Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 304 Entering the Palace to Meet the Saint
The news of Guo Daozhen's arrest quickly spread throughout Chang'an.

Notices were also posted on the walls of all major city gates.

A few days later, Fei Shisan went out of the city to treat a duke's wife who lived on the outskirts of the city for Sun Simiao.

When he returned to Chang'an, he saw a lot of people gathered outside the city gate, discussing a notice.

Out of curiosity, I went closer to read the notice, and was shocked after reading it.

He ordered the driver to speed up and soon entered the imperial city, returned to the Shang Pharmacy, and came to the palace pharmacy library, where he found Sun Simiao.

"Master, it's not good!"

Sun Simiao was standing in front of a bookshelf, flipping through a medical book from the Western Han Dynasty. Without even looking up, he said, "Let's talk later. Don't disturb me while I'm reading."

Fei Shisan said anxiously, "It's extremely urgent. Someone's going to die!"

Sun Simiao then raised his head and said, "I heard that the Duke's wife only has a stomachache, which is not serious. You didn't prescribe the wrong medicine and make her condition worse, did you?"

Fei Shisan glared and said, "I, your disciple, am not that bad. This has nothing to do with that lady of state. It's Guo Daozhen who is going to die!"

Sun Simiao's gray eyebrows knitted together as he asked, "Who is Guo Daozhen? The name sounds familiar."

Fei Shisan rolled his eyes and said, "I think you've really lost your mind. Isn't Guo Daozhen Zhang Zhong's apprentice? You even took me to visit them in Changshou Village. Have you forgotten that?"

Sun Simiao patted Fei Shisan's forehead and said, "Ah, I remember now. The disciple Zhang Zhong accepted in Changshou Village was called this!"

Fei Shisan took two steps back to prevent his master from slapping him again, and snorted, "Go and plead with His Majesty, or Guo Daozhen will be executed tomorrow!"

Sun Simiao put the book back into the bookcase and walked outside while asking, "What happened? Tell me first."

Fei Shisan told Sun Simiao about the notice he had just seen on the city wall.

The notice said that there was a sorcerer named Guo Daozhen who spread false rumors and misled the people in the palace, causing the emperor to be furious and order his execution!

Sun Simiao was surprised and asked, "How did Guo Daozhen become a Taoist priest?"

Fei Shisan curled his lips and said, "That's not clear. I haven't seen him for so many years. Maybe he's not doing well and left Changshou Village to become a Taoist priest."

Sun Simiao pondered for a moment and said, "When I took your Majesty's pulse just now, I smelled the scent of Huangqi on the Queen. When the other two heard Zhang Zhong's name, they also seemed to react strangely."

"Now Zhang Zhong's apprentice has appeared in Chang'an again and has been ordered to be executed by the emperor. Something must have happened in the meantime!"

Fei Shisan said, "Why think so much? Let's go meet Guo Daozhen first and see if he is Master Zhang's disciple."

Sun Simiao smiled and said, "Young minds are very useful. Let's go and see Guo Daozhen. Where is he being held captive?"

"Dali Temple!"

Sun Simiao immediately took his apprentice out of the palace and headed straight for the Dali Temple.

As the director of the Shangyaoju, he was not in charge of any affairs. Most of the matters were handled by Meng Shen, so there was no need to say hello.

Although Sun Simiao's official position was only the fifth rank, his title was the first rank duke.

After arriving at the Dali Temple, he showed the Duke's Goldfish Talisman. The bailiffs did not dare to stop him and took the master and his disciple to the Dali Prison.

Led by the jailer, Sun Simiao and the other man stopped outside Guo Daozhen's cell, and both of them looked at Guo Daozhen who was sitting in the cell.

Sun Simiao looked at him for a long moment and asked, "Disciple, is this person Zhang Zhong's disciple? Why doesn't he look like one?"

Fei Shisan said, "It's been over ten years, so of course there have been changes. I think his facial features look a bit similar, so it must be him!"

While the master and disciple were discussing, Guo Daozhen suddenly stood up and bowed to Sun Simiao, saying, "Guo Daozhen greets Master Sun. It has been many years since we last met, and Master Sun is still as elegant as ever."

Sun Simiao blinked and said, "Are you really Zhang Zhong's disciple, Guo Daozhen?"

Guo Daozhen smiled bitterly and said, "It's genuine."

Sun Simiao asked, "If you don't inherit Zhang Zhong's medical skills, how can you be a Taoist priest?"

Guo Daozhen sighed and said, "I am just an ordinary person. I couldn't stand the loneliness of Changshou Village, so I left my master. Later, by chance, I entered the Taoist sect."

Sun Simiao nodded and asked, "Since you are a Taoist priest, why are you imprisoned here?"

Guo Daozhen's expression froze, he sat back down, and whispered, "This matter has nothing to do with Mr. Sun, please go back."

Fei Shisan snorted, "If you don't tell us, my master will also go and ask around. It's better for you to tell us."

Guo Daozhen remained silent.

Sun Simiao stared at him and said, "Xiao Guo, is there something wrong in Changshou Village?"

Guo Daozhen shuddered slightly and asked, "Why do you ask?"

Sun Simiao said, "I just heard Your Majesty and Her Royal Highness the Queen ask about Old Zhang. If I'm not mistaken, he's involved in some trouble."

Guo Daozhen clenched his fingers a little tighter and whispered, "Since Mr. Sun knows it's trouble, why bother getting involved?"

Sun Simiao smiled and said, "I know Zhang Zhong's character very well. I've known him for sixty years. If he gets into trouble, how can I just sit back and watch?"

Guo Daozhen sighed, "This matter is too complex, I'm afraid you can't help."

Sun Simiao smiled and said, "Child, do you know what your master's big problem is?"

Guo Daozhen was stunned for a moment, then looked up and asked, "What?"

Sun Simiao said, "He's a person who has a strong desire to escape the world. This has led to his prejudice against worldly matters and his tendency to be extreme in his dealings. You should avoid learning from him in this regard."

Guo Daozhen frowned and said, "I don't quite understand what you mean."

Sun Simiao said, "To put it simply, there are some things that clearly have easier solutions, but he prefers to go the long way around it, resorting to unconventional remedies that only make the situation worse."

Guo Daozhen lowered his head and sighed, "Perhaps you are right, but it's a pity that things have come to this point. I'm afraid there's no turning back."

Sun Simiao said, "You are still being extreme when you say these things now. Since you realize that you are in a desperate situation, why don't you tell me the situation? Perhaps I can solve the problem."

Guo Daozhen hesitated for a moment and said, "If Master knew, I'm afraid he wouldn't agree to involve you."

Sun Simiao said sternly, "If you really want to save your master's life, you should tell me the situation now."

Guo Daozhen's expression changed slightly, and he asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Sun Simiao said, "There's a notice posted on the city wall announcing your execution tomorrow. I believe Zhang Zhong should know about it by now. Given his character, would he just stand by and watch?"

Guo Daozhen cried out in disbelief, "They're going to execute me tomorrow? How could that be? They haven't even interrogated me!"

Sun Simiao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, "What a powerful Dali Temple Minister! It seems he is planning to use this method to lure your master out!"

Guo Daozhen was extremely anxious. He stood up and grabbed the fence, saying earnestly, "Master Sun, I will tell you everything right now. Please save my master!"

Sun Simiao said solemnly, "Don't be impatient. Speak slowly."

At the same time, in a guest room in the northwest corner of the Dali Temple, Li Mao was lying on the couch with his legs crossed, ignoring Di Renjie who entered the room.

Di Renjie looked at him and said, "Prince, the case is still unclear, so I have not locked you up. I hope you will cooperate with the questioning."

Li Mao yawned and said, "I am a little tired. Please go out first. I will wait until I have enough sleep before you ask me questions."

Di Renjie said in a deep voice: "I respect you as a member of the royal family and treat you well. I hope the prince will respect himself!"

Li Mao sneered, "Di Renjie, don't be so nice. You're just trying to please my father and the other members of the royal family, so you don't dare to lock me up. Don't you think I don't know?"

Di Renjie shouted, "Get off the couch right now!"

Li Mao was startled and sat up subconsciously. He then shouted angrily, "Di Renjie, you are just a small county boy, and you dare to be rude to this prince?"

Di Renjie said, "There are no princes here, only prisoners. If you don't respect yourself, don't blame me for not respecting you." Li Mao held his neck high and said, "Don't try to scare me, the prince. I'm not afraid of death. What can you do to me?"

Di Renjie said, "Really? Then what do you think if I write about your urination incident in the case file and pass it on to future generations?"

Li Mao was startled and his face turned pale. He wanted to say a few more stubborn words, but he swallowed them back when they came to his lips.

Di Renjie said, "Now I'm going to ask you a question. I'll ask you a question, and you'll answer it. Remember that?"

Li Mao snorted and said, "Anyway, I have nothing to be afraid of. Ask whatever you want."

Di Renjie said in a deep voice: "Do you know Changshou Village?"

Li Mao said, "I'm the Chief of Shouzhou. Changshou Village is in Shouzhou. How could I not know that?"

Di Renjie continued, "Do you know that there is a medicinal herb called Huangqi in Changshou Village?"

Li Mao showed a rare hesitation and hummed, "I know."

Di Renjie asked, "Did you do anything to the people of Changshou Village for this thing?"

Li Mao's face showed even more surprise, and he stopped talking.

Di Renjie sneered and said, "Why, you claim you're not afraid of death, but you don't dare admit this?"

Li Mao said angrily, "Who dares not admit it? Yes, I heard that this thing is very valuable. I happened to be short of money at that time, so I found a way to move the villagers of Changshou Village to another village and take all the Huangqi in Changshou Village for myself!"

Di Renjie took a deep breath and said, "So that's how it is."

Li Mao snorted and said, "I can't be blamed for this. If anyone should be blamed, it should be Your Majesty!"

Di Renjie asked, "How dare you say that?"

Li Mao shouted, "That's right. His Majesty only granted me fifty households, which was far from enough for my expenses. Later, I put in some effort and acquired five thousand acres of land, but he took it back with a land reform. I had no choice but to find another way to make money!"

Di Renjie said, "Fifty households supporting you, how could that not be enough for your expenses?"

Li Mao snorted, "Coming from a small aristocratic family like you, naturally you don't understand our royal way of life?"

Di Renjie shook his head, too lazy to argue with him, and simply said, "Let me ask you one last question. Is the matter of Changshou Village related to the Queen?"

Li Mao thought for a moment and said, "It is somewhat related. The Queen once sent people to Shouzhou to buy Huangqi, and I sold her a lot."

Di Renjie's heart moved, and he asked again: "Have the Queen's people gone to Changshou Village to collect Huang Qi?"

Li Mao thought for a moment and said, "As far as I can remember, there shouldn't be any."

At this time, a temple official came in from outside and said to Di Renjie, "Temple official, Dr. Sun wants to see you and is waiting for you in your office."

Di Renjie nodded, ordered his men to keep an eye on Li Mao, and headed towards the office.

As the sun passed its zenith, it was blocked by thick clouds. The wind was cold and there was no sign of sunshine.

An old man riding a flowery donkey came to the outside of Chunming Gate.

There was a notice posted on the city wall, which said that Guo Daozhen was pretending to be a ghost in the palace and was a demon. The emperor issued an order to be beheaded in the East Market at noon tomorrow!

The old man sighed deeply, led his donkey into Chang'an City, and headed towards Xingningfang.

After entering Xingningfang, he walked along the main street to the residence of Lady Yan. When he was about to go in, he suddenly saw two teams of yamen runners rushing out from the roadside alley.

The leader was none other than Di Shun, Di Renjie's servant. He smiled at the old man and said, "Zhang Zhong, we've been waiting for you here for a long time!"

Zhang Zhong reacted calmly and said calmly, "Before arresting me, can you let me meet the Lady of Yan?"

Di Shun snorted, "That won't do. What if you run away?"

Suddenly, there was a "bang" sound, and the door of Lady Yan's mansion was suddenly pushed open. More than a dozen servants rushed out and protected Zhang Zhong in the middle.

A woman in her fifties walked out of the house and said coldly, "With this lady here, I don't see who dares to touch Mr. Zhang!"

Di Shun shouted, "Madam Yan, we are arresting people on the orders of Minister Di. Minister Di is handling the case according to the will of the Holy Saint. Don't try to stop us!"

Lu Congbi snorted coldly, "Let Di Renjie speak to this lady."

When he looked at Zhang Zhong, his expression suddenly softened, and he said softly, "Mr. Zhang, please come in. I will do my best to protect you."

Zhang Zhong sighed, "I had something to ask of you, Madam. Unfortunately, given the current situation, if I were to trouble you any further, I would be harming you. I will not do it."

He turned around, strode towards the yamen runners, and stretched out his hands.

"If you want to arrest me, do it now!"

Just as Di Shun was about to order his men to arrest Zhang Zhong, he suddenly heard a voice from a distance.

"Stop it all!"

Looking up, I saw a carriage coming from a distance. Two people got out of the carriage, namely Di Renjie and Sun Simiao.

The person who spoke just now was Di Renjie.

"Alang, didn't you ask us to arrest him?" Di Shun looked puzzled.

Di Renjie said, "The situation has changed. You should take your men back to the Dali Temple first."

"What about you?"

Di Renjie stared at Zhang Zhong and said, "I will bring Mr. Zhang to the palace to see the emperor. It is best to explain this case clearly in front of the emperor."

The carriage slowly drove away from Lady Yan's residence, with Sun Simiao and Zhang Zhong sitting in the carriage.

Di Renjie had separated from several people because he was going to interrogate Li Mao.

Because Lady Yan was also involved in the matter, she followed behind in a carriage and entered the palace to meet the emperor together.

Inside the carriage, Zhang Zhong and Sun Simiao stared at each other for a long time, and sighed, "Old friend, you've been dragged into this too."

Sun Simiao chuckled and said, "You're just a bit too stubborn. Since this has happened, why don't you come to me for help?"

Zhang Zhong said calmly, "This matter involves the current Empress. I will only cause trouble to anyone I contact. I will not do it."

Sun Simiao shook his head and said, "You have been a hermit for too long, and you have prejudices against secular people. The current sage is kind and the queen is open-minded. If you tell them the truth about the situation, it may not be impossible to solve the problem."

Zhang Zhong was silent for a while, then asked, "Do you know everything?"

Sun Simiao said, "When I heard that Guo Daozhen was going to be executed, I immediately went to see him. He was your disciple and a native of Changshou Village. I immediately guessed that this matter was related to you and Changshou Village. After repeated persuasion, he told me the situation, and I told Di Siqing."

Zhang Zhong shook his head and said, "It was my poor planning that harmed Daozhen."

Sun Simiao said, "Your plan is quite thorough, but there are many capable people in the court, such as the Minister of the Temple of Di. You will not be able to hide it from his eyes."

Zhang Zhong raised his head and said, "This is God's will. I have nothing to say."

Sun Simiao said sternly, "You must tell me. When you meet the Saint later, you must confess everything honestly."

Zhang Zhong remained silent.

Sun Simiao said, "I know many people died in Changshou Village. You blame yourself and don't care about your own life. But you must protect Guo Daozhen's life!"

Zhang Zhong said in a hoarse voice, "Can it be saved?"

Sun Simiao said: "No matter whether you can save it or not, you should always try your best!"

Zhang Zhong took a deep breath and said, "At this point, this is the only way."

(End of this chapter)