"The plum blossom inner guard, the inner guard, and the ministers are all chess pieces."
Lying on the couch, Li Yan didn't feel sleepy.
The most ruthless emperor's family, this poem couldn't be more accurate.
However, this era is indeed special, because when the two saints came to court, it is true to say that Li Zhi used Empress Wu as a swordsman, but could he live without Empress Wu? He probably couldn't.
Because Li Zhi's health is indeed not good.
It is extremely difficult to achieve imperial power.
Not only the intellectual difficulty, but also the physical factors.
Let’s not mention the distance, let’s take two emperors who are close to each other as an example.
Yang Jian and Li Shimin.
Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty Yang Jian strengthened the imperial power too quickly in a short period of time due to his improper access to the throne and his suspicion.
For example, in the division of administrative regions, the original three-level system of states, counties, and counties was changed to a two-level system of states and counties, which eliminated a large number of officials. All localities had to report to the central government and were not allowed to form their own staff for fear of
Ministers take power.
In this way, the central government was too busy, so Yang Jian was particularly diligent, because if he was not diligent, he would not be able to do it. In order to weaken the power of local governments and nobles, he would have to do it himself~
In addition, the first version of the "Kaihuang Code" was too strict, and the number of petitions sent by the Ministry of Punishment alone reached tens of thousands a year, and there were five others.
In the end, Yang Jianshi was too busy, so he reduced the criminal code and re-established the second version of the "Kaihuang Code", which is the version known to later generations. He deleted many crimes and reduced the emperor's workload slightly.
Come down.
You can see what he was forced into.
Li Shimin was the same as Yang Jian. In order for the imperial power to go down to the local level, he organized the magistrate file information of each county and made it into small signs and hung them on a large screen.
He would recite it from time to time on weekdays, just like a student reciting English words, memorizing them repeatedly, and then waiting for the county magistrates from various places to come to Beijing to recognize them all and manage them.
These are the emperor's efforts to strengthen his imperial power, and they are not easy.
It's not as if you can take power back to yourself by attacking aristocratic families and suppressing high-ranking families.
Others have handed over the power, and you have to be able to manage it. Your body cannot support the handling of so many government affairs, and then you have to hand it over to the ministers. What is the difference from before?
Because of this, Li had to rely on Empress Wu to cure the sick man.
Empress Wu was the best tool, handling political affairs for Li Zhi, so that the emperor could firmly hold power in his hands and not be deceived by his ministers.
But Empress Wu was not just a tool, she was also ambitious and had her own needs.
Li Zhi even felt that he couldn't control it and wanted to abdicate. It was the Shangguan Yi abrogation incident six years ago.
However, in the end, Li Zhi still did not believe in the ministers and believed in Empress Wu, so Shangguan Yi and his family became victims.
Since then, Empress Wu's status has been stable. As her prestige has increased over the years, she wants to be called the Queen of Heaven.
"So at this time, the Wu Minzhi incident occurred, suppressing her prestige, polishing her edges, and not officially establishing her as the Queen of Heaven until two or three years later?"
"Haha, Wu Zetian, Wu Zetian, when you PUAed your ministers, did you ever think that you would be PUAd by Li Zhi?"
Based on the subsequent historical process, Li Yan roughly understood the relationship between the emperor and the empress at this time, and couldn't help but shake his head.
It's probably a good thing to see a martial arts queen being played with.
But the person who played with her was the emperor, and in other people's eyes, it was just as he should be.
Qiu Ying's nephew was almost sacrificed in Wu Minzhi's case, and in the end he subconsciously defended Li Zhi...
Li Yan was quite curious. Is Empress Wu happy with her status as her greatest tool at this stage, or is she already restless?
After thinking about it, Li Yan got up and started practicing again.
The more I understand the difficulties of the world, the more motivated I become.
When it comes to politics, I'm not as dirty-minded as you.
But by watching the fire from the other side, exploiting strengths and avoiding weaknesses, you can also accumulate strength and wait for the opportunity!
…
The time came unexpectedly quickly.
Just two days later, as soon as Li Yan got off work, Eunuch Gao was waiting in front of the imperial city: "Li Wuwei, the Queen is calling."
The place where we met this time was not Zichen Hall, but Linde Hall.
This was the place for the emperor's banquets, informal interviews and entertainment.
Obviously, Empress Wu summoned him here to express her closeness.
This is the treatment of the Queen of Heaven Party.
Compared with the prince, Empress Wu's methods are undoubtedly more mature. Through all aspects of details, she makes her courtiers feel that you are mine, and you can't do anything without me.
Following Eunuch Gao, Li Yan entered the main hall and found that Empress Wu was reviewing memorials. She worked for nearly eight hours most days.
If he hadn't particularly liked the feeling of being in charge and was in excellent health, he would have joined Li Zhi to increase the workload of the imperial doctor.
At this time, she raised her head slightly and looked at Li Yan. Empress Wu said: "Li Yuanfang, how is the injury?"
Li Yan said: "Thank you for your concern, Master Puguang helped me, and my injury has recovered."
"that's great!
Empress Wu nodded slightly, seeming to be really concerned about his health, just as Li Zhi was concerned about Qiu Ying's injury.
After chatting for a few more words, after laying the groundwork, Empress Wu got down to the topic: "Do you have any clues about the case of Duke Zhou's mansion being haunted?"
Li Yan lowered his head, his eyes flashed, and he said in a ashamed tone: "I have betrayed the trust of the Queen of Heaven, and I have no clue yet."
Empress Wu said: "The inside story of this matter is complicated. It's normal for you to have no clue. However, after hearing the crazy things said by that scoundrel Wu Minzhi, did you have any enlightenment?"
"Sure enough, she asked me to check on the prince!"
Li Yan secretly laughed in his heart. Although the prince was deceived by his parents, if he really toughened up, at least it would put a lot of pressure on Empress Wu.
Indeed, given that Li Yan was present when Wu Minzhi went crazy, he also heard what was needed to be heard.
In addition, the prince's attitude had been extremely firm these days and he was preparing to spread the scandal to the court. Empress Wu knew that she could no longer remain in the fog.
She began to specify the goal of solving the case: "This case involves an old feud, and it is a serious matter. I want you to re-enter the Duke of Zhou's mansion, find out the clues, and arrest the criminal. Can you do it?"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Li Yan's body trembled slightly: "Chen..."
Empress Wu paused from reviewing the memorial and looked at him with shining eyes.
Choose!
Choose me, the queen?
Or choose the prince?
Under her gaze, after going through a difficult decision, Li Yan finally crossed his arms and saluted: "I am Neng!"
"Okay, he's a sweetheart."
Empress Wu saw that Li Yan was still loyal to the prince, and was quite satisfied. I am cool, but you cannot be cool.
But just because of this, she raised her brows and said, "Bring the "Chen Gui" here."
The chamberlain took the book, and Empress Wu said: "Medi Yueyan, you have a good name, I will give you this book again, as a lesson for my officials, please read it carefully."
"No, do you two have to compete in this matter?"
Li Yan thanked En and took it, feeling that this girl was quite narrow-minded.
If the prince gives you "Yaoshan Jade Color", you should give "Chen Gui" as a gift, right?
However, when I was in Liangzhou Academy, I was so poor that I didn't even have a copy of "Tongxuan Jing". I had to hand-copy the lectures for doctors.
Less than a year later, there were two more books in the book bag.
Prince's "Yaoshan Jade Color" (obtained)
Empress Wu's "Chen Gui" (obtained)
Li Zhi, the pressure is on your side!
After Empress Wu finished presenting the book, she began to review the memorial again, and said without raising her head: "Go, the high ranking officials will work with you to investigate the case immediately, the sooner the better!"
Li Yan retreated, and Eunuch Gao followed him out.
His attitude was very friendly, and he was obviously happy to work with people like Li Yan who did not discriminate against internal officials. Li Yan was not polite. He left the Daming Palace, went to the internal guards first to mobilize manpower, and then went to the Duke Zhou's Mansion again.
.
This is the third time here.
Compared with the first time when the building was boiling in flames and the second time when the building was about to collapse, this time it felt like it was really haunted.
The front yard was empty, but the traces of his fight with Kumarajiva remained intact.
The smell of eunuch incontinence in the main hall seems to have not been removed, and it can be described as a mess.
When Li Yan saw this scene, he thought Wu Minzhi was no longer at home.
Just as he was secretly wondering why Empress Wu didn't explain it to him and let him run in vain, he saw a group of guards running out in front of him and blocking him.
He saw many acquaintances, such as Zhang Huan and Xu Hong, the imperial guards from the incident of the haunted palace, but they were not squinting at this time and did not make eye contact at all.
Soon, a tall man stood out from the crowd. Before he came in front of him, he shouted forcefully: "Dou Jing, the prince here is washing horses. What is Li Wuwei doing here?"
Li Yan bowed and said, "I have seen Dou Xima."
Prince Xima is the prince's attendant officer. There are two people from the fifth rank. He is the guide when the prince travels. He is also in charge of the collection of classics and histories of the East Palace and the storage of journals and books in the Siku.
Obviously this Dou Jing was not good at the latter. Kong Wu stood forward with his powerful body and said in a very unkind tone: "We are here to protect the witnesses involved in the case on the orders of His Royal Highness. Li Wuwei, please stay away if nothing happens."
This was because the prince had killed all the servants of the Duke of Zhou to prevent Empress Wu. Li Yan agreed with this in his heart.
Eunuch Gao immediately stepped forward and said: "Li Wuwei was ordered by the Queen to investigate the case of the haunting of Duke Zhou's mansion. How come nothing happened?"
Dou Jing's eyes widened: "Eunuch, you have no right to speak here, get out of here!"
Eunuch Gao's face turned red: "You! You!"
Li Yan looked at Dou Jing and was keenly aware of the expectation flickering in his eyes.
He had seen a lot of Empress Wu's methods, and when he saw this kind of trick, he was completely aware of it.
The other party did not refuse to give in. Dou Jing did not dare to disrespect the queen's order, but she hoped to cause a conflict with her group so that she could speak ill of him in front of the prince when he returned.
This is normal. The prince is no better than the emperor. There are only so many positions around him, one carrot and one pit.
In just a few days, Li Yan came to be valued by the prince. The other princelings were polite to him on the surface, but secretly they didn't know how to be wary of him.
Now that we are standing on the opposite side of the prince, why don't we quickly make a stumbling block?
Since the other party had evil intentions, Li Yan didn't waste any time, took out a book from his bag and started reading it on the spot.
"Don't say anything you don't want to say to avoid danger; don't do anything you don't want to do to avoid danger..."
"If you don't say what you shouldn't say, you can avoid disaster. If you don't do what you shouldn't do, you can avoid danger. It makes sense."
"This is "Chen Gui" given by the Queen of Heaven. Do you want to watch it with Dou Xima?"
Dou Jing: "..."
Is this okay?
His expression changed several times, and he plucked up the courage several times, but thinking about the ruthless woman who was about to become the Queen of Heaven, his momentum suddenly receded like a tide.
Finally, Dou Jing's people stepped aside and whispered: