With the full support of the Wu clan, Li Xian's actions were clearly intensified. First, he transferred a few cousins of Empress Wei and the husbands of Empress Wei's sisters into the capital. They were either conferred titles of nobility or promoted to higher positions. After that, he began to frequently interact with a group of monks, Daoist priests, and magicians.
The power of religion was very powerful, and the outstanding figures of the Buddhist and Daoist world who had a large number of believers all possessed enormous power. In order to ascend the throne as Empress, Wu Zetian had wantonly won over the disciples of Buddhism, and the Tang dynasty's Li clan considered themselves the descendants of the founder of Daoism, Laozi. Now that the name of Li Tang had been restored, the descendants of the Li clan naturally could not mistreat the disciples of Daoism.
But twenty years before Wu Zetian ruled the world, the Buddhist faction had already established itself, and now its power was even greater than that of the Daoist faction. This power could not be ignored, and Li Xian, who was urgently seeking support, naturally could not ignore this power.
With the support of the Wu clan, the attitude of the Prince of Xiang's Faction and the Taiping Faction had always been rather ambiguous, and the attitude of the Meritorious Official Faction had always been that of loyal subjects. Their hands and feet were tied, and under Li Xian's attacks, they began to retreat step by step. Seeing this situation, Jing Hui thought of Xue Jichang and Liu Youqiu's frank words and began to feel uneasy.
One day, Li Xian once again moved against the most important aspect of the Imperial Court: culture and education. He suddenly issued an edict, swapping out the Directorate of Secretaries and the Chancellor of the Directorate, and the Meritorious Official Faction continued their routine of remonstrance, stalemate, and concessions. In the end, they approved of Li Xian's decision, and Jing Hui could no longer bear it.
After the Prime Ministers and Li Xian finished their discussions, Jing Hui leisurely walked. Seeing that Yang Zaisi and Wu Sansi were not paying attention, he went straight to Huan Yanfan's office.
Huan Yanfan's brother-in-law had swapped out two more beauties. Yesterday, he finally found an opportunity to secretly deliver them to Huan Yanfan. In one night, Huan Yanfan had opened the buds of two beauties. He was getting on in years and had used up a lot of his energy. Today, he had also stayed in the imperial study for half a day and was quite tired. Just as he was about to take a nap in the quiet room, Jing Hui came in.
Seeing Huan Yanfan, Jing Hui went straight to the point: "Brother, that Zheng Pusi is only a Warlock, but has become the Chancellor of the Kingdom. Ye Jingneng is only a Daoist, but has become the Chancellor of the Kingdom. Hu Senghui Fan Wucun has contributed greatly to the country, and has become the Minister of the Chancellor of the Kingdom. Hu Senghui and Fan Wucun has contributed greatly, and has become the Minister of the Empire.
Lord of Xian, Huan, and of Huan, Yanfan, and Xian, Huan, and Huan Huan, Huan, and, and, and has. Chancellor, Huan, Huan, Huan, and, and, and of Yan. But His Majesty now has the support of the Wu clan, and the faction of the Prince of Xiang of the Tranquil Kingdom and Princess Taiping of the State are not saying anything. It's not good for us to stick our heads out for everything and make things too awkward for His Majesty, right? "
Huan Yanfan asked Jing Hui to sit down and said in a low voice, "Do you know how important the Secretariat is? Who was the secretarial supervisor at that time? That was the renowned Wei Xuancheng (Wei Zheng). Who was the Chancellor at that time? That was the learned scholar Kong Yingda. But now, a warlock and a Taoist priest are actually holding such an important position of culture and education. Think about it, what will the world's scholars think? "
Jing Hui's countenance changed as he said, "Could it be that we are advancing by retreating, first provoking the anger of the scholars, and then …"
Huan Yanfan smiled and said, "The Son of Heaven is the Son of Heaven after all. He has a righteous reputation. We are loyal and virtuous and are renowned throughout the world. If we go against the Son of Heaven in every matter, how will the people of the world view us? Only by making His Majesty make a mistake, and letting the world know that His Majesty has made a mistake, can our remonstrance be effective. "
Jing Hui rubbed his hands and said, "I'm afraid time waits for no man! Empress Wei visited the Wei family of Fanchuan yesterday. Brother Shi Ze, do you know? Empress Wei used the same Wei surname and beat around the bush to claim kinship with the Wei family. The Empress took the initiative to claim kinship, so the Wei family was more than happy. I heard that the Wei family has already agreed and is now revising their genealogy. The Wei family is a large family in Chang 'an and has an important position in the world of scholars. If the Wei family throws their lot in, I'm afraid it will be a big problem for us. "
Huan Yanfan picked up a soft pillow chair and placed it on his waist. He chuckled and said, "Our methods are naturally not limited to just this. Right now, the most important positions in court are in our hands. Even if the Emperor inserts some people, they won't be of much use in a short time. Right now, we actually only have one true opponent, and that is the Wu family!"
Jing Hui moved the brocade stool forward and said in agreement, "That's right! As long as the Wu family is not eliminated, they will always be a scourge. Now that I think about it, what Xue Jichang and Liu Youqiu said that day might not have been alarmist talk. Since Brother Shi Ze also feels that the Wu family is harmful to the country, why didn't you plan earlier? "
Huan Yanfan chuckled, a hint of slyness in his expression. He blinked at Jing Hui and suddenly lowered his voice to ask: "Jing Ye, there have been rumors recently that Wu Sansi frequently goes in and out of the palace and has an unclear relationship with the current Empress. Have you heard of it?"
Jing Hui nodded and said, "Yesterday, I heard from a colleague that this matter concerns the reputation of His Majesty and Empress. I even harshly reprimanded him for this. Why did Prime Minister Huan suddenly mention this matter … Ah! "
Jing Hui saw Huan Yanfan's sly smile and his body suddenly shook. He exclaimed, "Could it be … could it be …"
Huan Yanfan immediately made a shushing motion and Jing Hui immediately understood and closed his mouth. The two of them were silent for a while before Jing Hui lowered his voice and whispered, "This matter is not good for His Majesty's reputation."
Huan Yanfan said disapprovingly, "Those who achieve great things do not bother with trifles. Compared to His Majesty's country, what is a mere reputation? Right now, this news has not been publicized to the point where everyone knows about it, so naturally, there will not be any effect. When everyone knows about it and His Majesty is enraged, the Wu family will be reduced to dust! "
Huan Yanfan said proudly, "Only with His Majesty's appearance can we use the power of the Tranquil Country Prince of Xiang and Princess Taiping. At that time, who will be the one to contact the various parties to eradicate the Wu family? Naturally, it will be us. We will be the ones to plan and coordinate the whole situation. The greatest credit for turning the tide and protecting Imperial Tang will still be ours! "
Jing Hui frowned and said, "That Wu Sansi is almost seventy years old and has wrinkled skin and white hair. As the Empress, he is willing to risk his reputation just for this old man. Who will believe him?"
Huan Yanfan said, "Jing Ye, have you not heard of the story of 'three men make a tiger'?"
Jing Hui thought about it and still felt that it was inappropriate. He said, "Who can know what is going on in the palace? It is impossible for ordinary citizens to know. It can only be the people of the court. But who in the court will spread news that is not good for the Wu family? Everyone knows that you and I are the ones who are at odds with the Wu family. Won't we be inviting trouble? "
Huan Yanfan said, "Who has proof?"
Jing Hui was startled. Huan Yanfan said proudly, "I am equivalent to the country. Without proof, who can do anything to you and me? Jing Ye, you are too cautious. Even the ordinary citizens will be angry when they hear about this, let alone the Emperor. You must know that the public's mouth can melt gold. Words can kill! "
…
Jing Hui bid farewell to Huan Yanfan and left. The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. Although Huan Yanfan looked like he had a card up his sleeve, Jing Hui felt that things might not be as Huan Yanfan thought. Wu Sansi is too old. Even if the Empress is a romantic, there is no reason for her to find such a white-haired old man. This rumor is too unconvincing.
Moreover, the Emperor has just ascended to the throne and the Empress has just taken charge of the six palaces. Her foundation in the palace is still shallow. The palace maids and eunuchs in the Empress' palace will not become her absolute confidants so quickly. Her current influence in the palace is far less than that of Shanghai Wan 'er. In this kind of situation, to say that the Empress is having an affair and can hide it from the Emperor, but it is known to all the officials and common people, this …
As long as the Emperor is not too stupid, he most likely will not believe this rumor. Once the Emperor has suspicions, he will certainly guess that it is them. Perhaps he will develop bad feelings towards them because of this matter. That would be self-defeating.
Jing Hui thought about it all the way back to the fu. Just as he stepped into the fu, the old gatekeeper reported, "Ah Lang, the Minister of Examination Counsellor Cui Shi has come to visit and is waiting in the guest hall."
"Oh?"
Jing Hui stroked his beard and suddenly thought of an idea. He immediately said, "Go, invite him to the study to meet!"
In the guest hall, Cui Shi was sitting quietly. Cui Shi was extremely envious of Jing Hui's fortune. Thinking back to when the two of them had been under Taiping's tutelage, the two had been of similar status. In terms of family background, Cui Shi was much stronger than Jing Hui. Who would have thought that Jing Hui would be so daring as to challenge Empress Zetian?
What was even more unexpected was that he had actually succeeded! The risk involved was great, but the reward of success was truly generous. In the blink of an eye, Jing Hui had become a duke and an official under the Prime Minister. Now, the two of them had a world of difference in status. If he, the proud son of heaven, wanted to take a step forward in his career, he had to put down his pride and curry favor with others.
Cui Shi looked at the generous gift on the table and sighed softly. At this time, the old man of the Jing Fu walked in and bowed to him. "Cui Sheren, my master invites you to meet him in the study."
Hearing this, Cui Shi was dazed at first. Then, he was somewhat overwhelmed by the favor. Those that the master received in the study were the most important guests. With Jing Hui's present status, there was no need for him to be so courteous. Cui Shi quickly straightened his clothing and said to the old man, "Please lead the way."
…
When Cui Shi left the Jing Fu, it was as if he had lost his soul.
He had come to visit Jing Hui today with the intention of throwing himself under Jing Hui's tutelage. With Jing Hui's power and influence that was like the sun in the sky, one word would allow him to take a step forward in his career. However, he had not expected that after he had poured his heart out to express his loyalty, Jing Hui would entrust him with a major matter and have him throw himself under Wu Sansi's tutelage to be an informant.
What Cui Shi was shocked and confused about was not the matter of having him be an informant, but the unusual information revealed through this matter: the meritorious officials viewed Wu Sansi as a powerful threat and wanted to use an informant to investigate the movements of the Wu family. They were so cautious as if they were facing a great enemy. What did this mean?
In the past month, Li Xian, with Wu Sansi's support, had counterattacked step by step. However, the meritorious officials had repeatedly backed down because their attitude was not firm enough. Not only did the common people not know about this matter, but the people in the court who knew the inside story were only a few important figures in the central government yamen.
Right now, the political power was in the hands of Zhang Jianzhi and the other Five Prime Ministers. All government decrees were issued through them. Their struggles with the Emperor were mostly private confrontations. Once it was brought to the table and became a decision, it was the result of their compromise or agreement through consultation.
In the eyes of bystanders, they did not know about these processes. Naturally, they still saw them as the most favored people in front of the Emperor and still saw them as the most admirable power in the court. No one knew that they were quickly losing the Emperor's trust. They also did not know that some of the Emperor's private orders had actually been fiercely resisted by them.
But now Cui Shi knew. When he discovered that the situation of the meritorious officials was not as glorious as he had imagined, he began to hesitate. "Is it really a wise choice to throw in my lot with them?"
At this time, on the long street, a carriage without any markings suddenly stopped in front of Cui Shi's horse. Cui Shi's two imperial bodyguards immediately raised their horses and went forward. They were about to yell at the other party to make way when the curtain of the carriage was lifted. Inside the carriage, a white-robed gentleman smiled and said to Cui Shi, "Brother Chenglan, long time no see!"
Cui Shi fixed his eyes on the person in the carriage and was immediately shocked. He cried out involuntarily, "It's you! Worthy brother Xilian, why are you here! "
The person in the carriage was sixty to seventy percent similar to the Young Master Jiang of the past. It was Lu Binzhi of the Lu family of Fanyang. Lu Binzhi looked up at the sky and laughed. "Why can't little brother come here? You and I have reunited as old friends. Brother Chenglan, won't you invite little brother to visit you and buy some wine before we talk in detail? "
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