Humans in All Heavens: Starting with Detective Dee

Now Di Chun's position is as high as Li Yuanfang's.

In just over a year, he was promoted from Di Renjie's steward to a fourth-rank military advisor in the Imperial Guard, a remarkable leap.

It's like rising to the top in one step.

Having connections in the central government makes things easier.

For example, Zeng Tai was promoted three ranks in one year, from a seventh-rank county magistrate to a fifth-rank county magistrate of the capital.

Without connections in the court, you won't even have a chance to make a name for yourself.

"Alright, you can all go now."

After promoting Di Chun, Wu Zetian touched her forehead with her hand, her mood somewhat heavy.

Even as the empress, Wu Zetian felt a pang of pain at being murdered by someone close to her.

Why do people say that the emperor is a lonely figure, living in a high position and feeling isolated?

One by one, the people around me have drifted away from me.

Son, nephew, etc.

If Di Chun knew what Wu Zetian was thinking, he would probably want to complain.

You didn't show any mercy when you killed your own son.

It's one thing to favor men, but to allow them to run rampant and even bully her own son, daughter, and grandson is another.

You yourself don't even consider your son and grandson as your own flesh and blood.

Anyone who's close to you is probably hoping you die soon.

It's not unusual for someone to plot against you.

Just as the three were about to leave, Wu Zetian suddenly said, "Di Chun, stay."

Di Chun glanced at Di Renjie and Li Yuanfang beside him, then stepped forward and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

……

To be honest, I'm a little confused. Why did Wu Zetian keep him around?

Even if there was something to say, Di Renjie should have been left behind.

Wu Zetian waved her hand, and a guard brought over two chairs from a distance: "Sit down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

And so the two sat down. Wu Zetian remained silent, staring at the flower bushes in the distance, lost in thought.

She didn't speak, and Di Chun didn't know what to say either, so he could only stand there and stare blankly at her.

After a long pause, our Empress finally spoke.

"Di Chun, what do you think of me as emperor?"

Di Chun was taken aback, and said against his will, "Your Majesty is wise and mighty, a sage ruler unlike any other in history."

The peace and tranquility of the realm and the tranquility of the borders are entirely due to Your Majesty's benevolent rule.

"Hehe, you know, I'm not senile yet."

Although I aspire to achieve great things, I am not so arrogant as to claim to be an unprecedentedly wise ruler.

Di Chun remained calm, as if to say, "So you know what's going on."

Of course, he wouldn't say what was on his mind.

Let alone emperors, how many ordinary people can readily accept others pointing out their shortcomings? That's why emperors like Li Shimin are rare.

In fact, Wu Zetian was also heartbroken this time, so she kept Di Chun behind and wanted to talk about her feelings.

She usually had no one to confide in.

He could only speak his mind to Di Renjie; he couldn't speak his mind to anyone else.

Di Chun has been performing well lately, which has pleased her. He is very similar to Di Renjie in both his work and other aspects.

Moreover, he is very sensible, so even if you talk to him about something, you don't have to worry about him going out and talking nonsense.

So they kept Di Chun.

There are some things that you keep to yourself, and you always want to talk to someone about them.

After pondering for a while, Wu Zetian seemed to have thought of something after this incident, and immediately looked at Di Chun: "Di Chun, to tell you the truth..."

My greatest hope now is that after my death, the Li family and the Wu family can live in peace.

Di Chun lowered his head and listened quietly without offering any opinions.

Wu Zetian continued: "Although I know it will be difficult. At present, the princes of the Wu clan and the Li clan are like fire and water."

Once I pass away, the two forces will inevitably fight each other, and one side will inevitably be defeated.

This matter has been causing me great distress.

Some time ago, the Prince of Liang privately approached me and said that he had never heard of an emperor who was not of the same surname as his successor.

"You want me to make him the crown prince. What do you think about this?"

……

Di Chun was a little startled, not expecting Wu Zetian to ask him this question.

He immediately replied, "This is His Majesty's family matter. The Crown Prince and the Prince of Liang are both His Majesty's family members."

Therefore, this matter is not for me to answer.

"Hmph, what if I force you to answer?"

"Who do you think I should make crown prince?" Wu Zetian snorted coldly.

Seeing Di Chun's hesitant expression, Wu Zetian added, "No matter what you say today, I will pardon you."

Seeing this, Di Chuncai said, "Your Majesty, all I know is that if I have any family property, I will definitely leave it to my son."

He definitely wouldn't leave it to his nephew.

If one has a large and wealthy family, one might at most take care of one's nephew, but would never allow one's nephew to surpass one's son in one's heart.

A nephew is just a nephew, not your own son, but your own son is your own flesh and blood.

It's obvious who's close to whom; even ordinary people can tell the difference.

Seeing that Wu Zetian remained expressionless, he continued, "Moreover, to speak disrespectfully, after Your Majesty's birthday, the Crown Prince will surely offer sacrifices to you in the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

I have never heard of a nephew who becomes the crown prince paying homage to his aunt.

When the King of Liang became emperor, he naturally posthumously honored his father as emperor.

Whether His Majesty will still be respected by the Prince of Liang by then is hard to say.

As Di Chun spoke each sentence, Wu Zetian's expression changed repeatedly.

Especially the last few sentences.

The most important matters of state are sacrifice and war.

In other words, the major affairs of the country mainly consist of two aspects: military affairs and sacrificial rites.

Sacrifices were very important in ancient times.

The thought that if he made Wu Sansi the crown prince, no one would offer sacrifices to him after his death would change his expression.

It's hard to say whether Wu Zetian had much affection for these nephews; in her early years, she and her mother were also bullied in the Wu family.

However, to usurp the throne of the Li Tang dynasty, she naturally needed a group of people to support her, and naturally, she could only promote members of the Wu clan to high positions.

Unfortunately, these people are all hopeless and incompetent.

They haven't been able to produce any effective results.

"You may leave." After hearing Di Chun's words, Wu Zetian fell into deep thought and waved her hand.

"Your humble servant takes his leave."

She guessed that this incident was the work of a member of the Li clan, but she couldn't confirm who it was for the time being.

Enraged, he set his sights on Li Xian's position as crown prince.

Should we make Wu Sansi the crown prince?

However, she also knew that establishing Wu Sansi as the crown prince would definitely face great resistance, and the world would inevitably be in turmoil.

Therefore, he asked Di Chun for his opinion on certain matters.

I never expected Di Chun to say something like that.

Especially when she thought of Wu Sansi's father, Wu Yuanqing, who had treated her mother poorly, she took the opportunity to take revenge on Wu Yuanqing after becoming empress.

After she dies, who knows how the King of Liang will treat her?

For a moment, Wu Zetian abandoned the idea of ​​making Wu Sansi the crown prince.