Chapter 400: Great righteousness

During the Wu Zetian regime, in order to launch a war against the Tang Dynasty and obtain a legitimate excuse, the Turkic Khan Mochu declared that if Empress Wu deposed the Tang Dynasty of Li, he would lead all his tribes to invade. However, Wu Zhou was mainly considering domestic opposition forces, and the threat from foreign tribes could not control her plan (at that time, the Tang Empire was not weak enough to rely on the recognition of foreigners).

Therefore, the "Mochuo Battle against Tang" that lasted for more than ten years broke out. It was not until Emperor Zhongzong of Tang and other forces regained the Li Tang national weapon through a coup to support Zhengshuo, the relationship between Tang and abruptly began to improve. In the second year of Jingyun, the relationship between the two countries gradually became peaceful.

At that time, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang knew very well that Mochu was attacking Tang, but he was relieved and favored by the Turks' recognition of Li Tang. Therefore, Zhang Zhifu used a complimentary attitude to mention the past in front of Mochu, and there was nothing wrong with it.

Mochuo pondered for a long time and said with some insight: "Why did the Tang envoy mention Wu Zhou's incident? I heard that there was a saying in the Tang Dynasty at this time, "Everyone knows the heart of Xue's family," and is the situation back twenty years ago..."

Zhang Zhifu's face suddenly changed. He thought to himself that it was not unreasonable that Mochuo's family could spin on the grassland. He could also understand the problems of the Tang Dynasty from such a distance. After all, Xue Chongxun and Empress Wu were in power at this time, and it had not been made public. All edicts and rewards were still issued in the name of Li Tang.

Mochuo observed Zhang Zhifu's expression with interest. He gradually felt that the purpose of Tang Envoy coming was becoming clearer and clearer. Mochu's attitude also changed a little at this time. At first, he was enthusiastic and even flattered because he wanted others. Now he was much calmer. Seeing that Zhang Zhifu was very cautious, he said, "What did General Manager Zhang mean? Tang Envoy said it clearly. There are no outsiders here. Since you have come, you must have decided to discuss this matter with me. What are you still hesitating now?"

After hearing this, Zhang Zhifu said seriously: "Khan expected it is good."

Mochu nodded calmly, playing with the old stick in his hand. The stick was inlaid with a small skeleton on one end, which was not as big as a human skull, and it was not known as a bone of an animal, and there were gems embedded around it.

"Mr. Zhang wanted us to re-engage with troops against Tang again? But this winter was too cold, and you also saw that we were unable to launch a large-scale war. Unless we could get a large-scale assistance from food, grass, cattle and sheep, even if this weather was like this, it would not be suitable for marching... I am very surprised that if the Turkic Khanate declared war on Tang, General Zhang would still have a way to give us something? Will Chang'an say he is responsible for the enemy?" Mochu said.

Zhang Zhifu said in a deep voice: "There are not many soldiers, just a small group of elite soldiers need to sneak into the Tang territory. Xue and Princess Taiping are in Huaqing Palace all winter... As long as you kill them, the big thing can be settled!"

"Huaqing Palace?" Mochuo was stunned for a moment, looked at each other with his sons and brother-in-law, frowned, "General Manager Zhang asked us to send troops to Huaqing Palace? If I remember correctly, that palace is very close to Chang'an in the pass. Not to mention that the road is far, there are also Tang troops stationed in the middle. Where are our people going and what is the difference between death?"

Zhang Zhifu sneered: "If the Turkic cavalry marched straight in one direction, it would be impossible to make it work. But this matter was completely different when Khan and the Tang Dynasty fought together. My father had agreed with the palace of the Li family and had famous and powerful friends in Shuofang and other places. He was not the one who had a day or two friendship, but all of them were trustworthy. With our help, Khan's people not only had guaranteed supplies but could pass the test smoothly. It was not impossible for him to touch the Huaqing Palace without knowing it. This matter was mainly because my father and others could not find a team that did not leak the news at all.

In fact, the number of people required is not too many. From the clans to the gentry officials, we are willing to risk quarrel and exterminate the clan. Why couldn’t Khan take this risk? As long as we succeed, you are the great hero who helped Li Tang restore his country and uphold justice. Isn’t it a small matter that is worth mentioning to obtain food and grass for the winter from the Tang Dynasty?”

Mochuo looked around and said, "I was a little moved by Tang's words. Even if I didn't succeed, it would be better for those who entered the tiger's den to die than forcing hunger and cold in the ice and snow."

Zhang Zhifu said: "When the Turkic soldiers arrived at Huaqing Palace and completed their mission, if they could not return, they would surrender to the Tang army on the spot. Next, we will try to protect the soldiers and make them return safely in the end."

Mochu asked, "How many people are needed? How many Tang soldiers are there in Huaqing Palace to protect him?"

Zhang Zhifu said: "We do not know the specific forces of the Huaqing Palace at present, and we need further exploration. However, the Yulin Army has only more than 10,000 cavalry in total. Princess Taiping went to the palace outside the city to enjoy it and not fight. It is impossible to bring too many people there. After Xue returned from Helong, she went to Huaqing Palace to see Princess Taiping, and she would definitely not lead the troops, otherwise she would be suspected of forcing the palace. In this way, the Huaqing Palace has a maximum of one or two thousand cavalry as a regular defense. After all, there is no threat inside the pass. A feasible way for our people to discuss is to send a batch of Tang army uniforms, armor and weapons to Khan, so that your people can pretend to be Tang army troops, and then meet with our officials and generals to secretly seek big events!"

"Haha..." Mochuo patted his cane and laughed, "Then we only need to choose one or two thousand people to go over. I, the Turkic Khanate, control hundreds of thousands of strings. Even if those warriors are killed in battle, it will be no pity."

The people in the tent felt a little strange when they heard this sentence. They suddenly felt Mochu's cruelty, and they treated their lives as if they were just a joke.

Zhang Zhifu asked, "Did Khan agree?"

"Why not?" Mochuo looked at his son and Otler. The father and son looked at each other and laughed as if they were in a sympathetic relationship.

When Zhang Zhifu saw their eyes, he thought for a while and emphasized: "It's important, I hope Khan will take it with caution."

Mochu said: "Let's drink blood wine later according to the rules on the grassland, and then sign and write the name according to the rules of the Tang Dynasty?"

Mochu was very happy. Indeed, this incident was not an extra risk to them, and it was simply an opportunity. Even if this matter was not exposed in the middle, losing a little man was not a big deal for Mochu. It would cause a sudden relationship and tension to break out in a war? That was just right, Mochu could start a war with a legitimate statement and rob property everywhere... Supporting the Tang Dynasty's family, and having the Tang Dynasty's consortium in hand, is a foregone conclusion.

Sure enough, he said with a silent smile: "My Turkic Khanate has always regarded the Li Tang Dynasty as the main story. Although there are occasional wars, we are always ministers of the Tang Dynasty. A few years ago, didn't we still follow the imperial edict of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty to attack the Khitan? We have no choice but to uphold justice!"

Zhang Zhifu naturally did not want to argue with him on such issues, and immediately said: "The Tang Dynasty royal family will definitely not forget it."

...

The Turkic Khan tent hit it off and the talk was very close. Zhang Renyuan, who was "paying and defense" in the area of ​​the Three Surrender City, was also quietly contacting his confidants, and a conspiracy was unfolding quietly. Li Yixun, the king of Size in Lingzhou in Shuofang, acted no differently. He cried bitterly in front of Zhang Renyuan that day, but he did not show his emotions due to this. In people's eyes, he was still a Prince Anle who was far away from the world.

At this time, a small official named Zhou Xian came back from Guanzhong. He was an insignificant person and went to the Chaoli to report the news. Some time ago, the Turks sent envoys to borrow grain from the Tang Dynasty. Zhang Renyuan, with the idea of ​​delay, asked about the Chaoli's opinions on the excuse. He sent a small official from the Qingshui Yamen from Lingzhou to report the news. Now he is back.

But Zhang Renyuan was not in Shuofang Town at this time, so Zhou Xian could not run around without permission, so he had to report the official documents to the government and wait.

It happened that King Size had a banquet and invited many local officials and gentry. Zhou Xian did not expect that he had received the invitation, and he felt quite flattered. How could an official of his level be qualified to be at the banquet of the Prince's Mansion? When he thought that he might have just returned from Chang'an, he had a little nobleness, so the palace invited him.

Sure enough, there were almost no officials of Zhou Xian at the banquet. He knew several superiors in the yamen, but unfortunately, they were not very familiar with him, and some familiar people couldn't even call Zhou Xian's font. Zhou Xian didn't care. He just wanted to enjoy delicious food and wine and watch the singing girls dance.

It was cold outside in the middle of winter and the weather was not very good. The activities of the nobles were nothing more than listening to music and dancing in the house, and there was no more fun.

When everyone was having fun, a slave suddenly ran in anxiously, rushed straight to the top, and said something in Li Yixun's ear. Li Yixun's face suddenly changed. The musicians and singers immediately survived when they saw the scene. The guests also became quieter and looked over, curious about what had happened.

Li Yixun said anxiously, "Then call the doctor over and take a look!" Because the sound in the hall calmed down, everyone heard his words. Everyone heard this, guessing that someone in the house might have suddenly fallen into an acute illness.

The slave said, "The doctors in the mansion have all gone home tonight, so they can only send someone to pick them up immediately."

"There is no doctor in the mansion? Is it too late?" Li Yixun asked anxiously.

The slave was timid and did not dare to make a guarantee. At this time, an official among the guests stood up and said, "Prince, is there anyone in the house sick?"

Zhou Xian also knew the person who spoke, and was the boss in his yamen, so he was quite familiar with him.

Li Yixun said sadly: "The sick is the orphan wet nurse. I have been with each other for more than 20 years, and I have always regarded her as an elder. More than 20 years ago, my father and brother were unfortunate and close to the withered. The orphan wet nurse took care of her all year round..."

The official hurriedly said, "I just saw Judge Zhou among the guests. Can Judge Zhou be there? He knows some medical skills, so why not let him show him the emergency before the doctor arrives."

Zhou Xian stood up immediately when he heard this, and respectfully clasped his fists and said, "The Xiaguan is here, but the Xiaguan only understands medical skills and cannot compare with the imperial doctors in the royal palace. He is only afraid that he can be a little ignorant..."

Li Yixun said, "Oh, what are you doing now? Go and give first aid and ask the slave to call the doctor back immediately!"
Chapter completed!