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

Chapter 1594 Empress Wu VS Li Xuan, Threatening and Winning Over Hostages

Palace lanterns flicker in the night.

Xue Shao walked steadily on the palace road, and standing beside him was Zhao Gong.

The new general of the Left Thousand Bull Guard, Zhao Gong.

Zhao Gong, who had just been ordered to take off his armor and take a bath.

The eunuch led Xue Shao and Zhao Gong into the palace. The two men only raised their heads slightly and bowed at the same time: "Your subjects pay their respects to the Queen Mother."

Empress Wu nodded and said, "The late emperor has been buried. It is time for the two of you to set off for the Western Regions."

Xue Shao was the chief envoy and Zhao Gong was the deputy envoy. The two went to the Western Regions to announce the imperial edict and promoted King Peng Li Xuan to the position of Sikong.

This was something that Empress Wu had decided long ago.

Zhao Gong was slightly surprised, but he and Xue Shao bowed and said, "Yes!"

"My dear husband, the princess should have mentioned this to you." Empress Wu turned to look at Zhao Gong and said, "My cousin, I originally asked you to go to Suzhou to deal with the matter of Prince Ze, but due to the sudden changes in the court, you need to go to the Western Regions."

"Yes!" Zhao Gong bowed solemnly.

Although Zhao Gong was Li Xuan's cousin, he was more of a close confidant of Empress Wu.

If it weren't for Li Xuan, Zhao Gong's position would completely be on Empress Wu's side.

Even with Li Xuan, Zhao Gong would try his best to find a balance between Li Xuan and Empress Wu.

Although he would be more inclined towards Li Xuan, he knew better how powerful Empress Wu was, so when he acted, his actions would be more in the direction that would benefit Empress Wu, which was also the reason why Empress Wu asked him to go to the Western Regions.

Empress Wu looked at Zhao Gong and continued, "The sudden change in the court was unexpected. Cousin, here is a letter from the emperor. Give it to him personally."

"Yes!" Zhao Gong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Honestly, it would be a lie to say he wasn't worried.

Even after this trip to the East, he did not expect that when he returned, there would be a new person on the throne.

Zhao Gong was naturally aware that Empress Wu wanted to seize power, otherwise she would not have transferred so many of the emperor's cronies out of the capital by various means.

It was common for the emperor and Empress Wu to clash over political power. The winner would take a step forward, while the loser would take a step back. It was not a big deal.

However, no one expected that the emperor would die.

Even when Zhao Gong was in Suzhou and heard that the emperor had died, he felt it was extremely absurd.

How could the emperor do that?

That’s Empress Wu’s biological son!
Not to mention Zhao Gong, the entire Jiangnan region was in chaos.

The emperor died and someone else took over.

The provincial governors went crazy.

No matter what, Li Xian was the crown prince personally selected by the late emperor, and he succeeded to the throne smoothly. He handled all government affairs in a measured manner, clearly distinguished between rewards and punishments, and all officials, from top to bottom, were submissive to him.

Such an emperor died just like that.

Even though Empress Wu quickly made Li Dan the emperor, the area south of the Yangtze River was still in chaos.

This is also the reason why Zhao Gong, Su Liangsi, and Pei Xingjian came back so slowly.

It is not easy to stabilize such a chaotic situation.

Especially since it was already mid-May at that time, all states and counties had already begun preparing for the autumn harvest and autumn taxes.

If the late emperor had not wanted to be buried in Qianling Mausoleum, they would probably not have been able to return.

But even so, they still came back a little late.

Pei Xingjian was old and couldn't go fast, so he could only take a slow boat ride.

Later, Empress Wu urgently summoned Su Liangsi to return, and Su Liangsi left first.

The day before yesterday, Empress Wu urgently summoned Zhao Gong back, and Zhao Gong then left Pei Xingjian and went ahead.

As for Pei Xingjian, he had already entered Henan and was not far from Luoyang.

However, Zhao Gong did not expect that he would have to set off to the Western Regions to resolve Li Xuan's issue right after returning to Chang'an.

Su Liangsi, Pei Xingjian, Li Xuan.

Only when these three people recognized Li Dan's throne, Li Dan's throne was considered secure.

Otherwise, if even one person disagrees, the whole world will be in an uproar.

It is precisely because of this that the situation of these three people is extremely dangerous.

Now that Empress Wu is willing to give Li Xuan and Li Dan a personal letter, and the emperor has made some promises, everything will be easy.

……

Empress Wu nodded and sighed, "When the Emperor was the Prince of Xiang, he had a good relationship with Prince Peng. Prince Peng helped the Emperor with his wedding and the birth of the Crown Prince. Therefore, the Emperor still trusts Prince Peng very much and will still entrust the affairs of the Western Regions to him in the future."

"Yes!" Xue Shao and Zhao Gong bowed their heads at the same time, but when Empress Wu said the last sentence, Zhao Gong couldn't help but frowned.

Empress Wu reached out, picked up the box on the table and handed it to Xue Shao.

Xue Shao bowed and took it.

Empress Wu continued, "There are several imperial edicts inside. Some are for Prince Peng and his generals, and the other part is for Duke Pengcheng and his generals. So you should go from Changzhou to Fanzhou first, and then go to the Western Regions from Fanzhou. That way it will be more convenient and safer."

"Safe?" Xue Shao and Zhao Gong looked up at the same time.

Empress Wu's expression became serious, and then she said, "In the past month, the demon cult that was once wiped out has begun to revive again. There are traces of them in Jizhou, Bingzhou, Tianshui, and Tuyuhun. According to the secret investigation in the palace, the demon cult's base camp is very likely in the desert outside Dunhuang."

"Dunhuang?" Zhao Gong raised his head and said carefully, "What about those Ganliang families?"

"The Demon Cult and the Ganliang Family have always had a close relationship. There have been cooperation and confrontation between the two sides." Empress Wu sneered and said, "Just like in the court, some of them support this, and some support that."

Zhao Gong understood immediately that Empress Wu was worried that Emperor Zhongzong's people in the court would take action through the Ganliang family and then through the Demon Cult.

The Demon Cult has always wanted to overthrow the Tang Dynasty, otherwise it would not have taken action in Jizhou, Bingzhou, Tianshui and Tuyuhun at this time.

“It is most appropriate for Tibetans to leave the thousands-mile desert. The Ganliang family and the Demon Cult have looted a huge amount of wealth through this desert. If you go to the Western Regions from this road, who knows if they will take action? If the imperial edict falls into their hands, we will be in trouble.” Empress Wu’s expression became solemn.

"Yes!" Zhao Gong and Xue Shao bowed at the same time.

"Also, walk more steadily along the way. Starting from Changzhou, check the transportation of food and fodder along the way to Luosu. When you arrive in Luosu, Wang Yinke will receive you and then send someone to escort you to the Western Regions." Empress Wu's instructions were very detailed, so detailed that they made people feel creepy.

Zhao Gong couldn't help but ask, "Queen, isn't Wang Yinke going to the Western Regions?"

"No, he will stay in Luoshui and suppress the entire Fanzhou." Empress Wu shook her head and continued, "You will continue to travel west and investigate the food and military equipment transported from Luoshui to the Western Regions." "Yes!" The moment Zhao Gong lowered his head, he immediately understood that this was a threat.

After all, the Western Regions are remote, and the court has cut off their food, weapons, and manpower, making it difficult for Li Xuan to do anything in the West.

Not to mention that there is also a Wang Yinke in Luosi.

Empress Wu's words "suppress Fanzhou" are enough to explain everything.

"After arriving in the Western Regions, find King Peng and give him the imperial edict promoting him to the position of Sikong, and then take a look at the situation in the Western Regions."

Empress Wu narrowed her eyes and said softly, "In the Western Regions today, the only opponents of the Tang Dynasty are the Western Turks and the Arabs. But the key is the Western Turks. If the Western Turks have been pacified, then let Prince Peng set off to return to the capital. If the Western Turks have the upper hand, then wait a little longer until the Western Turks are pacified before returning."

Zhao Gong's brows were tightly furrowed. Empress Wu was trying to squeeze out every last bit of value from Li Xuan.

"But remember, at the end of the year, King Peng must come back to report on his work." Empress Wu raised her head, looked at Zhao Gong, and said, "Cousin, the most important thing for you and your husband to do this time is to get King Peng back at the end of the year. There are still six months to the end of the year. Three months to go and three months to come back should be enough."

"Yes!" Zhao Gong lowered his head solemnly.

Empress Wu smiled with satisfaction, and then said, "Tell King Peng that although the central government is stable now, the whole country is in turmoil. He has always been good at making plans. Even if he comes back for a few days, it will be enough for him to come up with a strategy to solve the problem."

"Yes!" Zhao Gong and Xue Shao nodded at the same time.

"Okay, you guys go back and pack up, and we'll set off tomorrow." Empress Wu said firmly.

So hasty.

Zhao Gong and Xue Shao looked at each other and said at the same time, "Yes!"

……

There was a slight sound of wind in the Liangyi Palace.

Shangguan Wan'er said a few words to Empress Wu, who raised her head slightly. The next moment, Zhao Gong walked in again.

Just now, Zhao Gong and Xue Shao had knelt down and left, but just after they left, Zhao Gong returned again.

Standing in the hall, Zhao Gong bowed to Empress Wu and said, "Empress of Heaven!"

"Yes!" Empress Wu nodded in satisfaction and raised her head to ask, "What's the matter?"

Zhao Gong bowed his hands with a serious look and said, "May I ask the Queen Mother what position King Peng will take after returning to the capital. If he asks about it, I will be able to give him an answer."

That’s right, Empress Wu did not plan to let Li Xuan go to the Western Regions after returning to Beijing.

Empress Wu had made it very clear in her words just now, but unfortunately Xue Shao didn't understand.

It doesn’t matter, Zhao Gong understands.

Li Xuan could understand it as well.

The most important thing is what kind of promise Empress Wu can make Li Xuan feel at ease to return.

Empress Wu nodded and said, "Tell him that after returning to the capital, he will first be appointed as the Imperial College's chief academician. Prince Han suggested that an inner school be established, and he will be in charge of it. At the same time, he will be allowed to be the Minister of Works and the Minister of Imperial Households. He can also teach when the Emperor attends government affairs in a side hall. If the inner school succeeds, the Prince of Jinchang can also enter the inner school to study with the Crown Prince."

Use the future to tie Li Xuan down.

The emperor and the prince.

"Once the Emperor takes power in three years, he can discuss with the Emperor where to go. I will be tired by then, so I won't be in charge." Empress Wu looked very tired. After three years, her body might not be able to support her.

"Take care, Queen." Zhao Gong looked at Empress Wu with some concern, then cupped his hands and said, "I will definitely persuade King Peng to return."

"Yes!" Empress Wu nodded gently, then waved her hand gently and said, "Cousin, what I said to you is the truth, and I didn't say anything nonsense to King Peng. Otherwise, I would have awarded him the third rank of Zhongshu Menxia today. If I dare to ask, will he dare to accept it?"

"Yes!" Zhao Gong immediately bowed and asked Li Xuan to be the prime minister. Li Xuan dared to do so, but Zhao Gong did not.

"Well, go ahead. Be careful on the road. I will take good care of your family." Empress Wu said in a light tone.

"Yes!" Zhao Gong kowtowed heavily.

……

Watching Zhao Gong leave, Empress Wu picked up a secret decree from the side, looked to the side and said, "Fan Yunxian."

"I'm here." Fan Yunxian bowed and stood up.

Empress Wu nodded and said, "You go with them to the Western Regions. Once you get there, go find this man. He will help you ensure that King Peng returns to the court, dead or alive."

"Yes!" Fan Yunxian took the secret order, then bowed and stepped back.

Empress Wu looked calmly into the darkness outside the palace.

I don't know how long it took, but I heard hurried footsteps coming from outside, followed by a secret letter being handed in.

Shangguan Wan'er took a look and her face changed drastically: "My Queen, Duke Jiang has disappeared since he left Bianzhou."

"Hmm!" Empress Wu looked unusually calm, looking to the side and said, "The prince should have arrived in Yangzhou. Duke Jiang just received the news. Qiu Huan, you should go there in person and intercept Duke Jiang. Don't let him return to Yangzhou alive."

Qiu Huan bowed solemnly: "Yes!"

……

A black-sailed boat was floating gently on the Wei River.

A pigeon hawk suddenly flew from the east and landed in the hands of Li Xuan, who was dressed as a Taoist priest in black.

Li Xuan opened the secret letter, took a look at it, and then laughed.

The next moment, the bottom of the wupeng boat suddenly leaked.

Li Xuan slowly sank to the bottom of the river along with the entire ship.

Following the underwater passage, we entered the underground palace.

Sitting deep in the dark underground palace, Li Xuan slowly closed his eyes.

……

In the darkness, Li Xuan opened her eyes again and saw a large fur tent in front of her.

In June, the snowy mountains were suddenly engulfed in flames of war.