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

Chapter 1688: The Grand Commandant's Mansion, the Executive Office

It was a dark night. On the south bank of Luo River, Li Xuan stood calmly on the south side of Tianjin Bridge, staring at the Duanmen Gate opposite.

The autumn wind was cold and there was a faint smell of smoke in the air.

Above the Duanmen Gate, an ominous smell has spread.

A steady sound of footsteps sounded behind Li Xuan, and Li Xuan turned around subconsciously.

Seeing the person coming, it turned out to be Li Yuanjia, the King of Han. Li Xuan quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Uncle Wang."

Li Yuanjia waved his hand and said, "It's really not easy to get in here, but are you really planning to transform this place into the Taiwei Mansion?"

Li Xuan raised his head and looked past Li Yuanjia.

The area at the end of Dingdingmen Street, between Jishanfang and Shangshanfang, has been completely isolated.

The southern street entrance was closed off to serve as the main gate of the Taiwei Mansion, with two walls extending all the way to the center of the south and north entrances.

A four-meter-high wooden board suddenly appeared in sight.

Using this wooden board to divide the north and south, a Taiwei Mansion was built on the south side within three days, while the north side was an empty lot, which was considered the backyard of the Taiwei Mansion.

Countless weapons were densely placed and aimed at the Duanmen Gate.

The soldiers moving back and forth on both sides all came from the east and west along the south bank of the Luo River, as well as above the Luo River.

Don't go through the gate of Taiwei Mansion at all.

"Uncle Wang knows that my nephew wants to use these things to completely block the sight of everyone in the city from spying on the Ziwei Palace." Li Xuan smiled and said, "In addition, for the needs of the war, it is also appropriate to temporarily build the Taiwei Mansion here."

"At the same time, we can also make use of the special location here and force the ministers to build the government hall here." Li Yuanjia gave Li Xuan a displeased look.

The Council of State was the core of the Tang Dynasty's government.

The three provinces occupied the original Luozhou Prefecture government office.

The six ministries, nine temples and five academies occupied the residences of Wu Sansi, Wu Youning, Wu Youji and other Wu family descendants.

Although it is a bit far away, it is more prosperous and the various departments have no complaints.

"Ziwei Palace is across Dingdingmen Street, so it's appropriate to place the Political Affairs Hall here." Li Xuan cupped his hands, then said seriously, "As for the Grand Commandant's Mansion, it's just a coincidence. Anyway, the Political Affairs Hall only holds meetings twice a day, and the ministers can just come and see Ziwei Palace, so that if someone accidentally kills them, no one will know."

"Your little thoughts!" Li Yuanjia nodded at Li Xuan and shook his head with amusement.

Through the Zhengshi Hall, Li Xuan actually took control of the government. Similarly, the prime ministers in the court also restrained Li Xuan through the Zhengshi Hall.

"We have to stabilize the situation before the emperor returns." Li Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, then stood up and said, "In fact, my nephew is just a symbol. I will not interfere in the specific affairs of the three provinces, six ministries, nine temples and five bureaus in the court."

"With one Minister of Personnel Zhang Da'an, one Minister of Justice Xiao Siye, and one Minister of War Wang Fangyi, you already control half of the six ministries." Li Yuanjia directly pointed out the reality.

"Mr. Zhang is the left son of the crown prince of Prince Zhanghuai, and the Duke of Langya is the chief officer of the Shanyu Protectorate. As for Minister Wang, his military achievements are more than enough to make him the Minister of War." Li Xuan shook his head solemnly and said, "It's not that my nephew wants to do anything, but with them around, these arrogant and brave generals in the army can be more stable."

Li Yuanjia nodded unexpectedly and said, "You did the right thing. If these prime ministers were really useful, Sanlang and Silang would not have to die, and our Tang Dynasty would not have been almost destroyed."

When talking about the destruction of the country, Li Yuanjia's face was full of hatred and gnashing of teeth.

Empress Wu hid her intention to destroy the Tang Dynasty and establish the Zhou Dynasty very deeply, but she eventually took one step at a time, until today, when her true face was completely exposed to everyone.

"These days, we went to Shendu Garden to pack up the coffins of Prince Ji and Prince Xu. We plan to move them back to Chang'an and bury them in Zhaoling." Li Yuanjia looked at Li Xuan and asked, "What do you think?"

Zhaoling is the mausoleum of Emperor Taizong. According to the imperial system, Qianling is actually the most suitable place for it.

But they all died at the hands of Empress Wu, and I'm afraid they wouldn't have a good face when they met Li Zhi in the underworld.

You can even file a complaint when you meet Emperor Taizong.

"Okay." Li Xuan nodded and sighed in his heart.

"Twenty-Seventh Brother, why do you think the Wu Rebellion happened?" Li Yuanjia walked forward slightly and looked straight towards the Duanmen Gate.

Li Xuan understood Li Yuanjia's meaning and followed his words, "There are too many royal family members outside. Although Emperor Gaozong has supported his nephew, he has placed them outside. Once there is a riot, he can indeed return to the court quickly to quell the riot, but the central government will be difficult to protect."

"So." Li Yuanjia turned around and stared straight at Li Xuan.

"There must be someone from the imperial clan at the center." Li Xuan was very direct and said what Li Yuanjia wanted to say, but then Li Xuan said: "However, the imperial clan cannot hold important power at the center. My nephew's opinion is to have a Minister of Rites and a Minister of the Imperial Clan... Especially the Minister of the Imperial Clan must be a member of the imperial clan."

Li Xuan expressed his opinion clearly, and this was something he had thought about seriously.

The Minister of Rites is in charge of etiquette, but the Minister of Zongzheng Temple is able to have a say on major matters such as the succession to the throne, and his influence is very important.

"But now, the Minister of Rites Wei Daijia is imprisoned in the palace, and the Minister of Zongzheng Temple Wei Siqian is missing in Jiangnan. What should we do?" Li Yuanjia still stared at Li Xuan.

"It's very difficult." Li Xuan shook his head, looked towards Ziwei Palace, and said softly: "After Wei Daijia came out, it will be difficult to move the Minister of Rites. But Wei Siqian, he has been appointed as the Grand Tutor in Yangzhou, so he has to give up the position of Minister of Zongzheng Temple."

"When Emperor Ruizong ascended the throne, the title of Grand Master was granted to Prince Huo, so Prince Huo was appointed as the Minister of Zongzheng Temple." Li Yuanjia made a direct exchange.

After Li Dan ascended the throne, he appointed King Han as Taifu, King Huo as Taishi, King Shu as Taiwei, and Li Xuan as Sikong.

Li Yuanjia meant that they had to accept the titles bestowed upon them by Li Dan when he ascended the throne.

But it can be changed.

Li Xuan was the Grand Commandant, and Prince Shu could be the Minister of Works. Wei Siqian was the Grand Master, and Prince Huo could be the Minister of the Imperial Clan.

"Okay." Li Xuan nodded in agreement, and then said, "In this way, my nephew will ask the Ministry of Personnel to draw up a new list of appointments during the reign of Emperor Ruizong. After the emperor returns, he will re-ennoble the officials... But Uncle Wang, this matter must be made clear to all the uncles and brothers. After the emperor returns, he will not follow the example of Emperor Ruizong and arbitrarily confer titles. Everything must be done according to the rules."

"It's best to follow the rules." Li Yuanjia breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Li Xuan and said, "Twenty-Seventh Brother, so many people in the royal family support you because you are a rule-abiding person. If you do things according to the rules, there will be no chaos."

Li Xuan fell silent. After taking Chang'an and Luoyang, the sentence he said most often was to follow the rules of Emperor Gaozong's time.

In fact, after Li Xian ascended the throne, he followed the same approach, but unfortunately, he was killed.

"What do you think we should do if the emperor doesn't come back?" Li Yuanjia suddenly stared at Li Xuan with sharp eyes.

Li Xuan paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly: "Isn't this what Uncle Wang really wants to say today?"

Li Yuanjia did not say anything, but just looked at Li Xuan seriously.

Li Xuan understood what he meant. After all, Yangzhou had fallen for four or five months.

There was no news about Li Chongzhao from Empress Wu, and there was no news about Li Chongzhao in any aspect of Jiangnan.

The only thing that is certain is that he entered the Tiantai Mountains, but the mountains there are steep and there are countless ravines.

What if something unexpected happens?
"First, take over Ziwei Palace and rescue Prince Ping'en." Li Xuan turned and looked at Ziwei Palace, and said in a deep voice: "Then let Prince Ping'en govern the country until the end of the year.

On New Year's Eve, if there is still no news from the emperor, ask Wang Bo to lead the other kings to offer sacrifices to the previous emperors, and enthrone the Prince of Ping'en as emperor on the grounds that the country cannot be without a ruler for a day.

No matter what, next year, someone will ascend the throne and become emperor, then preside over the imperial examinations and stabilize the country."

"Okay, it's settled." Li Yuanjia breathed a sigh of relief, then shook his head, smiled bitterly, looked towards Ziwei Palace and said, "What is this all about? The emperor is missing, the world is in chaos, and not only that, the royal family has already begun to count how many royal family members have died since the Wu Ni rebellion."

"Uncle Wang, how many are there approximately?" Li Xuan couldn't help but ask.

"At least, there is no one else in Emperor Gaozong's lineage except for the four grandsons." Li Yuanjia's face was full of bitterness, and he said uncomfortably: "As for Emperor Taizong's lineage, there are no more sons alive. The only one left is Li Fu's son, Prince Jianping. Although Li Ke's four sons are still alive, Li Ke's title was inherited by Li Rong, the grandson of Prince Hejian. The only ones left are Cheng Qian's two sons, but their affairs are also a mess."

Li Xuan nodded with a wry smile. Li Chengqian had two sons, Li Xiang and Li Jue. The eldest son, Li Xiang, inherited the title and became Duke of Xun, while Li Jue had nothing and was only the Deputy Governor of Ezhou.

But in fact, Li Jue was Li Chengqian's legitimate son, and Li Xiang was just a bastard's son.

"Forget it, Uncle Wang, there's no need to mention these." Li Xuan waved his hand and said, "Now they are just the title of county king, not as good as my nephew."

"Yes, you are the heir to the throne after all." Li Yuanjia breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but smile.

Although the lineage of Emperor Taizong was the direct descendant, it had nothing to do with Li Yuanjia. When they were demoted to the rank of princes, their position in the royal family was even lower than that of Li Yuanjia.

At least Li Yuanjia and others were the biological sons of Emperor Gaozu and were princes.

"By the way, Di Huaiying will be entering the palace in two hours, I hope everything goes well for him." Li Yuanjia looked behind Li Xuan and said with some emotion: "It's rare that you have done so many things."

Behind Li Xuan, densely packed four-meter-high wooden boards spread out from the Taiwei Mansion to both sides, completely spreading on the wall of the town on the south bank of the Luo River.

All the streets in Luoyang City and the roads leading to the Luo River were completely blocked.

This is even true on the Xinzhong Bridge on the north side.

People can travel between the two sides of the Luo River from Xinzhong Bridge, but no one can see the shadow of Ziwei Palace.

All places to the south and east of Ziwei Palace that come into contact with Luoyang City were completely blocked.

The four-meter-high wooden board also completely blocked the view of all those in the Ziwei Palace looking towards Luoyang.

It was so crowded that it seemed as if the entire Ziwei Palace had been completely isolated from Luoyang City.

Standing alone on the north bank of Luo River.

It makes people feel extremely uneasy.

But they could still hear the noise and prosperity coming from Luoyang City, which made them feel even more uncomfortable.

"It's just a way to attack the heart." Li Xuan raised his head, looked towards Duanmen, and said softly, "My nephew has done more than that these days."

Li Yuanjia nodded slightly, looked at the fire flashing in the northwest direction of Ziwei Palace, and said softly: "The smoke is rising again."

……

"Cough cough!" Di Renjie covered his mouth and nose with one hand and walked towards Li Xuan in the smoke.

The darkness before getting up in the morning is okay, but it is uncomfortable to have pungent smoke in the darkness.

Di Renjie couldn't help but look towards Ziwei Palace. It was still like this here, and it must be even more uncomfortable inside.

"Brother Huaiying." Li Xuan appeared calmly in front, looked at Di Renjie who was coming, and said seriously: "You only have three days. After three days, I will attack the city in full force, regardless of whether the people inside are dead or alive."

"Yes!" Di Renjie suddenly became serious, and Li Xuan said that he would not accept any other conditions.

Surrender or die.

"Tell them." Li Xuan turned and looked towards Ziwei Palace, and said, "Some people have entered the palace before you. If they are late, then this great opportunity will not belong to them."

Di Renjie looked up suddenly, he already knew who it was.

(End of this chapter)