Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 115 I Give You a Li Yuanfang
April is the beginning of summer, and June is the end of heat.

Since April, there has been a hint of heat in Chang'an City.

The Dali prison was airtight, making it even hotter and more stuffy, and the prison was filled with a disgusting mixed stench.

Shi Hedan looked at Shi Sanlang outside the prison, sighed, and said, "Son, why did you come to see me? Having a grandfather like me will only bring shame to you."

Shi Sanlang grasped the railing, shook his head, and said, "You will always be my most respected father-in-law."

Shi Hedan sighed sadly and said, "It's a pity that I can't leave you a share of the family fortune. Is that Kangguo girl still with you?"

Shi Sanlang said, "Sha Ji is not someone who despises the poor and loves the rich. Besides, I brought some gems from Kangguo. After selling them, it will be enough to buy a small courtyard with two entrances."

Shi Hedan said, "That's good. By the way, what sentence did Chang Sunyang impose?"

Shi Sanlang said: "Just like you, beheaded in the autumn."

Shi Hedan smiled bitterly and said, "I ruined him. Hey, child, remember your father-in-law's lesson. Never let greed blind you and do anything illegal in the future."

Shi Sanlang nodded and said, "I'll remember it."

Shi Hedan turned sideways, sat facing the wall, and said, "Go away, and don't come to see me again."

Shi Sanlang bit his lip, kowtowed three times to Shi Hedan, and then left the prison.

As soon as he was released from prison, a clerk came to report that Di Renjie asked him to come over.

Shi Sanlang followed the clerk to the Shaoqing's office, where he saw a young official sitting behind the desk.

"I, Shi Sanlang, pay my respects to Mr. Di Shaoqing."

Di Renjie waved his hand and said, "Shi Sanlang, here is a land deed, take it back."

Shi Sanlang was stunned for a moment, but didn't take it. He said, "That house was acquired through corruption by Weng Weng. Why are you still giving it to me?"

Di Renjie smiled and said, "This deed is not for the house in Xuanyangfang, but for the house in Pingkangfang. Your father-in-law purchased it through legitimate transactions. The emperor has issued an edict to return the house to you."

Shi Sanlang twitched his nose and kowtowed, saying, "Shi Sanlang thanks the Saint for his grace, and thanks Di Shaoqing for his kindness!"

He left the Dali Temple with the land deed.

After Di Renjie finished dealing with Shi Sanlang, he summoned Yuan Sicheng and asked, "Yuan Sicheng, have the captured Yanshan Society thieves been interrogated?"

After meeting Li Zhi, Changsun Quan cooperated with them to capture a group of Yanshan Society bandits in the city, and also provided a lot of Yanshan Society intelligence to the Internal Affairs Office.

Genji Cheng said, "We've interrogated them all. These guys don't know as much as Changsun Quan, so we haven't been able to get any useful information out of them."

Di Renjie said, "Let's examine it again. Maybe someone is hiding something."

Genji Cheng smiled and said, "Okay, then I'll stay with them for a few more days."

A clerk came to report that Xin Mao would invite Di Renjie over.

Di Renjie came to General Xin Mao's office and said, "Minister Si, are you looking for me?"

General Xin Mao smiled and said, "Congratulations, Shaoqing Di. The Ministry of Personnel just sent an official document. From now on, you will be the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, and no longer an acting position."

Di Renjie said excitedly, "Thank you, Mr. Xin, for telling me."

General Xin Mao extended his hand to invite Di Renjie to sit down, and said earnestly, "Sir Di, you've solved several major cases in recent months, and you've gained too much publicity. You'd better be careful."

Di Renjie's eyes flashed, and he asked, "What are you careful about?"

General Xin Mao said slowly, "You are a favorite of the Saint, so naturally no one dares to deal with you openly. However, it is easy to dodge an open spear, but it is difficult to guard against an arrow from the dark. You must be careful of others' plots against you."

Di Renjie frowned and asked, "Does the Minister know that someone wants to harm me?"

Xin Maojiang took a sip of tea and said, "This is all I can say, given the limitations of my position. You can do as you please."

Di Renjie nodded and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Temple Master." Then he turned and left the house.

Although General Xin Mao seemed to have said nothing, his last sentence was actually equivalent to telling him.

Xin Maojiang cannot speak openly because of his position, which is that of the aristocratic faction.

Then it was obvious that someone in the aristocratic faction wanted to deal with him.

He had just investigated and prosecuted Changsun Yang, and caused Changsun Quan to be demoted. The person most likely to take revenge on him was Changsun Wuji.

But on second thought, Xin Mao will be Changsun Wuji's man. If Changsun Wuji really wants to deal with him, Xin Mao will not be able to remind him.

If it wasn’t Changsun Wuji, who else could it be?

He offended many people, including the Jingzhao Du family, the Jiangnan Huan family, and most recently the Yanshan Society.

These people were either dealt with by the saint or hid in the dark and dared not see anyone. If they wanted to plot against him, they probably didn't have the ability to do so.

While he was thinking, he heard a conversation in the corridor ahead. He looked up and saw that it was two officials from the Dali Temple, both of whom looked very excited.

"Did they really break into the king's tent?"

"Of course it's true! General Su is truly a god!"

"Is beheading 30,000 people true?"

"It's true, but it wasn't General Su who did it. It was Xue Rengui who did it."

Di Renjie was slightly startled and stepped forward to ask, "What are you talking about? What about raiding the king's tent and beheading 30,000 people?"

An official laughed and said, "Master Di, haven't you heard? A great victory was won on the front line. General Su Dingfang attacked the Turkic king's tent and captured a large number of Helu's women, uncles, and clansmen. Helu escaped with dozens of his closest associates." Di Renjie was overjoyed and asked, "What about the 30,000 beheadings?"

The official sighed, "General Xue Rengui conquered Yancheng and reportedly beheaded over 30,000 people. He truly deserves to be a great general favored by the sage."

Di Renjie smiled slightly.

Although he had only known Xue Rengui for a short time, they had helped Gao Youdao become the top scorer together, so they had some friendship. Seeing that Gao Youdao had made such a great contribution, he couldn't help but be happy for him.

At this time, a Dali Temple runner came running over.

"Secretary Di, the Secretariat has issued an edict. Due to the great victory on the front lines, the emperor is greatly pleased. All officials will be given a half-day holiday today. A banquet will be held in Chengqing Hall at 5 p.m. this afternoon. All officials of the fifth rank and above may attend."

Holding a grand banquet after a great victory is a custom passed down from the time of Emperor Taizong. The Tang people were heroic and would express their feelings with dance after a banquet to fully display their joy.

This way of celebration can also increase the cohesion within the court.

Di Renjie had only heard of the Palace Jade Banquet before, but he never thought that he would have the opportunity to attend it.

Because he had a day off in the afternoon, Di Renjie prepared to finish all the work he had in the morning.

Suddenly, a yamen runner came to report that someone outside wanted to see him and asked him to go out to meet him.

Di Renjie was slightly surprised. He followed the bailiff out of the Dali Temple and saw a carriage parked outside the door. The person sitting next to the carriage was the eunuch Wang Fusheng.

Di Renjie was greatly surprised and stepped forward, bowing and saying, "This humble official greets Eunuch Wang."

Wang Fusheng returned the greeting with a bow and said with a smile, "No need to be so polite, Mr. Di. Please get in the carriage."

Di Renjie knew that Wang Fusheng represented the emperor, so he got into the carriage with him without much hesitation.

The wheels rolled towards the east.

Di Renjie asked, "Eunuch Wang, does the Saint want to see me?"

Wang Fusheng smiled and said, "Don't worry, Shaoqing Di. You'll know when you get there."

The carriage left Chang'an City from Chunming Gate and headed east. After more than half an hour, it stopped at the foot of Mount Li.

Di Renjie had long heard that the emperor often took a hot spring bath in Mount Li to recuperate.

Now that Wang Fusheng brought him to Mount Li, it was obvious that the emperor wanted to see him.

After climbing the mountain and entering the temporary palace, Wang Fusheng led Di Renjie into the dressing room and said with a smile, "Master Di, change your clothes quickly. We are waiting for you inside."

Although Di Renjie knew that the emperor had always valued him, he never expected to meet him naked. After taking off his clothes, he entered the hot spring pool.

In the hazy smoke, a figure could be vaguely seen, soaking in the water, leaning against a large, peculiarly shaped rock, and waving at him.

Di Renjie went into the water and waded through it.

That man was indeed Emperor Li Zhi.

His whole body was soaked in water, and his head was covered with a white silk scarf, which gave people a very different feeling from usual.

"Your Majesty, I am Di Renjie, your servant!" Di Renjie bowed.

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Mr. Di, since we are both naked, there is no need for all the formalities."

Di Renjie also imitated Li Zhi, showing only his head and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that a victory was won on the front line. Is it true?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Indeed, Su Dingfang broke through the Turkic king's tent, and Xue Rengui conquered Yancheng. They certainly didn't disappoint me."

Di Renjie sighed, "Sometimes, I also want to be a military commander, to fight for Your Majesty and expand the territory!"

Li Zhi laughed out loud and said, "Di Qing, please stay with me. Thanks to your ability to solve cases, you have helped me a lot."

Di Renjie said: "This is what I should do."

Li Zhi changed his posture underwater and said slowly, "Mr. Di, although you have shared a lot of my worries, I think it is too unfair to put everything on your shoulders."

Di Renjie said hurriedly, "I am only happy to serve Your Majesty, and I have no complaints."

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "I know, but you have only recently arrived in Beijing and have no family to back you up, which could easily put you in danger."

Di Renjie was startled and asked, "Your Majesty, is someone impeaching me?"

Li Zhi glanced at him and said, "That's not the case, but I have received news that someone from an aristocratic family wants to take revenge on you."

The news was obtained by the Palace Office. It was not detailed and only revealed some clues. Li Zhi was unable to take the initiative and eliminate the hidden dangers.

A gleam flashed in Di Renjie's eyes, and he said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. No matter who wants to deal with me, it won't be easy."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "I believe in your ability, but I will still select one person from the inner guards to be responsible for your safety."

He clapped his hands and asked, "Where is Li Jin?"

An armored guard walked into the hot spring pool, knelt on one knee, and said, "General Li Jin pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Li Zhi said, "Li Jin, from now on you will stay with Di Qing and be responsible for protecting his safety."

Li Jin said: "I will obey your order!"

Di Renjie hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I can protect myself. It would be a great injustice to General Li to have him stay with me."

Li Zhi's eyes flashed with a smile, and he waved his hand, saying, "I have made up my mind, and you are not allowed to refuse. Li Jin is a top-notch fighter in the inner guards. I have given him a courtesy name, Yuanfang, so you can call him Li Yuanfang from now on!"

(End of this chapter)