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

Chapter 1635 Beheading Ouyang Tong

Empress Wu lowered her head and looked at the memorial: "In the middle of October of the first year of Sisheng, I returned from pacifying the Western Turks. I passed through the four towns of Anxi. Du Huaibao, the deputy governor of Anxi, had evil intentions and was trying to sow discord among the troops.

According to the old decree of the late emperor, the governors and their subordinates can execute first and report later. I will execute him, and I hope that the empress will forgive me."

The corners of Empress Wu's mouth twitched slightly.

Du Huaibao was sent by her to the four towns of Anxi to replace Wang Fangyi. She did expect that Du Huaibao would vent his anger after returning to Anxi, but in her original expectation, as long as Li Xuan returned from the Western Regions, Li Xuan would endure it no matter what happened.

But she didn't expect that Li Xuan would choose to have an attack at that time.

Li Xuan and Wang Fangyi.

Li Xuan was originally a top-notch general in the court, but in today's court, there are not many generals who can be compared with Li Xuan.

Wang Xiaojie, Heichi Changzhi, Cheng Wuting, and Wang Fangyi.

Even Wang Fangyi's ability is better than that of the other three.

Empress Wu was very clear about this, so every time Wang Fangyi made a contribution, she would immediately find someone to replace him and quietly erase his credit, for fear that he would be promoted back to the center directly due to his accumulated credit.

This was what Empress Wu least wanted to see.

The power of Li Xuan and Wang Fangyi working together can be seen from Wang Xiaojie's northwest march route.

After Wang Xiaojie's death, tens of thousands of troops on the northwest march road, as well as countless military equipment and food supplies, were all annexed by Li Xuan. He even reached Chang'an City in the shortest time possible.

Before Empress Wu could react, the city of Chang'an had already been captured.

Now Li Xuan is stationed at Hangu Pass, and Wang Fangyi is directing his troops towards Bingzhou. The offensive is so fierce that even Empress Wu dare not take it lightly.

The combined power of the two was so terrifying that when Li Xuan saw the opportunity to win over Wang Fangyi, he acted decisively without hesitation and killed Du Huaibao.

And that time was the most appropriate, because Dunhuang was just ahead. Empress Wu had prepared 10,000 people in Dunhuang to disarm Li Xuan, but unfortunately, Li Xuan took action first.

……

"When I passed Shanshan, I heard that Western Tuyuhun had changed. I was terrified and led my people south to pacify Eastern and Western Tuyuhun. Then I went to Lanzhou and returned to Chang'an. Along the way, I was greeted by General Wang Xiaojie of the Left Guard and General Ma Sizong of the Left Jinwu Guard. Unfortunately, General Wang Xiaojie died of illness in Lanzhou. After I had him properly buried, I returned with General Ma Sizong."

Seeing this, Empress Wu clenched her fists tightly.

What does it mean that General Wang Xiaojie died of illness in Lanzhou? It was clearly after a great battle, Wang Xiaojie died in the battle and Ma Sizong was captured.

What's the point of talking about death from illness? He is just blatantly mocking and showing off.

He mocked Empress Wu for her inability to select people and showed off his own martial arts skills.

Empress Wu took a deep breath and continued to read the next memorial.

"I arrived in Chang'an and had a very pleasant conversation with General Xue Guwu. However, at this moment, General Ma Sizong slandered the Queen Mother in front of everyone, saying that the Queen Mother had someone kill Emperor Zhongzong. I was indignant, but General Ma Sizong used his death as a warning. I was terrified, and General Xue Guwu and I didn't know how to deal with it."

Empress Wu's breathing became heavier and her eyes became cold.

Although Li Xuan's memorial is sarcastic, it also reveals a lot about what happened in Lanzhou and Chang'an.

Things in Chang'an happened too quickly.

Luoyang had just received the news that Tianshui was under siege and sent people to Chang'an, but then there was no more news.

The next time there was news from Chang'an was when Wang Fangyi appeared at Hangu Pass.

If the defenders of Hangu Pass had not retreated quickly, I'm afraid even Maojindu would have been lost.

At that time, Empress Wu received the news and quickly sent Cao Renshi and Lou Shide to the scene. As for Yang Zaisi, the Minister of War, he went there later.

Yang Zhirou was responsible for the transportation of food and fodder. After all, this was what he had always done.

At the same time, news came that Yangzhou had been captured, and Empress Wu immediately transferred Cheng Wuting back to Luoyang.

……

Calming herself down, Empress Wu looked at Li Xuan's memorial again.

"Ma Sizong's death is a clear lesson. I dare not take the initiative. After discussing with the other ministers, I wrote a letter to the emperor, asking for permission to return to the west. At the same time, I made the central government run smoothly. Lu Yuanfang was appointed as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Cui Zhiwen as the Minister of the Court, and Li Yiyan was reinstated as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, with the same third-rank position as the Central Secretariat.

Zhang Da'an was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, Yun Hongyin, the Governor of Qizhou, was appointed as the Minister of Revenue, Wang Fangyi, the Protector General of Anxi, was appointed as the Minister of War, and Xiao Siye was appointed as the Minister of Punishment..."

Empress Wu carefully watched Li Xuan's personnel transfers, and found that they were basically his old subordinates in Fanzhou, plus the forces of Zhao Renben and Li Yiyan.

There is also the Chang'an family.

After some operations, at least the entire Guanzhong, Longxi, Jiannan, plus Changfan, Ganliang, Shasu, Anxi and the Western Regions were all under his control.

Empress Wu's breathing became heavy.

The more Empress Wu thought about this layout, the more she could feel Li Xuan's intentions.

He was trying to restore the personnel arrangements and interest distribution of the Gaozong period.

Indeed, this would help him stabilize the situation as quickly as possible, but times have changed.

Although she said so, Empress Wu's expression had become serious.

……

"Doulu Qinwang was dismissed from his post as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Guo Daiju was dismissed from his post as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Fan Libing was dismissed from his post as the Vice Minister of the Central Secretariat, Guo Zhengyi was dismissed from his post as the Right Prime Minister, and Dou Xuande was dismissed from his post as the Minister of Personnel..."

After Li Dan ascended the throne, all the promoted scholars of the North Gate and the confidants of the Prince of Xiang's Palace were dismissed from their official positions.

Empress Wu nodded slightly, and in this way, many officials in Luoyang were able to continue to perform their duties after returning to Chang'an.

Especially once Li Xuan arrives in Luoyang City, people will be in turmoil and who knows what will happen.

Empress Wu's gaze fell on the ministers, including the Minister of the Secretariat Dou Lu Qinwang, the Palace Attendant Wang Dezhen, the Palace Attendant Guo Daiju, the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat Fan Libing, the Imperial Attendant Liu Jingxian, the Left Chancellor Wei Xuantong, the Right Chancellor Guo Zhengyi, the Minister of Personnel Dou Xuande, the Minister of Revenue Cen Changqian, the Minister of Rites Wu Sansi, the Minister of Punishments Qian Weidao, and the Imperial Censor Su Liangsi.

There are also more heads of the six ministries, nine temples and five academies.

The Minister of War Yang Zaisi was in Shanzhou, and the Minister of Works Huang Rensu was in Chang'an.

Former Minister of Revenue Ouyang Tong was imprisoned, former Minister of Rites Wei Daijia was imprisoned, former Minister of Punishment Wang Jishan was imprisoned, former Minister of War Duan Baoxuan was imprisoned. All those who had requested to retire in the Taiji Hall in Chang'an had been imprisoned.

Even if Su Liangsi was left behind, it was only for the sake of balance in the court.

Empress Wu shook her head slightly and continued to look at Li Xuan's memorial: "According to the late emperor's will, all important matters in the court should be reported to the emperor. If there is any doubt, the empress will make the decision. The emperor has not returned to the capital yet, so I will report this to the Empress Dowager first."

Empress Wu narrowed her eyes slightly and said, "Last Will, Last Will."

When Li Xuan mentioned the will here, he was probably not referring to Li Zhi's edict of succession, but the edict of restoring order in Li Xuan's hand.

Sure enough, when Empress Wu saw what was happening behind, her face immediately darkened.

"Chang'an is the imperial capital.

The Queen Mother was ill in Luoyang, and I stayed in Chang'an for three days. After dealing with state affairs with the ministers, I went to Hangu Pass.

At Hangu Pass, he met Yang Zaisi, the Minister of Weiwei Temple, Cao Renshi, the General of the Right Guard, Yang Zhirou, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, and Lou Shide, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War, and they had a very pleasant conversation.

Soon, I will arrive in Luoyang, kowtow to the Empress Dowager, and ask her to return to the capital to show the world the orthodoxy."

Empress Wu could almost hear the sound of Li Xuan's gnashing teeth as he wrote the last few words.

Orthodox, orthodox.

Li Xian, Li Dan, Li Chongzhao.

Li Chongzhao was no longer a threat, and Li Dan was under control, but the dead Li Xian suddenly became a threat to Empress Wu at this time.

The reason for Li Xian's death.

Ma Sizong's nonsense, and Xue Guwu falling into Li Xuan's hands.

Empress Wu immediately understood that once she returned to Chang'an, Li Xuan would definitely bring up the matter of Li Xian's death.

What about "all undecided matters in the court are decided by the Empress Dowager", I'm afraid Li Xuan is making the same plan, using the truth of Li Xian's death to legitimately abolish her power behind the scenes.

Empress Wu gritted her teeth and lowered her head, looking at Li Xuan's memorial again.

"There is another matter which I shall report to the Empress after discussing it with the other ministers.

Emperor Zhongzong was the crown prince of Emperor Gaozong.

He ascended the throne on December 25th of the first year of Hongdao and died on May 15th of the first year of Sisheng.

I have been emperor for a long time since I took office on May 20th.

Therefore, we, the ministers, have discussed and decided to choose another place for Emperor Zhongzong to be buried, so that later on..."

Empress Wu stood up suddenly and looked at the memorial in her hand with horror.

All the ministers in the palace were surprised at the same time, and they all bowed and said, "Empress of Heaven."

Empress Wu waved her hands, took a deep breath, and said, "What a foolish King Peng is! He actually wanted to choose another burial place for Emperor Zhongzong. Although his intentions are sincere, this move has cost him a lot of time and money, and harmed the country and the people. He really deserves to die."

All the ministers bowed their heads at the same time, and many of them couldn't help but gasp.

Empress Wu buried Emperor Zhongzong in Gongling Mausoleum to accompany Emperor Xiaojing, in order to announce to the world that Emperor Li Xian had done something wrong. If a thorough investigation was conducted, it would be discovered that Li Xian had committed the unfilial act of practicing witchcraft and cursing Empress Wu.

But Li Xuan now wants to relocate Li Xian's tomb and build a new imperial mausoleum, which is to announce to the world that there is nothing wrong with Emperor Li Xian, and the so-called witchcraft and curse is nothing but a frame-up by Empress Wu.

Li Xuan also has Xue Guwu in his hands, and before that there were Ma Sizong, Fan Yunxian and others. At the same time, Lu Yuanfang in Chang'an confirmed that as long as Luoyang was captured, there would be a whole group of people in the court who could tell the truth about Li Xian's death.

Once Luoyang was captured, Empress Wu would definitely be in an irretrievable situation.

Good means, good means.

Empress Wu sat down again and looked at the last two paragraphs of the memorial.

“Only when I arrived in Chang’an did I learn that the deposed Crown Prince Xian had been hanged in Bazhou.

Xian is the son of the late emperor. Although he is unfilial, he is still the bloodline of the late emperor.

I and the other ministers cannot bear to see his remains lying in the wilderness, so we have sent people to Bazhou to move his remains and bury them in Qianling Mausoleum to accompany the late emperor. We ask the Empress Dowager for permission."

Empress Wu's face turned completely cold.

She always knew that Li Xuan often used some means to force people's hearts, but when it happened to her, she realized how disgusting and hateful such means were.

Especially the matter of Li Xian made Empress Wu even more angry.

Looking up, Empress Wu said calmly, "I decree that the former Minister of Revenue Ouyang Tong's family education was not strict and he repeatedly violated the teachings of the emperor. I decree that Ouyang Tong be immediately stripped of all his official titles and honors, and be sent to the West Market to be beheaded immediately."

In one word, the whole hall was stunned.

But everyone reacted immediately. There was no doubt that Li Xuan must have said something in the memorial that completely infuriated Empress Wu. In her anger, Empress Wu took out her anger on Ouyang Tong.

"Empress of Heaven." Cen Changqian stood up without hesitation and said with a folded hand, "Minister Ouyang is a simple and honest man with a noble character. How could he wantonly behead someone because of someone else's affairs? I beg the Empress of Heaven to revoke your order."

Empress Wu stared straight at Cen Changqian and waved her right hand. Two Jinwu Guards rushed in quickly, grabbed Cen Changqian's arms from behind and dragged her out.

Cen Changqian did not beg for mercy, but just stared at Empress Wu.

He knew that this day would come sooner or later, and Empress Wu kept him around just to appease the people.

Now that King Peng's army is approaching, appeasement may not be more useful than killing.

"My lords, does anyone have any objections?" Empress Wu looked at the ministers with a cold gaze.

The ministers were silent. At this moment, the Minister Wang Dezhen stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the minister's duties are important to the country. Dismissal and exile are all within the court system. However, if you want to execute the beheading, I ask that the three judicial departments make the decision."

"I request that the case be decided by the three judicial officials." Su Liangsi then stood up with a serious expression.

Wu Sansi, who was about to impeach Wang Dezhen, subconsciously retracted his steps at this moment.

(End of this chapter)