Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 239 Why do kings love to confiscate property?

Changsun Wuji walked on the familiar Chang'an Street, feeling the surging crowds and the bustling noise, and felt like he was alive again.

He suddenly turned his head and looked at a tea stall. Inside the stall, two big men were arguing with each other, their faces red and necks thick, and they were about to start fighting.

Zhang Sun Wuji felt very close to their quarrel and said with a smile, "Silang, let's go over and have a cup of tea."

Changsun Quan looked at the two people arguing, frowned, and finally agreed.

The two men came to the tea stall and sat down. The waiter was busy trying to dissuade the two men and did not come over to greet the new customers.

Seeing that Changsun Wuji was listening to the two people's quarrel seriously, and it was obvious that they were not really there for tea, Changsun Quan followed suit and listened.

I only heard someone shouting, "You bastard, you are such a cheapskate. What benefit did the Xiao family give you that you want to speak for them?"

Another person snorted coldly, "I don't even have a friend named Xiao. What good can they do for me? In this day and age, can't you speak a fair word?"

The first man said, "Speaking fairly? The Xiao family even dared to commit treason and rebellion, what else can they not do? I think you accepted money from the Xiao family and deliberately helped them clear their name!"

"The official notice clearly states that only a portion of the Xiao family rebelled, and it was other Xiaos who reported them. Otherwise, why would His Majesty allow the Xiao family to serve as Minister of War? Besides, why would they slash their own ship?"

"Hehe, they're robbing it precisely because it's their own ship. They're unhappy with the imperial court's confiscation of their property, so they're secretly scuttling a cargo ship and taking back the valuables to make some money back. What's so strange about that?"

When Changsun Quan heard this, he was shocked. He remembered that when he met the emperor in the morning, the emperor seemed to have mentioned the Xiao family and the ship, and his face looked unhappy.

From this, it seems that something must have happened.

Changsun Wuji noticed that his expression was different and asked, "Silang, what's wrong? Do you know anything about this?"

Chang Sun Quan whispered what happened when he met the emperor in the morning.

Zhang Sun Wuji asked about the Xiao family's rebellion again. After learning everything, he stood up and said, "Let's go."

"Don't you want to listen anymore?" Changsun Quan stood up and followed behind.

Changsun Wuji said, "Since even His Majesty is shocked, it must be no small matter. These ordinary people don't know much about it, so they are arguing with each other."

Chang Sunquan asked, "Do you want me to go and find out?"

Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "Don't worry. Since this is a big deal, we will know it sooner or later. Take me to meet the princess first. I must thank her sincerely."

The news of Changsun Wuji's return to Chang'an quickly spread throughout the court and the country. However, the ministers were shocked and no one dared to visit him.

After Changsun Wuji had lived in the princess's mansion for two days, Li Zhi issued an edict to return the Duke of Zhao's mansion to him, but did not confer the title on him.

Therefore, the plaque of Duke Zhao's Mansion was changed to Changsun Mansion.

In this way, the ministers finally understood the emperor's intention. Since the emperor no longer conferred official titles or ranks on Zhangsun Wuji, it meant that he had no intention of re-employing him.

It is normal to grant him a mansion. After all, Changsun Wuji is the emperor's uncle. The emperor is benevolent and filial, so others can't say anything.

Although Changsun Wuji returned to Chang'an, since the emperor did not intend to use him anymore, no one dared to look for him.

After all, his enemies are still there, including Empress Wu, King of Yue, King Ji, and King Wu, none of them are easy to deal with.

For three consecutive days, no one came to see Changsun Wuji except Changsun Quan, including other members of the Changsun clan.

It was not until the evening of the third day that Changsun Mansion welcomed its first visitor.

Changsun Wuji sat behind the desk in the large study, looking at the newcomer and sighing, "General Mao, you shouldn't have come to see me now."

General Xin Mao smiled and said, "I must be loyal to the person who entrusted me with the task. Lord Changsun, please return the item to its original owner." He took a brocade box and handed it to Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji opened the brocade box, and inside was the list of contacts that he had secretly developed over decades of effort.

The first name is Shangguan Yi.

When he went to Zhaoling, he gave the list to General Xin Mao for safekeeping and told him that if he encountered any difficulties he could not overcome, he could use the power of this list.

Zhang Sun Wuji looked at the names listed above and sighed, "People's hearts are fickle. Over the past year or so, I don't know how many people above are no longer useful to me."

Xin Maojiang was silent for a moment, then said, "I think at least half of them are still willing to work for you."

Changsun Wuji smiled, walked to the candlestick, picked up the lampshade, and lit the list.

"Mr. Changsun, why are you doing this?" General Xin Mao asked with a changed expression.

Changsun Wuji said slowly: "This thing has advantages and disadvantages. In desperate situations, you can keep it. In the current situation, it is better to destroy it."

Xin Maojiang looked at the burning flames and sighed, "But this is the result of decades of hard work."

The list not only contains names, but also everyone's fingerprints. Even if some people have other intentions, we can still guess something based on the fingerprints.

Now it is completely impossible.

Changsun Wuji returned to his chair and sat down. He extended his hand for General Xin Mao to sit down, and said with a smile, "Let's not talk about this anymore. There's something I want to ask you."

General Xin Mao said, "Please ask."

Zhang Sun Wuji asked, "There's been a lot of discussion in the city lately, and it seems to be related to the Xiao family. Do you know the details?"

General Xin Mao said in a deep voice, "Do you know about the Xiao family's rebellion?"

"Shiro told me."

General Xin Mao said slowly, "When the imperial court confiscated the Xiao family's assets, the amount of wealth they found was staggering. Adding the assets of a dozen other small Jiangnan families, the total amount, converted into copper coins, was over six million strings of cash."

Zhang Sun Wuji sighed, "As expected of the number one aristocratic family in Jiangnan, they are truly wealthy enough to rival a nation."

This amount is almost close to the annual fiscal revenue of the Tang Dynasty. No wonder Changsun Wuji sighed like this.

He suddenly felt a little worried.

General Xin Mao said, "To transport this wealth, the court used thirteen canal boats. However, one of the boats capsized on the way, and when they tried to salvage it, all the treasure that had fallen into the water was gone."

Changsun Wuji's eyes flickered as he asked, "When did this happen?"

Xin Maojiang said, "The canal boat capsized last month."

The Xiao family is wealthy and powerful, with businesses spread all over the south of the Yangtze River.

It took more than half a year to confiscate all of his properties, so it was not until last month that the confiscated property was transported to Luoyang.

"The canal boats should have been escorted by the army, right? Were the official roads blocked at that time?"

"Yes, but the cargo ship capsized at night, so it had to wait until daylight to salvage it. The escorting troops thought it had hit a reef, and by the time they discovered the problem at daybreak, it was too late to blockade it."

Zhangsun Wuji narrowed his eyes and said, "Anyone capable of orchestrating such a meticulous plan is definitely not a common thief. This matter is by no means simple." General Xin Mao continued, "Many suspect the Xiao family's involvement. After this incident, the Zhechoufu, which was escorting the ferry, submitted an urgent report to the Ministry of War. However, this report disappeared. Instead, it was the Taifusi officials accompanying the ferry who reported it to their superiors, and Your Majesty was notified."

Changsun Wuji nodded. In order to solve such a major case, they had to race against time. Any delay might result in the property being hidden by the thieves.

"So some people suspect that Xiao Siye withheld the urgent report?"

"Exactly."

"What do you think?"

General Xin Mao said in a deep voice, "Xiao Siye isn't that stupid. He barely escaped a disaster, there's no reason for him to seek his own death again!"

Zhang Sun Wuji nodded and said, "This is called trying to cover up something only to make it more obvious. Even in the market, some people suspect that the Xiao family was responsible. This shows that someone wants to pin the blame on the Xiao family."

Xin Maojiang's face paled slightly, and he lowered his voice and asked, "Could it be the one in the palace?"

Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "I actually hope it was her doing, but unfortunately, she wouldn't do such a stupid thing."

General Xin Mao nodded and said with a smile, "In any case, Di Renjie has already started investigating this matter. I believe it won't be long before he can get to the bottom of it."

"You really trust him?"

Xin Maojiang smiled and said, "Don't underestimate this man's youth. If you get to know him more, you will find his extraordinary qualities."

……

Lizheng Hall.

Zhang Duohai hurried into the side hall and said, "Your Highness, I have carefully investigated and it seems that it was not done by the Xiao family."

The hall was filled with the scent of sandalwood incense, and a Buddhist shrine was placed in the top compartment of the rosewood cabinet.

Wu Meiniang was kneeling in front of the Buddhist shrine, her hands clasped together, her lips trembling, and she was praying softly.

Because Li Zhi opposed it, she had to break her vow and give up her vow to build the Buddha statue.

In order to avoid being blamed by the Buddha, Wu Meiniang placed a Buddhist shrine in a side hall and bowed to the Buddha whenever she had time to appease the Buddha.

After Wu Meiniang finished her worship, she closed the cabinet to prevent the small Buddhist shrine from being seen by her husband.

She walked back to the main hall and said to Zhang Duohai, "I have guessed that Xiao Siye is a smart man and would not do anything stupid that would bring trouble to himself."

Zhang Duohai frowned and said, "It's really strange. If it wasn't the Xiao family, who could have done such a bold thing?"

Wu Meiniang took the hand warmer handed to her by the palace maid, held it in her palm, and said lightly: "No matter who did it, they made a mistake."

Zhang Duohai asked, "What do you mean?"

Wu Meiniang said, "They deliberately framed the Xiao family, which shows that they have a grudge against the Xiao family. This only exposes themselves."

Zhang Dahai followed his words and clapped his hands, saying, "Yes, if there is no grudge, there is no need to do this."

Wu Meiniang waved her hand and said, "Let Di Renjie worry about these things. The Crown Prince hasn't come to pay his respects in a long time. Go to the East Palace and see what he's been busy with recently. He even ignored his mother."

Zhang Duohai agreed and left quickly.

Zhang Duohai didn't come back until half an hour later when Wu Meiniang, Li Xian and Li Xian were having dinner.

"Your Highness, His Majesty recently gave the Crown Prince a task, and His Highness has been busy with it these past few days."

"What's the matter?" Wu Meiniang asked, tilting her head.

Zhang Duohai said, "From what I've heard from several officials, it seems the Crown Prince wants to establish a new government office in the Taifu Temple, similar to a private pawnshop, to help the people pawn their belongings to alleviate their immediate needs."

When Wu Meiniang heard that her son was doing serious work, she stopped being angry and said with a smile, "Then let him be busy. You don't have to serve him anymore. Go to the side hall and have your meal."

Zhang Duohai thanked him and left the inner hall.

There were a total of 28 eunuchs and 42 palace maids in Lizheng Hall. The eunuchs were headed by Zhang Duohai, and the palace maids were headed by Jiang Shanggong.

Except for the people who served Empress Wu and the princes, and the people on duty guarding the gate, everyone else had come to the palace to eat.

Although Empress Wu was usually strict, she was also very kind to her servants. Not only did she give them clothes, money and other things, but the food they ate was also the best among all the palaces.

In the side hall in the northeast corner, Zhang Duohai smelled a burst of fragrance as soon as he entered the door.

Looking up, I saw four large round tables filled with chicken, duck, fish and other delicious dishes.

Although the dishes are not as exquisite as those in the main hall, they are all prepared by the imperial chefs, with a combination of meat and vegetables, and the portions are large and filling.

In order to maintain their figure, the palace maids were moderate in their eating, but the eunuchs did not care so much.

They have one less pursuit in life than ordinary people. They don't have to worry about their appearance and can eat as much as they want.

Because of this, most of the eunuchs in Iljeongjeon, including Jang Da Hae, are fat.

Zhang Da Hai walked to a table and sat down. He first drank some warm soup to satisfy his stomach, then grabbed a big pig's trotter and started to chew it.

Just then, a eunuch came to him.

"Young Master Zhang, County Lord Cui is outside Changle Gate and wants to see you."

"Which County Lord Cui?" Zhang Duohai asked after wiping the grease from his mouth.

"It's Cui Yixuan, the Imperial Censor who just resigned."

Zhang Duohai snorted coldly: "No."

He also disliked the people that Empress Wu disliked.

What's more, Cui Yixuan has now resigned from his official position, so he will not waste his precious meal time to see him.

A eunuch passed through Changle Gate and said to Cui Yixuan outside, "County Lord Cui, Zhang Shaojian is serving Her Majesty the Queen and cannot see you for the time being."

Cui Yixuan looked at the towering Changle Gate and felt a chill in his heart.

After a long moment, he turned around and continued walking, gazing at the dark sky, muttering, "Is it really God's will that the Cui family be destroyed?"

Suddenly, a hint of ruthlessness appeared in his eyes, and he said, "Xu Jingzong, even if I have to die, I will drag you down with me!"

He strode out of the palace, got on a carriage, and headed towards Xu's house.

(End of this chapter)