Start with detective Li Yuanfang

Chapter 395 Empress Wu: The Familiar Feeling Comes Back
Purple Palace.

Li Hong walked into the Changsheng courtyard and greeted Empress Wu.

This is the filial piety that the emperor must fulfill, and Li Hong only treats it as a routine.

But today when he entered the hall, what he saw was a shock.

Because Empress Wu, who was sitting in the royal tent, was sluggish and haggard, as if she had aged ten years.

In fact, this is due to the radiant face of Empress Wu in the past, not at all like a fifty-one-year-old person, just like a woman in her thirties.

Not surprisingly, until the age of eighty in history, she was "good at whitewashing herself, although her children and grandchildren were around, she did not feel her aging", and her appearance appeared far younger than her real age.

Until the Shenlong coup, she was kicked out and imprisoned in the harem. She no longer dressed up, her face was haggard, and she really turned into a white-haired old woman. At that time, Li Xian was shocked when she saw it, wept unceasingly, and knelt down to "thank you for the death crime".

At this time, Empress Wu also deliberately did not dress up, coupled with her constant anger, lack of energy, and exposed sense of aging, it brought a strong visual impact, which made Li Hong, who originally wanted to put her under house arrest, felt heartbroken when he saw her. Da Zhen: "Mom, take care of yourself!"

Empress Wu sighed: "Child, are you unwilling to call your mother now? I still remember that when you were a child, you were afraid of the prison country, and you came to Luoyang to find us. You and I, Aye, coaxed you to sleep..."

Li Hong's heart softened, and he quickly bowed down: "Your Majesty, 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 I didn't find a good family for my mother. I was kicked out of the house by the Wu brothers since I was a child. Still relying on their descendants, being criticized behind their backs..."

Li Hong's eyes were slightly red: "Your Majesty, don't be sad, don't be sad!"

Empress Wu actually wanted to say that she would not feel sad if all Wu's sons died, but now she was taking advantage of her son's soft heart, so of course she couldn't drag him back to reality, took Li Hong's hand, and took him to sit on the royal tent , began to talk about childhood things.

In all fairness, Li Zhi and Empress Wu treated the eldest son well, whether it was giving Li Hong this name or the actions of the crown prince supervising the country. They gave this son the greatest love without affecting themselves.

Li Xian, Li Xian and Li Dan in the back are pitiful, one is not as good as the other, Princess Taiping is the only daughter after all, it is normal to dote on her, but it has not reached the level of Li Hong, Husband will kill if he wants to, Princess Taiping will kill her if she wants to. Still pregnant.

So when Empress Wu deliberately avoided the saddest part of Li Hong's past, recalling the past, the relationship between mother and child gradually warmed up.

This is also because Empress Wu hadn't had time to slander Lady Jin before. Although Li Hong knew that Empress Wu was the source of his relatives' arrogance, his hatred was still mainly concentrated on Wu's children.
While talking, talking about Luoyang, the eastern capital, Empress Wu smiled and said, "My child, it is definitely wise for you to move the political center from Chang'an to Luoyang, but since you have decided to focus on Luoyang, this eastern capital must Something has changed..."

Li Hong thought she was going to build the main hall again, so he showed vigilance: "I will think about it."

However, Empress Wu said: "Luoyang's business is more developed than that of An'an, rich merchants and tycoons trade frequently. Today's northern and southern cities are not enough. You should plan again."

Only then did Li Hong's expression ease: "Your Majesty's words are true. In fact, Miao Langzhong and others have also recently proposed to open the West Market in Luoyang. The North City is connected to the Cao Canal and is mainly responsible for water transportation. The South City is full of industries and chambers of commerce. The West Market can transfer the original shops in the North Market to make it easier for the people to purchase.”

Empress Wu said: "Miao Shenke and the six are really good talents. Not only them, but also poor scholars have difficulty in making progress, but those who can get ahead are all top-notch talents. You should gather their loyalty and make good use of it."

Li Hong immediately said: "I would like to obey your mother's order."

Empress Wu thought that if you say what you are willing to listen to, you will obey my orders, and if you say what you don't want to listen to, you will restrain me. The Nine-Five Lord is really good.

Taking advantage of the easing of the atmosphere, she spoke again: "How is the Di Huaiying recommended by Li Yuanfang in Jiangnan?"

Li Hong smiled: "From the good news sent back so far, among the many governors in the south of the Yangtze River, Di Huaiying is the most able to stabilize the place and stabilize the hearts of the people. I didn't even think that this Dali Temple Prime Minister can do so much." it is good."

Empress Wu said: "That is the talent for governing the world. He dealt with ten thousand cases of detention in Dali Temple. Everyone was convinced, and no one complained. It seemed shocking. However, such actions are just capable officials, not officials. It is the prime minister's ability to stabilize the south of the Yangtze River, and Li Yuanfang has a good understanding of people."

Li Hong was a little surprised.

Empress Wu said: "What? Surprised that I said good things about Li Yuanfang? Your mother and I still have a bit of heart, just like Li Yuanfang would not criticize and smear me in front of you. If not, how could your father be in Long Yu? Before Bin Tian, ​​let us assist you?"

Li Hong nodded subconsciously.

Empress Wu finished laying the groundwork, and asked seemingly casually: "What is the idea of ​​your new Caosi Division?"

Li Hong said cautiously: "The main thing is to transport envoys from all walks of life, to specify the responsibilities required for water transportation, and at the same time to review the wealth of various places."

He had some reservations about what he said, but when Empress Wu heard about the review of the wealth of various places, she knew in her heart that her analysis was correct. Officials, after all, when you came to the Eastern Capital, you were opposed by the gentry in the pass, and you have to give them a sweetener to balance it out."

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 go up and the mediocre to go down."

Empress Wu immediately praised: "As expected of your father's emperor and me, the gentry in the pass are immersed in the shadow of their ancestors, and one generation is not as good as the next generation. Let them step down, so that the former courtiers of the East Palace can also arrange important positions."

Li Hong frowned: "That's not necessary, those old ministers are not at fault, and they have done a lot for my Great Tang..."

Empress Wu was a little helpless: "Why do you care about their past achievements? Are their senior officials all these years for nothing? If the old ministers don't retreat, how can they let the new ministers take over?"

"Just like that Li Yuanfang, how much credit you have made, if it wasn't for your father's dying order, you are still a fifth rank. This official position, there is no fairness at all, it is all necessary!"

Li Hong was speechless.

Empress Wu said again: "Use it and don't use it. That's what Gaozu said, and it was aimed at the former Duke of Wei, Li Yaoshi. Of course, this method should not be used too much, but the rewards to the courtiers must not be too much, especially those veterans. Just suppress it, since you intend to reform the system and create a prosperous world, the government must employ more new ministers in order to maintain its vigor."

Li Hong hesitated: "Although that is the case, there is no need to rush."

Empress Wu put on an earnest attitude and changed her address: "Your Majesty! If you are in power, you can only be a successful king. If you want to create a prosperous world, you must not be so gentle. The benevolence of the emperor has always been said to the subjects of the world. It cannot be a shackle that binds you! Do you know why the current court is so stable?"

Li Hong wondered if it was because of my benevolence, and said a little unconvinced: "Please teach me, Madam."

Empress Wu said indifferently: "That's because your father re-established the inner guard, and appointed Li Yuanfang, Di Huaiying, Qiu Shenji and other courtiers who are good at solving cases. How many high-ranking officials have they arrested in recent years? If there is no comparison of these killings, How many officials still remember your kindness?"

Li Hong was silent for a moment, and had to admit: "Some courtiers are indeed like this..."

Empress Wu said: "The officials in the court are the most talented and selfish group of people in the world. Even the most powerful emperor can't be subdued by himself. The saints are never under the control of the emperor. Righteousness and morality, good and evil, right and wrong, but use it if you can use it, and discard it if you can't use it."

Li Hong immediately shook his head: "I don't agree with this!"

"The king regards his ministers as brothers and feet, and the ministers regard the emperor as his heart; the emperor regards his ministers as dogs and horses, and the ministers regard the emperor as the people of the country; the emperor regards his ministers as grass, and the ministers regard the emperor as a bandit."

"It is precisely because I treat my ministers like brothers and sisters that my ministers are loyal to me."

Empress Wu smiled, and changed her address again: "Son, your father thought that way too, and then he was dismissed."

"The so-called monarch, minister and minister are just unrealistic ideals in the hearts of Confucianism. You get the loyalty of those courtiers not because you treat them like brothers and sisters, but because your actions at this time are exactly in line with the expectations of these courtiers. , such as disaster relief and caring for the people, reuse of poor families, reform of imperial examinations..."

"This kind of courtiers are actually more difficult to control. What they seek is not pure profit, but their desire to govern the world. What they are loyal to is the wise king in their hearts. Once you change, this kind of courtiers must stick to their own opinions and cannot be controlled."

"Of course, you will feel that you will not change, but what if they change? Or if there is a major disagreement between the two sides? Is the monarch going to make concessions to the minister?"

Li Hong frowned, feeling that her words sounded very reasonable, but there was something wrong...

Seeing him frowning and thinking, Empress Wu immediately changed the topic: "Have you been tired recently?"

Li Hong showed a tired look, and couldn't help saying: "There are too many things to deal with every day. This is still the end of the war, and there are no major disasters in various places. It is hard to imagine how busy it will be when there is a war and there are natural disasters and man-made disasters... ..."

Empress Wu stretched out her hand, gently stroked his brows for him, and said gently: "I am your mother, if you are tired outside, come to the Longevity Court to sit for a while, you don't have to listen to what I say, if you listen to it, you will be bright and if you believe it, you will be dark! "

Li Hong pondered for a while, and finally said: "Okay..."

In the imperial tent, two people sat upright.

In the past, it was the couple of Empress Li Zhiwu, and now it is the mother and son of Empress Li Hongwu.

Empress Wu's secret passage went smoothly, and her face immediately glowed.

But just halfway through the glow, Cao An from outside the hall came hurriedly and whispered in Li Hong's ear.

Li Hong was startled, and his face turned serious: "That dancing general escaped?"

After all, he subconsciously glanced at Empress Wu.

Empress Wu was baffled at first, what did this have to do with her, and then suddenly realized something, the familiar feeling returned, and squeezed out a smile: "Your Majesty, if something happens, you should deal with it without delay!"

Li Hong's expression calmed down, and he saluted, "Good luck, my mother, my son will leave!"

Just as the saint left, Eunuch Gao also came to wait outside the hall: "I have something important to report to the Queen Mother!"

Empress Wu clasped her hands together and muttered, "Don't be related to Wu's son...don't be related to Wu's son..."

However, when Eunuch Gao approached, he still said the familiar beginning unceremoniously: "Queen Mother, something happened to Wu's children..."

(End of this chapter)