Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 359 I Don’t Want the Truth

Quan Gaisuwen's face was covered in blood as he stood in the hall, looking coldly at the Treasure King.

He personally killed the previous King of Goguryeo, dismembered the body, and threw the remains into a stinking ditch.

When Gao Baozang thought about his future fate, he was so scared that his legs went weak and he fell to the ground.

Quan Gaisu Wen slowly walked to the corpse and searched An Cen's body. He soon found a silk handkerchief with words written on it. The words were written in blood.

After reading it, my face changed drastically.

Quan Nanchan also entered the room and asked, "Father, what is written on it?"

Quan Gaisuwen handed the handkerchief to his son without saying a word.

After reading it, Quan Nanchan flew into a rage and sternly said, "Gao Baozang, you traitor, how dare you offer Goguryeo to the Tang people? You are not qualified to be the king of Goguryeo!"

The Treasure King trembled and said, "No, it wasn't me, it was the Queen's idea!"

Queen An stood in front of the Treasure King, stretched out her arms, and shouted, "Don't be afraid, Your Majesty! They are the traitors. There is no need to explain to them!"

Quan Nanchan looked at Queen An's graceful figure and said with a sinister grin, "Traitor? Fine, then I'll show you how treacherous you are!"

Holding a knife, he walked towards the two men step by step.

Just then, an arm stopped him. It was Quan Gaisuwen.

"Father, why are you stopping me? The court is under our control, so why keep them around?"

Quan Gaisuwen said with a sullen face, "The Tang people have long wanted to attack us. If we kill Gao Baozang, they will use the excuse of punishing the criminals and pretend to be a righteous army to attack us!"

Quan Nanchan's neck shrank and he said, "Then let it go?"

Quan Gai Su Wen said calmly: "Gao Baozang's life must be spared, but that woman can be killed."

Quan Nanchan grinned and said, "It would be a shame to kill him. I want to enjoy his woman in front of this useless king."

With a "slap", Quan Gaisuwen slapped him.

"Father..." Quan Nanchan was stunned by the slap.

Quan Gaisuwen said coldly: "What time is it now? Are you still thinking about these things? Why don't you think more about the robbery of Tang's weapons?"

Quan Nanchan said, "It must have been done by the Japanese. It has nothing to do with us. Why should father worry?"

Quan Gaisuwen said coldly, "What if they insist on putting it on our heads and take the opportunity to send troops?"

Quan Nanchan said, "Don't be afraid. We have five years' worth of food in the city. Even if the Tang people attack us, we will just abandon the outskirts and defend the capital like before, and wait them out until they die!"

Quan Gaisuwen said coldly: "Do you think they are so stupid that they can't think of a way to deal with it?"

Quan Nanchan was stunned and said, "What does father mean?"

"We'll discuss this matter when we get back. Let's deal with this woman first."

Quan Gaisuwen shook off the blood on the knife and walked towards Queen An.

Queen An looked at King Baozang with a sad look on her face.

"Your Majesty, I will serve you again in my next life."

The Treasure King didn't dare look at her and lowered his head.

Quan Gaisuwen grabbed Queen An's hair and wanted to cut off his head.

Just then, a general rushed into the house.

"Da Molizhi, bad news! The Tang army is approaching!"

Quan Gaisuwen's face changed drastically. He threw Queen An aside and strode up to the general, asking anxiously, "How many people are here?"

"Twenty thousand cavalrymen have entered Goguryeo territory in two groups, one led by Liu Renyuan and the other by Jiang Ke. Jiang Ke's troops are advancing at a rapid pace and have already reached Anshi City!"

Quan Gaisuwen clenched his fists and said coldly, "This must be the vanguard of the Tang army. Send an order to all envoys: hold the city firmly and do not leave the city to engage in a reckless battle with the Tang army. Anyone who disobeys this order will be executed!"

The general continued, "The Tang people also shot a letter into the city with an arrow. It was a letter from Liu Rengui, the governor of Yingzhou, to you."

As he spoke, he handed over a letter.

Quan Gaisuwen took it and looked at it, his face turned extremely ugly, and without saying much, he strode out of the house.

At this time, Goguryeo was in crisis. Quan Nanchan did not care to deal with Queen An. He hurriedly chased after her and asked anxiously, "Father, what did Liu Rengui write?"

Quan Gaisuwen did not stop and handed the letter to him.

After reading it, Quan Nanchan's face changed and he said, "This old man actually forced you to go to Yingzhou and explain the military equipment matter to him?"

Quan Gaisuwen snorted and said nothing.

Quan Nanchan gritted his teeth and said, "Father, don't pay attention to them. Even if the Tang army really comes to attack us, what do we have to fear?"

Quan Gaisuwen said with a dark face, "No, I still need to explain."

"what?"

Quan Gaisu Wen said in a deep voice, "The Tang people are powerful. Since they have the opportunity to explain, it means they really want to find out who did this."

"But this is too humiliating!" Quan Nanchan said angrily.

"How is this humiliating? Wasn't it humiliating when the Tang army surrounded us and attacked our capital? Do you think the Tang people are so easy to deal with? If you can send someone over to explain the situation and drive the Tang army away, why not do it?"

"Then you must never go into danger yourself!"

Quan Gaisuwen glanced at him sideways and said, "Then who do you think should go?"

Quan Nanchan said in a deep voice: "We must send someone of importance, so that the Tang people will trust us. I think it would be better to send my brother."

Quan Gaisuwen glanced at him coldly and said, "Do you really hope that your brother will die in the Tang Dynasty?"

Quan Nanchan's face changed drastically and he fell to his knees.

"I have absolutely no such intention. In fact, I also want to personally share my father's worries, but the Tang people attach great importance to the order of seniority. If I go there, the Tang people may think we are perfunctory."

Quan Gaisuwen stared at him for a while and said, "What you said makes some sense. Then let him go to Yingzhou for me."

……

It was a hot summer day, the sun was scorching, and the city of Chang'an seemed to have turned into a huge furnace.

In such a hot climate, even the street vendors were shouting until their throats were hoarse and had to sit in the shade to rest.

However, there are also people who are practicing martial arts under the sun despite the scorching sun.

Since Li Yuanfang lost to Xue Rengui last time, he has practiced martial arts more diligently. In addition to morning and evening, he must also practice stick techniques for an hour every noon.

All around, the yamen runners from the Dali Temple hid in groups of three or four in the shade, observing Li Yuanfang practicing martial arts.

As the saying goes, the skills of the stick pass through your eyes, and the martial arts skills grow in your heart.

Even if they don't have Li Yuanfang's perseverance to practice martial arts under the scorching sun, they can still learn some techniques by just taking a look.

After a long while, Li Yuanfang finally finished practicing. He stepped on the hot ground, came to a cool well, drew a wheel of water, and washed the sweat off his face.

A yamen runner was lying under a tree and called out to Li Yuanfang, "General Li, come and rest for a while. It's cool here."

Li Yuanfang asked him, "Where is Di Siqing?"

The yamen runner said, "I went to the storehouse to look through the old files."

The Dali Temple has been very quiet recently.

Di Renjie's reputation has spread. Everyone knows that no matter what they commit, they cannot hide from Di Renjie's eyes. Therefore, those who want to commit a crime have to think twice.

Another important reason was that the saint was in Chang'an, and ordinary people were still full of awe for the emperor.

These words "under the emperor's feet" are not just words.

Like Li Yuanfang, Di Renjie is a person who cannot sit still.

When he had no cases, he liked to run to the warehouse and look through some old cases, hoping to find some forgotten injustices.

After washing his face, Li Yuanfang went to the warehouse where the case files were stored.

To his surprise, Di Renjie was not in the warehouse, but sitting on the stone steps outside the warehouse, holding a wooden stick and drawing something on the ground.

Li Yuanfang walked over quietly, turned his head and looked, only to see Di Renjie drawing on the ground.

After carefully looking for a while, I could vaguely make out the outline of a small boat.

Li Yuanfang smiled slightly and said, "Minister Di Si, are you thinking about the case of the weapons robbery?"

Di Renjie's shoulders shook, and he quickly drew a few strokes on the ground, threw away the stick, and clapped his hands.

"No, I was just paddling for fun."

Li Yuanfang found him so embarrassed, which was rare, and secretly laughed. He sat down next to him and said, "It's nothing to think about. I'm also very curious about this case. Let's talk about it."

Di Renjie coughed and said, "Since His Majesty has not asked us to investigate this case, there is no need to discuss it any further and waste our time."

He stood up, patted his butt, and went into the warehouse.

Li Yuanfang followed him in and said, "Minister Di, there's no need to pretend. I know you went to see Zhang Jianzhi, the Junior Minister of the Honglu Temple, yesterday. You probably wanted to learn about the situation in the Liaodong countries."

Di Renjie paused and said with a wry smile, "Sure enough, nothing can be hidden from Brother Li."

Li Yuanfang smiled and said, "Minister Di is good in every way, except that he can be a bit too conventional at times. If you want to solve this case, you can go to His Majesty and recommend yourself."

Di Renjie sighed and said, "Yuan Fang, this is not a simple case. The interests of various countries are involved, and it may even trigger a war."

Li Yuanfang said, "I know. Precisely because this matter is so serious, uncovering the truth is even more crucial." Di Renjie replied, "If you know how important this is, how could His Majesty not know? Since His Majesty didn't send me to investigate, he must have his own reasons."

Li Yuanfang smiled and said, "That's true, Lord Di Si. Although we can't solve the case, we might as well analyze it. Once the truth is revealed, we can see if our guess is correct."

Di Renjie shook his head and said, "I never make random guesses without evidence."

"This situation is special, so why not make a guess?"

Di Renjie was somewhat moved by what he said and said, "Then take a guess?"

"Guess which country do you think is the most suspicious in this matter!"

Di Renjie was silent for a long time, then slowly said, "Ezo."

Li Yuanfang was surprised and asked, "Why?"

Di Renjie was about to answer when a clerk suddenly rushed in and said urgently, "Minister Di, a nobleman has come outside and said that the emperor has summoned you to the palace immediately!"

Li Yuanfang was overjoyed and said, "Your Majesty must want the Minister of State Di to investigate this matter!"

Di Renjie clenched his fist and smiled, "Wait for me to come back."

Di Renjie followed the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict and soon arrived at the palace.

After passing through the Ganlu Gate, he did not go to the Ganlu Palace, but headed north towards the harem.

Walking along the palace road, we soon arrived at the Linhu Palace.

Looking up, Emperor Li Zhi was standing on the water viewing platform, leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance.

Di Renjie walked over and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Di Renjie, pays homage to His Majesty!"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Mr. Di, there's no need to be so polite. There's a watermelon on the table, a tribute from the Shi Kingdom. Eat a couple of pieces to cool off, and then you can talk to me later."

Di Renjie turned his head to glance at the stone table, and sure enough, there were a few pieces of melon jerky cut on it. They had green skin and red core, with black seeds in the middle. They looked fresh and juicy.

He thanked her, picked up a piece and started eating it. It melted in his mouth and was sweet and delicious.

He remembered that on the way here, he met a eunuch holding a tray with this melon on it. The top part had been eaten, leaving only the rind at the bottom.

So he ate only the top part, leaving the bottom uneaten. After finishing two pieces quickly, he came to Li Zhi and said, "Your Majesty, I have eaten enough. Thank you for the melon."

Li Zhi looked at the lake and said slowly, "Di Qing, you should have heard about the robbery of the Laizhou military equipment, right?"

Di Renjie said, "I have heard about it."

Li Zhi glanced at him sideways and said, "Are you wondering why I didn't let you investigate?"

Di Renjie said, "I know that Your Majesty must have a deep meaning behind this, so I am not surprised."

Li Zhi slowly walked to the table and sat down. He extended his hand and invited him to sit down as well. He said, "Mr. Di, I have a problem now and I need your help."

Di Renjie bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please give your orders."

Li Zhi looked at him and said, "Before I speak, I have something I want to ask you. Are you the kind of person who would disregard everything else in pursuit of the truth?"

"I don't quite understand what Your Majesty means." Di Renjie was stunned.

"For example, if one side is for the long-term interests of the country, and the other side is for the truth of the matter, which side would you choose?"

Di Renjie said solemnly, "I am a minister of the Tang Dynasty. Of course, the interests of the country are my top priority."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "That's good. This time, I don't want you to find the truth. Instead, I want you to find a result that is most beneficial to the country."

Di Renjie's heart trembled. He asked, "Your Majesty, what results do you hope this investigation will yield?"

Li Zhi stared at him and slowly said, "I hope the weapons issue was caused by Japan!"

Di Renjie took a deep breath and said, "I understand. I will go to Laizhou to make arrangements myself."

Li Zhi looked at him and smiled, "Mr. Di, I'll have to trouble you again. I grant you the right to act at your discretion. The imperial decree will be issued immediately."

……

"Brother Li, you haven't been in a good mood these days?"

In the water pavilion in the backyard of Changsun Mansion, Changsun Wuji asked leisurely while eating cold melon.

Li Ji glanced at him and said with a wry smile, "I'm really a little envious of you now. This winter melon is a tribute from the Stone Kingdom, and you actually have one in your house?"

"It was sent from the Princess's Mansion." Changsun Wuji handed him a piece and said with a smile, "Stop complaining. If you have any problems, tell me about them."

Li Ji took it but didn't eat it. He placed it on the table and said slowly, "I just went to the Honglu Temple and met with envoys from various countries."

Changsun Wuji asked, "Oh, did you gain anything?"

Li Ji said: "The envoys from the three kingdoms of Mohe, Shiwei, and Silla all suspected that it was Goguryeo's doing!"

Changsun Wuji sneered and said, "I don't think they doubt it, but they hope it was Goguryeo who did it!"

Li Ji nodded and said, "Of course I know what they are thinking."

Changsun Wuji asked, "What did the Japanese envoy say?"

Li Ji said: "They have two suspects, one is Goguryeo and the other is Emishi."

Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "It seems that the Japanese are the most sober and rational."

Li Ji said, "Yes, judging by their attitude, they do want to find out the truth. This also proves that this incident was not caused by Japan."

Chang Sun Wuji smiled and said, "Then we'll just wait for them to find the evidence. What are you worried about?"

Li Ji said in a low voice, "Brother Li, think about it, if this was done by the Emishi Kingdom, what would the situation be like?"

Changsun Wuji's expression became a little more serious.

"I understand what you mean. If it's really Ezo, we'll have to send troops on a long expedition!"

Li Ji nodded and said, "The geographical environment of Ezo is harsh, even more barren than that of Japan. Even if we conquer Ezo and capture its king, what benefit will it bring to our country?"

Zhang Sun Wuji narrowed his eyes and said, "Maybe it will even help the Japanese."

Li Ji said, "That's exactly the point. If the Japanese really find conclusive evidence that Emishi were responsible, then the Tang Dynasty will be in dire straits."

Zhang Sun Wuji pondered for a moment and said, "I understand your difficulties. If this is the result, I'm afraid His Majesty will also be troubled."

Li Ji bowed to him and said, "Brother Changsun is very resourceful. Please come up with a good plan to prevent our Tang soldiers from having to go on an expedition to Ezo!"

Changsun Wuji stood up, walked to the railing, looked at the birds flying in the sky, and said slowly: "There is a way, it depends on whether you dare to do it."

Li Ji asked, "What's the solution?"

Changsun Wuji looked around and all the servants who were serving him withdrew.

Li Ji also waved his hand, and the two guards who came with him also retreated.

Chang Sun Wuji returned to the table and whispered, "In the current situation, besides Ezo, who is the most suspicious?"

"Goguryeo?"

"That's right! We can point the results at them, so there's no need to go on an expedition to Ezo."

"But if it wasn't Goguryeo's doing, how can we point the finger at them?"

Changsun Wuji narrowed his eyes and smiled, but said nothing.

Li Ji's eyes flickered a few times, and he asked, "Are you trying to make false evidence and point the finger at Goguryeo?"

Changsun Wuji nodded.

Li Ji was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm afraid it will be difficult. If someone discovers our flaws, the Tang Dynasty will lose its credibility with the world."

Changsun Wuji patted him on the shoulder and said, "One is the loss of reputation, the other is the loss of national strength. Which is more important? Brother Li, please think carefully."

He walked to the fence again, looked up at the sky, and said no more.

Li Ji was silent for a long time, then said decisively: "Then let's act according to Brother Changsun's plan!"

Changsun Wuji turned around and smiled, "Have you thought about it?"

Li Ji said, "National interests are the most important. It's okay to occasionally put false reputation aside."

Chang Sun Wuji smiled and said, "That's right. 'Faith' was originally taught by the Central Plains to the surrounding barbarians. How can we tie our own hands and feet?"

Li Ji asked, "Can you tell me about the specific plan?"

Chang Sun Wuji said, "We don't need to implement the specific plan. Someone will do it for us, and they will do it better than you and me!"

"Who?"

"Yingzhou Governor Liu Rengui!"

"Him?" Li Ji was stunned.

Zhang Sun Wuji said, "This man has been in Yingzhou for many years, and he has always been dealing with Goguryeo. His desire for Your Majesty to attack Goguryeo is no less than yours!"

Li Ji stood up suddenly and said, "Brother Changsun is indeed more open-minded. I will write him a letter when I return!"

His worries were slightly relieved, and he felt thirsty, so he grabbed a piece of cold melon and started eating it.

"How does it taste?" asked Changsun Wuji.

"good."

Li Ji quickly finished a piece of cold melon, even eating the rind.

(End of this chapter)