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

Chapter 1560: The Contest of Treason

Empress Wu sat calmly behind the pearl curtain, looked up at Pei Yan, and asked, "The Suzhou Sima reported that Prince Ze was plotting treason. Who does the court plan to send to investigate?"

Li Xian sat in front of the pearl curtain and looked at Pei Yan calmly, but he did not say a word.

Pei Yan walked out of the class train and bowed earnestly, saying, "Reporting to the Queen Mother, because the case is unclear, Pei Judao, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, and Wei Siqian, the minister of the Imperial Clan Affairs Bureau, will go to Suzhou to investigate the Prince of Ze's conspiracy. After all, it is only a secret report from the Suzhou Sima, and the specific facts are still unknown."

Empress Wu looked at Li Xian with some surprise.

Wei Siqian, the Minister of Zongzheng Temple, is the Queen's cousin. It is really surprising that the Emperor is willing to send Wei Siqian to Suzhou to investigate the case.

Looking down, Empress Wu spoke cautiously, "The former Suzhou governor, Cao Wangming, once plotted a rebellion. Later, someone in Suzhou plotted a rebellion in the name of a cult. Now, not long after Prince Ze arrived in Suzhou, rumors of a rebellion have spread. Perhaps the entire Suzhou is in trouble."

Pei Yan frowned and looked up.

He now realized that Empress Wu intended to completely exaggerate the entire Suzhou incident.

Then he could send more of the emperor's confidants to Suzhou, thereby weakening the emperor's power in the central government.

This has been the case since the provincial governors returned to their garrisons in February, especially since Liu Rengui brought the crown prince to Chang'an to supervise the country.

If it were in the past, Pei Yan would have just let it go, but now, he sees clearly that once the emperor falls, he will be the next to fall.

Empress Wu would not let go of anyone who stood in her way of gaining power.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent people to keep an eye on his residence in Chang'an.

Pei Yan bowed his hands solemnly and said seriously: "What the Queen said is very true, so the Minister of Zongzheng Temple Wei Siqian will lead the team. If necessary, the soldiers of the Yangzhou Grand Military Governor's Office can be called upon to deal with it. At the same time, in times of crisis, we can also ask Princess Wencheng to come forward to suppress it."

Wei Chengqing, the son of Wei Siqian, now serves as a military officer in the Household Department of the Yangzhou Grand Marshal's Office.

With him in Yangzhou, at least everything will be more convenient.

Princess Wencheng also returned to Yangzhou after February. Her health was not good. After spending two months in Luoyang in winter, it was almost impossible for her to get up.

It was not until summer that my health started to improve a little.

But her presence, even in name only, was enough to prevent King Ze from making any moves, and even reduced morale.

……

"It's not appropriate. Princess Wencheng is not in good health, so there's no need to disturb her about this matter. In my opinion, we should send General Zhao Gong of the Left Jinwu Guard. At the critical moment, he can lead the palace troops together with General Guo Qizon of the Right Thousand Bulls to suppress the rebellion." Empress Wu raised the corner of her mouth slightly and looked at Pei Yan indifferently.

Pei Yan's expression suddenly became solemn.

Zhao Gong, the General of the Left Jinwu Guard, was Wu Zetian's cousin, and Guo Qizon, the General of the Right Thousand Oxen, was the cousin of Wu Zetian's brother-in-law.

Once these two people go to Yangzhou, I am afraid that even Pei Xingjian may not be able to suppress them.

If they were allowed to control the power of the four military prefectures in Yangzhou, it would directly threaten the economic lifeline of Luoyang.

Every year the emperor went to Luoyang for food in order to reduce the food pressure in Chang'an.

If we can't even protect the food in Luoyang, let alone Chang'an.

Pei Yan cupped his hands with an unpleasant expression: "In that case, sending only these few people is indeed a bit too light."

Empress Wu smiled with satisfaction and said, "In that case, we will send the Minister of the Supreme Court, Wang Jishan, and the General of the Left Jinwu Guard, Zhao Gong, to Suzhou to investigate the case. The Minister of the Imperial Court, Wei Siqian, and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Pei Judao, will prepare for the joint trial in Chang'an."

Li Xian's face suddenly darkened. The person his mother was targeting was indeed here.

Wang Jishan, the Minister of Dali Temple, was the former General of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard. Even the Secret Guards were affiliated with the Thousand Oxen Guard.

All the salaries they received were from the Qianniu Guards.

After Wang Jishan was transferred to the position of Dali Temple Minister, he gave up his control over the Qianniu Guards.

Although that is what he said, Wang Jishan has been in charge of Qianniu Guard for many years. Not only does he have many students and former officials throughout the entire Qianniu Guard, he also knows most of the secrets of the entire Qianniu Guard.

If anything happens, as long as the emperor gives the order, Wang Jishan can even take control of the Zuo Qianniu Guard again.

In addition, the Dali Temple is a law enforcement agency, so the emperor's power will increase greatly.

If Wang Jishan continues to stay in the court, he will pose a great threat to Empress Wu.

Li Xian raised his head and looked at the ministers. Pei Yan shook his head slightly with an embarrassed look on his face.

Prince Ze Li Shangjin was not only a member of the royal family, but also the governor of Suzhou. According to the court system, he should indeed be investigated by the Dali Temple.

Li Xian looked at the other ministers. Even Wang Jishan himself couldn't help but shake his head slightly, and the others didn't know what to say.

Li Xian's eyes fell on Su Liangsi.

"Queen of Heaven!" Su Liangsi immediately walked out of the train.

……

Standing in the hall, Su Liangsi bowed solemnly to Empress Wu and said, "Empress, Your Majesty."

Su Liangsi turned around and saluted Li Xian again.

Li Xian nodded slightly and said, "If Su Qing has any opinions, please speak up."

"Yes!" Su Liangsi bowed solemnly and said, "Although Suzhou Sima Mi reported that Prince Ze was plotting treason, this may not be true. Prince Ze went to Suzhou to take up his post after his mourning period ended in February. He has only been in Suzhou for more than two months and is not familiar with state affairs. How can there be evidence of treason?"

"The Censor's opinion is that someone has made a false accusation." Pei Yan quickly took over the conversation.

"Whether it is a false accusation or not, let the people from the Censorate investigate it." Su Liangsi looked at Pei Yan indifferently.

Pei Yan looked a little angry and said, "It's impossible for the Imperial Censor to go there in person, right?"

"It's also okay for the Chief Censor to go." Su Liangsi looked up at Li Xian and bowed seriously.

Pei Yan also bowed at the same time and looked at Li Xian: "Your Majesty." Empress Wu was sitting behind a pearl curtain, and Pei Yan and Su Liangsi had already involved Chief Censor Qian Weidao in their response.

The Chief Censor Qian Weidao was a close confidant of Empress Wu, and even before him there was the Grand Censor Cui Mi.

Later, Cui Mi was dismissed from his post as Grand Censor and faded out of the court. Even the Chief Censor Qian Weidao began to fade into obscurity.

For a time, many people forgot that among the three provinces, six ministries and nine temples, there were countless officials of the fourth and fifth ranks who were Wu Zetian's confidants, and many of them were even scholars of the Northern Gate.

And these people all hold key positions.

He holds so much power that even Pei Yan is wary of him.

Seeing that Qian Weidao was dragged into this by Su Liangsi, Empress Wu looked up at Li Xian and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Ze is the son of the late emperor after all. What do you think of your brother?"

"Mother, I think the Grand Censor and the General of the Left Jinwu Guard should go together." Li Xian turned sideways and looked at Empress Wu with a serious expression.

Zhao Gong patrols the imperial city every day. If something really happens, he will pose a great threat to Li Xian.

The Empress Wu's appearance here today was obviously intended to pull out one of the emperor's confidants, and Su Liangsi's initiative to step forward meant just that.

And there is nothing that can be done about it.

After all, Prince Ze Li Shangjin is a prince and the son of the previous emperor. If he really plots treason, it would be difficult for ordinary people to deal with him.

Especially now that the late emperor's body is still in Luoyang, it would be very disadvantageous for Li Xian if Prince Ze raised an army in the name of the late emperor's son.

So Li Xian had to take a step back.

Empress Wu nodded, then looked up at Pei Yan and said, "Mr. Pei?"

"Your Majesty, what you said is appropriate." Pei Yan bowed seriously.

The pearl curtain swayed, and Empress Wu said calmly: "Then let it be so."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed and accepted the order at the same time.

Empress Wu looked up at Su Liangsi and said, "Mr. Su, this matter is of great importance. In my opinion, you should go and come back quickly to settle this matter as soon as possible."

"I think so too. I will obey your command." Su Liangsi bowed slightly and nodded to Empress Wu with a solemn expression.

Empress Wu smiled softly and said, "With Su Qing, this matter can be settled properly. If there is anything that needs to be investigated, it should be investigated in detail. We cannot leave too many clues, lest someone over there plots rebellion just as Prince Ze is brought back to the capital."

"Yes!" Su Liangsi bowed calmly. He understood what Empress Wu meant. Although Empress Wu asked him to go quickly and come back quickly, in fact, the key lies in the two words "go quickly".

Empress Wu asked him to leave Chang'an as quickly as possible. As for when he would return, that would be a matter to be decided after a thorough investigation.

"So be it." Empress Wu stood up.

The ministers immediately knelt down and said in a deep voice: "We respectfully send off the Queen Mother."

Crisp footsteps were heard, and Empress Wu had already left Qianyang Palace.

Li Xian sat on the throne and looked at the ministers and said, "It's getting late. You all should go to dinner. The Imperial Censor, please stay for a while. I have other instructions for Suzhou."

"I obey your order." The ministers bowed, then stood up and left.

Soon, only Li Xian and Su Liangsi were left in Qianyang Palace.

Li Xian raised his head, looked at the backs of the ministers leaving, sighed, and said: "None of these people are willing to do their best."

"That's because everything the Queen Mother said and did was within the court system." Su Liangsi bowed seriously.

Li Xian nodded slightly. Although everything nowadays was a struggle for power and profit, in fact, neither Empress Wu nor Li Xian had done anything out of line.

"So what does Su Qing plan to do this time?" Li Xian looked at Su Liangsi seriously.

Su Liangsi cupped his hands and said, "Although the General of the Left Jinwu Guard is a close confidant of the Queen Mother, I still know how he behaves as a minister. Zhao Gong has been keeping a low profile for many years in the Secret Guard, but his methods are not weak. Although he is not that easy to deal with, he will not go beyond the norm..."

After a brief pause, Su Liangsi pondered and said, "The key lies in three places."

"Which three places?" Li Xian's expression became serious.

"First of all, it's Suzhou. Something must have happened in Suzhou, otherwise Prince Ze would not have been instigated by others." Su Liangsi sneered.

Prince Ze Li Shangjin was accused of treason. Even though the Suzhou Sima was Wu Zetian's man, the false accusation without real evidence was useless.

So something must have happened to Li Shangjin, especially in Suzhou.

Su Liangsi rarely goes to Suzhou, so he has to clean it up all at once.

"The next is Yangzhou." Su Liangsi's breathing became heavier. He bowed his hands seriously and said, "Right Thousand Bull General Guo Qizong is guarding Yangzhou. Although Duke Jiang is here, if he mobilizes the army with the Queen Mother's decree, I am afraid that the court will be worried, so I want to ask Your Majesty for an imperial decree."

Li Xian's expression became solemn. He nodded without hesitation and said, "Don't worry, I will write it to you personally."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Su Liangsi raised his head and said seriously, "Finally, it's the court. After I leave, although Your Majesty seems to be somewhat weakened, the influence of the Chief Censor Qian has emerged, and Prime Minister Pei will be alert, so Your Majesty needs to trust Prime Minister Pei more."

"I can see that Pei Yan has also noticed something." Li Xian nodded slightly.

"The last one is the Dali Temple Minister." Su Liangsi said solemnly, "After I leave, if something happens, please let your majesty directly let the prince inspect the left Qianniu Guard General and command the Luoyang army to prepare for any unexpected event."

The word "unexpected" is a bit heavy.

"There is no problem in letting the prince inspect the General of the Left Thousand Bull Guard, but commanding the troops in Luoyang requires Prime Minister Pei's approval." Li Xian pondered for a moment and gave the order for the camp.

Although Wang Jishan was an old minister left to him by the previous emperor, Li Xian had no idea what choice he would make at the critical moment.

Therefore, it is best for Li Xian to let Pei Yan and Wang Jishan check and balance each other.

"That's fine." Su Liangsi nodded and said, "The last thing your majesty needs to be careful of is the palace..."

(End of this chapter)