Chapter 277 Death

Zhang Huli was not reassured by Luo Yi's words, but just said: "Do you know why I didn't compete with you for the position of An Dong Du Hu?
It is because people's hearts are fickle that I am afraid that if I hold great power here and my desire for power blinds me, I will eventually make a big mistake and bring disaster to my entire family.

Rather than doing this, it is better to return to the capital to serve His Majesty. It is better for people to have some restraint."

Luo Yi was silent for a moment: "I've made note of it and will always be on guard against it.

As for Your Majesty, please help me speak well of him. I have no second thoughts about Your Majesty either."

"That's what I said, Zi Yan. You asked me to escort ten ships of treasures back to the capital, but how much did you keep for yourself?"

Luo Yi wanted to explain, but Zhang Huli waved his hand and said, "Look, you are already blinded by greed. You have annihilated all the princes and dukes of the Three Kingdoms in this battle. Only you know how much gold, silver and jewels you have obtained.

But even if I guess the least, what you left for yourself is definitely several times more than what you presented to Your Majesty. Do you think Your Majesty would be pleased or angry to receive these ten ships of treasures?

That’s all I have to say. I will leave for Beijing tomorrow. You should take care of yourself in Liaodong.”

Zhang Huli stood up and was about to leave. Luo Yi asked, "Brother, is this what you meant, or did Duke Wei ask you to hit me on purpose?"

Zhang Huli turned around and frowned, "Does it matter? Whether it's my idea or Duke Wei's, isn't it for your own good?

Don't listen to the surrendered generals' words of loyalty. If His Majesty issues an order, you will lose your foothold. Without the elite troops we brought from Liaodong City, those surrendered generals will tear you to pieces alive."

On the other side of the Protectorate, Deputy Protector General Yiji Wende was standing respectfully in front of Wei Zheng. As the prime minister who led his troops to surrender before the fall of Goguryeo, his status in the Andong Protectorate was not low.

"Lord Wei, this is the approximate number I wrote down."

Wei Zheng took it and looked at it. It recorded in detail how many cartloads of gold and silver Luo Yi, the Protector-General of Andong, collected on a certain day of a certain month, and at what time he arranged several ships to secretly return to the Central Plains.

Wei Zheng didn't look at it much, but just ordered him to deliver it to Zhang Gongjin.

...............

In Luoyang, Japan sent an envoy to apologize. The main envoy was Inugami Mitasaki, and he wanted to smash his head as soon as he arrived.

It was a pity that this skill could not be performed in front of the emperor, because the emperor did not plan to receive him at all. He just let the Honglu Temple send him away casually.

He did not care about the tribute of just one country, nor did he care about the arrogant small country, but he was absolutely happy to cut off Japan's opportunity to reform and prosper.

The Japanese envoys came not only to apologize, but also brought many noble children and monks, saying that they hoped to study in the Tang Dynasty.

It can be seen how urgently Japan needs the Central Plains culture to support its internal reform and centralization, and more importantly, to maintain internal stability through the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The power of the Soga family has reached the point where they can depose and enthronize the ruler of the country, which is naturally the biggest obstacle to the centralization of power by the monarch.

After asking Jin Zhenping, he ordered people to find the merchants who had done business in Japan. After careful investigation, he came to a conclusion with his confidants.

If the Tang Dynasty does not intervene, then within a few years, a massive power struggle will surely break out within Japan. Of course, what is more likely is that Japan will transfer its internal conflicts into external conflicts and go to war with the Tang Dynasty.

It is not only for the so-called dignity, but also not for the Japanese people. The main reason is that they do not want to suffer a loss internally.

If the main force in a war with the Tang Dynasty successfully wins, even if it is only a small victory, then it can use its huge prestige to completely resolve all problems in the country.

Then we can find a way to calm the anger of the Tang Dynasty. After all, there is a sea between them, so the war cannot become a big deal.

If they fail to win, the war faction will become the victim of the struggle to appease the anger of the Tang Dynasty, and they can also legitimately return to the Tang Dynasty, temporarily endure and absorb various experiences, technologies and cultures.

"I think we should still be on guard against Liaodong. Japan has obtained many nobles from Silla and Baekje, and should be looking forward to taking this place back. Only in Liaodong can they have a chance to gain a permanent foothold."

The emperor did not comment but issued an order: "Order the coastal areas to continue to build warships, and the Ministry of War to prepare to build a new navy." "Yes."

"Any progress on the artillery?"

Yuwen Rutong, the Minister of Works, responded: "There has been great progress, but the craftsmen were careless and dozens of people were injured or disabled."

The emperor's expression did not change: "According to the rules, the pension shall not be deducted. Continue to study it carefully."

"promise."

Just as the emperor was discussing with his confidants, Li Wei quickly stepped in and reported: "Your Majesty, Prince Xiao is here to report the death of Prince Liang."

Li Jiancheng stood up. His father-in-law had passed away after all. He had thought that since he had survived the winter, he would at least be able to live a little longer.

Fang Xuanling and other important officials saluted the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, please accept my condolences and take care of yourself."

"Prince Liang is not only a royal relative, but also has made great contributions to the country. How can I not express my deepest sorrow?"

The emperor sighed. This marriage was arranged for him in public at a banquet in the Prince of Jin's Mansion when Emperor Yangdi was the Prince of Jin. After Yang Yong was deposed from his position as Crown Prince, he was arranged for him in public at a banquet in the Prince of Jin's Mansion.

More than 20 years have passed in the blink of an eye, and it’s really sad to think about it now.

"Call the prince in. Have you informed the queen?"

"The queen hasn't been notified yet."

"No need to notify for now."

"promise."

Soon, Xiao Xuan, dressed in heavy mourning, came in, bowed and wept, holding a letter in his hands, which was obviously Xiao Cong's last will.

Li Jiancheng personally stepped forward, took the letter and supported his uncle: "The father-in-law has left me, but I have my uncle to assist me. I feel a little relieved. I hope my uncle will take care of himself and support the family."

Xiao Xuan stood in front of the emperor, bowed and sobbed: "Your Majesty..."

Fang Xuanling and others also came forward to comfort him. After a while, Xiao Xuan reported the details of his father's death.

Of course, for such an important state official and a person of great merit, the imperial court would definitely send officials to investigate again. It is not something that can be easily resolved by the children and grandchildren just saying something.

Li Jiancheng opened the will and found that the handwriting was not very fluent, and it was obvious that he had barely managed to write it. It was indeed Xiao Cong's handwriting.

The content was not too long, and it was all Xiao Cong's advice on the government. There was not a single word about the family, nor a single word about the position of queen or crown prince.

This made the emperor very happy, and at the same time he missed his father-in-law even more: "The loyalty of the father-in-law to the emperor and the country is as strong as gold and stone."

The emperor issued an order, saying: "I intend to take the queen back to Chang'an, the Western Capital. All departments should prepare immediately."

Although he didn't explicitly say that he was going to attend a funeral, that was obviously what he meant. Xiao Xuan bowed and kowtowed repeatedly.

It stands to reason that the humble should not move the noble. In the whole world, except for the retired emperor and the retired empress, there is no one worthy of the emperor and empress going to mourn specially. "

………………

(End of this chapter)