Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 270 Someone is plotting a rebellion, intending to provoke war.

"What happened?"

Upon hearing that it was a hundred riders, Wen He immediately lifted the carriage curtain and poked her head out.

The second team is specifically responsible for reconnaissance, investigation, and infiltration disguise; they would never easily reveal their identities.

If Wen He remembered correctly, Chen Dahai was one of the team leaders when they went to the Turkic Khaganate disguised as merchants.

Could it be that something has happened on the Turkic side that made him so anxious?
Upon hearing the sound, Chen Dahai immediately turned around and ran towards Wen He.

"Young master, the warehouse where the wool is stored caught fire two hours ago," Chen Dahai said urgently.

Wen He's eyes widened instantly, her gaze turning icy cold: "Were there any casualties?"

"No, no, the fire wasn't big. It was discovered as soon as it started and quickly put out. I've already had the workshops cordoned off. There was no loss of wool. I rushed over as soon as the market opened. I apologize for my poor performance and hope you will forgive me, young master!"

Before Chen Dahai could finish speaking, he was about to bow and confess his guilt when Wen He abruptly interrupted him.

"Now is not the time to talk about this. Let's go to De'anfang first."

Wen He appeared calm at the moment, but in reality, she was itching to kill someone.

He knew perfectly well that this must have been done by those aristocratic families.

Fortunately, he had already arranged for a hundred riders to guard the area, and wool has natural flame-retardant properties, so when it burns, the flames do not spread easily and it can extinguish itself.

If it had been cotton or some other fabric, I'm afraid at least half of De'anfang would have been destroyed in the fire last night.

"Is something urgent happening to you, sir?" Ma Zhou, who had overheard the conversation, came out of the carriage.

In broad daylight, someone actually set fire to this place; they are simply audacious.

Wen He nodded to him: "It's nothing serious..."

Although he said that, the expression on his face didn't seem like nothing was wrong.

"Yifu, go and summon all the Xuanjia Guards in the manor. Have them wear armor, carry swords, and ride horses. Tell Zhao Qin's men to come with me."

In the past, when Wen He went out, he would only bring five or six Xuanjia guards with him at most.

He almost never took all twenty Xuanjia Guards out, and they were always fully armored and armed with swords.

This time, they even brought Zhao Qin along.

Since Wen He was confined to his residence last time, Zhao Qin's team has been specifically assigned to protect Gao Yangzi's residence.

To avoid suspicion, Zhao Qin's troops lived in the left wing and rarely came to the front yard.

Logically speaking, Wen He has no right to command them.

However, there isn't enough manpower right now, so Wen He wants to give it a try.

It should be noted that since Zhao Qin's group was stationed here, Wen He has provided them with plenty of meat.

“Sir, aren’t we going to court?” Li Yifu was worried that Wen He might act impulsively, so he quickly reminded him, “Besides, we have no evidence in this matter.”

"Evidence? Completely fabricated!"

Wen He gave him a cold glance, and Li Yifu was immediately taken aback.

He knew that his husband must be furious this time.

Otherwise, why would they have uttered the words "fabricated charges"?

"Have Li San come out and accompany Prince Bin into the palace. If His Majesty asks, say that someone is plotting a rebellion and intends to incite war!"

Since you're resorting to such underhanded tactics, don't blame me.

The Hundred Riders weren't originally established to investigate corruption.

At worst, I'll just be Mao Xiang and Jiang Huan for once!

"Chen Dahai, carry me onto the horse!"

Wen He shouted, and Chen Dahai, who was standing next to him, lifted him onto the horse without any hesitation.

Before long, Zhao Qin's more than one hundred Imperial Guards and twenty Xuanjia Guards assembled at the front gate.

"Greetings, young master!"

"Greetings, Magistrate of Gaoyang!"

The two groups of people shouted in unison.

Wen He sat on his horse, looking at the more than one hundred people in front of him.

"General Zhao, someone is plotting a rebellion and trying to incite war. I hope you will help me." Wen He cupped his hands in a fist salute.

Zhao Qin was caught off guard.

When he was suddenly summoned, he thought someone had come to provoke Wen He, so they were being dragged out to boost their morale.

Unexpectedly, a plot of rebellion was also implicated.

Zhao Qin couldn't help but smile.

This is a military achievement!

“Since there are traitors, we, as the Imperial Guards, naturally have an inescapable duty.” Zhao Qin cupped his hands in greeting.

His current duty is to protect Wen He. Since capturing traitors is such a dangerous task, he naturally has to lead his troops to protect him closely.

While he's at it, he'll also help Wen He capture the traitor and earn some military merit.

"Adong, go and deliver a message to the Hundred Riders, and tell Military Advisor Xu to lead a group of men to wait for me outside the Imperial City."

Wen He left behind a sentence and then sent Chen Dahai to De'anfang.

Not long after, Li Ke rushed out.

Seeing Ma Zhou waiting by the carriage, still confused about what had happened, he asked in bewilderment, "Young Master Ma, what exactly happened? Why is the master suddenly not going to the palace?"

Ma Zhou didn't know exactly what had happened, but on his way to Daxing Palace, he recounted what he had just heard to Li Ke.

"These people are so utterly depraved!" Li Ke roared in anger upon hearing this.

"But why don't you go to the palace and tell Father in person?"

He couldn't figure it out.

That happened two hours ago; if we investigate now, we won't find anything.

It would be better to go to the palace and have my father order the Dali Temple to assist me.

He remembered that his father had strictly ordered yesterday that his son should enter the palace today.

If we don't see the master soon, I'm afraid he'll be furious again.

Li Ke was sighing at this moment.

Inside Wanchun Hall.

Li Shimin and Li Chengqian have just finished their breakfast.

"Jiaying has worked very hard for you these past few days, opening a bookstore and making winter clothes for the soldiers at the front. All of this is to build up your reputation. After court, you should thank him properly in private."

On the way to the Taiji Hall, Li Shimin, unusually, did not ride in the imperial carriage, but instead walked there with Li Chengqian.

"Your subject understands." Li Chengqian bowed.

In fact, Li Chengqian knew this in his heart even without Li Shimin saying it.

Even though those things were all done by his own husband, he didn't seek personal gain and even pushed all the blame onto him. He naturally remembered this kindness.

"However, that brat used you as a go-between this time. With my name and yours on his side, those aristocratic people wouldn't dare to do anything to his bookstore. This kid has also taken advantage of you and me, father and son, once."

Thinking of this, Li Shimin stroked his beard and shook his head with a smile.

Li Chengqian, who was a step away from him, smiled and nodded, but in his heart he did not take his father's words seriously.

"But sir, you've spent a considerable amount of money this time. Even if you've used it, it's all for the sake of the Tang Dynasty. Father, your words seem rather stingy."

He didn't know that Li Shimin didn't actually care about this.

Instead, they felt that Wen He, that brat, had been pushed to the brink by the aristocratic families this time, and was actually willing to spend so much money and even borrow their names.

But this time, those aristocratic families should finally behave themselves.

The father and son were walking on the main road leading to the Taiji Hall when they saw a eunuch running hurriedly from a short distance away.

Upon seeing this, Gao Yue immediately stepped forward and stopped the eunuch.

"What happened?"

"Reporting to the high-ranking official, the Prince of Han, accompanied by the scholar Ma Zhou, requests an audience, and also to plead guilty on behalf of the Viscount of Gaoyang County," the eunuch said, bowing respectfully.

"What apology? Why is Sanlang here? Where is that brat Wenhe? I let him into the palace, does he want to ask for leave again?" Li Shimin walked up with a dark face and full of anger.

Upon hearing this, the eunuch anxiously reported, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Han said that someone is plotting a rebellion and instigating war. Upon hearing this, the Prince of Gaoyang led the Xuanjia Guard and Zhao Qin's troops to investigate."

"What did you say!"

Li Chengqian was greatly surprised.

Someone actually dared to rebel!
He turned to look at Li Shimin, only to see his father's deep gaze filled with coldness.

"Very well, very well, under the clear blue sky, it seems I was blind." Li Shimin's expression was calm, but those around him couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.

"Today's court assembly is cancelled. Summon the Grand Judge, the Left and Right Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, the Left and Right Assistant Ministers, the Chancellor, and the Minister of War to the Liangyi Hall." Li Shimin forcefully flicked his sleeves and turned to walk in another direction.

Upon seeing this, Li Chengqian quickly followed.

“Father, what about Ma Zhou?” Li Chengqian reminded him.

Li Shimin paused, "I almost forgot about him. He's gone today. Just send him to the Ministry of Personnel. I already sent the decree last night."

He had originally intended to introduce Ma Zhou to Fang Xuanling and the others today, but he was no longer in the mood.

Outside the Taiji Hall.

The court officials, who were waiting for the emperor to attend court, did not see the emperor, but instead saw Gao Yue.

Upon learning that today's court meeting had been cancelled, everyone's expression changed drastically.

"His Majesty has summoned the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the Grand Secretary, and the Minister of War to come to the Liangyi Hall for an audience."

"The minister obeys the order."

Xiao Yu and the others left the class one after another.

Everyone else turned their attention to them.

Especially Changsun Wuji.

His Majesty did not summon him?
Those who were summoned were also extremely confused.

In the past, if a meeting was held at the Liangyi Hall, the heads of the three provinces and six ministries would all be present.

Today, however, only the Ministry of War and their own Ministry of State Affairs were summoned, and only the Grand Secretary Fang Xuanling from the Secretariat was summoned.

What happened in the end?

Just as the ministers in the Taiji Hall were racking their brains trying to figure it out.

Chang'an City, within De'an Ward.

When Wen He arrived with his troops, the ward chief of De'an Ward had already surrounded the area with his men.

Upon seeing Wen He arrive, he immediately stepped forward and bowed.

"I have met the magistrate of Gaoyang County."

Wen He nodded to him in return.

"You're too kind. Did anyone go out just now?"

The fire started before the market opened, and even Chen Dahai couldn't leave at that time, so the arsonist must have been in the market.

I just don't know if anyone got out after the incident.

"Reporting to the magistrate, after Young Master Chen left, I had someone keep watch, and no one went out or came in." The magistrate smiled broadly, trying to curry favor with Wen He.

"Thank you for your help. What's your name?" Wen He smiled and nodded at him.

Upon hearing this, the shop owner was overjoyed and quickly introduced himself: "I am Wu Youcai."

Wu Youcai?
No wealth?
This name doesn't seem like it's associated with wealth.

"I'll remember you. Leave him ten strings of cash later as a token of my gratitude." This workshop owner is quite nice. After the workshop caught fire, he even brought people to put it out, and afterwards he helped to seal off the market gates.

The wool workshop is here, and we'll need his help to look after it in the future. It's good to spend some money to do him a favor.

"Thank you, magistrate. Thank you very much, magistrate."

Wu Youcai was overjoyed and bowed three times to Wen He, which made him feel a little uncomfortable.

I'm not dead yet, why are you bowing three times?

He hurriedly instructed Chen Dahai to drive the horse to the wool workshop.

Upon reaching the outside of the courtyard, Wen He was startled to smell a burning odor; the outer walls of the courtyard had been reduced to ruins.

The wooden walls outside the place where wool was originally stored have turned to charcoal.

Some of the exposed wool was also charred.

Judging from the outside, it does look very serious.

Seeing Wen He's furrowed brows, Chen Dahai quickly explained.

"I have already had someone check, and only a very small portion of the wool was burned."

"Okay, help me down from the horse first." Wen He nodded, without blaming him.

Chen Dahai's heart jumped into his throat. He felt that it would be better for the young man to point his finger at him and give him a good scolding, so that he could feel more at ease.

After dismounting, Wen He went straight to the ruins.

"Is this the wool?"

Zhao Qin, who had come with him, also dismounted to accompany him.

Although he wasn't quite sure what had happened, looking at the scene before him, he could guess that someone must have secretly started the fire.

Just in case, he naturally had to personally protect Wen He.

He had heard of wool before, but he didn't understand what it had to do with rebellion.

"Does General Zhao know what this wool is used for?" Wen He asked him when he saw his confusion.

Zhao Qin shook his head.

He knew that sheepskin could be used to make fur coats, but he didn't know what wool could be used for.

"His Majesty promised that he would provide winter clothing for the 10,000 soldiers who were being rotated to the north this year. And the wool from these soldiers, once woven into wool yarn, can be used to make winter clothing that is even warmer than brocade. So now do you understand why I said earlier that someone was rebelling?"

Wen He gave him a meaningful look.

Zhao Qin is a smart man. Wen He explained it so clearly, how could he not understand?

"This is someone deliberately breaking His Majesty's promise to the soldiers; this is an attempt to frame the emperor and father for injustice!" Zhao Qin declared passionately.

In his view, this was definitely a military achievement.

If he could help Wen He solve this case, he might even get a promotion.

"To burn the outer wall like this in such a short time, they must have used kerosene. Anyone who used kerosene will definitely smell of it. Go door to door and investigate. Also, spread the word."

Wen He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing solemnly at the burned-out site.

Upon hearing this, everyone was somewhat puzzled.

It's true that using kerosene will leave a smell on your body, but why spread this information?

Doesn't this give thieves a heads-up?

However, Wen He gave the order, and the Hundred Riders never questioned it. They then led Zhao Qin's men to search De'an Ward.

Led by Wu Youcai, they searched house to house.

"Sir, are you just going to let people sniff you like this? Or should I go and bring a few dogs?"

Zhao Qin felt that Wen He was wasting too much time doing this.

How long would it take to find it by smelling it?

Wen He chuckled and said, "So much time has passed, even if there's a scent on you, it won't remain. Even if you brought a dog, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to find a trace of it."

"Why is the county magistrate doing this?"

"If the prisoners are feeling guilty right now, what do you think they will do?" Wen He asked rhetorically.

Zhao Qin then understood why Wen He had deliberately leaked the information.

This is a ploy to lure the snake out of its hole.

Sure enough, not long after, Chen Dahai and his men returned with the two men.

"Reporting to the magistrate, these two men were secretly burning clothes there. I suspected they were up to something, so I brought them here."

Chen Dahai ordered his men to throw the two people, who were bound hand and foot, in front of Wen He.

The two looked to be in their early twenties, dressed plainly, but with fair skin and no signs of sunburn, so they didn't look like farmers.

The two of them struggled desperately with their mouths gagged.

Wen He glanced at them coldly, without ordering anyone to remove the gag from their mouths, and instead turned to look at Wu Youcai beside her.

"Wu Youcai, do you recognize these two people?"

Upon hearing this, the latter stepped forward with a beaming smile.

As the ward head, he naturally knew the people living in De'an Ward.

He stepped forward and carefully examined the two of them, then shook his head in confusion.

“Sir, these two are not from our De’an Ward, but the clothes they are wearing seem to belong to Zhao Laosi.”

"Who is Zhao Laosi?" Wen He asked.

Then Wu Youcai pointed at a tanned man in the crowd.

Upon seeing this, the man's face immediately changed drastically. He hurriedly ran over, knelt down, and said, "My lord, you've misunderstood! It's a misunderstanding! These two people came to my house this morning to buy clothes and even gave me two strings of cash. I was greedy and accepted them."

"Help him up." Wen He had a headache; he really couldn't stand people kneeling down to him all the time.

After he was helped up, he stood there trembling. To reassure him, Wen He comforted him, "This is not your fault. Just keep the money."

"Thank you so much, thank you so much." Zhao Laosi was extremely grateful and was about to kneel down again, but Wu Youcai kicked him away.

"You wretched thing, get out of here, lest you offend the eyes of this important person."

As Wu Youcai cursed, he turned around and noticed that Wen He's gaze was somewhat strange.

What do you mean by "suffering from plague"?!

You can't call him a dog!

However, judging from Wu Youcai's appearance, it was purely an unintentional mistake.

Wen He sighed silently and turned her attention to the two people who had been captured.

"I'm very angry today, and although I don't have much patience, I'll only give you one chance. Whoever reveals the mastermind first will live, while the other one will suffer a fate worse than death, and his whole family will be in trouble. His parents, wife, and children will all be caught in the crossfire."

"Don't think I'm just threatening you. I was the one who handled the embezzlement case involving military funds. I even took down a fourth-rank vice minister and a member of the imperial family. Do you think the people behind you can protect you?"

"No no no!"

One of them struggled to speak, but Wen He gave Chen Dahai a look, and the latter stepped forward and removed the gag from the man's mouth.

"Your Excellency is wronged! I am an innocent citizen. I only bought the clothes because I was tainted with something unclean. Your Excellency cannot wrong an innocent person."

His first words were an explanation.

Wen He's patience vanished instantly.

"I'm a good person, why are you forcing me?" Wen He clenched her fist.

Zhao Qin, who was standing nearby, was afraid that he would get angry and hurt himself, so he quickly comforted him, "Prince, these people may be assassins, so they will not tell the truth. Don't be angry."

"Wu Youcai, send everyone in the vicinity home."

"Chen Dahai tied them both up and used a knife to cut off pieces of flesh from their bodies, stopping only when they started talking."

Wen He said it almost through gritted teeth.

Zhao Qin was startled upon hearing this and quickly advised, "County magistrate, this is absolutely unacceptable. What if they really are... are being framed?"

"Would an ordinary person burn clothes so early in the morning? Why would they spend two strings of cash to buy a tattered garment for no reason? If they are truly innocent, then I will atone with my death!"

Wen He didn't have the patience to play any kind of trial game.

If it weren't for needing a reason to persuade those in the court, he would have already taken his men to the Zheng family's residence.

"Uh-huh!"

Just then, the person whose mouth was still gagged shook his head frantically.

Chen Dahai looked to Wen He for instructions, and seeing that the latter nodded, he went up and removed the gag from the man's mouth.

"It was Cui. Cui San gave us one hundred strings of cash to do it."

崔？
Not Zheng?
That's right, the Zheng family wouldn't let their own people do it.

Who is Cui San?

"If I remember correctly, this person seems to be the head of Shan'an Ward. He comes from a family of ruffians and has connections with the scoundrels and constables of Chang'an County."

Wu Youcai remembered this person.

"Chen Dahai will take his men there."

"Is there any connection between Shan'anfang and the Zheng family?" Wen He asked.

Wu Youcai paused for a moment, then shook his head.

He had never heard of that before.

Wen He nodded silently.

No rush, he has plenty of time.

Not long after, Chen Dahai returned with a middle-aged man with a mustache.

When the middle-aged man saw the two people kneeling and weeping on the ground, his face turned ashen.

"I just told them that if they didn't talk, I would cut off their flesh piece by piece with a knife. I still don't have the patience. If you talk, I guarantee you will leave Chang'an alive. If you don't talk, I can let you experience what it means to wish you were dead."

“Zheng Wu, it was Zheng Wu, he ordered me to do it.”

Who is Zheng Wu?

"Yes, yes, I was a groom from the residence of the Left Martial Marquis. I was blind! Magistrate of Gaoyang, have mercy! Have mercy!"

Cui San knelt on the ground and kowtowed desperately.

Looking at his expression, Wen He immediately scoffed and asked Chen Dahai, "Have you revealed my identity?"

"No, when I went to arrest him, I only mentioned the matter of the Hundred Riders," Chen Dahai said truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Wen He immediately looked at Cui San.

"So how did you know who I am?"

"It's just a guess, a guess. The county magistrate is incredibly noble; he's clearly someone of extraordinary status," Cui San quickly explained.

Wen He smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"You should say you guessed it from my age. You're not being honest! Who's really behind you?!"

Wen He's eyes immediately flashed with a fierce light.

Cui San recognized him at a glance, which meant he must have seen him before.

Moreover, when the hundred riders arrived, he didn't run away; instead, he obediently followed them back.

He had only meant to scare him, yet he blurted out that the matter was related to the Zheng family.

They really think he's some kind of hothead!

Wen He suddenly stepped back, drew Chen Dahai's knife, and immediately swung it towards Cui San's neck.

(End of this chapter)