Zhenguan: I, Dou Fengjie, will not be the first cuckold.

The fifth year of Zhenguan, on New Year's Day.

Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) issued a merciful decree to disregard the mourning period, appointing Dou Fengjie as the head of the Guest House of the Court of State Ceremonies (a ninth-rank official), with the additional rank of Senior Imperial Advisor (a sixth-rank official), and granting him the title of Duke of Zan.

Everything looked wonderful.

However, the matter of Princess Yongjia remains unresolved, and the matter of her residence is never mentioned, leaving the issue still unresolved.

After removing his mourning clothes and changing into a blue official robe, Dou Fengjie offered three sticks of incense to his father, and carrying his official document and a sword, he entered the Zhuque Gate and turned left to the Honglu Temple.

The officials of the Court of State Ceremonial were busy with various tasks, including dealing with envoys from foreign countries, sending missions to vassal states, and bestowing titles upon new rulers of foreign countries.

After meeting Tang Jian, the Minister of State Ceremonies, and two other ministers, as well as his superior, Zhao Dekai, the Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, Dou Fengjie listened to his superior explain the rules of the Court of State Ceremonies.

The morning and evening ginseng offerings were a rule, and even though Tang Jian was lazy, he couldn't escape this custom.

Because of the Madeleine incident, Tang Jian had a very good impression of Dou Fengjie; personal matters shouldn't interfere with public duties.

"There aren't many rules here. Everyone has their own duties, and those who are capable should do more."

"If Manager Dou has any ideas, he can discuss them directly with me."

Tang Jian's words were tantamount to supporting Dou Fengjie.

Liu Shan, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, and Zhao Dekai, the Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, did not find anything wrong at all; on the contrary, they nodded repeatedly.

However, Changsun Huan, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, looked at Dou Fengjie with a rather strange gaze.

He had previously boasted that he had never relied on the Vice Minister of Personnel, Changsun Wuji, or Empress Changsun, and that he obtained this position entirely through his own abilities. However, the appearance of Dou Fengjie proved him wrong.

Dou Fengjie could barely be considered a member of the imperial family, and he held the title of Duke of Zan. He was also proficient in Latin, which the translation language could not understand, yet he only managed to get the position of Chief of Staff.

Comparing the two, Changsun Huan felt his face burning with embarrassment.

I'm not afraid of bragging, I'm afraid of my bragging being exposed on the spot.

What's worse, he and Dou Fengjie were classmates.

"It's a good opportunity to discuss the marriage proposal from the Western Turks. Both Yibiboluosi Yabghu Khan and Moheduohou Qulisibi Khan have requested to marry princesses from the Tang Dynasty. The court needs the Honglu Temple to come up with a plan."

Liu Shan looked utterly helpless.

Siyegu Khan was the son of Tongyegu Khan and the rightful heir to the Western Turkic Khaganate.

Mohedu Khan was the uncle of Tongyabhu Khan. He killed Tongyabhu Khan and declared himself Khan.

In short: the entire Western Turkic Khaganate was in complete chaos.

Tang Jianchong raised his chin at Dou Fengjie, signaling him to speak.

"I have two plans, but I hope my superiors will forgive any oversights."

"One strategy is to marry the rather unrestrained Princess Yongjia to the Siyegu Khan as Khatun, thus supporting the legitimate dynasty of the Tang Dynasty."

"Another strategy is to remain neutral, to simply mediate, and to issue an edict ordering the various Western Turkic tribes not to attack each other."

Dou Fengjie's harmless appearance, coupled with his ruthless first strategy, creates a striking contrast.

Princess Yongjia may have been a bit unrestrained, but she didn't have to marry into the Western Turkic Khaganate.

If Si Yabghu Khan dies, won't she have to marry his brother and son again?

This is not just idle talk; Princess Yicheng of the Sui Dynasty is a prime example.

The phrase "support orthodoxy" sent chills down the spines of Liu Shan, Changsun Huan, and Zhao Dekai.

By extension, this statement can be interpreted as mocking Li Shimin for his illegitimate accession to the throne.

Liu Shan quickly tried to smooth things over: "The second strategy is better. In any case, as long as the threat from Tuyuhun is not eliminated, the Tang Dynasty cannot reach the Western Turks."

The entire Longyou Road is long and narrow, like a corridor, or even more like a throat, and Tuyuhun is like a knife pressed against that throat.

The imperial edict advising peace was essentially the superior state's version of "Stop fighting!"

Changsun Huan smiled: "It's been several months since we last met, and the steward is still so petty, still thinking about how he disgusted the princess."

He was joking as a classmate, so Dou Fengjie couldn't very well turn hostile.

Their relationship was slightly better than that of strangers.

Dou Fengjie smiled: "Princess Yicheng was willing to sacrifice herself for the Sui Dynasty, so why couldn't Princess Yongjia sacrifice herself for the Tang Dynasty?"

Dou Fengjie selectively forgot that Princess Yicheng was a member of the Sui Dynasty's imperial family.

"Just as the steward said, the temple's memorial should include both of these points, and I will sign it," Tang Jian said nonchalantly.

He wasn't afraid of offending Princess Yongjia; whether the emperor used the plan or not was up to him.

"Murong Xiaojun, the King of Gaochang of Tuyuhun, presented a letter of state, requesting that the Khan of the Tuyuhun Kingdom, on behalf of his son King Zunwang, ask for a princess in marriage." Liu Shan continued to the next topic.

Busabo Khan Murong Fuyun, also known as Murong the Runner, was the number one runaway in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. He was once defeated by Emperor Yang of Sui and forced to flee to the Black Tanguts.

Murong Paopao was a bit arrogant, thinking that with the advantage of the terrain, the Tang Dynasty could not do anything to him, and he danced with youthful charm.

They attacked Shanzhou, plundered Shazhou, and harassed Suzhou, and then sent people to the Tang Dynasty to apologize.

With repeated outrageous actions, Busabo Khan thought the Tang Dynasty had no temper and even asked for a princess to marry his son, a typical example of ignorance and arrogance.

Furthermore, Gaochang existed as a separate kingdom, yet the kings of Tuyuhun dared to bestow the title of King of Gaochang, which is truly disgusting.

"The Tuyuhun are getting a bit arrogant. When has the Celestial Dynasty ever married off a princess to a foreign subject?" Changsun Huan said with a gloomy face.

Murong Fuyun's actions were an insult to the Tang Dynasty.

"The official letter was rejected, and the envoy Murong Xiaojun was reprimanded. If Murong Fuyun does not know when to advance or retreat, the Tang Dynasty will send an army to punish him and destroy Fusi City."

"If he can escape to the Black Dangxiang, White Orchid Qiang, White Dog Qiang, or Snow Mountain Dangxiang again, the Tang Dynasty can still capture him."

Dou Fengjie boasted shamelessly.

Well, if Murong Fuyun escapes to the Tanggula Pass, the Tang Dynasty will be helpless for the time being.

However, you can offer a reward.

With a reward of five thousand strings of cash, how could we worry about not finding someone to capture him?

Given the reputation of the Tang Dynasty, the reward money is definitely within reach.

"You're going to catch it?"

Changsun Huan glanced sideways at his classmate and couldn't help but raise a bar.

Even if he lost his official position and title, Changsun Huan would still be quite adept at becoming a porter in Yuzhou.

"Your Excellency has witnessed my skills firsthand. If you wish to capture Murong Fuyun, I am willing to lead the charge."

Dou Fengjie retorted with a mild but not overly harsh remark.

With a body six feet tall, decent martial arts skills, and archery prowess, why didn't he dare to attack Tuyuhun?

Do you know what it means to be a "little tyrant" at the Imperial Academy?

In the Imperial Academy, there were only two or three people who could rival Dou Fengjie.

Changsun Huan pouted.

Although Changsun Huan had never fought against Dou Fengjie, he had seen Dou Fengjie's fierce side.

Dou Fengjie, standing at six feet tall, was quite imposing when he stood horizontally.

What if Murong Xiaojun makes a scene?

Tang Jian's gaze swept over his subordinates.

Dou Fengjie's smile carried a hint of malice: "Your Excellency is wielding a knife against a wild boar. I am not talented enough to be literate, but I am somewhat skilled in martial arts."

During the months of mourning, Dou Fengjie had been accumulating a lot of anger and was looking for a place to vent it.

Murong Xiaojun, a member of a collateral branch of the Tuyuhun royal family, was the perfect scapegoat.

Tang Jian pointed at Dou Fengjie and laughed loudly.

These words struck a chord with him; he was proud of holding his sword against the wild boar and buying Li Shimin the opportunity to fire his arrows.

Yes, that's even more impressive than being sent as an envoy to the Turks to coax them into lowering their guard and allowing Li Jing to launch a night raid!

Thinking of Li Jing, Tang Jian couldn't help but want to curse again.

It is a subject's duty to die for his country, but the problem is, couldn't you at least give me a heads-up beforehand?

Even a hint would be fine!