Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 592: Challenging the Imperial Court
The first year of Zhengxing was about to pass, but Du Wulang still stayed in Lingwu.

He had previously secretly handed a secret letter to Xue Bai, telling him of his suspicions and planning to find more clues.

On New Year's Eve, he was given a name "Cao Lingzhong", so he wrote a few more letters, handed them to several followers, and gave them some instructions.

"It seems that Pugu Huai'en's detention of the messenger is true. I will go to confirm whether Cao Lingzhong is dead or alive. You will send these messages back to Chang'an. Also, if I don't come back tonight, you must tell Guo Ziyi that Lingwu City is very dangerous and he should not come alone."

"Wulang, why did you have to do this?" Quanfu advised with a sad face: "This is not like you."

"Alas, I don't want to either." Du Wulang scratched his head and said, "But what can I do? My friend who is like a brother has become the emperor. Now that I am in this position, I have to share his worries."

"But what Goro is going to do doesn't seem like something a big shot would do."

"Otherwise, what else can I do? Stop talking nonsense and go quickly." Du Wulang said, "I'm just going to meet someone. It's not dangerous."

He was indeed just going to see one person, a personal soldier of Pugu Yan.

Prior to this, Du Wulang had asked someone to promise this personal soldier that as long as he confessed the truth, his future would be guaranteed and he would have wealth and honor. However, he was not reassured and had to get Du Wulang's promise in person before he dared to speak.

They agreed to meet at a brothel in the east of Lingwu City.

This area is called Dongqu. Du Wulang arrived stealthily, wearing a felt hat. He found a small courtyard along the alley and knocked on the door.

The person who opened the door was a pretty girl with a beautiful face, but her eyes and eyebrows were a bit worldly and she looked a little tired. Du Wulang didn't like her. He only liked the pure and innocent type since he was a child.

"Who are you looking for, sir?"

"Is Liu Dazhi here?"

"Hey, sir, why are you looking for a rough man instead of me or any other young lady?"

Du Wulang then squeezed in through the door and said, "Since the young lady knows that he is a rough and rude man, he must have come."

"My dear, you are so smart." The woman praised with a smile, saying that he knew how to please others.

"Take me there quickly." Du Wulang was impatient.

"Come with me."

The woman walked in front, amidst the flowers and willows, and Du Wulang followed hurriedly behind her. After a while, they arrived in front of an elegant house.

"The person is in here." The woman pushed open the door.

Du Wulang strode in, and then just stood there.

There was indeed one rude and large man in the room, but there was more than one, the room was full of large men.

"Du Tran."

A man called Du Wulang's name and stood up. It was Pugu Yan.

"You said you wanted to go back to Beijing, but you stayed in Lingwu. What do you want to do?"

Du Wulang was stunned for a moment, then an idea struck him, and he said, "Once I return to Chang'an, I will no longer be free and will not be able to go out and have fun. So I will stay in Lingwu secretly and have fun for a while, haha, for a few more days."

Pu Guyan's face darkened and he said coldly, "Do you think I'm a fool? Capture him!"

He was a general who had experienced many battles. Once he became angry and murderous, Du Wulang was just like a little rabbit in front of him. He could not run away and could only tremble in fear.

"General...what are you doing? I am the emperor's best friend, and I am here to ask for an official position for you. If you kill me, it would be considered a rebellion..."

"Am I scared?!"

Pugu Yan slammed the table and shouted angrily, "Take him away!"

Soon, the people in the room retreated in a rush.

"Da Lang." The woman just now sat down next to Pu Gu Yan and said softly, "That idiot just said he was the 'Emperor's close friend'. Will it be okay if we capture him?"

"Humph, what are you afraid of?" Pugu Yan said, "The worst that can happen is that we will openly challenge the imperial court and serve as more hostages. We just want an official position and see if the foreign emperor who just ascended the throne dares to refuse."

"Da Lang is so majestic."

"Pour the wine."

Not long after drinking, someone came over and whispered in Pugu Yan's ear: "General, Ma Chongying has sent someone again..."

~~
The second year of Zhengxing was the Year of the Rat.

During the Lantern Festival, the streets and alleys of Chang'an city are bright with lanterns, as dazzling as the stars.

Xue Bai now has a new habit. He often stands alone on a high place in the Daming Palace and overlooks the city of Chang'an.

This would make people feel like they are the only one who is superior to others. Presumably, emperors of all dynasties since the completion of the Daming Palace had had this hobby. However, Xue Bai felt that this was not much different from working in a high-rise building until late at night and then looking at the dim lights of the city.

There is a sense of accomplishment, but also dissatisfaction.

After standing for a while, he set off for Hua'e Xianghui Tower to hold a banquet. This was what Li Longji liked to do in the past. Xue Bai didn't like it, but now he has let it go. It's not that he has to deny everything about Li Longji. Since the conditions are right, the people are looking forward to celebrating the Lantern Festival, and it would be bad to always spoil the fun.

There was no Lantern Festival last year. This year is the first Lantern Festival held after Xue Bai ascended the throne. The process is similar to that during the Tianbao period, but the specifications and expenses have been reduced and some new ideas have been added. For example, stages have been set up in various districts in Chang'an City, and performances such as opera, crosstalk, and acrobatics have been staged, in a real pursuit of sharing happiness with the people.

"The saint has arrived!"

"Your Highness, I have seen you. May you be well and healthy during the Spring Festival."

Amid the cheers of the officials, Xue Bai climbed up to the Hua'e Tower.

He revisited the old place, this time as a king. After sitting down, he glanced at the officials and felt that everyone was very reserved.

"No need to be so polite, everyone. Let's drink a cup together."

Xue Bai took a sip from the wine glass, then looked again and saw that the ministers were still drinking in a serious manner and the atmosphere was very awkward.

In the past, Li Longji could liven up the atmosphere with just a few words and a hearty laugh, but Xue Bai had seen too many interesting things and really had no interest in playing with these ancient people.

“Let’s start the show.”

The performance was actually quite good to watch. There was one dance that was secretly choreographed by Yang Yuhuan. The dancers wore green cross-collared long-sleeved shirts, white long skirts with blue flowers, and white silk stockings as they stepped on big drums and danced gracefully to a brisk rhythm.

Although they were both watching singing and dancing, the feelings of ordinary officials and the emperor were very different. Xue Bai sat there, and between each dancer's graceful movements, her eyes were full of attentiveness and looked at him, hoping to gain his favor.

It’s like being in a spring garden, opening the window, and the chirping spring orioles on the branches are flying in front of you.

After singing and dancing, it was time to recite poems and compose essays. Xue Bai didn't want to compose poems, as he had talented people like Li Bai and Wang Wei to keep the show in check.

The poetry world of the Tang Dynasty has never lacked new talents. This year there was a Jinshi named Sikong Shu, whose poetry was famous throughout Chang'an and was recommended by all officials to write poetry.

Unfortunately, Sikong Shu was a little nervous, and composed a piece of flattery that was nothing original, "The music of the strings sings of Shun's virtue, and praises of the auspiciousness fill the capital" and so on.

Xue Bai clapped his hands nonchalantly and said, "This poem by Sikong Qing reminds me of a poem."

Sikong Shu had just entered the officialdom and seemed a little dull. He quickly crossed his hands and saluted meticulously, saying, "I respectfully listen to the Holy Instructions."

Seeing that the emperor was finally interested, the ministers all pretended to listen attentively.

Seeing how serious they all were, Xue Bai said, "Don't be so nervous."

After that, he recited the poem.

"After fishing, I return without tying up my boat. It's a good time to sleep in the riverside village when the moon sets. Even if the wind blows it away overnight, it will only be by the shallow water with reeds."

All the officials, including Sikong Shu, were stunned when they heard this.

They couldn't help but wonder, this poem is of course an excellent one, but what does it have to do with the Lantern Festival? The emperor suddenly composed such a poem at the Lantern Festival banquet, which must have a deep meaning. What does it mean?
Some people looked at important officials such as Yan Zhenqing, Du Youlin, and Yuan Zai, hoping to learn something from their expressions, but they all looked at the emperor with their eyes on their noses and their noses on their hearts, with no ripples on their faces. It was obvious that they had guessed the emperor's mind.

Xue Bai saw this scene and smiled contentedly.

There was no profound meaning in it. He just thought of this poem when he saw Sikong Shu.

Now, he no longer cares whether to copy or not. As long as the poetry world is prosperous, it will naturally stimulate Sikong Shu to write better poems. Since ancient times, the rise and fall of culture has often been a flourishing or a silence.

He wanted to create an era of splendid poetry and literature. He was no longer limited to one or two poems. His focus was on the education and cultural communication of the entire Tang Dynasty.

As for whether it is appropriate or not, or how others view it, that is even less worth worrying about.

He is an emperor and has the realm of an emperor.

"Light the lamp."

"Holy oracle, light the lamp!"

The Hua'e Xianghui Tower gradually became brighter, and cheers from the crowd could be heard not far away. After all, this tower was built at the westernmost end of Xingqing Palace, only separated by a wall from the streets of Chang'an.

Xue Bai stood up and walked to the railing to watch the lights.

This was just a show, he didn't think there was anything interesting, so he waved his hand and asked Du Youlin to come forward and started chatting with him.

Xue Bai had noticed long ago that at this imperial banquet, Du Youlin's face always had a hint of worry.

"Is Goro back?"

"Not yet." Du Youlin said, "According to the time, he should be back before the Lantern Festival."

The emperor was talking to the prime minister, and no one dared to step forward. Xue Bai took this opportunity to leave the imperial banquet and talked with Du Youlin as they walked.

"Don't worry. Since I sent Wulang to Lingwu, I think Lingwu is likely to be safe."

"It doesn't matter even if it's not safe. It's time for that unfilial son to get some experience." Du Youlin said.

Xue Bai said: "Pugu Huai'en does not want to rebel, otherwise he would have raised an army long ago. He had many better opportunities before I ascended the throne."

This is a basic judgment. What Pugu Huai'en wanted was for his son to inherit his position as Jiedushi, so he should wait for the court's consent. The longer the time, the higher the prestige of them father and son in the Shuofang Army.

Based on this judgment, Xue Bai did not arrange any means to deal with Pugu Huai'en. All the mobilization of troops and food supplies were a sleight of hand. In fact, they were all aimed at a surprise attack on Tubo. Only Du Wulang and Guo Ziyi were sent to Lingwu, both to appease them.

Now everything is ready, and the court is only waiting for the results of the battle to retake Liangzhou.

It’s time for Du Wulang to come back.

"I also don't think Pugu Huai'en dared to detain him. Maybe the weather was bad on the way, or maybe this unfilial son was too playful and ran away to another place..."

As Du Youlin was speaking, he saw the steward Quan Rui looking downstairs, as if he had something to report.

Xue Bai also noticed Quan Rui and asked someone to call him over.

"May the Holy Saint be well on the Lantern Festival. Wulang has a letter from home that arrived in the evening. Everyone in the mansion is in a hurry to celebrate the Lantern Festival, but it is only opened now, and it is to be presented to the Holy Saint."

“Who handed it back?”

"It was delivered by a private post office."

When Du Wulang wrote back, he did not use the official post but the post office, which meant that he did not want to attract the attention of Pugu Huai'en. It was obvious that he had something secret to report.

Xue Bai took the letter and read it. He saw that Du Wulang said in the letter that Pugu Huai'en seemed to have detained the envoy returning from Anxi Beiting, so he stayed to investigate.

"how come?"

Xue Bai felt a little surprised and thought that Pugu Huai'en didn't need to be so anxious.

Now, Pugu Huai'en holds the military power, and the court has no time to move him, so it is time for him to slowly consolidate his position. However, detaining the envoy of Anxi Beiting is a major matter that violates Xue Bai's bottom line, and it is not worth it to do so.

Unless there was something that Pugu Huai'en was afraid to delay. What was it?

"I will think about it alone, you guys go down first."

Xue Baiping dismissed his attendants and stood at the railing high up in Hua'e Tower, wondering what unexpected circumstances might have made Pugu Huai'en desperate.

The wind made the wind chimes on the eaves tinkle, and suddenly a burst of cheers came from outside the palace wall.

That's someone performing the Hundred-foot Crow dance.

The so-called 100-foot-tall puppet show was a show in which different scenes were set up on top of tall wooden poles, and artists controlled puppet performances on the poles from below. In this way, the rich and powerful could watch the performances outside the palace walls from a high place and enjoy themselves with the people.

Tonight, the hundred-foot tower erected outside the Xingqing Palace is very large, with perhaps hundreds of poles, and pavilions and towers arranged on the top.

What’s even more peculiar is that this time, there are two real people performing on the top of the pole, who are short in stature and extremely flexible.

Regardless of whether it was dangerous or not, Xue Bai stood in the dark and watched the two actors. He felt that their eyes were vaguely spying on Xingqing Palace.

But if someone wanted to harm him, to have such ambition, he should at least be a powerful person. Why would he need to spy on what Xingqing Palace looks like now?

Xue Bai also suspected that he was being too suspicious, so he called a confidant and ordered him, "Go check who arranged this Baichizhuang performance?"

The lights were as bright as day overnight, and Chang'an seemed to have returned to its heyday.

~~
After the Lantern Festival, Du Youlin thought about it and requested an audience with the emperor.

He didn't come for Du Wulang's safety.

"Your Majesty, I can't sleep at night, worrying that the unfilial son has caused a big hole."

"What do you mean by that?"

Du Youlin said: "If the detention of the envoys from Anxi and Beiting is true, then Pugu Huai'en has committed a serious crime, which the court will definitely not tolerate."

"good."

"But right now, the court is preparing to go to war with Tubo and retake Liangzhou." Du Youlin said, "Your Majesty is not prepared to quell Pugu Huai'en's rebellion. If he conceals his crime, it will be fine. But if Du Zhuo is too clever and alerts the enemy, he will force Pugu Huai'en to rebel, which may delay important matters."

Xue Bai asked: "In your opinion, what should we do?"

Du Youlin said: "In order to prevent Pugu Huai'en from joining forces with Tubo and Huihe, I think Your Majesty can pretend to agree to appoint Pugu Yan as the successor, or temporarily postpone the plan of attacking, so as to resolve the disaster in Shuofang."

"Confused."

Even though Du Youlin had always been like an elder, Xue Bai scolded him without hesitation.

Because what Du Youlin said was so confusing from beginning to end.

"First, Pugu Huai'en dared to detain the messenger from Anxi Beiting. You knew it was a serious crime, but you still took a conciliatory attitude, saying that you were afraid of 'alerting the snake'. In fact, you were afraid of forcing him to rebel. Why were you afraid?"

"I...I am afraid that the court..."

"You have no confidence in the court." Xue Bai said: "But I tell you, since I have talked with Pugu Huai'en, I am ready. If he dares to rebel, I will fight him and will never tolerate it!"

"I know I was wrong."

"When the messenger is detained, if there is any clue, we should investigate thoroughly. There is no such thing as 'forcing rebellion'. You always say that Du Ting is unfilial, but he is not as timid as you are, walking on thin ice."

Du Youlin wanted to admit his mistake, and just as he bent down, Xue Bai shouted at him again.

"Stand up straight! As the prime minister, you represent the imperial court. How can you still be afraid of him?"

"Yes, I understand." Du Youlin straightened his chest and said, "If Pugu Huai'en dares to commit a serious crime, the court will punish him severely. If he dares to rebel, the court will suppress him!"

"The second mistake you made was to let me appoint Pu Gu Yan as the commander of the Shuofang Army."

It's a pity that Du Youlin is already old, but when he stands in front of Xue Bai, he is like a boy being trained by a teacher, and he has to hold his chest high.

"Only the title and the position cannot be lent to others." Xue Bai said, "If Pugu Huai'en is rude and the court tolerates it, you know it is just a fake appointment, how will the officials and people see it? How will the Jiedushi who are about to be dismissed by me see it? Do you want to set an example for them?!"

"I am confused."

"You are confused. You made three mistakes in just three sentences." Xue Bai said, "Your third mistake is to let me postpone the plan of attacking. Anxi and Beiting have sent envoys back to Chang'an, which means they are loyal to the Tang Dynasty. The more so, the more the Tang Dynasty cannot let them down. Now that the troops and food have been mobilized, the arrows are on the string and must be shot. Even if there are wolves in front and tigers behind, we should be decisive. How can we be indecisive?"

Ever since he rescued Xue Bai from the snow in the fifth year of Tianbao, Du Youlin had never been scolded like this. He was confused about what Xue Bai meant and wondered whether he thought Xue Bai was too stupid and wanted him to resign.

"I have failed your Majesty's trust. I am truly unworthy..."

"Do you know why I am telling you this?" Xue Bai asked in a slowed-down tone.

Du Youlin said, "I don't know."

"Because at least 90% of the civil and military officials in the court have the same idea as you."

After hearing this, Du Youlin finally felt that he was not that stupid. After thinking about it, it was true that his view was actually a normal reaction, and he put the stability of the country as the first priority.

On the contrary, although the emperor is very imposing, after all, there is no perfect way to ensure that the country will remain in order.

If the imperial court was really that powerful, once it forced Puguo Huai'en to rebel, it would be a heavy blow to the prestige of the emperor who had just ascended the throne.

"I am stupid." Du Youlin said, "I wonder if Your Majesty has a foolproof plan?"

"Is there anything in the world that is perfect?"

"This……"

"I want you to show courage." Xue Bai said, "I said that if Pugu Huai'en wanted to rebel, he had many better opportunities before. He hesitated and retreated. Now, Guo Ziyi alone is enough."

"What if?" Du Youlin asked, "Your Majesty, aren't you gambling?"

"I am not gambling, but the court must show confidence and dominance, and must not show weakness to these Jiedushi. They are all tigers and wolves. As long as the court shows a little weakness in "considering the overall situation", they will press forward step by step. We must subdue them from the beginning."

"I understand."

"Regarding this matter, you must support me in the court and stand firmly on my side."

"The minister obeys the order."

Xue Bai looked at Du Youlin deeply and felt that he didn't understand that this was not an easy thing to do.

Sure enough, after a few days, a piece of news spread in Chang'an City.

The rumors spread in the streets and alleys that Pugu Huai'en had killed Du Wulang and started a rebellion.

~~
"Why did Pugu Huai'en rebel when he had a stomachache?"

"It was Du Tuo Du Wulang, a close friend of the saint. He went to Lingwu to comfort the people, but was killed by Pugu Huai'en as a sacrifice. Now Pugu Huai'en has joined forces with the Huihe and Tubo to rebel."

"I thought so. Around the New Year, troops and food supplies were transferred to the west. The court had long been preparing to suppress Pugu Huai'en."

"..."

Such discussions were heard everywhere in the streets and alleys, and Du Youlin, who was passing by on horseback, was extremely confused when he heard them.

When they arrived in front of the Daming Palace, Yuan Zai had just arrived and the two of them chatted for a few words.

"Mr. Du, please be at ease. Don't believe the rumors in the market. Your son should be fine."

Du Youlin knew that Yuan Zai was smart, so he asked, "If my son was alive, why didn't Pu Gu Huai En submit a petition to defend himself?"

"Don't be impatient." Yuan Zai said, "Pugu Huai'en wants to inherit the throne, so he should compete with the court secretly instead of tearing it apart. It is obvious that the news was released by others, and even Pugu Huai'en has not reacted yet. It will take some time for him to write a letter to defend himself after he knows the rumors in the capital."

"Why do you make such a statement?"

"For the news to spread so quickly, there must be someone fanning the flames. No one else can benefit from it. It can only be a spy sent to Chang'an by Tubo and Huihe. This is to alienate the emperor and his ministers of the Tang Dynasty."

"But how did Tubo and Huihe know about it so quickly?"

"That must be because he had very frequent contact with Pugu Huai'en." Yuan Zai said.

After hearing this, Du Youlin became even more worried and asked, "Then, is it true that Pugu Huai'en is likely to rebel?"

"of course."

Yuan Zai looked around, beckoned Du Youlin to lean over, and whispered, "I think it's too hasty to suppress Pu Gu Huai En. It's even more inappropriate to do it at the same time as recovering Liangzhou."

Du Youlin asked, "Yidijian invaded the border last year, how can you just leave Pugu Huai'en alone?"

"Then we should focus on appeasement. If you want a position as successor, then you can grant it. We have many ways to get rid of Pugu Yan."

Yuan Zai obviously knew that Du Youlin had been in charge of this matter all along, and he was now deliberately putting pressure on him and taking the opportunity to control him.

Fortunately, Xue Bai had already discussed this with Du Youlin beforehand, so he was not completely unable to handle it.

Du Youlin then said, "The key to this matter is whether Guo Ziyi has entered Lingwu City?"

"Mr. Guo is old. Going alone will not help. I just hope he is well."

Yuan Zai shook his head, said no more, and asked Du Youlin to walk in front.

Du Youlin knew that the court officials would certainly have a similar attitude in the future, and he sighed deeply.

really.

The officials who were meeting today arrived at the side hall. First, some of them expressed their condolences to Du Youlin, and then someone started to criticize him.

"Mr. Du, your son may be a little too reckless. Why did he anger Pugu Huai'en?"

"That's right. Now Du Zhuo has forced Pu Gu Huai'en to rebel. Not only has he died, but he has also brought disaster to the court!"

After hearing this, Du Youlin couldn't help but get angry.

He then asked in the same tone as Xue Bai that day: "Every word you say is in fear of Pugu Huai'en. Where do you put the dignity of the court? Should the court tolerate and indulge these domineering generals?!"

"Where will the money and food come from if we keep fighting every year? Will Lord Du be able to change?"

"Yeah yeah."

When it comes to the money and food needed for war, all officials get a headache and sigh.

Instead, more people blamed Du Youlin's son forcing Pugu Huai'en to rebel and leaving the mess for them to clean up.

This scene made Du Youlin so angry that he stomped his feet.

"The saint has arrived!"

Finally, Xue Bai arrived at the hall, and the officials fell silent.

Xue Bai walked slowly to the dragon throne, and without sitting down, he stood there and looked at them.

It was because he usually had this cold attitude that the atmosphere at his Lantern Festival banquet was not warm.

"Do you know what I'm looking at?"

Xue Bai didn't wait for them to start making a fuss and took the initiative.

"I am trying to see if there are any stubborn people among you..."

(End of this chapter)