Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 176: Banning Changqiutai

Xiao Mansion, outer hall.

Xiao Rui sat at the top to accompany the guests.

The heads of the three families, Lu, Gu, and Wang, all had ashen faces and waited with anger.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, the head of the Gu family slammed the table and said, "Prince Consort Xiao, Minister Xiao is not planning to come see us anymore?"

Xiao Rui looked down at the ring in his hand and said calmly, "Please be patient, maybe he will come out soon."

The Lu family head sighed, "We are all from the Jiangnan lineage, and we have always followed the Xiao family's lead. Now that we are in trouble, the Xiao family cannot just stand by and watch us perish."

It turned out that after Lu Chengqing and the other man reported to Li Zhi about the Jiangnan nobles secretly selling coal, Li Zhi immediately ordered Lu Chengqing to investigate the matter.

When the Ministry of Revenue first opened up mining to the public, it explicitly stipulated that mining companies had to transport coal to Chang'an for sale before they would be granted mining qualifications.

Now that these businesses have violated the regulations, according to the contract, not only will their mining rights be confiscated, but they will also be fined ten times their profits.

The three family heads suddenly panicked and went to find Xiao Siye together, hoping that he would mediate, but Xiao Siye hid himself and disappeared.

Xiao Rui said, "He is now the head of the Xiao family. Even if I want to help you, I am powerless. Please go back."

The head of the Gu family snorted and said, "In that case, I'll take my leave." Then he strode away.

The head of the Wang family left without saying a word, only the head of the Lu family bowed to Xiao Rui before leaving.

After the three of them left the Xiao Mansion, they took a carriage and headed towards the Gu Mansion.

The Wang family head said, "Brother Gu, Xiao Siye's plan is not working, and the mining rights are definitely lost. What should we do next?"

Gu glanced at him and said, "What else can we do? Just admit defeat. Can we still compete with Lu Chengqing?"

The Wang family head said, "If the court doesn't allow us to pick them, can't we just do it secretly? Mobei is so vast, who can know where it is?"

The Lu family's head turned pale and said, "Are you crazy? This kind of thing will be discovered sooner or later, and then it will be more than just a fine!"

The Wang family head said calmly, "We cooperate with the Tiele nobles in mining. They collect the minerals, and we are only responsible for selling them. Who can find out?"

The head of the Gu family said, "That's not right. If we sell coal in the inner pass, we will be discovered by other merchants!"

The Wang family head laughed and said, "Who said we have to sell it inside the pass? We can sell it in Anxi or Liaodong. Both places are short of coal. If we open two trade routes ourselves, won't we make a lot of money?"

The head of the Gu family said, "Brother Lu, what do you think?"

The head of the Lu family snorted, "I'm sorry, I can't keep you company." He stopped the carriage and left quickly.

Not far away, a pair of eyes were quietly staring at Gu's carriage.

It was not until the carriage stopped at Gu Mansion that the owner of the eyes left Gu Mansion and went to the secret office of Sigongtai to report to his superiors.

At this moment, Wang Fusheng was sitting on a chair in the secret room of the Ansi, crossing his legs and drinking tea.

An eunuch came up to him and said, "Master, Gu, Lu, and Wang went to look for Xiao, but they didn't see Xiao Siye, so they returned to Gu's residence. On the way, Lu left."

Wang Fusheng said calmly, "Keep watching."

Li Zhi had never had a good impression of the Jiangnan aristocracy, so while he asked Lu Chengqing to investigate, he also asked the Palace Office to keep an eye on them.

Wang Fusheng had not received any orders from the emperor for a long time, so he did not dare to neglect it and came in person to take command.

He suddenly asked again, "Is there any news from Tubo?"

The eunuch whispered, "Not yet."

Wang Fusheng nodded, stood up and left the dark office, and came to the nearby stinking ditch.

After waiting for a while, the masked eunuch came up behind him and whispered, "Master Eunuch, do you need me to personally keep an eye on the Gu family?"

Wang Fusheng raised his hand and said, "No need. You can go to Shazhou and sort out the secret services there. It may come in handy in the future."

The masked eunuch was stunned and asked, "You want me to leave Chang'an?"

Wang Fusheng said solemnly, "Yes, according to my observation, the Saint's most important concern is not Goguryeo or the Turks, but Tubo. There must be a reason why the Saint attaches so much importance to it. He will have to deal with Tubo for a long time in the future, so the secret service of Shazhou is very important!"

The masked eunuch asked, "But after I leave Chang'an, what will happen to the errand you assigned to me?"

Wang Fusheng was silent for a moment, then said, "I'll send someone else to Queen Wang's place. As for investigating Wu..."

The masked eunuch asked, "How?"

Wang Fusheng sighed, "It's time to give up."

The masked eunuch changed color and asked, "Why is this?"

Wang Fusheng said slowly, "You weren't in the palace, so you didn't know about Wu's changes. Now it would be extremely difficult to find out what's wrong with her!"

The masked eunuch said, "I don't understand."

Wang Fusheng asked, "What kind of woman do you think Wu is?"

The masked eunuch was silent for a moment, then said, "A woman with a strong desire for power and great ambition."

Wang Fusheng said, "That was in the past. She looks more like Empress Changsun in the palace now."

The masked eunuch said anxiously, "She must be holding it in!"

Wang Fusheng shook his head and said, "I used to have the same opinion as you, but after a recent experience, I finally understand her completely."

The masked eunuch was stunned and asked, "What's the matter?"

Wang Fusheng said, "There's an old maid in the Ye Ting Palace, a former Sui Dynasty maid. Two years ago, I secretly subjugated her. In February, Wu was released from the Ye Ting Palace. At my instruction, she told Wu about the former Sui Dynasty Empress Dugu."

The masked eunuch asked, "Empress Wenxian?"

Wang Fusheng said calmly, "Yes, she is a queen with a strong desire for power. I hope she can serve as a catalyst to ignite the hidden desire for power in Wu's heart."

He sighed and said, "However, when Wu Shi found out, she didn't react at all and even strictly forbade anyone in the palace to talk about the title of 'Second Saint'."

The masked eunuch said, "She may still be enduring it!"

Wang Fusheng shook his head and said, "No, I think she has unknowingly changed herself in order to gain the favor of the Saint."

The masked eunuch asked, "Change?" Wang Fusheng replied, "Wu appears strong, but she is actually very sensitive and insecure. She only feels safe when she stays close to the Saint."

The masked eunuch remained silent.

Wang Fusheng continued, "She constantly controls her relationship with the Saint. When the Saint takes a step forward, she takes a step back. When the Saint takes a step back, she takes a step forward. Previous Saints showed weakness towards Zhangsun Wuji, and that's how they aroused her strength."

The masked eunuch was stunned and asked, "So now that the Saint is strong, she has become weak?"

Wang Fusheng said, "This is her way of survival. I used to have a misconception that she would become increasingly presumptuous, eventually driving the Sage to his limit. I would then be able to exploit this and depose her from the throne."

The masked eunuch sighed, "Is there no chance now?"

Wang Fusheng said: "She won't reveal any more flaws, unless..."

Unless the emperor's condition suddenly worsens, she might change again.

Wang Fusheng did not say this out loud, nor did he want to say it out loud for fear that it would come true.

The masked eunuch whispered, "I understand. As for Queen Wang..."

Wang Fusheng glanced at him sideways and said, "Some things cannot be forced. Let's leave everything to the saint to decide."

The masked eunuch said no more and retreated silently.

Wang Fusheng returned to the palace in a carriage. As he was walking along the palace road, a soldier from the inner court came quickly and bowed to him, saying, "Grand Eunuch Wang, my general invites you."

When Wang Fusheng arrived at the hall of the Internal Affairs Office, he found that in addition to Wang Jishan, Zhang Duohai was also there.

Wang Jishan didn't exchange pleasantries and said directly, "Grand Supervisor Wang, Junior Supervisor Zhang, there's intelligence coming from Tubo. Please take a look."

Wang Fusheng took it and looked at it. His eyes flashed after reading it, and he handed it to Zhang Duohai.

Zhang Duohai said happily: "This is good news. We must report it to the Saint and His Highness immediately."

Wang Jishan said, "That's what I was thinking. How about we go together to see the Saint?"

The two of them had no objection and went to Lizheng Hall together.

It is now the hour of Hai, and although Li Zhi and Wu Meiniang have already gone to bed, sounds can be heard from inside the green gauze tent.

Concubine Jiang came to the bed and knelt down, whispering, "Everyone, General Wang, Senior Eunuch Wang, and Junior Eunuch Zhang want to see you. They say they have news from Tubo."

The sound of someone getting dressed could soon be heard from inside the tent. After a while, Li Zhi opened the gauze curtain, sat on the edge of the bed, and said, "Let them in."

Wu Meiniang also put on her outer clothes and sat cross-legged behind Li Zhi.

After a while, Wang Fusheng and the other two entered the bedroom together.

Wang Jishan said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, news has come from Tubo that General Cheng has contacted Queen Subi. Subi has expressed her willingness to submit to the Tang Dynasty and hopes that Your Majesty can help her restore her kingdom."

Li Zhi was surprised: "Hasn't Subi been annexed by Tubo? Is Queen Subi still alive?"

Wang Jishan said, "When General Xue defeated Tubo last time, Tubo was shaken, and the remnants of the Suobi Kingdom took the opportunity to rescue the Subi Queen. When the Subi Queen was on the run, she was helped by the Queen of Dongnu. At the Queen's persuasion, she is willing to surrender to the Tang Dynasty."

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Did she ask how we can help her?"

Wang Jishan said, "She said that most of the people of the Subi tribe still support her and hope that the Tang Dynasty will give her an imperial title so that she can persuade the old people of the Subi tribe to follow her again."

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "If this is the only request, we can satisfy her. But we must tell her not to be too aggressive, lest if she is exposed, she will also expose us."

Wang Jishan bowed and said, "I obey your command."

After the three people left, the veil was lowered again.

Li Zhi embraced Wu Meiniang and said, "Meiniang, I never thought that the cooperation between Changqiutai and Sigongtai would have such an effect. I was worried that they would compete for credit and ruin everything."

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "Although Zhang Duohai is a little clumsy, he knows the general situation and will not cause any trouble to Your Majesty."

Li Zhigan nodded and said, "Wang Fusheng is calm and steady, while Zhang Duohai is energetic. Over the years, Zhang Duohai has cooperated with Wang Fusheng in managing the Eunuch Supervisor and has done a good job."

Wu Meiniang's eyes flashed. Zhang Duohai and Wang Fusheng have always been at odds. Li Zhi should know this. He obviously had other purposes when he said this.

"Your Majesty is right," she said with a smile.

The next morning, Li Zhi had breakfast and left the Lizheng Hall. Wu Meiniang called Zhang Duohai over and sent all the servants away.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Zhang Dahai asked.

Wu Meiniang said calmly, "Go and ask His Majesty for permission. Tell him that he hopes the Changqiutai will be merged into the Sigongtai, with you as the deputy supervisor and Wang Fusheng as the principal supervisor."

Zhang Dahai's face changed and he asked, "Your Highness, why is this happening?"

Wu Meiniang said calmly, "Your Majesty originally established the Changqiutai and Sigongtai separately to check and balance each other. Now that the Nei Lingfu is restraining the Sigongtai, the Changqiutai is no longer necessary."

Zhang Duohai was stunned and asked, "Is this what the saint meant?"

Wu Mei Niang said, "Although Your Majesty did not say it directly, your words have revealed this meaning. It is my fault for overlooking it. I should have asked you to ask for permission earlier."

Zhang Duohai gritted his teeth and said, "Then I will have to depend on Wang Fusheng's mood again, right?"

Wu Meiniang said in a deep voice: "You are only a junior eunuch, so assisting Wang Fusheng is only natural."

"Your Highness, have you forgotten that Wang Fusheng has been secretly dealing with you?" Zhang Duohai said anxiously.

Wu Meiniang said calmly, "He's a smart man. He should have understood that he can't shake my position as queen. I don't want to fight him anymore and upset Jiulang. You taking the initiative to ask for permission is just a gesture of kindness from me."

Zhang Dahai kept silent.

Wu Meiniang looked at him and said coldly, "Why, you don't want to listen to me?"

Zhang Duohai felt a chill on his back and kowtowed hastily, saying, "I obey your command."

Wu Meiniang stared at him for a while and said, "Duohai, you represent my attitude. Do you know what it means if you, a young eunuch, don't do your duty?"

Zhang Duohai was startled and said, "I understand. I will definitely abide by my duties from now on."

Wu Meiniang waved her hand and said, "Go ahead."

　I ate something bad last night and didn’t sleep well, so I’ve been feeling groggy all day. Please forgive me if my writing isn’t very good.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)