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

Chapter 1698: Not yet done? Get lost!

Guiyifang, Cui Mansion.

The candlelight flickered and there was a lot of noise.

Cui Zhiwen sat alone in the study, looking at the official documents in front of him: "...Emperor Zhongzong's youngest son Zhongjun was made the Prince of Wei and the regent...his posthumous title was Youli, the commoner Wu...he was punished...and his merits were rewarded...all matters were handed over to the Council of State Affairs...On August 26, the coffins of Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong were sent back to Chang'an..."

Cui Zhiwen put down the document and sighed softly.

Everything is finally back on track.

Empress Wu is dead, and the affairs of the world are settled. There is no need to worry about wars anymore, and there are people to take care of everything.

Everything feels like it has returned to the time when Emperor Gaozong was still alive.

This feeling of stability is really good.

“Bang, bang, bang…” There was a gentle knock on the door, and Cui Zhiwen immediately became serious: “Come in.”

With a "creak", Zheng Xuankai pushed open the door and walked in, then carefully closed the door.

"Uncle." Zheng Xuankai bowed seriously.

Cui Zhiwen nodded and said, "Sit down!"

"Yes!" Zheng Xuankai then sat down on the short couch in front.

Cui Zhiwen put down the official document in his hand and asked, "What's the situation in the palace?"

"Nine Lady took Prince Wei out of the harem, and then moved into the East Palace with Princess Taiping and Princess Anle." After a brief pause, Zheng Xuankai said, "In the East Palace, in addition to the original palace maids and eunuchs, Prince Peng transferred a lot of people from Princess Taiping's mansion."

Cui Zhiwen frowned and asked, "So, now in the East Palace, Princess Taiping has the final say?"

"That's exactly what happened." Zheng Xuankai nodded and said, "Prince Peng handed over the power of managing the Eastern Palace to Princess Taiping. Jiu Niang is responsible for taking care of Prince Wei, and Princess Anle is being looked after by Shangguan Zhaoyi and the maids at home."

Cui Zhiwen tapped the table lightly, nodded slowly and thought, "Prince Peng has no selfish motives in this matter. Princess Taiping may have bad intentions towards us because of the incident with Youli. But it is precisely because of this that it is difficult for us to get close to Prince Wei."

"That doesn't necessarily mean he has no selfish motives." Zheng Xuankai sneered disdainfully, and said, "He pushed Princess Taiping to the front, but he hid behind. When something went wrong, he came out to clean up the mess. What a mean man."

"Don't talk nonsense." Cui Zhiwen glared at Zheng Xuankai, then shook his head and said, "Prince Peng is making a serious trade-off. Princess Taiping has fallen out with us, so we need to rely on the power of Prince Wei. In this way, Prince Wei can grow up smoothly."

"Ah!" Zheng Xuankai was slightly stunned. He really hadn't thought of this.

"After returning to Chang'an, ask Jiuniang's mother to visit the palace more often. There is no need to make things too awkward with the eldest princess." Cui Zhiwen waved his hand.

"Yes!" Zheng Xuankai lowered his head slightly.

Although Cui Zhiwen said so, Zheng Xuankai did not have much confidence in it. With the matter of Empress Wu there, there was no way they would have much room for easing tensions with Princess Taiping.

"What's the situation in the six ministries?" Cui Zhiwen's expression became serious.

"Mr. Zhang and Mr. Dou, Minister Yun and Minister Cen have already started handing over their positions. Although they cannot return to the ministry, it does not have any impact." After a brief pause, Zheng Xuankai said, "Especially the official seals. The ministerial seals of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue have already been obtained. There is no need to worry about what Prince Peng will do. There are also people watching over the Imperial Household."

"Where is the Ministry of War?" Cui Zhiwen raised his eyebrows slightly.

"It's the same with the Ministry of War. Minister Wang of the Ministry of War just took a look and left the palace." Zheng Xuankai shook his head and said, "Uncle, if Prince Peng wants to make any move in the Ministry of War, it will be justified no matter what."

"Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Punishment, Ministry of War, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Works, even if these places can do something, we only need to check the account books later to find out." Cui Zhiwen thought and shook his head, saying: "You are right, King Peng will not leave any handles for people to catch in these places. His goal is not here."

"Make a feint to the east and attack in the west?" Zheng Xuankai was shocked. Now everyone in the world knows that King Peng is best at making a feint to the east and attack in the west. If he really does this, he must have a big plan.

"The inner treasury." Cui Zhiwen narrowed his eyes, his face turned cold, and he looked at Zheng Xuankai and said, "There is no one in charge in the palace now. King Peng has drawn everyone's attention to the six ministries, and he himself is also eroding the inner treasury in the palace... No, not only that, there are also secret guards!"

Cui Zhiwen couldn't help but stand up. Just as he was about to walk out, he took back his steps, looked at Zheng Xuankai and asked, "How many secret guards do you have in your family?"

"Not many." Zheng Xuankai shook his head slightly and said, "My nephew has not been in Luoyang for many years. Although he is now the Shaoqing of Sinong Temple, he is mostly in Chang'an. There are only a dozen servants and maids in Luoyang, and there are at most one or two secret guards among them... Uncle's intention is to collect these secret guards instead."

"No, the secret guards may pretend to be friendly with you temporarily, but they are only truly loyal to the palace. Once the palace contacts them, they will immediately betray you." Cui Zhiwen waved his hand and said, "Find them and kill them all, while they are still Youli Shuren's men."

"Yes!" Zheng Xuankai responded solemnly.

……

Slightly relieved, Cui Zhiwen sat down again, looked at Zheng Xuankai and said, "What do you think of King Peng?"

"Extremely ambitious!" Zheng Xuankai looked solemn.

"Yes, he has great ambitions, but he also knows how to restrain himself." Cui Zhiwen raised his hand slightly, and Zheng Xuankai quickly stood up and poured Cui Zhiwen a cup of tea.

Cui Zhiwen stroked his teacup and said softly, "The prime ministers in the Political Affairs Hall, Lu Yuanfang, Wang Dezhen, me, Yao Lingzhang, Liu Jingxian, as well as the left prime minister of Chang'an, the right prime minister of the Western Regions, and King Peng, all seven prime ministers have close relations with him, but he never interferes with their actions."

"That's because all the prime ministers are elegant gentlemen." Zheng Xuankai gently flattered Cui Zhiwen.

Cui Zhiwen shook his head slightly and said, "Because Prince Peng knows how to restrain himself, even if he doesn't do anything, Lu Yuanfang, Wang Dezhen, and the rest of us will do what he expects. Moreover, he has the support of the royal family behind him. Even now, he has sent Prince Wei to Princess Taiping..."

Cui Zhiwen paused, holding the teacup, feeling a heavy pressure in his heart: "He is too disciplined, so everyone will only restrict him, and will not think of overthrowing him completely. He is also good at using balancing means. He is a little... a little like Emperor Gaozong."

"Uncle!" Zheng Xuankai listened and felt an inexplicable chill on his back.

"That's why if he really wants to seize the throne, I'm afraid many people won't be able to react." Cui Zhiwen said to himself, then shook his head and said, "No, he won't do it easily. Once he does, the Cui, Lu, Zheng, Wei, Dou, and Pei families will all be his enemies. Even the royal family won't support him."

Once Li Xuan ascends the throne by force, he will immediately go from being supported by everyone to being the enemy of the whole world.

"Uncle." Zheng Xuankai looked at Cui Zhiwen, leaned forward slightly, and said, "If King Peng really has ambitions, he will definitely move forward step by step. He will gradually replace Cui, Lu, Zheng, Wei, Dou, Pei, and even the prime minister and the royal family with people who fully support him."

"So, again, we have to dismember him before he does all this." Cui Zhiwen's eyes suddenly became fierce.

"Please give my instructions, uncle!" Zheng Xuankai immediately stood up and bowed solemnly.

Now, his grandson is the most likely heir to the throne. If Li Xuan really wants to rebel, then the one who is most threatened is his grandson. "First, take away his military power." Cui Zhiwen knocked on the table and looked at Zheng Xuankai and said, "Western Regions, East China Sea, Turks, Five Zhao, find a way to make some noise, transfer his loyal generals, and then win over the remaining generals under his command, through marriage, teacher-student, money, framing, poisoning, and finally dismembering them."

"Yes!" Zheng Xuankai looked solemn.

"Then there's his assistant minister of state affairs." Cui Zhiwen raised his eyes, and said with a look of relief and pride: "He is now the chief minister of the Imperial College. We should find a way to hand over next year's imperial examination to him... and Ouyang Tong, he is a great scholar in the world. We should find a way to involve him as well."

"Imperial examination fraud!" Zheng Xuankai looked at Cui Zhiwen in surprise. This move was really cruel. If Li Xuan was really involved in the imperial examination fraud, then the scholars in the world would not let him go.

……

The night is hazy at Chengtian Gate.

The Luo River outside Duanmen and the brightly lit Luoyang City appeared clearly in Li Xuan's eyes.

Li Xuan, dressed in red and golden armor, holding a silver spear, gazed calmly at the entire palace.

The East Palace on the east side, the Ye Ting on the west side, the palace city behind, and the imperial city in front were all within his sight.

Everything is under his control.

A light sound of footsteps came from behind, and then the footsteps stopped, and a voice rang out: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Li Xuan turned sideways and looked at Li Dazhi, who was also wearing red clothes and golden armor, and nodded: "Is everything settled for the Right Thousand Bull Guard?"

"Yes!" Li Dazhi bowed solemnly. He was originally the general of the Right Jinwu Guard, but after the Empress Wu Rebellion, he was transferred to the general of the Right Qianniu Guard.

"The deployment of the Right Thousand Bull Guards in various places must be fully operational, and the spies in Chang'an and Luoyang must also be re-mastered." Li Xuan's voice was very soft, but Li Dazhi did not dare to neglect it in the slightest, and bowed and said, "Yes."

Li Xuan turned his head to look at the other side and whispered, "Li Mo!"

"Your Majesty!" Li Mo, dressed in black clothes and black armor, walked out from the darkness and bowed solemnly.

Li Xuan turned to look at Li Dazhi and said, "From now on, Li Mo will be transferred to the Right Thousand Bull Guard and appointed as the Lang Jiang of the Right Thousand Bull Guard."

"Just a Lang Jiang?" Li Dazhi looked at Li Xuan in surprise.

"The Left Thousand Bull Guard is responsible for night guard investigation, and the Right Thousand Bull Guard is responsible for espionage and assassination." Li Xuan raised his head, looking at the Luoyang City in front of him, and said softly: "The lower the profile of the Right Thousand Bull Guard, the better."

"Yes!" Li Dazhi bowed seriously.

Many people know that when the Secret Guards take action, they always wear the identity of the Left Thousand Oxen Guards, but when the Secret Guards are spying around the world, they all use the identity of the Right Thousand Oxen Guards.

Li Xuan nodded slightly, and Li Dazhi bowed silently and left.

Li Xuan turned sideways and whispered, "Keep a close eye on the three families of Cui, Lu, and Zheng, especially the movements of the officials of the families that are married to them."

"Yes!" Li Mo lowered his head solemnly.

Li Xuan raised his head and looked at the Chang'an City in front of him, and said softly: "Create some conflicts between the Zheng family and the bastard of the Wei family, and take your time."

"Yes!" Li Mo bowed.

"Send people to Xingyang. Rumor has it that the emperor has died in Jiangnan, and the future successor will definitely be Prince Wei." Li Xuan pursed his lips to reveal a hint of smile. It was just a matter of flattery. Who wouldn't do that?

"Here!"

Li Xuan waved his hand, and Li Mo retreated silently into the darkness.

……

Li Xuan turned and looked towards the East Palace. Just then, a voice sounded behind him: "How are you going to deal with the Cui, Lu, and Zheng families?"

"The Cui, Lu, and Zheng families are Shandong families after all. They are not the same kind of people as the Guanlong and Hedong families." Li Xuan turned around and looked at Zhao Gong who walked out of the darkness, and said softly: "We just need to make them completely break off relations with the Guanlong and Hedong families."

"The Cui, Lu and Zheng families are old aristocratic families. With the way they do things, how could they easily fall out with the Guanlong family and the Hedong family?" Zhao Gong walked behind Li Xuan. Although he had cleaned up very well, Li Xuan still smelled a bloody smell.

Li Xuan smiled. The smell of blood on his body was not that less.

"The Wei family." Li Xuan raised his head and looked southeast, and said softly, "Let Li Yan release some news that may be about the emperor every half a month in Jiangnan, so that they can have some hope. In the end, when they find that the emperor will never come back, they will go crazy. If someone gives them a life-saving straw at this moment, they will grab it tightly."

"What life-saving straw?" Zhao Gong looked at Li Xuan with some curiosity. In this situation, is there still any hope for the Wei family?
"Adopted." Li Xuan's eyes fell on the East Palace again, and he said softly, "What if the Prince of Wei is adopted by Empress Wei?"

"Although Empress Wei is the legitimate empress of Emperor Zhongzong, it will be difficult to deal with Concubine Zheng?" Zhao Gong frowned, then he stared at Li Xuan and said in disbelief: "The Wei family will not take action against Concubine Zheng, if so, the Cui, Lu and Zheng families will all go crazy."

"That's what I want." Li Xuan turned his gaze towards Chang'an and said softly, "The Wei family has too many fields in Guanzhong."

"How many methods have you prepared?" Zhao Gong suddenly felt a little scared.

Li Xuan did not say anything. He turned around calmly and looked at the Qianyang Palace which was only one step away behind him.

After all, Li Zhi's lineage has not yet run out of luck. Even now, they still regard his descendants as the legitimate heirs of the world.

If Li Xuan doesn't get rid of all these luck, he will have no chance, so he has to start from other places.

The three families of Wei, Cui, Lu and Zheng implicated Li Chongjun.

Finally, there is Princess Taiping.

Only when Princess Taiping goes completely crazy will people all over the world completely despair of Li Zhi's lineage.

As for Emperor Taizong's other sons and daughters, they were all illegitimate sons and princes. How could they compete with Li Xuan?

Just flatten it.

(End of this chapter)