Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 279: Chang'an won't keep me, so I'll go to Li Ming

"You said that the emperor's uncle... was plotting a rebellion?"

Li Zhi looked down expressionlessly.

The study in Lizheng Hall was filled with many ministers, all of whom were important officials who reported Changsun Wuji, making the spacious imperial study seem cramped.

The ministers who came to complain all looked in one direction: Zhang Liang, the spy chief of the Li Shimin and Li Zhi dynasties.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zhang Liang was the first to speak, and he said confidently:

"After receiving reports from several cabinet ministers, a thorough investigation by secret agents revealed that Zhangsun Wuji was conspiring with the evil monk Xuanzang to assassinate Your Highness at the Qingming Festival Buddhist Prayer Conference next month and establish himself as emperor."

Li Zhi opened his mouth and felt that every word was full of flaws.

Yes, he did suspect that Changsun Wuji was challenging him, undermining him, and even secretly colluding with a certain governor in the northeast.

But if you say that the king's uncle is about to set up his own faction, Li Zhi thinks this is still too extreme.

Not to mention that Changsun Wuji doesn't have the character to be a leader, nor the affection between uncle and nephew.

Judging from objective evidence alone, there was no unusual movement of the troops in the capital and its surrounding areas, especially the imperial guards, who were still staying in the camp. Under Li Zhi's strict defense, they had no contact with any officials.

With his fists tied tightly, how could Changsun Wuji resist?
Do you really think that rebellion is a trivial matter that can be accomplished by a bald donkey's anger?
Li Zhi took a deep breath and asked again:
"Is the source reliable?"

"Reliable! We found evidence of collusion between the evil monk Xuanzang and Zhangsun Wuji from the Guiyuan Temple where he stayed before!"

The person who spoke this time was another confidant of Li Zhi, Li Yifu, the source of the allusion "smiling but hiding a dagger".

"It's a golden pillow!"

Seeing the confident expressions of his ministers, Li Zhi did not want to refute them in person, so he patiently asked:
"What does the golden pillow have to do with treason?"

"Because that is the golden pillow bestowed by His Majesty to the Changsun family." Li Yifu dragged out his tone:
"Changsun Wuji's eldest son, Changsun Chong, is the consort of the eldest princess and Princess Changle.

"This pillow appeared where Xuanzang stayed, which means that the evil monk had an affair with the princess, and that the evil monk had a connection with Zhangsun Wuji. They must be planning a rebellion!"

This statement is even more outrageous than Zhang Liang's reasoning. It is so ridiculous that you can't understand every word when you put them together.

However, in response to such obviously problematic remarks, the ministers who came to complain confidently agreed:

"Yes, that's right!"

"Your Highness, please deal with it as soon as possible to avoid disaster!"

"If you hesitate to make a decision, you will suffer the consequences. Your Highness should not be obsessed with the relationship between nephew and uncle!"

"That evil monk must be a spy from the Western Regions. He should be beheaded!"

Li Zhi listened in amazement to the absurd words uttered by these capable officials, and for a moment he didn't know whether the problem was with them or with himself.

An idiom gradually became clear in his mind -

Call a deer a horse!

Li Zhi then realized bitterly that it was not only Changsun Wuji who was obsessed with fighting for power, but also almost all the important officials other than Changsun Wuji!
They were like sharks, smelling the regent's intention to limit the power of the king's uncle, but they either mistakenly exaggerated the regent's intentions or deliberately took advantage of the situation.

In short, several groups of people, each with their own ulterior motives, jointly concocted this absurd so-called "rebellion case."

Li Zhi realized that he had gone too far.

He originally wanted to use the small topic of Xuanzang to give Changsun Wuji a light warning, but just stop there.

Unexpectedly, other ministers seized the opportunity and made a big fuss about it.

Things had gotten to this point, involving so many ministers, and were beyond Li Zhi's control.

"Your Highness, make a decision!" The ministers pressed on.

"I..." Li Zhi stammered, looking at his nominal subject in confusion.

Some of them sincerely believed that Zhangsun Wuji was a disaster to the country and the people, and thought they were cooperating with the regent to eliminate the remaining poison and were intending to eliminate the Grand Marshal and his followers. Others even wanted to use this opportunity to discipline Li Zhi himself.

However, looking at the dignitaries below the stage, each of them had a sad and angry face showing concern for the country and the people. Li Zhi couldn't tell them apart, he really couldn't tell them apart!

But there is one thing he can clearly understand, that is -

Regardless of whether Zhangsun Wuji really rebelled or not, the ministers could not fulfill their wish and execute him.

Otherwise, as the regent, I would be ridiculed by my subjects!
"I... think this matter should be discussed later. Yes, I have my own arrangements. Please leave!"

Li Zhi reluctantly waved away his ministers.

Faced with the collective opinion of his ministers, he could only resort to delaying tactics and had no ability to forcefully refuse.

After the ministers left, Li Zhi sat alone in the quiet study in a daze.

The development of things was completely beyond his expectations.

His small attack turned into a huge political storm, which is getting more and more intense and will not stop until one side is defeated.

Although all the ministers in the Zhenguan period were born to be loyal to the country, they were not white lilies, nor were they puppets that could be manipulated by Li Zhi at will.

Any one of these ministers, if placed in other dynasties, would be a talented assistant to the king who is capable of governing the country and taking charge of the affairs of the country.

It would be strange if they did not fight among themselves since they were all in the same court. It would not be a bad idea to occasionally fight with the one sitting on the dragon couch.

Although their struggle for power may not necessarily be motivated by self-interest, many of them are truly public-spirited and truly believe that "the meat eaters are the food, so let me take over."

But in the end, they all posed a considerable challenge to the imperial power.

To manage them well, a leader with absolute authority is needed.

"I'm not cut out for this..."

Li Zhi felt deeply his own shortcomings.

He is not like his father, who can control his ministers with his military achievements and prestige.

He is even less like Li Ming, who has the ability and courage to start over again, to build a new administrative system from scratch without having to consider other people's feelings.

Although Li Zhi was titled "regent", he was at a disadvantage when facing powerful ministers.

Because he relied a lot on his ministers in governing the country, he felt a little threatened.

Moreover, these ministers were backed by powerful and entrenched families, and Li Zhi might not be able to touch them.

He didn't even purge any of Li Tai's remnants, so how could he control them?

Compared with those two outstanding role models, I am just a Liu Adou, a mediocre king who only maintains the status quo.

Facing two powerful enemies, one in the east and one in the west, it was obvious that Liu Adou could not hold on for long.

…………

For the next few days, Chang'an was calm and peaceful, like the eye of a typhoon.

As usual, the officials went to court every day and respectfully addressed Zhangsun Wuji as "Your Excellency the Grand Marshal" to his face, but they tried their best to impeach Li Zhi behind his back, wishing to eat his flesh and sleep on his skin.

This put Li Zhi under tremendous pressure, and he consumed a lot of energy and administrative resources in order to delay execution.

On the other hand, the intelligence coming from the front line became clearer day by day, allowing Li Zhi to clearly feel the intensity.

To the northeast, Li Ming was methodically encroaching upon the Central Plains.

After gaining a foothold on the south bank of the river, he did not rush up the river to attack the eastern capital Luoyang and engage in a head-on conflict with Li Zhi.

Instead, he pursued a policy of eliminating the surrounding areas and continued to move southward, extending his tentacles to the Bozhou area on the north bank of the Huai River, steadily and firmly weakening the foundation of Li Zhi's rule.

In the northwest direction, the mysterious New Turks were also not idle, and pushed their troops to the city of Liangzhou.

Both sides clearly raised their banners. One was the legitimate successor of the Tang Dynasty and the regent who had escaped death, and the other was His Majesty who had escaped death and was the legitimate successor of the Tang Dynasty.

The two regimes dominated by foreign races both competed for the legitimacy of the Tang Dynasty, making everyone in the Tang Dynasty feel as if Liu Yuan was still alive.

At the same time, strange rumors also arose among the people, saying that the Regent was killed by Li Tai and resurrected three days later, and that His Majesty was seriously injured and saved by a wild wolf. Each rumor was more outrageous than the last.

Although the process is magical, the results of these rumors are very realistic, that is -

Li Ming and Li Shimin are both still alive and are on their way back to the capital!
Such bizarre news was flying everywhere, and great chaos occurred in Chang'an and other provincial capitals, both officially and privately.

The audience could argue all day long about the whereabouts of the two nobles, whether they were alive or dead. If the two nobles were still alive, they could argue all night long about whether to vote or not.

Although Li Shimin and Li Ming each have their own charms, Li Zhi is not without his supporters.

After all, Li Zhi was the only ruler who was not interfered with by external forces.

As for his other competitors, Li Tai colluded with the Xueyantuo, and Li Shimin unified the Turks.

Not to mention Li Ming, his subordinates were some stubborn Goguryeo people who kept saying "There is no two suns in the sky, there is only one sun in my heart, Your Highness" or "Your Highness's kindness is yet to be fulfilled".

Or they are the "heretic" Hebei people who are even more hateful than other ethnic minorities.

For them, His Highness Li Zhi was the only choice.

The chaos among the people naturally spread to the court.

Under the calm surface, each major family is making their own calculations behind closed doors.

…………

Duke Zhao's Mansion, evening.

Zhang Sun Wuji was enjoying himself while eating small dishes and drinking small wine. But after being hit hard by his good nephew Li Zhi in the name of a bald donkey, he was completely disappointed.

Tired, destroy it.

It feels good for a while to be bad, but in an instant the world will become wider.

Whoever wants to interfere in this precarious Chang'an court can do so. I am living a very comfortable life now anyway.

Just when Zhang Sun Wuji was beginning to gain some enlightenment, a servant came to report:

"Kuizhou Chief Secretary Di Zhixun requests to see you."

"The Chief Secretary of Kuizhou?" Changsun Wuji was a little surprised, just like the chairman of a multinational company being asked to see the company's cleaning man.

The rank difference between the head of the civil service and an official of a local royal palace is quite huge.

The servant looked at his master's confused expression and added cleverly:
"I will reject him right away."

"No need." Changsun Wuji waved his hand.

There must be something wrong when something is out of the ordinary. The Chief Secretary is after all "within the system" and he would not be so ignorant as to knock on his immediate superior's door late at night for no reason.

There is a situation.

"Invite him in."

Without letting the Grand Marshal wait any longer, Di Zhixun lowered his head, took small steps, and followed closely into the main hall.

Behind Di Zhixun, there was a teenager in his teens, about the same age as Chang Sun Yan. He walked with his head held high and showed no sign of stage fright.

Changsun Wuji became even more confused.

His son? Not only did a subordinate visit his boss late at night, but he also brought his son along?
What does this mean, entrusting an orphan to someone else?

But looking at Dickson's timid and cowardly look, he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who doesn't know his limits.

Chang Sun Wuji asked unhappily:

"Di Shangzuo, why are you here in Chang'an when you are not in Kuizhou assisting Zheng Wang Li Yuanyi?"

"Uh, this..."

The dog's father, Di Zhixun, stammered and quietly tugged at Hu Zi's sleeve:
"You asked me to come here. Please report to Da Sikong."

Changsun Wuji frowned even more tightly and turned his gaze to his subordinate's son.

The young man bowed without being servile or arrogant and said:
"I am Di Renjie, and I once studied under Mr. Kong Yingda together with Chang Sunyan."

Li Ming’s bad friends... Changsun Wuji made the first judgment in his mind, but his impression of the young man was not bad.

Compared to his timid father, Di Renjie was much more calm and generous.

No matter what their personalities were before, the friends who followed Li Ming would be assimilated into this fearless attitude over time.

Moreover, Changsun Wuji had heard his eldest grandson Changsun Yan mention Di Renjie's name several times, and this "Brother Jie" always appeared as a wise man.

Did Li Ming ask him to come? What message did he want to convey to me?
Just when Zhangsun Wuji was wondering in his heart, Di Renjie spoke:

"Mr. Dasikong, why are you still leisurely here? Don't you know that your life is hanging by a thread?"

Zhang Sun Wuji: “?!”

…………

Di Renjie methodically narrated the fact that officials at all levels put pressure on Li Zhi and asked him to severely punish the traitor Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji listened attentively without interrupting the whole time.

He also had his own information channels. Although he didn't know the whole story, the details revealed by Di Renjie were basically consistent with what he knew.

This provides some evidence for the authenticity of what Di Renjie said.

As for where this young man got the information from, it would be impolite to ask more questions. Li Ming must have his own information channels, and they must be much more powerful.

"That's the situation."

Di Renjie ended in Ming style and stopped talking without saying another word.

His dog father Dickson was already sweating profusely, looking at his son Hu Zi in surprise, and his expression did not seem fake.

Zhang Sun Wuji's face was as gloomy as water. He stroked his chin slowly for a long time and asked:

"Did His Royal Highness the Regent ask you to tell me?"

Di Renjie shook his head:
"It takes about a month for letters to go back and forth. If you wait for news from Brother Ming, the grass on your grave will be three feet tall by then."

"Cough cough!" Di Zhixun was so scared that he coughed hard.

Changsun Wuji's face became increasingly gloomy.

"However," Di Renjie added nonchalantly:

"Ming Ge did specifically instruct me to keep an eye on the situation of the Grand Minister of War. If His Royal Highness the Regent wants to kill the Minister of War, let me give you a heads up."

Zhang Sun Wuji was very surprised:

"The Regent knows that he is planning to harm me?"

Di Renjie nodded: "Yes."

Chang Sun Wuji asked: "Is he a fortune teller?"

Di Renjie shrugged: "I don't know about that."

Hiss...Changsun Wuji took a long breath.

Li Ming knew that Li Zhi wanted to kill Zhangsun Wuji purely because that was what Emperor Gaozong of Tang did in history.

But Changsun Wuji didn't know this little historical common sense that would happen in the future.

"Could it be that Li Zhi had already shown his intention to kill me, and Li Ming discovered it, so he had calculated this day long ago?"

Changsun Wuji's heart was beating fast and his thoughts were in a mess.

Using a foreign monk to pick a fight with the current emperor's uncle is an exaggeration that deserves our vigilance.

All the famous major cases in the palace in history started from a small matter.

After all, the size of the matter is not important; what is important is the hostility of those in power towards their subjects.

It was obvious that Li Zhi's hostility towards his brother-in-law was almost undisguised, kicking him from the core to the edge.

In addition, his political enemies in the court have been attacking him crazily behind his back recently...

Zhang Sun Wuji sat there for a long while, slowly gathered his thoughts, and calmly asked Di Renjie:

"Now that you have brought the news, what are you, or Li Ming, going to do next?"

The attitude was like talking to a senior official of the same age, rather than talking to a child.

Dickson licked his lips and glanced at his son nervously.

Di Renjie was well prepared:
"Ming Ge also told me that if the Grand Marshal wants to move to Liaodong, I can help."

Although this answer did not surprise Changsun Wuji, it still made him feel deeply moved.

He was devoted to his nephews Li Chengqian and Li Zhi, but in return he was stabbed in the back time and time again.

However, his cheap nephew Li Ming, whom he had bullied and harmed many times, lent him a helping hand when he was in trouble!

Zhang Sun Wuji was silent for a while and asked:

"Your Highness the Regent is willing to help me. Is it because of Chang Sun Yan?"

Di Renjie subconsciously wanted to nod.

But he remembered what Li Ming had said, and turned his head back with a "you know" smile:
"No, it's because Brother Ming believes that Dasikong has the ability to rule the world, and it would be a pity if he died like this."

Managing the world... Changsun Wuji, who had been away from the political core for a long time, couldn't help feeling a little dazed.

Of course he could understand the subtext of this——

Li Ming not only wants to rescue him, but also entrusts him with an important task!

Or continue to stay in Chang'an and be marginalized, living in fear that the guillotine will fall on your head one day.

Or flee to Liaodong and return to the core decision-making level.

Is this a question that needs to be thought about?
Without a moment's hesitation, Changsun Wuji bowed solemnly to Di Renjie.

"Thank you, young master Di, for showing me a clear path."

Being thanked by the big boss, Di Zhixun couldn't help but widen his eyes and look at his own Hu Zi in disbelief.

Di Renjie also visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"But..." Changsun Wuji said again.

"There is a person who has been implicated because of me. I hope you can help him out."

(End of this chapter)