Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 88 Empress Wu's Arrangement
Wang Fusheng was walking slowly along the side corridor of Ganlu Palace. As he was walking, a person in front of him blocked his way.

The man was wearing brocade armor and embroidered clothes, with a Qianniu sword on his waist. He had a broad forehead and a long face. He was Wang Jishan, the General of the Inner Guard.

Wang Fusheng bowed to him and was about to pass by Wang Jishan.

Wang Jishan crossed his arms over his chest, and when their shoulders crossed, he suddenly spoke.

"I wonder why Her Majesty the Queen just asked Eunuch Wang to come over?"

Wang Fusheng's expression changed slightly, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

"Just a few small instructions."

Wang Jishan said, "That's not right. After you met with Her Majesty the Queen, you summoned several of your eunuchs and ordered them to suppress the news of Her Majesty's awakening. I wonder why?"

Wang Fusheng turned his head, stared at Wang Jishan, and asked with narrowed eyes, "How dare you spy on me?"

Wang Jishan said, "I dare not. It's just that one of my subordinates came to report. I am afraid that the eunuch may make a mistake, so I came to remind him."

Wang Fusheng lowered his head and said calmly, "Oh, I wonder if General Wang has any advice for you?"

Wang Jishan said in a low voice, "The Grand Supervisor is the eyes and ears of the Saint. Everything should be reported to the Saint and should not have his own will."

Wang Fusheng glanced at him sideways.

"I have followed the Saint for over ten years. I never thought that today I would be able to receive General Wang's guidance on the ways of serving as a minister. What an honor!"

Wang Jishan said calmly, "You don't have to ridicule me. If what I said is wrong, please point it out. If you can't, I will report the truth to the Saint."

Wang Fusheng asked, "Oh, what are you reporting?"

Wang Jishan said, "Of course I am reporting to the Saint. You, without His Majesty's permission, secretly colluded with Empress Wu to set a trap and lure the nobles into a coup!"

A hint of anger flashed in Wang Fusheng's eyes, and then he shook his head.

Wang Jishan raised an eyebrow and said, "Why are you shaking your head? Are you at a loss for words?"

Wang Fusheng stared at him intently, then said softly, "Very good, General Wang, please report this to the Saint. But do you think the Saint will agree?"

Wang Jishan said, "Whether the Saint agrees or not, the Saint must decide, not you or Empress Wu."

Wang Fusheng sneered, "General Wang, you are truly loyal. Do you think there is no one in the world more loyal than you?"

Wang Jishan frowned and said, "No need to be sarcastic, just speak frankly."

Wang Fusheng sneered and said, "Everyone in the harem knows that Empress Wu and I don't get along. However, there's one thing I know best: Empress Wu's loyalty to the Sage is no less than mine."

Wang Jishan looked a little surprised.

Wang Fusheng continued, "You've thought of something that Empress Wu and I haven't considered. Why are we hiding this from the Saint? Is there any benefit to us?"

Wang Jishan remained silent.

Wang Fusheng said sternly, "The Saint has just had a headache and has only just recovered. You are causing him to worry. If this worsens his headache, are you being loyal or disloyal?"

Wang Jishan's face turned pale slightly.

Wang Fusheng said, "Changsun Wuji is the Saint's uncle. We can plan this matter. If the Saint planned it, you would be personally murdering your uncle. You are putting the Saint in an unfilial situation. Are you being loyal or disloyal?"

A drop of cold sweat appeared on Wang Jishan's forehead. He bowed and said, "I appreciate your advice."

Wang Fusheng said slowly, "I know General Wang has just been promoted to the Inner Guard and is eager to repay the emperor's kindness. However, when doing things in the palace, one must not be too impatient."

After he finished speaking, he walked towards the bedroom of Ganlu Palace with small steps.

Wang Jishan thought for a long time and then walked towards Shang Pharmacy.

The Shang Pharmacy is located on the west side of the Dianzhong Province. Its area is the largest among the six Shang Pharmacies. The outer hall is extremely spacious, with four rows and four cases in each row. A total of sixteen imperial doctors are seated there.

In the harem, only women of the third rank and above can summon the imperial physician for consultation.

As for other people who are sick, they can only go to the Imperial Medical Bureau in person to see a doctor there.

Li Zhi did not have many concubines in his harem, so the imperial doctors of this period had relatively little time to spare.

Meng Shen arranged shifts for each person, with each person seeing patients once every two days. During their rest time, they could read precious palace medical classics in the Shang Pharmacy clinic.

Six imperial physicians were on duty today, their desks laden with medical books, herbs, and measuring instruments. On weekdays, they were all busy with their own tasks, whether visiting the harem to see concubines and ladies, or browsing medical books, researching new prescriptions.

However, today is different, because Sun Simiao suddenly entered the palace, and everyone is discussing this legendary medicine king.

The other five people gathered together, smiling as they discussed Sun Simiao's deeds among the people. Only one person began to pack up his medicine box and prepare to leave the outer hall.

Someone asked with a smile: "Imperial Physician Qin, where are you going?"

Imperial Physician Qin was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a mustache and a sallow complexion. He said, "I'll go take Concubine Zheng's pulse."

Among all the concubines in the harem, Concubine Zheng was in the worst health. The emperor issued an edict, ordering the Shang Pharmacy to send an imperial physician to diagnose her pulse and take care of her every day, and to make it a regular practice.

"It's still early, so we can go later. I heard that Medicine King Sun compiled a book of valuable prescriptions, and many of them have been circulated. How about we discuss it together?"

Imperial Physician Qin snorted coldly, "What Medicine King? He's only lived a few more years. His medical skills may not even be as good as those of Elder Zhen and Elder Yang. He looks down on us Imperial Physicians, yet you still treat him like a god."

Because Sun Simiao had declined the position of imperial physician in front of the late emperor, many imperial physicians felt that he was seeking fame and were very dissatisfied with him.

Imperial Physician Qin was the most dissatisfied one.

Imperial Physician Qin strode out of the Shang Pharmacy and headed towards Changle Gate. After passing through Changle Gate, he headed north along the Longshou Canal.

As he passed a stone bridge, a fat eunuch suddenly came down from the bridge, blocked his way, and asked with a smile: "Where are you going, Imperial Physician Qin?"

Imperial Physician Qin's face showed a hint of panic. He bowed and said, "Your humble servant greets Junior Supervisor Zhang. I am going to Xunfeng Palace to perform a routine pulse check on Concubine Zheng."

Zhang Duohai said calmly, "Don't you usually go through Guangyun Gate to Xunfeng Palace? Why did you suddenly change to Changle Gate today?"

Imperial Physician Qin stammered, "Well, I heard that the peach blossoms near the Hanlin Academy were blooming, so I thought I'd stop by and take a look."

Zhang Da Hai smiled and said, "Are you looking at the peach blossoms? Or are you looking at people?"

Imperial Physician Qin's face turned pale and he said, "You, I..."

Zhang Dahai said coldly, "You want to disobey Her Majesty the Queen's order and spread the news about the Saint outside the palace, right?"

Imperial Physician Qin fell to his knees with a thud, shouting, "Young Master Zhang, spare my life!"

……

Zhang Duohai quickly entered the rear hall of Lizheng Hall and saw Empress Wu standing in front of the desk in the outer hall, holding a jade brush and practicing calligraphy.

He had followed Empress Wu for so many years and discovered that she had a characteristic: the more tense and critical the situation, the calmer she became.

This is also the thing that he admires most about Empress Wu.

"Your Highness, I'm back." Zhang Da Hai walked over quietly.

Wu Meiniang said without even looking up, "Speak."

Zhang Duohai said, "Qin is a coward. He confessed everything in just a few words. He has already spread the false news according to our plan."

Wu Meiniang nodded, waved at him, and said, "Duohai, come here and take a look at my copy of 'Lanting Preface'. How do you think it is?"

Zhang Da Hai came over, took a closer look, and started to flatter him.

"Wonderful! Your Highness's calligraphy is so wonderful. I think even Wang Xizhi himself could not do better than this."

Wu Meiniang laughed and scolded, "You fat, unlearned fellow, stop talking nonsense. I doubt you'll be able to appreciate this. Take it to the Hanlin Academy and pass on an imperial decree, inviting the Duke of Ying to the palace at 12:00 tonight so he can appreciate my Lanting Preface."

Zhang Duohai was surprised and said, "If you want him to taste it, I can take it directly to his home."

What really surprised him was why Empress Wu asked Li Ji to appreciate calligraphy at such an urgent time.

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said, "When did you become so talkative?"

Zhang Dahai was startled and slapped himself in the face, then said with a smile, "Your Highness, please stop talking. I'll do it right away."

After a pause, he continued, "Your Highness, should we send more people to monitor outside Duke Zhao's mansion?"

Wu Meiniang waved her hand and said, "No need, everything will remain the same."

Zhang Duohai agreed and left.

(End of this chapter)