Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 363 Shocked Wu Meiniang
After hearing what Di Renjie said, Abianmalu was shocked and angry.

Sending spies to steal one or two pieces of military equipment from Ezo might be somewhat feasible, but to get all the military equipment back, there was no other way except war.

However, if they refused, the Tang people would declare war directly.

This envoy is truly not a human being!
As the situation developed to this point, envoys from various countries became more interested in watching the fun.

Daochen was most delighted. If the Tang Dynasty sent a large number of troops to Japan, it would surely deal a heavy blow to Buyeo Yici's arrogance.

By then, more generals in Baekje will surely defect to Bok Shin, and they will be able to deal with Yi Ci without the help of the Tang Dynasty.

Only Jin Renwen showed a hint of worry in his eyes.

Li Zhi said, "Mr. Li, what do you think?"

Li Ji frowned and said, "This matter has been under investigation for a long time. I thought it was clear now. Is there any need for further investigation?"

Di Renjie bowed and said, "General Li, the evidence isn't entirely sufficient right now. It's better to be cautious."

Li Ji said in a deep voice, "Then we must give you another deadline."

Di Renjie said, "Why not give Japan another half a year?"

Li Ji said: "Half a year is too long, three months is enough."

Abianmaro said anxiously, "Your Majesty, it will take nearly a month for me to return to Japan!"

Li Zhi said: "Okay, I will give you another five months."

Abianmalu was about to speak again when Zhang Jianzhi said, "Abian Foreign Envoy, His Majesty has given you another chance. You should return to Wa and discuss the matter with your king."

Abianmaro felt cold all over.

If he brought this result back to the country, I'm afraid neither Queen Bao nor Brother Zhong would forgive him.

Li Zhi stood up, waved his hand and said, "Dismiss the court!" and walked out of the hall.

In the side hall, Wu Meiniang heard this and got up and left, all the way to the bedroom of Ganlu Hall.

After entering the hall, I saw Li Zhi sitting on the couch with a pensive expression.

"Your Majesty, what are you thinking about?" Wu Meiniang asked.

Li Zhi looked up at her and said, "Mei Niang, what do you think of what happened just now?"

Wu Meiniang laughed and said, "Li Ji and Di Renjie played the good and bad cops, while the Japanese envoy became the clown. This scene was wonderful."

Li Zhi said slowly: "Mei Niang, you can't underestimate Japan."

Wu Meiniang nodded and said, "I still remember that His Majesty said yesterday that Japan would not attack Ezo."

Li Zhi said: "Not bad."

Wu Mei Niang said, "If that's the case, our Tang navy will definitely fight the Japanese. Your Majesty, are you worried that we won't be able to defeat them on the water?"

Li Zhi said: "No, even if we are outnumbered, I believe we will not lose. Besides, I am prepared to use more against fewer this time!"

Wu Meiniang asked in confusion, "Then what is your Majesty still worried about?"

Li Zhi glanced at her and said, "Mei Niang, how do you think the Queen of Japan will respond to us?"

Wu Meiniang asked tentatively, "I thought you would refuse, right?"

Li Zhi shook his head and smiled, "I think she will agree."

Wu Meiniang was stunned, her eyes full of confusion.

Li Zhi reminded: "Sometimes just because you say you agree doesn't mean you will actually do it!"

Wu Meiniang immediately realized what was happening and raised her eyebrows. "Your Majesty, are you saying that they are pretending to agree, but are actually stalling for time, preparing for a decisive battle with us?"

Li Zhi shook his head and said in a deep voice: "It's not just about delaying time, they may also take the initiative to attack!"

After this temporary court meeting ended, Abianmalu left Chang'an City without stopping and headed straight for Laizhou.

In order to get the message back as quickly as possible, he went out to sea in rough weather and nearly died in the storm.

After arriving in Chikushi Province, he entered the palace without even having time to change his clothes, his face covered in dust.

When Queen Bao heard that he had returned, she immediately convened a high-level meeting and met with Abemaro.

When Abemaro explained the situation, Queen Bao became furious.

"Is this the result of your mission?"

Not only were her eyes filled with anger, but even the chief officers of the eight provinces of Japan were all furious and glared at Abemaro.

Only the eldest brother Zhong turned his head and looked to the west. His gaze seemed to penetrate the void and look directly at the Tang Emperor in Chang'an City.

Abemaro knelt near the threshold with a pale face.

"Your Majesty, I have tried my best, but the Ainu are cunning and have set up a series of tricks to frame our country!"

Queen Bao shouted angrily, "Still making excuses! Come, drag him away and sentence him to death by the skull!"

Skull punishment involves locking the prisoner in a wooden box with only the head exposed, and then beating him with a hammer until he dies.

Abenmaro's face was pale and he was in despair. He couldn't even utter the words to beg for mercy.

Zhong Daxiong suddenly said, "Mother, since the Ainu have a backup plan, it doesn't matter who we send. Now, why don't we discuss how to respond to the Tang Dynasty?"

Queen Bao's face was gloomy. She said, "What are you replying to? Are you really going to follow their orders and attack Ezo?"

Soga Aka-nii said coldly, "We were going to fight the Tang people in the first place, and now we're in this situation, isn't it because we listened to the prince's advice?"

Zhong Daxiong said calmly, "So, according to you all, are we going to declare war directly and fight the Tang people?"

Abehirov said solemnly, "So what if we fight? In fact, it would be better if they attack us. Fighting near the coast is beneficial to our army!"

Queen Bao praised: "General Abe is magnificent!"

Zhong Daxiong shook his head and said to Queen Bao: "Mother, can I have a few words with you alone?"

Abebirov snorted and said, "Your Highness, if you have anything to say, please say it here!"

Queen Bao waved her hand and said, "General Abe, don't worry. We are facing a powerful enemy right now, and we need to unite internally."

She and Zhong Daxiong went into the inner room together and came out a quarter of an hour later.

Queen Bao looked around and said slowly, "The prince and I have just discussed this. The Tang people are powerful and cannot be defeated. We should be patient for now and attack Ezo as they request."

All the Japanese ministers were shocked.

The queen was just angry and wanted to go to war with the Tang people. What did Zhong Daxiong say to her that made her completely change her attitude?

"Your Majesty, the Ainu are not that easy to defeat! Even if we kill them, we will suffer heavy losses!" Abe said anxiously.

Queen Bao stared at him and said slowly, "General Abe, there's no need to say more. I have made up my mind."

Abe was about to say more, but Queen Bao waved her hand and said, "You all may withdraw. General Abe will stay."

When the ministers saw that both Nakano-nijo and Queen Bao agreed, they were helpless for a moment.

Moreover, some people vaguely guessed that there must be something hidden behind this, so they stopped talking and bowed and left.

Soon, only Queen Bao and Abehirov were left in the palace.

Baonu Chao Abe waved and took him to the bedroom.

Pieces of clothes were thrown on the ground one by one, and the curtains were lowered. Behind the curtains, two figures were tightly intertwined.

After a while, Abebirov's voice came from behind the tent.

"Queen, what did the prince say to you, and why did you suddenly agree to him?"

Queen Bao said, "Because he made a better suggestion."

"What advice?"

A whisper soon came from behind the tent.

A bleak north wind blew, making the branches rustle and the leaves fly everywhere. The golden leaves fell to the ground, as if there was a layer of golden carpet on the roads on both sides of Chang'an City.

Summer has gone and autumn has come, and it is already September.

Over the past few months, the Tang Dynasty court has been preparing for war.

Last year's bumper harvest of wheat and millet was continuously sent to Laizhou and Yingzhou.

Ouyang Tong also sent the first batch of more than 300 warships built in Jiangnan north along the canal to Laizhou and Yingzhou.

Wu Meiniang issued an edict in the harem. In order to support the war preparations on the front line, the harem began to tighten its belts and diet, and the monthly salary was reduced by half, which would continue until the next year.

This incident naturally caused dissatisfaction among the concubines.

However, Wu Meiniang had absolute authority in the harem, and everyone could only complain about her behind her back.

In order to set an example, Wu Meiniang recently stopped sprinkling precious medicinal powders when bathing, and only put some freshly picked flower petals.

With a "hang" sound, a round and slender leg like an ivory stretched out from the water.

Wu Meiniang looked at her well-maintained long legs and felt a little proud.

She was almost forty years old, but her body was not inferior to that of a young woman. It was round and full, and still fascinated the emperor.

At this time, Yuping came to the bathing pool, knelt on the ground, and whispered: "Your Highness, Zhang Shaojian has sent news that the Japanese envoys have arrived in Beijing." Wu Meiniang stood up from the pool, walked out of the water, opened her arms, and said: "Change clothes."

A moment later, she walked out of the house wearing a black palace dress.

Originally, Wu Meiniang did not like wearing black, but at a palace banquet one day, she noticed that Li Zhi stared at a lady in black for a few more seconds.

The next day she changed into a black palace dress. When Li Zhi saw it, he praised it highly.

Since then, black palace dresses of various styles have entered her wardrobe.

Zhang Dahai was waiting outside the door. When he saw her come out, he hurriedly said, "Your Highness, a new envoy has arrived from Japan."

As Wu Meiniang walked towards the Lizheng Palace, she asked, "Who is it?"

"His name is Dahairen, and I heard he is a prince from Japan." Zhang Dahai followed quickly behind.

Wu Meiniang pondered for a moment and said, "Have they agreed to your Majesty's conditions?"

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "According to the news from the Honglu Temple, the Japanese have agreed, and His Majesty has even summoned the Japanese prince."

Wu Meiniang suddenly stopped.

Zhang Dahai was quick to react and hurriedly stopped. He said with a smile, "I heard that His Majesty has sent troops to Xiongjin Port. The Japanese must be afraid, so they sent the prince as an envoy."

Wu Meiniang turned around and walked towards Ganlu Palace, frowning and feeling secretly puzzled.

The current situation is unclear. Why did Your Majesty send troops to Xiongjin Port?

"How many troops are there and who is the commander?" she asked.

Zhang Duohai said, "General Jiang Ke is the commander-in-chief, stationing 10,000 troops."

After hearing this, Wu Meiniang fell into deep thought.

Zhang Duohai said: "By the way, I heard that the Japanese also made a request."

Wu Meiniang asked, "What's your request?"

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "They invited our Tang Dynasty to send envoys to accompany them on their expedition to Ezo. If they find weapons in Ezo, they can serve as witnesses."

Wu Meiniang's face showed even more suspicion.

Judging from the reaction of the Japanese, it seems that they really intend to attack Ezo. Could it be that Your Majesty is wrong this time?
After a while, they arrived at the bedroom. Wang Fusheng was guarding outside the door, indicating that the emperor was inside the palace.

Wu Meiniang was about to pass on the message when she suddenly noticed several women standing outside the hall. They were Princess Taiping's tutors.

She listened attentively and heard a series of clear girls' laughter coming from the hall. It was the voice of her daughter, Princess Taiping.

Wu Meiniang knew that Li Zhi loved his daughter very much. Since Princess Taiping could speak, she often summoned her to play with her.

In comparison, Wu Meiniang preferred her son and was rather indifferent to her daughter, so when she was in Lizheng Hall, it was rare to hear her laugh so happily.

She was very curious and wanted to know how her husband usually played with their daughter, so she stuck her head in to look inside.

When I saw it, I couldn't help but open my eyes wide.

Princess Taiping was seen sitting astride Li Zhi's neck. Li Zhi was holding her two short legs and standing in front of the treasure rack, as if asking her to look at a copper gilt lotus on the rack.

Suddenly, Wang Fusheng coughed. Li Zhi in the room heard the noise, turned around and saw that his eyes met Wu Meiniang's.

Seeing Wu Meiniang's surprised face, he put Princess Taiping down from his head and said with a smile: "Meiniang, you are here."

Princess Taiping Li Lingyue was looking at the patterns on the golden lotus, but Li Zhi suddenly let her go, so she could no longer see and immediately pointed at the golden lotus.

"Yeah, Huahua!" she shouted dissatisfiedly.

"Taiping, your mother is here." Li Zhi tried to divert her attention.

Princess Taiping turned her head and glanced at Wu Meiniang, but surprisingly, she showed no reaction. Her little hand was still pointing at the golden lotus, and she shouted, "Huahua! Huahua!"

Wu Meiniang asked in a deep voice, "Where is Zhang Baofu?"

A middle-aged woman soon came in from outside the door and whispered, "The servant is here."

Wu Meiniang said: "Take the princess back."

Zhang Baofu went over to hug Princess Taiping, but the latter held on to Li Zhi's pants tightly and refused to let go. The little thing was quite strong.

Zhang Baofu didn't dare to use too much strength and looked at Empress Wu for help.

Wu Meiniang walked over quickly and pried her hands apart.

Princess Taiping loved to cry when she was born, but after she was one year old, she rarely cried.

She glared at Wu Meiniang, pouted her lips, and lay on the tutor's shoulder, and was quickly carried away.

Li Zhi felt that Wu Meiniang's gaze on him was somewhat piercing, so he walked to the couch, sat down, picked up the teacup, and drank his tea.

Wu Meiniang refused to let him go and followed him, saying, "Your Majesty, you have spoiled this child to such an extent that I can hardly control him."

Li Zhi coughed and changed the subject, "Mei Niang, you came to see me about the Japanese affairs, right?"

Wu Meiniang sat down next to him, thought for a moment, and said, "Yes, I heard that Japan sent its prince here."

Li Zhi said: "Not bad."

Wu Meiniang asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, I think the Japanese seem very sincere. Could it be that they really intend to agree to our terms?"

Li Zhi glanced at her sideways and said, "Mei Niang, don't you think they've gone too far?"

Wu Meiniang was stunned: "Too much?"

Li Zhi said slowly, "If they truly intend to attack Ezo, they should have agreed to send troops. Why are they being so humble? They're asking our envoys to accompany them, and they're sending our prince."

Wu Meiniang was a suspicious person to begin with. After hearing this, her eyes flashed and she asked, "Could it be that they are trying to gain our trust?"

Li Zhi put down his teacup and asked, "Why do they want to gain our trust?"

Wu Meiniang stood up and paced around the room for a few steps. Suddenly she turned around and said, "They want to take advantage of our unpreparedness and launch a surprise attack!"

Li Zhi secretly praised and asked, "Then where do you think they will attack?"

Wu Meiniang thought for a moment and said, "Laizhou or Yingzhou? Or perhaps the coastal area south of the Yangtze River?"

Li Zhi said slowly, "This is exactly the problem. If Japan wants to attack us, all coastal areas will be threatened. So I took the initiative to give them a target!"

"Ungjin Port?"

Wu Meiniang blurted out that she finally understood why Li Zhi sent troops to Xiongjin Port at this time!

Li Zhi showed a hint of surprise. He didn't expect that she would think of it in an instant.

"good."

Wu Meiniang looked at Li Zhi with sparkling eyes.

"Your Majesty, at that court meeting two months ago, you had already guessed the Japanese reaction, so you sent troops to Xiongjin Port in advance, right?"

His eyes were full of admiration.

Li Zhi smiled slightly and said, "That's right, because I know the Japanese's ways very well."

Wu Meiniang asked, "Are you still planning to send people to Japan?"

Li Zhi said: "Of course, I have already ordered Liu Rengui to send an envoy to Japan."

Wu Meiniang understood, stretched out her hand and shook it firmly, saying with a smile: "Your Majesty wants to use the Japanese's tactics to attack us, and then we can capture them all in one fell swoop!"

Li Zhi said, "That's why we must send an important general to Japan. His journey will be extremely dangerous."

Wu Meiniang nodded, but thought to herself that if the main force of Japan could be destroyed, sacrificing one person would be worth it.

……

Yingzhou, Yulin Port.

A medium-sized three-masted warship was docked at the pier.

There were one hundred Tang soldiers on the ship, all of whom would follow Liu Renyuan on a diplomatic mission to Japan.

The wind was strong in September and the sky was dark and gloomy, as if foreshadowing the danger of this voyage.

Liu Rengui looked at the surging waves and said slowly, "Renyuan, you should know the danger of this trip."

Liu Renyuan grinned and said, "Captain Huang has already told me everything. I know that the governor allowed me to go because he trusts me and wants to give me the opportunity to make a contribution."

Liu Rengui said in a deep voice, "Once the war breaks out, the Japanese will attack you without hesitation. If you are caught by them, they will torture you severely and force you to reveal information about Yingzhou."

Liu Renyuan said coldly: "There is only Liu Renyuan who died in battle, there is no Liu Renyuan who was captured!"

Liu Rengui nodded, handed him a small gray bag, and said, "There is a lucky bag inside. If something unexpected happens, it may be able to save your life."

Liu Renyuan laughed heartily, took the brocade bag, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Commander-in-Chief. Commander Huang has already prepared a plan for me to escape. I don't think I'll need your brocade bag."

Liu Rengui patted him on the shoulder and said, "Have a safe trip!"

Liu Renyuan bowed, strode onto the warship with his men, raised the anchor and set sail.

In just a short while, the warship disappeared into the vast ocean.

(End of this chapter)