People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1671 Where is Li Dan? Is he dead?

From Jianchun Gate to Gongling, blood dripped all the way on the ground, forming a long line.

Xue Guwu, who was sitting on the wooden pole, had completely lowered his head, as if he was already dead.

Ma Jingchen didn't even look up, but just maintained a slow pace so that Xue Guwu's blood would just drip onto the ground instead of onto his carriage.

There was no movement in Luoyang City behind him.

It seemed that Li Xuan's treatment of Xue Guwu made them feel extremely surprised.

Li Xuan did not question Xue Guwu. He simply hung him outside Luoyang City for three days, drained his blood, and finally took him to Gongling.

Those who thought about all this could not help but shudder.

He was hung alive for three days, and then his blood was drained and he was taken to Gongling Mausoleum to be sacrificed to Emperor Zhongzong.

This method is even more cruel than the one Li Xuan used to question Xue Guwu under the city of Luoyang.

But no one went to rescue Xue Guwu.

The Queen did not speak.

The Queen did not say to save him, nor did she say not to save him.

But in fact, everyone knew in their hearts that the Queen did not want to save him.

No one knows how much King Peng has done to him.

Of course, anyone who is understanding enough would understand that the Queen simply does not want to see Xue Guwu again.

After Xue Guwu fell into the hands of Prince Peng, anyone who saw him would inevitably wonder whether he had revealed to Prince Peng what happened before Emperor Zhongzong's death.

When they thought of this question, they couldn't help but recall the scene before the death of Emperor Zhongzong.

No one wants to recall the scene before Emperor Zhongzong's death.

In this case, letting Xue Guwu die is actually the best option.

The person who was really hit hardest in this incident was actually Xue Guwu. He had done so many things for Empress Wu, but in the end he ended up like this.

I was almost devastated.

Kill the heart, kill the heart.

Li Xuan was just trying to hurt his heart.

……

Before we knew it, Gongling was right in front of us.

Thirty thousand soldiers holding long spears and white flags stood on both sides of Gong Mausoleum with solemn expressions.

When Ma Jingchen and Xue Guwu appeared, almost everyone's eyes were focused on the two of them, especially on Xue Guwu.

Finally, Ma Jingchen stopped in front of the tomb of Emperor Zhongzong.

He jumped off the carriage and bowed to Li Xuan and the generals who were standing in front of Gong Mausoleum.

Li Xuan didn't look at him, but looked at Xue Guwu on the wooden pole.

Li Xuan could clearly feel that the blood in Xue Guwu's body was almost gone, but his heart was still beating slightly.

He has one last breath.

"Everyone has met Prime Minister Lu." Li Xuan turned around and looked at the dozen or so generals standing on both sides.

Sun Renshi, Wang Fangyi, Qu Chongyu, Li Duozuo, Tang Zhenxing, Su Baotong, Nan Ju, Liu Dingyuan, Cui Ding, Zhou Qian, Zhang Huan, Li Lang and others stood in awe.

The generals looked at Lu Yuanfang, who was standing on the right side of the tombstone. He was wearing a purple robe and had a white silk tied on his head. They bowed solemnly and said, "Greetings, Prime Minister Lu."

"Greetings, generals!" Lu Yuanfang returned the greeting seriously.

Li Xuan nodded, walked to Lu Yuanfang, and said calmly: "From now on, all matters concerning the logistics of the army, the accumulation of military merits, and the assessment of military discipline will be decided by Prime Minister Lu after my signature, and assisted by General Sun."

"Yes!" The generals bowed solemnly.

The meaning of Li Xuan's words was very clear. From today on, the Taiwei Mansion would be placed under the Council of State Affairs.

Maybe that’s how it should be.

But Li Xuan still firmly grasped the military power.

All military affairs must go through his hands before being sent to the Council of State.

But no matter what, the Taiwei Mansion reported to the Zhengshi Hall, and then the Zhengshi Hall once again had the power to command the world.

After the emperor, the Council of State was the largest.

This is what should happen.

Lu Yuanfang bowed to Li Xuan with a solemn expression.

"I have previously proposed to Prime Minister Lu that he be appointed as the Minister of the Left of the Eastern Capital Executive Office and the Inspector General of the Yangzhou Grand Marshal's Office. Can this be announced to the whole country?" Li Xuan looked very serious.

"It has been announced to the world." A smile flashed in Lu Yuanfang's eyes. To be honest, it was amazing that Li Xuan's Eastern Capital Executive Office took over all the government affairs east of Luoyang.

In Chang'an, both Liu Rengui and Lu Yuanfang were extremely surprised.

But no matter what, once the Yidongdu Xingtai successfully takes over the more than 100 states east of Luoyang, the world will return to the center in the most stable way.

Especially with Lu Yuanfang as the Chief Clerk of the Yangzhou Grand Marshal's Office, he himself was a Sima from the Yangzhou Governor's Office and from the Lu family, one of the four great families in Jiangnan. He had connections in all directions and was able to ensure the most guaranteed supply of food and fodder for the central government.

In this way, the world can be stabilized.

This strategy is not easy for someone who has been fighting for many years.

It was not so unacceptable for Li Xuan to participate in state affairs as the successor king.

Li Xuan nodded, then looked at Lu Yuanfang and said, "Xuan, there are three more things to discuss with Prime Minister Lu."

Li Xuan's choice of words was cautious and prudent.

Lu Yuanfang nodded and said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Li Xuan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "First, order all provincial governors and county magistrates to sort out the autumn taxes, kill the bandits, stabilize the local areas, and prepare for next spring planting. Without the order of the Political Affairs Hall, no one may leave their post at will."

"This is what should be done." Lu Yuanfang nodded in agreement.

"Second," Li Xuan said seriously, "In all places, except for Jiangnan Road, except for the autumn grain that has already been shipped, all autumn grain in various places will be sealed and stored in the warehouse. There is no need to start for the time being. After Luoyang arrives, the central government will send people to inspect the local areas, check the grain registers, criminal cases, civil service examinations, river engineering and other matters. The Ministry of Personnel will use this to examine the officials, and then start the autumn transportation."

"Okay." Lu Yuanfang nodded. He had actually already started doing many things.

"Third." Li Xuan pondered and said seriously: "Order Henan, Shannan, Huainan, and Jiangnan states to send two teams of state soldiers to Luoyang to assist the army in attacking the city."

Two teams, one hundred people?

Lu Yuanfang raised his eyes and looked at Li Xuan in surprise: "What a good strategy!"

It doesn’t really matter who comes, what matters is who doesn’t come.

Anyone who didn't come was loyal to Empress Wu and not loyal to the emperor, and they could be dealt with step by step in the future. Of course, some of them were just perfunctory, but there was nothing to be afraid of. Some people didn't even want to be perfunctory, and then they really deserved to die.

"Finally, as I said before, let the counties and cities in Jiangnan Road search for the whereabouts of the emperor." Li Xuan turned and looked at Luoyang City, and said softly: "It won't be long before Luoyang falls. The emperor is in the mountains and has no news for the time being. If he knew that our army has besieged Luoyang, he would definitely show up and return on his own initiative."

"I will issue another decree when I return." Lu Yuanfang bowed seriously.

As they gradually approached and captured Luoyang, Li Chongzhao's whereabouts became more and more important.

A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. This was true for Empress Wu and for them as well.

"General Hua Dazhi of the Right Army will lead 10,000 elite soldiers from Longyou to Luoyang. Yongzhou Prefecture will also have more than 10,000 soldiers from Zhechou Prefecture arrive in Luoyang. All of them will be incorporated into the army. There are at least hundreds of states in Henan, Shannan, Huainan, and Jiangnan. Each state has two teams of troops, at least 10,000 people. These people will be temporarily placed in Zhengzhou."

Li Xuan turned to look at Xue Qianfeng and nodded, saying, "Cousin, you will be the governor of Zhengzhou and settle all these people, as well as the royal family members and relatives from all over the country."

When they heard that Li Xuan had appointed Xue Qianfeng as the inspector of Zhengzhou, many of the generals under Li Xuan's command showed a hint of doubt in their eyes.

But when they heard him mention the four royal families, everyone fell silent.

Yes, Luoyang has been surrounded, and it won’t take long for them to completely take it.

In this regard, they have enough confidence in Li Xuan.

In this way, royal families from all over the country would arrive in Luoyang one after another. In addition to seeing Empress Wu off for the last time, they were also waiting for Li Chongzhao to return.

Only when Li Chongzhao returns will the world be completely stable.

Xue Qianfeng was the son of Princess Danyang, the fifteenth daughter of Emperor Gaozu. His father Xue Wanche was also a famous general during the reign of Emperor Taizong. He was the most suitable person to receive members of the royal family and other foreign relatives.

There was just a question that arose in their minds.

If Li Chongzhao really returns, will Li Xuan really hand the throne to Li Chongzhao?

Qu Chongyu stood calmly among the crowd. He was the only one who knew Li Xuan's plan best.

Li Chongzhao, I’m afraid he won’t be able to come back.

If he doesn't come back, there will be at least three candidates for the throne, and then all parties will fight to the death.

When all parties have no more power, Li Xuan will come out to clean up the mess...

"Yes!" Xue Qianfeng stood up and bowed, interrupting Qu Chongyu's thoughts.

Li Xuan nodded, then took a half step forward, looked at everyone and said, "Now that Luoyang has been completely besieged, from today onwards, except for Luoyang, the canal restrictions will be lifted. From today onwards, the east, west, south and north of the country will be unobstructed."

"Yes!" Everyone present bowed in unison.

Ever since Li Xuan captured Chang'an, the world has been completely cut off from north to south and east to west.

Especially the Silk Road, which was basically cut off when it reached Chang'an.

Those who are willing to run can go to Chengdu, and those who are unwilling to run can only stay in Chang'an.

But fortunately, it didn’t last long.

"Zhengzhou should pay attention to its responsibilities in Luoyang, cousin, do your best." Li Xuan looked at Xue Qianfeng seriously.
"I obey your command." Xue Qianfeng became serious. Receiving members of the royal family was not a difficult task, but communicating the Silk Road and promoting trade between the north and the south, if he did a good job, would be enough for him to be appointed as the governor of Zhengzhou, which was a third-rank position!
Li Xuan nodded, his eyes fell on Xue Guwu, and he said calmly: "Bring him up."

"Yes!" Ma Jingchen bowed solemnly, then picked up Xue Guwu and came to the tombstone of Emperor Zhongzong.

After some tossing and turning, Xue Guwu still had his last breath.

Li Xuan glanced at him gently, knowing that he must have some final words, but...

Li Xuan raised his head, looked at Li Xian's tombstone, and said softly: "Sanlang, Zhang Qianxu is dead, Wang Xiaojie is dead, Ma Sizong is dead, Cheng Wuting is dead, and now, Uncle Wang will send you another one..."

With a "clang", the long sword was instantly unsheathed, and a head opened its eyes wide and looked up at the sky with disbelief.

Cui Ding put away his sword, stepped back, and stood solemnly.

Blood flowed from under his feet. Li Xuan glanced lightly at Xue Guwu's head. No matter what he was hiding in his heart, Li Xuan had no intention of letting him speak it out.

Turning around, Li Xuan looked at the dozen generals and the soldiers below who were wearing black clothes and black armor, with white silk tied on their foreheads and arms, and slowly said: "This prince and Emperor Zhongzong have known each other since childhood. He is intelligent, friendly and filial. He even pretended to be ridiculous because the position of crown prince was already decided..."

Li Xuan thought of Li Xian's past appearance, and couldn't help but feel a trace of pain in his eyes.

He stretched out his hand, and it seemed as if a figure appeared before him, but in an instant, he withdrew his hand as if he had been electrocuted.

"After becoming the crown prince, Emperor Zhongzong was diligent in government affairs and good at managing personnel affairs..." Li Xuan looked up at Lu Yuanfang, who clenched his teeth tightly.

In any case, Lu Yuanfang taught Li Xian for two years.

Li Xuan sighed and continued, "All officials respected him, and the people were loyal to him. After Emperor Gaozong passed away, Emperor Zhongzong succeeded to the throne. After that, Emperor Zhongzong actively handled government affairs and properly appeased the people. Chang'an and Luoyang, the people of the world all submitted to him. They hoped that the Tang Dynasty could reach a higher level under the leadership of Emperor Zhongzong. However..."

Li Xuan gritted his teeth and said hurriedly: "However, there was a palace coup and Emperor Zhongzong died inexplicably.

Everyone, what should we do? "

Li Xuan suddenly roared, shaking the heaven and earth.

Tens of thousands of soldiers raised their spears at the same time and shouted loudly: "Revenge, revenge, revenge..."

Li Xuan suddenly leaned his hand upwards, and the sound in front stopped abruptly.

Li Xuan said in a calm and cold voice: "Let's go to Luoyang City!"

……

In front of Jianchun Gate, Wei Yuanzhong stood on the city gate and looked to the end of the distance.

A black tide appeared on the horizon, extremely long, slowly and heavily pressing towards Luoyang City.

Wei Yuanzhong couldn't help but look at Yan Huaidan: "General Yan, where is His Majesty? His Majesty said he would come, why didn't he come?"

Yan Huaidan subconsciously looked in the direction of the palace, forced a smile, and said, "Maybe he's on his way."

Wei Yuanzhong looked helpless and turned to look outside the city.

The sound of horse hooves came closer and closer, and finally appeared at the foot of the city gate.

Black soldiers, white banners, and endless pressure were coming towards them.

The black-armored soldiers at the front slowly dispersed, and Li Xuan, dressed in white linen mourning clothes, slowly appeared in front of the army. He raised his head, looked at the city wall, and asked, "Where is Li Dan?"

"Your Majesty!" Wei Yuanzhong could not help but stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, how can you call him by his name..."

"Who did I think you were? You are the Censor. Long time no see." Li Xuan's eyes fell on Wei Yuanzhong and he sneered, "Today is the day for me to meet with the uncle and nephew of Prince Yong. How can you, a traitor, have a chance to speak?"

"Who are you calling a traitor?" Wei Yuanzhong's chest suddenly heaved.

Li Xuan pursed her lips slightly and whispered, "Traitor."

Behind Li Xuan, 30,000 soldiers simultaneously raised their long spears and white banners, and shouted at Wei Yuanzhong: "Traitor, traitor, traitor..."

With a "puff" sound, Wei Yuanzhong spat out a mouthful of blood.

……

Li Xuan was sitting on the horse, stunned at first, then his eyes narrowed slightly.

What about Li Dan? Could it be that Li Dan is really dead?
(End of this chapter)