Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 407 The Emperor's Brother-in-Law's Advice

Li Zhi wasn't going to give up so easily.

Last time, Wu Zetian initially refused to do sit-ups, but in the end, he still managed to get his way.

Just as he was pondering how to trick Wu Meiniang into doing the steam whistle dance, he suddenly heard a thumping sound. Princess Taiping ran in from outside, climbed onto the bed, sat on his stomach, and exclaimed, "Yay, get up and have breakfast!"

Li Zhi looked at her and smiled, "Yue'er, let me teach you something fun."

Princess Taiping clapped her hands and laughed, "Great! What's so fun?"

Li Zhi immediately had her lie on the bed and taught her the steam whistle dance.

Princess Taiping, despite her small arms and legs, was quite agile and imitated the movements quite well.

It just kept kicking its two little legs, getting higher and higher, like a little turtle that had flipped over.

Just as Li Zhi was correcting her, Li Xian ran in again, clutching his stomach, and said, "Father, Mother said that you would take us to have breakfast today. If you don't come soon, my stomach will be growling."

Li Zhi had no choice but to put on his clothes and go to the side hall to have breakfast with his three sons and one daughter.

After the meal, he returned to the Lizheng Hall and was about to handle official business when Wang Jishan came into the hall, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Li Zhi put down his pen and asked, "Is it about what happened at the Great Ci'en Temple yesterday?"

Wang Jishan glanced around, and Li Zhi, sensing something amiss, waved his hand to dismiss the servants.

Wang Jishan came to Li Zhi's side and told him about Changsun Wuji's plan.

Li Zhi was taken aback for a moment and said, "So you already knew that the Baekje spies were going to target the Lady of Dai?"

Wang Jishan cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "It's alright. The Lady of Dai was only a little frightened. Does the Empress know about this?"

Wang Jishan said, "Your subject dares not tell you the truth."

Li Zhi hummed in agreement and said, "Very well, I will also help you keep it a secret from the Empress. Go to Yongzhou Prefecture now and tell Changsun Quan to post notices so that everyone knows that Fuyu Fuxin is planning to kidnap my mother-in-law."

Wang Jishan replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."

In the afternoon, the Yongzhou government posted a notice informing the public in detail about what happened at the Da Ci'en Temple the previous day.

When the government and the public learned that it was the Baekje people who did it, they were all outraged.

Hao Chujun submitted a memorial requesting the emperor to issue an edict summoning Fuyu Fuxin to Chang'an to explain the matter.

Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) immediately granted the request and conveyed an imperial edict to Baekje.

However, this decree was actually delivered to Jin Yan, who was the governor of the Xiongjin Governor's Office.

In his decree, Emperor Li Zhi reprimanded Jin Yan twice and ordered her to send Fu Yu Fu Xin to Chang'an to explain the matter.

After receiving Li Zhi's decree, Jin Yan knew that Li Zhi's apparent reprimand was actually an attempt to use the matter to attack Fu Yu Fu Xin.

While she ordered Heichi Changzhi to assemble troops and prepare for an attack, she also sent someone to Xiongjin Port to order Fuxin to go to Chang'an to apologize.

When Jin Yan sent people to Sibi City, it was already midsummer in June.

Since Kim Yeon was appointed Governor of Ungjin, the situation in Baekje has been changing every day.

Initially, after hearing that the Tang Dynasty supported the Golden Swallow, many prefectural generals in the country sent people to Guangzhou to pledge their loyalty to the Golden Swallow.

When Buyeo Bok-shin returned to Sabi Castle, the ministers who supported him were engaged in a fierce struggle with those who supported Kim Yeon.

Buyeo Boksin showed no mercy, killing all the ministers who supported Kim Yeon and quickly regaining control of Sabi Castle.

Knowing that Jin Yan had the support of the Tang Dynasty and that he was no match for her, he sent two groups of envoys to seek help from Goguryeo and Silla respectively.

Although Silla had always been his enemy, he believed that Kim Chun-chu also understood the principle of mutual dependence.

Once the Tang Dynasty annexed Baekje, could Silla remain unscathed?
As expected, both groups of envoys replied.

Yeon Gaesomun expressed his willingness to support him in becoming the new king of Baekje and promised to send him a batch of military equipment and provisions, but the matter of sending troops still needed to be discussed in detail.

On the other hand, Jin Chunqiu also expressed his support, but it was mostly verbal.

Jin Chunqiu was indeed very worried about the Tang Dynasty's annexation, so he set his sights on Japan.

If Silla could completely occupy Echizen in Japan, even if it were to be defeated by the Tang Dynasty in the future, it would still have a way out.

Therefore, Silla's main forces are currently being deployed to Japan, leaving them with no spare capacity to help Buyeo Boksin.

It was under these circumstances that Fuyu Fuxin took a desperate gamble and decided to send men to kidnap Madam Yang.

He knew that the Tang Dynasty was founded on filial piety, and that if he could just kidnap the empress's mother, the Tang Dynasty might hesitate to attack Baekje.

In his isolated and helpless situation, this was the only solution he could come up with.

Unfortunately, it still failed.

Fu Xin has become increasingly irritable and easily angered lately. When he heard that Jin Yan had sent someone to question him and even asked him to go to the Tang Dynasty to apologize, he was furious.

"That traitorous Mahan woman, does she really think she's the Queen of Baekje? Guards, kill the envoy she sent, and hang his head at the East Gate!"

Fu Yuquan hurriedly advised, "Your Majesty, you mustn't! There are still many commanders who are waiting to see what happens. Your actions will undoubtedly push them to Jin Yan's side."

Fu Xin angrily said, "Those opportunists have probably been flirting with Jin Yan for a long time. Do you still expect them to support me?"

Fu Yu Quan said, "Among those county generals, a large portion are Fu Yu people, and they are actually unwilling to submit to the Mahan people like Jin Yan!"

Fu Xin said in a deep voice, "Then why don't they come to support me?"

Fu Yu Quan said, "They lack confidence in you and are worried that we can't defeat Jin Yan. We need to win a battle to gain their support."

Fu Xin sighed, "But Jin Yan has Hei Chi Chang Zhi under his command. Among my generals, who can defeat him?"

Fu Yu Quan cupped his hands and said, "If Your Majesty trusts me, please give me another chance. I will definitely defeat Hei Chi Chang Zhi!"

Fu Xin remained silent.

When attacking Gwangju, he had already seen through Buyeo Quan's abilities and knew that he was no match for Heokchi Chang.

Fu Yu Quan shouted, "Your Majesty, we still have a numerical advantage, and at least we still have a chance to win. If we wait any longer, more and more county generals will defect to Jin Yan, and then we will have no chance at all!"

Fuxin took a deep breath, stared at Fuyu Quan, and said, "Very well, I'll bet everything on you!"

Fuyu Quan was overjoyed and said, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!"

Just then, a voice came from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, Fu Yu Quan is a two-faced and treacherous man who cannot be trusted. I request Your Majesty to behead him!"

Fu Xin looked towards the palace gate and saw a man stride in; it was Dao Chen.

"Your Highness, you're finally back! I thought you'd died in the Tang Dynasty!" Fu Xin hurried over to greet him, his face beaming with joy.

Dao Chen cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I am incompetent; the plan has failed."

Fu Yuquan said sternly, "Dao Chen, you failed to complete the task assigned by the King, how dare you come back?"

Dao Chen glanced at Fu Yuquan and said, "If I hadn't returned, the King might have been deceived by a villain like you!"

Fu Yu Quan exclaimed in shock and anger, "I think you've been turned by the Tang people, that's why you've come here to sow discord!"

Fu Xin looked between the two men, his face full of suspicion.

Dao Chen said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Buyeo Quan does not really want to attack Heo Chi Chang Zhi, but rather wants to gain military power and then lead his troops to surrender to Yeon Gaesomun!"

Fuyu Quan's expression changed completely, and he said, "Your Majesty, do not listen to his slander!"

Fu Xin was taken aback and asked, "Your Highness, what exactly happened?"

Dao Chen said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, after I left the Tang Dynasty, I was pursued by the Tang people and luckily escaped with my life. I dared not return from Laizhou, but instead detoured through Liaodong and returned through Goguryeo territory. As a result, I accidentally discovered something."

Fu Xin's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "What have you discovered?"

Dao Chen said, "I originally intended to go to Quan Gaesomun to discuss the alliance between our two families, but I unexpectedly met Buyeo Quan's nephew in Pyongyang. He was acting suspiciously, as if he was afraid of being seen."

"May I ask Your Majesty, was this person sent by Your Majesty?"

Fu Xin gritted his teeth and said, "No."

Fu Yu Quan said in a panic, "Your Majesty, I sent my nephew to Goguryeo only to ask for their help!"

Upon hearing his admission, Fu Xin flew into a rage, shouting, "Bullshit! Do you think I'm really that stupid? Men, drag him away, chop him up, and feed him to the dogs!"

Buyeo Quan shouted, "Your Majesty, without me, do you think the Goguryeo people will still help you?"

Fu Xin said sternly, "Take him away!"

Soon, all of Buyeo were dragged away by the guards. Boksin remained silent, walked to the throne, and sat down, sighing, "King Zuo, it seems our journey has come to an end."

Dao Chen said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty need not be pessimistic. On my way back to Baekje, I have been thinking about what to do next."

Fu Xin stared at him and said, "You have another way?"

Dao Chen said, "We can't stay in Baekje any longer. Right now, the only option is to lead our army and join a powerful force. Perhaps then we'll have a chance to make a comeback."

Fu Xin asked in surprise, "Whom do you want to rely on?"

Dao Chen said, "Goguryeo is a strong and well-equipped army, and in theory, it would be the best choice. Unfortunately, they were terrified by the Tang people, and Yeon Gaesomun is old and no longer has the ambition he once had."

Bok Shin said in a deep voice, "Then only Silla is left."

Dao Chen said, "That's right, the only option right now is to seek refuge with Silla."

Fu Xin angrily said, "You want me to submit to the Chenhan people?"

Dao Chen said, "Your Majesty, please don't be impatient. Let me analyze this slowly."

Fu Xin snorted, "You tell me."

Dao Chen said, "Silla is currently attacking Japan. As long as we pledge allegiance to Silla, Kim Chun-chu will definitely send us to Japan to help him fight against the Japanese!"

Fu Xin's eyes flashed: "Go on."

Dao Chen said, "Japan is currently in chaos, with complex and intertwined power struggles and various countries fighting each other. Perhaps we can find a place to settle down and recuperate."

Fu Xin looked disappointed and said, "Instead of going to that kind of desolate island, we might as well just surrender to the Tang Dynasty."

Dao Chen sighed, "Your Majesty, now that things have come to this, if you were to seek refuge with the Tang Dynasty again, do you think the Tang Empress would spare you?"

Fu Xin looked up at the sky and said, "Left King, we still have 30,000 troops under our command. If I hand them over to you, how confident are you that you can defeat Hei Chi Chang Zhi?"

Dao Chen said, "Not a single point. The biggest mistake Your Majesty made was forcing Hei Chi Changzhi to Jin Yan's side."

Fu Xin put his hand to his forehead and said, "I regret it so much."

Dao Chen said, "Your Majesty, now is not the time for sentimentality. Hei Chi Changzhi will soon lead his troops to attack, and the Tang army at Xiongjin Port will also provide support. If we don't leave now, we really won't be able to leave!"

Fuxin gripped the armrests of the throne tightly, his eyes flickering uncertainly. At times he gritted his teeth, as if determined to fight to the death, and at other times he showed fear, as if worried about being defeated and killed.

Dao Chen noticed his hesitation and advised, "Your Majesty, if we hold out now, there is no chance at all. If you leave Baekje, you may be able to return one day."

Fuxin hurriedly asked, "Why is that?"

Dao Chen slowly said, "In our Baekje Kingdom, the Buyeo people have always been in power. After Kim Yeon takes control of Baekje, he will definitely give important positions to the Mahan people, which will cause dissatisfaction among the Buyeo nobles."

"At that time, the country will definitely be in chaos, and Jin Yan will definitely not be able to control it. It depends on whether Tang Ren can help her and control the situation."

"If the Tang people also cannot control the situation, then Kim Yeon will surely die, the Tang people will be driven out of Baekje, and those rebellious Buyeo people will definitely ask you to come back and take power in Baekje again!"

Fuxin asked in surprise, "Will it really be chaotic?"

Dao Chen said, "They definitely will. Right now, these Baekje nobles still harbor illusions, thinking that Kim Yeon won't take action against them. But once Kim Yeon does, they will definitely retaliate!"

Fu Xin asked, "What if Jin Yan doesn't take action against them?"

Dao Chen laughed and said, "Jin Yan is a Mahan. Those who initially sided with her were all Mahan people. If she doesn't work for the benefit of the Mahan people, they will deal with her first!"

Fuxin took a deep breath and finally released his grip on the armrest, saying in a deep voice, "Alright, I'll listen to you. Let's go to Silla and seek refuge with Kim Chun-chu!"

Fu Xin only took his trusted generals and officials with him, and prepared to lead his troops eastward on the third night, two days later.

Sibi City became a ghost town.

The officials abandoned by Fuxin rushed to contact Jin Yan, inform her of the situation, and pledge their loyalty.

Jin Yan immediately dispatched Hei Chi Changzhi with 15,000 men, setting off from Guangzhou and heading north.

Along the way, they encountered no resistance. When the governors of various counties heard that Fuxin had abandoned the city and fled, they surrendered without resistance.

In less than ten days, Hei Chi Changzhi recaptured Sibi City.

On the other side, Bok-sin led his troops to Silla, but deserters kept appearing along the way, and he was helpless to stop them.

Traveling eastward along the "Daejeong" (Great River), passing through the Xiaobaishan Mountains, we finally entered Silla territory.

Dao Chen had already gone to Silla to express his intention to submit to Kim Chun-chu.

Kim Chun-chu was overjoyed and dispatched Kim Beop-min to Wochon to welcome Bok-shin's army.

Boksin was also wary of Silla and stayed with the army at all times.

Several days later, Fuxin led his troops to Liangzhou and met Jin Chunqiu at the palace in Nanjialuo City.

Kim Chunchu personally hosted a banquet to welcome him and conferred upon him the title of King of Baekje, expressing his willingness to dedicate a region in Silla to be ruled by Boksin forever.

The next day, Jin Chunqiu's attitude changed. He sent someone to invite Fuxin to the palace and said, "Brother Fuxin, the situation is not good. Your country's Jin Yan has sent an envoy to ask me to hand you over."

Fu Xin, his face grim, said, "So, Your Majesty is prepared to hand me over?"

Jin Chunqiu shook his head and said, "I will never do anything to betray my friends. Even if 100,000 soldiers from the Tang Dynasty invade, I will never hand you over."

Fuxin said in a low voice, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jin Chunqiu changed the subject, saying, "However, if the Tang army were to invade, I'm afraid even if we joined forces, we would find it difficult to resist. I have a suggestion, I wonder what you think, brother?"

Fu Xin said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Jin Chunqiu said, "That's right. We recently conquered a piece of Japanese land, but now the Japanese are launching a counterattack, and the situation is very precarious."

Fuxin glanced at Daochen, thinking to himself, "You guessed right." He said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I am willing to lead my troops to Japan to help Your Majesty deal with the Japanese!"

Jin Chunqiu was overjoyed and said, "With your help, brother, I will surely defeat the Japanese. When we conquer the Japanese lands, I will share them with you!"

Fu Xin said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Thus, Boksin and his Baekje troops set sail for Wa (Japan) aboard a large Silla ship.

Just as Dao Chen had predicted, Baekje was now in chaos.

……

Taiji Palace, Lakeside Hall.

After hearing Wang Jishan's report on the latest situation in Baekje, Li Zhi frowned and said, "Wasn't everything going smoothly up ahead? How did things suddenly become chaotic?"

Wang Jishan said, "Your Majesty, the main reason is that Jin Yan promoted a group of Mahan people to serve as county generals in various places, which caused the Buyeo nobles to make trouble. Jin Yan wanted to suppress them, but the trouble only got bigger and bigger, and the Buyeo nobles in various places also united."

Upon closer examination, this is not surprising at all.

The Buyeo people ruled Baekje for hundreds of years, and even after Boksin left, their power remained strong.

As long as this force is not eliminated, Baekje may collude with Goguryeo at any time to oppose the Tang Dynasty.

Li Zhi chose Jin Yan because he valued her identity as a Mahan person.

The current situation in Baekje is essentially a fight between the Buyeo and Mahan people, rather than them joining forces to deal with the Tang Dynasty.

In this situation, as long as the Tang Dynasty intervenes forcefully, it can help the Mahan people defeat the Buyeo people and stabilize the situation.

He waved his hand and said, "Issue an order to Yingzhou to fully assist the Xiongjin Governor's Office in suppressing the local Fuyu rebellion."

Wang Jishan replied, "Your Majesty, I believe it is unnecessary to intervene prematurely."

Li Zhi glanced at him and asked, "Why?"

Wang Jishan said, "If we help the Mahan people and eliminate the Buyeo people, the Mahan people may not be grateful to us when they gain power. They may even collude with Silla to oppose us."

Li Zhi remained silent in thought. His subjugation of Jin Yan was actually a means to subjugate the Mahan people.

Given the current situation, it is unlikely that the Mahan people will collude with Silla again.

"And what do you mean?" Li Zhi asked.

"Why not let Baekje descend into chaos for a while, let them fight amongst themselves, and once both sides have exhausted their strength and the people of Baekje are weary of war, then our Tang army can send troops to quell the rebellion. This will not only eliminate the hidden dangers but also win the hearts of the people!"

This method is somewhat inhumane, but it is indeed the safest.

"Did you come up with this idea?" Li Zhi glanced at Wang Jishan.

Wang Jishan frankly admitted, "It was the suggestion of the emperor's brother-in-law."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "Alright, send an order to Yingzhou to observe the situation first. However, we must be careful at Xiongjin Port and prepare a safety net to prevent Jin Yan from dying."

Wang Jishan said, "I obey your order."

(End of this chapter)