Empress Wei saw that Shanghai Wan'er was staring at her and couldn't help but ask, "Is there something wrong?"
"Your Highness, this won't do!"
Almost in a split second, Shangguan Wan'er, who had been training by the side of Empress Wu Zetian for nearly thirty years, figured out the pros and cons of this matter. With a resolute tone, she rejected Madam Wei's decision.
There was no disputing the establishment of the heir apparent. Whether it was Prince Qiao, Li Zhongfu, who had been banished to the south, or the immature Fourth Imperial Son, Li Zhongmao, both of them were concubine-born sons, and not even the eldest concubine-born sons. At present, the Imperial Court was dominated by the Wei faction, so even if Empress Wei's decision was not followed, the results of the court discussion would definitely conform to Empress Wei's wishes. This meant that the new emperor was certain to be Li Zhongmao.
The crux of the matter was the arrangements made after the establishment of the heir apparent. The heir apparent was only a transition, and he would ascend the throne on the next day. The new emperor had yet to reach adulthood, and after ascending to the throne, he would need someone to support the country and oversee the government. Empress Wei had taken this right into her hands, while Li Tang's imperial family was excluded.
In this way, Emperor Li Xian's posthumous edict would legally affirm the legitimacy of Empress Wei's dictatorship. Even though the Prince of Xiang's party could still stage a coup to seize back power, no matter what they did, they would lose their righteous reputation.
One could not underestimate righteousness. A country could not ignore the law, could not ignore righteousness. This was especially true in a country where Confucianism was the mainstream value of the country. If it did not conform to the laws of etiquette, it would bring unimaginable difficulties.
After the coup at the Black Tortoise Gate, Li Shimin thought of ways to interfere with the historiographers, fabricating evidence that Crown Prince Li Jiancheng had tried to kill him to clear his name.
After the coup succeeded, he was not willing to immediately ascend to the throne. Instead, he used his status as Crown Prince and pretended to be a benevolent father and filial son with his imprisoned father for several months. It was precisely for this reason that he needed righteousness.
Even the most brilliant ruler of a generation would not dare to leave a stain on himself that would be criticized by others, much less Li Xian. After the coup, Li Xian had not hesitated to give Wu Zetian such a high treatment, even allowing her to retain the title of emperor, all for the sake of obtaining an edict to abdicate. This was the same reason.
At that time, Li Xian already had great power. Furthermore, he was Li Tang's Crown Prince and had once been the Emperor. Even if Wu Zetian was not willing to abdicate, could he not ascend to the throne? But he still hoped that it would be 'justifiable'.
If Wan'er helped Empress Wei prepare this edict, she would create a massive obstacle for the Prince of Xiang's faction to seize back power. Even if the coup succeeded, Li Dan would have to go to great lengths to prove his legitimacy.
And because of this, Shanghai Wan'er will be branded as a member of the Wei clique. Even if others know that she was forced to do this, they will not forgive her. Politics wouldn't look at whether you had difficulties or not. You would be judged based on what you did.
Of course, Wan'er did not want to write a succession edict that was like a 'proof of allegiance' to her. She calmed herself and tried to remain calm, not letting Wei Hou see that her expression was strange.
Wan'er acted as though she was racking her brains for Empress Wei. Her brows furrowed slightly. She said in a deep voice: "Niangniang, right now, we can only make the fourth son of the Imperial Prince, Zhong Mao, the heir apparent. Wan'er does not have any objections. But Niangniang, regent … "
Empress Wei's gaze suddenly hardened. She sternly asked, "What?"
Wan'er did not seem to see Empress Wei's threatening gaze. She calmly replied, "Wan'er believes that this is not appropriate! Although the fourth son of the Imperial Prince has not yet reached adulthood, he is not a youth ignorant of worldly affairs. He is already fifteen this year. In another three years, he will be able to personally govern.
At this age, the fourth son of the Imperial Prince is already old enough to make clear judgments on the affairs of the state. Thus, according to custom, it is enough to have an official assist him. If Niangniang acts as regent with the status of Empress Dowager, I fear that it will arouse the suspicion of the people of the world. "
Empress Wei brushed it off. "This country is our family's. When the Emperor passes away, as the Empress, aijia has the responsibility to look after the family. Even if the entire world suspects aijia, what can aijia do? The heir apparent is still young. If something unforeseen happens, how will aijia have the face to see Emperor Xian in the underworld? "
Wan'er softly said, "Niangniang's worries are correct. It is not that Wan'er has not considered this point. However, Emperor Xian died a violent death. Since ancient times, whenever a sovereign died a violent death, there would always be busybodies spreading rumors.
If the Empress insists on controlling the government, it can be predicted that there will be unfavorable rumors against the Empress among the people. If we can let Niangniang manage the country and also make the people of the world have nothing to say, wouldn't that be perfect for both sides? "
Empress Wei's anger turned to joy. She said, "Aijia knows that you definitely have a way. Speak quickly. "
Wan'er said, "Niangniang, how about this. Wan'er will draft a posthumous edict for Emperor Xian and make Fourth Son Zhong Mao the Son of Heaven. Niangniang, you will attend the court …"
Empress Wei was about to explode when Wan'er interrupted, "Niangniang, although it is to attend the court, the Son of Heaven is young and filial. In the court, there are Zong Chuke, Cui Shi, Zheng Qiang, Wei Wen, Wei Anshi, Wei Juyuan, and the other prime ministers who are loyal to Niangniang. Isn't Niangniang still in charge of this family? As long as Niangniang doesn't want the title of regent, no one in the world can criticize Niangniang for monopolizing power. At the same time, it can fulfill Niangniang's original intention of guarding Emperor Xian's country. Why not? "
Empress Wei did not have Wan'er's astute political mind. In her view, as long as she held power, it didn't matter if it was legitimate or not. It was just a false reputation. It was unwise to place herself in a storm of public opinion for the sake of a false reputation.
Thinking of this, Empress Wei nodded her head but didn't speak. Wan'er had been quietly observing her expression. Seeing this, she was secretly happy. Striking while the iron was hot, she said, "Wan'er thinks that the posthumous edict should also mention that the Prince of Xiang will assist the government."
Hearing this, Empress Wei was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Her expression instantly changed. She shouted, "No! Absolutely not! Shangguan Wan 'er, what are your intentions? Don't tell me you have some ulterior motive? "
There were warriors standing in the hall. Empress Wei harshly yelled, and several of the warriors immediately turned murderous gazes to Wan'er. Wan'er anxiously said, "Empress, even if the Prince of Xiang is allowed to assist the government, does he have the right to speak in today's Imperial Court?"
"That still won't do!"
Empress Wei angrily said, "The Prince of Xiang relied on his achievements to become arrogant and colluded with Zhang Jianzhi and the others to covet the throne. If not for the fact that Emperor Xian remembered his brotherly love, he would have already been sentenced to death. Now, with great difficulty, he has finally surrendered his military power and left the court. Do you want Aijia to invite him back? "
Wan'er earnestly said, "Niangniang, Wan'er suggests inviting the Prince of Xiang back to the court and having him assist the government as the Prince of Xiang of the An Kingdom. This is not for the Prince of Xiang, but for Niangniang. Think about it. If Empress Wu proclaims herself Emperor and wantonly slaughters Li Tang's members of the imperial family and loyal officials, what kind of reign of terror will there be?
Right now, the Son of Heaven is young and all the important officials in court are relatives of the Wei clan. Niangniang, you also want to preside over the government. What will the people of the world think? They will definitely not allow a second Emperor Zetian to appear. If a high-ranking official or a member of the imperial family uses this as an excuse to rebel … "
Empress Wei truly lacked experience in the field of politics. She seriously thought for a while and felt that Wan'er's words were reasonable. The Wei clan had only been on the rise for a short time. If she appeared too impatient, there might be people who would seize the opportunity to rebel.
When Xu Jingye revolted against Wu in Yangzhou, Wu Zetian had not yet been proclaimed Emperor. She had governed the world as Empress for many years, and she had also used her status as Empress Dowager to force her puppet son, Emperor Li Dan, to issue an edict. Only then was the rebellion quelled.
At this time, if a high-ranking military official were to rebel, he would probably not be so easy to deal with. If the Prince of Xiang was made an assistant prince in name but not in reality, he could first pacify the hearts of the world and then use the young emperor to command the vassals. In three years, wouldn't it be enough time to replace the generals commanding the armies of the world with members of the Wei clan's party?
With this thought, Empress Wei finally accepted Wan'er's suggestion. She slowly said, "Then … let's do it this way. The sky is about to brighten and the officials are about to go to court. Quickly draft the edict. There can be no delay!"
… …
When the first rays of dawn bathed the city of Chang'an, the drums at the Duanmen Gate began to beat. The emperor's death had not affected the normal operations of the Bell and Drum Service. Zong Chuke rode a fine horse, galloping through the palace to the sound of the drums. His back was already drenched in sweat.
Li Xian had died at around the third watch last night. The first thing Empress Wei did was to order the Tiger Seal to mobilize troops and have Wei Wen mobilize the Imperial Army at the North Gate to protect the palace. The second thing she did was to have someone inform Zong Chuke and Wei Juyuan, the two Prime Ministers whose residences were closest to the palace, to hurry to the southern yamen.
Empress Wei still remembered the incident of the Prince of Xiang, Li Dan, furiously charging into the southern yamen during the coup d'état and seizing military authority. She naturally could not repeat the same mistake, so she immediately ordered Zong Chuke and Wei Juyuan to first take control of the Imperial Army in the southern yamen.
Zong Chuke was woken from his sleep. Upon hearing that the emperor had died, he paled in fright. He hurriedly got up, wrapped himself in a robe, and ran out of the mansion. By the time he reached the southern yamen, it was already the fourth watch. He busied himself for a long time, and it was only at dawn that he finished his preparations.
On the way to the southern yamen to take control of the Imperial Army, Zong Chuke had already thought of several ways to deal with the aftermath. He sent people to the palace to report to Empress Wei. The aftermath that Empress Wei told Shanghai Wan'er was basically Zong Chuke's proposal.
But Zong Chuke was still worried about the palace. As soon as he finished his preparations, he immediately rushed to the palace. By the time he reached the palace, the meridian gate was already wide open. The civil and military officials were filing into the palace, stepping on the morning sun and walking on the Golden Water Bridge.
The civil and military officials knew nothing about what had happened last night. It was only when they arrived at the palace this morning that they were shocked to find that the palace was heavily guarded by a large army. When the meridian gate was wide open, there was a sentry every five steps, a sentry every ten steps, tens of thousands of mounted soldiers, and a murderous air.
These officials immediately trembled with fear, not knowing what major event had happened in court. Ever since the coup d'état, the political situation had been unstable. They really did not know if, when they went to the golden hall, they would find that the emperor had changed again.
Zong Chuke originally wanted to rush to the palace to see Empress Wei first and ask if the aftermath had been properly dealt with. But when he lifted the sleeves of his robe and sprinted all the way into the Taiji gate, he saw the civil and military officials walking into the Taiji Hall. Helpless, he could only quickly chase after them.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
