The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 144

Xu Tian began to think of a way to escape.

Meanwhile, in the army camps on the border of the Tang Dynasty.

The border general sat in his armchair and took the letter off the pigeon's leg.

Upon unfolding it, his brows furrowed even more deeply.

According to the news from the friendly country, it seems that Xu Tian has not yet arrived there.

But judging by the time, once they pass the pass of the great Western Regions kingdom, they will probably have already reached the friendly country.

now......

A thought crossed his mind: Could it be that Xu Tian had been arrested?

If that's really the case, he also bears some responsibility. Besides, Xu Tian had helped them.

After much deliberation, the border general decided to wait a little longer.

I guess something happened on the way that caused the delay.

Two days passed, but there was still no news of Xu Tian from the friendly country.

He frowned, immediately stepped out of the tent, grabbed a passing adjutant, and ordered with a frown, "Send a message back to Chang'an: Grand Tutor Xu Tian is nowhere to be found in the Western Regions!"

The adjutant was startled by the serious expression on his face. After receiving the order, he quickly gave instructions to send someone to Chang'an to report the news.

Three days later, in the imperial city of Chang'an.

Li Er frowned, his expression solemn.

Grand Tutor, Chancellor Liu, Fang Xuanling, and others were all in front of him.

“Your Majesty, I believe that Xu Tian cannot be saved,” the Grand Tutor said. “There are two reasons: first, it is not the right time to start a war; second, we do not know which country Xu Tian has disappeared to.”

The eldest prince frowned slightly upon hearing the Grand Tutor's words.

He shook his head and said to the Grand Tutor, "Grand Tutor, going to rescue Grand Tutor Xu now might not be as simple as just saving him alone."

"Your Highness, what do you mean?" Prime Minister Liu asked.

“Some time ago, I heard that the Western Regions were deliberately arresting Han people. Now, more and more Han people are disappearing in the Western Regions. We cannot just ignore this and we must give the people an explanation. Therefore, I said that if we go to the Western Regions this time, it will not be just to save Grand Tutor Xu alone.”

"But if war breaks out, even more people will suffer," the Grand Tutor said again.

"But if we do not start a war, it would be a loss of dignity for our Great Tang Dynasty."

Throughout their conversation, Fang Xuanling and Li Er remained completely silent.

At this moment, several princes suddenly requested an audience.

Li Er said, "Pass it on."

The princes then entered the main hall, knelt before Emperor Taizong (Li Er), and cried out, "May Father Emperor be well."

"Rise." Li Er took a sip of tea and asked, "What brings you here today?"

The second prince, who was leading the group, was now eighteen or nineteen years old. He exuded righteousness and could be vaguely seen as the future great general. "Father, I want to go to the Western Regions to find Grand Tutor Xu."

Why do you want to go?

"Grand Tutor Xu is quite capable; the Tang Dynasty cannot do without him," the Second Prince said earnestly. "He is well-versed in history, agriculture, and politics. We admire him greatly. Father, you value talent, and so do I!"

Li Er looked at him with satisfaction.

By this time, Xu Tian had been in jail for several days, eating prison food for several days, and hadn't taken a shower at all.

He smelled terrible, and the food he ate always had a sour smell, or sometimes it didn't even smell at all.

This caused him to lose a significant amount of weight in just a few days.

The person who had been crying incessantly a few days ago took pity on him and gave him a piece of steamed bun.