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

Chapter 1711: Borrowing the Name of Heaven, Using the Name of Gaozu

In front of the Taiji Gate, Zheng Xuankai, dressed in a purple official robe, stood among the ministers with a solemn expression, holding a tablet in his hand.

The corner of his eye fell on the Tai Chi sect in front of him.

Li Xuan, dressed in red and golden armor, stood in the center in front of the Taiji Gate. On his left stood General Tang Zhenxing of the Left Guard, General Li Duozuo of the Right Leading Army Guard, and General Qu Chongyu of the Right Guard of the Jianmen. On his right stood General Gao Kan of the Left Guard of the Jianmen Guard, General Sun Renshi of the Right Tunwei Guard, and General Quan Shancai of the Right Military Guard.

If we include General Shi Liang of the Right Guard who is still in the Western Regions, the Tang Dynasty still has eight capable and battle-hardened generals.

The envoys from various countries at the back looked at the row of sixteen generals of the guards, and a hint of fear appeared in their eyes.

The Tang Dynasty is still a powerful Tang Dynasty, and not anyone can easily covet it.

Zheng Xuankai didn't notice the gazes of others. He just looked at Li Xuan with some confusion.

Last night, the Queen Mother, his daughter Zheng Jiuniang, called Li Xuan into Ganlu Palace.

They talked in secret for half an hour.

Zheng Xuankai didn't know what was discussed specifically. He just knew that someone vaguely heard the name of King Yong.

Li Chongzhao.

Zheng Xuankai's heart couldn't help but sink. In comparison, Li Chongzhao, who might come back at any time, was indeed their biggest threat.

Of course, even if Li Chongzhao came back, he could only be the King of Yong at most.

If he doesn't come back even for three years, even King Yong will be removed from the throne.

Because Li Chongzhao was too young, he couldn't even be adopted.

Of course, Li Chongzhao is just one threat, the other threat is Li Xuan.

Liu Rengui is going to retire today, but Li Xuan's uncle Ouyang Tong is going to join the government.

Zheng Xuankai felt extremely disgusted with Li Xuan's participation in government affairs as the heir to the throne, the Grand Marshal, and the General of the Imperial Guard.

Liu Rengui had been the prime minister for many years, and no one could say anything, but what about Ouyang Tong? Li Xuan was already in the Council of State, and Lu Yuanfang, Wang Dezhen, Li Yiyan, and Yao Lingzhang all had a very good relationship with him, so why did he let Ouyang Tong into the Council of State as well?

All this will obviously further strengthen Li Xuan's power, so why don't the ministers stop it?
Thinking of this, Zheng Xuankai couldn't help but feel angry.

Then, the anger gradually subsided, and his eyes fell on Cui Zhiwen.

It’s all about to begin.

……

Li Xuan stood at the foot of the Tai Chi sect with a calm expression, his hand on the hilt of the black-scabbarded long sword.

Everything that happened last night was just a ridiculous absurdity to him.

If Li Xuan had not been worried about falling out with Zheng, he might have immediately faced a young empress dowager who was completely enraged and even ashamed. Li Xuan might have really refused.

But for the sake of the overall situation, he had to endure it.

Of course, there is another reason: his heart is cold enough.

The power he possesses now has fundamentally changed from before.

Everything in the palace was under his control.

If necessary, he can kill anyone who threatens him.

But then again, Zheng's choice really surprised him.

He was even certain that Zheng Xuankai, as a father, knew nothing about these things, let alone Cui Zhiwen.

With a creaky sound, the gate of Taiji Palace opened.

Xu Lu, wearing a new purple palace robe, walked out calmly, gently raised the whisk in his hand, and then said loudly: "On the first day of the first lunar month in the third year of Sisheng, the new emperor ascended the throne. All the ministers congratulate him."

"We obey your command." All the ministers bowed at the same time.

Xu Lu turned around, and then he and the eunuch Sheng Dianyi led the way on the left and right.

Li Xuan, Tang Zhenxing, Li Duozuo and other sixteen generals of the guards stood back in their respective ranks, then calmly entered the Taiji Gate with the kings and ministers, and then headed towards the Taiji Palace.

……

In the Taiji Palace, Li Xuan stood at the top of the generals on the right, with the princes of the royal family in front of him, and the prime ministers and chancellors on his left.

Everyone held a tablet in their hands and bowed gently.

The sound of crisp footsteps came from behind, and then a bright yellow dress flashed into the corner of Li Xuan's eyes.

Li Chongjun, wearing a bright yellow nine-dragon nine-chapter dragon robe and a twelve-tassel white jade headdress, was led by Zheng, who was also wearing a bright yellow nine-phoenix phoenix robe and a phoenix crown, and walked up the golden steps step by step, and finally sat on the imperial couch.

Liu Rengui stood on the golden steps, bowed to Li Chongjun and Zheng, then walked to the golden table beside him, picked up the golden book on it, turned around to face the ministers, and shouted: "Announce the Emperor Zhongzong's will, kneel!"

After Liu Rengui said this, all the ministers in the hall knelt down.

Liu Rengui then unfolded the last will of Emperor Zhongzong, and as Emperor Li Chongzhao had suddenly encountered a shipwreck and had been missing for eight months, for the sake of the world, he offered sacrifices to Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Taizong, Emperor Gaozong, and Emperor Zhongzong, and then requested a copy of Emperor Zhongzong's "last will" from the Zhongzong temple.

Of course, this so-called will was just a will from heaven, made in the name of Emperor Zhongzong, so that Li Chongjun could succeed to the throne legitimately.

Because Li Chongjun was the only surviving son of Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian, no one noticed the problem.

Only Li Xuan, who was kneeling on the ground, couldn't help but clench his fists.

Li Xian had been dead for more than a year, but Li Chongjun was able to ascend the throne in the name of Li Xian in the name of God.

With this precedent, once Li Chongjun's lineage did something that angered God and the people, or even when Li Xuan had to step in to deal with everything, he could use the name of God and the name of Emperor Gaozu to ascend the throne directly.

From this moment on, the difficulties in etiquette and law were overcome.

……

"The Emperor of Heaven and the God of Earth have shown me favor and have bestowed upon me the Golden Book on Kaili Yuan and the Emperor to ascend the throne!"

"The will of heaven cannot be delayed. The emperor ascends the throne and bestows the golden seal. He is the parent of the people and the source of heaven's will!"

"Heaven is merciful and gracious, and virtue is respected. The emperor ascends the throne and bestows the golden tiger talisman. He pacifies the world and the four seas are blessed!"

Liu Rengui, Li Yuanjia, and Li Xuan stepped forward one after another and presented Li Chongjun with the Emperor's Golden Book, the Emperor's Six Seals, and the Emperor's Golden Tiger Tally.

With these things, no matter whether you are doing things in the Council of Government or the Grand Marshal's Mansion in the future, you will be restrained.

Zheng sat behind the pearl curtain and breathed a sigh of relief.

When the emperor ascended the throne, she was granted the title of Empress Dowager and was in charge of the Golden Book of the Son of Heaven, the Six Seals of the Son of Heaven, and the Golden Tiger Treasure of the Son of Heaven. At critical moments, she could even use the Six Seals of the Son of Heaven and the Golden Tiger Treasure of the Son of Heaven to kill anyone who threatened Li Chongjun's throne.

At this position, her vision has changed greatly from before. She is no longer confined to the small world in front of her, but extends to the entire world.

This was also what Li Xuan talked about most with her last night.

The real crisis in the Tang Dynasty today lies outside rather than within.

This eighteen-year-old girl has already made what she believes to be the most correct decision.

Zheng raised her head slightly, and all the ministers in the hall in front of her knelt on the ground at the same time: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty live forever. Your ...."

A rumbling sound came from outside the palace, spreading endlessly to the horizon.

All the officials of Chang'an above the ninth rank outside the palace, as well as the common people on the street at this time, all knelt down and congratulated Li Chongjun in unison on his ascension to the throne.

……

Behind the pearl curtain, Zheng looked up at the ministers and said, "Everyone, please stand up."

"Thank you, Queen Mother." The ministers then slowly stood up.

Zheng turned to look at Liu Rengui, who took out the imperial edict and continued to read it to the ministers.

The emperor ascended the throne and changed the reign title to Chuigong.

The emperor was young and ruled the country by himself.

Li Guangren, Prince of Linzi, was appointed as the successor Prince of Dai, and Li Chengqi, Prince of Yongping, was appointed as the successor Prince of Xiang.

When the emperor was on his eastern tour to Luoyang, he chose one of the two to stay in Chang'an to supervise the country.

Although Li Guangren and Li Chengqi are the sons of Li Xian and Li Dan respectively, they are the closest living brothers of Li Chongjun.

If Li Chongjun goes on a tour to Luoyang in the east, these two people will be the most credible candidates for regent.

When the emperor ascends the throne, he confers titles on his ministers, but before that, someone needs to vacate the position.

Zheng's gaze fell on Liu Rengui and Liu Shenli, with a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

But Liu Rengui and Liu Shenli both stepped forward firmly and bowed their hands at the same time, saying, "Your Majesty, Your ...

Hearing Liu Rengui's voice, Li Xuan couldn't help but look up at him.

He is an old man in his eighties with white hair.

He stood with his hands clasped, looking sincere.

During the reign of Emperor Li Zhi, Liu Rengui requested to retire more than once and had even made preparations for it.

But unfortunately, with the gradual rise of Li Xuan, both Li Zhi and Empress Wu became increasingly aware that they could not allow Liu Rengui to retire easily.

Later, when Empress Wu Zetian was in power and Li Xuan was trying to put down the rebellion, Empress Wu still trusted Liu Rengui and handed over the city of Chang'an to him.

Of course, it was also because Li Xuan killed too quickly and Xue Guwu was too incompetent that Chang'an fell in the blink of an eye.

But no matter what, Liu Rengui has worked diligently for the Tang Dynasty for so many years, and now he is retiring, how could the court not allow it?

"The Duke of Yunlecheng retired and was granted the title of Duke of Bian. He was given a fief of 1,000 households and was allowed to enter the palace for consultation."

"Allow the Duke of Pengcheng to retire, grant him the title of Duke of Xu, and grant him a fief of 1,000 households. He will be allowed to enter the palace and be available for consultation."

"We thank Your Majesty for her grace, may Your Majesty live forever. We thank the Empress Dowager for her grace, may the Empress Dowager be blessed with long life." Liu Rengui and Liu Shenli both breathed a sigh of relief and bowed solemnly.

Zheng nodded slightly, then looked to the side. Xu Lu calmly stepped forward, opened the imperial edict in his hand, and said loudly: "On the first day of the first month of the first year of Chuigong, the emperor said:
Yu Xi!

The secrets of silk and silk are entrusted to those who are behind the curtains.

Merits should be rewarded and positions should be held in high esteem.

I hope you will be prosperous and prosperous, and you will be close to the virtuous people.

The Minister of the Central Secretariat Lu Yuanfang has a profound mind and a sharp mind. He can be the Minister of the Left.

Shizhong Wang Dezhen, who holds both civil and military positions and has a great reputation and achievements, can be appointed as Shangshu You Pushe.

The Minister of the Secretariat, and Li Yiyan, a third-rank official under the Secretariat, are of profound character, have outstanding achievements, and can be the Minister of the Secretariat.

Shizhong Cui Zhiwen is able to communicate internally and externally and is capable of handling government affairs. He can be the Minister of the Secretariat.

The Yellow Gate Assistant Minister, together with Liu Jingxian, a third-rank official in the Secretariat, was given the title of Chan earrings, and was suitable for the court affairs, so he could be the Shizhong.

The Right Palace Attendant Ouyang Tong has made great achievements and meritorious service, and is a talented person who can be a general or a minister. He can be a Palace Attendant.

Cen Changqian, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, is a man of both civil and military talents and a loyal and upright person. He can be the Minister of the Imperial Household, a third-rank official under the Secretariat.

Wei Yuantong, the Shangshu Zuocheng, can be appointed as the Minister of Rites.

Feng Yuanchang, the governor of Guangzhou, can be appointed as the left chancellor.

The Minister of the Honglu Temple Yuan Ming can be the Supervisor of the Imperial Household..."

One after another, important officials in the court stood up and accepted the order.

The emperor registered and rewarded his officials.

There are several vacancies in the third and fourth ranks, and there is also a path for promotion in the fifth rank.

As for the sixth rank, the Council of State Affairs has already discussed and decided that from today onwards, each of the six ministries in the court, namely the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works, will add one Yuanwailang.

Countless officials later had the hope of promotion.

After the reward ceremony was over, Zheng gently raised her hand on the imperial couch and said, "My lords, the beginning of a new year brings a new beginning. Today is the end. I have prepared an exquisite banquet in Liangyi Palace. Please drink a few more glasses today and don't leave until you are drunk."

"We thank Your Majesty and the Queen Mother very much." The ministers bowed at the same time and breathed a sigh of relief. Everything finally returned to the familiar rhythm.

……

To the west of Chang'an City, in Chencang County, a post horse was rushing towards Chang'an frantically.

The postman had a pale face and dry lips, and three red chicken feathers were stuck to the package on his body.

That is the sign for six hundred miles of express delivery.

Six hundred miles of urgent work, there is a war at the border.

(End of this chapter)