People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1027 The light and shadow of swords, thrilling
Zhang Wenguan walked into the Zichen Hall with a solemn expression. He bowed his hands to Empress Wu who was above him and saluted: "Your Majesty, the Concubine Zuo, Wen Guan, pays homage to the Queen of Heaven. May the Queen of Heaven be safe and sound."

"Here comes Prime Minister Zhang." Empress Wu's face suddenly became as gentle as spring breeze and rain, and she said with a smile: "Come here, please give me a seat. How is Prime Minister Zhang's health lately?"

"It's acceptable." Zhang Wenguan bowed slightly, and then sat down on the soft couch on one side. When he moved, his steps staggered a little.

Empress Wu smiled even more eagerly, and then said: "Here comes Prime Minister Zhang..."

"I'm here to apologize to the Queen of Heaven." Zhang Wenguan stood up heavily, bowed to Empress Wu and said, "I asked the prince to inform Dali Temple. I have committed a crime of overstepping my bounds. I would like to resign from the position of the prince's concubine."

"Where did Prime Minister Zhang go?" Empress Wu shook her head slightly and said sincerely: "The prince has the responsibility to supervise the country. It is normal to investigate when there is lawlessness. How can he go beyond it?"

The corner of Zhang Wenguan's mouth twitched slightly, and he continued to cup his hands and said: "I am old and confused. Please resign as the crown prince Zuo Shuzi."

"Prime Minister Zhang." Empress Wu's face turned cold. She sat on the imperial couch and asked in a deep voice, "Is the prince unworthy?"

Zhang Wenguan lowered his head seriously, and the atmosphere in the hall was solemn for a moment.

Qin Shandao and Cheng Chubi all looked solemn.

Yuan Wanqing, Duan Baoxuan, looked deep.

After a while, Zhang Wenguan spoke again: "The prince is wise, my minister..."

"It's good that the prince is wise. What the prince did today was right and wrong." Empress Wu made a decisive conclusion.

All the officials in the palace raised their hands at the same time: "The Queen of Heaven is wise."

Empress Wu nodded slightly, and then said: "Let's talk about the guilty minister. No matter who he is, he can only be convicted after he is caught. Where is he now?"

Yuan Wanqing suddenly felt cold in his heart, and then he looked at Duan Baoxuan.

Duan Bao There is only one guard left to take care of a child.”

Empress Wu raised her eyes to look at Duan Baoxuan, nodded slowly and said: "Duan Qing is still very fair."

Duan Baoxuan bowed slightly and said: "But people in Yanshoufang, Wannian County of Chang'an, and Dali Temple are still watching..."

"What's wrong?" Empress Wu saw Duan Baoxuan's sudden pause and asked subconsciously.

"Tianhou, the Ministry of Punishment was not notified of this matter, but the people from the Ministry of Punishment arrived very quickly." Duan Baoxuan's face was solemn.

Empress Wu's brows suddenly wrinkled, and she looked sideways: "Pei Yan is here to see you."

"Yes!" The waiter on the side immediately handed over and left quickly.

Empress Wu turned around, looked at Duan Baoxuan and said, "Since tonight has begun, the next step is to catch the person. Duan Qing, what do you think we should do?"

All the officials in the palace looked at Duan Baoxuan in an instant.

Now, that person must have run away, even out of Chang'an. How to catch him?
Duan Bao Start looking out and find out where he went."

Everyone looked awe-inspiring.

Duan Baoxuan, the minister of Dali Temple, was by no means easy-going. Everything he said inside and outside was to put a blame on Ming Chongyan.

If one person says he has seen Ming Chongyan, it may be false. Then, if two, three, or ten people have seen Ming Chongyan, it will be difficult for Ming Chongyan to defend himself if traces of him are found.

Not to mention, Ming Chongyan could not find any evidence that he was elsewhere at this time.

According to the imperial edict, he should have arrived in Maoshan by now. If he is not in Maoshan, he is rebelling against the edict.

"The Queen of Heaven, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment asks for an audience." The voice of the chamberlain interrupted the silence in the hall.

Empress Wu raised her head, looked at the door of the hall, and said indifferently: "Pass!"

……

"Pei Yan, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, comes to see the Queen of Heaven." Pei Yan walked in with an expressionless face, wearing a black robe.

Empress Wu nodded slightly and said, "Pei Qing doesn't seem to have had a good rest today either!"

"I was originally going back to my hometown to rest, but Chang'an County reported that a murderer appeared at the west gate, so I sent someone to check. Unexpectedly, Jinwu Guard and Dali Temple were moved." Pei Yan threw the pot away lightly. go out.

He is the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, Jinwu Guards, Wannian County, and Dali Temple are all affected, so he naturally has to pay more attention.

Empress Wu turned sideways and looked at Duan Baoxuan and asked, "Duan Qing, how are you doing?"

Duan Baoxuan bowed slightly and said: "The Queen of Heaven, the Ministry of Punishment is related to the public security of the world, and it should be paid attention to."

Pei Yan's brows instantly wrinkled, and he raised his head to look at Empress Wu.

Empress Wu nodded to Duan Baoxuan and said, "What Duan Qing said makes sense. If that's the case, let the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple handle the next thing together."

"I will accept the order." Duan Baoxuan and Pei Yan handed over their hands at the same time.

"What's the matter?" Empress Wu suddenly raised her head and looked at the door of the hall.

Everyone looked back and saw a chamberlain standing in front of the door, cupping his hands and saying, "Reporting to the Queen of Heaven, the chamberlain Shi Di Renjie is asking for an audience."

Empress Wu was stunned, then smiled and said: "Look, a censor is more concerned about the changes in the capital than the censor Zhongcheng."

"Pass!" Empress Wu waved her hand immediately.

The next moment, Di Renjie, dressed in official robes, walked into the hall with a solemn expression.

Looking at Empress Wu, Di Renjie raised his hands seriously and said: "Your Majesty Di Renjie sees the Queen of Heaven, and the Queen of Heaven is safe."

"Di Qing is dead." Empress Wu looked at Di Renjie calmly and asked, "Is Di Qing here?"

"Reporting to the Queen of Heaven, I am on duty today. Dali Temple, Jinwu Guard, Qianniu Guard, Chang'an Wannian County, and the Ministry of Punishment are all moving at the same time. The Yushitai came to ask about the situation." Di Renjie replied solemnly.

Everyone in the hall suddenly realized that Di Renjie was on duty today.

Empress Wu nodded slightly and said: "Dali Temple received a report that an official entered the capital privately and met with important ministers privately. Dali Temple conducted an inspection according to the law, but they did not find the person. They only blocked a guard, and the guard was also fighting. He was killed, and arrangements are now being made to round him up."

"Didn't anyone get caught?" Di Renjie raised his hand and said: "Queen of Heaven, it is natural to continue the investigation, but the curfew is already in place at this time, so it is not advisable to take too much action. Each department strictly guards the gates of the square and the city gate. If you can't catch it, Forget it, after all, if you take someone else's stolen goods and you don't catch him on the spot, maybe everything is a conspiracy and framed by others. At this time, it is not appropriate for the capital to go too far. "

Empress Wu was stunned for a moment, with a look of surprise on her face, then nodded and said, "What Di Qing said makes sense." It is still the first month of the year and the New Year has not yet passed. Although the curfew has been restarted, people are still celebrating.

If the imperial court launches a major war at this time, it will inevitably shake people's hearts and be detrimental to the overall situation.

Taking a step back like this, those thoughts that have been raised will be let go in an instant.

Empress Wu's surprised eyes returned to Di Renjie, and then she looked at everyone and said: "That's it, the city gate guards strictly guard the city defense, Jinwu guards patrol in order, Dali Temple, left and right Qianniu guards, secret guards, Chang'an Wannian two counties, each return to their own Home must not continue.”

"I'm waiting for the order." Zhang Wenguan immediately handed over his hand and let out a deep sigh of relief.

"I'll wait for the order." The others quickly handed over.

"Let's all go." Empress Wu waved her hand immediately.

"I'll retire." Zhang Wenguan, Duan Baoxuan, Pei Yan, Qin Shandao, Cheng Chubi and others all resigned at the same time.

There was only one Yuan Wanqing left in the palace.

Raising her head, Empress Wu looked at the palace door in front of her and said with emotion: "Among the ministers in the dynasty, there is no one who knows how to be quiet and respectful like Di Renjie."

Yuan Wanqing bowed slightly, and although his face looked a little ugly, he still did not speak.

"Pass the decree." Empress Wu suddenly spoke and said coldly: "Summon Zhao Gong, the court council official, to see him."

"Here!" The maid on one side immediately bowed and then retreated.

"From today onwards, the secret guards will clean up all their hands and feet. In the short term, they are not allowed to interfere in any affairs of the East Palace." Empress Wu's voice was firm and decisive.

Without any hesitation, Yuan Wanqing cupped his hands and said, "I accept the order."

"King Nanchang, keep an eye on him. All communications between him and Chang'an must be investigated." Empress Wu's voice was cold.

"Yes!" Yuan Wanqing continued to hand over his hand.

"Also, King Cao and King Yue sent a message to Maoshan. Within half a year, I want to know all their movements, but they are not allowed to be known to King Cao and King Yue at all."

"Here!" Yuan Wanqing bowed solemnly.

At this moment, there was a rush of footsteps.

Empress Wu waved her hand slightly, and Yuan Wanqing immediately bowed and left.

……

"Queen of Heaven!" Zhao Gong stood respectfully in the hall with a calm expression.

Standing in front of the main hall, Empress Wu, dressed in black, looked even more majestic.

"Do you know what happened today?" Empress Wu glanced sideways at Zhao Gong.

Zhao Gong raised his hands seriously and said, "I already know."

"Put that child in the Yeting Bureau and settle him down. Don't let anyone disturb him. Take good care of him until he reaches adulthood." Empress Wu's voice had a rare fluctuation, and she received it with a nostalgic look: "He is now the only child of the Helan family. The descendant is the only descendant of my sister..."

"Yes!" Zhao Gong had met the Korean lady. Although they were not close, he could understand Empress Wu's mood.

"Also." Empress Wu turned around, looked at the whole of Chang'an, and said softly: "From today on, you will serve as the commander of the inner guard, and keep an eye on the internal affairs of the secret guard."

"Yes!" Zhao Gong looked solemn.

Empress Wu waved her hand, and Zhao Gong immediately retreated.

In the main hall, Empress Wu's eyes crossed the Yifeng Gate and fell on the entire Chang'an. She said softly: "The human heart!"

……

Zhang Wenguan bowed deeply to Duan Baoxuan and said: "This matter ends here. Dali Temple should not have any further interference."

"Yes!" Duan Baoxuan nodded, and then said: "We have fallen into a disadvantage in this round. Over at the East Palace, please ask Prime Minister Zhang for advice."

Zhang Wenguan shook his head and said: "The East Palace is a matter for the East Palace. Everything in Dali Temple can be done according to the law."

"Dali Temple always follows the law." Duan Baoxuan cupped his hands, glanced behind Zhang Wenguan, then turned and left.

Clear footsteps appeared behind him, Zhang Wenguan did not look back, and soon a voice sounded: "Zhang Xiang?"

It's Xue Yao.

If Zhang Wenguan hadn't appeared in time just now, it would have been Xue Yao who entered the hall and faced Empress Wu.

"Prince, please ask Prime Minister Zhang to come over." Xue Yao bowed slightly. He didn't know what happened in Zichen Palace.

Zhang Wenguan sighed softly and said, "Let's go, it's time to meet the prince."

Zhang Wenguan turned around and headed to the East Palace with Xue Yao.

Zhang Wenguan walked in front and Xue Yao walked behind. He wanted to speak several times but had no chance.

Soon, the two met Li Xian in the study room of the East Palace.

In the study, besides Li Xian, there were also Gao Qi, Huangfu Gongyi and Liu Nayan.

"Your Highness!" Zhang Wenguan and Xue Yao handed over to Li Xian at the same time.

"Please get up, Prime Minister Zhang." Li Xian walked up quickly, helped Zhang Wenguan up, then helped him sit down, and then asked: "Prime Minister Zhang, how did things go tonight?"

"Nothing." Zhang Wenguan shook his head slightly, raised his eyes and said to Li Xian: "Tonight's affairs are over. Each department should keep its duties. If anyone disobeys the order, it will be dealt with according to the law."

Li Xian raised his eyebrows and asked, "Has that person already left Chang'an?"

"Your Highness, that person is no longer important now." Zhang Wenguan looked straight at Li Xian and said, "From now on, the most important thing is for Your Highness to handle government affairs properly."

"Quiet and discreet."

(End of this chapter)