The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 211: All Kinds of People (II)

On the 19th day of the first month of the second year of Qianning, the sage returned to the capital. All the troops were given 15 days off to take turns to rest. Prime Minister Li Xi, Jingzhao Yin Sun Weisheng, Sili Xiaowei Han Yi led all the officials to congratulate him on his arrival at Bashang.

"Boom, boom, boom." The solemn and exciting drum sound.

"Du, du, du..." The sound is accompanied by the majestic accompaniment of horn, flute, guzheng and pipa.

The sage sat on his horse, and wherever the horse's hooves passed, the ministers at home and abroad on both sides bent down and bowed to him.

Li Xi's voice was rhythmic: "A great victory in Hezhong, the king's prestige spread far and wide, and the villains were in panic. Your Majesty controls the pivot and the mother of qi, and ranks among the three spirits of the gods. You use the new house to house all nations, and your face shines on the mist and clouds, changing the spring grass and trees, and moving the people. The mirror of the sky opens and shines on the hidden hibernation, and Yue looks at Ziwei to harmonize the yin and yang with joy and anger. Yao is smart, using strategies to defeat the captives of Yongqi, and punishing the rude Fengyi... It is majestic and majestic, covering the four poles. The illustrious and resentful ancestors drove thousands of years, and the age is decorated with the weather of the sun and the moon. If you don't have a round and square appearance, you can't be a fish and a phoenix..."

"If you don't have a great and magnificent title, wouldn't it be a disrespect to your subjects? Therefore, I am vigilant in all directions, listening to the opinions of the gods and people, and I sincerely wish to use the virtue of heaven and earth as the emperor, eliminate cruelty and cruelty as Tang, fight against insults as Wu, and protect the country as Kang. The title is Emperor Tang Wu Kang Dasheng, to praise your great achievements. I humbly hope that Your Majesty will follow the deep feelings of millions of people and sincerely bless the gods for generations. Who would not be excited..."

I don't know which bootlickers came up with the idea, but the imperial court upgraded his title from "Emperor Ruizhen Chunyang" to "Great Sage Emperor Tang Wukang".

It's of very high quality.

The Great Sage of Civil and Military Affairs Li Shimin, the Great Sage of Heaven Li Zhi.

Wu Zhao. The court had mixed reviews of her throughout her life. She changed her titles frequently, from Heavenly Queen to Great Saint, Holy Emperor, Holy Queen, and Empress. It was not until the end of Emperor Xuanzong's reign that the final judgment was made - Empress Wu Zetian Shunsheng. Great Saint Li Xian of Dahe, Great Saint Li Dan of Xuanzhen. These three were posthumously honored, and there was no such title at the time of Emperor Xuanzong's death.

The Great Sage of the Tao, Li Longji.

The situation changed when it came to Li Heng. In the past, people were judged after their death. Li Heng saved the country from collapse, and was awarded the title of Qianyuan Dasheng during his lifetime. After he ascended to heaven, he was posthumously awarded the title of Wenming Wude Dasheng. Li Yu was also awarded the title of Baoying Yuansheng for his merits, but some of his policies were inappropriate, so he was not posthumously awarded the title of Dasheng.

As soon as Li Shi ascended the throne, he shamelessly added the title of "Holy God", but he rescinded it in his edict of repentance after a disaster.

Because the Tang Dynasty almost collapsed in his hands, he was posthumously named "Great Sage".

Li Song, the Great and Virtuous Saint.

Li Chun was honored as the Great Saint of Literature and Martial Arts for his contributions to the restoration of the country.

Li Heng had no title. Li Zhan was naughty, so Tian Gang gave Li Shimin the title of Great Sage of Civil and Military Affairs to him, and he had no title after his death; Li Ang, Li Yan, Li Chen, Li Yi, and Li Xuan all had no title.

It can be seen that the threshold is still so high.

Of course, you can also be as shameless as Emperor Yizong and demand a bunch of praises such as “Rui Wen, Ying Wu, Ming De, Zhi Ren, Da Sheng, Guangxiao”, but after your death you are sent off with just a few words “Rui Wen, Zhao Sheng, Gong Hui”, a pure comedian.

After finishing the performance, Li Xi swallowed his saliva and bowed again: "Only the Great Sage is in power, the immortal body has achieved enlightenment, and he will receive eternal blessings and endless happiness."

The ministers and the extras hired by the officials also rushed to bow down from near to far. Before Li could say anything, the people around him, such as Li Renmei, Zhao Fu, and Wang Congxun, raised their arms and spears, and led the soldiers in front and behind to shout to build momentum: "Emperor Tang Wukang, great sage, great sage!"

The warriors, officials, dancers, guards of honor, and common people watching the excitement were all infected and clapped their hands and cheered: "Great Sage! Great Sage!"

He is so great that he is always indignant about his ancestors' success, and his age is as impressive as the sun and the moon. Only a round and square appearance can make him a fish or a phoenix... The saint himself almost believed it: Is he really that awesome?
The face is shining in the mist, changing into spring grass and trees, and moving characters... There are so many mushy things, I am writing a love letter here. The sky mirror opens and shines on the hidden hibernation, and the purple star is in the air of joy and anger and yin and yang... Controlling the pivot and the mother of qi, and ascending to the three spirits of the gods... It feels like the Pope.

"Great Sage, Great Sage!"

Wave after wave came, and the saint felt dizzy sitting on his horse, almost unable to ride steadily.

I do not deserve!
"Prime Minister Li, all the ministers." The sage hooked his fingers and asked them to stand up first. "I am humble and have been on the throne for seven years, but I have not governed the country. My actions are dependent on the will of heaven, following the laws of nature, and my minions are capable. Why is the court in turmoil? The Zhu thief has not been eliminated, and people are in chaos. I am ashamed to ask for this title now. If you are loyal and good, you should sincerely correct my mistakes. Do not give me more honors, which will only increase my guilt."

Li Xi thought he was being modest. After all, Emperor Xianzong and Dasheng had declined four times. So he said with a stern face, "I led thousands of people but the emperor refused. How can I stand up?"

The ministers also bowed down again: "We dare to insist!"

"How dare you refuse?" The sage sternly refused.

"Great Sage, receive the order!" The soldiers also swarmed and pressed forward, making it seem like he was wearing a yellow robe. What a bad behavior! Is it a good thing for the soldiers to be fanatical about him alone? Not necessarily. It means that once he dies, the court may not be able to command him, and his son may not be able to control him.

"Will you accept it or not? Not yet! When will you accept it?" The ministers, soldiers and concubines who were nearby sang and danced, waved their hands and threw seductive glances.

The saint covered his face with a painful expression, pointed his whip at the men and women, and said in a trembling voice: "There are many bandits in Guandong. The people are hungry and poorly clothed, and they are complaining. What have I done? You are putting me on the fire and making me suffer!"

"Your Majesty, please stop making noises. I only know that you and I share the same fate, and my parents, wife and children are well fed and warmly clothed."

"Saint, saint, even if you are not the emperor, I will still support you as the emperor."

"The rebels in Guandong are living a miserable life. What has this got to do with the saints? Who forced them to pay tribute and fight for the Zhu thieves? It's all their own fault!"

"Your Majesty, please be at ease. The people of our country are actually doing well. There are no starving people everywhere and they are not exchanging their children for food. Your Majesty has done the utmost to help himself."

"Your Majesty, if you have pacified the world, you will have the honorific title of the one who has pacified the world."

"Where is the Prime Minister? Where will the enthronement ceremony be held?"

"The Taiji Hall or Hanyuan Hall are fine."

The saint glared at Li Xi fiercely, and pointed his index finger at all the ministers, soldiers, and concubines. When Xianzong was forced to abdicate four times in a month by the ministers under the title of "Zhaowen Zhangwu Dasheng", he must have been helpless. The saint does not need this honorific title to prove anything, but if you have certain achievements that are obvious to all, people will be attracted, admire you, and sing for you; if you are not beautiful...

At this time, several female officials and ministers stepped forward quickly, and pulled him off the horse and held him in their arms, while the saint exclaimed, "What are you doing!" Then they silently stuffed him into the carriage, and drove into the imperial city with music and the great saint's jubilation.

***
"It's back, it's back!"

The Penglai Palace is already full of flowers and green willows.

Meng Cairen no longer wore a Taoist robe. She tied her skirt to her chest and wore a light blue shirt with large sleeves as thin as a cicada's wing. She looked elegant and free, as graceful as a fairy.

This is considered a formal dress, usually used for important occasions. Today, the emperor returned triumphantly, and she and Zheng Zhaoyi came to congratulate him.

"The colorful dress is the color of the new moon, and the two wheels are graceful. The black silk is hidden at the seams, and the Qu A lock is buried." Zheng Zhaoyi helped her to straighten the wrinkles on the back of the dress. She thought the dress was not bad, and commented quietly: "Who said that everything will come naturally? The golden lotus has been moved, and the spring is feeding back. The immortal is plump, and the jade girl is graceful. If someone sees this, his reputation will be ruined."

"What a lewd and lewd remark." Meng Cairen's cheeks suddenly became hot, and bloodshot. He turned his head away, not knowing what to do. "Seventh brother, I respect you like a god. You can't judge a gentleman and blaspheme him with such words. Besides, we are just a bunch of filthy people, how can we pollute the holy king..."

"He spied on you and me bathing—"

"That's a rumor. I don't believe it." Meng Cairen interrupted. He paused, as if he wanted to add something, but restrained himself. He saved me. If it weren't for him, I would have been killed and suffered from evil. If he wants to watch... then he can watch... just pretend he doesn't know and practice the devil's test with his skin.

Zheng Zhaoyi shook her head: "Master Meng, you are obsessed."

Another group of concubines walked into Penglai Palace.

Concubine Shu was wearing a set of twelve-tattered pomegranate skirts that "half-covered her pink chest, like dark snow". The top was yellow and the bottom was red. It was very revealing, and one could put one's hand directly into the collar. I don't know if the woman dressed up to please herself or to win favor. She was talking intimately with the maids.

How could the Privy Councillor be wearing the saint's white round-collared robe? Well, it's not illegal.

Xian Fei, Yu Wenrou, Cui Yuzhang, Yang Kezheng, Cui Xuansu, Zhao Ruozhao, Yu Daolian, Gao Mingyue, Nangong Chongyan, Wenren Chuchu, Luo Fu all wore court robes with green gauze and leather belts. In addition, the three Wus, the two Xiaos, Jialan, Chiye, Chen Chen, Wei Yi, Qilina, Ashina Laimei, Lun Qinxun, Murong Yin, Lingxian... were all in colorful clothes. They talked vulgarly in twos and threes.

Tonight, Wu Zhaoyi, Xianfei, Shufei, Privy Envoy, and Luo Ji will be summoned to sleep on the same bed. "

"I heard that Concubine Shu likes to go through the back door, so she can come faster that way."

"Dawu is the most sensitive."

"Haha, every time it hits you, it's like a waterfall..."

"Beat him."

"Long live!" Until cheers came from the direction of the Purple Palace.

There were sounds of gongs and drums outside the sleeping city, and it took a while for the noise to calm down.

"Dong, dong..." Not long after, suddenly, several heavy bell sounds, indicating the "Emperor's coming in and out", gradually rang out in various places in the Daming Palace.

As soon as the concubines heard it, they rushed to the palace door and looked at the imperial road.

But on the imperial road, a screen fan slowly swayed, and a tall figure, with a resolute face covered in dust, strode up the steps with a long sword on his back. Concubine Shu hurriedly walked, calling "Saint" and took the hand. On the rear platform, she gently held the other's hands, half leaned, turned her head away, and was about to descend; her demeanor was like the meeting between the emperor and his subjects, or old friends in the tomb paintings.

"Thank you for your kindness!" The saint helped her up and returned the greeting: "Madam."

"Have you celebrated the New Year?"

"Yes."

"It's smelly and haggard." The fingertips brushed slowly.

"Are you hurt?"

"My ministers are diligent at home, and my loyal men are selfless outside. Who can harm me?"

While exchanging pleasantries, the saint was led into the palace by Concubine Shu. The saint obediently let her hold his hand. As soon as he entered, he was surrounded by a group of women, who acted coquettishly, asked questions, and worshiped him.

"It severely damaged more than 100,000 rebels. It's amazing."

"The court has given you the title of Great Saint, so shouldn't I call you Great Saint or Wu Kang from now on?"

"Hundreds of thousands of people fighting each other is terrifying just thinking about it."

"Has Luoyang been recaptured?"

"It is said that Zhu the thief was beaten to death."

Li responded to this and that, and briefly recounted the past six months. He spoke in a bland and rough manner, but the listeners listened attentively, holding their cheeks, opening their eyes wide, and breathing heavily. Then what? He didn't seem bored at all. He chatted with the ladies in Penglai Palace for half an hour, and had a meal together. He politely declined some people's suggestion to start a war with me immediately, and then he left again. He is not free for the time being. There are a lot of affairs to be dealt with urgently, and there are also some issues that need to be discussed with the Taiwei and Situ. Let's talk about the matter of a short separation tonight.

After leaving the palace, he led his followers Li Renmei and Zhao Fu to Du Rangneng's private residence outside Fanchuan. There was no rule in this era that the emperor could not visit his subjects. Du Rangneng had already suffered a stroke, and if he was summoned by force, his symptoms would worsen on the way and he would die. In this chaotic world, we should stick together for warmth, so let's try. When he arrived, Liu Chongwang, who had been ill for a long time and basically did not care about politics, was also a guest at the mansion.

Du Rangneng was holding onto the edge of the bed and struggling to sit up. He smiled bitterly and said, "Oh my God, even I am useless."

Including Si Tu Liu Chongwang, two of the Three Dukes were dismissed, both of whom were Ping Zhangshi. Only Si Kong Wei Zhaodu, who was appointed as Qinfeng Taishou because of the failure of the expedition against Shu, was barely healthy.

"Your Majesty." The fifth daughter Du Daijun and nephew Du Hu led the emperor to his seat, served tea and snacks, and then signaled the other relatives and servants to leave. Li Renmei and his group knew that the emperor and his ministers wanted to have a deep conversation, so they tacitly went outside to rest under the Du family's hospitality.

Only the eldest son Du Guangyi, Du Daijun and Du Hu were present, serving tea and waiting to be ordered.

Du Rangneng propped his right hand on the bed, observed the emperor, and chuckled a few times: "Thirty years ago, I helped your majesty's father (Emperor Yizong of Tang) to check for omissions and make up for deficiencies. Twenty years ago, I was by the side of the late sage, knowing how to draft imperial edicts and judging the finances. In the past seven years, I have been with your majesty through thick and thin. Time is like flowing water. As I enter the night, the royal spirit grows stronger day by day. It is very good that you are so majestic without being angry. People like Zhao Chong must be trembling in front of the emperor now, right? Yang Fugong has been confused for most of his life, and he was only right once in this matter of enthroning your majesty."

Four years ago, when someone first came, he would always sleep against the wall and hug Xiao Zhao who slept beside him, otherwise he would suffer from insomnia. He is constantly ambitious and vows to restore peace to the world. He is intermittently sentimental and desperate. He is timid in everything he says and does, afraid of offending this person or provoking that person.

After a year, I had seen so many scandals and murders that I became numb. I often spoke sentimentally, but in fact I felt nothing inside. My emotions were just expressions that changed from time to time.

A year and a half later, he was rolling in the mud and snow, shooting arrows in the air, and writing military books at night.

Two years later, he basically no longer consulted the civil and military officials on matters big or small. Everyone only needed to follow his words, and they no longer worried day and night about being rebelled against and having their entire family killed.

Three years later, four years later, he had become a tool-man and a cold-blooded husband with a mind full of conspiracies and calculations.

The world is in motion, and people will change with their experience, vision, and cognition. It is impossible for him to stay in his previous life or the first time he came. Man is the product of the environment. The environment requires him to be an emperor first, so he should do his best to do this job. What kind of person he will become in the future depends on what he will experience in the future. It is unchanging, a fairy tale.

"When in a position, one should plan for the government." The sage said this briefly, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Is it a blessing or a curse for Chengde to go to war to serve the king?"

Du Rangneng raised his eyebrows and hammered the bed. "Why should we listen to the emperor if we have the military, politics and wealth to ourselves? The feudal lords were a helpless choice during the reign of Emperor Taizong and must be abolished. Human nature is fickle, and Hebei must be eliminated as well. Once the people of Zhao help the country to destroy the thieves, the court will owe them a favor. If we enable the country to revive, how can we restore Zhao in the future? No matter what strategy is used, as long as it involves the disintegration of separatism, they will rebel. They will also be labeled as mean. The wise men in the history books will see: In a certain year, the people of Zhao replaced Xi with Jin Hou, and the emperor cut off their land and sent troops to fight against them. If our descendants meet the thieves like Chao and Zhu again, who will be loyal to them? Chengde, don't use it if you can. If you want to use it, you can't think of me forcing you to die, but be prepared to make the river like a belt and Taishan like a fierce mountain. Leave Chengde to future generations. If they rebel in the hands of future generations, then get rid of it."

The saint was silent for a long time, then skipped the topic: "I have heard that Ruzhou has rebelled, Henan Prefecture has been implicated, and the rebels are in a state of panic. If Zhu Wen dies suddenly, the rebels will split, and some will turn to Li Keyong and other prefectures to fight against us. What can I do?"

It is certain that Zhu Wen will not live long.

If he dies, there are three possible scenarios. One is to kneel directly. The other is that one of his descendants takes the throne, or a general destroys Emperor Zhu and continues to lead the rebels. No matter which of these two comes true, the rebels will surely split up. Some generals may establish their own states and counties and surrender on the surface. Some may leave like Sun Ru and Shi Dakai and find another base. Some may come to the west and sincerely rebel.

Some of it may be transferred to Li and Yang.

I can’t guarantee what would happen if Li Keyong got tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of Bian troops.

At this time, the Minister of Justice said, "I remember an old incident during the Qianfu period. When Duan Wenchu was stationed in Datong, his generals Li Jinzhong, Kang Junli, Cheng Huaixin, Li Cunzhang and others gathered together and said: The world is in chaos, and now is the time for heroes to establish their reputation and gain wealth and honor. Li Zhenwu and his son have made great contributions and held high positions. Their bravery is well known among the armies. If they can assist in the rebellion, I hope they can help. Keyong replied: My father is in Zhenwu, wait for me to ask him. The others said: If we delay, something will happen. How can we report to him thousands of miles away? So they imprisoned Wenchu. Keyong had no choice but to rebel."

Hearing this, the sage also remembered a farce in the Five Dynasties: the Xiejie army put a knife to Li Siyuan's neck and said: "We support you to be the emperor. If you listen to us, we will listen to you. If you don't know what is good for you, we will kill you."

Si Tu concluded his speech: "The integrity of a warrior can never be trusted. People like Wang Congxun and Zha Zhu are only a minority. Li Keyong is both a general and a prime minister, and he is also the emperor's uncle. He may not have the intention to usurp the throne. But no one dares to make a firm statement about his followers. In short, try to prevent Li Keyong from gaining more troops and territory in the fight against the rebellion. If you can't stop him, then change the strategy, delay the time of his rebellion after he expands his territory, and reduce the possibility of his rebellion after he expands his territory."

The saint listened quietly.

"Those who love lust, intoxicate them with beauties. Those who love power, bribe them with official positions. Those who seek fame, seduce them with fame." Situ continued to analyze: "This person is happy to repay kindness and revenge, calls himself a hero, and has a chivalrous style. His biggest flaw is that he cares about reputation and morality, and disdains vulgarity. Start from this aspect."

The commander immediately added: "Daizong married the eldest princess of Qi to the sixth son of Fenyang. After marriage, the couple had a daughter, who married Xianzong, the grandson of Dezong at the time, and the mother of Muzong, Empress Yi'an. The only plan now is to bet that he is willing to be a son. You can ask Concubine Xian to mention it when she writes home. If Keyong is interested, the saint can choose a daughter and marry Keyong's eldest son."

Hiss, you are my father-in-law, and I am your son’s father-in-law?

"My marriage with Concubine Xian has been criticized for years. Now that we are of different generations, will my subjects have any complaints?" asked the sage.

Si Tu shook his head and said, "Empress Yi'an is the niece of Emperor Dezong and the cousin of Emperor Shunzong. Emperor Xianzong not only married her, but also went to Guo's mansion to marry her in person. Which of the former and the latter is in accordance with etiquette? The purpose of etiquette is to protect the country. If it can't, what's the point of it?"

The relationship sounds complicated, but it is actually simple. Empress Yi'an has half of Li bloodline, and her mother, Princess Qi, is the second daughter of Emperor Daizong. According to the generation, Empress Yi'an is the cousin of Emperor Xianzong, but Emperor Xianzong, under the order of his grandfather, went to his aunt's house and married his beautiful cousin, and even had a bunch of babies...

Compared to this, things like same-surname marriage and step-sister-in-law are not good enough.

I lost.

If he and Li Keyong were to discuss their own affairs, being both father-in-law and son-in-law, the sage would not be unacceptable, but the problem was that his daughters were still young. The eldest, Princess Pingyuan, was only nine years old, the same age as Li Cunxu. Last year, Keyong's eldest son Luoluo met him once. He was already a grown-up boy, so who could he marry?
As for marrying Keyong's other unmarried daughter, his sister-in-law Zhu Xie Miaowei, to a certain son...

He sleeps while I think.

Sister-in-law and Jingshen are having sex...

The saint choked.

The scene was too chaotic.

Du Hu and Du Guangyi, who were standing by, looked very unhappy when they heard this, and Du Daijun, who was still unmarried, even had her ears reddened.

"This matter still needs to be discussed carefully with the Minister of Rites Su and the Minister of Imperial Clan Affairs Li." The sage did not comment.

Si Tu nodded and said, "Second, the story of conquering Guo and Li. Appoint him as the deputy marshal of the army and the minister of the Central Secretariat. Isn't he fighting in Youzhou? Just give Youzhou to him and make him the governor of Zhenwu, Hedong, Datong, Youzhou and Zhaoyi. Give him the title of Shangfu and send painters to Taiyuan to paint his portrait in the Lingyan Pavilion. Change his title to King of Fenyang. Transfer all the positions that Guo Ziyi held at the same time to him."

The general turned over in bed and said, "It is impossible to fight Zhu Wen again after defeating him. If there is a way to avoid or postpone hostility, there is no reason not to try. Since he wants fame and calls himself a hero, we should retreat to advance and praise him highly. Send someone to test his attitude. If he is willing to accept, regardless of whether he has the heart to follow Fenyang, it can be regarded as a bribe to buy some time. If he bargains, he must be the governor of Xuanwu, Weizhou, and Chengde, and wants to keep the whole Hebei area. If he refuses, there will be a battle. We must be cautious in our actions, suppressing the rebellion while keeping weapons ready for war."

The sage said nothing, but was deducing in his mind.

Seeing this, Si Tu spread his sleeves and said, "The last strategy is to make Consort Xian the empress. In short, the purpose of suppressing rebellions is to quell rebellions. It is not to suppress a rebellion and then let another person take advantage of the situation and rebel again. If I am seriously injured by defeating Zhu Wen and the princes are not weak but strong, it is better not to fight and slowly grind them down to preserve my strength."

"In addition, you must keep a close watch on the King of Dai." The general stuck his head out, stared at the saint, and warned solemnly: "The situation seems to be improving, but in fact, undercurrents are surging, and all parties are plotting against the court. Once the King of Dai is stolen out of Chang'an and sneaked back to Taiyuan, your majesty will be deposed as the emperor. Hand the King of Dai over to the female officials and eunuchs who can be entrusted with life and death. If things are not harmonious, it is better to die young than to live. Don't be too soft-hearted..."

Du Hu, Du Daijun and Du Guangyi, who were standing by, were horrified when they heard this.

The father who had always been kind and amiable could actually be a vicious villain who instigated a saint to kill his son.

There are relatives in the heavenly family, so close that one can marry one's cousin. There are also no relatives in the heavenly family, so close that father and son cannot get along.

"Let me think about it." The saint slowly stood up.

If you rely on mountains, they will collapse; if you rely on water, it will flow away. You can only rely on yourself. Be prepared for the worst, as you may have to fight this war alone.

(End of this chapter)