Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 454 Are all Tang Dynasty officials wanting to switch to military positions?

The spear, like a dragon, moved across the entire body, probing and piercing with ferocious power.

In the sweltering heat of July, under the blazing sun, Changsun Quan's clothes were soaked with sweat after practicing a set of spear techniques.

As soon as he stopped, Princess Xincheng came over and took out a silk handkerchief to wipe his sweat.

"Your Highness, you've been practicing for over an hour. Take a break."

Changsun Quan shook his head and waved his hand, saying, "It's alright. I'll practice for another half an hour. You go and take care of Liang'er. Don't worry about me."

Princess Xincheng sighed helplessly and said reproachfully, "Then you should be careful not to overexert yourself and get heatstroke."

Changsun Quan smiled slightly and said, "When I was in Hebei, it was the same summer. I often helped farmers with their farm work. Everyone would work all day long, and no one got heatstroke. This Chang'an city is just too good for spoiling people."

Princess Xincheng snorted, "Is the Prince Consort saying that I'm too pampered?"

Changsun Quan smiled wryly and said, "That's not what I meant. I just feel like I've become too spoiled."

Princess Xincheng was about to speak again when a servant came to report that Changsun Wuji had arrived.

Princess Xincheng tilted her head and said, "Alright, my elder brother is here. You can't expect me and Liang'er to go and greet him, can you?"

Seeing her expression, Changsun Quan guessed that Changsun Wuji had been invited by her, so he changed his clothes and went to the study to see Changsun Wuji.

Upon entering the study, the two brothers exchanged greetings, and Changsun Quan asked directly, "Elder brother, was it the princess who invited you here?"

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard and smiled, "Do you know why the princess invited me here?"

Changsun Quan remained silent until the servants finished serving tea and left, then he spoke in a low voice: "The princess asked you to come and persuade me."

"Since you already know the answer, I won't say anything. Now tell me, what are you really thinking? Do you really want to switch to a military profession?"

Changsun Quan was silent for a while, then said, "I was indeed deeply moved by Chiman's rise to fame in the war against Goguryeo. But my hard work in martial arts was not simply out of envy for his promotion."

From the war against Goguryeo to the war against Japan, Zhao Chiman rose from a sixth-rank lower-level state magistrate to a fourth-rank upper-level deputy governor, advancing more than ten ranks in one go.

Moreover, his fame soared due to his involvement with Japan.

Despite his bad reputation, the emperor did not punish him for it, but instead appointed him as the deputy governor of the Eastern Protectorate.

Zhao Chiman had only been in office for a little over two years, yet his speed of promotion was comparable only to that of Di Renjie and Xue Rengui in their early days; he even surpassed the rank of Changsun Quan.

Throughout the court and among the common people, countless people envied him. His mother was from the Changsun clan, which greatly enhanced the prestige of the Changsun family.

Princess Xincheng thought her husband was upset, which was why he was neglecting his health and practicing martial arts under the scorching sun. She asked Changsun Wuji to persuade him.

Changsun Wuji raised his hand and said, "You don't need to explain. I know your personality. You admire him for being able to fight on the battlefield and make contributions to the country."

Changsun Quan sighed, "If a great warrior could achieve meritorious service, kill enemies, and expand territory like Chi Man, then his life would be without regrets!"

Changsun Wuji said in a deep voice, "Then do you know how many people share your thoughts after this battle?"

Changsun Quan was taken aback, then shook his head.

Changsun Wuji extended one palm.

"As far as I know, after the Goguryeo War, at least half of the court officials wanted to switch to military positions."

"So many?" Changsun Quan exclaimed in surprise.

Changsun Wuji said calmly, "Among them, some, like you, hope to expand territory and make a name for themselves in history. Others feel that it is faster to get promoted based on military achievements than to go through performance reviews, and they are simply after fame and fortune."

Changsun Quan lowered his head and remained silent.

Changsun Wuji said, "You are a smart man, you should have thought of this by now. If all civil officials want to transfer to military positions, who will do all the trivial matters in the court?"

"Expanding territory is certainly glorious, but governing the country is the most important thing. His Majesty values ​​stability above all else. Right now, you should put aside your ambitions and do your job well, so as not to fail His Majesty's trust and the court's cultivation."

Changsun Quan took a deep breath and said, "I understand."

Changsun Wuji said, "After the war against Goguryeo, the national strategy will definitely change. Do you know where His Majesty's focus will be next?"

Changsun Quan frowned, unable to answer for a moment.

The emperor's thoughts are unpredictable and hard to fathom.

"I don't know, please enlighten me, elder brother."

Just as Changsun Wuji was about to speak, he suddenly smiled and said, "Let's go see someone. Those involved are often blinded by their own perspectives. Even I may not fully understand the situation. We might as well listen to what an outsider has to say."

Not every outsider can gain Changsun Wuji's admiration.

Changsun Quan had already guessed who Changsun Wuji was going to take him to see.

After greeting Princess Xincheng, he left the princess's residence with Changsun Wuji and headed towards Huwang Street.

When we arrived at Huwang Street, the sun was setting, and it was past 5 PM.

As always, no matter how bustling Chang'an City was, Hu Wang Street was always quiet and deserted, as if it were another world.

The two entered the alley and arrived at Lu Dongzan's house.

Just as they were about to go in, they suddenly heard a creak, and the door of the house diagonally opposite was pushed open, and a short man walked over.

"I am a man from Dahai. I have met the Imperial Uncle Changsun and the Imperial Son-in-Law Changsun." The man performed a standard Tang Dynasty greeting.

Changsun Wuji simply nodded and asked, "What do you want with us?"

The man from the Great Sea asked, "Does the Imperial Brother-in-Law know my identity?"

Changsun Wuji said, "Your Excellency is a prince of Japan." Da Hairen took a deep breath and said, "I have recently heard some news that the Tang Dynasty has destroyed Goguryeo, and it is expected that the next step will be to take action against Japan."

Changsun Wuji said with a half-smile, "If that's the case, what do you intend to do?"

The man from the Great Ocean raised his head and said solemnly, "I am willing to submit to the Great Tang Dynasty and help His Majesty the Emperor to attack Japan!"

Changsun Quan snorted and said, "You, as a prince of Japan, actually want to help us deal with our own country?"

The man from the Great Sea solemnly replied, "There is an old saying in your country: 'Those who understand the times are heroes,' and I wholeheartedly agree. Now that I have seen the general trend, I also wish to become a hero!"

Changsun Quan sneered, "Have you ever heard another saying, 'To sacrifice oneself for one's country in times of crisis, to regard death as returning home'?"

The man from the sea remained silent, stunned.

Changsun Wuji slowly said, "Your Highness, it's too late for you to say that. Our country has already launched a military campaign against Japan. Your elder brother, Zhongda, has been kidnapped by one of our pirates. We do not need your help."

The man from the Great Ocean changed color and asked, "The pirate you're talking about, is it Kiyoshi Onishima?"

Changsun Wuji said no more and gestured for him to enter.

Seeing that the two had no intention of talking to him any further, Dahai slung his arm over their shoulder and went back dejectedly.

The quietness of Huwang Street naturally drew the attention of others with the sound of their conversation.

Logically, Lu Dongzan should have heard it, but he did not show up.

When Changsun Quan knocked on the door, there was no response from inside.

"Brother, what's going on? Mr. Lu won't open the door. Does he not want to see us?"

Changsun Wuji frowned and said, "That shouldn't be the case." After a moment's thought, his expression changed slightly, and he shouted, "Break down the door!"

With a loud bang, Changsun Quan burst through the door.

After the two entered the room, they looked around and saw Lu Dongzan lying on the bed, his face pale, his expression haggard, and on the verge of death.

Changsun Wuji hurried to the bedside and asked anxiously, "Brother Lu, what's wrong?"

Lu Dongzan shook his head weakly.

Changsun Wuji, who had some knowledge of medicine, grabbed his hand, took his pulse for a while, and said to Changsun Quan, "His pulse is unstable; he must be ill. Go and fetch a doctor."

Not long after, Changsun Quan arrived with a doctor.

After examining Lu Dongzan, the doctor said that Lu Dongzan was suffering from acclimatization problems, which caused his weakness. He prescribed a tonic medicine for him, and after drinking a few doses and taking medicinal food for a few days, he should be fine.

This incident also alerted the inner guards who were monitoring Huwang Street. They were unaware that Lu Dongzan was ill because they were only monitoring from the outside.

The people on Huwang Street have special identities; they might come in handy sometime.

Therefore, after the inner guards reported to Wang Jishan, Wang Jishan requested an imperial decree from Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) to specially send an imperial physician to treat Lu Dongzan.

After five days of recuperation, Lu Dongzan's health finally began to recover.

When Changsun Wuji and Changsun Quan came to visit him again that day, he was already able to get out of bed.

"Your Excellency, Grand Uncle, you saved Lu Dongzan's life. I am deeply grateful." Lu Dongzan performed a Tibetan greeting.

Changsun Wuji said, "Brother Lu, there's no need for that. We are guests, and you have helped us before. Even His Majesty sent a royal physician to treat you after learning of your illness."

Lu Dongzan said with emotion, "If the Imperial Brother-in-law ever sees His Majesty the Emperor again, please convey my gratitude to His Majesty on my behalf."

Changsun Wuji nodded in agreement and asked, "How are you feeling now?"

After a serious illness, Lu Dongzan was no longer as energetic as before. He sighed and said, "My body has recovered, but... alas..." He shook his head.

Changsun Wuji asked, "What's wrong, Brother Lu?"

Lu Dongzan sighed, "When people get old, they inevitably miss their hometown. I wonder if I will ever have the chance to return to my homeland of Tibet."

Changsun Wuji was silent for a while, then said, "Brother Lu, let me tell you what's on my mind. His Majesty will not let you return to Tibet. Even if someone tries to persuade His Majesty to agree, I will submit a memorial to oppose it."

"This is not because I have any hostility towards Brother Lu, but for the sake of peace on the borders of our Great Tang Dynasty. I hope Brother Lu can understand."

Lu Dongzan slowly said, "Since the Imperial Brother-in-law is so frank, may I also speak a few words from my heart?"

Changsun Wuji said, "Please speak."

Gar Tongtsen gazed at him and said, "Today's Tibet is no longer the Tibet of the past, and it poses no threat to the Tang Dynasty. Even if Gar Tongtsen were thirty years younger, it would be difficult to reverse the situation. The Tang Dynasty would not suffer any disadvantage by letting me go back; on the contrary, it would demonstrate the benevolence of the Tang Emperor. Why not do it?"

“What threat could Lu Dongzan, a dying man, possibly do to the Tang Dynasty? Now I am just an old man longing for my homeland and missing my family.”

“If you let me go back, I will do my utmost to ensure that the two countries live in harmony. If I die in the Tang Dynasty, it will affect the relationship between the two countries. Your brother-in-law is a wise man and I am sure he can see the gains and losses in this matter.”

Upon hearing this, Changsun Quan was almost persuaded by his words.

If Gar Tongtsen were to die in the Tang Dynasty, not only would one lose a bargaining chip, but it could also incur the resentment of the Tibetans, causing them to side with the Abbasid Caliphate.

Changsun Wuji, however, seemed to have a heart of stone and remained unmoved.

“Brother Lu, if you die, I will petition His Majesty to send your ashes back to Tibet, so that you may rest in peace.”

Lu Dongzan closed his eyes and said nothing more.

Changsun Wuji stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Brother Lu, please rest well. Changsun Wuji takes his leave."

(End of this chapter)