Traveling through the Tang Dynasty: The Concubine Goes to War

Last time we talked about the emperor being assassinated in the prime minister's residence. The assassin escaped, and the servants of the prime minister's residence chased him out with torches.

After this incident, the emperor was frightened, and he and the empress hurriedly left the prime minister's residence under the escort of the guards. Everyone respectfully saw the emperor and the empress off.

The emperor returned to the palace in shock. He immediately summoned Minister of War Liu, Minister of Justice Song and other ministers to discuss the matter.

In the early morning, when the sun was still shining brightly in the clouds, revealing a hint of reddish glow, the imperial court had already begun.

Outside the palace, officials dressed in court robes stood solemnly and entered the palace in order according to their rank.

The imperial guards stood tall, holding sharp swords, looking majestic.

As the eunuchs shouted "The Emperor has arrived", the emperor slowly walked into the court under the gaze of all officials.

He was dressed in a dragon robe, looking solemn and dignified, sitting upright on the dragon throne, his eyes revealing majesty and wisdom.

The ministers knelt on the ground, kowtowed, shouted "Long live the emperor" three times, and then stood up and lined up on both sides.

The morning court officially began, and the ministers took turns to report on the government affairs and people's sentiments in various places.

The emperor listened carefully to the statements of each minister, asking questions or giving instructions from time to time. Every decision he made was related to the future of the country and was a heavy responsibility.

The atmosphere in the court was solemn, and the ministers' suggestions and advice were only for the prosperity of the country.

The morning court lasted for more than an hour.

After all the ministers had finished reporting, the prime minister stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report. It's about the assassination of Your Majesty in your residence last night."

"Approved," the emperor said hurriedly. The prime minister did not speak immediately, but looked around. The emperor understood and immediately said, "My dear ministers, if there is nothing else, you can leave the court."

Han Xuan felt something was wrong, but he still followed the ministers out.

After they left, the prime minister slowly said, "Your Majesty, please pardon me and I will report this to you."

The emperor was stunned for a moment, then replied: "Just tell me, I pardon you. Has the assassin from last night been caught? Who is he?"

"Your Majesty, the assassin last night was not caught, but my servants chased the assassin all the way. The assassin disappeared near General Han Xuan's mansion. One servant seemed to see the assassin slip into the general's mansion through the back door." said the prime minister.

After hearing what the prime minister said, the emperor hesitated for a moment and said, "Does the prime minister suspect that Han Xuan is related to the assassin?"

"I dare not. This matter is of great importance. After all, General Han has made outstanding military achievements and holds military power. I dare not speculate rashly."

After hearing the prime minister's words, the suspicious emperor raised his eyebrows and conveyed my order: "Order the assistant minister of the Ministry of War to lead the imperial guards to search the general's mansion immediately."

The emperor ordered a search of the general's mansion, and the news spread throughout the capital like a gust of wind.

The soldiers quickly gathered, dressed in armor and forming a strict formation, rushing towards the general's mansion like a steel torrent.

In front of the general's mansion, the guards had solemn faces and firmness and loyalty in their eyes. They knew that this was a severe test and they had to stick to their posts to defend the general's dignity and honor.

The search began, and the soldiers stepped into the mansion cautiously, holding torches to illuminate every corner.

The items in the room were carefully checked, including bookshelves, drawers, boxes, and every place that might hide a secret.

However, the general's mansion was peaceful and quiet, without any signs of abnormality. The soldiers acted in a rigorous and orderly manner, not missing any clues, but maintaining respect for the general.

In this tense atmosphere, time seemed to stand still. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the results of the search.

The emperor's decree was as heavy as Mount Tai, and the general's mansion was like an indestructible fortress, silently enduring it all.

The general's mansion was brightly lit, and a group of soldiers were nervously searching the mansion.

Han Xuan, Yunxi and a group of servants were standing in the middle of the hall. Yunxi said angrily, "What are you doing? What right do you have to search the general's mansion?"

Lord Liu bowed slightly to Han Xuan and Yun Xi, and answered with a cupped hand: "I am here on the orders of the current emperor to search the general's mansion to see if there are any criminals hiding."

Soon, a soldier brought back a large stack of letters and reported, "Sir, I found these in General Han's study."

The paper of the letter seemed old, but the handwriting was still clearly legible. Each letter revealed the general's secret contact with foreign enemies, and the content involved important national intelligence and military deployment. The discovery of these letters shocked and angered everyone.

The atmosphere in the general's mansion became solemn and tense, and the soldiers' eyes were filled with suspicion and disappointment towards the general.

The existence of these letters is undoubtedly irrefutable evidence of the general's betrayal of his country.

They carefully collected the letters and prepared to present them to the emperor for further investigation and processing.

This discovery plunged the entire country into a huge crisis and destroyed people's trust in the general.

These letters will become key evidence in the general's trial and will also uncover a conspiracy that may affect the fate of the country.

Han Xuan's expression suddenly changed. "How is this possible? I have never seen these letters! Someone must have deliberately framed me!"

"Han Xuan, I believe you." Yun Xi said firmly. Han Xuan took a deep breath, "I also firmly believe in my innocence. But now we have to calm down and find a way to find the truth."

Lord Liu's face was as gloomy as water. "This matter is of great importance. I can only handle it impartially. Please be patient, General. When I return to the palace to report, everything will naturally come to light."

After saying this, Lord Liu left the general's mansion with the soldiers and the pile of letters.

At this moment, a mysterious figure appeared on the corner of the street, watching everything that happened in the general's mansion, with an imperceptible smile on his face.

Han Xuan felt a ball of anger burning in his chest. His reputation and innocence had been tarnished like never before.

Yunxi held his hand tightly, "I completely believe in you, we will definitely find out the truth." Han Xuan took a deep breath, "No matter what, I will never let the villain succeed."

Under Han Xuan's arrangement, the counselors and confidants in the mansion began to secretly investigate the matter. They collected clues everywhere, trying to find the traces of the mastermind behind the scenes.

At the same time, Han Xuan decided to meet the emperor in person to show him his loyalty and innocence. He firmly believed that as long as the emperor was willing to give him a chance, he would be able to clear his name.

In the palace hall, Han Xuan knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to guarantee with my life that those letters were not written by me. I beg Your Majesty to give me some time, and I will definitely find out the truth."

The emperor stared at Han Xuan and thought to himself. He knew that Han Xuan had made great military achievements and was an upright person. If he convicted him, it might cause dissatisfaction among the generals and soldiers in the court. Therefore, the emperor decided to give Han Xuan a chance to prove his innocence.

"Okay, I'll give you some time to investigate this matter. But if you find out it's true, I will not tolerate it."

Han Xuan was so grateful to the emperor for his promise that he secretly vowed to find the real murderer at all costs and bring justice to himself.

At the same time, Yunxi also discovered some clues in the general's mansion.

She found a special seal in Han Xuan's study, which was very similar to the seals on those letters.

Yunxi's heart moved. Could this be the key to solving the case? Yunxi thought to himself, since Lord Liu was able to find the letter of treason in the mansion that day, could there be a traitor in the mansion?

So Yunxi paid attention to the movements of all the servants in the mansion.

After Han Xuan left the palace, he immediately started to investigate. He found that there was a force in the court that was trying to sow discord between him and the emperor. After some twists and turns, Han Xuan finally found some clues.

Han Xuan followed the clues and found that this force was related to the spy organization of the neighboring country Goguryeo. They attempted to undermine the stability of their own country and provoke civil unrest.

Han Xuan decided to go deep into the enemy camp to collect more evidence. In a carefully planned operation, he disguised himself as a jeweler and sneaked into the border city of a neighboring country.

There, he met a woman named Tashi, who seemed to know something about the inside story.

Through his contact with Zhaxi, Han Xuan gradually learned about the enemy's conspiracy.

It turns out that Tashi is a princess of Goguryeo, and she seems to be particularly interested in Han Xuan from the Central Plains.

She often came to Han Xuan under the pretext of buying jewelry, and every time she asked Han Xuan about the customs and practices of the Central Plains.

In a quiet town, Zhaxi silently watched Han Xuan's every move.

Her eyes were full of love and admiration, but Han Xuan didn't notice.

However, Han Xuan just needed some information, and Zhaxi happened to be the key for him to obtain this information.

One day, Han Xuan accidentally talked about a topic with Zhaxi, and he found that Zhaxi knew it very well.

Han Xuan was secretly delighted, as he realized that Zhaxi might be a breakthrough point for him to get information.

So he gradually got closer to Tashi, chatted with her and shared each other's lives.

Zhaxi did not realize Han Xuan's true intention. She was immersed in the communication with him and was ecstatic.

She answered Han Xuan's questions without reservation and told him everything she knew.

As time went by, Han Xuan gradually got the news he wanted, but his heart was full of contradictions.

He realized that he had taken advantage of Tashi's feelings and felt guilty towards her. However, his love for Tashi also gradually sprouted in the process.

Finally, Han Xuan decided to confess everything to Tashi. He found Tashi, apologized to her sincerely, and told her that he already had a wife in Zhongyuan. He could not accept her love. Tashi was shocked and disappointed.

Han Xuan bid farewell to Zhaxi and stayed in an inn on his way back to the Central Plains. In the middle of the night, a dark figure crept through the paper window of Han Xuan's room and quietly blew black smoke into the room with a bamboo tube...

Han Xuan opened his eyes drowsily, and his vision gradually became clear, but he was shocked to find himself in an unfamiliar environment.

He looked around and found that his feet were chained and he was imprisoned in a cage. The iron bars of the cage were rusty and gave off a rotten smell.

The cage was dark and damp, with only a faint light shining through the cracks above. Han Xuan struggled to sit up, his body feeling unusually heavy.

He looked inside the cage and saw some hay on the ground, which gave off a bad smell.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard, and Han Xuan's heartbeat accelerated instantly. He looked at the door of the cage and saw a soldier wearing traditional Goguryeo clothing walking over with a bowl of messy food in his hand.

The soldier threw the food into the prison, then looked at Han Xuan coldly and left without saying a word.

Han Xuan was extremely confused. He didn't know why he was in the Goguryeo palace, nor did he know why he was imprisoned.

He tried to recall what happened before, but his mind was blank.

At this moment, his heart was filled with fear and anxiety, not knowing what his fate would be.

Han Xuan was taken to the magnificent palace by Goguryeo soldiers. The king of Goguryeo looked at Han Xuan with sharp eyes.

His voice was deep and firm, as if carrying an irresistible force. "Han Xuan, you are a general of the Tang Dynasty, but you should also see that Goguryeo's power is growing." The king's words revealed his confidence in his country's strength. "Cooperate with us, and you will gain endless glory and wealth."

Han Xuan's expression was serious, and his heart was full of contradictions and struggles. He knew what the King of Goguryeo's proposal meant, but his loyalty to the Tang Dynasty was as firm as steel.

He stood quietly, considering his options.

The king continued, "The Tang Dynasty has gradually declined, and we, Goguryeo, will become the masters of this land.

Your talent and courage will be fully utilized here." His eyes flashed with temptation.

Han Xuan frowned slightly, and his voice was firm and powerful: "I am a general of the Tang Dynasty. My duty is to protect the land and people of the Tang Dynasty. To betray the Tang Dynasty is to betray my beliefs."

The king's face turned gloomy, and he said coldly: "You are destroying your own future."

Han Xuan met the king's gaze fearlessly, his voice firm: "My future does not need to be obtained through betrayal.

I believe in the power of the Tang Dynasty, and I believe that we will win in the end." "Well, let you meet someone before you decide.

The king asked his servant to go out and pass on the message. Not long after, a beautiful woman walked in lightly.

She was dressed in gorgeous traditional costumes, shining with jewels, and had a beautiful face, with intelligence and determination in her eyes.

She was Princess Zhaxi, and she came to Han Xuan and persuaded him to stay in Goryeo with a smile. Her voice was gentle and sincere, as if it could penetrate people's hearts.

"Han Xuan, Goryeo has magnificent mountains and rivers and rich culture. If you stay, you will definitely make a difference." Zhaxi said, his eyes full of sincerity and expectation. "Besides, I also really hope you can stay." Zhaxi continued.

Han Xuan frowned slightly, as if thinking about something. Seeing this, Zhaxi continued, "Here you have the opportunity to develop and a stage for you to realize your dreams. If you stay in Goryeo, you will become our honored guest and enjoy endless glory and respect."

Her words were as warm as a spring breeze, which moved Han Xuan's heart. He stared at Tashi and felt her sincerity and kindness.

"Princess, I will consider your suggestion. Goryeo does have its charm, but I also have my own responsibilities and pursuits." Han Xuan replied slowly.

Tashi nodded to show her understanding. She knew that this decision was not easy. "I understand that you need time. But no matter what you choose, the door of Goryeo will always be open to you."

Han Xuan looked at Zhaxi with gratitude. Her enthusiasm and open-mindedness made him feel more favorable towards this country.

"Thank you, Princess. I will consider it carefully."

Zhaxi smiled, she believed that her efforts were not in vain. No matter what Han Xuan's final decision was, she hoped that he could find his own destination.

Will Han Xuan betray the Tang Dynasty and stay in Goguryeo? Please see the next chapter. Thank you for reading.