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墨書 Inktalez
Qiang Bang Se was a formidable figure. Before he became the Great Minister, he dared to falsely accuse even the Great Minister to death and deceived the Zanpu of Tuguhun. Now, having torn his relationship with the Pro-War Faction, he attempted to drag the Tang Dynasty into war, seeking to take advantage of the situation to vie for the throne. With his son having met a tragic end, how could he not harden his heart at such a critical moment?
"Qinsuo Luo, as you said, this Xu Envoy from the Tang Dynasty has evaded supervision and has been missing for a day and a night, raising significant suspicion. You are the Minister of Justice; why not hurry and bring him in for questioning?"
With this statement from Qiang Bang Se, Qinsuo Luo naturally understood the underlying message. However, matters still required careful planning. Qinsuo Luo had already prepared his thoughts at the entrance and immediately whispered, "Great Minister, this matter still needs..."
Qinsuo Luo leaned in closer, and after Qiang Bang Se listened attentively, his expression suddenly turned grave but quickly dissipated into a cold smile.
While they plotted their schemes, Xu Zhen arrived at Lu Dongzan's residence with the Zoroastrian Temple Master.
Although he tried to clarify his position, Tuguhun still regarded him as a suspect. Given his status, any witnesses provided would naturally lack credibility. Therefore, he intended to hand over the Temple Master to Lu Dongzan for an official testimony.
After hearing the Temple Master's account, Lu Dongzan felt a chill in his heart. It seemed that the Pro-War Faction led by Qiang Bang Se had already made up their minds to incite internal strife while Qizong Nongsan was in a precarious state!
He was very satisfied with how Xu Zhen was being handled. Although he had previously suffered setbacks at her hands and lost the battle of Songzhou, strategically speaking, Tuguhun was still the winner because they initiated the Battle of Songzhou and not only retreated unscathed but also forced the Tang Dynasty to marry off a princess.
Li Wushuang trusted Lu Dongzan not because of any close relationship but because he was a pro-Tang Great Minister. If news of the Tang Princess's illegitimate child were to surface, it would cause an uproar among court officials and even within the populace. The difficulty of future communications with the Tang Dynasty could be imagined.
In recent years, trade with the Tang Dynasty had brought immense benefits to Tuguhun. The introduction of talent continuously improved domestic production techniques, ensuring ample supply of various goods and daily necessities. The market thrived, and Tuguhun began utilizing Tang farming techniques, allowing more people to settle down and develop agriculture instead of relying on a nomadic lifestyle. The people lived in peace and prosperity, and Lu Dongzan's reputation grew steadily as he became an undisputed chief minister.
All of this was thanks to their amicable relations with the Tang Dynasty, which was one reason for Lu Dongzan's pro-Tang stance. It could be said that it was precisely due to his advocacy for pro-Tang policies that he achieved today's glory; how could he allow anyone to destroy this hard-won success?
Moreover, he was well aware of Qizong Nongsan's health condition. Although there were not many consorts in the palace, there were quite a few lonely beauties who could not even attain the title of consort and had to endure the torment of solitude while watching their youthful years slip away.
His son Gerlqinlin had a childhood sweetheart cousin who was summoned into the palace at just thirteen years old but had yet to receive any favor by eighteen without any title as a consort. Qinlin was an affectionate person and one of the Zanpu Incarnations; seeing his cousin lonely in the palace led him to offer comfort frequently. Over time, they developed an intimate relationship.
Li Wushuang faced much exclusion within the Inner Palace but formed a close bond with Qinlin’s cousin due to her upbringing and admiration for Tang customs. Thus, they became good sisters.
Although Qinlin was strong and showed potential as an extraordinary warrior, he struggled with having offspring. After his cousin became pregnant, Qinlin was overjoyed; however, she remained deep within the palace walls. Even Lu Dongzan did not dare ask Qizong Nongsan for her return.
Just when things seemed difficult, Li Wushuang devised a plan and took action to ensure that this child was protected and secretly sent out of the palace.
Thanks to Li Wushuang's life-risking assistance this time, Lu Dongzan managed to cover up Li Wushuang's illegitimate child affair. Although Li Wushuang did not speak about it and Xu Zhen did not acknowledge it either, based on Xu Zhen's attitude towards this infant, Lu Dongzan was already certain that this illegitimate child's father must be Xu Zhen!
Since they both held each other’s secrets, how could they not be honest with one another? Thus, they became allies with perfect understanding.
As they discussed how to use the Zoroastrian Temple Master to clear their suspicions and expose Qiang Bang Se’s conspiracies along with other Pro-War Faction members, outside their residence there were shouts and neighing horses as a group of well-armored officials burst through the gates led by none other than Qinsuo Luo!
Ludongzan and Xu Zhen stepped out of the room and saw Qinsuo Luo charging aggressively, daring to attack the Great Discussion House. Although Ludongzan had a good temper, his residence had never been breached before, and he immediately became furious, pointing at Qinsuo Luo and shouting.
"Qinsuo Luo, you have some nerve! You dare to intrude upon the residence of this Great Minister! Do you really think I, Galdongzan, have no temper?" Having held the position of Great Minister for a long time, Ludongzan's authority was significant. With a single reprimand, the officials and soldiers around lowered their heads and retreated, but Qinsuo Luo stood tall and confronted him with righteous indignation.
"Great Minister, the Tang envoy Xu Zhen is suspected of being involved in the murder and arson case that resulted in thirteen witnesses being killed. She was caught by Zanpu Incarnation Anqiao in the act and even Anqiao was murdered as well. I have come today to apprehend her. Are you suggesting that the Great Minister intends to harbor and protect a criminal?"
Qinsuo Luo spoke with conviction, neither humble nor arrogant, embodying the image of a righteous official under Azure Sky. He confronted the current Great Minister without flinching, truly deserving of the nickname "Smiling Tiger."
"What?!!!" Ludongzan was taken aback and turned to see Xu Zhen equally astonished. He knew that Xu Zhen had been searching for Zoroastrian Temple Master last night, and people from Xiao Zhao Temple could attest to it. However, Xu Zhen had managed to escape Qinsuo Luo's surveillance. Moreover, Qiang Bang Se was ruthless; having lost his only son, he would stop at nothing and could do anything in his frenzy.
Furthermore, Anqiao was Zanpu Incarnation, who had significant influence among the people. Regardless of whether Xu Zhen was innocent or not, any suspicion would lead to public outrage. With rumors being spread by the war hawks inciting trouble, Xu Zhen's reputation as a Tang envoy would be tarnished.
If Qinsuo Luo were to take Xu Zhen away, it would mean confirming her status as a suspect. The previous arson case had yet to be cleared, and now it involved murder and silencing witnesses related to Zanpu Incarnation. This series of accusations would be impossible to wash away; even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't cleanse her name!
"Absurd! Envoy Xu is already wrongfully implicated in the arson case. As an envoy of the Tang Empire, General Xu has no motive or intention to commit such acts. No matter how you try to frame him, I firmly believe that he is innocent. The envoy has my protection; do you really intend to detain me as well?"
Ludongzan was quick-witted and understood that Qinsuo Luo's aggressive stance must have some backing. Perhaps he had already set up a trap. Given Ludongzan's investigation results regarding who actually killed those witnesses, he even had his own suspicions. Thus, he emphasized Xu Zhen's status as an envoy and her lack of motive for committing crimes while not giving Qinsuo Luo any chance to speak.
Qinsuo Luo felt extremely frustrated; he had expected Ludongzan to reprimand him for lacking evidence before presenting his prepared witnesses.
These witnesses were individuals who had stirred up trouble among the crowd on that day and were currently being watched without knowing how to handle them. However, Qiang Bang Se followed Qinsuo Luo's plan and killed them all except for one who had been stabbed twice, left alive as a witness to falsely accuse Xu Zhen of murder.
This survivor was grateful for being spared; having received hints from Qiang Bang Se, he would surely testify that Xu Zhen was the murderer. Even those from Xiao Zhao Temple were completely dealt with; they were just waiting to capture Xu Zhen so she could die in prison—fabricating evidence that she intended to communicate with Ludongzan about supporting him in usurping Zanpu’s position and turning Tuguhun into a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty.
This entire scheme was meticulously crafted; however, despite reasoning with him emotionally and morally, Ludongzan remained cunning like a fox. He avoided mentioning evidence altogether while emphasizing Xu Zhen's status as an envoy and her lack of motive for committing crimes. He firmly defended Xu Zhen with his authority as Great Minister, effectively disrupting Qinsuo Luo's and Qiang Bang Se's conspiracy!
At this moment, involving the murder of Zanpu Incarnation meant anyone associated with it would be tainted. They hadn't anticipated that this old fox Ludongzan would be willing to risk his own reputation for Xu Zhen.
Initially, Tuguhun did not have established laws but gradually developed them over time; they were still not very complete today. Ludongzan as Great Minister wanted to resist firmly against this situation; Qinsuo Luo found himself helpless—did he really intend to detain Ludongzan as well?
Even if they were willing to take Ludongzan back with them, did they really plan on killing him too?
This audacious thought startled Qinsuo Luo himself; he raised an eyebrow as his gaze towards Ludongzan turned extremely cold.
Ludongzan’s perception was sharp; he immediately sensed the hostility in Qinsuo Luo’s eyes. He felt compelled to stand up for Xu Zhen —not only because they were steadfast allies but also because if Xu Zhen were captured, it would escalate into a major incident. If she died here or faced false charges, how could they withstand the wrath of the Tang Dynasty?
Although Xu Zhen had lost power in Tang Dynasty politics, she still held titles such as General of the Guard and Grand Minister. Regardless of her status in their eyes, could Emperor of the Tang Dynasty really overlook his own dignity?
The Tang Dynasty prided itself on being the Heavenly Kingdom, conquering lands far and wide, incorporating all territories into its domain. Wherever their iron hooves tread, they left no stone unturned. Although a new ruler had just ascended to the throne, with loyal ministers like Changsun Wuji in place, the situation within the Tang Dynasty was gradually stabilizing.
Moreover, the transfer of military power was unusually smooth. After three requests for resignation, it was said that Li Jue had gained the trust of Li Zhi and would soon return to wield significant military authority.
Regardless of whether the Tang Dynasty would take military action against Tuguhun, it was enough for Tuguhun to face severe consequences under the Tang's wrath. The Tang ordered many small and large nations surrounding Tuguhun to sever trade relations, which would undoubtedly be a heavy blow for Tuguhun.
Currently, Tuguhun sought to open up and embrace the outside world while increasingly valuing agriculture. The Tang Dynasty and India were undoubtedly their best options for guidance. With agriculture still underdeveloped and pastoralism declining, if the Tang cut off exchanges, it would be a tremendous loss for Tuguhun during this transitional period.
Furthermore, if the war hawks took advantage of this situation to incite trouble and provoke internal strife, Tuguhun would be plunged into a quagmire of internal and external crises. The stability and peace that Luo Dongzan had painstakingly established would be destroyed.
While these future developments might not arrive quickly, they were inevitable. Everything hinged on Xu Zhen; no matter how much he cherished his reputation, he could not afford not to support her.
However, just as Qinsuo Luo underestimated Luo Dongzan, Luo Dongzan also underestimated this smiling tiger. Qinsuo Luo gritted his teeth and made a firm resolution before shouting in a low voice.
"The Tang envoy Xu Zhen has committed arson and violence; the evidence is irrefutable. Luo Dongzan has harbored and protected criminals; seize them all!"
With a wave of his hand, many officials hesitated momentarily, but among them were members of Qiang Bang Se. Their eyes glinted with intensity as they swiftly surrounded the area!
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