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

Chapter 1525: Deposed Crown Prince Li Xian

Pei Yan stood on the golden steps and continued to read the imperial edict: "The Prince's Household Manager Wei Hongmin was promoted to the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the Prince's Servant Jiang Yan was promoted to the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the Prince's Right Guard Wei Ji was promoted to the Junior Minister, the Prince's Secretary Cheng Wuzhong was promoted to the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Defense, the Prince's Left Spring Office Secretary Xue Shao was promoted to the Junior Supervisor of the Palace, the Prince's Secretary Guo Han was promoted to the Ministry of Revenue..."

One after another, the officials of the Eastern Palace stood up and kowtowed to Li Xian.

The expressions of the ministers were solemn. At this moment, even the dullest person could hear something strange.

All the people in the Eastern Palace held deputy positions in the Nine Temples and Five Prisons, and the vast majority of others were transferred to the Six Ministries to serve as Langzhong, Yuanwailang and other official positions.

Although their official positions are not high, they are all second or third in command.

In addition, they were born in the Eastern Palace. In addition to being able to thoroughly understand the movements of the Nine Temples and Five Prisons, and even the Six Ministries, they could also pry open the entire Six Ministries, Nine Temples and Five Prisons at a critical moment.

Aside from the seemingly high-ranking and difficult-to-fight senior positions in various departments, the deputy positions can actually influence and even control the departments.

The impression that the emperor is pragmatic has been deeply rooted in the minds of his ministers.

Among the ministers, one person's expression changed slightly.

This person is the Imperial Guard General Cheng Wuting.

Because he heard very clearly that his younger brother Cheng Wuzhong was the Shaoqing of Weiwei Temple.

The Weiwei Temple was in charge of the government orders regarding ceremonial guards’ weapons and armor, and had three departments: the arsenal, weapons, and palace guards.

Cheng Wuzhong became the Shaoqing of Weiwei Temple, so could he still serve as the General of the Imperial Guard?
……

Behind the pearl curtain, Empress Wu looked at Cheng Wuzhong calmly and couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

Apart from the enthronement of the empress and the crown prince, Empress Wu knew all the contents of today's imperial edict. How could she not know about Cheng Wuzhong's promotion to the Shaoqing of Weiwei Temple?

But when the late emperor was alive, he had already decided to promote Cheng Wuting to the position of General of the Right Guard and Governor of Changzhou.

As the general of the imperial guard, he will have to leave sooner or later, so it would be better to let Cheng Wuzhong be the Shaoqing of the Weiwei Temple. This would give Empress Wu more confidence in this key position.

Although Yang Zaisui, the Minister of Weiwei Temple, was from the Hongnong Yang clan, he was not very close to Empress Wu.

After all, when Li Xian was the governor of Yongzhou, Yang Zaisi was already the chief officer of Yongzhou. Together with Su Liangsi, the Sima of Yongzhou, the relationship between the entire Yongzhou and Empress Wu was not very good.

Now is the perfect opportunity to infiltrate and control the Weiwei Temple through Cheng Wuzhong.

Empress Wu turned sideways and looked at Li Xuan, her eyes slightly gloomy.

Although Li Xuan was kneeling, there was great surprise in his eyes.

He had only made a suggestion at the time, but did Yao Lingzhang carry it out so thoroughly?

After the emperor passed away, many old ministers retired and many positions in the court were vacant.

Some people are promoted, some people leave.

Apparently rising but actually falling, and released outwardly.

A lot of seats in the court became vacant at once.

In addition to rewards such as official positions, honors, and titles, almost everyone benefits.

Even retired officials received generous rewards.

However, the vast majority of officials were equally grateful to Empress Wu and the Emperor. After all, in their eyes, Empress Wu and the Emperor were mother and son, and there was not much difference between them.

But many high-level officials have already seen the turbulent waves beneath the calm.

The power struggle between the emperor, Empress Wu, and Pei Yan.

……

"…Pei Xingjian, Duke of Jiang, was promoted to General of the Imperial Guard, and was made Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince. Xue Rengui, Duke of Pingyang, was promoted to General of the Left Guard, and was made Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince…"

The ministers in the hall suddenly looked up and looked at Pei Yan in disbelief.

General Pei Xingjian of the Imperial Guard was appointed as the Prince's Junior Tutor, General Xue Rengui of the Left Guard was appointed as the Prince's Junior Preceptor, and General Li Xuan of the Right Guard was appointed as the Prince's Junior Protector.

Li Xuan knelt there, looking straight at Empress Wu.

He didn't know what Li Xian had said to make Empress Wu agree to stamp the seal.

Could it be... a strategy of arrogant soldiers?

Li Xuan had a terrible guess almost instantly.

His fists were clenched slightly.

Pei Xingjian, Xue Rengui, and Li Xuan, after February, one of them would return to Yangzhou, one to Daizhou, and one to Fanzhou.

Even if the three of them were appointed as the Prince's Junior Tutor, Junior Adviser, and Junior Protector, it would be difficult for them to play a role at the critical moment.

What a good idea!

Empress Wu is good at using her nominal position to relax everyone's vigilance!

I'm afraid that after today, no one will doubt that Empress Wu has the intention to seize the throne.

Of course, for Li Xuan, there would not be much danger before he, Xue Rengui and Pei Xingjian left Beijing.

Of course, at this time, if Empress Wu really wanted to target someone, as long as she was well prepared, it would be difficult for others to react.

This person could also be Li Xuan himself...

Suddenly, Li Xuan felt an inexplicable chill.

Once Empress Wu becomes silent, she will be very scary, because once she takes action, her power will be as powerful as thunder and lightning.

At that time, it will depend on who is the most unlucky.

Li Xuan doesn't want that person to be herself.

……

"...General Cheng Wuting of the Imperial Guard was promoted to General of the Right Guard and appointed as the Governor of Changzhou and the Governor of Changzhou; General Li Yi of the Imperial Guard was promoted to General of the Imperial Guard..."

The generals in the army couldn't help but look up, their eyes fell on Pei Yan.

All the generals knew that Cheng Wuting was able to be promoted to the General of the Imperial Guard because he helped Pei Yan to stab Pei Xingjian in the back.

Previously, the emperor had approved Li Jinxing's resignation, and now it was inevitable that he would be appointed as the new General of the Right Guard.

However, the generals had always thought that it would be Heichi Changzhi, but they did not expect it to be Cheng Wuting. He was also the governor of Changzhou and the governor of Changzhou.

If Fanzhou becomes unstable in the future, will he really be able to suppress it?
But the emperor had already issued the decree, and the generals could no longer tell the truth.

Moreover, Li Xuan is in Fanzhou, so it is Li Xuan's turn to take action to appease Heichi Changzhi.

All the generals in the army were rewarded with military officials and titles. Everyone gained something, and these matters were soon thrown aside.

As the imperial edicts gradually came to an end, everyone began to understand that the new emperor had gradually gained a firm foothold.

During the period of prime ministership, although Liu Rengui went to Chang'an, Xue Yuanchao was still there.

Among the six ministers, there are close confidants like Lu Yuanfang and Wei Daijia, Ouyang Tong and Huang Rensu have always been neutral, Duan Baoxuan is an old minister of the previous emperor, and only one, Dou Lu Qinwang, is the prince's man.

In addition there are many other officials, such as Shaoqing, Shaojian, Langzhong, and Yuanwailang. As long as these people gradually get into their roles, the emperor will soon be able to control more than one-third of the power in the entire court, and truly be on par with Empress Wu and Pei Yan.

And not only that, as long as Li Xian does not make any mistakes, more and more people will join his ranks.

This is the power of the emperor.

……

Li Xian sat on the throne, looked at the ministers kneeling in the hall, nodded and said: "Everyone, please stand up."

"We thank Your Majesty." The ministers bowed, stood up, and returned to their ranks.

Everyone understood that they had entered a new era.

Li Xian looked at the ministers and continued, "You have all worked hard these past few days. After today's court meeting, you can all go home and rest. Although we cannot celebrate the New Year, I can still let you reunite with your families. Just remember to come to the palace tomorrow to worship the late emperor."

"We obey your command and thank you, Your Majesty." All the ministers bowed in unison.

Li Xian's expression became serious, and he said, "Taichang Temple, Guanglu Temple and Ministry of Rites, please work harder. I have to go to Songshan and Mangshan to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth tomorrow. This is a common ritual and should not be neglected."

"Yes!" The Minister of Taichang Temple, the Minister of Guanglu Temple and the Minister of Rites all bowed at the same time.

The ministers could not say anything more.

Although the emperor has not yet ascended the throne, it is still possible for him to offer small sacrifices to heaven and earth.

Besides, the emperors of the Tang Dynasty had offered sacrifices to heaven and earth every year, but they suddenly stopped this year. What a big deal.

Li Xian glanced at the many provincial governors inside and outside the palace, then looked at Pei Yan and said, "Mr. Pei, starting from the third day of the first lunar month, arrange for the six ministers, the nine temple ministers, the five supervisors, as well as the generals, generals, governors of various states, and provincial governors to report in turn. I want to know the real situation in the world."

"Yes!" Pei Yan bowed solemnly.

The emperor did not take any action on the affairs of state. He just asked all the ministers to report on their work individually. However, in this way, the people of the world recognized Li Xian and there was no change of mind.

Empress Wu sat behind the curtain and looked at Li Xian with a solemn expression.

This son made her feel very strange.

These days, Li Xian spent most of his time guarding the coffin of the late emperor and had little contact with foreign officials.

Even when he occasionally came into contact with foreign officials, most of them were under the surveillance of Empress Wu.

She was sure that no one had taught Li Xian these words.

Empress Wu's gaze shifted from Liu Rengui and Xue Yuanchao to people like Li Xuan, Su Liangsi, and Yao Lingzhang.

She immediately understood that the late emperor had been looking for wise ministers to teach Li Xian over the years.

There is no need to say much about Xue Yuanchao, Liu Rengui and Yao Lingzhang; Li Xuan and Su Liangsi alone are not ordinary people.

Although Li Xian's talent was indeed not high, he learned from others. With the previous emperor in front of him, it was enough for him to just learn from the previous emperor.

Not to mention, there were also Xue Yuanchao, Liu Rengui, Yao Lingzhang, Li Xuan, Su Liangsi and others who gave guidance from time to time.

Empress Wu finally realized that the biggest problem for her to get more involved in the court was her son.

……

Li Xian ignored the gazes behind him and continued, "As for the Crown Prince, he is still young, so he can go to the East Palace occasionally. He usually lives in the Dayi Palace and the Queen will take care of him personally. As for his studies, Prince Peng, the Hongwen Academy, and the people from the Crown Prince's Chongwen Academy can teach him."

"I obey your command." Li Xuan stood up and bowed.

"And the prince's household official?" Li Xian hesitated for a moment, glanced at the ministers in the palace, and then said, "Secretary Wu Sansi."

"I'm here!" Wu Sansi immediately stood up and bowed, looking at Li Xian in surprise.

"Let my cousin be the prince's household steward and handle the prince's daily affairs!" Li Xian smiled gently at Wu Sansi.

Wu Sansi immediately bowed in surprise and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The ministers couldn't help but exclaim in their hearts.

Wu Sansi was the nephew of Empress Wu, the emperor's cousin, and the prince's uncle.

In this way, the relationship between the Crown Prince and Empress Wu could be improved, and the tension between the Emperor and Empress Wu could be eased.

It was indeed a decisive move.

Li Xuan bowed solemnly, but a trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

In the entire court, no one knew Empress Wu's ambitions better than him, and Wu Sansi was definitely a huge threat to the prince at the critical moment.

This is a bad move.

However, in the eyes of the emperor, it is the best way to balance the court and ease conflicts.

In fact, he heard the relaxed breathing of his mother behind him, and Pei Yan's slight nervousness among the ministers.

Li Xian knew that he had achieved his goal.

Li Xian smiled with satisfaction, then nodded and said: "My lords, if you have nothing else to do, we will stop here today..."

"Your Majesty, I have an urgent report." Shangshu Zuocheng Guo Daiju stood up and reported.

Li Xian glanced at the pearl curtain behind him, then looked at Guo Daiju and asked, "What's the matter, Mr. Guo?"

"Your Majesty, this is about deposing the Crown Prince!"

(End of this chapter)