Chapter 250: Changsun Wuji’s hegemony, Li Zhi’s mindset

“Your Highness is wise!”

All the ministers shouted in unison, and Li Shimin’s posthumous title and temple name were finally determined.

“Your Highness, the matter of the previous emperor has been resolved. The country cannot be without a ruler for too long. The most urgent task is to invite Your Highness to take the throne, rule the country, and stabilize the political situation.”

A group of ministers spoke up again.

Prior to this, Li Zhi used filial piety as an excuse, saying that he would not ascend the throne until the late emperor was buried.

He truly established an image of being honest, benevolent and filial.

“Let the Imperial Astronomical Observatory choose a date.”

Li Zhi nodded. He had gained face, but now it was time to get the real deal.

According to the emperor’s burial standards, it is not yet truly completed at this time.

But we have done enough to look like what we should do.

“When a new emperor ascends the throne, all nations should come to congratulate him. He should first notify all nations and ask them to come and pay their respects.”

The Minister of Rites Gao Shilian said that this was also a ceremony to deter other countries.

The specifications for Li Shimin’s burial should have been similar, but things were done in a hurry, and it was a hot day, so how could they wait? Therefore, the burial was done carelessly.

But when Li Zhi ascended the throne, the ceremony had to be held in a very grand manner, taking this opportunity to show the strength of the Celestial Empire to all nations.

“The date will be set, and then envoys will be sent to various countries to invite them to a state banquet.”

“Each department shall perform its duties, and the court shall be dismissed!”

Li Zhi waved his hand to stop those who wanted to continue speaking, then turned around and left.

Apart from Li Shimin’s funeral, Li Zhi rarely asked about other major family and national affairs, which were all handled by the ministers appointed by Li Shimin.

He also knew that with his current authority, words would be useless.

These people are all masters of dragon slaying skills who have the ability to give advice.

If we don’t follow the opinions of these people, the next court meeting may see all the ministers making joint remonstrations.

It is more likely that a minister of remonstration like Wei Zheng will emerge and use his fame to gain reputation.

Before he took control of power, Li Zhi did not want to manage it, nor did he have the ability to do so.

This is how it is when the king is young and the ministers are great.

Although Li Zhi is not young anymore, his team is still too small.

After all, he had just succeeded to the throne of Crown Prince and had not had time to cultivate his own confidants.

Li Shimin passed away.

All he could do was accumulate strength in secret and show weakness to others.

“Sikong, Your Highness has been very busy recently. The appointment and dismissal of officials reported this time still needs to be reviewed.”

There were only a few people left in the huge palace.

“The appointment and dismissal of officials is a major matter here, and it still requires your Highness’s personal review. I do not have such great authority.”

Fang Xuanling shook his head. The appointment and dismissal of personnel must ultimately be reviewed by the emperor himself. He dared not exercise such unauthorized power.

“I have also submitted this to Your Highness before, but Your Highness is not familiar with the personnel and officials, so he asked me and a few other ministers to discuss and solve it together.”

Changsun Wuji also looked embarrassed.

Li Zhi did not approve it because he was not satisfied. The list included all of Changsun Wuji’s relatives.

“I am not familiar with the people on the list, so I’ll leave it to the commander to make the final decision.”

After Fang Xuanling finished speaking, he turned and left, not wanting to get involved in the vortex.

With his current abilities, he can only take care of himself.

After the incident of Zhang Liang’s rebellion, he understood more clearly that the weak and elegant Crown Prince in their eyes was actually a very cunning person.

Soon, he will be crowned emperor and rule the world.

However, Changsun Wuji had a strong background and was obviously destined to be a high-ranking official at this time.

Although they were all ministers of state, according to Li Shimin’s secret decree, Fang Xuanling was named Sikong, Zhangsun Wuji was named Taiwei, and Chu Suiliang was named Situ.

Li Shimin had expected that the three of them would restrain each other and assist Li Zhi together.

But judging from the current situation, his arrangements are no longer of much use.

Chu Suiliang sided with Zhangsun Wuji, and Fang Xuanling also chose to protect himself at this time.

In a short period of time, the Tang Dynasty’s political power underwent earth-shaking changes.

What remains now is the intrigue between Changsun Wuji and Li Zhi.

One wants centralization, the other wants autocracy.

Looking at Fang Xuanling’s receding back, Changsun Wuji couldn’t help but smile.

This was Fang Xuanling’s concession to him, and also his surrender.

“Sir Taiwei, after the new emperor ascends the throne, he will surely grant amnesty to the whole nation. There are many talented people among the Du family, and they will surely be of great use.”

“And the Du family has received the grace of the Grand Commandant, so they will definitely follow his lead.”

Wei Ting bowed and said.

The Weidu family has been related for generations.

Last time, many people from the Du family were demoted because they were implicated in the rebellion.

Now is an opportunity for the Du family to re-enter the political center.

“If he is truly a talented person, Your Highness would have appointed him. I should not thank this general, but Your Highness for his kindness.”

This kind of flattery made Changsun Wuji forget himself.

This is the taste of power, a single word can decide life and death.

“I would like to thank His Highness for his kindness, and I would also like to thank the Grand Marshal for his support.”

Wei Ting continued, they all knew that it was just a matter of Zhang Sun Wuji’s words.

The clans and powerful families that Li Shimin had worked so hard to attack suddenly came together after his death.

Their arrogance is even worse than before.

“It just so happens that Xiazhou, Yunzhou and other prefectures and counties are short of officials. The Du family has many heroes, and can also solve the current dilemma of lack of people in the court.”

The Du family is a big clan. If Changsun Wuji wants to consolidate his current position, he will definitely win the support of more big clans.

“Then I would like to thank the general for his great kindness on behalf of the Du family.”

Wei Ting bowed to express his gratitude. He had never been so respectful even in front of Li Shimin.

“We are all from the same source. In the future, we will still need the full support of all of you comrades in arms.”

Changsun Wuji also politely clasped his fists and gestured to the surroundings.

Apart from official positions, everyone here is the leader of a clan.

The title of Grand Marshal Changsun Wuji cannot intimidate this group of people.

For example, Cui Yi, Wei Ting and others all dared to go directly against their superiors.

They all gave face to Changsun Wuji and followed his lead, mainly because of his status as the leader of the Guanlong Group.

From then on, Changsun Wuji’s power reached its peak.

Acting on behalf of Heaven.

“General Changsun, if you have an order, we will not shirk it.”

A group of important officials in the court formed cliques and factions, isolated the imperial power, and became a small court.

They have the final say on all matters of national and family importance.

Fortunately, Zhangsun Wuji was only obsessed with power and did not use it to bring harm to the country and the people. In addition to cultivating his own confidants, he posed a threat to the imperial power.

But it was not a big deal. The Tang Dynasty did not collapse under his governance.

It can also be said that during this period, it was precisely because of Zhangsun Wuji’s suppression that there was no political fluctuation in the Tang Dynasty.

Otherwise, when Li Shimin dies, the Tang Dynasty’s foundation will collapse.

Whether it is a merit or a fault, it cannot be summed up in one word.

Moreover, Changsun Wuji also showed great respect for Li Zhi. However, exceeding the imperial authority is the biggest fault in the eyes of the emperor.

At this time, Li Zhi had already recorded everything in his unique little notebook, preparing to settle the score later.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the atmosphere was so solemn that it seemed as if water could drip out of it.

Li Zhi paced back and forth in the hall with a gloomy face. His furrowed brows seemed to be shrouded in an undispellable cloud of sorrow.

Although he had already thought of a countermeasure in his mind, when he looked around the entire court, he found that there was no one he could trust or use.

This made it impossible for him to implement his good ideas, just like a heavy punch hitting cotton.

At this moment, a eunuch hurried into the hall, bowed and said, “Your Highness, Zuo Pushe Xu Jingzong and Prince’s Sheren Li Yifu are outside the hall asking for an audience.”

Upon hearing the news, Li Zhi’s originally gloomy expression changed instantly, and his entire body seemed to be supported by an invisible force, and he suddenly became extremely solemn and majestic.

You really get what you want!

Li Zhi couldn’t help but think of the comments made by the late emperor Li Shimin to Xu Jing when he was alive.

It is said that Xu Jingzong is a man of evil intentions and a complete villain.

It is precisely because of this that Xu Jingzong becomes the best choice to deal with those intricately connected and far-reaching forces in the court. Villains often do whatever it takes and only see the results.

Thinking of this, Li Zhi took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: “Call them in!”

“I see His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu knelt down together.

The centripetal force of history is so strong.

In the end, the pair of Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong were brought together.

Both of these people have biographies, but they are biographies of treacherous officials.

It cannot be said that both of them were bad, the main reason was that they helped Wu Zhou usurp the Tang Dynasty.

He was nailed to the pillar of shame of treacherous officials.

The periods of glory for these two people were very long. They were active at the center of power from the reign of Emperor Gaozong to the reign of Empress Wu.

This has to do with those in power, but more depends on their abilities.

As he has been the sharp sword of two generations of emperors, his ability is definitely unquestionable.

“Why have you two come to the palace?”

Li Zhi asked tentatively, unable to directly determine whether the two people could be used for his own purposes.

“Your Highness, the two of us are here to impeach the Grand Commandant Changsun Wuji.”

“Changsun Wuji has no respect for his superiors, abuses his power, and is actually plotting treason.”

Xu Jingzong said.

Li Zhi’s expression changed slightly, and Gu Lu looked surprised.

But he was already at peace with himself. According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, if one reported someone for treason and it was false, he would be punished.

This advice from Xu Jingzong and the other two was enough to show their position.

In fact, Xu Jingzong was forced to this point.

He thought about relying on Changsun Wuji, but Changsun Wuji ignored him.

With Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu’s backgrounds and identities, they would never be able to integrate into their upper-class circle.

Moreover, Xu Jingzong and Changsun Wuji had many conflicts before, and his surrender failed, so Xu Jingzong had to find another way out.

Otherwise, sooner or later, he will be killed by Changsun Wuji.

And ask yourself, in this world, the only one who can protect him is Li Zhi.

“Don’t talk nonsense. The Grand Commandant is loyal and dedicated to the country. How could Prime Minister Zhuge from Shuzhong plot treason?”

After a while, Li Zhi seemed to come back to his senses from his shock and reprimanded Xu Jingzong.

“Your Highness, what I said is true. Zhangsun Wuji is now monopolizing power, abusing his authority, suppressing dissidents, and handing over all the important positions of the country to his own people. This is a trend of undermining the court. I hope Your Highness will understand this.”

Xu Jingzong seemed to turn a deaf ear to it and continued to talk incessantly, listing the crimes of Changsun Wuji.

“Shut up, stop talking. I know who the Grand Commandant is better than you do. I will pretend that I have never heard what you said today. You should also pretend that you have never entered the palace. Just leave now.”

Li Zhi waved his sleeves and scolded angrily.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, Changsun Wuji…”

Just as Li Yifu was about to speak, Xu Jingzong pulled his sleeve forcefully.

“Your Majesty, please leave!”

Before Li Yifu could react, he was dragged out of the Yangxin Palace by Xu Jingzong.

“Master Pushe, why are you doing this?”

Li Yifu waved his sleeves angrily and shook Xu Jingzong’s big hand away.

“Your Highness is young and does not know the truth. As Tang officials, we should speak frankly and be loyal to the Crown Prince and let him know Changsun Wuji’s intentions.”

Li Yifu turned around and was about to give advice again.

Li Yifu was valued by Li Shimin and became the prince’s attendant of Li Zhi.

Li Shimin was famous for his ability to recognize and use talents, and he made Li Yifu a member of Li Zhi’s team for the crown prince. This shows that Li Yifu was trustworthy and had outstanding abilities.

If it weren’t for the events of Wu Zhou, he would definitely be a wise prime minister.

“Don’t worry, Yifu. Didn’t His Royal Highness say that he already knew?”

Xu Jingzong, on the other hand, was calm and composed. If he didn’t have a lot of wisdom, it would be difficult for him to survive in such an officialdom, let alone get promoted.

“Your Highness knows everything?”

Li Yifu was stunned. He was still too young and not experienced enough. How could he compare with Xu Jingzong who came from the Prince of Qin’s Mansion?
“Yes, in fact, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince knows it better than us!”

Xu Jingzong nodded slightly. He came here just to show his abnormality to Li Zhi.

Moreover, judging from the results, a unified camp has been reached.

Both of them understood it tacitly, except Li Yifu who didn’t see it clearly.

“The fact that His Highness has not punished us for slander speaks volumes.”

Xu Jingzong said again.

This time, Li Yifu was also awakened by these words.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince has not given any instructions. What should we do?”

“No instructions are the best instructions, which means we can do what is convenient for us.”

Xu Jingzong said as a matter of course.

It is impossible for a minister to not be valued by the king if he can understand his king’s thoughts.

“However, we must also act with caution, and from now on, we must not enter the palace privately.”

Li Zhi wanted them to fight it out on their own, and he pretended to be the one who didn’t know.

Because, whether success or failure, it has no direct connection with him.

Great wisdom is like foolishness.

Although it seems that there is no one in the court, in fact, the layout has already begun.

This is the only way for a powerless king to use the opponent’s force to defeat him.

“Your Excellency is right. Changsun Wuji is so powerful that he has brought shame upon His Majesty. We should not act hastily.”

“I don’t know. Lord Pushe, do you have any plans for the future? Do you need me?”

After this incident, Li Yifu was sincerely convinced by Xu Jingzong.

“Wait, wait for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Xu Jingzong’s eyes were deep. They didn’t have much help and could only wait for an opportunity to act.

“At the same time, you and I will go around secretly and see which ministers in the court are dissatisfied with Zhangsun Wuji’s behavior, and unite with them to protect the country.”

An invisible storm has already started to blow in the Tang Dynasty’s court.

I don’t know how many people will be torn to pieces by this storm of power.

(End of this chapter)