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

Chapter 1707: Heaven and Earth Change Color, Emperor Deposed and Enthroned

Yangzhou, the backyard of the Grand Marshal's Office.

Countless black-armored soldiers stood solemnly, and the servants and laborers going back and forth quickly drained the water from the pond in the backyard.

Finally, two black coffins appeared at the bottom of the pond.

Li Xuan, who was standing by the pool, couldn't help but take a step forward, but Duan Baoxuan behind him grabbed him and said, "Your Majesty, be careful."

Li Xuan turned around in disbelief, staring at Duan Baoxuan with a completely dull look in her eyes: "Duke Jiang... and Sister Wencheng are gone just like that?"

Duan Baoxuan sighed lightly and said with some guilt in his heart: "According to Pei Fu, Duke Jiang was already ill, and the two months of non-stop fierce fighting day and night made his health deteriorate rapidly, so that he died before the fall of Yangzhou. As for Princess Wencheng, she was healthy, but she died suddenly one night later. This is a happy funeral."

"What kind of happy funeral is this?" Li Xuan turned around and looked at the two coffins at the bottom of the pond. He said with an extremely sad look in his eyes, "Being forced to be buried in a pond after death, who wants to go to this kind of happy funeral?"

Duan Baoxuan shook his head helplessly and looked at the people behind him.

Wang Dezhen, Yao Lingzhang, Lai Jingye, Liu Dingyuan, Liu Yuanshen, Li Xu and others were all silent.

Finally, Duan Baoxuan continued, "Before Duke Jiang passed away, he made arrangements to evacuate in 18 groups. Some went to Maoshan, some went to Hangzhou, and some went overseas. These people bought enough time for the emperor to sail out to the sea from Hailing County."

Li Xuan turned around calmly and looked at Duan Baoxuan with indifference.

Duan Baoxuan turned slightly and continued, "Although the emperor has been out to sea for a long time, as long as we keep looking, we can still find him back."

After Duan Baoxuan finished speaking, everyone remained silent.

Duan Baoxuan’s meaning was very clear, to continue looking for Li Chongzhao, but no one else responded to him. It was obvious that no one wanted to continue looking.

When Yangzhou fell, Li Chongzhao did not follow the main force to retreat to Hangzhou, did not follow the navy to go out to sea, and did not follow the small team to Maoshan. Instead, he went out to sea alone with Wei Xuanfu, Wei Siqian, Wei Sili and others.

All those who protected him became his victims, and as for him, it has been eight months since the fall of Yangzhou, and four months since Li Xuan captured Luoyang and recovered the Tang Dynasty.

But during these four months, there was no news about Li Chongzhao. Even Li Xuan and Li Xu were complaining now.

Especially Princess Wencheng also died.

If Li Xuan had not seized the loophole in Pei Fu's words, he would probably never have found Princess Wencheng's remains.

The royal family has always admired Princess Wencheng, but now that you, Li Chongzhao, have escaped, you must at least leave some clues for your people to find you.

But he just didn't do that, as if he didn't believe Li Xuan could recapture Luoyang at all.

"How about this." Wang Dezhen looked at Li Xuan and Yao Lingzhang and said, "Since Lord Duan wants to continue looking for the emperor, then let Lord Duan be the chief officer of the Yangzhou Grand Military Governor's Office and stay in Yangzhou. Call on the Yangzhou Navy, Hangzhou Navy and Dengzhou Navy to search together."

"Thank you, Prime Minister Wang." Duan Baoxuan breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to express his gratitude.

"But the country cannot be without a ruler for a day." Wang Dezhen said coldly, but Duan Baoxuan was extremely shocked. Wang Dezhen glanced at Li Xuan and continued, "The country cannot be without a ruler for a day. The royal family has already made plans. If the emperor cannot be found before the New Year's Day, then the royal family will go to Xianling, Zhaoling and Qianling to report to the previous emperors of the Tang Dynasty, depose Li Chongzhao and establish Prince Wei."

"Your Highness!" Duan Baoxuan turned and looked at Li Xuan with a hint of pleading in his eyes.

"Lord Duan." Li Xuan calmed down silently, then looked at Duan Baoxuan, shook his head slightly and said: "A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. This is not only about government affairs, but also about personnel matters."

Li Xuan glanced at the coffins of Pei Xingjian and Princess Wencheng, and said with a sigh: "The Wei family's incident this time is an example. The only reason they wanted to murder the Weiguo Concubine was that without the Weiguo Concubine, they could forcefully pass the Prince of Wei to Empress Shunguang Wei, making him the grandson of the Wei family."

Of course, the Wei family’s plan is not that simple. They are also taking action against Cui Zhiwen at the same time.

Concubine Zheng died and Cui Zhiwen was dismissed from his position as prime minister, so it would be smooth sailing for Prince Wei to be adopted by Empress Wei.

But unfortunately, that was Chang'an.

Even though Li Xuan hid a lot of secret information, there was still a lot of information left that was delivered to Liu Rengui.

What's more, this layout is too easy to be seen through from the perspective of timing.

There was no need for Li Xuan to provide more information, Liu Rengui saw through their plan at a glance.

At the critical point, Liu Rengui only gave a slight obstruction, and the entire fast-running machine of the Wei family was completely paralyzed.

"They failed this time, but what about the next time? If it is the Zheng family that makes the move, Princess Anle is still in the palace, not to mention the royal family." Li Xuan took a step forward, stepped off the stone, looked at Duan Baoxuan and said, "Lord Duan, this is just this year. By next year, the left prime minister will retire, the right prime minister will retire, the Duke of Pingyuan will retire, and a large number of old officials will retire. What should we do then?"

Li Xuan's questions went straight into Duan Baoxuan's heart.

The Wei family and the Zheng family are not just two of them. The Wei family has the support of the middle-class clan, and the Zheng family has the support of the Shandong nobles, not to mention the Li clan who has not intervened.

The reason why the court is stable nowadays is because Li Xuan has the support of the royal family behind him.

Because of the relationship between Liu Rengui and Li Xuan, Liu Rengui also gained the support of the royal family.

But next year Liu Rengui will retire, and Liu Shenli will also retire. These two old ministers, one is too old, and the other has been on expeditions in the Western Regions. They are both suffering from illnesses and both want to take a break.

We can't let them die of illness while in office.

Li Xuan was the first one to disagree. He also wanted to see his old ministers retire and live out their old age in peace to show that the country was prosperous and secure.

If the two of them retire, who will take over? How will the Council of Ministers and the royal family reconcile? What if there are conflicts?
In this case, there must be an emperor sitting on the throne.

Even if they just sit there and don't say anything, everyone will be able to suppress their anger a little.

The political situation will be more stable in this way.

Duan Baoxuan was silent for a long time, and asked with a hoarse voice: "What if the emperor returns?"

"As long as the emperor shows up before the first day of the first lunar month next year, no matter where he is, as long as the news reaches Chang'an, the King of Wei will be enthroned in the palace. But if not, then when he returns to the capital in the future, the emperor will have been demoted to a prince." Li Xuan glanced at Duan Baoxuan and continued, "But if anyone forges the news, the whole family will be executed!"

Duan Baoxuan immediately understood that Li Xuan's last sentence completely cut off the opportunity for others to continue to do something to Li Chongzhao.

"In addition." Li Xuan sighed and added: "Even if the emperor is demoted to a prince, if he can return, it will also be beneficial to the royal family. It is always good for Emperor Zhongzong to have one more person to inherit his incense."

After Li Xuan finished speaking, Duan Baoxuan suddenly looked up.

Li Xuan's words were extremely obscure, and most people couldn't even understand them.

What does "Emperor Zhongzong's incense will be passed on by one more person" mean? In other words, Li Chongzhao's return can ensure that Li Xian's incense can be passed on to the greatest extent.

If you think more deeply, you will understand that Li Chongjun is too young after all. Although he is one year and two months old and has learned to run, he is still too young.

He still has a long way to go before he reaches adulthood, a journey that will not only be filled with glory and glory, but also with pitfalls, thorns, setbacks, and immortality.

If you are not careful, you may fail halfway.

If Li Chongzhao could return alive, it would naturally be impossible for him to restore the throne immediately, but after waiting for a few years, if Li Chongjun really died prematurely, then it would be natural for Li Chongzhao to ascend the throne.

The premise is that he can come back.

Duan Baoxuan looked at Li Xuan deeply.

Li Xuan's words were too obscure, but there was no way. If he had said it more bluntly, he would have been impeached and cursed Li Chongjun immediately. Especially after he became emperor, Li Xuan was cursing the emperor.

He bowed his head slightly, then smiled bitterly and said, "It has to be this way."

……

"There are still some vacancies. Duan Gong is the chief military governor of Yangzhou, but there are still many vacancies in Wuyue." Wang Dezhen changed the subject and said solemnly: "The governors of Runzhou, Wuzhou, Hangzhou, and Kuazhou are vacant, which has a great impact on Jiangnan."

"It's not four states, it's six states." After Li Xuan finished speaking, Wang Dezhen, Yao Lingzhang, and Duan Baoxuan all turned around.

"Governor Lai has been in Jiangnan for more than ten years, from the governor of Runzhou to the governor of Hangzhou, and then to the governor of Yuezhou. It's time for him to be transferred back to Chang'an." Li Xuan looked at Lai Jingye who was standing beside Duan Baoxuan, and Lai Jingye bowed with some gratitude.

Yuan Jiazuo was the governor of Yuezhou after Duan Baoxuan. Lai Jingye took over Yuan Jiazuo's position many years ago.

"In addition, there is the governor of Huzhou, Pei Guang. He doesn't need to be dismissed from office, but he should be found to be the governor of an ordinary Zhongzhou. Huzhou is not suitable for him." Li Xuan said lightly and directly dismissed Pei Guang from the post of governor of Huzhou.

"Those are the governors of the six states." Yao Lingzhang's face looked a little ugly. Runzhou, Suzhou, Huzhou, Hangzhou, Yuezhou, Kuazhou, the most prosperous places in the entire Jiangnan region were all absent.

"Uncle, please wait a little longer. When the new people arrive in the court, you can be transferred back to Chang'an." Li Xuan looked at Lai Jingye with some apology.

"I obey your command." Lai Jingye bowed with some gratitude. Although Li Xuan's words would delay him for a few months, promotion was inevitable.

"Uncle, please intervene more in Yuezhou and Kuazhou. As for Runzhou and Suzhou, Yangzhou should take more care of them." Li Xuan nodded to Lai Jingye, then looked at Duan Baoxuan.

Duan Baoxuan bowed slightly. The Yangzhou Grand Military Governor's Office was in charge of the various states in the south of the Huai River and the south of the Yangtze River. It would be okay to occasionally take charge of an empty place.

"As for Hangzhou." Li Xuan pondered for a moment, looked up at Li Xu and said, "Brother, are you interested in being the governor of Wuzhou? The order of the various places in Wuzhou does not require too much energy."

"Then what about Governor Wang?" Li Xu asked subconsciously.

"Transfer to the post of Governor of Hangzhou. Envoy Wang has both the merits and qualifications. In the Jiangnan region, someone has to be promoted." Li Xuan looked at Wang Dezhen and Yao Lingzhang.

Li Xuan’s reason is indeed reasonable.

After all, there must be a familiar face in Jiangnan, which will be better for the other places in Jiangnan.

"Good!" Wang Dezhen and Yao Lingzhang nodded at the same time. Calculating this way, the only ones Chang'an could really fight for were the three governors.

There must be at least two royal families in charge of the Jiangnan area. Since Li Xu, the Prince of Jiangdu, is the governor of Wuzhou, then the governor of Suzhou must also be another member of the royal family, who may even be a prince.

Then there are only three states left: Kuazhou, Huzhou and Runzhou.

Oh, and there is also Yuezhou.

Speaking individually, Li Xuan only got one Hangzhou, the rest of the royal family got two, and the other eight prime ministers in the court got four.

……

"Spring planting." Li Xuan's idea was very unconventional. He looked at Duan Baoxuan, Li Xu and Lai Jingye and said, "The key is spring planting. The New Year is coming soon. There must be no delay in spring planting after the New Year. Whether the overall situation of the central government can be stable next year depends on how the autumn harvest in Jiangnan goes next year."

"Your humble servant obeys your command." Duan Baoxuan, Li Xu and Lai Jingye bowed solemnly.

"Finally, let's talk about military matters." Li Xuan looked at Wang Dezhen and Yao Lingzhang and said, "Lord Duan is going to go out to sea to look for the emperor. It would be best if the Yangzhou Navy, Hangzhou Navy, and Dengzhou Navy were all under his command. So after I return to the court, I want to ask the Council of State to set up the Great Tang Sea Guard."

"Your Highness cannot convince the ministers in the Council of State Affairs like this." Yao Lingzhang was somewhat puzzled.

Li Xuan looked towards Silla with deep eyes and said softly: "The emperor disappeared inexplicably, and there is no trace of him in Hebei. It is hard to say whether the wind direction changed and he ended up in Silla."

Li Xuan's words caused everyone present to look incredulous.

Li Chongzhao arrived in Silla.

"Even if the emperor didn't go to Silla, there's no guarantee that Silla wouldn't use this as an excuse. You know, during the Wu family's chaotic rule, Silla was quite uneasy." Li Xuan nodded slightly and said quietly, "Even if not for now, we need to consider the future. The new emperor will grow up one day, and how to surpass Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong will be what the new emperor needs to think about."

How to surpass Li Shimin and Li Zhi? Attack and destroy Silla and do what the previous emperors had never done.

Everyone immediately understood what Li Xuan meant. He was actually starting to think about twenty years later.

Wang Dezhen thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Twenty years from now, we won't know where we will be, so it's always right to do it first."

"That's right." Li Xuan said, "All the troops have made contributions to the affairs of Yangzhou, and they need to be rewarded. One Marine Guard is enough to house two Marine Generals and two Lieutenant Generals, and everything will be arranged... and it can also be prepared for the future. After the Western Regions are pacified, if the soldiers in the army want to gain military merit in the future, they can only let Donghai consider it."

"Your Highness has convinced this humble official." Yao Lingzhang nodded helplessly. Li Xuan's approach was worthy of a prime minister.

"In this way, the entire Jiangnan region will be temporarily stable." Li Xuan looked at the coffins of Pei Xingjian and Princess Wencheng with a sigh, and everyone nodded slightly.

It was not until late at night that Li Xuan made preparations for returning to the court tomorrow.

At this moment, Li Yan walked in from outside and whispered in Li Xuan's ear: "Prince, the Princess of Yongchang is here."

"Yeah!" Li Xuan smiled and turned to walk towards the bedroom.

……

When the sky brightened, a large group of black-armored cavalry set out from Yangzhou and headed for Chang'an.

Under the black banner, Li Xuan couldn't help but look at Yangzhou City behind him.

Under a tall tower, a graceful woman was looking at Li Xuan from afar.

Unconsciously, her hands were caressing her belly.

(End of this chapter)