Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 342 The Soft Power of the Tang Dynasty
In the Lizheng Hall, Wu Meiniang covered her forehead with her hands, looking very angry.

In front of her, Helan Minzhi knelt on the ground with his head held high and his eyes red.

Two eunuchs were holding sticks.

Although the Queen ordered Helan Minzhi to be caned, the two men did not dare to do it because Wu Shun was lying on Helan Minzhi's back.

Wu Ruyi knelt at Wu Meiniang's feet. Seeing Wu Meiniang so angry, she felt extremely distressed.

However, he could not bear to watch her break Helan Minzhi's legs, so he had to hold back his tears and wait in silence for Li Xian to invite the emperor over.

The situation became so bad that it actually started in the afternoon.

At that time, the regular court meeting in Lizheng Hall had just ended.

In the past, at regular meetings, after giving out rewards, everyone would leave.

But today was different. After Wu Meiniang awarded the tribute, the concubines talked about the interesting things that happened when they followed the emperor on his travels.

This conversation lasted until mid-afternoon without us noticing.

It was Wu Meiniang who stopped talking first, and then the concubines took their leave and returned home with their chosen tributes.

However, Wu Meiniang's busy day was not over yet.

She first ordered people to prepare her own tribute.

She was the queen, and everything sent to the harem treasury, except for the rewards given to the concubines, belonged to her.

As usual, Wu Meiniang took out a portion of it and sent it to the homes of the court ladies outside the palace.

Among them, the portion sent to Wu Mansion was several times more than that of others.

In addition, she took out some cloth, daily necessities and worthless ornaments and rewarded them to the female officials, eunuchs and palace maids in the harem.

These people worked hard in the palace for a year, and they were looking forward to this big reward from Zhengri.

Empress Wu had suffered in Ganye Temple and was very clear about the thoughts of people at the bottom of society.

They don't ask for much, as long as their little hopes can be met, they will continue to do their job without complaint.

If she squeezes out even this little bit, then the entire harem will be in chaos, and no matter how tough she is, it will be difficult to stop it.

Therefore, she was always generous when rewarding her servants, taking into account all kinds of daily necessities, food, clothing and other expenses.

In this way, these people will continue to work diligently, and she will not need to spend too much energy to manage the harem.

After finishing all this, Wu Meiniang drank a bowl of honey wine and leaned back on the couch to rest.

Not long after he closed his eyes to rest, a palace maid came to report that Wu Shun, Wu Ruyi and Helan Minzhi had come to the palace together to express their gratitude.

Wu Meiniang invited a few people in and chatted with her sisters for a while. Unknowingly, the topic turned to the affairs of the Eastern Palace.

The assassination of the emperor was not announced to the public. Only a few people knew about it in detail, and they only knew that it was done by Wang Dejian.

However, a question from Helan Minzhi caused the originally harmonious atmosphere to take a sharp turn for the worse.

Helan Minzhi asked at the time: "Aunt, since the incident in the Eastern Palace was caused by Wang Dejian, why are the people from the Dali Temple investigating the Xiao Mansion?"

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said, "The Dali Temple has its own reasons for doing things, and it is not your place to interfere." There was a warning in her eyes.

Helan Minzhi failed to understand the meaning of her eyes and did not stop talking.

"Aunt, Minister Xiao is loyal to Your Majesty and respects you greatly. Someone must have framed him. I beg you to investigate!"

Wu Meiniang stared at him with her phoenix eyes and asked, "Who taught you these words?"

Wu Shun hurriedly hugged Helan Minzhi and said, "You little bastard, don't talk nonsense in front of your aunt."

Then he smiled at Wu Meiniang and said, "Sister, this child is ignorant and is just joking. Don't take it to heart."

Helan Minzhi opened his mother's eyes and said loudly: "These words are what I thought in my heart, and I said them out loud. No one taught me!"

Wu Meiniang scolded, "How dare you!"

Seeing that she was furious, Wu Shun pulled Helan Minzhi away.

Wu Ruyi grabbed Wu Meiniang's hand and said, "Sister, today is a happy day, don't be angry."

Wu Meiniang said coldly, "I'm not angry, but disappointed. Such a fool, bewitched without knowing it, actually came to me and acted so presumptuously. It's all because of you who spoiled him all the time!"

Helan Minzhi cared most about Wu Meiniang's opinion of him. When he heard his aunt's evaluation of him, he even wanted to die.

He didn't care about anything else and shouted, "What I said is wrong! Uncle Xiao captured Helu and made great contributions to the country. Aunt is just prejudiced against him because of Xiao Shuren!"

When Wu Meiniang heard the words "Xiao Shuren", a murderous look flashed in her eyes.

When Wu Shun saw this, he was frightened and quickly covered Helan Minzhi's mouth.

"You evil creature, stop talking, okay?"

Wu Meiniang laughed in anger, stood up, and said, "Let him speak, let him say everything in his heart!"

Helan Minzhi had already made up his mind. He shook off his mother's hand and shouted, "I know. You must have thought that Uncle Xiao would say bad things about you in front of me. Did he tell me all this?"

"Then you're wrong. He always told me that the Xiao family had their own fault, and that their property was confiscated. Concubine Xiao's exile from the palace was her own fault, and had nothing to do with you. After hearing all this, do you still think your nephew has been bewitched by him?"

Wu Meiniang said, "Very well, have you discussed Xiao Shuren's affairs with him?"

Wu Ruyi said to Wu Shun, "Big sister, quickly take Minzhi away! Don't let him make Second Sister angry again!"

However, Helan Minzhi was already seventeen years old, and Wu Shun was no longer as strong as his son, so she couldn't pull him at all. She looked at the eunuchs in the hall, and everyone also lowered their heads.

Without Wu Meiniang's order, how could they dare to interfere in such matters? Do they think their lives are too long?
Helan Minzhi is still arguing with Wu Meiniang.

"It's already happened, why can't we bring it up again? You are the victor, and Xiao Shuren was driven out of the palace, but Uncle Xiao never resented you or said anything bad about you. Why can't you be more tolerant towards the Xiao family?"

Wu Meiniang trembled and said, "You want me to be tolerant? Have you ever thought that if I fail, you will still be able to stand here and argue with me? Do you think the Wu family will still exist?"

Helan Minzhi's face turned pale slightly.

Wu Ruyi cried and said, "Sister, we all know how hard you've worked. Minzhi was just bewitched and said these foolish things. Please don't take it to heart."

Wu Meiniang said coldly, "Sister, you can't keep this son of yours. Otherwise, one day he will commit a terrible disaster and implicate everyone."

Wu Shun hugged Helan Minzhi tightly and said in a hoarse voice: "Your Highness, he is only seventeen years old, why is he like this!"

Helan Minzhi laughed crazily and said, "Aunt wants to kill me, so just do it. Why bother saying all this? You are the Queen, so majestic and honorable, you can do whatever you want! However, in my eyes, you have no feelings, you are much colder than Uncle Xiao!"

Wu Meiniang gnashed her teeth and said, "Come here, beat him to death with a stick!"

Wu Ruyi said anxiously: "Second sister, if you kill Minzhi, mother will not survive!"

Wu Meiniang was stunned and said, "Then break his legs and let him stay in the mansion from now on. Maybe he can live a safe life." The queen gave the order, and the eunuchs dared not disobey. They took out the rod and were about to break Helan Minzhi's legs.

However, Wu Shun and Wu Ruyi were standing in front of Helan Minzhi, making it difficult for the eunuchs to take action.

When they looked at Empress Wu, they found that she was stroking her forehead with her hand and remained silent, so the situation came to a stalemate.

After Wu Ruyi understood, a little head popped out and looked at her without blinking. It was the Sixth Prince Li Xian.

When Wu Meiniang was pregnant, Wu Ruyi entered the palace for prenatal education and got along well with Li Xian and Li Xian.

Wu Ruyi knew that only the emperor could save Helan Minzhi, so she immediately shouted to him, "Xian'er, go and invite His Majesty over."

Li Xian said "Oh", turned around and left quickly.

When Wu Meiniang saw that she had asked Li Xian to report the news, her face turned pale with anger and she said, "Third sister, are you trying to get His Majesty to come over and make fun of our family?"

Wu Ruyi knelt at Wu Meiniang's feet and cried, "Second sister, if you are angry, you can hit me or scold me, but don't get yourself hurt by being angry."

Wu Meiniang was at a loss as to what to do with her younger sister. She sighed deeply and said nothing more.

After an unknown amount of time, footsteps were heard and Li Zhi finally came over.

Li Xian also followed behind and winked at Wu Ruyi with an expression as if asking for praise.

Wu Meiniang stood up, bowed to Li Zhi, lowered her head and said nothing.

Li Zhi looked at Helan Minzhi and Wu Shun, then at Wu Ruyi, and finally at Wu Meiniang.

"All of you, please leave." He waved his hand.

Everyone agreed and retreated.

Wu Ru saw that Li Xian was hiding behind the door again, sticking his head out as if he was eavesdropping, so he hurriedly grabbed his hand and dragged him away.

Soon, only Li Zhi and Wu Meiniang were left in the room.

Li Zhi was about to ask questions when he saw Wu Meiniang walk to a treasure-inlaid cabinet, take out tea cakes and tea-making tools from it, and then light a small stove to make tea.

Li Zhi saw that she was busy with her own things and asked, "Mei Niang, are you okay?"

Wu Meiniang tilted her head and smiled, "I'm fine. Your Majesty must have had a tiring day today. I'll make you a cup of chrysanthemum tea to soothe your fatigue."

Chrysanthemum Bamboo Shoot Tea is a kind of tea created by Empress Wu. A special kind of chrysanthemum petals are added to purple bamboo shoot tea. It not only tastes mellow, but also can relieve fatigue.

Li Zhi walked over, took her hand and said, "Mei Niang, stop busying yourself, let's sit down and talk." He pulled Wu Meiniang to sit beside the couch.

Li Zhi looked at her sideways and saw that she lowered her head and said nothing, stirring with her fingers. This expression was rarely seen on her.

"Mei Niang, Helan Minzhi is young and inexperienced. He was just bewitched by others and didn't commit any big mistakes. You don't have to be too angry." He comforted her.

Wu Meiniang glanced at Li Zhi and said quietly, "I thank your Majesty for your understanding, but Xiao Siye is plotting a rebellion. Hearing him defend him like that just now, I feel terrified."

Li Zhi laughed and said, "What's there to be afraid of? Would I doubt you because of him?"

Wu Meiniang whispered, "I am terrified. If Xiao Siye's plan involves the child, the entire Wu family will be implicated, and the consequences will be disastrous."

Li Zhi fell silent.

If Helan Minzhi was used by Xiao Siye and participated in the rebellion, according to the Yonghui Law, even Wu Meiniang would be implicated.

No wonder she was so angry.

Li Zhi took her hand and held her in his arms.

"Don't be afraid. I know what's going on. As your family is an outsider, it's easy for others to target you. As long as the Wu family isn't plotting anything bad, even if one or two of our sons are being exploited, I will never implicate the entire Wu family."

Wu Meiniang looked up at Li Zhi and said softly, "Your Majesty has placed such trust in me that I have no way to repay you. I will do my best to relieve your worries and repay your kindness."

Li Zhi wiped the tears from her eyes with his fingers and said with a smile, "We are husband and wife. It would be awkward to talk about this. By the way, I asked you to summon Jin Yan. Have you met her?"

Wu Meiniang wiped her tears and stood up again. While making tea for Li Zhi, she smiled and said, "Your Majesty asked me to summon her, is it to give her a chance to report to Wang Jishan about my mission?"

Li Zhi said: "Not only that, I also want to take this opportunity to raise the status of Baekje."

Wu Meiniang looked back and asked, "Your Majesty seems to be paying special attention to Baekje?"

Li Zhi said, "To destroy Goguryeo and recover the territories formerly held by the Han Dynasty has always been the wish of the late emperor and all the civil and military officials in the court. Baekje will play a significant role in destroying Goguryeo."

According to the original history, the Tang Dynasty first destroyed Baekje, and the army landed in Baekje, attacked from the south, cooperated with the northern army of Yingzhou, and finally destroyed Goguryeo.

Since this method of combat has been proven to be feasible, Li Zhi naturally would not hesitate to use it directly.

The only difference was that he did not intend to conquer Baekje by force, but chose to conquer Baekje with a softer approach.

Most of the people in Baekje were Mahan. It would be difficult for the Tang army to win the hearts of the people if it conquered Baekje by force, and Baekje was still likely to fall into the hands of Silla.

Even a powerful general like Su Dingfang was helpless in the face of the counterattack of Baekje's resistance forces after destroying Baekje, and could only lead his troops to retreat.

Jin Yan did not have the influence of Princess Wencheng in Tubo, nor could she compare to Subilanya's supreme status in Subi.

It would be difficult for the Tang Dynasty to win the hearts of the people of Baekje with just her.

That is why Li Zhi ranked Baekje before Silla and asked Wu Meiniang to invite Jin Yan to the harem, all in order to arouse the sense of honor of the Baekje people.

As long as the Baekje people feel that they are superior to the Silla people, they will naturally not be willing to submit.

Wu Meiniang understood Li Zhi's intentions and said with a smile, "So your Majesty is deliberately promoting the Baekje envoys to make Baekje and Silla mortal enemies."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "That's right. Mei Niang, when we fought wars before, we always used the hard power of the Tang Dynasty. In fact, there is another way to fight a war. Using soft power can also conquer a country."

Wu Meiniang asked curiously, "What is soft power?"

Li Zhidao: "Simply put, it's a combination of factors such as cultural influence, national status, and economic strength. Of course, soft power needs to be supported by hard power."

"For example, can you imagine what positive effects our courtesy to Baekje today can produce?"

Wu Meiniang frowned and thought for a while, then shook her head and said, "I can't think of it."

Li Zhi said, "Today's events will undoubtedly have an impact on all the tributary states, many of which are not far from Baekje."

"Seeing that Baekje is valued by the Tang Dynasty, they will naturally try to strengthen ties with Baekje, such as increasing trade exchanges or sending envoys to visit."

"Besides, Chang'an is the world's capital. What happened today will sooner or later spread to Baekje."

"With all these factors combined, the people of Baekje will believe that Buyeo Bok-sin is the legitimate king, and the number of nobles supporting Buyeo Bok-sin will also increase."

"In this way, Buyeo Boksin's power in Baekje will be strengthened without any effort. This is the role of soft power."

Wu Meiniang listened for a while and thought to herself, "As the ancients said, 'You can conquer the enemy without fighting.' Jiulang's plan seems to be similar to this." She smiled and said, "Your Majesty's words have enlightened me."

(End of this chapter)