Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 467 Then I'll have to trouble the Empress.

"Your Majesty, shall I play the next game with you?" Wu Meiniang sat down in the seat where Princess Taiping had just been.

Since the chess tournament at the Princess's Palace last year, Wu Zetian's chess skills have improved by leaps and bounds over the past six months. She has become a formidable opponent for Li Zhi, winning three or four out of ten games.

Li Zhi was exhausted after a long day, having just played a game with Princess Taiping, which had taken a toll on his energy. He smiled and said, "Let's do it another day. I'm a bit tired today. Let's play Gomoku instead."

Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) had already taught Wu Zetian and others the rules of Gomoku (Five in a Row), and Li Xian, Li Xian, and others also enjoyed playing it. However, Wu Zetian did not like it, feeling that it involved too much chance.

However, playing a couple of games during leisure time is perfectly fine.

As the two casually placed their pieces, they chatted about everyday matters, with Wu Meiniang inquiring about the banquet that had just taken place.

"I've heard that the Tocharian king often does strange things and makes quite a few jokes. I heard that he's also attending the banquet tonight. Will he make any more of a fool of himself?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "He was fine tonight. He took the initiative to chat with many ministers, and his conversation was quite normal. It seems that Peroz and Xue Niang have done a good job of training him."

Wu Zetian then asked, "After helping Tokharistan restore its kingdom, what are Your Majesty's next steps?"

Li Zhi glanced at her and said, "Meiniang, if you have any thoughts, please speak frankly as soon as possible."

Wu Meiniang said, "I just feel that the Abbasid Caliphate is too far away from us. Even if we defeat them, it will be difficult to eliminate them."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "I know that with the current combat capabilities of our army, we cannot annihilate them, and they cannot annihilate us!"

Wu Meiniang asked in bewilderment, "Then why is Your Majesty so fixated on the Abbasid Caliphate?"

Li Zhi held up two fingers: "There are two reasons. First, the Abbasid Caliphate is a religious country, and they have ambitions to expand eastward. We need a war to completely extinguish their ambitions and make them dare not look eastward again!"

"Second, national development cannot focus solely on internal affairs. We also need to maintain trade with the outside world and connect with other countries through trade. We must learn to absorb the strengths and advantages of others."

"A country is like a lake. If it is not connected to other waters, even the largest lake will become a stagnant pool and perish sooner or later. Only by constantly connecting with the outside world can it maintain its clarity and vitality."

Wu Meiniang's eyes gleamed with wonder as she pondered the meaning behind Li Zhi's words.

At this moment, Wang Fusheng came to Li Zhi's side, handed him an official letter, and said, "Your Majesty, this is a memorial sent by the Anxi Protectorate."

Li Zhi took a look and couldn't help but smile.

"Your Majesty, did the Tibetans launch a surprise attack on the Abbasid Caliphate?" Wu Meiniang asked.

Li Zhi smiled and said, "No, this is a memorial sent by Pei Xingjian. He believes it is time to resolve the issue of the Nushibi Five Tribes."

Wu Meiniang's phoenix eyes flashed, and she said, "He wants to deal with the Turks?"

Li Zhi slowly said, "Back then, Pei Xingjian supported the Turks in order to put pressure on the nine Sogdian states to pay taxes and station troops to the court. Although he achieved his goal, it also made the Turks too powerful to control."

"The Turks have now become a threat to Suyab. If they launch a surprise attack while we are helping Tokharistan restore its kingdom, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Wu Meiniang thought for a moment and said, "Pei Xingjian has considered things very carefully. Does he have any way to deal with the Turks?"

Li Zhi slowly said, "He asked me for someone."

"Who?"

"He Lu!"

Helu was the former leader of the Western Turks. After being defeated by Su Dingfang, he was imprisoned in Chang'an and was one of the earliest residents of Huwang Street.

He has now been imprisoned for about ten years. Even if he no longer dares to rebel against the Tang Dynasty, ten years is enough time to change the world in a nomadic tribe like the Turks.

"Your Majesty, so much time has passed. I'm afraid even if Helu were to return to the Turkic Khaganate, he wouldn't be able to control the Turks anymore."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Do you know who the current leader of the Turks is?"

"I heard he was a Turk named Li Zhefu."

Li Zhi said, "That's right. This man has a blood feud with Helu for killing his father. If Helu returns to the Turkic Khaganate, what do you think will happen?"

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "I understand. The two of them will be irreconcilable until one of them is killed."

Li Zhi laughed and said, "That's right. Right now, He Lu's prestige is far inferior to Li Zhefu's, but that doesn't matter. With our support, he will be able to stand on equal footing with Li Zhefu. At that time, no matter which side wins, Pei Xingjian will be able to easily deal with the other side."

Wu Meiniang's eyes flashed: "When Pei Xingjian chose Li Zhefu, he probably already had a plan to deal with him, right?"

Li Zhi said: "Yes."

Wu Zetian frowned slightly, revealing a look of hesitation.

"Meiniang, what's wrong?"

Wu Meiniang said, "There is something I'm not sure if I should say."

Li Zhi laughed and said, "We are husband and wife, what can't we say? Please speak freely!"

Wu Meiniang said, "Pei Xingjian is a very cunning man. He has been stationed in Anxi Protectorate for a long time. He has used the Turks to control the nine kingdoms of Zhaowu and has prepared a way to deal with the Turks in advance."

"After this incident, his prestige in the Western Regions will reach its peak. I fear that the people of the Western Regions will only know the name Pei Xingjian, but not His Majesty."

Li Zhi was both amused and annoyed, and said, "You don't suspect him of plotting a rebellion, do you?"

Wu Meiniang said in a gentle voice, "I just feel that his prestige in the Western Regions is too high. After the war in Tokharistan is over, he should be transferred back to Chang'an. This would be a good thing for him."

Li Zhi paused for a moment, then fell into deep thought.

Historically, Pei Xingjian would certainly not rebel, and Emperor Gaozong trusted him greatly.

But Wu Zetian's words also make sense.

As a monarch, there was no need to take such a risk. Li Longji simply handed over the conditions for rebellion to An Lushan one by one; otherwise, An Lushan might not have dared to rebel.

The safety of the nation cannot be tied to personal feelings. With this in mind, Li Zhi nodded and said, "I will consider it."

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "It is said that Pei Xingjian has not remarried since his first wife died. It is a good opportunity for him to return to Chang'an to rest. I will find him a good marriage."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble the Empress."

Huwang Street, at the entrance of the alley.

The streets in the south of the city, which are usually deserted, are unusually lively today because of the Lantern Festival.

The streets were filled with Tang Dynasty people carrying lanterns, including oil lamps, boneless lamps, Kongming lanterns, revolving lanterns, and Aoshan lanterns.

Fireworks and firecrackers soared into the sky in dazzling splendor, while colorful lanterns vied for attention.

Some wealthy families would have their servants carry a large wooden plank, on which a lighthouse, sometimes seven stories or nine stories high, would be placed, leaving onlookers in awe.

From the sky, the entire city of Chang'an resembles a giant fiery tree, shimmering with dazzling silver blossoms.

The bright moon hovered in the sky, reflecting on the sea of ​​lights in Chang'an, adding a layer of silvery radiance to the beautiful scene.

He Lu and Bi Lidu stood side by side at the entrance of the alley.

Both men were originally tough guys who lived a nomadic life and longed for freedom.

However, under the relentless erosion of time, the sharp edges in my eyes have long been worn smooth and docile.

They were like wild beasts trapped in a cage, having lost all hope of returning to freedom, only hoping to catch a whiff of freedom again from this rare lively scene.

After an unknown amount of time, Bilidu let out a long sigh and said, "Heluhan, let's go back."

"Bili Khan, you go back first, I'll stay and watch for a while longer," He Lu replied in a hoarse, aged voice.

Both men insisted on referring to each other as Khan, which became a laughing stock among the Khitans, Eastern Turks, and Japanese.

This was their last shred of persistence; only through this method and by this form of address could they remember their identity.

Otherwise, after so many years of torment, they would probably have long forgotten their dignity as kings and committed many humiliating acts.

Bilidu glanced at Helu and saw what looked like cloudy tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. He reached out and grabbed Helu's arm, forcibly pulling him back into the alley.

"Bili Khan, what are you doing?" He Lu called out in a hoarse voice. Bili Khan didn't say a word, but pulled him into his room, then took out a pot of wine from the corner and set out two wine cups.

"Come, let's drink!"

He Lu asked in surprise, "Where did you get this wine?"

Bili Du chuckled self-deprecatingly and said, "Last year, my uncle came to visit me and brought me a pot of wine, which I haven't been able to bring myself to drink."

He Lu sighed, "Your uncle actually still remembers you?"

Hikari sneered, "He just wants to find out the whereabouts of that treasure."

Helu looked at him and asked, "Bili Khan, is that batch of treasures you mentioned real or fake?"

Bilidu poured him a glass of wine and said casually, "Helu Khan, you wouldn't happen to be eyeing the treasure too, would you?"

He Lu snorted and said, "I've been imprisoned for ten years, and I don't have many years left to live. What would I need that thing for? I was just thinking, why don't you tell the Tang emperor where you are? Maybe he'll release you?"

Bili Du said in a deep voice, "Those treasures may seem like a lot to ordinary people, but they are nothing to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

He Lu sighed, "That's true." He raised his cup and drank the wine in one gulp, finding it sweet on the palate, and let out a satisfied sigh.

Just then, a series of banging sounds came from outside the door.

Bili Du sneered, "I guess it's a Khitan or Eastern Turk who smelled the wine and wanted to come over for a drink. Let's ignore them."

The two ignored the knocking and continued drinking. Suddenly, they heard a "bang" as the door was kicked open and two inner guards in soft armor walked in.

Both Bili Du and He Lu were taken aback and stood up at the same time.

"What? Can't we even drink?" Hiruko said angrily.

The inner guard ignored him and walked over to He Lu, saying, "Mr. He Lu, our General invites you."

He Lu trembled, his heart filled with fear. He knew that after ten years, he was no longer of any value. The Tang people probably thought that keeping him was a waste of their food and wanted to execute him.

When he was first imprisoned in Chang'an, he wasn't actually that afraid of death; he even considered suicide.

Tragically, as he remained imprisoned for longer periods, he grew increasingly timid, preferring to live like a dog rather than face death.

"What...what did he ask me to do?" He Lu asked in a trembling voice.

The inner guard said coldly, "You'll find out when you get there."

He Lu looked pleadingly at Bi Lidu, but Bi Lidu's courage had also been completely worn down. He lowered his head and dared not resist the inner guards at all.

He Lu was in despair when he was taken away by the inner guards.

Bili Du seemed to see his own future in him, and chased after him all the way to the alley entrance, watching as He Lu was led onto a carriage.

Back in the house, a surge of anger rose within Hikari.

why!
Why did he lose the courage to resist the Tang people? Was he still the greatest warrior of the Tiele?
Bi Lidu smashed the wine jar with a single punch and, as if possessed, began smashing things around the house.

After an unknown amount of time, he picked up a shard of porcelain and held it to his throat. Just then, there was another knock on the door.

Bi Lidu thought to himself, "Could it be that He Lu has returned?" He quickly went over.

When he opened the door, he was disappointed to find that standing outside was the Tibetan Lu Dongzan.

"What do you want from me?" Bili Du glared at him fiercely.

Lu Dongzan smiled and said, "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Bi Lidu sneered, thinking to himself, "Very well, I won't be too lonely before I die, I'll take you down with me!"

Thinking of this, he stepped aside and let Lu Dongzan in.

Lu Dongzan seemed oblivious to the murderous intent on his face. He stepped into the house, looked at the mess on the floor, and carefully walked to a chair and sat down.

Bili Du slammed the door shut, bolted it, and, clutching a shard of porcelain, walked step by step toward Lu Dongzan, grinning maliciously, "What do you want from me?"

Lu Dongzan said, "I've come to save you."

Bi Lidu coldly replied, "I don't need your help. You should think about how to save yourself."

Lu Dongzan calmly said, "I can't save myself, but I can save you."

Bilidu paused for a moment, finally noticing that Lu Dongzan's expression was off, and asked, "How will you save me?"

Lu Dongzan asked, "Do you know why He Lu was taken away?"

Bi Lidu was startled and shook his head.

"Because the Emperor of Tang was planning to use him to deal with Li Zhefu."

Bi Li Du asked, "Who is Li Zhefu?"

Lu Dongzan said leisurely, "You don't need to know who he is. Just know that Helu is about to leave. Before he leaves, he will probably ask the Emperor of Tang to release you as well and let you work for him!"

Bi Lidu's heart seemed to come alive, pounding wildly.

"Would Helu really plead with the Tang Emperor for my sake?"

Lu Dongzan laughed and said, "He needs an assistant like you to deal with Li Zhefu. Besides, don't you still have a batch of valuables?"

Bi Lidu was overjoyed, his blood surged, and his cheeks turned crimson. He asked again, "Will the Emperor of Tang agree?"

Lu Dongzan said, "Your Tiele Hui tribe has been migrating west for many years and it is impossible for you to come back. You are of no value anymore. The Emperor of Tang should agree."

Bi Lidu took a deep breath and said, "If that's the case, it was He Lu who saved me, so why did you say you wanted to save me?"

Lu Dongzan said, word by word, "Because if you follow Helu back to the Turkic Khaganate, you will surely die!"

"Why?" Bi Lidu felt a chill run down his spine.

"Because Helu is no match for Li Zhefu. Although the Tang people will support Helu, they won't care about his life or death. Their goal is to make Helu fight Li Zhefu. No matter who wins, they will deal with the other side and completely eliminate the threat from the Turks!"

Bilidu murmured, "That's right, the Tang people won't release Helu for no reason; that's their style! So what should I do?"

Lu Dongzan said, "After you arrive at the Anxi Protectorate, find a chance to escape. As long as you can find your tribe, you can survive."

Hikari stared intently at him and asked, "What do you need me to do?"

Lu Dongzan said calmly, "Nothing is needed."

"Then why did you save me?" Bi Lidu asked, looking incredulous.

Lu Dongzan said slowly, "Because I'm so bored. Alright, I've said what I needed to say, I should go now." He got up to leave.

Bilidu reached out to stop him, and said in a deep voice, "No, we Uyghurs never owe favors. You must make a request!"

Lu Dongzan glanced at him sideways and sighed, "No wonder people say that the Uyghurs are the proudest eagles on the grasslands. Alright, if you really want to repay me, then promise me one thing."

"You said."

Lu Dongzan asked, "Do you know about the three-colored fruit?"

Bi Lidu said, "I've heard of it; it's a specialty of the Western Regions."

Lu Dongzan nodded and said, "That's good. I'll trouble you to send someone to deliver a three-colored fruit to my son Qinling and tell him that this is something I asked you to give to him."

Bilidu said in a deep voice, "If I can leave Chang'an alive and find the Uyghur tribe, I will definitely accomplish this!"

Lu Dongzan patted his chest and said, "Thank you," before leaving the house.

(End of this chapter)