Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 398 The Veteran’s Long-cherished Wish

The Nei Lingfu also established a new Yifu in Chang'an City, adjacent to the Yifu of the Jinwu Guard, responsible for searching for foreign spies in Chang'an City.

Cheng Wuting was appointed General of the Central Army.

When he went to Tubo for an espionage mission, he lived in the cold snow-capped mountains for more than two months, and three toes on one foot were frozen off.

After returning to Chang'an, Wang Jishan arranged an easier job for him, allowing him to stay in Chang'an and no longer have to go out on business.

Recently, Japan won a victory, and Liu Rengui's name was once again sung in Chang'an City.

This also led to Cheng Wuting's reluctance to go home.

Every time Liu Rengui won a battle, his father Cheng Mingzhen would lose his temper at home.

The reason is very simple. Cheng Mingzhen had served as the governor of Yingzhou before, but he did not have any outstanding military achievements.

As a result, as soon as Liu Rengui arrived in Yingzhou, he was like a military god possessed by a god. He was invincible and conquered every battle. He destroyed the Khitan, defeated Goguryeo, stationed in Baekje, and swallowed up the nine states.

An old man who came from a civil service background actually became so powerful and influential in Yingzhou. Doesn't this make Cheng Mingzhen, the military general, seem incompetent?

Cheng Wuting also advised his father to be more open-minded. Liu Rengui was just lucky. He happened to take the position of governor of Yingzhou just when the emperor was preparing to take action against Liaodong.

But Cheng Mingzhen didn't think so.

He thought that the emperor sent Liu Rengui there because he wanted to take action against Liaodong.

This shows that in the emperor's mind, he, a veteran general who defeated Liu Heita, is not as good as a civil servant.

Seeing that his father was so stubborn, Cheng Wuting had no choice but to hide in the government office for a few days every time Liu Rengui won a battle.

That afternoon, Cheng Wuting's wife, Mrs. Li, came to bring him some clean clothes.

Cheng Wuting took the opportunity to ask, "Has Father calmed down?"

Li smiled and said, "This morning, His Majesty summoned him to the palace. When he came back, his face was full of joy and he was no longer angry."

Cheng Wuting immediately became curious and went home with his wife that night.

It just so happened that dinner was being served in the main hall of Cheng Mansion.

Cheng Wuting and Li also took their seats. While Li was serving him his meal, he turned his head to look at Cheng Mingzhen, and sure enough, he saw that his face was flushed.

Cheng Wuting asked tentatively, "Father, I heard you had an audience with the Emperor this morning?"

Cheng Mingzhen laughed and said, "That's right, His Majesty has appointed me as the deputy governor of Yingzhou and asked me to help Liu Rengui, haha!"

Cheng Wuting was stunned.

Cheng Mingzhen glanced at him and said with a smile, "Why, are you surprised that your father is willing to help Liu Rengui?"

"Hmph, do you think I'm really unreasonable? Liu Rengui is indeed capable, and his official rank and title are higher than mine. I don't feel wronged to be his assistant. As long as Your Majesty doesn't forget me and gives me a chance to serve the country, that's all that matters!"

Cheng Wuting hesitated and said, "Dad, you should resign from His Majesty, right?"

Cheng Mingzhen glared and asked, "What did you say?"

Cheng Wuting said: "Your body..."

Cheng Mingzhen shouted, "I'm in good health. Don't go to His Majesty and complain, or I'll never forgive you!"

Cheng Wuting lowered his head and said, "I'll remember it, son."

Early the next morning, Cheng Wuting did not go to Yi Mansion, but went directly into the palace and went to the General Office of the Internal Affairs Office.

When they arrived at the office, they found Wang Jishan in the torture room.

Wang Jishan was interrogating a Arab spy, and Cheng Wuting was waiting outside.

After a long while, Wang Jishan finally came out of the torture room. While wiping the blood off his hands with a cloth, he asked, "Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

Cheng Wuting opened his mouth, hesitated for a moment, and then closed it again.

Wang Jishan said in a deep voice, "I have other things to do. If you haven't thought it through, then go back first."

Cheng Wuting took a deep breath and said, "General, I have a personal matter and would like to ask for your help."

Wang Jishan glanced at him and said, "Speak."

Cheng Wuting said, "I heard from my father that His Majesty intends to appoint him as the Deputy Governor of Yingzhou. Can you persuade His Majesty to revoke the order?"

Wang Jishan stopped, turned around and stared at Cheng Wuting. Although he didn't say a word, Cheng Wuting felt a huge pressure.

He hurriedly said, "Father's health is no longer what it used to be. Last November, he caught a minor cold and was bedridden for over a month. Now his appetite is getting less and less. I'm worried about him..."

Wang Jishan interrupted, "Are you afraid that he will die in Yingzhou?"

Cheng Wuting lowered his head and whispered, "Yes."

Wang Jishan said in a deep voice, "Have you ever thought about how long your father can live at his age? Would a veteran like him prefer to die on the battlefield of Yingzhou or on his bed in Chang'an?"

Cheng Wuting was shocked: "This..."

Wang Jishan's tone softened a bit, and he slowly said, "Wu Ting, everyone is doomed to die. For a veteran general, dying on the battlefield is the best fate."

Cheng Wuting recalled his father's happy expression yesterday and finally understood.

He probably knew that his life was coming to an end, so when he learned that the emperor was sending him to the front line, he put aside his past grudges and would rather be Liu Rengui's deputy general and rush to the front line.

Cheng Wuting felt mixed emotions, sad but full of admiration for his father.

Wang Jishan continued walking forward and said, "You've come at the perfect time. I just happened to have something I wanted to discuss with you."

Cheng Wuting quickly followed and said, "Yes."

Wang Jishan said slowly, "Half a month ago, news came from Shazhou that someone was trying to rescue someone on Huwang Street."

Huwang Street is a cross street of Daqingfang South Street, where all the people living are the Hu chieftains who were defeated by the Tang Dynasty.

Such as Helu of the Western Turks, Bilidu, the chief of Tiele, Chebi of the Eastern Turks, Abgu of Khitan, Wenfu of the Eastern Turks, Lu Dongzan of Tubo, and Dahairen of Japan.

Recently, a new resident moved in, King Buyeo Uiji of Baekje.

These people had great influence, so they could not be imprisoned directly. Instead, they were placed under house arrest in Chang'an City and guarded by the Internal Guards.

Cheng Wuting asked hurriedly: "Who do you want to save?"

As they were talking, the two of them walked into the back hall.

Wang Jishan walked over to a chair, sat down, took a sip of tea, and slowly said, "The spy who was carrying the message committed suicide. This is the only piece of information we can get from him. We don't know anything else. We don't know who they were trying to rescue, nor do we know which country he was a spy for."

Cheng Wuting pondered for a moment and said, "Since he was caught in Shazhou, there are only two possibilities for his identity."

Wang Jishan asked, "Which two?"

Cheng Wuting said, "The first possibility is that he is a spy from a country in the Western Regions. The second possibility is that he is a spy from a country in India, deliberately taking a detour through Shazhou to enter Chang'an."

Wang Jishan said calmly, "Couldn't he be from Mobei?"

Cheng Wuting smiled and said, "If he came from Mobei, I think he would either enter Chang'an directly from the Mobei trade route, or go through Hebei and head to Chang'an."

Although Wang Jishan didn't say anything, he nodded secretly.

If the other party is from Mobei and wants to hide his identity and take a detour, Hebei is a better choice right now. Because the situation in Liaodong is currently turbulent, if he pretends to be a Liaodong spy, it will be more difficult for the Internal Guard to verify their identity.

Wang Jishan then asked, "Which country do you think is the most suspicious?"

Cheng Wuting said: "Since it's not Liaodong and Mobei, then we can rule out the Eastern Turks, Khitan, Baekje, and Japan."

"Among the remaining people, Helu's old followers have long since dispersed, so no one will come to rescue him. We can also rule out the Western Turks. The same goes for Bilidu. The Tiele people have migrated westward, so it's impossible for them to rescue him."

"So the person most likely to be rescued is only one, Tubo Lu Dongzan! The only people who could rescue him could be Tubo. They were afraid that the Tang Dynasty would become suspicious of them, so they deliberately took a detour through Shazhou!"

After listening to this, Wang Jishan nodded and said, "That's a good analysis. Then analyze why the Tibetans would take this opportunity to rescue Lu Dongzan? Aren't they afraid of turning against us?"

Cheng Wuting said, "I recently heard that the Arabs' offensive against Tubo has slowed down considerably."

Last spring, the Arabs conquered the entire territory of India and have been attacking the Tibetan border.

Under Li Zhi's instruction, although Su Dingfang did not directly help Tubo, he deployed heavy troops to the north of Kunzang, directly threatening the Great Bolor Kingdom.

This forced the Arabs to dispatch some troops to garrison in the Great Bolor Kingdom to prevent the Tang Dynasty from cutting off their retreat.

Wang Xuance stayed in Lhasa City and secretly provided various supplies to the Tibetans to help them fight against the Arabs.

Therefore, the Arabs attacked for nearly a year but did not gain much advantage and only captured three cities.

Because the battle line was too long, by the beginning of this year, the Arabs were somewhat unable to cope with the situation. Instead, Qin Ling seized the opportunity and recaptured the three captured cities.

The morale of the Arabs was crushed and they switched from offense to defense, and the situation in India also showed a new balance.

Wang Jishan said in a deep voice, "Yes."

Cheng Wuting said, "It must be because of this that the Tibetans felt they no longer needed the Tang's help, and so they sent people to sneak into Chang'an to rescue Lu Dongzan!"

After hearing this, Wang Jishan was silent for a moment, then said, "Wuting, if you were a Tibetan, would you choose this moment to turn against us?"

Cheng Wuting was startled and shook his head.

The slowdown of the Arab offensive does not necessarily mean giving up. It may also be that they are transferring troops from the country to prepare for a new and more fierce offensive.

It was not wise for Tubo to be so hasty in breaking off relations with the Tang Dynasty.

Wang Jishan continued, "You have been in Tubo for over a year. In your opinion, is Qinling such a foolish person?"

Cheng Wuting touched his nose and said with a wry smile, "No, he is a very scary person. Even I can think of it, so there is no way he can't think of it."

"General, maybe I guessed wrong. The person they want to rescue is not Lu Dongzan."

"That may not be the case." Wang Jishan smiled faintly.

Cheng Wuting was surprised and asked, "You mean to say that the person they want to rescue is indeed Lu Dongzan?"

"good."

Cheng Wuting was puzzled and said, "But you just said that under the current situation, the Tibetans have no reason to turn against us just for Lu Dongzan!"

Wang Jishan said slowly, "You made a common sense mistake. Who told you that the person who rescued Lu Dongzan must be a Tibetan?"

Cheng Wuting's face changed color and he said, "Then who else could it be..." Before he could finish the last word "who", a sudden thought flashed through his mind and he said, "It's the Arabs!"

Wang Jishan nodded and said, "Yes, the Arabs may also be able to save Lu Dongzan."

"Not bad." Cheng Wuting nodded repeatedly.

The Arabs are currently facing difficulties in their attack on Tubo. Apart from organizing a new round of offensive, they can only resort to means outside the battlefield.

Now the actual people in charge of Tubo are Lu Dongzan’s three sons, and the Tubo Zamp has become a puppet.

As long as Lu Dongzan is captured, the Arabs will have more means to deal with Tubo.

Wang Jishan said in a deep voice, "Although we suspect it was Lu Dongzan, the others must not let their guard down. I will send people to strengthen the security. You should also keep a close eye on them in the next few days. We must not let them rescue anyone from Huwang Street!"

Cheng Wuting said solemnly: "Yes!"

After returning to Yifu, Cheng Wuting summoned his brave captains and lieutenants and made a series of arrangements to strengthen the security of Chang'an City.

Cheng Wuting would stand on the wall of Jinguan Gate every day, carefully observing everyone entering the city. If he found anyone suspicious, he would send someone to follow them.

That morning, a tall and thin merchant entered the city gate. When questioned by the gate guards, the man claimed to be a merchant from the Arab Empire who came to Chang'an to trade silk.

Cheng Wuting saw that the man's palms were covered with calluses. He spoke calmly, unlike an ordinary businessman. He instructed one of his men, "Keep an eye on that man."

After the tall and thin Arab entered Chang'an City, he brought five of his men and led a camel caravan, heading east along the street.

It took more than an hour to walk through Zhuque Street, from Chang'an County to Wannian County, and arrived outside Pingkangfang.

"Is this the place?" he asked one of his men, speaking Arab.

The subordinate said, "Master, she is hiding in Pingkangfang!"

The tall, thin, and large food man said, "No wonder we haven't been able to find her after searching for several years."

"I heard she once sneaked into Mo Jiaxuan. If Deacon Aqiong hadn't recognized her, no one would have known that she had fled to Chang'an, the Tang Dynasty."

The tall and thin Arab said coldly, "She must be trying to assassinate me. Very good, she wants to find me, and I want to find her too. It's time for us to meet."

He took big strides and walked into Pingkangfang.

Wu Minzhi was walking with big strides through the streets of Pingkangfang.

He inspected the area very carefully because these were his last few days as Wuhou.

In a few days, he will be crowned and inherit the title of Duke of Zhou.

As a dignified Duke, he naturally cannot be a small Marquis of Wu anymore.

Wu Meiniang had already made arrangements for him. After he inherited the title, she would let him go to the palace to serve as a Qianniu Guard.

Although Wu Minzhi prefers to be the Marquis of Wu, since it is the arrangement of Empress Wu, he will obey obediently.

Therefore, the remaining few days are particularly important. If he can capture a thief, perhaps it will put a perfect end to his military career.

Pingkangfang is not a big place. After a while, Wu Minzhi led his men from South Street to North Street.

One of his men suddenly exclaimed, "Strange! Why is Caizhizhai closed in broad daylight?"

"Could he be sick?" another person speculated.

"Impossible. Madam Xue was fine yesterday. How could she be sick today?"

Caizhizhai is a grocery store that sells daily necessities and handicrafts from the Western Regions.

The owner of the shop was a Hu girl named Xueya, and others called her Xue Niang. Because of her charming figure and beautiful appearance, the business of the shop has always been good.

Wu Minzhi knew this Xue Niang. She was originally a female deacon of Mo Jiaxuan and had also presided over the Yibao Club.

Later, after Mojiaxuan was closed down, the woman opened a shop like this in Pingkangfang, and Wu Minzhi would often visit it.

He was busy looking for a thief, and when he encountered such a suspicious situation, of course he would not let it go. He immediately took his men and walked towards the shop.

(End of this chapter)