Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 193: Forged Credentials

At the end of the year, Tubo was at odds with Subi, but the city of Chang'an remained the same.

After entering December, envoys from various countries came to Chang'an one after another.

Fifteen miles east of Chang'an City, a group of people were walking on the official road.

These people were all short, had shaved heads, and were dressed in rags, looking like a group of beggars, attracting the attention of passers-by.

Soon, the group arrived at Chunming Gate, but was detained by the city gate guards.

The leader shouted, "General, we are really envoys from Japan!"

The guard captain snorted coldly, "If they are envoys, where is the letter of envoy and the tribute?"

The Japanese leader said, "We lost our way at sea and drifted to an island where we were captured by the barbarians. We barely escaped, but they stole our ceremonial staff, letters of credence, and tribute."

The guard said coldly, "No one would believe what you said. Last year, a fake delegation entered the capital and nearly injured a general of our dynasty. I think you are fake too!"

The Japanese said, "We have a permanent envoy in Chang'an. Go find him and ask him, and you'll know the answer."

A guard at the gate said, "General, they seem quite pitiful. Why don't we call the Japanese envoy over and ask them?"

The guard gave him a cold look and said, "You're the one who's meddling. Then go and make the trip."

The soldier agreed and left quickly. An hour later, he came with Abenmaro, the permanent envoy of Japan.

When Abemaro asked, he found out that it was indeed an envoy from his own country, and the main envoy had been roasted and eaten by the people of the barbarian island.

The leader was a deputy envoy named Jin Shou Jixiang.

After Abemaro's explanation, the guard finally let the Japanese in. The group arrived at the Japanese headquarters in the capital and finally changed into clean clothes.

Abemaro brought Tsumori Kiyoshi to a house and asked him about the situation in his country.

"Deputy Envoy of Jinshou, can our Japanese army invade Silla?"

Jin Shou Jixiang sighed, "The supply line is too long. We won a few battles at the beginning, but after entering the Silla mainland, we encountered stubborn resistance from them."

Abianmalu asked, "Why don't you kill more people to frighten them?"

Jin Shou Jixiang said, "Of course not. We killed them all in the three cities we captured, leaving no one alive, young or old, man or woman. However, this only provoked an even stronger resistance from them. Those damned Silla peasants are interfering with our supply lines in the rear. Without rations, how can the soldiers on the front lines have the strength to fight?"

Abianmaro asked, "Why not just rob the Silla people of their food?"

Jin Shou Jixiang said, "It's useless. They always burn all the food before they lose the battle. The two thousand soldiers who landed in Silla either starved to death or were killed by the Silla people. The king had no choice but to order a withdrawal."

Abianmalu beat his chest and sighed, "What a pity! Such a great opportunity was given by God, but I was unable to seize this fertile land!"

Jin Shou Jixiang said, "It's all the fault of the Baekje and Goguryeo people. They retreated halfway through the battle, leaving us to fight alone. The king sent me here this time to understand the situation."

Abianmaro said in a deep voice, "The Tang people have already put an end to the internal strife. Goguryeo and Baekje are afraid of an attack from the Tang Dynasty, so how could they dare to attack Silla again?"

In the eyes of the small countries in the east, Helu was originally a general of the Tang Dynasty and was an internal rebel.

"Such important news, why don't you send someone to pass the message back?"

"I sent it."

The two immediately looked at each other.

Japan is too far away, and we have to cross the ocean. Even large diplomatic missions often get into trouble, let alone a small messenger. I'm afraid his body would be eaten clean by fish.

Jin Shou Jixiang sighed, "What a shame that the Tang Dynasty suppressed the rebellion so easily. I was hoping that the Central Plains would fall apart again."

Abianmaro said: "Don't say such unrealistic things. Silla must hate us to the core. I'm afraid we won't be able to participate in this conference of nations."

In the eyes of the Japanese, the Tang Dynasty's invitation of all nations to pay tribute was actually a gathering of countries to discuss border disputes and trade, and the Tang Dynasty was merely the host.

Jin Shou Jixiang said: "You must participate, otherwise I will be executed by the king when I return, and you will also be summoned back to the country to be punished."

Abianmaro said, "The tribute is easy. I still have a lot of money here. I can buy some in the East Market. However, the letter from the empire is more troublesome."

Jin Shou Jixiang said: "Even if you can prove your identity, it won't work?"

Abianmalu said, "If it were before, we might have been able to sneak in, but that guy Jin Renwen is also in Chang'an. He is very powerful in Chang'an and will definitely take the opportunity to cause trouble and not let us in."

"What should I do?"

Abianmaro was silent for a moment, then said, "I can only forge one copy." "What? You can forge this too?"

Abianmalu smiled slightly and said, "This is Chang'an, anything can be forged."

Jin Shou Jixiang said, "That's good. There's another thing I need your help with."

Abianmaro asked, "What?"

Jin Shou Jixiang said: "This time we are not only ordered to go on a diplomatic mission to the Tang Dynasty, but the king also gave us a mission to stay in Chang'an City for a year to learn the advanced skills of the Tang people."

In fact, in the fifth year of Yonghui, a delegation of Japanese envoys came to the Tang Dynasty to learn skills. Abe Maro was the deputy envoy at that time and later stayed.

At that time, the Japanese expressed their admiration for the Tang Dynasty culture and hoped to respect the Tang Dynasty as their legitimate idol, take the Tang Dynasty as their teacher, and learn the Tang Dynasty's etiquette and culture.

Emperor Gaozong of Tang was very happy and allowed the Japanese to enter the libraries of the two academies, six schools, six ministries and five institutes to copy and read the notes, thus spreading the Chinese etiquette and the teachings of the sages to foreign countries.

The Japanese stayed in Chang'an for one year and six months, copied three large boxes of books, and then returned to Japan satisfied.

Abianmaro asked, "Your Majesty, do you wish to continue studying the Tang Dynasty?"

Jin Shou Jixiang smiled and said, "Of course. Only by learning from the strong can one become stronger. Over the years, with the assistance of the Crown Prince, the King has studied the policies of the Tang Dynasty and made the country so powerful. You have seen how powerful it has become, right?"

The first time Japan sent envoys to the Tang Dynasty was in the fourth year of Zhenguan. When the envoys returned to Japan, Japan did not take it seriously because of the dictatorship of foreign relatives.

It was not until the 19th year of the Zhenguan period that the King of Wa finally eliminated his foreign relatives, the Soga clan, and took control of the government.

Since then, the prince of Wa consulted a monk who was studying in Chang'an and persuaded the king of Wa to reform politics.

Japan imitated the Tang Dynasty, nationalized the land, established a household registration system, implemented the land allocation system and the new tax law of rent and labor, abolished the hereditary clan rule system, and established a centralized administrative agency.

Since then, Japan's national strength has grown by leaps and bounds. It has conquered the surrounding small island countries and also began to covet the land of the Korean Peninsula.

Abianmaro nodded and said, "That's true. We must first learn the Tang people's smelting technology so that we can create stronger weapons and armor."

Jin Shou Jixiang said: "These are things for later. Let's first find a way to participate in the gatherings of various countries."

Half a month later, Abemaro received a forged letter from the country.

Because of the appearance of fake envoys last year, the Honglu Temple was more strict when inspecting envoys from various countries this year.

Fortunately, the Honglu Temple focused on people and only glanced at the letter casually. This thing was easy to snatch and not trustworthy.

Jin Shou Jixiang and his group were all genuine Japanese people and were not afraid of being interrogated by the Tang people. In the end, they were able to pass the examination, be successfully registered, and be able to participate in the grand court meeting tomorrow.

Early the next morning, Tsu no Kichijo and Abe Maro got up early to prepare to attend the Tang people's grand court meeting.

As soon as I left the block, I found that the streets of Chang'an were under martial law. There was a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps, all of whom were armored and armed with sharp weapons.

Fortunately, the Honglu Temple issued two tokens to the Japanese country, allowing the two to pass and soon arrived outside the Suzaku Gate.

Tang officials and envoys from various countries have gathered outside the door.

Jin Shou Jixiang and the other man stood in a remote corner, looked around, and saw many foreign envoys chatting and laughing with Tang Dynasty officials.

"Malu, you've been in Chang'an for so many years, you should know a few Tang Dynasty officials. Why don't you introduce them to me?"

Abianmalu looked around for a while and said, "Wait a moment, he hasn't come yet."

Jin Shou Jixiang frowned and said, "Only one?"

Abianmaro sighed, "Originally there were two, but one of them committed a crime and was dismissed by the Tang Emperor."

Jin Shou Jixiang's face changed and he asked, "What crime did he commit? It can't be related to you, right?"

Abianmalu glanced at him and said unhappily, "Don't talk nonsense. It was the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty who was rectifying the administration and got rid of him."

Jin Shou Jixiang laughed and said, "The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is really strict, just like our Prince Zhong Daxiong."

At this moment, a young Tang Dynasty official came from a distance. When many officials around saw him, they hurried over to greet him. It was obvious that this man was of high status.

Abianmaru said happily: "He is here, come on, I will take you to meet him!"

Jin Shou Jixiang hurriedly said, "Wait a minute, that person is so young, I'm afraid his rank can't be very high, right?"

Abianmalu snorted and said, "His rank is indeed not high, but he is the nephew of the Queen of the Tang Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)