Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 573 Old Department
In the afternoon, two burly figures walked into the Xuanzheng Hall, looking a little uneasy.

"I am Tian Shengong, your humble servant, and I am honored to meet your Highness!"

Tian Shengong was the first to perform the salute. Tian Shenyu behind him, who had been staring at the furnishings in the hall with curiosity, quickly followed his brother's example and performed the salute.

"No need to be so polite. I guess it's because Li Guangbi's military law is strict that you are so reserved."

Xue Bai, who was sitting behind the desk, smiled and said, "It's been a long time."

The Tian brothers then grinned, and Tian Shengong said, "Your Highness has not changed at all, except that he has become more heroic."

Xue Bai said: "You have gained a lot of weight."

Ten years ago in Chang'an, both of them looked thin, but now they are very different.

Tian Shenyu laughed twice, patted his belly, and said, "Your Highness, I will prepare more oil and water for the war."

Compared to Tian Shenyu's frankness, Tian Shengong seemed much more calm and said, "We brothers have gained a lot of weight."

After chatting for a while, Xue Bai got down to business and asked, "Do you know why you were transferred back to Chang'an?"

"Of course it's because of the battle in Qinlong." Tian Shenyu said, "Qinlong is not as good as Jiannan. Your Highness is afraid that the Tubo army will enter Guanzhong."

Tian Shengong hesitated for a moment, lowered his voice, and said, "Your Highness, are you worried about... the Saint's body?"

After hearing this, Tian Shenyu couldn't help but glance at his brother in surprise, not understanding how he knew so much.

Xue Bai said: "You have been in the army for a long time, how could you know that the Saint's body is not in good condition?"

Tian Shengong said: "I was just thinking about it."

"How did you figure it out?"

"The Saint naturally asked Your Highness to be the regent because of his poor health." Tian Shengong said, "After Your Highness became the regent, the country was peaceful and the people were safe. If the Saint is in trouble, he should ask Your Highness to take over the throne."

"Have you been reading recently?"

"When I have free time in the army, I read the newspaper."

Xue Bai asked a few more questions about his views on the war situation in Tubo and the situation in Guanzhong. Tian Shengong answered them one by one fluently, which made him quite satisfied.

This time, the Tian brothers brought 3,000 Jiannan soldiers, all of whom were veterans of many battles. Xue Bai ordered them to station in Bashang and await orders at any time.

With such a force, he can calmly deal with any kind of coup d'état in Chang'an City.

~~
Bashang.

A hare accidentally came within a hundred steps of the military camp. Suddenly it heard the sound of horse hooves and quickly ran into the woods.

It is timid and panicky, so it runs very fast.

However, someone came on horseback and shot an arrow, which went straight through its eyeball.

"Good archery!"

The officials behind Yuan Zai clapped their hands in admiration. Someone said to Tian Shengong, who shot the arrow, "General, you have extraordinary skills. No wonder you are trusted by His Highness and have risen to prominence."

"I don't deserve it." Tian Shengong said, "I have been traveling around Sichuan and Shu for these years, and have only made some minor contributions."

As he said this, he ordered his soldiers to pick up the hare, intending to roast it himself tonight to entertain Yuan Zai.

Today, Yuan Zai brought some Duzhi officials to supervise the transportation of money, food and supplies to Tian Shengong's troops. After the business was done, everyone sat by the campfire at night to barbecue and drink.

There were naturally cooks in the army to prepare food, but Tian Shengong still slaughtered a wild rabbit himself and roasted it over the fire.

"The war between Qin and Long is getting intense, and military expenditures are running low. Your Highness has banned banquets. Otherwise, I would invite the general to hold a banquet in Chang'an." Yuan Zai looked at the military camp in the dark night and said, "There is not even singing and dancing. I am sorry for the neglect."

"Prince Yuan, you are too kind. I come from a poor family and don't care about such things."

"Then you and I have the same background, so we can be closer in the future."

Yuan Zai's words were a double entendre, actually meaning that they were all from the Eastern Palace, but it didn't matter whether Tian Shengong understood it or not.

He squinted at the tents in the distance and asked, "General, have you brought your family to Chang'an?"

"Yes, they followed me in the marches and battles over the years, and it was rare for them to return to Chang'an." Tian Shengong said, "My brother and I married our wives when we were guards in Chang'an. Your Highness paid for us to marry them."

"There is also this relationship." Yuan Zai just remembered, "You were originally on duty in the Jinwu Guard?"

"He was just a soldier who ran errands. He came to Chang'an to become a novice archer, but he was not chosen."

"Yes, you are an extraordinary martial artist."

Tian Shengong smiled and said, "Although I followed Your Highness early, I didn't catch up with the suppression of the Anshi Rebellion."

"Defeating Tubo is the greatest achievement," Yuan Zai said. "An even greater achievement is just around the corner. In the future, I will become a general of the Jinwu Guards and build a house in Chang'an."

As soon as Tian Shengong heard it, he knew that this meant that the saint was about to pass away, and they would have the opportunity to become meritorious officials.

He was about to ask for advice when Yuan Zai suddenly said, "The meat is cooked."

The rabbit skin on the fire gradually roasted until it was brown.

"Bring the salt shaker."

Tian Shengong ordered his men to get some salt, pinched a handful, and spread it evenly on the rabbit meat, then continued to simmer it over the fire.

When Yuan Zai saw it, he waved to his followers and gave some instructions. After a while, a small porcelain bottle was handed to Tian Shengong.

"General, try this."

"spices?"

Tian Shengong took the porcelain bottle, opened it and smelled it. He was quite delighted and hurriedly sprinkled it carefully on the rabbit meat.

Nowadays, the price of spices is high. For example, Sichuan pepper is more expensive than gold. In addition, the national budget is tight, so it is not common even in the family banquets of high-ranking officials.

Once these spices are applied, the fragrance will immediately fill the air.

Soon, two officials were also attracted over. They were Jia Zhi and Yang Yan, subordinates of Yuan Zai.

"Why is Gongfu so generous today?"

"I was reluctant to give it out at first." Yuan Zai said, "It is only when General Tian returns to the capital that we have to show the utmost sincerity in entertaining him."

Jia Zhi stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "It seems that we are all blessed by General Tian."

They smiled for a few seconds, and Jia Zhi explained to Tian Shengong: "You have been in Sichuan for a long time, so you may not know. After His Highness became regent, he advocated frugality, and set an example in the palace by stopping the tribute of spices."

Yuan Zai nodded and added, "There is a famous dish in the palace called Changmingcai. Eating it regularly can cool the blood, detoxify, remove dampness and relieve stranguria. It was on the menu of Shangshanfang during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. It is eaten cold with sesame oil, aged vinegar, pepper, garlic and ginger. Without these condiments, it tastes bitter and astringent. After His Highness entered the palace, he never ate this dish with any condiments. He was willing to endure hardships until the Tang Dynasty prospered again."

"Your Highness is truly a wise leader!" Yang Yan couldn't help but sigh.

Yuan Zai glanced sideways at Yang Yan. He knew Yang Yan's background. He had wanted to overthrow the Eastern Palace before, but now his attitude had changed quickly. He was a man of temperament.

Several people agreed and said, "Your Highness is truly a wise leader."

Their tone was excited; they had now joined Xue Bai, and as they were all former retainers of the palace, their future prospects were limitless.

Finally, Yuan Zai pointed to the jar in Tian Shengong's hand and said, "This is what I kept privately when I confiscated the temple property. Don't let others know about it. Your Highness's laws are extremely strict."

Tian Shengong was stunned.

"Don't worry." Yuan Zai smiled and said, "If His Highness really knew, he wouldn't blame me for such a small thing. It won't affect the atmosphere."

He seemed to enjoy the feeling of secretly breaking the rules.

After a while, everyone shared the hare.

At night, Tian Shengong sat there alone in a daze. Tian Shenyu walked over and saw that Tian Shengong was still holding the porcelain bottle in his hand and looking at it.

"Brother, what are you thinking about?"

"When I was in Chang'an, I also heard of Yuan Zai's name. He was not a very honest and upright person." Tian Shengong said: "Do you think he really used even a little bit of spices in secret, or is he pretending?"

~~
After Yuan Zai returned to Chang'an from Bashang, he went to the palace to see Xue Bai first.

He always had some little thoughts and deliberately did not change his clothes, making him look diligent in his work and exhausted.

"Your Highness."

"How does the army look like?" Xue Bai asked directly.

The reason why Xue Bai sent Yuan Zai to visit Tian Shengong's army in the name of supervising the transportation of supplies was that he needed to confirm whether this army could really become a sharp enough sword for him.

"Don't worry, Your Highness." Yuan Zai said, "The soldiers are all veterans who have fought many battles, and they are all strong and brave."

Xue Bai asked again: "Have you arranged the rewards for Tian Shengong?"

"Yes." Yuan Zai said, "But I think the reward is a little too little, and I have specially explained it to him. Why not give him a house? I have noticed that he has a small family and is a simple person. Giving him an ordinary house will do, so as not to add more burden to the court."

"Yes, you arrange it."

Yuan Zai was very thoughtful and considerate in his work. He would often take the initiative to make arrangements without Xue Bai's instructions, which made people worry-free.

Xue Bai asked again: "How is the matter I asked you to investigate going?"

"The emperor is not feeling well, and many people in Chang'an are eager to make a move." Yuan Zai said, "But the emperor lives in Taiji Palace, and in recent years, few foreign officials have interacted with him."

"Keep investigating." Xue Bai said, "Someone must be secretly colluding with Tubo."

"Here."

After Yuan Zai left, Xue Bai continued to look through various official documents.

After turning to one of the letters, his eyes narrowed and his expression became serious.

This memorial was submitted by the Chief Censor Cui Youfu, who said that a censor, while investigating grievances, learned from a general in Jiannan that when Tian Shengong followed Li Guangbi to recapture Danggou City which was occupied by Tubo, he looted a nearby village and then slaughtered all the men there to report his achievement. However, the people in that village were all Tang survivors who had been trapped by the Tubo army only two years ago.

Xue Bai originally wanted to call Yuan Zai back and ask him if he knew about this matter.

But you don't need to recruit him to know what Yuan Zai will say.

They will say that it must be the hostile forces targeting Tian Shengong, and their purpose is to cut off one of Your Highness' arms at this critical moment, and you must not pay any attention to it.

Next, Yuan Zai would certainly say that Cui Youfu was instructed by someone and intended to subvert the government, and he should be allowed to arrest Cui Youfu and interrogate him severely.

After much deliberation, Xue Bai did not recruit Yuan Zai or Cui Youfu, but summoned Diao Bing. "Go to the Bashang military camp and investigate something for me."

After hearing the order, Diao Bing hesitated for a while and said, "Your Highness, at this time, it is better for Your Highness to turn a blind eye."

Xue Bai was quite surprised that Diao Bing would say such a thing, and said: "If I remember correctly, you also come from a poor family. If someone slaughtered people in your village, would you turn a blind eye?"

"That is not my intention!" Diao Bing bowed down and said, "I am just worried about Your Highness, so I ask Your Highness to be patient for the time being. Later..."

Xue Bai casually threw the memorial aside and said, "Since the memorial has been submitted, will it be resolved by just enduring it? Why don't you investigate it quickly? Do you have to wait until all the officials force the emperor to abdicate before you are at a loss as to what to do?"

Diao Bing was shocked and realized that he was too shallow in thinking. His Highness meant that if Tian Shengong was wrongly accused, he must find evidence to clear him as soon as possible.

He was a rough man, good at fighting, but he didn't know how to investigate things happening thousands of miles away. After leaving the Daming Palace, he wondered why the prince asked him to investigate. Then he slapped his head and went straight to find Du Wulang.

~~
"Huh? Why are you disturbing my peace again?"

Du Wulang was taking a nap on a recliner. When he heard that Diao Bing was visiting, he took off the script covering his face and asked, "There are so many talented people in Chang'an City. Can't you accomplish anything without me?"

"General Tian used to know Wu Lang. Now that he has been accused of a serious crime, Wu Lang should take action out of consideration for their old friendship."

"Okay, then let's go to Bashang and ask him first."

Although Du Wulang was lazy, he was also easy to use. He stood up and prepared to go to the Bashang military camp with Diao Bing.

After taking only two steps, he stopped and said, "That's not right."

"Goro, what's wrong?"

"You are His Highness's bodyguard, and I am His Highness's best friend. Now that the evidence against Tian Shengong has just been released, if we two are so impatient to go see him, people will say that His Highness wants to protect Tian Shengong."

Diao Bing agreed with this and asked, "What should we do then?"

"Let's dress up. I'll pretend to be a Taoist priest. Since you look so old, you can pretend to be my master."

After a while, the two Taoists left Du's house through the back door, mounted their horses, and headed for the Bashang military camp.

When they arrived at the camp, Du Wulang handed over his business card with a smile, saying that an old friend wanted to see him.

In fact, he didn't have much friendship with Tian Shengong before. They had only met a few times. But when they met again in today's officialdom full of intrigue, they still smiled at each other.

Du Wulang was very straightforward and stated his purpose right away.

"Someone impeached General Tian for slaughtering civilians, burning, killing and looting. This can't be true, right?"

Tian Shengong was stunned and said in surprise: "I have never done this before."

Du Wulang said, "General Tian also knows the current situation. Someone in the court wants to target you. His Highness sent General Diao and me here to let you relax. He trusts you."

"Yes, I feel much more at ease after seeing Wu Lang and General Diao." Tian Shengong said, "I have followed Your Highness since the fifth year of Tianbao, and it has been ten years now. How could I do something that would ruin my future?"

"That's how it is in the court. There are all kinds of weird impeachments." Du Wulang said, "Someone even impeached me for robbing a woman. That's totally false. I never pay attention to it."

"Wu Lang is a gentleman, so there is definitely no such thing."

"I know. Now it means that someone is against you. Let me ask you a few questions so as not to fall into their trap during the confrontation in the hall." Du Wulang glanced at the document copied by Xue Bai and said, "Have you ever followed Marshal Li to attack Danggou City? Hey, the name of this city is strange, Danggou."

"Yes, Marshal Li has strict military laws. I dare not violate the rules under his command."

"There is a village eighteen miles southwest of Danggou City, right?"

"Yes, it's the White Dog Tribe's base, and there are also border residents farming there."

"Was General Tian the first troop to arrive there?"

"Yes, Marshal Li was worried that the Tibetan army would escape, so he ordered Yan Wu to encircle them from the north and me from the south. But when I arrived at the White Dog Tribe, the Tibetans had already killed all the civilians and retreated. I led my troops to pursue them, beheaded more than 300 people, and brought back 139 heads."

Du Wulang asked: "Then why are there no Tibetan army flags and armor?"

Tian Shengong looked angry and said, "Wulang has never fought against the Tubo army. They often claim to have a strong army and use herdsmen to fight. These herdsmen are cavalrymen when they are on horseback. How many of them are wearing armor?! The court officials don't understand, so how can they open their eyes and wrongly accuse people?!"

"Okay, General Tian will respond to them like this then."

Du Wulang calmed Tian Shengong down, looked at the document again, and asked in confusion: "Did the general buy several private houses in Yizhou?"

Tian Shengong said: "Whoever said that I have private houses can tell me where they are. I will not refuse."

Du Wulang then laughed and said, "General, you are upright and honest, so you are not afraid of being criticized by treacherous officials. Of course, buying some houses is not a big deal, I also want to move out."

Tian Shengong waved his hands and said, "It doesn't matter if you slander me in any way you want, but I just came to the capital and encountered such a thing. I am worried that someone wants to harm Your Highness."

The matter involves a fight for the throne, which is a matter of life and death. Everyone is mentally prepared and there is nothing to say.

Du Wulang looked around and asked, "Where is Tian Shenyu? Why haven't I seen him?"

"I fell off my horse yesterday, but luckily I'm not seriously injured and am now recuperating."

~~
Xuanzheng Hall.

Cui Youfu stepped into the hall and bowed to Xue Bai, then sighed after a moment.

Before they even opened their mouths, the two knew that today's matter would be difficult to discuss.

"Your Highness, I am not targeting Tian Shengong, but the Censorate has the duty of supervising all officials. Since we have heard about this matter, we have no choice but to report it..."

Xue Bai asked: "Is there any evidence?"

Cui Youfu was stunned when he heard this question.

Before coming, he had already considered what Xue Bai would do. He would definitely suspect that someone was behind this. Xue Bai's main goal today must be to find out who was behind this first.

Unexpectedly, Xue Bai asked for evidence of Tian Shengong's crime first. At this time, can Tian Shengong really be punished?
After a pause, Cui Youfu said, "There are testimonies that Cui Gan once served under Xianyu Zhongtong, and later followed the expedition to Nanzhao, and was once a general under Tian Shengong. During the Battle of Goucheng, he was in Tian Shengong's army, and saw with his own eyes that the Tian brothers ordered rape, looting, and killing innocent people to claim credit."

"His last name is also Cui. Are you related to him?"

Cui Youfu had no choice but to reply, "Cui Gan and I are both from the Cui family of Boling, and we are both from Anping County. Our ancestors... are indeed from the same clan."

Xue Bai asked again: "Is there any evidence?"

Cui Youfu took out a land deed and said, "Over the years, Tian Shengong has committed more than one crime, including murder, robbery and looting. He has accumulated a lot of wealth. This is the deed for the land and house he bought in Yizhou."

"How did you get it?"

"It was evidence collected by Cui Gan. He originally wanted to present it to Li Guangbi, but when he heard that Tian Shengong had entered the capital, he sent someone to deliver it to the Censorate." Cui Youfu said, "Your Highness immediately promulgated a new policy after becoming regent. Now Tian Shengong is committing crimes in defiance of the law. If Your Highness does not punish him but instead rewards him heavily, I am afraid that people in the world will not accept it."

"If the evidence is conclusive, it would be easier to deal with it." Xue Bai said, "But will Tian Shengong be convinced by your fabricated case?"

Cui Youfu said: "It is my incompetence. Please give me another two months, Your Highness, and I will get to the bottom of this matter!"

Including the time of traveling to Jiannan and back, two months is not a long time.

But if this case gets out and there is no immediate result, and it is allowed to brew for two months, the result will be worse than removing Tian Shengong from office.

Xue Bai then thought about dismissing Cui Youfu first.

Cui Youfu also sensed the ill will in Xue Bai's eyes and said, "The case has been handed over to the Censorate, and I must report it to Your Highness. But apart from Your Highness, I have not told anyone about this matter..."

Before he finished speaking, a palace servant arrived outside the palace and shouted, "Your Highness, the prime ministers want to see you."

Before Xue Bai could respond, more palace servants arrived one after another.

"Your Highness, Jingzhao Yin Yang Wan requests to see you."

"Your Highness, the Revenue Commissioner Yuan Zai requests to see you."

Choi Woo-bo had not told anyone about the case, but apparently word of it had spread.

Perhaps, when the court officials first proposed to let Tian Shengong lead his troops into Chang'an, they had already planned to impeach Tian Shengong.

Xue Bai remembered that this matter was first proposed by Li Xian.

~~
On the Chang'an Ancient Road, Du Wulang got off his horse halfway on his return journey, bought a bowl of tea from a stall near Baqiao, and sat there drinking it slowly.

Although Diao Bing was rich, he was reluctant to ask Du Wulang to buy an extra bowl of tea, thinking that such expense was unnecessary, so he brought his own water bag.

"Wulang, you've been sitting here for a while, what are you thinking about?"

"I was cheated by a little monk last year."

Diao Bing said: "I know about that."

"What? You actually knew that?" Du Wulang felt ashamed, and sighed in annoyance, saying, "People's hearts are hidden, and it's too difficult to see a person's true face. Why can't people be simpler?"

"Wu Lang is not doubting Tian Shengong, is he?" Diao Bing said, "He has been following His Highness for ten years."

"He's different now." Du Wulang said, "When I saw him today, I almost didn't recognize him. He was so thin before, and he didn't have that murderous aura. But he was also cruel before. He also saved my eldest sister's life with His Highness."

"Is there still this?"

Du Wulang thought for a moment and murmured, "At first, Tian Shengong saved my second sister's life by snatching her back from Li Heng's men. Later, he attacked Ji Wen's villa and killed many people..."

Diao Bing was surprised and asked, "He actually has such a great achievement?"

"Yes, and later he followed Your Highness to Nanzhao and went through life and death together." Du Wulang said, "These are all private matters, Your Highness cannot reward him openly. I originally planned to make him the general of the Jinwu Guard after this matter, so why should he ruin his future for a little money?"

At this point, he took out the document and took another look at it. The Dog City incident happened two years ago, when Li Guangbi had just arrived in Jiannan, and Xue Bai should have been ordered to guard Li Ying's tomb.

"Ugh."

Diao Bing heard this long sigh and couldn't help but ask, "Wulang, what do you mean?"

"Let's go back again." Du Wulang said, "It's better to ask more clearly."

"In this situation, does the truth still matter?"

"The more this happens, the more the truth is not revealed, the more passive His Highness will be." Du Wulang said, "He is imprisoned in the palace. If he makes a judgment based on just a few words, it will easily lead to an unjust case like the one we saw back then."

He was talking about the Du Youlin case in the fifth year of Tianbao.

The threat Xue Bai is facing now is far greater than the threat that the Eastern Palace was facing Li Longji at that time. Although this case seems to be aimed at Tian Shengong, it may also be a two-birds-with-one-stone move, and it is also intended to alienate Xue Bai from the court officials.

Du Wulang didn't know what to do. After thinking it over, all he could do was to find out the truth and tell Xue Bai.

In the past, it was Xue Bai who worked hard for the Du family, but now it was his turn to work hard for Xue Bai...

(End of this chapter)