史。李昭德和来俊臣，一个是直臣，一个是酷吏，从来水火不相融，势不两立，是一对老矛盾。二者都在左迁之后又恢复京官，都感觉到一决雌雄在所难免。不过，监察御史仅只正八品上，而来俊臣任职司仆少卿，从四品上，官阶高得多。李昭德准备从冤案、贪财索贿和强占人妻等方面搜集材料，告发来俊臣。可他的面铺得宽了，一时收不拢网。来俊臣掌握了武则天的猜疑心理，很快与曾在早朝中受过李昭德羞辱的秋官侍郎皇甫文备结成同盟，诬告李昭德图谋造反，捕入狱中，只等诏命将他处死。万一得不到诏命，也不要紧，可以让他在狱中“自杀”。来俊臣清除了身旁的一大隐患，满怀喜悦，腾出双手，全力以赴向下一个目标采取了行动。 武承嗣做梦也没想到碧玉投井自杀，竟会勾起来俊臣对他的刻骨之恨。身为新外戚武氏一族之首的武承嗣，得意忘形，骄纵专横，自然不得人心。来俊臣在把予头指向他的同时，野心恶性膨胀，重新翻开了《罗织经》，进而想打倒武氏一族，还要把太平公主、庐陵王显和皇嗣旦也扯到武氏谋反集团里面，说他们勾结皇宫南城南牙，朝廷衙门的卫军，北城北牙，内宫的禁军，一同阴谋叛乱。如此，以碧玉事件为导火线，酿成了来俊臣与武承嗣这两大暴发户的反目。来俊臣在实施报复性谋划时，权力欲却以几何积数增加，扩展到了想一举端掉皇权的后备力量一武、李二族。第一步夺取朝廷大权，第二步便可以逼迫武则天让位给他。 “哼哼，凭我的运气和魄力，没有什么办不到的事情！”受到野心的驱使，来俊臣心中像席卷起了潮水，热血一股股往上涌，脸上的横肉填满了一丝一丝的血红色，他对此次“大逆阴谋”的诬告把握十足，似乎白日梦已演变成了现实。来俊臣酷吏班子中的卫遂忠，觉得来俊臣太狂妄，气焰太嚣张，他的构思太离奇，好比海市蜃楼般可望而不可即。经过一番激烈的思想斗争，他从梦魇中走了出来，走到了魏王府，秘密晋见了武承嗣，透漏了来俊臣的“倒武方略”。以告密起家，在告密中飞黄腾达，饱尝了告密甜头的来俊臣，在这最后一次告密行动中，却被自己教化出来的门徒告密了。 武承嗣的肿泡眼愈瞪愈大，肿胀的眼珠子都差不多鼓出来了。他被一种无名的恐惧死死揪住，紧张得手心里渗出了冷汗。拳头愈捏愈紧，猝然暴跳起来，眼里闪着红光：“这家伙是不是疯了！想不到啊，他敢在太岁头上动土，告密告到我的头上来了。” “大王息怒。” 卫遂忠不安地掀动鼻翅，“时间紧迫，你得赶快想出对付的法子，抢先动手。” “好，算你立了大功，下去吧。” 武承嗣告了一天病假，暗中知会武氏一族和太平公主、宗楚客，以探病为由，至魏王府聚集。他把事情的原委告诉了众人。 “宰了这条疯狗！”宗楚客一拳揍在案面上，啪哒一声响，茶碗震得跳起来，哗啦哗啦，碗跌下地，摔成了碎片，荼水流淌着。 “不可鲁莽，”武三思举起一只手，“我们得依法惩治他，抓紧搜集、整理他的材料上奏。” “他的罪恶事实多如牛毛，俯拾皆是，用不着花费什么时间。” 性躁的宗楚客像一头关在笼子里的野兽，走过来走过去。 武攸暨深思地皱起前额，拖着长声说：“来俊臣贪得无厌，我们可以先弹劾他索贿。” “告他霸占人家的妻妾更简单些，”宗楚客急急巴巴地说，“到他家里一清查，随便就可以查出几十上百个。” “抄家？” 武攸宁抬起眼睛，“现在还不是时候。” “我不是说抄他的家，只是到他家去数一数抢占来的女人的数目。” “不要争了。” 太平公主一开腔，室内立刻静了下来。 “最好的法子莫过于抢先告发他图谋造反，先逮捕他再说。” 太平公主算是摸透了母皇的心思，武则天什么都不怕，什么都可以宽容，即使侮辱她的人格，骂她做淫妇，骂她黑心眼、弑母杀子，都可以饶恕。唯独最看重的就是皇权，她把它看得比生命还重要，而且特别敏感，只要稍有风吹草动，发现阴谋反叛，企图篡权夺位，她决不心慈手软，甚至不辨真假，一律严惩不殆。众人都露出了佩眼的神色，赞同她的主张。由武承嗣和太平公主牵头，武氏诸王和宗楚客联名上疏，弹劾来俊臣秘密谋反，抢先下手，逮捕来俊臣，投入了狱中。来俊臣入狱受审，朝野无不拍手称快，俨然打落水狗似的，一片呼声都要求处死他。司刑卿杜景俭判处来俊臣死刑。可是，判决奏章呈上了三天，依然未获敕许。早朝下来，内史中书令王及善随武则天进入同明殿，直言不讳地奏道：“来俊臣凶狠狡猾，贪婪恶毒，是国家的首恶，不处决他，难以平民愤。” 武则天坐在御榻上默然不语，好像在用心思，又显得很疲倦。王及善是李世民御驾亲征高丽时，阵亡的左武卫将军王君愕的长子，当年他十四岁，继承了父亲邢国公的爵位。高宗朝，官至卫尉卿。垂拱中期，山东发生饥荒，王及善担任巡抚救恤使，安抚饥民深受好评，诏命当春官尚书兼秦州都督，后来告老退休。万岁通天二年，契丹反叛，山东大乱，武则天想起王及善在山东享誉甚高，再度起用他当滑州河南归县刺史。王及善领旨谢恩时，武则天征询有关治乱的见解，他列举了十几项得失，具体而又切中肯綮。 “你的意见剀切中理，很有参考价值。一个州的事毕竟是枝节，像你这样的社稷之臣，宜留在朝廷。 “武则天当即任命这位八十岁的长者担任内史，对他非常信任，言听计从。然而这一次例外，没有答复他的奏请。 “与其说来俊臣谋反，还不如说武承嗣图谋篡夺皇权。” 武则天陷入了沉思之中，“武承嗣梦寐以求想获取皇太子的位置，近年来简直达到了丧心病狂的程度。来俊臣曾经和他联手打击异己，摸透了他的内心和为人，也许掌握了他最近的一些动态，打算告发，却晚了一步。先下手为强，后下手遭殃。一步之差，变成了阶下囚。” 她时刻都没有放松警惕，但是做梦也没有想到，真正的危险不在儿子身上，却是她特别照顾又当作坚强柱石的武氏族人。 “不错，来俊臣是一个危险分子，”她并不反对众人的看法，“然则，一旦风吹草动，能够及时觉察，并敢于揭发的，那就非他莫属了。” 苍茫的暮色从洛水与黄河交汇处暗暗袭来，皇宫大内一刻儿漾青、一刻儿荡紫地转换着颜色。 武则天抬眼仰望头顶的上空，流云在忽聚忽散地变幻着，而她觉得似有灰暗的阴影一次一次地向下俯冲，压得她几乎喘不过气来。 “一步棋走错，就会造成难以挽回的失算。” 她蹙着眉尖，踌躇难决，“杀好？留好？” 向来以明快果决着称的武则天，如今在来俊臣的身上，她拿不定主意，左右为难了。 近些天，武则天一直处于烦躁不安之中，早朝听政时，她的注意力也集中不起来。 武成殿充满了一派沉闷的空气，压迫得朝臣们仿佛都要透不过气来了。姚祷出班启奏，才使气氛稍稍缓和下来。 “启奏陛下，九鼎业已铸成，移置到了通天宫。豫州鼎高一丈八尺，能容纳粮食一千八百石。其他各州鼎高一丈四尺，可容纳粮食一千二百石。鼎上铸有山川物产等图像，共用铜五十六万七百余斤。” “再用一千两黄金，都镀成金鼎。” 武则天吩咐道。 “九鼎是神器，可贵的是天质自然。臣看它色泽光芒相互辉映，用不着拿黄金炫耀。” “那就依你的好啦。” 九鼎从玄武门拉入皇宫，武则天命令诸宰相、亲王率南北衙禁卫军十余万人，并出动宫廷豢养的牛马大象一同牵拽。午膳后，她睡不安，坐不稳，难以解脱的悒郁赛若一团棕丝堵塞在胸口，憋得她快要受不了啦。太平公主的到来，才多少给了她一点安慰，让她提起了一点精神。 “来得好，朕正闷得慌哩。” “陛下心里不安，孩儿怕影响龙体的健康，因此就来了。” “算你孝顺。” 武则天站起身来，“我们不妨到外面去走走。” 春天刚刚过去，夏天便披着一身的绿叶儿随着东南风悠悠荡荡地来了。湛蓝的天空上，几丝纤云慢慢地飘游着，鸟鸣声中，阵阵清新湿润的幽香沁人肺腑，分外舒爽。 武则天和太平公主骑着两匹毛色相差无几的枣红马，由迎仙桥走进西苑，沿着萦回婉转的龙鳞渠委委曲曲地朝北海走去。小太监髙力士牵着武则天的马，金刚牵着太平公主的马，母女俩并马而行，确切地说，母亲比女儿稍上前一丁点儿，大约半步左右。这是皇家的规矩，人人都得注意，精细的太平公主更不用说，她知道母皇的脾气，从不允许任何人走在她的前头。离女皇和公主相当距离的背后，有一长溜宫女，手持团扇、香炉、汗巾、茶具及笔砚等，由上官婉儿和红杏领着，徒步跟随。她们的后头，又有一队内侍，带着点心、水果、药箱、布障、软墩、专用御榻，以及便器等等。只要武则天需要，随时派上用场。除非女皇特别吩咐，一般他们都保持相当的距离跟在后头。 武则天常常跨着御马来西苑散步，或者奔驰一气，她从小喜欢马，也略懂骑射。她认定骑马有益于身心健康，可以调剂精神，延年益寿。西苑，顾名思义，它是洛阳宫西边的一座皇家苑囿，规模很大，周围二三百里的一片开阔而宽敞的地方。南半边五个人工湖，每湖方圆十里左右，四围尽种奇花异草。湖畔长堤，百步一亭，五十步一榭，两侧桃花夹岸，垂柳分行。北边的北海望去好似天水相连，银波粼粼，由龙鳞渠与五湖沟通水流。海中的蓬莱、方丈、瀛洲三座神山，都用长峰怪石叠得嶙嶙峋峋，楼台殿阁，四遭掩映。登上千尺高的山顶，神都的箕山、伊阙、洛水、颖水，可以一览无遗，晴朗天气还可以北望九曲黄河和黄淮平原，以及东南方的嵩山，甚至可以远眺西京长安所在的八百里秦川。苑内桃成蹊，李列径，杏梅绕屋，绿柳垂堤，仙鹤成群，锦鸡映彩，金猿共啸，青鹿交游。亭榭台阁尽是奇材异料，金装银裹，珠辉玉映，犹如锦绣裁成，珠玑造就。苑墙上都用琉璃作瓦，紫脂泥壁。树木花草飞禽走兽，都分外怪特，奇异多姿，仿佛来自天堂似的。然而一路行来，武则天很少笑容，也没有发出什么感叹。 “母皇一直怏怏不乐，有心事老窝在心里，会损伤龙体哩。” 太平公主坐在马上揣摩着，但她不敢随便打破沉默。布谷鸟声声叫唤，燕子愉快地划破天空的沉寂，柳荫里黄鸟咬咬，树叶在斜阳下一晃一晃的放着绿光，海上神山缭绕着似雾非雾的白气。它们刺激着游人的感官，又爽心悦目又有点发躁。 武则天收回目光，放松马缰，把脸侧向太平公主：“平儿，朝野上下，有没有什么动向？” “国泰民安，”太平公主闪烁其词，“圣上可以高枕无忧。” “不，你好像有什么事瞒着朕似的，朕的心里总觉得不那么踏实，有一种说不出的味道，恍若很空虚一样。” “母皇。” 太平公主瞅了母亲一眼，欲言又止。 “说罢，尽管说呀，朕不会责怪你的。” “你的心事都放到了朝政上，是不是把自己给忘了？” 武则天犹如受了一下打击似的颤抖了一下，她伫立在一棵大槐树下。太阳一阴，天俨然黑了下来，一种怆凉、孤独的感觉油然而生。这种感觉，对于敢于向命运挑战的武则天来说，以前很少产生过。她从十四岁人宫，到今年正好整整六十年了。在这个值得纪念的日子里，反而萌发出如此不堪的失落感，连她自己也没有完全理解过来。不过，她是从孤军奋战中艰难地走过来的。自从掌握政治实权之后，孤独转换成了孤芳自赏，成了韧的矜持，好比狮子独立的生存意识和奋斗精神。也许，恰恰由于能忍受这种孤寂，才造就她成为一代至高无上的女皇。 武则天和太平公主下了马，步入一座建筑精巧的水榭里。太监、宫女把茶点和女皇喜好的西域葡萄酒，在石案上面利索地摆好后，退到了周围的树阴下面，等候着新的吩咐。 武则天在座北朝南的主位上坐下来，太平公主坐在下首的锦墩上，二人细嚼慢咽地品尝着洛阳什锦果脯。 武则天喝了一口葡萄酒，一边欣赏着水晶杯里的琥珀色的酒液，一边说道：“平儿，你没坐到我的位子上，有许多地方是无法理解的，好比一家一户，不当家，不知柴米油盐的艰难。” “我知道，”太平公主有点撒娇的味道，虽然她已经三十四岁了，“我指的不是这个。” "What do you mean?" 太平公主呷了一小口葡萄酒，仍然举着那只西域进贡的高脚水晶杯，带着几分神秘的情调说：“我指的是你自身。” “自身？”武则天没有明白太平公主话里的含义，她从来都是把政治放在第一位的人，思路很快转到了来俊臣事件上。她以为太平公主想以“自身安危”来说服她处决来俊臣，不禁蹙了蹙眉毛。一阵银铃般清脆的笑声，打断了武则天的思绪。 “