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When Wu Zetian heard Su Dingfang ask for a meeting, she couldn't help but frowned, but she still said nothing, and only asked someone to announce it. After walking back to her seat, Wu Zetian, who originally wanted Chen Yi to retreat, opened her mouth, seemed to have thought of something, and waved her hand to signal Chen Yi to stand on her side.

"Zi Ying, I heard that you wrote a poem to praise Su Lie a few days ago. Is there anything wrong?" Wu Zetian asked softly.

Chen Yi nodded and explained with a smile: "Yes, Empress, I have always admired the great achievements made by Duke Xing in his years of war. I thought that if all the generals of the Tang Dynasty could be like him, why should foreign enemies not be eliminated? Now our army is fighting against the Goryeo on the front line of Liaodong. I was inflating my blood and thought of that poem, and I wanted to use this poem to inspire the morale in the army!" Wu Zetian's eyes and ears were quite aware. She knew what happened in Zuixianlou a few days ago so quickly. Who reported to her? Could it be Helan Minzhi's future brother-in-law?

Wu Zetian looked at Chen Yi with a strange look, but finally smiled: "Well, did you write your poem quite heroic! 'The bright moon in the Qin Dynasty was clear and the Han Dynasty was pass, and the people had not returned from the Long March, but the flying general in Longcheng was there, and he did not teach Hu horses to cross Yinshan.' It was very imposing, and it was indeed Su Lie's achievements, but..." But what? Wu Zetian did not continue, but stopped and sat upright, because at this time, Su Dingfang walked in from the hall under the leadership of Wu Tuaner.

"Su Lie, please see the Empress!" Su Dingfang stood while His Highness saluting, looking straight ahead, and turned a blind eye to Chen Yi, who was standing not far away beside Wu Zetian, without any surprise.

"Su Ai hesitates and gives him a seat!" Wu Zetian smiled and gave a gentle command. He seemed to see a very favored minister. "You are always fighting outside for many years. It is not easy to go back to Chang'an to recuperate. However, recently, I have been busy with court affairs and forgot to send someone to visit You Qing! I wonder if my health has recovered?"

Su Dingfang looked calm, but he also stood up and thanked him: "Thank you for your concern. I have recovered and can return to Qinghai to work!"

Wu Zetian was slightly surprised. Unexpectedly, Su Dingfang made such a request to her as soon as he met, and felt a little unhappy. However, his expression on his face did not change at all, and he still said softly: "Su Aiqing, don't be anxious, the Tubo people in Qinghai. I have learned your lessons over the years and have become honest. I dare not invade the border of my Tang Dynasty. There are few reports of harassing my border people. My Aiqing has been fighting and guarding the border for many years, and is full of injuries. Your Majesty and I feel very distressed. This time I go back to Chang'an to recuperate, and you must take good care of your health. Why not... wait until the spring of the next year, and go back to Qinghai again!"

This not only surprised Su Dingfang, but also surprised Chen Yi who was listening. He really couldn't figure out why Wu Zetian didn't let Su Dingfang return to Qinghai now. Although he didn't understand the military situation, he also knew that taking advantage of the situation to rob the country is most likely to happen in the battle between countries. Now the Tang Dynasty gathered tens of thousands of troops to fight against the Koreans. With the current national strength of the Tang Dynasty, although the war between the two sides could support it, it was difficult. Moreover, there were not many troops defending in Qinghai now. Su Dingfang returned to Chang'an, and there were no generals who could stand alone. If the Tubo people took the opportunity to make trouble at this time and gathered the army to attack our border, it might be very troublesome.

It is a small matter to be a problem if the border is tight. The Tubo people took advantage of it. They even captured several cities and killed our border troops and the people, which could cause turmoil in the border. It would be a big deal. There was war in the east and strong enemies on the west. In any case, they should be prevented. With a general like Su Dingfang who is increasingly famous leading an army to guard Qinghai, the Tubo people would not dare to act rashly.

According to Chen Yi's thought, even if Su Dingfang does not ask for his order to return to Qinghai now, the court should send him back to Qinghai to strictly prevent the possible invasion of the Tubo people. He could not understand Wu Zetian's decision, so why didn't Su Dingfang return to Qinghai? What was the reason for Wu Zetian's decision like this? He was so confused in his heart, and his eyes looked at Wu Zetian were not reservingly revealed.

Wu Zetian noticed Chen Yi's inquiry's eyes, smiled faintly, and did not express anything.

However, what surprised Wu Zetian was that Su Dingfang did not give up because of this, but asked for his order again.

"Empress, my health is not hindered. I have been idle all day these days. If I am so idle, I will get sick even if I am not sick. I hope I can agree to my request and let me return to Qinghai to command the troops and prevent the attacks of the Tubo people!" As he said that, Su Dingfang stood up, "Empress, I think the Tubo people will definitely harass our Shanzhou, Lanzhou and Liangzhou areas when our army was exploring Liaodong in the east. Therefore, I suggest that the court should strictly guard against the Tubo people, and also ask the empress to allow me to return to Qinghai to command the military affairs of the provinces and strictly prevent the attacks of the Tubo people!"

Wu Zetian's face changed again, but the inattentive person could not see the change on her face. When she started speaking, her face returned to normal: "Aiqing Su, I can understand your concern for border affairs. Qinghai Affairs will discuss the specific situation with Your Majesty. After I discuss with Your Majesty, then make a decision. Before the court makes a decision, you should rest assured and rest assured. Don't worry too much. Please rest assured. The court will not let Qinghai affairs ignore it, and will definitely take measures to strictly prevent the Tubo people!"

When Wu Zetian said this, Su Dingfang did not ask for anything anymore, so he stood up and said goodbye: "Yes, Empress, since Empress said this, I will not say anything more. I will follow the instructions of Your Majesty and Empress, and I will not disturb Empress. I will take my leave first!"

"Well, then, Su Aiqing will go first. After a few days, I will call you into the palace for a detailed discussion!"

Su Dingfang left after giving a tribute!

Chen Yi, who couldn't help but want to say something, walked to Wu Zetian and bowed, but before he could speak, Wu Zetian waved his hand at him, "Zi Ying, don't say anything now. I'm a little tired. I want to think about something quietly by myself. You can go first, and I will come to the palace tomorrow to explain the military affairs of Liaodong for me!"

"Yes, Empress!" Seeing this, Chen Yi didn't say anything else, and bowed like Su Dingfang!

Su Dingfang walked out of the palace with depression, sighing in his heart. He really couldn't understand why the Empress didn't let him return to Qinghai to command the troops. He didn't plan to obey his opinions about Qinghai affairs, and felt a little sad from his heart.

Today he first invited Emperor Li Zhi to discuss with Li Zhishang for a long time. Li Zhi agreed to let him return to Qinghai to command troops and take charge of Qinghai military affairs without hesitation. However, he also said that everything must be followed by Wu Zetian's arrangements, and said that he had not paid attention to the court affairs during this period, and that Wu Zetian was in charge of everything, so that Su Dingfang would go and talk to Wu Zetian.

Su Dingfang, who couldn't understand the specific situation, immediately went to Xianju Palace to invite Wu Zetian to see Wu Zetian after hearing Li Zhi's words. However, he did not expect that Wu Zetian politely declined his request to return to Qinghai and asked him to continue to rest in Chang'an, which made him feel like he had been refrigerated a few years ago.

Su Dingfang's military strategy was derived from the true teachings of Li Jing. He became a monk in a different way from Li Ji and Hou Junji. He can be said to be Li Jing's only disciple. However, after learning from Li Jing, he was not valued by the court for many years because of taking the blame for this mentor. Even after Li Jing passed away, he still only took the post of a general, and he spent more than ten years idle. It was not until Li Zhi came to power that he was gradually valued and used his military talents in several battles. He successively pacified the Western Turks, the Pamirs and Baekje, and captured his master alive.

Although his troops were at a disadvantage in the fight with the Tubo people in recent years, he had never lost his achievements. He was confident that he could compare with his achievements. No one in the court could compare with him, even Li Ji, but although he made great contributions, he was not popular in the court. With the unluckyness of the Prime Minister Li Yifu, he was implicated. Although Emperor Li Zhi trusted him very much and did not pursue his crimes, he still held an important position, but Empress Wu Zetian gradually talked about him for various reasons.

Although Su Dingfang can be described as a genius in military affairs, he is almost an idiot in politics. Because of his straightforward temperament and quarrels with many people, he offended many people. The close relationship with Li Yi Mansion was also because of his straightforward temperament. The old fox-like Li Yi Mansion made Su Dingfang look at him differently in the future, so he had a close relationship. When Li Yi Mansion was in an important position, he also followed the glory and went to the position of the Grand Chief Executive several times. Until Li Yi Mansion fell, he was also treated coldly, but at this time he still didn't know why he was treated coldly, and even some of his military achievements were not rewarded. In recent years, he had to be useless, and he took over the position of Zheng Rentai, the chief general of the Qinghai Road, who died of illness, and was in charge of Qinghai military affairs for several years.

Although he has done a good job in Qinghai in recent years, the Tubo people who fought with disadvantaged forces cannot find the north and dare not invade the borders of the Tang Dynasty again, he has not received much reward from the court, which is completely inconsistent with his achievements. Su Dingfang now understands that his cold treatment and his exclusion from his colleagues are closely related to his interactions with Li Yifu a few years ago, but the matter has passed and cannot be remedied!

He didn't care much about wealth and honor and the titles in the court. His mentor Li Jing also said that he was only suitable for being a general who commanded the army, not for politics. But he was a soldier, and his greatest wish was to go to the battlefield to fight. This time he went to Goryeo, he thought he could lead his army to fight, but after seeing the imperial edict from the court, he was very disappointed. There was his regret. When he had no choice but to withdraw his troops from Pyongyang, he swore that he must raise his troops to slap Goryeo and plant the dragon flag of the Tang Dynasty on the top of Pyongyang. But now it seems that this wish will never be realized again.

However, although he was disappointed, he calmly accepted it with a good attitude and turned his attention back to Qinghai, which he was familiar with. He was worried that the Tubo people would take the opportunity to take advantage of it, so he submitted several requests to the court to return to Qinghai, but it was fruitless. He went to the palace to see him in person today, which made him a little discouraged. He was disheartened, and even his momentum of walking was not as good as before, and he seemed a little quiet.

It seems to be refrigerated by the court again. Why did so many years have passed and this fate has been retracted?

But just as he sighed in his heart and walked out of the palace, he heard footsteps coming from him, and then a sound came: "Duke Xing walked slowly, I have something to ask you for advice!"
Chapter completed!