Zhenguan: I, Dou Fengjie, will not be the first cuckold.

Chapter 131 Never Behaved

July 25th.

Li Tai returned from court, his eyes brimming with smugness: "Haha, the matter of summoning the Xi tribe and others to the border of Goguryeo, and the appointment of Yu Chang as the chief minister, have both passed without any hindrance!"

Dou Fengjie grabbed some snacks and threw them into his mouth, muttering indistinctly, "The Crown Prince must not have attended court."

Li Tai paused for a moment, suppressed his smile, and slowly nodded.

He understood Dou Fengjie's meaning. The reason things went so smoothly was because people in the court were in a state of panic, and many did not know whether Li Tai would become the next crown prince.

In this way, they won't nitpick and spoil Li Tai's fun.

Besides, there's nothing wrong with either of these things.

Li Tai poured a bowl of plain water from the hot water container: "Uncle, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Wei Ting, and the Minister of Works, Du Chuke, intend to contact other officials to help push forward the matter of changing the heir apparent."

"Don't be foolish. You need to stay calm, especially in situations like this," Dou Fengjie sneered.

Playing the succession struggle when Li Shimin was still strong and healthy probably shows a lack of awareness of the formidable reputation of the General of Heavenly Strategy.

"In a monkey troop, those who rashly step forward to provoke the monkey king before he gets old are often beaten badly." Dou Fengjie also made a bowl of plain water and drank it.

A strange light flickered in Li Tai's eyes. Wasn't Dou Fengjie's words a reminder to him?

Fighting and scrambling to get into the Eastern Palace may ultimately lead to nothing.

Li Tai understands the big principles, but he just can't let go of them.

With fragrant meat placed within easy reach, how many people can resist their rumbling stomachs and not eat it?

"Your Excellency, the Minister of State, the letters from Silla and Baekje have been delivered at the same time, each accusing the other of instigating the conflict at Macaque Castle."

The clerk's mother, Zhan Cheng, stepped into the room, shaking her head and sighing.

Both countries were vassal states of the Tang Dynasty, yet they were also sworn enemies, fighting whenever they had the chance, completely disregarding how weak they were.

The whining of Silla was annoying, and the close relationship between Baekje and Wa (Japan) made Dou Fengjie frown.

They report this condition every year, although it has no practical effect.

Who was the envoy from Baekje?

This was the issue that Dou Fengjie was most concerned about.

"Baekje sent an envoy, Buyeo Hyo-yeon, as a tribute, which consisted of ten Guoxia horses."

"When the king of Silla sent his envoy, Kim Beopmin, the tribute was a pair of mandarin duck pillows embroidered by the king himself."

Mu Zhancheng understood Dou Fengjie's concerns.

"Guoxia horse" is a euphemism for a miniature horse. These little things are very cute, but they produce about the same amount of dung as a donkey.

Li Tai looked at him with obvious disdain.

Everyone knows Yingyingying is stingy, but I never imagined she'd be this stingy—she'd even offer a broken pillow as a tribute!

However, in Dou Fengjie's eyes, the two envoys were of completely opposite importance; Kim Beop-min was far more important than Buyeo Hyo-yeon.

Unfortunately, there was no sufficient excuse to keep Kim Fa-min in the Tang Dynasty forever.

Dou Fengjie chuckled: "Your Excellency can submit a memorial to the court and request the emperor to issue an edict to smooth things over."

Li Tai and his mother Zhan Cheng couldn't help but laugh.

From the perspective of the Tang Dynasty, all they could do was shout, "Stop fighting!" They couldn't possibly take sides.

After Dou Fengjie exposed Silla's true colors, Silla's status among the three kingdoms of the Eastern Barbarians plummeted to the same level as Baekje, and it could no longer receive any favoritism.

Perhaps, the rulers and their ministers were no longer embarrassed to show favoritism.

Are there really things that Dou Fengneng could analyze that they couldn't analyze?

Dou Fengjie glanced at Mu Zhancheng and said, "Tell Buyeo Hyo-yeon not to keep his eyes on the Monkey City. Isn't Daegaya better?"

'

Li Tai, well-versed in literature, understood immediately and gave Dou Fengjie a thumbs up.

Mu Zhancheng puffed out his cheeks, trying hard to suppress his laughter.

Although the Monkey City was fertile, the former territory of Daegaya to the east of Baekje was the only threat to the Nakdong River, making the Silla Golden City uneasy.

In war, you can't be picky!

"Jin Famin is very shrewd. Don't reveal any weaknesses in front of him. Let that old fox Beimen Shuang deal with him."

Dou Fengjie thought for a moment.

The two cunning strategists from the North Gate are quite suitable for dealing with people like Jin Famin.

"The Ministry of War has relayed a message that the Japanese minister Soga no Emishi is preparing to send troops out of Tsushima Island, with a thousand ships setting sail to harass the coast of Silla."

Li Tai finally remembered this important matter.

Japanese pirates have a long-standing tradition of plundering. They only fawn over those who are more powerful than them.

Dou Fengjie was delighted to see the Japanese fighting against Silla.

"Furthermore, the Iwami Unity Army and the Naniwa Unity Army repelled dozens of small-scale probing attacks."

"The militia commander Da Xixiao of Nanbajin also uncovered a female spy who claimed to be seeking a child. The deputy commander of the militia, Li Dejiang, personally hanged her at the gate."

"Nanbazu official Mononobe Komachi visited to apologize."

Li Tai's words left Dou Fengjie sighing deeply.

The Japanese have never been well-behaved, from ancient times to the present.

Da Xi Xiao seems to be the hairless tiger that Tang Shan Zhan mentioned, right?

He comes from a chivalrous background and has some knowledge, so it's reasonable that he can catch spies. Sooner or later, he'll rise to prominence.

Even in moments of pleasure, he doesn't forget to keep an eye on spies; he's a character like that.

However, the ruthless and cruel Li Dejiang, a playboy, impressed Dou Fengjie.

Only by being so domineering could we make the Japanese bow their heads; otherwise, they would surely bark and howl, thinking that the Unity Army was a pushover.

The best way to reason with the Japanese is to slap them across the face, not to engage in a war of words.

Ten thousand verbal battles are not as effective as one real battle.

If you slap someone, the Japanese will definitely offer their other cheek for you to slap, and they'll even laugh in a disgusting way, praising the strength.

The angle was great, and the way he slapped the ball was exceptionally cool.

Dou Fengjie chuckled and said, "I have to go tell Li Dejian that his younger brother has made something of himself."

Li Tai chuckled, imagining Li Dejian's expression; it must be quite amusing.

Mononobe Komachi kept saying that the spy was a member of the Soga clan, but Dou Fengjie didn't believe it at all, and people like Li Dejiang were even less likely to believe it.

In other words, the number of soldiers in Naniwazu was limited, only three thousand, and some of their supplies also came from Naniwazu, which is why Li Dejiang did not risk seizing the city.

Seriously, do they think everyone's a fool who can be easily fooled?

Japan, no matter who's in charge, they're not to be underestimated.

"Tell the Ministry of War to have Li Dejiang, the deputy commander of the Naniwazu militia, pretend to let slip the news that the Japanese troops have marched to Tsushima Island to Mononobe Komachi."

Dou Fengjie's wicked schemes were on full display.

If Mononobe could understand, the best course of action would be to stab Asuka Kyo in the back after the Japanese invasion.

"The Grand Secretary is still ruthless."

The mother's words are a double entendre.

Ok?

Dou Fengjie thought about it carefully and realized that there was something wrong with his statement.

This is the official residence, not my own Duke Zanguo's mansion, so it's inappropriate for me to speak to Li Tai like this.

"Thank you for your help, Master."

Dou Fengjie quickly clasped his hands to make amends, secretly grateful to Mu Zhancheng.

Li Tai smiled and waved his hand: "Am I the kind of person with a narrow mind? Why bother with so many formalities during a meeting?"

Even so, Dou Fengjie could still sense that Li Tai was in a much better mood.

Dou Fengjie bowed to his mother Zhancheng, silently thanking her for her timely reminder.