Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 123 Sigongtai Reform

On an April night, the moonlight is as clear as water.

Wang Fusheng took a carriage and came to the secret office outside the Sigongtai Palace.

He followed the guide to the underground stone chamber, closed his eyes, and sat quietly waiting.

After a long time, the three eunuchs from the Palace Office came to the stone chamber and saluted Wang Fusheng.

"Greetings to the Grand Eunuch."

Wang Fusheng asked calmly, "Has there been any movement in the Wu Mansion recently?"

The slightly plump internal attendant smiled and said, "There's no movement at all, except that there seem to be more people from Changqiutai than usual."

Wang Fusheng said coldly: "Idiot, isn't this just movement?"

The three of them were startled and looked at each other.

Wang Fusheng asked, "What are the Tibetan spies planning in the Wu Palace? The Changqiutai and the Neilingfu are already keeping an eye on them. Don't you smell anything?"

Another tall and strong eunuch said anxiously, "Grand Eunuch, we have been working diligently lately and have not slacked off in the slightest."

Wang Fusheng said in a deep voice, "After all, it's related to the Wu Mansion. It's normal for Changqiutai to notice some movement. I just didn't expect that the Nei Ling Mansion would also find out."

The tall and strong eunuch said, "They are part of the Twelve Guards, and they've been expanding rapidly recently. Not only the Jinwu Guards and Qianniu Guards, but even the Gate Guards have been transferred in."

Wang Fusheng nodded and said, "I now understand what happened this time. Neither we nor Changqiutai will be able to surpass the Neilingfu in the future."

The most important thing is that Wang Jishan is not in Chang'an, but the Nei Lingfu is still so efficient, which makes him very discouraged.

The tall and strong eunuch gritted his teeth and said, "Grand Eunuch, can we add some more people?"

Wang Fusheng shook his head and said, "You should be thankful that His Majesty didn't abolish the Sigongtai. It's impossible for him to allocate more funds to the Sigongtai."

The slightly plump eunuch said, "Grand Eunuch, what should we do? If we allow the Imperial Household Department to continue to develop, we will never be able to surpass it!"

"Why not set up a trap and kill Wang Jishan!" The eunuch who had been silent all this time said viciously. He was the youngest and there was a ruthlessness in his eyes.

Wang Fusheng said coldly: "I think it's you who wants to die!"

The young eunuch was slightly startled and lowered his head.

The slightly plump eunuch said, "Master, whatever you say, we will obey you."

Wang Fusheng asked, "How did you recruit that scoundrel named Tang Ping?"

The slightly plump eunuch said, "He was originally a bad guy, working as a spy for a snakehead in Pingkangfang. He was exposed and nearly killed. It was only because we saved him that he was able to enter the Sigongtai."

Wang Fusheng said: "The people in the inner court are all from military backgrounds. We servants are definitely no match for them. We must recruit more talents like Tang Ping in the future."

The slightly plump eunuch said, "Grand Eunuch, we need to allocate more funds. The number of spies is already full."

Wang Fusheng said, "Just cut some of them."

The slightly plump eunuch said anxiously, "Those spies are all children who followed us out of the palace. Is there no other way?"

Wang Fusheng said indifferently, "They are being laid off now, but you will be laid off in the future. Make your choice."

The three of them looked at each other, sighed, and no longer objected.

Wang Fusheng left the secret office and came to the stinking ditch, waiting quietly.

Not long after, the masked eunuch came behind him.

"Master, here I come."

Wang Fusheng asked solemnly, "How is Queen Wang doing?"

The masked eunuch said, "After meeting the Saint, my emotions have stabilized a lot."

Wang Fusheng nodded and said, "That's good."

The masked eunuch said, "Grand Eunuch, since the Saint has met Queen Wang, does that mean her chances of returning to the palace are better?"

Wang Fusheng sighed, "I'm not sure what the saint is thinking. Besides, Wu is pregnant, so the timing isn't very good right now."

The masked eunuch said angrily, "This woman is too fertile."

Wang Fusheng looked up at the bright moon and said softly, "Perhaps this is God's will. Well, I'm going back now. Be careful."

……

With a creak, the door of Changle Gate opened only a crack.

Wang Fusheng walked through the door and looked up. He saw a dark shadow holding a lantern walking towards him under the moonlight.

The black shadow had a unique outline, as if a black ball rolled over. There was only one such person in the Taiji Palace.

Wang Fusheng stood there, waiting with his hands behind his back. After a while, the dark shadow came over. It was the eunuch Zhang Duohai.

"Ah, it's Eunuch Wang. I'm honored to meet you." Zhang Duohai bowed and saluted.

Wang Fusheng said calmly, "Young Master Zhang, there's no need to be so polite. It's so late, are you still going out on business?"

Zhang Dahai laughed and said, "Isn't it the same for Wang Dajian?"

Wang Fusheng snorted and was about to leave.

Zhang Duohai suddenly asked, "Eunuch Wang, can I have a moment with you?"

Wang Fusheng turned his head and looked at him.

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "This matter is also related to the Sigongtai. Doesn't Wang Dajian want to listen to it?" Wang Fusheng was silent for a while, pointed in one direction, and strode over.

Zhang Dahai quickly followed.

The two soon came to an empty corridor. Wang Fusheng said, "If you have anything to say, go ahead."

Zhang Duohai whispered, "Eunuch Wang, I believe you already know about the matter of the Wu Mansion."

Wang Fusheng agreed.

Zhang Duohai continued, "Are those people staring at the Wu Mansion really from Sigongtai, your subordinate?"

Wang Fusheng said in a deep voice: "No."

Zhang Dahai didn't seem surprised and smiled, "No wonder when the people below reported to me, they said it didn't sound like the style of the Sigongtai. It turned out to be true."

Wang Fusheng snorted coldly: "What do you mean by that?"

Zhang Duohai asked, "Is it the Nei Ling Mansion?"

Wang Fusheng nodded.

Zhang Duohai sighed and said, "It really is them! These guys are really powerful. Your Highness discovered the Tibetan spy by accident, and the inner court was able to discover it as well."

Wang Fusheng asked, "You asked me to come here just to tell you this?"

Zhang Dahai's eyes flashed with a light, and he said, "I want to cooperate with Wang Dajian."

Wang Fusheng sneered, "Oh?"

Zhang Duohai said in a deep voice, "The Internal Affairs Office is developing rapidly. I'm afraid that the Palace Affairs Office and the Autumn Affairs Office will be abolished in the future. I'm afraid that Wang Dajian would not want to see that day."

Wang Fusheng pondered in silence.

Zhang Duohai continued, "Only if you and I cooperate and pass on information to each other can we fight against the Inner Court."

Wang Fusheng suddenly laughed.

Zhang Duohai's face darkened slightly, and he said, "Am I wrong?"

Wang Fusheng asked, "Zhang Duohai, when did you become my equal?"

Zhang Duohai's expression changed slightly.

Wang Fusheng said calmly, "You are just a junior supervisor, a subordinate of mine. You rely on the Queen's trust to take charge of Changqiutai, so you think you are on the same level as me, right?"

Zhang Duohai lowered his head and said, "I dare not. I have always been your subordinate."

Wang Fusheng said calmly: "I am the eunuch appointed by the saint. You are just a junior eunuch and are not qualified to cooperate with me. Remember this well." He turned and walked away.

Zhang Da Hai looked at his back and snorted, "Why are you so proud? Her Majesty the Queen will deal with you sooner or later!"

The office of Changqiutai was located in a pharmacy on Changshoufang South Street.

Zhang Duohai strode into the backyard of the shop. As soon as he sat down in a room, a young eunuch rushed in.

"Godfather, you are here."

Zhang Da Hai laughed and said, "You kid, you always react quickly. I just sat down and you came."

Another eunuch came in with a basin of hot water.

The young eunuch took the hot water, squatted in front of him, helped him take off his shoes, and said with a smile while washing his feet: "I thought my adoptive father would come tonight, so I have been waiting."

Zhang Dahai smiled and said, "Yes, you little monkey are as clever as I was back then."

The young eunuch was named Zhang Quan, in his early twenties. He was trained by Zhang Duohai and recognized Zhang Duohai as his godfather.

Zhang Quan laughed and said, "How can I compare to you, my godfather?"

Zhang Duohai said, "Okay, stop flattering me and get down to business. Can you replace the moon stick on the ball head?"

Zhang Quan said, "Not yet. I'm worried that if I change too early, he'll notice. I'm going to change before the game."

Zhang Duohai hummed, and said, "You always make me feel at ease when doing things, but I still have to remind you that this matter is of great importance and there is no room for any mistakes or omissions."

Zhang Quan said, "Don't worry, godfather. If anything goes wrong, you can just tear my head off and use it as a chamber pot!"

Zhang Dahai said calmly, "There's no need to go through so much trouble. Her Majesty the Queen likes to chop up people who do bad things and feed them to the dogs."

A drop of cold sweat appeared on Zhang Quan's forehead. He smiled and said, "I'll remember this. By the way, foster father, what should we do with those people around the Wu Mansion? I'm afraid they might do something bad."

Zhang Duohai said in a deep voice: "They are from the inner court, and you dare to deal with them?"

Zhang Quan's face changed color and he said, "Doesn't that mean even the Saint knows about this?"

Zhang Duohai glared at him and said, "What are you afraid of? I'm not afraid of the saint knowing about this matter. Just do your job well."

Zhang Quan hurriedly said, "I obey your orders!"

Zhang Dahai asked, "Have both parties decided where the polo match will be held?"

Zhang Quan said, "Hibiscus Garden."

Zhang Duohai said in a deep voice, "They do know how to choose a place. The day of the football match happens to be the day when officials receive their salaries. Officials leave their offices early, so it's estimated that many people will go to watch the game. We need to prevent any unexpected situations."

Zhang Quan said in a serious tone, "I understand, my child!"

(End of this chapter)