Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 326: Respecting the Tang Dynasty as the Orthodoxy
However, when Jin Yan was at Hangu Pass, he separated from Li Zhi's group and headed north.

In Liucheng, the seat of Yingzhou, after connecting with the inner guards and the outer palace, he was about to go to the port when he was summoned by Liu Rengui.

Jin Yan came to the study of the Governor's Mansion and paid her respects to Liu Rengui.

Liu Rengui raised his hand and said, "Miss Jin, there's no need to be so polite. His Majesty has sent someone to inform me of your situation and to ask for my cooperation. Could you please tell me your plan in detail?"

Jin Yan immediately told Liu Rengui about the plan she had come up with.

After listening to this, Liu Rengui pondered for a moment and said slowly, "This plan is too proactive and will easily arouse suspicion. I have a better plan. Lady Jin, would you like to hear it?"

Jin Yan hurriedly said, "I was just about to ask Mr. Liu for advice."

Liu Rengui took out a brocade bag, handed it to her, and said, "The plan is in the brocade bag."

Jin Yan took the brocade bag, opened it, and took out the paper inside to read. After reading it, she bowed in admiration and said, "Your plan is much better than mine. Let's use your plan."

Liu Rengui smiled and said, "As long as it can be used."

Jin Yan bid farewell to Liu Rengui, went to Yingzhou Port, and boarded a merchant ship to Baekje.

They landed at the mouth of the Ungjin River in Baekje and headed towards Sabi Castle, the capital of Baekje.

Along the way, she got a lot of information, and learned that Heichi Changzhi had won two more battles, and Buyeo Fuxin had established a firm foothold in Sabi City.

Buyeo Yici stayed in Jincheng, waiting for reinforcements from Japan.

Baekje was not as peaceful as the Tang Dynasty. There were many bandits, and now there was a civil war in the country, making it even more chaotic.

On the way to Sibi City, Jin Yan encountered more than a dozen groups of bandits. However, he was protected by the inner guards and was not in any danger.

There were a lot of corpses and skeletons on the roadside, and refugees fighting each other and snatching food, which made her unable to bear to watch any longer.

Finally we arrived at the north gate of Sabi City, but it was closed.

After asking the refugees outside the city, Jin Yan learned that only the west gate was open, and there were soldiers checking people. Without a public pass, no one could enter.

Public visas can be processed outside the city, and can be processed with grain, cloth, gold and silver.

Simply put, only the rich can enter the city.

Jin Yan left his followers outside the city and went to the west gate. He used one and a half ounces of silver to get a public pass and finally entered the city.

Her mother had a mansion in Sabi City, but unfortunately it had been sealed and confiscated, and several Baekje soldiers were guarding outside the door.

Jin Yan revealed her identity and said she just wanted to enter the mansion. The soldier did not stop her and let her in.

Her mother's spirit tablet was placed in the back hall. Jin Yan knelt in front of the tablet, kowtowed several times, and then knelt there blankly, recalling memories of her mother.

After an unknown amount of time, a low and hoarse voice came from behind.

"Princess, I failed to complete your commission."

Jin Yan turned around and saw that the person coming was Heichi Changzhi.

After he was released, he came to Princess Yuya's residence and instructed the soldiers outside the door not to stop Jin Yan if she came back and to report to him immediately.

After Jin Yan returned home, the soldiers reported to him, and he hurried over.

Jin Yan said coldly: "Do you still remember what we agreed on?"

Heichi Changzhi raised his head and said, "I swore in the name of the Buddha of Light that if Princess Yuya dies, I will give her my life as compensation to you. Use this sword to kill me."

He drew the long sword from his waist and handed it over.

Jin Yan grasped the hilt of the sword and placed it against his neck.

Heichi Changzhi suddenly said, "Wait a minute."

Jin Yan snorted, "Are you scared to death?"

Heichi Changzhi said in a deep voice: "I'm not afraid of death, I just have a request."

"Say!"

Heichi Changzhi said: "Lord Bok Shin saved my life, and I promised to help him defeat Yi Ci and become the King of Baekje. Can you wait until I fulfill the promise before taking my life?"

Jin Yan snorted, "Yi Ci has already asked the Japanese for help. Do you still have a chance of winning?"

Black Tooth always said: "If we lose the battle, we will die."

Jin Yan put away his sword and sighed, "I have never seen a righteous man like you. I will not kill you. Please go away."

Heichi Changzhi was silent for a while, then asked, "Princess, what are your plans for the future?"

Jin Yan said, "I will return to the Tang Dynasty."

Heichi Changzhi said: "Have you already submitted to the Tang people?"

Jin Yan sneered and said, "Do you think the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty would be interested in a spy like me?"

Heichi Changzhi was surprised and asked, "Then how did you come back?"

Jin Yan shook her head and said, "I don't know either. The Tang Dynasty Emperor suddenly summoned me, asked me a lot of strange questions, and then issued an order to release me."

Heichi Changzhi asked curiously, "What did the Tang Dynasty Emperor ask you?"

Jin Yan frowned and said, "At first, he asked me about the situation in Baekje, such as why Baekje wanted to ally with Goguryeo to fight against the Tang Dynasty. I said it was all because of Buyeo Yiji, and the people of Baekje did not want to oppose the Tang Dynasty!"

Heichi Changzhi asked hurriedly, "What else?"

Jin Yan said, "The emperor asked a few questions, then stopped asking about Baekje and started asking about Silla."

Heichi Changzhi was surprised and asked, "What did he ask?"

Jin Yan frowned and said, "It was too far away, I can't remember it clearly."

Heichi Changzhi's face was solemn. He bowed and said, "My Lord, this matter may very well concern the survival of Baekje. Please think it over carefully."

Jin Yan nodded, frowned, and thought for a long time before saying, "It seems like he's asking me if the Silla people can be trusted. Why are they so anxious to destroy Baekje?"

Heichi Changzhi asked anxiously, "What did you say?"

Jin Yan snorted, "Of course I said they were like venomous snakes and couldn't be trusted. Back then, we Baekje allied with them to fight Goguryeo, but right after we won the battle, they turned around and attacked us!"

Heichi Changzhi nodded repeatedly and said, "What else?"

Jin Yan said, "I said that Silla wanted to destroy our Baekje in order to annex Baekje's land and strengthen itself."

Heichi Changzhi exclaimed, "Well said! What did the Tang Dynasty emperor say?"

Jin Yan said, "He also asked me, if the Tang Dynasty destroyed Baekje and established prefectures and counties, would Silla rebel and seize these places? I said it would definitely happen!"

Heichi Changzhi's face was filled with excitement. He asked, "What did the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty say?"

Jin Yan shook her head and said, "He didn't say anything. He asked these questions and then let me leave. I thought I would be locked up again, but he actually let me go."

Heichi Changzhi was stunned and asked, "Is that all?"

Jin Yan said: "Yes, what's wrong?"

Black Tooth Chang Zhidao: "When did this happen?"

Jin Yan frowned and said, "It was probably around December of last year."

After listening to this, Heichi Changzhi's eyes flashed for a moment and he bowed to her.

Jin Yan was stunned and asked, "What are you doing?"

Heichi Changzhi sighed, "Princess, your words may have saved our Baekje."

Jin Yan was shocked and asked, "Why do you say that, General?"

Heichi Changzhi said slowly, "According to the information we have received, the Crown Prince of Silla, Jin Beommin, personally went to Chang'an and requested that the Tang Dynasty send troops to attack us, but was rejected by the Tang Emperor."

Jin Yan blinked and said, "Could it be that my words caused the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty to reject me?"

Heichi Changzhi said in a deep voice, "That should be correct. Jin Famin and his companions arrived in Chang'an last December. After they met with the Tang Emperor, the Emperor summoned you. After hearing what you said, he rejected them."

Jin Yan murmured, "So that's how it is. No wonder he asked about Silla." Hei Chi Chang Zhi stared at her and said, "Princess, can you come with me to see Lord Fu Xin?"

Jin Yan shook her head and said, "I don't want to see anyone from the Fuyu clan!"

Heichi Changzhi said anxiously: "Lord Fuxin is different from Yici. When Yici ordered the princess to be killed, Lord Fuxin was against it!"

Jin Yan asked, "Really?"

Black Tooth Chang Zhidao: "I can promise you!"

Jin Yan was silent for a while, lowered her head, and said, "Let me think about it."

Heichi Changzhi's face was full of anxiety, but he didn't dare to force too much, and said: "Okay, you take your time to think about it, I won't disturb you anymore." He bowed to the spirit tablet and turned to leave.

Jin Yan continued to kneel in front of her mother's spirit tablet, motionless.

About an hour later, there was a noisy sound of footsteps outside, followed by a rough voice.

"All of you stay outside and don't let anyone get close."

Jin Yan recognized Fu Xin's voice, but remained motionless and did not turn her head.

After a while, two light footsteps were heard behind me, and the people who came were obviously deliberately stepping lightly.

Jin Yan turned around and saw that the people coming were Fu Xin and Heichi Changzhi. Fu Xin was kneeling on the ground and bowing to her mother.

"Sister Yuya, it's all my fault. If I had resisted Buyeo Yici's tyranny earlier, you wouldn't have died. This is all my responsibility!"

Bok-sin was also the son of the previous king of Baekje, and he and Jin Yan's mother were siblings with the same father but different mothers.

Jin Yan performed Baekje etiquette towards Bok Shin and said, "Uncle Wang."

Fu Xin sighed and said, "I failed to save your mother's life, so I really don't deserve to hear you call me Uncle Wang."

Jin Yan couldn't help but laugh secretly when she saw him acting so hypocritically.

As the left king of Baekje, Bok Sin was usually domineering and violent. He used to yell at his mother and didn't care about her at all, but now he pretended to be a loving brother.

She didn't reveal it, and whispered, "This is not your fault, it's all Buyeo Yici's fault!"

Fu Xin said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, niece. As long as I'm still breathing, I will definitely find a way to get rid of the tyrant Buyeo Yici and avenge your mother!"

Jin Yan's eyes were slightly red, and she choked up and said, "Thank you, Uncle Wang!"

Fu Xin said, "It's a shame that Yi Ci, that bastard, couldn't defeat us, so he actually brought the Japanese jackal here. Silla is also ready to make a move. Well, we don't care if we die, but I'm only worried that the people of Baekje will be enslaved by the Japanese and Silla!"

Jin Yan gritted her teeth and said, "I believe that with General Black Tooth here, we will definitely be able to repel them!"

Fu Xin shook his head and said, "It's useless. We have too few soldiers, less than 20,000, while the enemy has over 100,000."

Jin Yan asked, "Is there no other way?"

Fu Xin glanced at her and said, "Actually, there is a way, but...ah..."

Jin Yan resolutely said, "Uncle Wang, as long as it can avenge my mother, you can tell me what I can do for you!"

A gleam flashed in Fu Xin's eyes, and he said, "Niece, if I asked you to go to the Tang Dynasty and ask the Tang Emperor for help, would you be willing?"

Jin Yan was stunned and said, "Looking for Tang Chao? I'm afraid they won't help us, right?"

Fu Xin said in a deep voice, "This is a different time now. The Tang Dynasty's only enemy is Goguryeo. In the past, because of that idiot Yici, we became enemies with the Tang Dynasty. Now that the Tang Dynasty no longer trusts Silla, it needs a new ally on the peninsula. If we take the initiative to submit, we may have a chance!"

Jin Yan hesitated and said, "But I'm afraid it would be difficult for me to complete the task alone!"

Fu Xin said, "Of course, you're not the only one. I will send an envoy group with a large amount of tribute. You have met with the Tang Emperor. If you ask for an audience, the Tang Emperor will most likely receive us!"

Jin Yan lowered her head and said nothing.

Heichi Changzhi said: "Princess, don't hesitate, Baekje is at the critical moment of survival!"

Jin Yan took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I'll try my best!"

Fu Xin was overjoyed and immediately took Jin Yan back to the palace.

He selected the most precious treasures from the national treasury and appointed Dao Chen as the head of the diplomatic corps, accompanied by twenty other smart and capable officials.

Daochen was originally a monk. He had been to Chang'an and debated Buddhism with Xuanzang. He was very prestigious in Baekje.

After Fuxin established himself as emperor, he appointed him as Zuoping and used his influence to gain support from other nobles.

Now that we need to ask for help from the Tang Dynasty, Daochen’s experience in traveling to the Tang Dynasty will come in handy.

Dao Chen and Jin Yan led the diplomatic delegation and fifty guards, parted ways with Fu Xin and others at the west gate, and headed towards Xiongjin Port.

That night, Jin Yan sneaked out of the tent, met with the inner guards, and made some arrangements.

The next day, Jin Yan and Dao Chen led the delegation and continued to head towards Xiongjin Port. They soon arrived at the port and took a boat to Yingzhou.

The voyage went smoothly. After arriving in Yingzhou, the delegation took a small road around Liucheng County and headed straight for Youzhou.

However, as soon as they approached Liucheng County, they were surrounded by a Tang army. Monk Daochen shouted that he was an envoy from Baekje, but the Tang army ignored them and arrested them all.

The group was sent to Liucheng County Prison. Two days later, someone finally came and took Daochen and Jinyan out of the prison and brought them to a mansion.

When Daochen entered the mansion, he glanced at the plaque and saw the words "Yingzhou Governor's Mansion" written on it. He was startled and warned Jinyan, "You might meet Yingzhou Governor Liu Rengui later, so be careful with your words!"

"No whispering!" shouted a Tang army soldier who was leading the way.

After a while, the two were taken to the study, where an old man with a dark complexion sat behind the desk.

Dao Chen bowed and said, "I, the Baekje envoy Dao Chen, pay my respects to Commander Liu!"

Liu Rengui narrowed his eyes and asked, "Do you know me?"

Dao Chen lowered his head and said, "In this Yingzhou Governor's Mansion, there is only one such majestic old man, the Yingzhou Governor, so I have this guess."

Liu Rengui laughed out loud and said, "Your Excellency's guess is correct. I am Liu Rengui. Is your name Daochen?"

"Exactly."

Liu Rengui pondered, "In the 19th year of the Zhenguan reign, a Baekje monk debated Buddhism with Master Xuanzang. Could it be that you were that monk?"

Daochen bowed and said, "It is me. Daochen is just asking for advice from Master Xuanzang. I dare not say the word 'ask for advice'."

Liu Rengui stood up and bowed, saying, "I was reckless and offended many times. Please forgive me."

Daochen said hurriedly, "Mr. Liu, your words are too serious. Because of our tyrant, Baekje has joined forces with Goguryeo, offending the majesty of the imperial court. I have come here to apologize."

Liu Rengui turned his head to look at Jin Yan and said, "This is..."

Dao Chen said, "This is Princess Jinyan, the daughter of Princess Yuya of Baekje. She once had the honor of meeting His Majesty the Emperor in Chang'an."

Liu Rengui nodded and said, "You have come to the Tang Dynasty as envoys. Besides apologizing, do you have any other requests?"

Dao Chen bowed and said, "To be honest, Lord Liu, I, Buyeo Bok-sin, the Left King of Baekje, have become the new ruler. He hopes to once again submit to the Tang Dynasty, adopt the Tang Dynasty era name, and respect the Tang Dynasty as the legitimate ruler. He also hopes that His Majesty the Emperor will accept us and bestow upon us the title and seal!"

Liu Rengui pondered for a moment and said, "It just so happens that I am going to Youzhou to see the emperor, so I will take you with me to Youzhou."

Dao Chen was surprised and asked, "Is His Majesty the Emperor in Youzhou?"

Liu Rengui smiled but said nothing.

Daochen knew he had said too much, so he quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Liu!"

Liu Rengui said calmly, "You don't have to thank me. I can't guarantee whether His Majesty is willing to accept your submission and help you deal with Japan."

Daochen was shocked. The other party obviously knew the situation in Baekje and was afraid that he had also reported it to the emperor.

When I meet the emperor, I must tell the truth, otherwise it will be harmful.

The next morning, Liu Rengui took the two of them and headed to Youzhou.

……

(End of this chapter)