Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 361 Li Zhi's Overall Plan

In late July, it rained for several days in Guanzhong, causing the roads into the pass to be blocked and the price of grain to rise, exceeding 30 wen per dou.

The Chang'an warehouse quickly released grain, and the rice price fell, but it did not cause much impact.

However, due to the sudden change in climate, many people in Chang'an City caught a cold, and Mrs. Yang was one of them.

When Wu Meiniang heard that her mother was ill, she went to the Wu Mansion to visit her.

"Mei Niang, Minzhi has been gone for a long time, right?"

"Mother, he's only been gone for over two months."

"Oh, why do I feel like he's been gone for almost a year?"

"Don't worry, mother. Just take good care of yourself. When he returns to the capital at the end of this year, I'll let him stay in Chang'an."

"Oh, that's great."

"Mother, you should rest. Third sister, please take good care of mother."

With a creak, Wu Meiniang pushed the door open and came out. She walked quickly along the corridor, quickly left the Wu Mansion, and returned to the palace on the phoenix sedan chair.

As they were walking, Zhang Dahai's voice suddenly came from outside the window.

"Your Highness, Lord Helan has sent an urgent letter."

Wu Meiniang lifted the curtain of the carriage and took the letter from Zhang Duohai. After reading it, she asked, "Has Di Renjie returned to Chang'an?"

Zhang Duohai said, "Your Highness, Minister Di has not returned to the capital."

Wu Meiniang frowned slightly.

According to Helan Minzhi's letter, Di Renjie had already solved the case and left Laizhou, and should have returned to Chang'an earlier than the person who delivered the letter.

How come Helan Minzhi's letter has arrived, but Di Renjie hasn't come back yet?
She suppressed her doubts and ordered the team to hurry back to the palace.

Half an hour later, the phoenix carriage returned to Taiji Palace. Wu Meiniang first went back to Lizheng Palace to change clothes and put on makeup, and then went to Ganlu Palace.

When he arrived outside the bedroom, he found out that Li Zhi was not in the palace, but had gone to the Forbidden Garden.

Wu Meiniang came to the Forbidden Garden again and learned from the eunuchs that the emperor had gone to Changle Palace.

Changle Palace was originally the Xingle Palace during the Qin Dynasty. After the Han Dynasty conquered the Qin Dynasty, Liu Bang rebuilt this palace on the basis of Xingle Palace at the suggestion of Xiao He.

Changle Palace has always been the residence of the empress dowager of the Han Dynasty.

This palace was once burned down by the Red Eyebrow Army. During the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian ordered it to be rebuilt and listed as a detached palace.

This place is bordered by the Chan River to the east and the Wei River to the north. It has beautiful scenery and is an excellent palace. Both Emperor Gaozu of Tang and Emperor Taizong of Tang lived here.

However, Li Zhi rarely came here.

Li Zhi rarely visited not only Changle Palace but also other palaces in the Forbidden Garden. He preferred the hills and forests in the Forbidden Garden.

So Wu Meiniang was very surprised when she heard that Li Zhi went to Changle Palace.

The names of the palaces and gate towers of Changle Palace still retain their old names from the Han Dynasty.

Wu Meiniang entered Changle Palace from the westernmost Bacheng Gate, and soon saw Wang Fusheng and other attendants in front of a large house in the north of the palace.

This means that the emperor is in the room.

Wu Meiniang came outside and said to Wang Fusheng, "Eunuch Wang, is His Majesty in the palace?"

Wang Fusheng nodded and said softly, "Your Majesty is alone in the palace and does not want anyone to disturb him."

What this means is that Empress Wu had better not go in.

Wu Meiniang naturally would not listen to him. She gently pushed open the door and entered the hall. Wang Fusheng was helpless.

This room was the bedroom of the Empress Dowager of the Han Dynasty, named Changxin Palace.

After Wu Meiniang entered the house, she found that Li Zhi was actually sitting on the steps, staring at a palace lantern in the hall in a daze.

Wu Meiniang walked over quietly, and when she came to the side, she looked at Li Zhi sideways.

Li Zhi only felt a faint fragrance coming, and suddenly woke up. He turned his head and said, "Mei Niang, why are you here?"

Wu Meiniang sat down on the stone steps next to him, observing his expression, and said, "Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Nothing. I originally wanted to go to Weiyang Palace, but when I passed by Changle Palace, I stopped by to take a look. But then I remembered something and became lost in thought."

Wu Meiniang nodded, stood up, and walked around the room, as if looking at the structure of the house.

Li Zhi asked, "Mei Niang, do you know who lived here before?"

Wu Meiniang reached out and touched a vermilion lacquered pillar. She said, "Many empress dowagers of the Han Dynasty must have lived here, right?"

Li Zhi asked, "Who is the most famous one?"

Wu Meiniang tilted her head and asked, "Empress Dowager Dou of Xiaowen?"

Li Zhi nodded and said, "That's right. I once came across an interesting record in the Book of Han. It's said that when Emperor Wu of Han first ascended the throne, he wanted to strengthen imperial power and implement new policies. He employed the Confucian scholars Zhao Wan and Wang Zang. Do you know what happened afterwards?"

Since Wu Meiniang knew that Li Zhi liked history, she naturally would not ignore this aspect. She had read the Book of Han three times and knew the matter very well.

"That Empress Dowager Dou remained calm, secretly sending people to gather evidence against Zhao Wan and Wang Zang. Then, she struck with lightning speed, dismissing both men and giving the young Emperor Wu of Han a lecture."

Li Zhi sighed, "Yes, this Empress Dowager Dou was very skillful. It was her suppression that led to the rise of Emperor Wu of Han."

Wu Meiniang returned to his side, put her hand on his shoulder, and asked, "Your Majesty, did you come to the Han Dynasty Old Palace today because you were thinking of Emperor Wu of Han?"

Li Zhi patted the back of her hand and said, "Mei Niang, you are really smart. I came here to pay tribute to Emperor Wu of Han."

Emperor Wu of Han's greatest achievement was external expansion, which more than doubled the territory of the Han Dynasty.

Li Zhi did not know the difference between creation and recovery before.

Now that he has become the emperor himself, he understands how broad-minded and courageous this requires.

Why did the military generals in the court support the attack on Goguryeo but oppose the attack on Japan?

The reason is that one is about creation and the other is about recovery.

Most of Goguryeo's land was originally part of the Han Dynasty. In everyone's mind, it was just a matter of recovering old territory, and there was no psychological barrier.

Since the Han Dynasty ruled, the Tang Dynasty could also rule.

It was different with Japan. The ministers always felt that Japan's land was barren and there was no benefit in conquering it.

But is it really so?

of course not.

Japan's land is mainly mountainous and hilly, which is indeed not suitable for growing crops. However, it has a large number of gold mines, silver mines, copper mines, medicinal materials and seafood.

The Central Plains dynasty had never ruled Japan and had no idea of ​​its specific situation, so they subconsciously thought it was a barren land.

Before the Han Dynasty, it is estimated that Han Dynasty officials also thought that the Korean Peninsula, Nanyue, and Yunnan-Guizhou regions were barren lands.

However, after the Han Dynasty came to power, later dynasties no longer looked down on these places and regarded recovering the old territories as their responsibility.

This is normal; the unknown can easily make people uneasy.

Although Li Zhi decided to take action against Japan, he was still uneasy.

This is different from attacking Tubo.

In Li Zhi's view, Tubo was originally a part of China and there was no psychological barrier.

However, attacking Japan is completely unknown. What if we accidentally encounter a storm like the Mongols and the entire army is wiped out?
Even if they really conquered the Japanese, they would certainly resist fiercely. Maybe the Tang army would be driven out soon after the conquest. What should they do then?
It was because of these anxieties that Li Zhi came to the old palace of the Han Dynasty, hoping to feel Emperor Wu of Han's ambition to expand the territory and calm himself down.

Although Wu Meiniang did not understand Li Zhi's thoughts, she could see that he was worried. She held Li Zhi's hand and said softly, "Your Majesty, no matter what you want to do, I will fully support you."

Li Zhi took a deep breath and said, "Mei Niang, I have made up my mind to open up another piece of territory for the Tang Dynasty to solve the thousand-year crisis!"

Wu Meiniang's mind raced as she said, "Jiulang, you're not referring to Goguryeo, are you?"

Li Zhi said: "Yes, I want to conquer Japan!"

Wu Meiniang was slightly startled, opened her mouth to speak, but quickly closed it again.

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Don't worry. I know this will be no easier than attacking Goguryeo. I will plan patiently and prepare carefully."

Wu Meiniang thought for a moment and said, "Jiulang, are you planning to use this incident of the weapons being hijacked to start a war against Japan?"

Li Zhi said: "Not bad."

At this time, Wang Fusheng walked in quietly and said with a bow, "Your Majesty, the Minister of the Honglu Temple, Dai Siqing, requests to see you."

Li Zhi asked, "What's the matter?"

Wang Fusheng said, "It seems the Japanese have discovered the weapons robbery and have found evidence. The Japanese envoys wish to see Your Majesty."

Wu Meiniang's eyes glared, and she turned her head to look at Li Zhi. If the Japanese could prove that they had not robbed the weapons, Li Zhi would have no reason to send troops.

Li Zhi was very calm and asked, "Has Di Renjie returned to Beijing?"

"Hasn't returned to Beijing yet."

Li Zhi said, "Then tell Dai Zhide that I've been very busy these days and don't have time to meet with the Japanese envoys!"

Wang Fusheng agreed and withdrew.

On the way back to the harem with Li Zhi, Wu Meiniang's thoughts never stopped.

Since Li Zhi was determined to attack Japan, he should not have sent Di Renjie to investigate the matter.

Otherwise, if the investigation result is not Japan, it will be bad news.

That leaves only one possibility.

Di Renjie had already received Li Zhi's orders, and the investigation results he brought back must be what Li Zhi wanted.

Judging from Helan Minzhi's information, Di Renjie solved the case as soon as he went out to sea. This speed was too fast.

If Di Renjie was not trying to find out the truth, that would make sense.

At this time, the two had already passed through the Xuanwu Gate and returned to the harem.

Li Zhi turned his head and glanced at her, saying, "Mei Niang, what have you been thinking about all this time?"

Wu Meiniang said softly, "I'm thinking that even if Di Renjie finds out that Japan is responsible for this, there will still be a problem if we want to attack Japan."

Li Zhi's eyes flickered as he stared at her and asked, "How do you know that Di Renjie would find out that this was Japan's doing?"

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "If it weren't for this, Your Majesty wouldn't have sent him."

Li Zhi squeezed her hand and said helplessly, "Mei Niang, it seems I can't hide anything from you."

Wu Meiniang pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "That's because Your Majesty doesn't intend to hide it from me."

Li Zhi said: "Then what is the problem you are talking about?"

Wu Meiniang said sternly, "Your Majesty, the generals at court are led by Li Ji, and the generals at the border are led by Liu Rengui. I'm afraid they both prefer to attack Goguryeo."

Although the Tang Dynasty was powerful, if the emperor and the generals were not of one mind, the war might fail.

Even among the civil officials, many people would rather attack Goguryeo. If they attack Japan, there may be problems in the allocation of food and fodder.

Li Zhi's expression was calm. He said, "Then, in your opinion, how should we solve this problem?"

Wu Meiniang observed his expression and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, since you are confident, why do you still have to embarrass me?"

Li Zhi smiled slightly and said to Wang Fusheng, "Send an order to summon Li Ji to the palace."

An hour later, near dusk, Li Ji came to the bedroom.

Li Zhi did not explain the purpose of summoning him into the palace. He ordered people to set up the chessboard and play chess with him across the couch, while Wu Meiniang stood by and watched.

Li Ji seemed to be preoccupied. When the game reached the middle stage, he dropped a black chess piece onto the board with a "pop".

This move was not a smart one, and could even be considered a mistake.

Li Zhi immediately saw the opportunity and made moves one after another, launching a fierce attack.

Li Ji was in a panic and was on the defensive.

The two played chess many times. Although there were wins and losses, Li Ji was always at ease.

This was the first time that Li Ji made a major mistake.

There was a reason why Li Ji was so absent-minded.

He had just received a reply from Liu Rengui this morning.

Liu Rengui did not accept his proposal and even wrote a letter to hint to him that the emperor had already made comprehensive arrangements and asked him not to act rashly.

Li Ji was unable to judge for a moment whether the emperor really had a plan or Liu Rengui was deliberately shirking responsibility.

Moreover, he had just received news that the Japanese envoys had announced that they had discovered the country that looted 3,000 armors from the Tang Dynasty.

This country is Ezo!

The current situation is gradually getting out of control, and he can't help but worry.

He could ignore other things, but the Liaodong war was a thorn in his heart that he could not let go.

Just as he was distracted, Li Zhi dropped a piece and said, "Mr. Li, you lose."

Li Ji looked down and found that one of his big dragons had been surrounded by the emperor without his knowledge, with no way out.

"Your Majesty, your chess skills have improved again. I admit defeat." Li Ji bowed.

Li Zhi said: "It's not that I have made progress, but Lord Li is troubled and can't concentrate on the game."

Li Ji sighed, "Your Majesty has a keen eye. This old minister is indeed a little worried."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "What's troubling you, Lord Li? Why don't you tell me? Perhaps I can help you resolve your worries."

Li Ji looked at Li Zhi's calm demeanor, and thought of Liu Rengui's letter. He wondered, "Could it be that His Majesty really has a complete plan?"

He took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that Japan has found evidence proving that the weapons incident was the work of Ezo."

"Ezo is a bitterly cold land in the far north, and it's also an island. Even if we conquer it, it will be of no benefit to the Tang Dynasty. If we don't conquer it, it will damage the prestige of our country. This is precisely what worries me."

Li Zhi said slowly, "I deeply agree with what Lord Li said. Attacking Emishi will only waste the country's money and grain, while benefiting Japan."

Li Ji asked, "Does Your Majesty have any countermeasures?"

Li Zhi said, "I sent Di Renjie to Laizhou to investigate. Di Renjie has already sent a reply, saying that the weapons were stolen and it was Japan who did it!"

Li Ji was slightly startled and asked, "Is this really the work of Japan?"

Li Zhi smiled and said nothing.

A gleam of light flashed in Li Ji's eyes, and he immediately understood that Di Renjie had already made plans with the emperor to make the outcome point to Japan.

However, attacking Japan does not seem to be a wise move.

Li Zhi saw that he was frowning, and then he explained, "Mr. Li, you might as well think about it. If we find out that the country is Japan, how will the Japanese react?"

Li Ji thought for a moment and said, "He will definitely defend himself vigorously, right?"

Li Zhi said: "They found out it was Ezo themselves, and we found out it was Japan. In this case, if I force Japan to prove its innocence, what will they do?"

Li Ji hesitated and asked, "Your Majesty, how do you plan to make them prove their innocence?"

Li Zhi narrowed his eyes and said, "It's very simple. As long as they can find the 3,000 looted Tang armor from Emishi, that will be irrefutable evidence, and I will naturally believe them."

Li Ji thought about it carefully, and his eyes began to shine.

There is only one way to find 3,000 weapons in Ezo, which is to send troops to invade Ezo.

The emperor was forcing Japan to attack Ezo.

In this way, we can punish Ezo without having to send troops on a long expedition, and we can also weaken Japan, which can be said to kill three birds with one stone.

Li Zhi asked, "Master Li, do you think that if we force Japan, will they send troops to attack Ezo?"

Li Ji's brows relaxed, and he smiled while twirling his beard. "They can either go to war with Emishi or with the Tang Dynasty. I believe they will make a wise choice!"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "So, Lord Li, do you still have any worries?"

Li Ji stood up, bowed, and said with emotion: "Your Majesty is far-sighted and thoughtful. I admire you."

Li Zhi said, "After Di Renjie returns, I will convene an emergency court meeting and summon envoys from various countries. At that time, I hope Lord Li will cooperate with Di Renjie and point the finger of suspicion at Japan."

Li Ji bowed and said, "It is my duty as an old minister to do this." Then he took his leave.

Wu Meiniang had been listening silently without interrupting. After Li Ji left, she asked, "Your Majesty, if Japan really attacks Ezo, wouldn't we have no pretext to attack Japan?"

Li Zhi's eyes flashed coldly as he said, "That's because you don't understand them yet. Just wait and see, they will never attack Ezo."

There is a feeling in the Tang Dynasty court today that Japan does not dare to really go to war with the Tang Dynasty for Buyeo Yici.

However, Li Zhi knew very well that they
If Japan refused to attack Ezo, the generals led by Li Ji would have no reason to stop Li Zhi from sending troops to Japan.

Wu Meiniang felt that she had a general understanding of Li Zhi's plan, but when she thought about it carefully, it seemed that there were still many unclear details.

Just as she was thinking carefully, Wang Fusheng walked in and said happily: "Your Majesty, Di Siqing has returned to the capital."

Li Zhi took a deep breath and said, "Very good. Pass the order down to hold an emergency court meeting in Ganlu Palace tomorrow. Invite envoys from all countries to discuss the matter of the military equipment robbery!"

(End of this chapter)