Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 217 Please Correct Me, Your Highness

It was already midnight and the palace was pitch black.

In the dark night, those huge palaces and pavilions all have a somewhat eerie atmosphere.

The Nei Lingfu was heavily guarded. Even though it was located in the Forbidden Garden, it had five visible sentries and six hidden sentries.

Under the watchful eyes of the secret sentries, Wang Fusheng walked all the way to the outer hall of the Inner Palace.

The hall was brightly lit. In addition to Wang Jishan, there was also a fat figure sitting in the room. It was Zhang Duohai.

If it were in the past, Zhang Duohai would have made some sarcastic remarks when he saw Wang Fusheng coming so slowly.

He had been much more respectful to Wang Fusheng recently, so he immediately stood up and saluted Wang Fusheng.

Wang Jishan also stood up and greeted him, then explained clearly and concisely the reason why he was invited over.

"Eunuch Wang, the latest news from Songzhou."

Wang Fusheng asked, "Is this news about the peace talks between Niangbo and Dapo?"

Zhang Duohai said with a smile: "That's right, Wang Dajian, our plan to split Suobei and Tubo seems to be quite effective."

Wang Fusheng's eyes lit up and he asked, "Could it be that the peace talks have failed?"

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "The situation is better than if the peace talks had failed. Subi's Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu are both willing to submit to the Tang Dynasty. They have both arrived in Songzhou and are on their way to Chang'an."

Wang Fusheng was surprised and said, "How is this possible? Aren't they negotiating? What happened?"

Over the past few months, under the instigation of spies from the Imperial Household Department and the Palace Administration, the conflict between Dabo and Niangbo has become increasingly serious, almost to the point of war.

Seeing that the two sides were about to fight, Lu Dongzan finally took action.

He sent his eldest son, Xiruo, to Subhru to try to mediate the conflict between the two sides.

After Xiruo had some conversations with both sides and made considerable progress, he wanted to facilitate personal peace talks between the two sides.

Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu neither trusted each other and were unwilling to go to each other's territory to negotiate.

Finally, under Xiruo's arrangement, the place for the peace talks was chosen to be a small neutral tribe between Niangbo and Dapo.

This is also what Wang Fusheng currently knows.

Wang Jishan said in a deep voice, "Cheng Wuting has heard a piece of information. It seems that while he is promoting peace talks on the surface, he is secretly mobilizing troops and generals. He wants to take advantage of the peace talks to capture the leaders of both sides in one fell swoop."

Wang Fusheng was surprised and asked, "Is this really true?"

Wang Jishan continued, "Cheng Wuting didn't have time to report back, so he took it upon himself to tell Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu the news."

Wang Fusheng nodded.

In such a critical situation, if we report to the Internal Affairs Office and wait for a decision, it will be too late.

Cheng Wuting was able to make a prompt decision and made the right choice.

Wang Jishan said, "After Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu learned of this, they sent people to investigate the peace talks location and indeed discovered the hidden army. Furious, they contacted Cheng Wuting and expressed their willingness to surrender to the Tang Dynasty."

After listening to this, Wang Fusheng frowned.

Wang Jishan asked, "Eunuch Wang, do you think there is a problem?"

Wang Fusheng said slowly, "I just think that Tubo Lu Dongzan is a very cunning person, otherwise he wouldn't have come up with the plan of the fake queen. This is not like his style."

Wang Jishan smiled and said, "As expected of you, you're the Grand Supervisor Wang. This is indeed a strange matter. In fact, Cheng Wuting also feels that something is amiss."

"Oh?"

Wang Jishan said slowly, "Since Niangbo and Dabo are willing to negotiate, then the best option is to facilitate a peace talk between the two sides and resolve their past grievances."

Wang Fusheng said: "Yes, is there a trick?"

Wang Jishan said slowly, "Cheng Wuting has already sent people to investigate. This matter was Xiruo's own initiative, not Lu Dongzan's."

"Xiruo?"

Wang Jishan said, "Indeed, Lu Dongzan's eldest son has acted very rashly and has always advocated a tougher stance against Subi. It's not surprising that he would do something like this."

Wang Fusheng was silent for a moment, then said coldly, "If that's the case, then Tubo is doomed to perish!"

Zhang Duohai laughed and said, "I think this is 80% true. Besides, those two women are already on their way to Chang'an."

"Niangbo Golden Bird and Dabo Wu?" Wang Fusheng asked.

Zhang Duohai said: "Exactly."

"Are you sure it's me?"

Zhang Duohai said with a smile: "Eunuch Wang, don't forget that we have a Queen Su Bi in Chang'an. If they send someone to impersonate her, it will be easily exposed."

Wang Fusheng took a deep breath and said, "If they are really the real ones, I think they surrender sincerely."

When he said this, he looked at Wang Jishan.

If this was just the news, Wang Jishan could report it to the emperor tomorrow and there would be no need to call himself and Zhang Duohai to discuss it.

Since he did this, there must be another reason.

Wang Jishan said without further ado, "At first glance, this seems reasonable, but after thinking about it for a long time, I still feel there's something wrong."

Wang Fusheng asked, "What's the problem?"

Wang Jishan said slowly, "First, things are moving too fast. Niangbo Golden Bird has been with Tubo for over twenty years. How could they so easily surrender to the Tang Dynasty?" Zhang Duohai frowned and said, "Isn't Tubo planning to deal with them? In this case, it's only natural for them to surrender to the Tang Dynasty."

Wang Jishan said, "Even if they are disappointed with Tubo and intend to submit, they are a bit too decisive. The two chiefs actually came directly to Chang'an. Do they trust us so much?"

Zhang Dahai frowned and said, "If you put it that way, it does seem a bit hasty."

Wang Jishan said, "Also, Lu Dongzan should know his eldest son's character, so why did he send him to do this?"

Wang Fusheng said in a deep voice, "Something is indeed wrong. General Wang, in your opinion, is this another plot by Lu Dongzan?"

Wang Jishan was silent for a moment, then said, "If this is really a scheme, Lu Dongzan is a bit too bold."

Zhang Duohai said, "Yes, he sent two chiefs to our Tang Dynasty. Isn't he afraid that we will find out about the problem and leave them in Chang'an?"

Wang Jishan said solemnly, "The problem isn't just this. If this is really a Tibetan conspiracy, Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu should have already reached an agreement with Tibetans. This means our previous attempts to sow discord have had no effect."

After hearing this, Wang Fusheng and Zhang Duohai looked a little unhappy.

Just as Wang Jishan said, if Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu were really sent by Lu Dongzan, and they took the risk, it shows that they trusted Lu Dongzan very much and were willing to take this risk for him.

Then all their work over the past year has been in vain.

Wang Fusheng said flatly, "No, after we released Ling Zan, Niangbo Jinniao and Lu Dongzan must have had a rift. I don't believe they can still trust each other!"

Zhang Duohai said, "Then there is only one possibility. The two chiefs who came to Chang'an with Cheng Wuting are both fakes!"

Wang Jishan asked, "It's the same question as before. If it's a fake, will Subiranya be able to recognize it?"

The three of them fell silent.

After a long pause, Wang Jishan slowly said, "I will report this matter to Lord Li tomorrow, but as for His Majesty..."

Wang Fusheng said, "It would be better not to report this to His Majesty until the situation becomes clear."

Zhang Duohai said, "I'm afraid that once His Majesty finds out, he'll blame us for not reporting it."

Wang Fusheng said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty has already devoted a great deal of energy to the reform of the land system. We cannot burden Your Majesty with this matter any further."

Wang Jishan nodded in agreement.
The reason why he invited the two of them over was that he didn't want to bring such an uncertain matter to the emperor.

Zhang Da Hai didn't say anything else.

Early the next morning, just after Wu Meiniang finished her meal, Zhang Duohai told Empress Wu about this.

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said, "You fat fellow, I told you not to interfere in government affairs, why did you tell me this?"

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "Your Highness, in the entire city of Chang'an, besides Your Majesty, you are the only one who has the most insight. Your Majesty should not worry too much, so you can only rely on your wisdom."

Wu Meiniang smiled slightly and said, "Stop flattering me. I'm just a woman, how could I understand these things?"

Zhang Da Hai smiled and said, "Your Highness is too modest. Then I will tell you my thoughts and ask Your Highness to correct me."

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "You're ordering me around. Well, go ahead."

Zhang Duohai observed Wu Meiniang's expression and saw that she was indeed very interested in this matter. He immediately said, "I have been thinking about it for half the night. If this is really a conspiracy by the Tibetans, then there must be something wrong with the two women who came to Chang'an."

Wu Meiniang said calmly, "Are you talking about Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu?"

"Yes, if I were them, I would never come to Chang'an unless I truly wanted to be loyal to the Tang Dynasty."

Wu Meiniang said slowly: "But they did come."

Zhang Duohai said: "Then there are only two possibilities."

"Oh?"

Zhang Duohai said: "First, the two who came are fakes. They look exactly like Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu. Subiranya can't recognize them!"

Wu Meiniang said slowly, "If it's one person, then having a twin sister who looks alike is somewhat possible. But it's impossible for both of them to have a stand-in who looks identical."

Zhang Duohai said, "Then there's only one other possibility. The Tibetans secretly bribed Subilaya to cooperate with this plan!"

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said, "Do you think the people in the Palace Administration and the Internal Affairs Office are all good-for-nothings? How could they allow the Tibetans to instigate a rebellion against Subilanya right under their noses?"

Zhang Duohai smiled bitterly and said, "I really can't think of it. They can't be truly loyal, right?"

Wu Meiniang said: "Let me help you think of a possibility."

Zhang Dahai hurriedly said: "Your Highness, please give me some advice!"

Wu Mei Niang said: "This is indeed a conspiracy of the Tibetans, and they are both real people."

Zhang Duohai was stunned and said, "How is this possible? After what happened to Ling Zan, how could they trust Lu Dongzan and take such a risk?"

Wu Meiniang's eyes flickered as she said, "This can only mean that Lu Dongzan used some special method to make them trust him and take such a risk!"

"Is there such a solution?"

"Put yourself in their shoes. If you were Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu, what would Lu Dongzan do to make you believe him?"

Zhang Da Hai blinked and said, "I won't believe him unless he comes to me in person and is willing to take himself as a hostage."

Wu Meiniang looked at him and smiled, "Isn't this a solution?"

Zhang Duohai was shocked and said, "But...but Lu Dongzan is the prime minister of Tubo, how could he do such a thing?"

Wu Meiniang said calmly, "Facing the pressure from the Tang Dynasty, if Tubo wants to survive, what risks can it not take?"

(End of this chapter)