Zhao Yefu was the Queen of Dongnu Province. She had supreme power in Dongnu Province. However, Dongnu Province was only a small country. Moreover, it was sandwiched between two powerful countries, Tubo and the Tang dynasty. Such a small country that was struggling to survive in the cracks was very fragile. If one was not careful, it could become a sacrifice in the struggle for hegemony between the big countries.
Since she ascended the throne last year, she had felt this pressure. She understood that Dongnu Province was a small country. If she wanted to survive, she had to rely on the big countries.
The Tang dynasty and Tubo were both very powerful neighbors. Moreover, they both threw her an olive branch. She finally chose the Tang dynasty because the Tang dynasty only wanted submission. However, Tubo had the intention of annexing Dongnu Province.
Zhao Yefu had never dreamed that the Tubo people, who had not given up their evil intentions, would send assassins to the suburbs of Chang 'an City to assassinate her after their plot to annex Dongnu Province failed.
She knew that once the Tubo people's assassination was successful, the Tang Empire would lose its prestige. Dongnu Province would also be annexed by Tubo. Therefore, Ang Lee not only saved her, but also saved the entire Dongnu Province.
Zhao Yefu was the Queen of Dongnu Province. At the same time, she was also a young woman. She had only ascended the throne for a year. She was still a child. Therefore, she could not be as wise and domineering as the Empress Wu of the Tang dynasty. She also did not know how to play with power and find a balance between the big countries.
She was weak and helpless. However, at this moment, when she jumped into Ang Lee's arms, she felt warm and safe. In her heart, Ang Lee, a man from the Tang dynasty, fascinated her so much that she could not suppress the excitement in her heart.
Ang Lee also felt very comfortable when such a warm and soft body hugged him tightly. He did not have any experience in his previous life. After coming to the Tang dynasty, he only hugged a young girl and unintentionally hugged Yue Er in his arms. However, it was the first time that he was hugged so tightly by a young woman.
Zhao Yefu's initiative and affection made Ang Lee feel very comfortable. He stroked her hair and smelled her intoxicating body fragrance.
"Tap, tap, tap."
From afar came the sound of a large number of cavalrymen rushing over.
Ang Lee raised his head and saw the black figures in the distance. He guessed that they must be the reinforcements from Dongnu Province, but they came too late.
"Ye Fu, the reinforcements are here."
Ang Lee gently pushed Zhao Yafu away.
Zhao Yafu slowly loosened his arms and looked up at Ang Lee. He gently closed his eyes.
"Fine, I'll satisfy you."
Ang Lee naturally understood what Zhao Yefu wanted. He gently kissed her forehead.
Li Kunxiong and the others who were chasing after the Tufan assassins returned one after another. Hundreds of reinforcements from Dongnu Province also arrived soon after. They suddenly confronted each other.
Zhao Yefu gently waved his hand at his subordinates, "It was Li Shaolang who saved me. All of you, withdraw."
"Ta ta ta"
Soon, an even larger group of soldiers and horses came roaring over and surrounded everyone.
An old general with a white beard pulled his horse to a stop and looked at Zhao Yefu and Ang Lee.
This person was Dragon General Chen Xuanli. He was mainly responsible for the safety of the capital. This time, Dongnu Province's diplomatic group entered the Tang dynasty's capital. He was responsible for the safety of Dongnu Province's diplomatic group.
Not long ago, he suddenly received a report from the Illustrious Virtue Gate's general. Hundreds of Dongnu Province's troops suddenly rushed out of the city and headed south. The general did not dare to act rashly and immediately reported it.
When Chen Xuanli heard this news, he was naturally shocked. He immediately led five hundred Dragon Warriors out of the Illustrious Virtue Gate to find out what happened outside the city.
"What happened here?"
Chen Xuanli jumped off his horse and looked at Ang Lee who was covered in blood.
Zhao Yefu smiled, "I've caused trouble for the general. This prince was hunting here and encountered a group of Tufan assassins. It was Li Shaolang and the others who saved me."
This prince, Chen Xuanli, was shocked. He took a closer look and realized that this young master was Zhao Yefu. When the Vermilion Bird Gate welcomed them, he was in charge of protecting them.
As the ruler of a country, it was inappropriate for a woman to dress up as a man to have fun.
Chen Xuanli secretly shook his head and bowed, "I will escort the Queen of East back to the city."
Naturally, Zhao Yefu was very reluctant. She sneaked out to have fun, but she was already the Queen of Eastern Nu Kingdom, and Chen Xuanli was a general of the Tang Empire. She had to consider the reputation of the Eastern Nu Kingdom. In addition, the sudden appearance of the Tufan assassin outside the city greatly reduced her interest in having fun. Although she was still a child, she also understood that as the Queen of Eastern Nu Kingdom, she should consider the overall situation.
"Then I'll have to trouble the general."
Zhao Yefu reluctantly agreed and looked at Ang Lee.
Ang Lee lightly nodded and bowed to show his respect.
Under the protection of the Dongnu Province's troops and the Tang dynasty's Dragon Warriors, Zhao Yefu got on her horse and returned to Chang 'an.
"It was you who saved the Queen of East."
Chen Xuanli's eyes were still full of vigilance and suspicion.
Ang Lee bowed and said, "General, I didn't know that Young Master Zhao was the Queen of East. If I knew, I wouldn't dare to bring her out to have fun."
"What? You brought the Queen of East out of the city?" Chen Xuanli's eyes were full of anger, but at the same time, he was a little surprised. The humble young man in front of him actually knew the Queen of East, and they could even travel together. The Queen of East had only been in Chang 'an for a few days. Their relationship had developed too quickly.
"How many Tufan assassins are there? How did they know that the Queen of East would appear here?"
Ang Lee smiled faintly, "There are more than 50 Tufan assassins. All of them are skilled and prepared. I think there must be a mole around the Queen of East."
Chen Xuanli laughed and looked at Ang Lee with appreciation. In his opinion, Ang Lee's analysis was very reasonable and his tone was neither humble nor overbearing. He seemed to be relaxed and at ease, far better than ordinary people.
"These are the Tufan assassins you captured."
"I am willing to hand them over to you."
Chen Xuanli nodded with satisfaction and patted Ang Lee's shoulder, "Young Master Li is a young hero. You will definitely have a bright future." After he finished speaking, he gave a look to the soldiers under his command to take the Tufan assassins away.
"General, there are more Tufan assassins. We still have to be more vigilant."
Confidence flashed in Chen Xuanli's eyes, "I will definitely not let this happen again. Young Master Li, you don't have to worry. Oh right, you saved the Queen of East and captured the Tufan assassins. Remember to go to the imperial court to receive your reward." After he finished speaking, he rode his horse and left.
"Farewell, General."
"Big Brother, I saw the Queen of East lying in your arms just now. What happened?"
Li Kunxiong asked with a gossipy expression.
"She is fine. I think I saw it too."
Ang Lee smiled faintly and said proudly, "The Queen of East likes me and wants to give me the throne. Do you believe that? Haha!"
"Hahaha!"
Everyone had been cooped up in the Spiritual State Palace for a long time. Since they finally came out, they were not in a hurry to go back. They split into a few groups and hunted in the Shen He Plain to improve their meals and save some money. They only returned to the city in the evening.
####
In the Zichen Palace Hall of the Daming Palace, the Emperor of the Tang dynasty, Li Longji, was lying on the dragon couch and reading a scroll in his hand. Beside him was his confidant, Gao Lishi, who was holding a horsetail whisk.
The Zichen Palace Hall was the third main hall of the Daming Palace. It was the inner court hall where the core high-ranking officials of the Tang dynasty met the emperor. It was also known as the Pavilion Hall. The Zichen Palace Hall's status and scale was second only to the Hanyuan Palace Hall and the Political Announcement Palace Hall.
Normally, only imperial court meetings and foreign envoys would be held in the Hanyuan Palace Hall. Even the emperor had to wear a crown and a fur coat. Normally, he would attend court meetings in the Political Announcement Palace, also known as the Changchao Palace.
If the emperor summoned a minister or a small group of ministers, most of them would be held in the Zichen Palace Hall. This was also the palace where the emperor lived his daily life.
Li Longji's expression was a little ugly. He threw the scroll in his hand on the table in front of him and sighed heavily.
Seeing this, Gao Lishi hurriedly went forward and rerolled the scroll on the table. He only needed to glance at it slightly to know that it was about the military affairs of the country.
As a qualified eunuch, Gao Lishi was absolutely not allowed to meddle in the affairs of the country. Gao Lishi knew this very well, so he did not dare to speak without Li Longji's permission.
"Tubo is too arrogant. They actually gathered hundreds of thousands of soldiers at the border of Kuozhou. What are they trying to do?"
Li Longji was furious. Ever since he ascended the throne, he had worked hard to rule the country and pushed the Tang Empire to a prosperous age. As the emperor of the Great Tang Empire, he naturally could not tolerate Tubo's deliberate provocation.
"Everyone, please calm down. Don't hurt the emperor's body."
Gao Lishi did not dare to judge the military affairs of the country, but it was his duty to care for the emperor's health.
A young eunuch carefully walked behind Gao Lishi. Seeing the emperor's unhappy expression, he was so scared that he did not dare to speak.
Gao Lishi gave the young eunuch a look and asked him to leave quickly.
"What's the matter?"
Li Longji turned his head and saw the young eunuch.
"Everyone, General Long Wu requests an audience outside the palace."
"Chen Xuanli, let him in."
After a while, Chen Xuanli entered the Zichen Palace Hall and knelt down to greet Li Longji.
Before coming to the Zichen Palace Hall, Chen Xuanli hesitated for a long time. No matter how many reasons there were, he had an unshirkable responsibility for putting Queen Dong in danger. If he told the emperor about this matter, he would definitely be reprimanded. However, if he did not report it, he was extremely worried that Li Longji would find out about this matter through other channels.
He had been loyal to Li Longji for more than thirty years. He understood Li Longji too well. There were very few things in the world that could be hidden from Li Longji. In order to not be suspected, he had to confess everything as soon as possible.
"Xuanli, you must have something important to tell me since you came to see me. Speak."
Chen Xuanli did not dare to hide anything and told the emperor the whole story clearly. He even praised Ang Lee and the others.
Hearing this, Li Longji's face turned white and red. His heart was completely in turmoil.
He was already very angry that Tubo had gathered more than a hundred thousand troops at the border of Kuozhou. Now, they even sent assassins to the capital of the Tang dynasty to assassinate an honorable guest of the Tang dynasty. If he did not teach them a lesson, where was the prestige of the Tang dynasty? Where was Li Longji's face?
"Order Shuofang Jiedushi Wang Zhongsi to gather the main forces of Shuofang as soon as possible and gather the elite forces of Hexi and Longyou to attack Tubo."
After a short moment of thinking, Li Longji gave the order.
"Your Majesty, the Tujue's internal strife is still going on. Wang Jiedushi's main forces are still far away in Mobei. I'm afraid it's not appropriate to transfer them away now."
Chen Xuanli blurted out.
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