Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 500 Hakuin Temple

The hillside is extremely steep, covered with dense forest, and full of the vitality of spring.

Li Ji had not visited Zhongnan Mountain for a long time. The last time was five or six years ago, when he went to visit an old friend who lived in seclusion in Zhongnan Mountain.

He had always known that the emperor had put Zhang Wenguan in charge of the major plan to restore the forests in the Qinling Mountains, but being a military general, he did not know the details of the matter.

All that is known is that Zhang Wenguan did a good job; otherwise, the emperor would not have promoted him to Vice Minister of Works.

Seeing the lush greenery of Zhongnan Mountain now, and realizing that many mansions built by powerful figures in the mountains have been demolished, one can understand that Zhang Wenguan did indeed do a good job.

A few years ago, who could have imagined that Zhongnan Mountain would become like this, as if it had returned to nature and become a truly desolate wilderness?

After searching carefully for a long time, Li Ji finally found a temple with green bricks and blue tiles hidden among the trees.

This temple is one of the few buildings on Zhongnan Mountain that has not been demolished.

The reason was simple: this was a temple from the Han Dynasty, rich in historical significance and considered a cultural relic. A group of highly respected people pleaded with Zhang Wenguan, who had no choice but to request permission from the emperor.

Ultimately, the emperor issued an edict, specifically ordering the preservation of the temple.

The temple is small and called Hakuin-ji. Because of its remote location, few people know about it, and even fewer people visit it.

However, it was precisely because not many people knew about it that it escaped several wars and survived to this day.

Thanks to the emperor's special decree, the temple is now thriving, and some people even wanted to expand it to accumulate merit.

However, logging is prohibited in Zhongnan Mountain, and any expansion would require transporting timber from other places, which would be extremely costly, so the project had to be abandoned.

Despite the lack of expansion, more and more people are coming to Hakuin-ji Temple, many of whom are powerful and wealthy people who want to stay for a few days and soak up the prosperity of Zhongnan Mountain.

Li Ji knew, however, that Changsun Wuji was not such a superstitious person. He had gone to this temple to live in seclusion simply to hide away and focus on compiling books.

Originally, Changsun Wuji was preparing to request permission to guard the imperial tombs, but unintentionally, his relationship with Empress Wu improved, and he helped the emperor with several important tasks.

He knew the emperor's temperament very well. Since there were no rewards or honors, it meant that the emperor was using his merits to offset the mistakes he had made in the past.

Since that was the case, there was no need to hide in Zhaoling anymore, so he went to Baiyin Temple.

Hakuin-ji Temple is not what it used to be; the monthly rent for a meditation room there is five times that of a room at the Sitongdi Inn in Chang'an.

Changsun Wuji was wealthy and generous, so he rented the room for ten years straight, and he rented the largest meditation room, which was even attended to by two young monks.

When Li Ji arrived at Changsun Wuji's meditation room, he found that it had been transformed into a study, with large bookshelves all around and shelves piled high with books.

Clearly, Changsun Wuji moved most of the books from his study here.

Not only books, but also furniture was moved over, such as Changsun Wuji's large and comfortable purple nanmu chair.

Changsun Wuji was sitting in a chair, reading a book while eating some fresh dried fruit.

Seeing his leisurely demeanor, Li Ji couldn't help but feel a little envious.

"Brother Changsun is living a carefree life, hiding here all by himself and enjoying his happiness."

Changsun Wuji looked up at him and laughed, "You found me hiding here, can't you let this old man have some peace and quiet?"

Li Ji snorted, walked to a chair and sat down, saying, "The whole of Chang'an is in chaos, and I'm also overwhelmed by the commotion, so naturally I can't let you be the only one with nothing to do!"

Changsun Wuji got up and poured him a cup of tea, smiling slightly, "Is it about that brat from the Wei family's eastern quarters?"

Li Ji was taken aback for a moment and said, "How can you be so well-informed even when hiding in a place like this?"

Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "Changsun Quan came over last night and told me everything."

Li Ji sighed and said, "You've made a really good choice as your successor. When it comes to judging people, I can't compare to you."

Changsun Wuji snorted and said, "Stop talking nonsense. You know how much our Changsun clan has suffered in recent years. We've just been lucky to get through it."

Li Ji remained silent for a long time before saying, "What you say is true. Life is unpredictable. Although I have tried my best to protect my family, it is inevitable that some unworthy members will appear in the clan."

Changsun Wuji knew he was referring to Li Jingye, and waved his hand, saying, "That's your own problem. Your son's temper will cause trouble sooner or later. It's wise of you to expel him from the family in time and not implicate the whole clan."

Li Ji said in a deep voice, "But the matter is not over yet. You should have heard that Wei Shen is dead."

Changsun Wuji squinted and said, "That's not surprising. A fool like him, who goes around looking for someone to rebel with a lantern, is bound to die!"

Li Ji said, "The problem is that with his death, many things become unclear."

Changsun Wuji laughed and said, "Haven't you already reported your grandson's matter to His Majesty? You've also expelled him from the family, so what's there to worry about?"

Li Ji fell silent.

Changsun Wuji stared at him and said, "Are you worried that he killed Wei Shen?"

Li Ji said in a low voice, "His Highness the Crown Prince has invited all those who met with Wei Shen to the Eastern Palace. I went to the Eastern Palace this morning and met with Jingye. I asked him if Wei Shen's death was related to him, but he just looked at me with a cold smile and did not answer."

Changsun Wuji, holding his teacup, said leisurely, "This kind of scoundrel will naturally not understand your good intentions in kicking him out of the family. He must hate you."

Li Ji remained silent for a long time before saying, "I also bear an unshirkable responsibility for how he has come to this point."

Changsun Wuji thought for a moment and said, "In your opinion, did he kill Wei Shen?"

Li Ji replied resolutely, "Absolutely not."

Changsun Wuji said calmly, "Your son has a bad temper. Perhaps he thinks that Wei Shen caused him to be expelled from the family, so he killed him. Who knows?"

Li Ji glared at him and said, "I've already said it, it's definitely not him. I know his personality very well. If he really did kill him, he would have confessed long ago."

Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "Since he didn't kill him, what do you have to worry about?" Li Ji gave a bitter smile and said, "After I met with him, His Highness the Crown Prince sent someone to tell me that he admitted that he killed Wei Shen."

Changsun Wuji was taken aback at first, then realized that Li Jingye had deliberately admitted to this in order to get revenge on Li Ji.

"How exactly did you raise such an heir?" Changsun Wuji asked with a look of astonishment.

Li Ji snorted, "Your son, Changsun Chong, isn't much better, is he?"

Changsun Wuji was momentarily speechless, unable to utter a word for a long time.

Since Li Ji had come with a request, he had no choice but to speak up, saying, "To clear Jingye of suspicion, we must find the real culprit. I ask for your help, Brother Changsun."

Changsun Wuji laughed and said, "Why don't you go to Di Renjie for this kind of case investigation?"

Li Ji said, "This matter is not simply a murder case, but also involves several powerful clans in Chang'an. In Chang'an, I'm afraid no one is more familiar with the ways of these clans than Brother Changsun."

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "That's right, the most suspicious parties in this matter are the aristocratic families, especially the aristocratic families behind those who met with Wei Shen. Of course, it's also possible that it was one of those people who did it."

Anyone who met Wei Shen would inevitably be implicated in the treason case, potentially bringing disaster upon their entire clan.

The best solution would be to kill Wei Shen, then no one would know what they had discussed with him.

Seeing Li Ji's gloomy expression, Changsun Wuji quickly added, "Of course, your Li family can be excluded."

Li Ji asked, "Then, Brother Changsun, which family do you think is the most suspicious?"

Wei Shen met a total of four people: Li Jingye, Wei Yue, Xiao Zhiyan, and Yuwen Kang.

Behind these three families are the Wei, Xiao, and Yuwen clans, respectively. Except for the Xiao clan, which has declined, the other two remain top aristocratic families in Chang'an.

"What do you think, Brother Li?" Changsun Wuji asked in return.

Li Ji pondered for a moment and said, "I think the Wei family is the most suspicious. Wei Shen was originally a member of the Wei family. No matter what Wei Yue talked to him about, the Wei family cannot escape responsibility for this matter. Therefore, the best option is for Wei Shen to die."

Changsun Wuji laughed and said, "Brother Li, do you know why Wei Shen plotted rebellion?"

"It is said that he and a member of the Yang family of Hongnong built a manor and housed many women there to curry favor with the powerful and influential people in Luoyang. The Crown Prince happened to find out about this."

Changsun Wuji nodded and said, "That's what I heard. Brother Li, do you know why Wei Shen wanted to build this manor?"

Li Ji shook his head.

Changsun Wuji slowly said, "This involves the internal struggle of the Wei family of Jingzhao. To put it simply, Wei Shen's Eastern Concubine House was suppressed by Wei Hongji and was struggling to make a living, which is why Wei Shen took such a risk."

Li Ji was taken aback and said, "So, Wei Shen isn't backed by the Wei family of Jingzhao?"

“Of course not,” Changsun Wuji laughed. “Moreover, I suspect that he dared to commit such a treasonous act because he harbored the idea of ​​retaliating by dragging the entire Wei clan of Jingzhao into the mess after the incident.”

Li Ji pondered for a moment and said, "If that's the case, then the Wei family also has a motive to kill him."

Changsun Wuji shook his head and said, "Wei Hongji is a smart man. As long as the Crown Prince finds out the internal relationships of the Wei family, he will not think that the Wei family is plotting a rebellion. He has no need to kill people at this time, which would only make it difficult for him to explain himself."

Li Ji said, "So, Wei is the least suspicious?"

"Yes, Wei Hongji is always cautious and meticulous, and he would not do such a foolish thing easily."

Li Ji said, "Then only the Yuwen clan and the Xiao clan remain."

Changsun Wuji asked, "Brother Li, do you know anything about Yuwen Kang?"

Li Ji said in a deep voice, "I heard he is Yuwen Jie's second son. He is good at riding and archery, and also plays polo well, but his character is not very good, and he doesn't have a good reputation in Chang'an City."

Changsun Wuji asked, "Brother Li, do you know that this person is a close friend of Yang Miao?"

"Yang Miao? That Yang family member who partnered with Wei Shen?"

"That's him."

Li Ji's eyes flashed, and he said, "So, it's very likely that Wei Shen knew Yuwen Kang before?"

Changsun Wuji laughed and said, "I must know him. Changsun Quan investigated and found that Yuwen Kang frequently traveled to Luoyang for a period of time. That period happened to be when Wei Shen was managing that manor."

Li Ji said, "So it's very likely that Yuwen Kang also visited that manor!"

Changsun Wuji nodded with a smile.

If Yuwen Kang had been to the manor, Wei Shen could use that to his advantage, leaving Yuwen Kang with only two options.

They either had to be coerced into following Wei Shen in treasonous acts, or they had to kill Wei Shen to cover up their visit to the manor.

After listening to Changsun Wuji's analysis, Li Ji's suspicions about Yuwen Kang increased significantly. However, being cautious by nature, he did not immediately draw a conclusion and asked, "What about Xiao Zhiyan?"

Changsun Wuji thought for a moment and said, "This person is a bit strange."

"Oh?"

"The Xiao family is no longer the same as before. I heard that Xiao Zhiyan was originally the Flying Dragon Envoy of the Eastern Palace Stables. After Xiao Siye's death, he resigned from his official post and is now a commoner. Wei Shen is planning a major rebellion, so why would he choose someone like him?"

Li Ji's eyes flashed, and he said, "That's easy. I'll investigate this person, and maybe I'll find out the reason."

Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "When this matter is resolved, remember to send someone to inform me."

Li Ji smiled and said, "Once this matter is settled, I will come and stay with you for a few days." He cupped his hands in greeting, got up, and left.

(End of this chapter)