Chapter 242: The first round of the air-to-air confrontation with Empress Wu!
Daming Palace, Zichen Hall.
There is still a huge imperial curtain placed on the high steps, but it is different from the previous thin silk curtains hanging down, and two figures sitting inside can be vaguely seen. Recently, the silk curtains are hung up, and the courtiers entering the palace can clearly see the two figures.
The figure is sitting and lying down.
Li Zhi was sleeping on the left side, his brows still furrowed in his sleep, and his face became more and more old and haggard, which made the officials couldn't help but care about the construction of the imperial mausoleum...
Empress Wu wears a high bun and a gorgeous dress. She sits on the right side with her back straight. She wears a thin veil on her face, and her brows are full of arrogance, fierceness and wantonness.
I used to sit here with Li Zhi, and I have become accustomed to it for more than ten years. Only now do I realize that it is nice to be alone.
Especially when she saw a group of purple- and scarlet-robed officials bowing their heads and entering the court, she was intoxicated by the feeling of being in control of the court situation.
It's just that the first thing today is not so wonderful.
Yin Zhongyan, the imperial censor, stepped forward and said impatiently: "I am impeaching the prime minister, Wen Ming Chongyan, for forming a secret party and relying on his power and tyranny!"
A censor, Zhongcheng, came out and said: "I impeach the Meihua internal guards for not obeying the law and disrupting the imperial court!"
Another censor, Zhongcheng, came out and said: "I impeached Meihua's internal guards to spy on private affairs and violate the etiquette!"
Even though the court meeting has not been held recently and the discussions have been moved to the Zichen Palace, the quota of officials who can enter the palace has been much relaxed, but there are only three officials who are qualified to enter the Yushitai.
Now they all come out to impeach the plum blossom internal guards with fierce words.
The ministers looked at him sideways.
The Yushitai institution has existed since the Eastern Han Dynasty, but before the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty, the Yushitai was only a hearing institution and had no judicial power.
During the Zhenguan period, a prison was set up in Yushitai to handle special litigation cases.
Gradually, joint trials of the three departments became the norm. All major cases were jointly tried by the Yushitai, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Dali Temple.
The Dali Temple is responsible for interrogating prisoners and drafting sentences, and the Ministry of Punishment is responsible for reviewing them, and finally reporting them to the Yushitai for supervision.
Since then, the power of the Yushitai has greatly increased, and the third-rank Yushitai has two responsibilities. One is to handle political affairs as the prime minister's deputy, also known as the deputy prime minister, and the other is to supervise the officials, especially keeping an eye on the prime minister's mistakes.
The most famous imperial censor in the past was Xiao Yu, who specifically targeted Li Jing, Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng and others.
Yes, there were days when Wei Zheng was impeached. However, although Xiao Yu hated evil and had a very straightforward personality, which made him suitable for the job of correction and supervision, he was too serious and focused on trivial matters and made big fuss about them, so he madly offended people six times in his life.
As prime minister, he was dismissed six times. Li Shimin was really tolerant of Xiao Yu. In comparison, Wei Zheng also dared to give direct advice, but he was also unambiguous when flattering, and he was a better person.
The next famous imperial censor was An Lushan, who was quite darkly humorous.
Not to mention the famous people before and after, the current imperial censor Yin Zhongyan is not a strong figure. His previous opposition to Empress Wu being crowned the Queen was just within the scope of his authority, but at this moment, his voice is hoarse and a bit jumpy.
After all, the power overlap between the Meihua Inner Guards and the Yushitai is too high. Once the Meihua Inner Guards show their prowess, what will happen to their Yushitai?
Other officials watched indifferently, happy that Yushitai was charging into the battle, and those who opposed Empress Wu were even more gloating. Li Jingxuan just wanted to take refuge with you, but he ended up being executed. Let's see how you deal with it!
Empress Wu's face darkened: "Li Jingxuan hid the armor secretly and had evil intentions. Why didn't you notice it earlier?"
The ministers were startled when they saw Doulu Qinwang rushing out first, and fell down in obeisance. He almost burst into tears and said, "I made a mistake due to my oversight, which allowed traitors to become rampant. I am guilty!"
Wei Chengqing was the second to rush out, kowtow and plead guilty: "I was invited to the Li Mansion, but was possessed by a thief without knowing it. I am guilty!"
As a result, the Minister of Punishment, the Prime Minister of Dali Temple, the Magistrate of Chang'an County and others had to stand up and say: "I am guilty!"
Empress Wu concluded: "Public opinion has been ignored and everyone is blind. I think it is the right time for the Meihua Internal Guard to take action!"
She turned to Yin Zhongyan again: "Doctor Yin, do you think Li Jingxuan has been wronged?"
Yin Zhongyan hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said: "There are many doubts about the private possession of armor, so we must investigate. I hope the Queen will learn from it!"
Empress Wu said: "Then let the case be handed over to the Taiwan Prison for trial, so that you, the Yushitai, can clear Li Jingxuan's name?"
Yin Zhongyan was still thinking about whether he could find out the crime of Meihua Internal Guard's slander, when he heard the two subordinates behind him cough lightly.
He reacted suddenly and his expression changed dramatically.
Li Jingxuan is now notorious. The Yushitai helped him, but when someone publicized it, wouldn't that mean that officials protect each other, and he will be notorious?
That's fine with other officials. A poor reputation does not prevent promotion and wealth. However, the censor must not have any black spots. Otherwise, what is the persuasiveness of impeaching others?
This is still a situation where the case can be overturned. If the case cannot be overturned, then fine, just step aside and stand aside!
Don’t get involved in Li Jingxuan’s affairs!
Yin Zhongyan could only bow his head: "The inner guards of Meihua have received the sage's edict to handle this case. We dare not overstep it!"
Empress Wu's voice suddenly turned cold to the bone: "Thankfully you still have a saint in your heart. I am your censor, and I only care about my reputation!"
Yin Zhongyan kowtowed and said sadly: "I don't dare! I don't dare!"
The ministers were palpitating.
It was obviously a matter that was detrimental to Empress Wu, but she resolved it in an understatement, and in turn used Li Jingxuan to defeat Yushitai's army. This bitch's methods were really powerful.
But in fact, Empress Wu scolded the censor, pursed her lips, and glanced sideways at the husband next to her.
She had originally made a plan to recruit the Meihua Internal Guards and use them for her own use. Unexpectedly, Ming Chongyan asked for orders and Li Zhi issued an edict during a rare period of clarity. Her plan was aborted. At this time, her heart was twisting.
pain.
Her mood of despair only lasted for a moment, and she immediately cheered up and looked coldly at the ministers: "The Plum Blossom Internal Guard is established by the saint himself. The case of Li Jingxuan has proved the saint's wisdom. You all perform your duties and do not act randomly. As for negligence,
If you are responsible, I will forgive you this time."
The ministers thanked: "Thank you Queen!"
After the matter was revealed, Doulu Qinwang came out again: "The queen is elegant and respectful, has knowledge of the present and the past, governs the country and assists in government, and is in harmony with the saints. I invite the saints to imitate the stories in the literature and make the queen the queen of heaven!"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Wei Chengqing and other ministers came forward: "I second my opinion!"
Other ministers who objected first looked at the censor's desk and then at the two prime ministers.
There were originally four prime ministers, Li Jingxuan, Dai Zhide, Hao Chujun, and Pei Sijian. Now one of them has been executed, and the other two have closed their doors to ponder their mistakes. Only Pei Sijian is left, who is still the Minister of War who prefers military affairs.
The newly appointed Prime Minister Lai Heng, who represents the interests of the Jiangnan clan, was severely reprimanded after he seconded His Highness the Crown Prince's proposal to eat in Luoyang. At this time, he said nothing. Obviously, what he is seeking now is to gain a firm foothold.
Otherwise, you have no right to speak at all.
The censor's desk was beaten with a stick, and the prime minister was silent. It seemed that his support for the Queen was unstoppable. However, Empress Wu looked at most of the ministers who were opposed, and a haze flashed in her eyes: "This matter is decided by the saints, but it is the matter of Tuyuhun's restoration of the country. You can discuss it.
Has the decision been finalized?"
The ministers thought to themselves that you are really good at pretending. If you hadn't delayed things and only thought about the queen, you would have issued the decree long ago.
Pei Sijian immediately came out and said: "Tuyuhun has risen and fallen several times, and there are hundreds of wastes waiting to be rebuilt. Now that the royal city has fallen, all the ministries are waiting for the wind to fall. We should quickly order the Lord of Qinghai and Princess Guanghua to return home to stabilize the vassal state and stabilize the border."
Empress Wu glanced at him coldly: "Liangzhou Wei Governor reported that Tuyuhun suffered a disaster this year and there is a shortage of grain and rice. If we want to stabilize Tuyuhun, we must provide food and supplies. However, there is also a disaster in the pass. Longyou also has a poor harvest this year. The burden of grain and rice is
The main thing is water transport from the south of the Yangtze River. If you come to serve as a minister, do you have anything to say?"
Lai Heng stepped forward, somewhat silent, his heart full of indignation: "The easiest way is undoubtedly to take hundreds of officials to Luoyang. The pressure in the customs will be instantly reduced, and all the resulting problems will be solved, and the whole situation will be revitalized. As a result, you
He pressed hard and refused to leave, and asked me what I could do, could I conjure food and grass?"
Seeing his silence, Empress Wu's face also darkened: "You have the trust of the saint, so you should share your worries, rectify the water transportation, and increase the intensity of transporting rice from the south of the Yangtze River. The Yellow River from Luoyang to Chang'an has a narrow channel and many reefs.
Is there any way to manage it?"
Lai Heng's expression changed drastically: "How can we manage the Yellow River during a disaster? Please be careful, Queen!"
This time, even Doulu Qinwang and Wei Chengqing changed their expressions. Guan Nei is the foundation of Guanlong Group, you can't mess with it like this!
Unexpectedly, Empress Wu changed the subject: "This matter is indeed difficult. It is not advisable to start construction during the disaster. However, this time I will remind you to prepare for a rainy day. Miao Shenke, the bachelor of the second hall, and others are talented and can help. From today on, they will help the minister."
, decide on the water transportation plan!"
Only then did everyone understand the Queen's true intention, and the Queen's Party immediately shouted: "The Queen is wise!"
The opposition party's heart sank, but they were unable to stop it. They could only watch as Empress Wu took every step to raise the former North Gate Bachelor to a high position again.
In the following discussions, although the position of Queen of Heaven was no longer mentioned, Empress Wu always found ways to choke the necks of the ministers and make them extremely uncomfortable. The purpose was self-evident.
Make me a queen!
They were unable to stop him and were unwilling to give in. They kept looking at the sleeping saint.
Empress Wu naturally noticed this, and her cheek muscles twitched violently.
The impression that Li Zhi had given to the ministers before was that the dragon was in poor health and was in a daze all day long, leaving all major matters to be decided by himself...
Now Li Zhi gave the impression to the ministers: the saint is still a saint, with plum blossom guards under his command, and I don’t know what other methods are hidden!
The king is always the king. How could Zanpu of Tubo still have such prestige if he was treated like a puppet? How much less Li Zhi?
Empress Wu withdrew her gaze, knowing that there would not be much gain in the rest of the day, and began to compete with the ministers for physical strength.
"Your Majesty, please leave!"
When today's discussion was completed, it seemed that they had been discussing for nearly three hours, but nothing major had been decided. The ministers exited the Zichen Hall exhausted, and many old people were even more staggering.
Empress Wu was still in high spirits, but she pinched her brows and asked, "Where is Ming Chongyan now?"
Eunuch Gao stood up from the shadows: "Reporting to the Queen of Heaven, Ming Wenxue is trying the case of Li Jingxuan, and it seems that he will be convicted and executed quickly."
Empress Wu said coldly: "Ming Wenxue? Humph, you should call him Ming Pavilion Leader. I underestimated this person, but he is so loyal to the saint and has such courage!"
She found the plum blossom inner guard to be an eyesore, but she couldn't move.
Because her authority is still integrated with Li Zhi, it is a derivative of the imperial power. If the Meihua inner guard is really abolished or suppressed, and the officials gain the upper hand, there will be no hope for the queen's position, which can be said to be a loss for both.
The power game between the monarch and his ministers is an extremely subtle knowledge. Empress Wu is extremely talented in this area. Even if she hates Ming Chongyan to the core, she will not make mistakes due to personal emotions, but her heart will inevitably be blocked and panicked.
She pondered for a while and suddenly asked: "Where is Li Yuanfang now?"
Eunuch Gao's brows slightly twitched, and he immediately reported: "Li Jiyi is in the palace of Duke Wei, waiting for the summons from the Queen of Heaven."
Empress Wu narrowed her eyes: "He saw through Qiu Ying and dared to come back in a hurry without receiving the edict. What is his intention? Did he risk his life to investigate the case?"
Eunuch Gao lowered his head: "I don't know... among slaves, Li Jiyi is loyal to the Queen of Heaven. The Queen of Heaven might as well meet him."
"I'm afraid he is more loyal to others!"
Empress Wu glanced at the sleeping Li Zhi and said irritably: "No! Let him wait at the Duke Wei's Mansion. If he dares to enter the Imperial City's inner guard, he will be arrested and imprisoned immediately!"
Eunuch Gao bowed his head: "Yes!"
Empress Wu sat upright and began to review the memorial.
As the strokes were drawn one by one, which would determine the fate of three provinces, six ministries, and even all the people in counties and counties around the world, her brows became more and more determined: "I have risen to this position, and no one can push me back."