The Tang Dynasty: Wu Zetian made me her imperial tutor

The Luo River flows swiftly and turbulently, passing through the Wei King's Pool and then turning eastward.

There is a bridge called Zhongqiao outside Anzhongfang on the south bank. The bridge piers have been eroded over the years and need to be repaired frequently. Even replacing the iron sheet coverings does not help.

Since crossing the bridge to the west leads to the East City and the Imperial City, the surrounding neighborhoods are filled with dignitaries who are willing to contribute money to repair the bridge.

Including Li Zhaode.

He came from the Li family of Longxi, a family with a long history of official service. His father served as Minister of Justice during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, and the family was very wealthy.

The residence in Anzhongfang covers more than ten acres, with halberds lining the west gate leading to the main street, a privilege reserved for the residences of high-ranking officials of the third rank.

"Ade, if I don't come out within two quarters of an hour, go to Wuhoupu and report to the Imperial Guards, and have them go in and rescue me."

"It's too dangerous, sir, please don't go in..."

"Just in case, probably not."

Before entering the mansion, Lu Jun made an appointment with the servants at a certain time before submitting her calling card.

The stated reason was still to express gratitude for being saved, explaining that they hadn't been able to enter before and were coming again today.

Before long, Li Zhaode received them in the front hall, where a new tea drink promoted by Lu Jun was served on the table.

Although the formalities were observed, the host didn't exchange many pleasantries. After a few words, he dismissed the servants and began discussing politics.

"The Empress Dowager is determined to wage war this winter. I, along with the Grand Secretary, the Right Chancellor, the three Commanders, Yao Yuanzhi, and Zong Shu'ao, have all tried to dissuade her, but you alone did not. Do you truly believe that this winter is the right time?"

Normally, one should first congratulate the guest on their promotion, but he didn't mention it at all and went straight to the point.

Without waiting for Lu Jun's reply, he continued to reveal the details.

"I can naturally guess the Empress Dowager's intentions, but whether or not to advise her is up to us. Don't you know that?"

"Didn't you say that a loyal minister does what benefits the ruler? Knowing that this matter is urgent, yet not offering advice, is that loyalty?"

"You're a man of military knowledge, don't tell me you don't understand. You're just unwilling to consider the well-being of the Tang soldiers!"

"Vice Minister..." Lu Jun prepared to explain.

He was interrupted again by Li Zhaode, who spoke sternly:

"If you covet the credit for your scheme, once Anxi is defeated, as the instigator, you will be impeached by civil and military officials!"

"They'll regret it then and blame you for the defeat!"

Even if you don't care about the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, don't you at least plan for your own survival and leave yourself a way out?

His face showed a mixture of anger and regret.

Yesterday, Shangguan Wan'er reminded Lu Jun to also persuade the Empress Dowager, for the sake of his future.

Lu Jun took a small sip of tea: "How does the Vice Minister know that I don't care about the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty?"

Li Zhaode pressed, "What are your thoughts?"

Lu Jun said calmly, "The matter is not yet accomplished, so I dare not claim credit. We'll talk about it after it's done."

Li Zhaode stared at him for a moment, and seeing his serious expression, his expression finally softened:

"Chu Yu, you are indeed exceptionally talented. Your strategies for Tibet, the defense of the Hexi Corridor, the conquest of Anxi, the exiles and their military service, and the search for runaways... are all insightful observations."

"But you're too young and too impatient!"

"You must understand that no matter how good the strategy or how noble the initial intention, if you act too hastily, it can turn into a bad thing."

"You are familiar with the history of the Sui Dynasty, so you should know that Emperor Yang of Sui was full of ambition, but his love of grandiose projects led to the downfall of the country."

"You come to thank me for saving my life, but I don't want to see you, and I don't want to receive this gratitude."

"I even regret that I shouldn't have gone to the prison to save you..."

As he spoke, the regret on his face grew increasingly intense.

For someone who comes to express their gratitude, the most awkward thing is when their benefactor says they regret saving them.

Lu Jun straightened his clothes: "If the Vice Minister does not wish to see me, my visit here is merely a formality. Regarding the matter of the prison last time, I have absolutely no gratitude towards the Vice Minister."

A smirk played on his lips as he glanced coldly at the person in the main seat.

Li Zhaode sat up abruptly, staring straight at him as if he had heard the most outrageous and absurd words in the world.

"Your Excellency need not look at me like that, for you know perfectly well why I was arrested and imprisoned..."

"It was all the Vice Minister's fault!"

Lu Jun met her gaze without flinching.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhaode's face darkened instantly, his pupils contracted sharply, and he remained silent.

"The Prince of Nan'an sent me to test him on the eve of the palace examination, and two days after my meeting with the Vice Minister."

"The Vice Minister had something left unsaid in the South Market; he said, 'I not only…,' and then stopped there."

"I suspect that the Vice Minister wants to entrust something to someone, but is still not at ease, so he deliberately tests him."

"The Prince of Nan'an offered to support me and asked me to plead for Prime Minister Wei. This was to test my resourcefulness and also to see if I would report him to the Empress Dowager afterwards."

"The cruel officials suddenly launched an attack and imprisoned me the very next day, which was truly unexpected by the Vice Minister and the Prince."

"Therefore, the Vice Minister rushed to the prison to force his way in and rescue the man, not entirely out of friendship, but because he felt guilty."

"Am I right?"

Li Zhaode's expression grew increasingly unpleasant as he listened, his beard trembling with his body, the tremors becoming larger and faster.

Upon hearing the final question, his throat bobbed, and he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

After a long silence, he finally sighed, "Chu Yu, you are indeed incredibly clever; I still couldn't hide anything from you..."

"That's right, we do have an organization."

"But I don't want to oppose Wu."

"We agree with you. We also know that the Empress Dowager can't stop it; her ascension to the throne is only a matter of time. We're only concerned about who will inherit the throne after she passes away."

"Wu Chengsi is eyeing the position of crown prince. If no one secretly supports the emperor, it is hard to guarantee that he will not succeed."

"The Wu clan lacks the Empress Dowager's magnanimity; they are all selfish, greedy, and extravagant. The empire must not fall into their hands!"

Since Lu Jun had guessed his relationship with Li Ying, she could also deduce his relationship with the organization.

After calming down, he simply admitted it openly.

Lu Jun raised her eyes and looked directly at him: "Your Excellency speaks so frankly, do you assume I am a gentleman, or do you have other plans?"

The reason I made the agreement with Ade beforehand was because I was afraid that if he revealed the secret, he might kill me.

"Chu Yu, don't be nervous. We already approve of your character because you didn't report the Prince of Nan'an. We didn't see you last time because we were afraid you would come to question us, so we deliberately avoided you."

Li Zhaode smiled slightly, his gaze suddenly becoming fervent:

"Would Chu Yu be willing to join us?"

"You are a rare talent. If you join us, we will be even more powerful."

"This will be very beneficial for you. We will do our best to protect you from being framed by cruel officials, and we will also support you in the court..."

Looking at her expectantly, Lu Jun shook her head: "I won't join."

Li Zhaode looked slightly disappointed and waved his hands repeatedly:

"Don't rush to refuse. You're still young and don't know how tough things are. Doing things is different from just talking."

"Although the Empress Dowager appreciates your strategies, if you want to be promoted to a high position, you must have practical experience and prove that you are not just a talker before you will be promoted."

"To get things done, you need people, but the positions in the court are controlled by all sorts of people."

"Some of them are members of the Wu clan. If you are not with them, they will not sincerely work for you."

"Some are from powerful and influential families. They only become officials to protect their own clan's interests. If there are no benefits for them, they may not listen to you."

"Some are morally upright people with their own principles. If their views differ from yours, they will not listen to your orders."

"Without support, you can't move an inch!"

Li Ying had said these words before, although she didn't express them as clearly as Li Zhaode, but the meaning was roughly the same.

After the decree was issued, no one could say for sure how effective it would be, and this remains true even a thousand years later.

Leaving aside reforms that are of great importance and have a wide impact, even for trivial matters, if you want someone to run errands, you won't be able to get them to do it unless you have enough prestige and connections. They will find plenty of ways to get things done.

Lu Jun knew, of course.

But he still shook his head: "I won't join."

Li Zhaode's tone hardened: "You have a grudge against Wu Chengsi. Unless you pledge allegiance to him, you won't go far in the future!"

The logic is simple: Wu Chengsi is destined to be the crown prince. If we greet him with a smile now, he will take revenge as soon as he gains power.

Lu Jun shook her head again: "I won't join."

Li Zhaode frowned deeply: "Why?"

Lu Jun countered, "When I was released from my official post in March and granted land, the Winter Official, the Assistant Director of the Agricultural Colonies, designated Luhun. Was that at the behest of the Vice Minister?"

His eyes, like deep pools, swept towards Li Zhaode, only to find the Xia Guan Shi Lang (a high-ranking official in charge of summer affairs) looking bewildered and stunned.

"Official land? What do you mean? Why would I instruct you to do something like this? Chu Yu, explain yourself clearly!"

It seems they genuinely don't know.

According to historical records, Li Zhaode was a resolute, loyal, proud, and arrogant person, and he would not have told such a lie.

After being informed of the details, he immediately and loudly denied it: "It has nothing to do with me! How could I commit such a despicable act!"

He lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"I understand. Chu Yu is suspicious of me, which is why she's unwilling to join..."

"Don't worry, I will definitely find someone to help you find out the truth and prove your innocence."

"Thank you, Vice Minister." Lu Jun rose to take his leave. "You didn't say anything today, and I didn't hear anything either."

"I will never support Wu Chengsi, you can rest assured on that, but I will not join you..."

"Even Zhou Xing apologized for getting me imprisoned, but you haven't uttered a single word of remorse!"

He turned and walked away.