Zhutian: My skills are not serious

Chapter 529: Two women are a blessing, what are three?
It was not until the next morning, when the housekeeper informed him of the news from the military, that he knew why Chai Shen gave up, because all the men in the family of Chief Censor Zang Qing were killed overnight.

At the morning court session, Chai Shen again proposed that the Empress Dowager should rule the country from behind the curtain, as if nothing had happened, while another Chief Censor, Chao Feng, continued to stand up and oppose it.

On the morning of the third day, the butler told him that all officials above the sixth rank in the Censorate and all male members of their clan had died.

This time, after Wang Shichong knew why Chai Shen was opposed, he did not insist on writing the letter, because he deliberately alerted the enemy and killed all the ministers who dared to oppose this matter.

Naturally, the Chai father and son did not dare to do this, but the "Old Feng" beside the Empress Dowager would kill court officials without even blinking an eye.

In this major case that almost brought down the Censorate, the people from the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice would definitely not be able to find the murderer. The emperor would probably not take it seriously either, and the case would inevitably be left unresolved in the end. In other words, those people died in vain.

This time, when Chai Shen continued to propose at the court meeting that the Empress Dowager should rule the country from behind the curtain, no one objected. So the dragon throne was moved forward, the screen moved backward, and a pearl curtain and a phoenix couch were added between the two. The Empress Dowager Xiao Meiniang became the woman behind the little emperor.

……

A series of events occurred in Luoyang City due to the return of the Empress Dowager, causing turmoil inside and outside the palace. The vast land outside Luoyang City was also affected, causing a chain reaction.

First, Li Mi's Wagangzhai took advantage of the unstable situation in Luoyang to capture Xingyang. Yu Wenhuaji in Jiangdu was indeed exposed for his lies, and Shen Faxing called off the peace talks on the grounds that he had no integrity. Li Zitong and Du Fuwei took advantage of the situation to further squeeze Yu Wenhuaji's territory, making him face enemies on three sides. There was a rumor that Du Fuwei threatened Yu Wenhuaji that as long as he handed over the imperial seal, he would stop attacking Jiangdu.

Xiao Xin in the south did not react at all, even though Xiao Meiniang was his aunt in terms of blood relationship. Li Gui and Xue Ju in the northwest were originally planning to go to war, but when they heard that Empress Xiao returned to the Eastern Capital under the escort of Chai Shao and began to rule the country from behind the curtain, the two sides tacitly chose to keep their troops in place and looked to King Tang Li Yuan, who had captured Chang'an, enthroned Yang You as emperor, and challenged Yu Wenhuaji of Jiangdu and Wang Shichong of Luoyang.

Xiao Meiniang returned to Luoyang and announced to the world that she would rule the country from behind the scenes and assist Emperor Huangtai in governing the country. Li Yuan was undoubtedly the most embarrassed because it meant that his act of supporting Yang You was illegal and the Empress Dowager did not recognize the existence of "Emperor Gong" at all.

So the question is, will Yang You continue to be the emperor or will he submit to Luoyang?
Du Fuwei, Li Zitong, Xiao Xin and others were fine, as they were refugees causing chaos. Their Taiyuan Li family had been favored by the emperor for generations and were noble dukes, yet they caused such trouble and continued to serve Yang You as a puppet emperor, which was disloyal, unfilial, unkind and unjust. If they surrendered to Luoyang, they would be put in a passive position again.

In response to this, Li Shimin's solution was to announce to the world that he did not recognize Yang Tong as the emperor, nor did he recognize the legitimacy of the Empress Dowager's ruling behind the scenes, because both of them were held hostage by Wang Shichong and Chai Shen. Both Yang Tong and Xiao Meiniang were puppets.

Such words are just like a crow landing on a pile of coal, which only sees the blackness of others but not its own blackness.

But I can understand the hypocritical Li Tang. As long as I am not embarrassed, it is others who are embarrassed.

However, what Li Yuan and Li Shimin could not have imagined was that this action actually gave publicity to the Chai family of Linfen. The behavior of the Chai father and son was roughly equivalent to Guan Gong sending his second sister-in-law thousands of miles away and Zhao Zilong riding alone to save his lord. What about Wang Shichong and Li Yuan? In terms of passion and loyalty, they are so weak.

Even the regicide Yu Wenzhi laughed at Li Yuan for being a whore and trying to be a virtuous woman. He said that the Li family was full of hypocritical villains.

Chang'an, Tang Wang Mansion, in a study room in the southwest courtyard.

Li Shimin sat behind the desk with his legs open, looking unhappy. His round face was longer than a donkey's.

Li Xiuning, who was wearing a plain skirt inside and an apricot-yellow silk shirt outside, and Hong Funu, who was dressed in red, stood not far in front.

"Second brother, please speak."

"Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. Since Yang You has become a burden, the only solution now is to depose him and let my father become the emperor."

"This..." Li Xiuning frowned slightly, looking serious: "Isn't it too hasty?"

"is a bit."

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and said, "There are many rumors in Guanzhong now. I think it would be better if we set off for Pegasus Ranch the day after tomorrow to purchase a batch of good horses. When those people see that the Tang king has many soldiers and generals, and that his horses are strong, they will naturally shut up. Then, when my father becomes emperor again, no one will dare to say anything, and they will not be led by the Sui court by the nose in the future."

Li Xiuning thought for a moment and said, "Okay."

"Oh, right." Li Shimin looked at Hong Fu behind him and said, "Hong Fu, go to Wagangzhai and meet Li Mi in the next two days."

Hong Fu Nu was puzzled: "Second Master, why are you going to see Li Mi?"

"I heard that after Empress Xiao returned to Luoyang, she ruled the country from behind the curtain and called on wise men all over the world to attack the traitor Yu Wenhuaji who murdered the emperor. Now the officials of the Eastern Capital worship Yang Tong as the emperor from afar. Yu Wenhuaji is very uncomfortable with being attacked from three sides. Yu Wenshang proposed to march westward and occupy Luoyang to achieve the effect of capturing the leader first. However, if Yu Wenhuaji's army wants to march westward, it must pass through the sphere of influence of Wagangzhai. I want you to meet Li Mi and persuade him to agree to let Yu Wenhuaji pass through the west."

Li Shimin paused and continued, "I remember that Li Mi is the godfather of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling. You met him once at Duoqing Villa. Besides, the Li family has formed an alliance with Wagangzhai. He should agree to this matter."

"Driving a tiger to devour a wolf, the second young master has a good plan." Hong Fu Nu clasped her fists and said, "I will set off for Wagang early tomorrow morning."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Thank you." Li Xiuning lowered her head, looking bewildered, and whispered, "Chai Shao, he actually returned to Luoyang alive."

It can be seen that she is in a complicated mood.

Yu Wenzhi spread the news that Yuwen Shang had brought the queen back. Everyone thought that Chai Shao was dead. She still felt sad and lamented for him. If he had not offered the secret of immortality but instead joined the Li family, he would not have ended up with such a tragic ending.

Li Shimin thought she was worried that the Chai family would become a stumbling block to the unification of the Li family, so he consoled her kindly, "The reason why Chai Shao was able to survive is because of the old man surnamed Feng. Xiao Xin has spread the word that his name is Feng Qingyang, he is an excellent martial artist, nicknamed the Sword God, and he is an old friend of the Xiao Liang Dynasty. He usually hides himself from the world and only comes out to help the descendants of the Xiao family when they are in danger."

Li Xiuning nodded without elaborating on her inner thoughts.

……

On the other side, the Shangshu Mansion in Luoyang City.

Wang Shichong came to the second courtyard, waving the sleeves of his official robe. The servants who were carrying calligraphy and paintings on the corridor and heading to the study popped their heads out and then retracted their feet. As senior servants, they knew how to read people's expressions. The master, who was always introverted and calm, not only had a livid face today, but also made movements that were almost out of control. What did that mean? It meant that he was about to lose control of his anger. If he went over to show his presence at this time, wouldn't that be a pain in the ass? What if he was used as a tool to vent his anger? He would have no place to cry.

"Did father encounter any troubles?"

In the spotless side hall, Wang Xuanying served a cup of fragrant tea and sat next to Wang Shichong.

Wang Shichong picked up the teacup and took a sip. It was warm and fragrant. Everything was just right. The anger in his eyes subsided a little. "Today, I was discussing matters in the Guanwen Hall, and the Empress Dowager called me to stop."

"But is there something important to discuss?"

"Important matter?" Wang Shichong snorted coldly: "It is indeed an important matter."

Talking about this matter, he felt happy at first. The Empress Dowager had those clear and graceful eyes, the graceful figure, the slender waist... Even though she was already over 30 years old, she was still a top-notch beauty in the world. What man doesn't want to be lustful? Even if he just stayed by her side for a while, it would be great to feast his eyes.

But the problem is, she kept him to help the young master of the Chai family to find a girlfriend.

"The Empress Dowager did not discuss government affairs, but asked me if there was a woman in your family who was so beautiful that the moon would be ashamed of the flowers, and the swallows would be jealous of the orioles, and they were called the two beauties of Luoyang."

Wang Xuanying was stunned for a moment: "The Empress Dowager means... to help Shu Ni find a husband?"

"Yes."

"This is a good thing."

Wang Shichong glared and said, "The man is Chai Shen's son, Chai Shao!"

Wang Xuanying understood that the Empress Dowager was returning the favor. Yang Guang arranged a marriage between Chai Shao and Li Xiuning, but Yang Guang died first. Li Yuan took the opportunity to start a rebellion and break off the engagement.

Chai Shao had suffered a lot on his way to save her, and the promotion was a reward from Emperor Yang Tong. As the Empress Dowager, what should she give to show her appreciation? Of course, she would help Chai Shao find a good marriage.

The court was filled with civil and military officials whose family backgrounds could rival that of Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, and whose appearance the woman had to be outstanding. After much selection, the only candidate left was Dong Shu Ni, the illegitimate daughter of Shangshu Wang.

If Chai Shen and his son had not been meddling in other people's business and protecting the Empress Dowager back to Luoyang, the Wang family would have been so powerful. Now all the limelight has been snatched away by the Chai family, and Xiao Meiniang wants to arrange a marriage between Chai Shao and Dong Shu Ni. How can the uncle in name only and the father in reality feel good about it?

Yes, at a dinner party at the Shangshu Mansion not long ago, Wang Shichong had made it clear that as long as Chai Shao postponed the marriage with Miss Li San, he would urge his niece to marry Chai Shao. Now, facing the arranged marriage by the Empress Dowager, he was indignant and seemed a little capricious.

However, there is a saying that changes occur at different times.

At the time of the dinner at the Shangshu Mansion, the Wang family was strong and the Chai family was weak. When Dong Shu Ni married Chai Shao, the Chai family would become a member of the Wang party. If he started a rebellion in the future, the Chai family's wealth could be used by the Wang family.

Now the situation is reversed. If Dong Shu Ni marries Chai Shao, it will send a signal to the outside world that the Wang family has lost the power struggle with the Chai family and had to marry their niece into the Chai family as a sign of submission. Just imagine, from now on, who in Luoyang City can challenge Chai Shen and his son?

"It's too much to bully others, it's too much to bully others!"

Wang Xuanying punched him in anger: "Father, do you have any solution?"

(End of this chapter)