Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 865 Thick Night Fog Over the River

The official boat was moored at Pengzekou at night, with a cold mist shrouding the river surface and fishing lights dotting the distance. This reminded people of the poem Xia Lin wrote for Poyang Lake: "In my drunken stupor, I knew not that the sky was reflected in the water, but that my boat was filled with dreams that pressed down on the Milky Way."

Li Zhi dismissed his attendants and sat alone in the cabin. His daily homework was spread out in front of him, but he didn't turn a single page for a long time. The little boy was now full of worry.

Xiao Wu pushed open the door and entered, carrying a bowl of freshly brewed calming tea. Seeing that he was lost in thought, she gently placed the warm porcelain cup beside him.

"Your Highness's thoughts are unintentional. You should take your master as your role model in order to achieve something."

Thinking back to when they docked for supplies during the day, the local governor led his men to welcome them. During the banquet, he spoke flatteringly, but repeatedly mentioned that "the commander must be very concerned about Your Highness." He also subtly asked, "The commander is exhausted from his work in the Western Regions. I wonder when you will return?" Every sentence was concerned, and every word was a test.

Li Zhi looked up, the candlelight in the cabin casting flickering shadows on his handsome face: "Senior Sister, look at these officials along the way, how many of them are genuinely welcoming me? And how many are just there to probe the truth for others?"

Xiao Wu sat down opposite him, his voice calm: "Whether they are sincere or not is not important right now. What is important is that they have all seen His Highness return to the capital safely and with a dignified appearance. That is their attitude."

“Changsun Wuji…” Li Zhi murmured the name, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table: “He must already know my itinerary. Uncle Zhang is probably facing difficulties in Chang’an.”

"Minister Zhang is a man of profound wisdom. Since he dared to reveal Your Highness's true identity, he must have a backup plan. Your Master's unshakeable position in the Western Regions is also a deterrent. Although the Changsun clan is powerful, it is not monolithic. There are many in the court who fear their power and resent their actions," Xiao Wu analyzed, her eyes flashing with a cold light. The wisdom inherent to her status as Empress was evident at this moment: "Your Highness must remain calm and composed at this moment to observe the situation."

Li Zhi nodded, picked up the calming tea, took a sip, and his mind calmed down a little.

He looked out the window at the dense, impenetrable night, the river breeze blowing through the cracks in the porthole, bringing with it a damp, chilly mist.

"But I wonder how long this tranquility will last."

As if in response to his words, around midnight, a few short shouts were faintly heard from the perimeter of the fleet, only to be drowned out by the sound of the waves and the wind. Li Zhi awoke with a start, abruptly rising to his feet. Xiao Wu, who was also listening intently, shook his head slightly, signaling him to calm down.

A moment later, the deep voice of the guard captain rang out from outside the cabin: "Your Highness, several small boats approached under the cover of fog, but they have been driven away. Two men were captured, both dressed as river bandits, but their skills were not those of ordinary outlaws."

Li Zhi and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance, both seeing the understanding in each other's eyes.

However, before Li Zhi could speak, Xiao Wu preemptively said, "If you can't get anything out of him, just clean it up and don't make a fuss."

"Yes."

The footsteps faded into the distance. Xiao Wu walked to the window and closed the crack even tighter to block out the chill from outside. "It seems someone is already impatient. They've already put up this test before we've even left the Jiangnan region."

Li Zhi walked to her side, gazing at the misty river outside the window, his expression showing a hint of maturity: "Let them try. I want to see how much wind and rain they can withstand."

He paused, then suddenly asked, "Senior Sister, what would Father do if he were here?"

Xiao Wu pondered for a moment, then said softly, "The master is well-versed in the principle of 'one force can overcome ten techniques,' and he will use the most direct method to nip danger in the bud. But Your Highness should learn from Minister Zhang at this moment, using leverage against each other, and using minimal force to achieve maximum effect."

Li Zhi seemed to be deep in thought.

The next day, the fleet set sail as usual, as if nothing had happened the night before. However, Li Zhi ordered that the itinerary be slightly adjusted, and that all the small docks originally scheduled to be visited be cancelled, with no further stops made unless absolutely necessary.

Like a silent dragon, the fleet began to accelerate its ascent up the Yangtze River.

At the same time, a secret letter was quietly sent from the fleet, via a special channel of romance and leisure, directly to Old Zhang's residence in Chang'an.

The letter contained only a few words: "Waiting for your help."

Old Zhang chuckled as he held the slightly immature handwriting in the secret letter, facing the fire.

"This kid learns quickly," he muttered to himself, a smile spreading across his face. "He knows how to leverage opportunities."

He then walked to his desk, where his unfinished "Records of the Western Regions" lay open. He set his paintbrush aside. Then he picked up his brush and quickly wrote a few lines on a piece of plain paper, blew on the ink to dry it, and sealed it in an ordinary letter.

"Someone is coming."

A servant rushed over: "What are your orders, Your Excellency?"

"Deliver this letter to Manager Li of the Moxianzhai in the south of the city," Old Zhang instructed, his tone casual as if he were instructing someone on a routine official business. "Remember, make sure you see him accept it with your own eyes."

The servant obeyed and left.

On the surface, "Moxiangzhai" is a family bookstore, but in reality, it is a secret liaison point.

Old Zhang's move was not to directly intervene, but to cleverly deliver the message that "the Crown Prince's journey was obstructed and he was suspected of being attacked by an unknown force" to those forces that were loyal to the Li Tang royal family but not on good terms with Changsun Wuji.

The news spread quickly, and several censors from the Censorate, known for their integrity, acted swiftly upon hearing it. Although they dared not directly impeach Changsun Wuji, they began to pay attention to the reports from the post stations along the way, secretly sent people to investigate the banditry on the river, and secretly coordinated with the reliable generals in Chang'an to dispatch troops to provide support.

A few days later, Li Zhi's fleet will enter the Huai River area.

In the darkness, dozens of torches suddenly lit up on the riverbank, and a troop of cavalry in bright armor rode side by side along the riverbank. The riders all wore the waist badges of the Imperial Guard, and the leading general clasped his hands across the river, his voice booming like a bell.

"This humble general has been ordered by Chang'an to escort His Highness the Crown Prince's carriage! Your Highness, please proceed with peace of mind!"

The sound carried clearly on the river breeze. The guards on the ship immediately went on alert, but Li Zhi walked to the bow of the ship, looked at the firelight on the opposite bank, and showed the first genuine smile on his face since returning to the capital.

He turned to Xiao Wudao beside him and said, "Senior sister, look, help has arrived."

Xiao Wu stared intently and nodded slightly: "They should be the Imperial Guards of the Northern Garrison in the capital. It seems that some people in Chang'an are already getting restless."

Li Zhi stood with his hands behind his back. He knew this didn't mean he could rest easy. His father had said that in power struggles, unless someone was truly far superior in ability and status, even parents and siblings couldn't be trusted. So, while these imperial guards were for protection, they were also a form of surveillance. But at least this showed that Changsun Wuji could no longer fully control the situation, and there were forces within the court trying to maintain balance.

The road ahead remained shrouded in mist, but he was no longer the boy who had once nestled in the warmth of mosquito coils and jade. By the time he was about to reach Chang'an, it was early winter. Early winter in the Great Northwest was a time of stark desolation.

Thick gray clouds hung low over the double eaves and upturned corners of the Taiji Palace, and even the usually bustling East and West Markets seemed extremely dull due to the continuous gloom.

Old Zhang, wrapped in a worn fox fur cloak, strolled leisurely into an inconspicuous teahouse in Pingkang Lane, his hands tucked into his pockets. The room was warm and inviting, the aroma of tea mingling with the smell of charcoal fire, creating a languid atmosphere. But if Xia Lin were here, he would know that this was no languid atmosphere at all; it was a craving for carbon monoxide. How could someone not be languid if they were about to be poisoned? Several scholars-looking tea drinkers were conversing in hushed tones. Upon seeing him enter, they all rose, bowed, and addressed him as "Master Zhang."

He walked over and pushed open the window: "Back then, Daosheng and I almost died in Luoyang because of this stuff. It's better to keep the windows open, otherwise we'll get poisoned..."

"Headmaster, I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince has passed through Luoyang and will arrive in the capital soon. However, the journey seems to be quite turbulent."

A scholar in a blue robe frowned and said, "This man is Wang Yan, a censor in the Secretariat. He is known for his integrity and has studied at the Yuzhang Academy in Hongdu. Even he would have to address Old Zhang as 'Headmaster'."

Another person chimed in, his tone filled with worry and indignation: "In broad daylight, how dare some scoundrels covet the Crown Prince's carriage! Are the prefectures, counties, and garrisons along the way just for show? In my opinion, there must be something fishy going on behind this!"

Old Zhang held a warm teacup, the rising steam blurring his vision behind his glasses. He sighed softly, "The Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation. It's only natural that some people feel uneasy about his young return to the capital."

His words were ambiguous, yet they subtly targeted certain uneasy individuals. Everyone present was astute; how could they not hear the underlying meaning? Recalling the recent actions of Changsun Wuji's faction in suppressing dissidents and seizing power in the court, they all felt a chill in their hearts.

"Headmaster," Wang Yan lowered his voice, "Now that the King of Qin is ill, the Council of State is almost entirely controlled by Chancellor Changsun. If this continues, it may not be a blessing for the country. The Crown Prince has returned, and although his title is established, he is still young, and without someone to support him..."

Old Zhang glanced at him, smiled slightly, and remained noncommittal, but changed the subject, commenting on the newly brewed Mengding Stone Flower tea on the table.

His purpose in coming here today is not to directly network with anyone, but rather to ignite the flame of loyalty and patriotism within these upright officials, to get them to pay attention and discuss the matter spontaneously, thus creating an invisible pressure of public opinion. There are some things that he, as a Wei official, should not personally get involved in, but leveraging external forces is precisely his forte.

After the tea was finished and everyone had left, Old Zhang boarded the carriage, where someone was already waiting.

This man was dressed as a merchant, with an ordinary face, the kind of face that would be hard to spot in a crowd, except for his eyes, which had a shrewd and restrained glint.

"How's the situation on the third of the month?" Old Zhang asked, taking off his glasses and rubbing his temples.

The man called Yue San said in a low voice, "The Changsun residence has been heavily guarded recently, with the number of sentries increased by 30%. Our people tried to contact the imperial physician of the Prince of Qin's residence, but failed. However, we found another lead: Changsun Wuji's trusted retainer has secretly entered and exited a residence in Yongxingfang, south of the city, three times in the past half month. The owner of that residence is very suspicious. On the surface, he is a merchant from the Western Regions, but in secret, he has had close contact with a follower under the command of the Tibetan envoy, Gongbu Zhaxi."

Old Zhang's eyes narrowed: "Tibet? They really have a long reach. They suffered a setback in the Western Regions but they still haven't given up. It seems that this little Wuji will stop at nothing to deal with Daosheng, taking all sorts of things."

Yue San continued, "Furthermore, as instructed by the Minister, we leaked the news of the Crown Prince's attack to several censors. They have secretly investigated and seem to have some evidence that the prefectures along the way were passive and negligent, and may even have colluded with bandits. They are currently making arrangements to submit a memorial to the throne on the day the Crown Prince arrives in the capital."

“That’s not enough.” Old Zhang shook his head. “Simply impeaching a few local officials won’t get to the bottom of Changsun Wuji’s position. We need to wait for a suitable opportunity.”

"What does the Minister mean?"

"Wait until the Crown Prince arrives in the capital." Old Zhang smiled slightly, but his face already showed his deep calculation: "With the Crown Prince in the capital and Li San Niang in the Western Regions, someone must represent the royal family and take charge of the overall situation in the court. The Prince of Qin is seriously ill, and although Changsun Wuji has seized power, his position is not legitimate. Is there anyone more suitable than the Crown Prince in the world?"

He paused, then continued, "Have our men inform the general of the Northern Imperial Guard, who just pledged to protect the Crown Prince, about the secret dealings between Tibet and the Changsun family on the eve of the Crown Prince's arrival in the capital."

Yue San understood immediately: "Your subordinate understands. The Imperial Guards and the Changsun family have never been on good terms. Once this news is confirmed, the Imperial Guards will stand firmly on the Crown Prince's side to prove their innocence and loyalty."

Old Zhang nodded, put his glasses back on, and the look behind the lenses vaguely reminded one of Gao Shilian from back then—the eyes of a seasoned old scoundrel: "Also, send someone on horseback to the Western Regions to deliver messages to Daosheng and Li Sanniang respectively. The message to Daosheng is that Zhi'er is doing well, and Wen Dou told him not to worry. The message to Li Sanniang is that Changsun Wuji has recently been in contact with the Imperial Clan Court, possibly to challenge the Crown Prince's legitimacy."

Yue San was slightly startled. The Imperial Clan Court was in charge of the affairs of the imperial family, and Changsun Wuji's intention in contacting the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court at this moment was obvious.

"Is he... trying to disrupt the patriarchal system?"

"He's just desperate," Old Zhang sneered. "The more he acts like this, the faster he'll fall. Go and make the arrangements."

The carriage rumbled along the quiet alley, crunching over the withered yellow leaves of winter. Old Zhang leaned against the carriage wall, closing his eyes to rest.

The game in Chang'an has reached a crucial mid-game deadlock. His pawn, having crossed the river, is in perfect coordination with the crown prince who is about to enter the game – a truly brilliant move.

He believed that his old friend, far away in the Western Regions, was surely watching the slightest movement in Chang'an.

The young crown prince, who has grown rapidly during his journey home, may bring him some unexpected surprises.

A few days later, Crown Prince Li Zhi's entourage arrived at Tongguan, where they changed to carriages and headed straight for Chang'an via the official road.

It was on this very night that the lights in the residence of the Northern Imperial Guard general remained burning all night long.

The following day, the gates of Chang'an were opened wide, and civil and military officials came out to greet the guests in accordance with regulations.

As Li Zhi's carriage slowly entered Mingde Gate, the rare warm winter sun broke through the clouds, its golden rays bathing his young yet already dignified face.

His gaze swept calmly over the kneeling officials who lined the road to greet him, lingering briefly on Changsun Wuji, who was at the head of the group, without saying much, before turning his attention to the majestic palace.

Xiao Wu accompanied the carriage, still dressed in plain clothes, but with his back straight.

Among the crowd, Old Zhang stood with several senior officials, watching the Crown Prince's carriage pass by calmly. He stroked his beard lightly, turned his head, and smiled, "Ah, my eldest nephew is quite remarkable."

Several old men glared at him. That was the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, and now he was being called "nephew" by a Wei official. It was really a bad situation...

"By the way, I would like to ask Uncle to come with me to the palace." Just before entering the city, Li Zhi stopped not far in front of Old Zhang, and even jumped off the carriage without regard for his dignity: "Uncle, over here! Please come with me."

Old Zhang spread his hands at the group of old men: "Hehe..."

(End of this chapter)