Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 207 Li Zhi Returns to the Palace
In late January, the Guanzhong land, which had been blown by cold winds for the entire winter, finally thawed after several consecutive days of sunny days.

A carriage was moving slowly across the thawed ground, its wheels creaking.

Li Zhi sat in the spacious carriage, lifted the curtain, looked at the people who started their busy farming work in the fields early in the morning, and sighed.

"Mr. Di, you see, the people don't ask for much. If you give them a piece of land of their own, they can not only feed themselves, but also the entire Tang Dynasty."

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. The people are the foundation of the country. A solid foundation will bring peace to the country." Di Renjie replied.

After he arrived at the Hot Spring Palace yesterday, he was kept by Li Zhi and stayed overnight in the palace. This morning, the emperor called him into the imperial carriage and returned to Chang'an together.

Li Zhi lowered the carriage curtain and suddenly said, "Di Qing, you encountered many difficulties while investigating Xiao Shu's case, didn't you?"

Di Renjie hesitated and said, "We did encounter some obstacles."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Tell me, who is interfering with your investigation?"

Di Renjie whispered, "Some people have advised me to give Xiao Shu a lighter sentence, but they are doing it for my own good, not to interfere with my investigation."

Li Zhi said calmly, "Oh, who is doing this for your own good?"

Di Renjie suddenly hesitated. Those who persuaded him all had some friendship with him and were entrusted by others. He did not want to retaliate for this.

"Di Qing?"

Di Renjie smiled bitterly. Since the emperor kept asking, he had no choice but to speak softly, "Prime Minister Xin came to see me first."

"Well, I guessed it. He is the representative of the aristocratic family. If he doesn't show up at this time, others will not obey him. What else?" Li Zhi nodded.

Di Renjie continued, "Minister Ren once called me over and said someone was accusing my relatives."

"What relatives?"

Di Renjie whispered, "My uncle and father-in-law have committed a crime."

Li Zhi was silent for a moment, then patted Di Renjie on the shoulder and said, "Mr. Di, I won't ask any more questions. The people they're looking for are all close to you. Actually, if they want to convince you, they naturally have to find someone close to you. I won't make it difficult for you."

Di Renjie felt a warm feeling in his heart and bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "I know how difficult it has been for you this time. Don't worry, after this matter is resolved, I will definitely compensate you well."

Di Renjie hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, these are all within my responsibility. I..."

Li Zhi waved his hand and smiled, "According to what you said, all those who have made contributions have done what they are supposed to do. So why don't I reward them? You are not allowed to refuse!"

Di Renjie took a deep breath and said, "I thank you."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "That's right. I still have a lot of things I need your help with in the future. If I don't give you a promotion, there will be many obstacles, right?"

The imperial carriage quickly drove into the Forbidden Garden, passed through the Xuanwu Gate, and returned to the harem.

Di Renjie bid farewell to the emperor in Ganlu Hall, went out of Chengtian Gate and returned to the Dali Temple.

There was still more than an hour before the court meeting, so he wanted to go to the Dali Temple to see if Li Yuanfang could get any new information out of him.

While walking quickly along Chengtianmen Street, I suddenly heard someone calling me.

Di Renjie turned his head and saw an elderly official in a purple official uniform standing under the eaves of the Shangshu Province office, looking at him.

Di Renjie walked over quickly and bowed to the man, saying, "This humble servant, Di Renjie, greets Grand Tutor Yu."

The old man was Yu Zhining. He smiled and said, "Di Shaoqing, you just came back from the Hot Spring Palace, right?"

Di Renjie said, "Yes, I returned with Your Majesty."

Yu Zhining, hands behind his back, walked slowly towards the Suzaku Gate and said, "Shaoqing Di, do you have time to visit my residence?"

Di Renjie quickly followed and said, "As you command." He was actually very busy and had no free time, but it was Yu Zhining's invitation, and he really couldn't refuse.

After the two of them left the Suzaku Gate, they got on the Yu Mansion's carriage and soon arrived at Yu Zhining's residence.

Yu Zhining invited Di Renjie into the study, ordered someone to serve tea, and then sent the servants away, leaving only the two of them in the study.

Yu Zhining personally poured a cup of tea for Di Renjie and said, "Mr. Di, I would like to apologize to you first for the matter of Xiao Shu!" He bowed.

Di Renjie bowed and said, "Prime Minister Yu, there is no need to do this. I cannot bear it."

Yu Zhining stared at him and said, "Sir Di, I want to tell you that I had no prior knowledge of the Xiao family's rebellion."

"I believe you." Di Renjie said.

Yu Zhining sighed and said, "I've already lost my mind, even though I have one foot in the grave. Logically, I shouldn't be involved in this matter. Do you know why I'm interfering, Di Shaoqing?"

Di Renjie said, "I was just about to ask for your advice."

Yu Zhining said slowly, "I originally didn't intend to tell anyone about this matter, but it's a matter of great importance. If I don't explain it clearly, I'm afraid someone will whisper in Your Majesty's ears, saying that I have something to do with the Xiao family's rebellion."

Di Renjie remained silent. He knew Yu Zhining was talking about Qingliu, Li Yifu and others.

Yu Zhining said slowly, "Before Prime Minister Cui passed away last year, he called me over and asked me to look after Xiao Siye."

Di Renjie was stunned and asked, "Prime Minister Cui?"

Yu Zhining sighed, "When Changsun Wuji seized power, Old Cui and I were both against it. Because of Changsun Wuji, His Majesty has a very bad impression of the aristocratic families. We all hope that Xiao Siye can set a good example and change His Majesty's impression."

Di Renjie said, "So that's how it is." Yu Zhining slammed the table and angrily said, "I was entrusted by Prime Minister Cui to look after Xiao Siye, but I never thought he would lead the Xiao family in rebellion!"

Di Renjie hurriedly said, "Prime Minister Yu, please calm down. Minister Xiao was not involved in this matter. It was because of him and Xiao Shuren's report that the Jinwu Guards were able to capture the traitors in time."

Yu Zhining frowned and said, "He's the clan leader, how could he get away with this? Could it be that the Xiao family is sacrificing pawns to save the king?"

Di Renjie said, "I have already made a thorough investigation and Minister Xiao is indeed not involved in this matter."

Yu Zhining frowned and asked, "Could it be collusion?"

Di Renjie smiled and said, "We can rule out this possibility, because the Xiao family began secretly contacting the Jiangnan nobles after Your Majesty dealt with the Gu and Wang families last year."

Yu Zhining frowned and said, "Isn't that perfect? ​​He took over as clan leader just before that. It's obvious that he was the one who led the Xiao clan to rebel!"

Di Renjie smiled secretly.

He had already realized by now that Yu Zhining was pretending to hold Xiao Siye responsible, but in fact he said this deliberately in order to test Di Renjie's opinion of Xiao Siye.

Di Renjie naturally didn't say it out loud and continued to explain.

"The Gu and Wang families colluded with the Tiele people to disrupt the Mobei trade route, but Minister Xiao has always supported the Mobei trade route and distanced himself from them. How could he have harbored rebellious thoughts because of them?"

Yu Zhining pondered for a moment and said, "That does make some sense, but as the clan leader, he can't control his clan members, and he can't escape responsibility. I intend to file a memorial to impeach him and remove him from his position as Minister of War. What do you think, Mr. Di?"

Di Renjie said, "Prime Minister Yu, please don't be so. His Majesty has heard about Minister Xiao's actions and has expressed great appreciation for him, seemingly even intending to reward him."

Yu Zhining sighed, "Your Majesty is so kind and benevolent. It is truly a blessing for us as his subjects. Well, let's just call it good luck."

Di Renjie bowed and said, "Prime Minister Yu, I will take my leave now."

Yu Zhining smiled and said, "Today I finally understand why Di Shaoqing has earned His Majesty's trust. If it weren't for the court meeting this afternoon, I would have invited you to dinner!"

Di Renjie smiled and said, "I will come to visit you another day."

After leaving Yu Zhining's mansion, Di Renjie rode his horse back to the Dali Temple. As soon as he entered the Dali Temple, he saw Li Yuanfang walking quickly along the corridor.

"Di Shaoqing, there's a new situation!"

"What's going on?" Di Renjie asked as he walked side by side with Li Yuanfang towards the Dali Prison.

Li Yuanfang laughed and said, "There's a timid fellow among the Xiao family. He must have been locked up and gone mad. He's gone crazy and revealed something big."

"What's the big deal?"

"Hey, didn't we think that the Xiao family had the intention of rebellion only last year?"

"good."

"Hmph, this bunch of daring fellows have actually been dishonest since the fourth year of Yonghui." Li Yuanfang said word by word.

"The fourth year of Yonghui?" Di Renjie repeated, blurting out, "Chen Shuozhen?"

"That's right. That kid said that before Chen Shuozhen rebelled, the Xiao family secretly funded Zhang Shuyin."

"Zhang Shuyin?" Di Renjie frowned.

"He is the prime minister under Chen Shuozhen."

"So, Chen Shuozhen's rebellion was orchestrated by the Xiao family?" Di Renjie's face was solemn.

"That's not the case. I thoroughly interrogated that boy. After Chen Shuozhen rebelled, the Xiao family severed all ties with her and stopped supporting them."

Di Renjie frowned and said nothing.

Li Yuanfang smiled and said, "So, do you think Xiao's behavior is strange? I thought about it all night last night and finally figured it out."

"Oh?"

"It's very simple. The Xiao family must have known that Chen Shuo really wanted to rebel, so they pushed him forward and wanted to use them to test the thoughts of the people in the south of the Yangtze River." Li Yuanfang's eyes flashed with a gleam.

"If there are many people who respond and the momentum is huge, they will support Chen Shuozhen and support a new Southern Dynasty to fight against our Tang Dynasty."

"If the people of Jiangnan are reassured and no one responds, they won't risk supporting Chen Shuozhen. So, Di Shaoqing, what are my guesses?"

Di Renjie was silent for a moment, without commenting, and then asked, "What did the Xiao family member you were interrogating say?"

Li Yuanfang snorted, "His status in the clan is too low. He only knows that this happened, but has no idea why."

Di Renjie said nothing.

Li Yuanfang frowned and said, "Di Shaoqing, why are you silent? When you report this case to the court later, should you mention this matter?"

Di Renjie said slowly, "It must not be mentioned."

"Why?" Li Yuanfang asked puzzled.

Di Renjie was about to answer when a temple official came over from another corridor and said with a bow, "Shaoqing Di, the court meeting is about to begin. Temple official Ren would like you to come over and discuss the case."

Di Renjie said to Li Yuanfang, "I'll tell you the reason later. Keep an eye on the Xiao family and don't let anyone see them."

After he finished speaking, he followed the temple official towards the temple government office.

(End of this chapter)