Chapter 393 Empress Wu: The familiar feeling is back
Ziwei Palace.
Li Hong walked into the Changsheng Courtyard and greeted Empress Wu.
This is the filial duty that the emperor must perform, and Li Hong only regarded it as a routine matter.
But today when he walked into the palace, what he saw was shocking.
Because Empress Wu, who was sitting in the imperial palace, was depressed and looked haggard, as if she had aged ten years.
In fact, this is because Empress Wu looked so radiant in the past, not at all like a fifty-one-year-old person, but like a woman in her thirties.
Not surprising, according to history, until she was eighty years old, she was "good at whitewashing herself, and even though her children and grandchildren were around, she didn't notice her aging", and her appearance appeared much younger than her real age.
Until the Shenlong coup, she was ousted from power and imprisoned in the harem. She no longer dressed up and looked haggard, and really turned into a gray-haired old woman. At that time, Li Xian was shocked when he saw her, cried incessantly, and knelt down to "apologise for the death penalty."
At this time, Empress Wu deliberately did not dress up. In addition, she was always angry, low in energy, and showed a sense of aging, which brought a strong visual impact. Li Hong, who originally wanted to put her under house arrest, was heartbroken when he saw her.
Da Zhen: "Mom, please take care of yourself!"
Empress Wu sighed: "My child, are you not even willing to call me empress now? I still remember that you were afraid of the prison country when you were a child, and you came to Luoyang to find us. Aye and I coaxed you to sleep..."
Li Hong's heart softened and he hurriedly bowed down: "Mom, please calm down, it's because the child is unfilial."
Empress Wu came over, helped him up, and sighed leisurely: "I don't blame you, it's because my mother didn't find a good family. I was kicked out of the house by the Wu brothers since I was a child, and I was homeless. Later I entered the palace, and now I am old.
They have to rely on their descendants and be criticized behind their backs..."
Li Hong's eyes were slightly red: "Don't be sad, please don't be sad!"
Empress Wu actually wanted to say that she would not be sad if all of Wu's sons died, but now she was taking advantage of her son's soft-heartedness. Of course she could not drag him back to reality. She took Li Hong's hand and led him to sit on the imperial canopy.
, and started talking about childhood things.
To be fair, whether it was the naming of Li Hong or the actions of the prince to supervise the country, Li Zhi and Empress Wu treated this eldest son well. They gave this son the greatest degree of love without affecting themselves.
Li Xian, Li Xian and Li Dan in the back are pitiful. One is worse than the other. After all, Princess Taiping is the only daughter. It is normal to dote on her, but it does not reach the level of Li Hong. She will kill her husband whenever he wants. Princess Taiping
Shidu was still pregnant.
So when Empress Wu deliberately avoided the saddest part of Li Hong's past, recalling the past, the relationship between mother and son gradually warmed up.
This is also because Empress Wu did not have time to slander Lady Jin before. Although Li Hong knew that the source of his relatives' arrogance was Empress Wu, his hatred was still mainly concentrated on the children of the Wu family.
As he talked, he talked about Luoyang, the eastern capital. Empress Wu smiled and said: "My son, it is definitely a wise move for you to move the political center from Chang'an to Luoyang. However, since you have decided to focus on Luoyang, the eastern capital must be
Something has changed…”
Li Hong thought she was going to build the main hall again, so he looked wary: "I will consider it."
But I heard Empress Wu say: "Luoyang's commerce is more developed in Chang'an, and the wealthy merchants trade frequently. Today's northern and southern cities are not enough. You should make new plans."
Li Hong's expression relaxed: "What the empress said is true. In fact, Miao Langzhong and others have recently proposed to open the West Market in Luoyang, and the North City will be connected to the Cao Canal, which will be mainly responsible for water transportation. The South City will be home to hundreds of businesses and chambers of commerce.
In the West Market, the original stores in the North Market can be transferred to make it easier for people to purchase."
Empress Wu said: "The six Miao Shenke are indeed talented people. Not only them, it is difficult for poor people to make progress. Anyone who can stand out is a talented person. You should gather their loyalty and make good use of it."
Li Hong immediately said: "I will obey your order."
Empress Wu thought to herself that if you say what you want to hear, then you must obey my orders. If you say what you don't want to hear, then you must stop me. It's really good for the Nine-Five Lord.
Taking advantage of the relaxation of the atmosphere, she spoke again: "How is the Di Huaiying recommended by Li Yuanfang doing in the south of the Yangtze River?"
Li Hong smiled: "From the good news that has been sent back so far, among the many governors and envoys to the south of the Yangtze River, Di Huaiying is the one who can stabilize the place and stabilize the people's hearts. Even I did not expect that this Dali Temple Prime Minister can do this.
good."
Empress Wu said: "That is a talent for governing the world. He handled tens of thousands of cases in Dali Temple and everyone was convinced without any complaints. It seemed shocking. However, these actions are just that of a capable official and cannot be regarded as a minister. If
The ability of a prime minister is to stabilize Jiangnan, and Li Yuanfang has the ability to recognize people."
Li Hong was a little surprised.
Empress Wu said: "What? Are you surprised that I said good things about Li Yuanfang? Your Majesty, I still have a little heart. Just as Li Yuanfang would not criticize and slander me in front of you. If not, how could your father be in Long Yu?"
Before Bintian, let us assist you?"
Li Hong nodded subconsciously.
Empress Wu finished laying the groundwork and asked seemingly casually: "What is the idea behind your newly established Cao Si No. 1?"
Li Hong said cautiously: "The main thing is that the transshipment envoys of each road will specify the responsibilities required for water transportation, and at the same time, they will review the financial resources of each place."
He had some reservations in his words, but when Empress Wu heard about the review of the wealth of various places, she knew that her analysis was correct. The authority of this department would be very heavy in the future, and she deliberately said: "In this way, these transfer envoys will give due consideration to the customs."
Official, after all, when you came to the Eastern Capital, you were opposed by the nobles in Guan Nei, so you have to give them a sweetener and balance it."
Li Hong said displeasedly: "It doesn't matter if you don't use this kind of balancing technique. What I want is for the capable to be promoted and the mediocre to be demoted."
Empress Wu immediately praised: "You are worthy of being the royal son of me and your father. The gentry in Guan Nei are immersed in the shadow of their ancestors. Each generation is worse than the last. They should have abdicated long ago and made way for those who are worthy. As the emperor and the courtiers, you have left too many veterans in the court.
Let them retire so that the former ministers of the East Palace can be assigned important positions."
Li Hong frowned: "That's not necessary. Those veterans have done nothing wrong and have made many contributions to the Tang Dynasty..."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Empress Wu was a little helpless: "What do you care about their past achievements? Are their high-ranking officials all these years in vain? How can the old ministers not retire, how can they let the new ones do it?"
Is the minister ascending to the throne?"
"Just like Li Yuanfang, who has made so many contributions, if it hadn't been for your father's dying edict, he would still be in the fifth rank today. There is no fairness in this official position, it is all necessary!"
Li Hong was speechless.
Empress Wu added: "It is what Emperor Gaozu said after using it but not using it. It was aimed at Li Yaoshi, the former Duke of Wei. Of course, this method cannot be used too often, but the reward for the ministers must not be excessive, especially for the old ministers.
Pressure is all it takes, since you intend to reform and create a prosperous age, the government must use more new ministers to maintain vigor."
Li Hong hesitated: "That being said, there is no need to rush."
Empress Wu expressed her sincerity and changed her title: "Your Majesty! A steady ruler can only be a monarch who maintains success. If you want to create a prosperous age, you must not be so gentle. The benevolence of the emperor has always been told to the people of the world.
It cannot become a shackle that binds you! Do you know why the court is so stable today?"
Li Hong thought to himself that this was not because of my kindness, so he said unconvincedly: "Please teach me, please teach me."
Empress Wu said calmly: "That's because your father re-established the internal guard and appointed ministers such as Li Yuanfang, Di Renjie, and Qiu Shenji who are good at solving crimes. How many high-ranking officials have they arrested in recent years? Without these killings, how many others would there be?
How many officials remember your kindness?"
Li Hong was silent for a moment and had to admit: "Some ministers are indeed like this..."
Empress Wu said: "The officials in the court are the most talented and selfish people in the world. No matter how powerful the emperor is, it is impossible to subjugate them all by himself. A saint never controls them out of fear."
Justice and justice, good and evil, right and wrong, should be used if they can be used, and discarded if they cannot be used."
Li Hong immediately shook his head: "My child disagrees with this!"
"If the king treats his ministers like his hands and feet, then his ministers will regard him as his heart and soul. If his ministers regard his ministers as dogs and horses, then his ministers will regard him as a fellow countryman. If his ministers regard his ministers as grass and mustard, then his ministers will regard him as a bandit."
"It is precisely because I regard my ministers as my brothers and sisters that I have my ministers who are loyal to me."
Empress Wu smiled and changed her title: "My child, your father once thought this way, but then he was ignored."
"The so-called monarch and ministers are just unrealistic ideals in the minds of Confucians. You gain the loyalty of those ministers not because you treat them like brothers, but because what you do at this time is exactly in line with what these ministers expect.
, such as providing disaster relief and caring for the people, giving priority to poor families, reforming the imperial examination system..."
"This type of courtiers is actually more difficult to control. They are not just looking for simple interests, but also their desire to govern the world. They are loyal to the wise king in their hearts. Once you change, these courtiers will definitely insist on their own opinions and cannot be controlled."
"Of course, you will think that you will not change, but what if they change? Or what if there are major differences between the two parties? Do you want to give in to me?"
Li Hong frowned, vaguely feeling that her words sounded reasonable, but there was something wrong...
Seeing him frowning and thinking, Empress Wu immediately changed the subject: "Are you tired recently?"
Li Hong showed a tired look and couldn't help but said: "There are too many things to deal with every day. The war has subsided and there are no major disasters in various places. It is hard to imagine how busy we will be if a war breaks out and there are natural and man-made disasters...
…”
Empress Wu stretched out her hand, gently stroked his brow, and said gently: "I am your empress. If you are tired outside, come and sit in the Changsheng Courtyard. You don't have to listen to my words. Just listen to me and believe me or me!"
"
Li Hong pondered for a moment and finally said: "Okay..."
In the imperial palace, two people were sitting upright.
In the past, it was Empress Li Zhiwu's couple, and now it is Empress Li Hongwu's mother and son.
Empress Wu's secret passage went smoothly, and her face suddenly became radiant.
But just as he was half glowing, he saw Cao An hurriedly coming outside the palace and whispered in Li Hong's ear.
Li Hong was startled, and his face turned solemn: "Did that dancing Tibetan general escape?"
After saying that, he glanced at Empress Wu subconsciously.
Empress Wu was confused at first, what did this have to do with her, and then she suddenly realized something, the familiar feeling came back, and she forced out a smile: "Your Majesty, if something happens, you should deal with it, don't delay!"
Li Hong's expression became cold and he saluted, "Wish you my best, my son, please retire!"
The saint had just left, and Eunuch Gao also came to wait outside the palace: "I have something important to report to the Queen Mother!"
Empress Wu clasped her hands together and murmured: "Don't have anything to do with Wu Shizi... Don't have anything to do with Wu Shizi..."
However, when Eunuch Gao came closer, he said the familiar beginning without any politeness: "Queen Mother, something happened to the children of the Wu family again..."