Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 436 It’s hard to argue
"Have you heard? Brother Zhao, the Queen Mother of Ji State nearly died on the way to Fengshan. Fortunately, she was treated in time and saved her life. I just don't know if she can still make the first offering to the earth."

"Brother Wu is too naive. Your news is just to fool children. The real situation is that the Queen Mother of Yan poisoned the Queen Mother of Ji, which caused the Queen Mother of Ji to almost die."

"That's impossible! How could the Concubine of Yan poison the Concubine of Ji?"

"That's right. The Concubine Dowager of Yan and the Concubine Dowager of Ji followed the Prince of Ji and the Prince of Yan to their respective fiefdoms after Emperor Taizong passed away. They haven't seen each other for ten years. If it weren't for this Fengshan ceremony, they would probably never see each other until they die. They have no grudges against each other. Even if they don't cherish their old feelings, they won't do such a cruel thing."

"That makes sense. The Queen Mother of Yan is already old. What can't she let go of? Even if she has a personal grudge, she really doesn't care about her family's children when she resorts to such means? I don't believe it..."

Amidst the waves of dissenting voices, one person said in a high-pitched voice: "You have no idea what's going on. You only know the Queen Mother of Yan State, but you don't know that there is someone behind her!"

This statement naturally attracted the attention of the public.

"The person behind the Concubine Dowager of Yan State is Empress Wu, the current Empress?"

"Why is the Concubine Dowager of Yan State involved with Empress Wu?"

"You may not know this! Empress Wu's mother, Yang, was the daughter of Yang Da, who was the younger brother of the previous Emperor Guande Yang Xiong and the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. The mother of Concubine Tai of Yan was Yang Xiong's third daughter. Therefore, Concubine Tai of Yan's mother and Empress Wu's mother were cousins... It is said that Emperor Taizong recruited Empress Wu into the palace as a talent because Concubine Yan De said that Empress Wu was beautiful..."

When he said this, there was a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

Obviously, the emperor was somewhat dissatisfied that a concubine of the fifth rank of the previous emperor, whose rank was not even higher than that of the older palace maids, could become the mother of the country.

Most of the people around did not respond.

Most people think this way, but Empress Wu is, after all, the mother of the country. Even though the Tang Dynasty did not punish people for their speech, it was still not good to say in public that the current empress was the concubine of the former emperor.

So new problems have arisen...

"Then why did Empress Wu want to deal with Concubine Ji?"

"Of course it's about offering sacrifices to the land! Empress Wu, as the mother of the country, did not think about being a model for the country, but wanted to follow the example of the harems of the Han Dynasty and get involved in politics. Now only the Concubine Dowager of Ji and the Concubine Dowager of Yan are qualified to offer sacrifices to the land. As long as the Concubine Dowager of Ji has an accident, given the relationship between the Concubine Dowager of Yan and Empress Wu, it is obvious who will be the final winner!"

"Oh I got it!"

A long analysis makes the cause and effect clear.

Huazhou, posthouse.

Chen Qingsi was listening to Li Jingye talking about the rumors circulating in the market...

Listening to the reasonable analysis, Chen Qingsi suddenly felt that this was the real situation.

It's organized and logical, and it also contains gossip that everyone loves to hear.

If Chen Qingsi had not personally inquired into the matter, he might have been convinced by the rumor.

Chen Qingsi looked at the many Fengshan envoys who had gathered together again, and said with a bitter smile: "The person who spread this rumor was really thoughtful."

Every ten days, Chen Qingsi would gather the envoys for a closing meeting to summarize and review the situation, and try to nip unknown risks in the bud as much as possible. Even if accidents were unavoidable, they would be minimized.

Just like the Ji Guo Feifei incident, there were accidents and Empress Wu's inaction, but Guo Zhengyi still managed to turn danger into safety with proper and quick handling methods.

But no one could have imagined that this incident would give rise to a public opinion storm against Empress Wu.

Chen Qingsi could only gather everyone together to discuss how to deal with the situation.

Hearing Chen Qingsi's sigh, all the envoys below nodded slightly in agreement.

Empress Wu entered the palace in the 11th year of Zhenguan. In addition to Concubine Yan De, Princess Yang of Prince Chao also recommended her to Li Shimin.

Princess Yang of Chao was the niece of Yang Shidao, the son of Yang Xiong. The two Yangs and Empress Wu were indeed cousins.

But so many years have passed, and the Concubine Dowager of Ji and the Concubine Dowager of Yan have faded from public sight for more than a decade. Just by accident, someone traced the relationship between them so clearly.

This is not something that ordinary people can do, and it takes some effort.

Even Chen Qingsi, who had always been wary of Empress Wu, did not know the interpersonal relationships involved.

Chen Qingsi didn't know, and the envoys below him were even less clear. They were all outstanding up-and-coming talents. Who would go out of their way to find out about old stories?

Seeing that no one spoke, Chen Qingsi asked: "What good solutions do you have for this rumor?"

He asked casually, without expecting to get a solution.

The only thing that cannot be resisted in this world, whether now or in the future, is rumors.

The capital for spreading rumors is very simple: just the mouth.

People who believe in rumors will not use their brains to analyze the truth or falsehood. They will only believe what they believe. Even if you put evidence in front of them, they are unwilling to believe it, but think that there must be a mysterious and terrifying big hand controlling everything.

Therefore, there is a saying from the ancients: "Rumors stop at the wise."

Is this really praise for the wise?

No, this is the most helpless compromise to rumors.

really……

After Chen Qingsi asked the question, there was a moment of silence.

After a long while, Cen Changqian said, "This kind of thing is completely false. The more you smear it, the worse it gets. Instead of using all kinds of excuses to explain it, it's better to let it spread. It's just a topic of conversation among the people after dinner. As long as we leave Huazhou, the local people's excitement will wear off. The matter will be left unresolved... As for the Fengshan team, even if there are gossipers who say a few words, they won't say it openly, and it won't cause much impact."

This method which is not a method at all is actually the best way to deal with rumors.

Guo Daiju continued, "If we do nothing, it will be hard to explain to His Majesty and Her Royal Highness the Queen. We can't investigate openly because it will cause too much noise and have a bad impact. It's best to arrange for someone to investigate secretly and find the source of the rumor."

Chen Qingsi heard the answer he wanted to hear, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "That makes sense, let's do it."

In fact, the savvy people present all understood that this so-called undercover investigation would most likely come to nothing.

It’s just that there are some things that you know will not produce any results, but you have to do them anyway, just like you know this meeting will not have any answers, but you still have to hold it.

Even if it's just a show.

What matters is not the result, but the attitude.

Early the next morning, Chen Qingsi received a summons from Li Zhi at the Huazhou government office.

The progress and destinations along the way of Fengshan were carefully calculated and determined in advance.

Others can make do with it, but the emperor and the empress cannot, and they have to make preparations in advance.

Even if you are camping outdoors, you have to build a camp in advance.

The Huazhou government office had obviously been renovated, and it looked more solemn and dignified.

As soon as he entered the hall, Chen Qingsi saw Li Zhi sitting high at the desk, with Empress Wu sitting beside him. It was obvious that her seductive, foxy eyes were a little red and swollen, as if she had been crying.

"It seems that Empress Wu has used her tears quite a bit before I came here."

Chen Qingsi pondered this in his mind with some pleasure.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness!" Li Zhi pointed to a seat nearby and said, "Sit down and talk."

When Chen Qingsi heard this, he knew that the matter was settled. The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty obviously did not vent his anger on him because of this rumor.

Li Zhi naturally saw Chen Qingsi's performance.

All the real and man-made accidents that occurred on the way to Fengshan were beyond Li Zhi's expectations.

Li Zhi knew that Chen Qingsi had done a good enough job. If it were someone else, facing so many situations, how could they not delay the journey eastward?
However, this rumor not only involved the Ji Guo Concubine, but also revealed that Empress Wu was a concubine of the previous emperor, and all kinds of old stories. This was a big blow to Empress Wu's reputation...

She came crying early in the morning and said something about appointing a virtuous person as queen, which was a step backward to advance.

No matter what, Li Zhi had to ask about this matter and give her an explanation.

"Do you have anything to say about the rumors about the Queen Mother of Ji State?"

"I plead guilty!" Chen Qingsi was very honest. He took the responsibility first and then explained.

"This rumor came so fast, it's obvious that someone is deliberately spreading it. I think we should not be too ostentatious when facing this completely unfounded thing. We should start from the dark, find the source, and strike it in one blow."

Empress Wu stared at Chen Qingsi with murderous eyes, and said word by word: "According to what Minister Chen said, should I accept the criticism from others like this?"

Chen Qingsi glanced sideways. Empress Wu had a charming look, especially her fickle eyes. When she got angry, she not only lost her majesty, but instead looked a bit seductive.

The word "charming" used by Emperor Taizong is really appropriate.

"Your Majesty the Queen taught us that we should not let the common people gossip about us. When I return, I will immediately ask the governor of Huazhou to write an official document, strictly ordering everyone not to discuss the affairs of the royal family. Anyone who dares to violate the ban will be severely punished."

Empress Wu was so angry that she couldn't utter a word. If this were really done, her reputation as Empress Wu would be ruined.

Since Emperor Li Shimin, the Tang Dynasty has always been based on the philosophy of openness and inclusiveness.

Only with the spirit of embracing all rivers and seas can the magnificent culture of the prosperous Tang Dynasty be created.

It is an unwritten rule that people should not be convicted based on their speech.

Of course, this is just talk. There is no absolute freedom in any era, only relative freedom.

Compared with other dynasties, the Tang Dynasty was obviously more relaxed in this regard.

But superficial efforts must be maintained. If the people's right to speak is restricted just because of this matter, it will only achieve the opposite effect.

"Nonsense!"

Li Zhi shouted angrily.

Chen Qingsi said with a little grievance: "Your Majesty, I have been busy with the Fengshan ceremony. As soon as this rumor came out, I summoned many envoys to discuss it. I even stayed up all night to think of a way to suppress this rumor as little as possible. The Queen felt that it was inappropriate, but there was really no other way except to cut the Gordian knot."

For him, this was an unexpected disaster.

If it had not happened during the Fengshan ceremony, Chen Qingsi would have been a mere spectator.

Empress Wu had always suspected that Chen Qingsi was the one who was secretly looking for trouble with her. This time he was involved again, so she couldn't help but think too much. Now after hearing what he said, she also realized that if this matter became a big deal, it would not be good for her.

After suffering one unexpected disaster after another, Empress Wu felt that she was going insane and needed to calm down.

Li Zhi knew Chen Qingsi's difficulty and did not pursue the matter further. He just asked, "My dear minister, do you have anyone you suspect? You may make some bold guesses. Even if you guess wrong, it doesn't matter. There are only three of us here, and the fourth person will not listen."

Chen Qingsi said bluntly: "Maybe he is a scholar from Guandong?"

Without a doubt, the Kanto samurai are the most suspicious.

Chen Qingsi couldn't think of anyone else who could do such a thing.

In fact, many people in later generations have a misunderstanding about the five aristocratic families in Guandong. They think that they are powerful enough to compete with the imperial power and influence the direction of the court, and even that the Li Tang royal family are puppets.

This is totally brainwashing...

How can someone who uses his mouth and pen beat someone who uses a knife?
Why is it that when war breaks out, the first ones to kneel down or run away are always those who talk a lot?
Because when they encounter someone holding a knife, they have no way to deal with it. They either have to kneel down or run away.

Revolt?

Do you really think Li Shimin's knife is not sharp enough?

Would a king who could kill even his own brothers really care about killing more noble families?
In fact, when facing imperial power, the attitude of the aristocratic families is to lie down and act like dogs.

You, Li Shimin, are strong and want to suppress the aristocratic families. Okay, I will kneel down in front of you and act like a dog. I will stretch out my neck for you to chop off, leaving you no reason to use the knife.

No matter how powerful the imperial power is, it must abide by rules and regulations.

The aristocratic families are also citizens of the Tang Dynasty, and they are citizens of the Tang Dynasty who have a certain degree of popular support. If the emperor kills the people of the Tang Dynasty without reason, he will lose his moral integrity and hurt the foundation of the Tang Dynasty itself.

What's more, the aristocratic families control the culture, and their existence helps the imperial court control the world.

They are in a tacit understanding with each other...

Just as people in later generations said, it was a direct conflict with the imperial power and influenced the political situation. Even black-hearted emperors like Li Shimin and Li Zhi would have laughed in their dreams.

Do you really think that the soldiers and swords of the Tang Dynasty can only be used against external forces?

The family that lies flat is the most inexplicable...

Aristocratic families have been passed down for thousands of years. How many years can a powerful emperor live? At most, he can use his own cultural heritage to influence his successor and cultivate a successor who is close to the aristocratic family.

Just like Li Tai, who was at the peak of his career during the Zhenguan period.

Therefore, the strength of the aristocratic families does not lie in how powerful they are in the political arena, but in their ability to be humble and put aside their dignity.

But if you really treat the aristocratic families as obedient dogs, you will suffer a great loss.

They occasionally stab you in the back at critical moments, which can cause huge trouble.

The reputation accumulated over thousands of years cannot be easily shaken.

Empress Wu used some means to kill Queen Wang of the Wang family of Taiyuan, which was like piercing the lungs of the scholars in Guandong.

If there really was an opportunity to take advantage of someone's misfortune, there was no reason for them not to seize it.

And because of the long time, many unknown things seem like yesterday to them.

In the eyes of the five surnames scholars, Empress Wu's background was spotless.

Li Zhi said with a stern face: "I also think it is them, a bunch of rats, really restless."

He paused, and said, "Everything should be based on Fengshan first. This matter should be investigated secretly..."

He thought for a moment and then said, "Forget it. You can't do this kind of thing, so you don't need to ask about it."

(End of this chapter)