Princess Taiping was determined to pull Li Longji off the horse, and the soft one could not be hard, so she came forward by herself, took the carriage to Guangfan Gate, and blocked them when the prime ministers retreated, hinting that everyone said that Li Longji was not suitable to be the prince, and the prime ministers turned pale when they heard it, and they all thought that it was impossible, but they were afraid of the power of Princess Taiping, and no one dared to jump out to oppose it, only Song Jing, the secretary of the ministry, stood up and said: "The prince has made great contributions to the world and is the right person to inherit the world in the future, why did the princess say this?" "The meeting broke up unhappily! The more Song Jing thought about it after the meeting, the more wrong it became, since the reign of Gaozong Li in the Tang Empire, women have been in power one after another, and the country is chaotic, for most of the upright courtiers, this phenomenon is what they want to avoid, and now that Ruizong is finally on the throne, the crown prince Li Longji has a good name, and the Taiping princess must not be allowed to rekindle the flame of female power, it is time to stand up and ensure that the Tang Dynasty is free from the disaster of the heroine.

The virtuous minister came up with a strange plan

The idea has been decided, and it is still necessary to find someone to give advice, and at this time, the important ministers of the court are recognized as good at strategy is Song Jing's predecessor and friend, Yao Yuanzhi, who was the secretary of the military department at the time (that is, the famous Yao Chong, formerly known as Yao Yuanchong, later renamed Yao Yuanzhi, and finally renamed Yao Chong). Yao Yuanzhi and Song Jing were already well-known ministers in the government and the opposition when they became emperors after Wu, Song Jing served as the official position of Zhongcheng in the imperial history during the Wuhou period, and Yao Yuanzhi was more senior, and he was a prime minister in the Wuhou period, and has always been known for his resourcefulness. At that time, Zhang Cambodia and others plotted a coup d'état and forced Wu Zetian to give way to Li Xian, Yao Yuanzhi was an important mastermind, but because when Zhang Cambodia and others decided to send Empress Wu to Shangyang Palace for house arrest, Yao Yuanzhi missed the old love of Empress Wu and couldn't help crying, so Zhang Cambodia and others demoted him to a place. (It can be seen that Zhang Khan Zhi and others are narrow, the pattern is insufficient, and they soon fail, see the above)

Song Jing looked for Yao Yuanzhi and told Yao Yuanzhi about the situation in Guangfanmen that day.

After Yao Yuanzhi listened to Song Jing's explanation, he asked Song Jing: "Today, who do you think is the biggest threat to the status of the crown prince?" ”

Song Jing replied: "The ambition is the greatest. None other than Princess Taiping! Therefore, Princess Taiping is the greatest threat to the status of the crown prince. ”

Yao Yuanzhi said: "What Song Gong said is very true, but you must know that since the abdication of Empress Wu, the people of the world do not support the heroine in power. The defeat of Empress Wei. Of course, because of his short wisdom and weak morality, but also because the people's hearts are not attached, the prince acted that day, and the world responded violently, and the reason is here. Now the emperor is tranquil by nature. He also attaches great importance to brotherhood, and the emperor's siblings have all passed away, leaving only Princess Taiping. Princess Taiping can currently rely on the emperor's favor to seize power and interfere in politics, the only thing to be afraid of is that the prince is famous and courageous, and has made great contributions, and the courtiers support her. Therefore, if Princess Taiping wants to be in politics for a long time, she must think of ways to shake the status of the current prince in order to have a chance. ”

Song Jing asked, "What the public says is reasonable, then it depends on your judgment." In what way will Princess Taiping shake the status of the crown prince? ”

Yao Yuanzhi said: "The prince is benevolent and filial, and there is no fault that can be used, but now there are two people who are qualified to inherit the throne in terms of identity: one is the king of Song (Li Chengqi), he is the eldest son of the emperor, although it was the king of Song who asked to give up the position of the crown prince to the current prince, and the king of Song has no personal ambition to govern, but it is still possible to be used by careerists; The other is King Feng (Li Shouli), the eldest son of the former crown prince Li Xian, the eldest grandson of Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi), who may also be used by careerists. In order to put an end to this possibility, we have to find a way to arrange for the two princes to leave the capital, and I will build up for us to go to the emperor and let the two princes become governors. It can avoid having more rights and wrongs in the capital. In addition, when a coup d'état occurs, it usually comes from the forbidden army, and if the emperor can agree to reorganize the left and right Yulin troops into the Imperial Palace Guards as the crown prince's guards, not only can the source of the coup d'état be eliminated. And in case of a coup d'état, the Tai Gong will have enough strength to fight back! ”

Song Jing said: "Yao Gong's strategy is wonderful, I also thought that it would be better for us to build Emperor Yì to send Princess Taiping and her husband (Wu Youji) to the eastern capital Luoyang for resettlement, so as to reduce the opportunity for Princess Taiping to interfere in politics." “

Yao Yuanzhi reminded Song Jing that once the latter thing was known by Princess Taiping, the two ** things would be not small, but Song Jing believed that this matter was beneficial to the Tang Dynasty and he was willing to bear the consequences, so the two discussed and reported to the emperor at the appropriate time.

In the first month of the second year of Jingyun (711 AD), Song Jing and Yao Yuanzhi secretly reported to Li Dan: "King Song (Li Chengqi) is the eldest son of His Majesty, and King Feng is the eldest grandson of Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) (Li Xian's eldest son). We sent the King of Song and the King of Feng to other places as governors, and the left and right Yulin armies of King Xue (Li Longye) and King Qi (Li Longfan, both of whom are Li Longji's younger brothers) were reorganized into the guards of the Imperial Palace, and Princess Taiping and her husband Wu Youji were sent to the eastern capital Luoyang, so that the prince would be at peace and the country would be stable. “

Li Dan was a little surprised when he heard what Song Yao and the others said, but after thinking about it carefully, he had a certain amount of truth, so he said: "I have no brothers, only one sister, it is too far to send to the Eastern Capital, I will think about it again; As for the King of Song and the King of Pig, you can send them to other places as you have discussed. Li Dan then issued an edict: "The prince and the concubine will no longer command the Praetorian Guard from now on, and all those who hold current military positions will be transferred to other officials." “

But the whispering offensive of Princess Taiping and her henchmen is still continuing, and Li Dan has a kind personality but soft ears, so one day, Li Dan said to the officials on the left and right: "There is a warner that within five days, someone will lead troops to break into the inner palace, you must be on strict guard." At this time, the Chinese scholar Lang Zhang said that he was on the side, and when he heard the emperor say this, he said: "This is someone who wants to provoke the feelings of His Majesty and the prince, and create chaos in the country. Yao Yuanzhi happened to be beside him at this time, so he said: "What Zhang said is a good way to save the country, may the emperor listen!" Li Dan thinks it makes sense.

In February of the second year of Jingyun, Li Dan issued an edict ordering Li Chengqi to serve as the governor of Tongzhou (Dali County, Shaanxi Province), Li Shouli to be the governor of Fengzhou (Fengxian County, Shaanxi Province), and King Qi and King Xue to be the commanders of the left and right wings of the imperial palace, and sent Princess Taiping to Puzhou (Yongji City, Shanxi) for resettlement. The next day, he issued an edict ordering the crown prince to supervise the state affairs, and the appointment of officials below the sixth rank and the crime of non-capital punishment were handed over to the prince for adjudication.

The order came quickly and quickly, Princess Taiping didn't have time to react for a while, so she had to prepare to go to Puzhou, but she soon learned through the intelligence system that the plan to send her to Puzhou was the idea of Yao and Song, so she went to the East Palace and scolded Li Longji angrily, Li Longji had not really mastered the government at this time, and Princess Taiping was her elder. Moreover, he did not know about Song Yao and the two of them secretly playing to the emperor in advance. In order to clear up the relationship, in addition to verbally explaining that he did not know, Li Longji also took the initiative to write to Li Dan to ask Yao and Song to punish the crime in order to appease Princess Taiping.

Li Dan didn't expect that the crown prince and Princess Taiping would join forces to oppose this matter. For a while, he didn't know how to react, but since he ascended the throne, Li Dan's state affairs have mainly referred to the opinions of the two, and now since both of them are against this matter. Li Dan also decided to follow the good stream, first demoting Yao Yuanzhi to the governor of Shenzhou (Xinyang City, Henan Province), and Song Jing to be Chuzhou (Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province); Secondly, the appointment of Li Chengqi and Li Shouli was withdrawn, but in order to avoid disturbances, Princess Taiping was still placed in Puzhou.

But Princess Taiping still continued to put pressure on Li Longji, Li Longji was young and inexperienced, and because he couldn't resist the pressure from his aunt, he took the initiative to ask Princess Taiping to return to Beijing. Li Dan didn't really want Princess Taiping to go out of Beijing, but now the party Li Longji took the initiative to come forward, Li Dan felt very relieved, thinking that this was a sign of reconciliation between the aunt and nephew, so he ordered Princess Taiping and her husband to return to Chang'an, and Princess Taiping stayed in Puzhou for a total of four months.

Princess Taiping was self-defeating

After this round of fighting, Princess Taiping found that most of the old ministers in the court still supported the crown prince Li Longji, like Yao Yuanzhi/Song Jing and others, who were already important ministers of several dynasties. In the past, he had no special friendship with Li Longji, but now he is willing to stand on the side of the prince, even regardless of personal interests, this force is too strong. If Princess Taiping wants to master the government, she is bound to reverse this shape.

In order to reduce the power of the court and the central government that supported the crown prince, Princess Taiping began to recommend her own men to occupy important positions in the court, especially the chief and deputy governors of Zhongshu Province and Menxia Province. The first recommended is Dou Huaizhen, Dou Huaizhen was originally a party of Empress Wei and married Empress Wei's nurse at that time. People called "Queen A Zhe (father + person, Yin Sha, at that time called the name of the husband of the wet nurse)", later when Empress Wei was killed, he immediately killed his wife, took refuge in Princess Taiping, Princess Taiping then recommended him to be a servant (the governor of the province), he went to Princess Taiping's house every day after the court, so people called him "Gong in charge of the family (Yi Si)".

In addition to Dou Huaizhen, Princess Taiping recommended Xiao Zhizhong, Cen Xi, Cui Xiang and other three people to also be promoted to the high position of prime minister (with Zhongshu Menxia Ping Zhangshi), Cui Xiang because of his lack of prestige, asked to be promoted with Lu Xiangxian, Princess Taiping because Lu Xiangxian has never bought his own account, originally disagreed, but Cui Xiang begged bitterly, Princess Taiping then recommended to Emperor Li Dan, Li Dan refused to promote Cui Xiang, Princess Taiping cried and requested, Li Dan had to agree.

It is said that Cui Xiang himself is still handsome, and his wife and daughter are as beautiful as flowers, so in addition to accompanying Princess Taiping to bed, he also dedicated his wife and daughter to Li Longji, and truly achieved the so-called "three escorts", a family of three to sleep with others! People with good deeds posted a list to ridicule this matter: "Tuo Yongcai is in the Lord's place, and he enters the Spring Palace" (the Spring Palace is the East Palace), which shows that his reputation at that time was very bad!

The following year, Princess Taiping thought that her power had been stabilized, and in order to fight the crown prince Li Longji, after a comet appeared, she ordered the magician to warn Li Dan: "The appearance of the comet is a symbol of the alternation of the old and the new, and the emperor star and the heart star have changed, indicating that the crown prince will ascend the throne and become the emperor." Princess Taiping's original intention was to hope that Li Dan would be suspicious of the prince, but Li Dan said: "I have long wanted to pass the throne to the prince and abdicate myself to enjoy the blessings." Now, Heaven has also revealed such a phenomenon, which coincides with my thoughts, and I have decided to follow the will of Heaven and pass the throne to the crown prince! Princess Taiping didn't expect Li Dan to say this (it can be seen that she still doesn't know enough about her brother, once people have too much desire in their hearts, they often can't see the truth of things), so they hurriedly came out to face Li Dan and said: "Your Majesty is not old (Li Dan is 51 years old this year, Li Longji is 29 years old), why rush to pass on the throne?" Li Dan said: "When the former emperor (Zhongzong Li Xian) was in power, there was a difference in the sky, I said to the emperor, the sky is different, it is to warn the court that the foundation is not solid, and the power of the prince should be increased, so that the foundation is consolidated. You're worried that if I don't care about state affairs, the country will have problems, right? Although I will give way to the crown prince, I will still come forward when something big happens, you don't have to worry! Li Dan didn't know that Princess Taiping was not worried that Li Dan would not do anything, but that she was worried that her power was gone, but no matter what, Li Dan's transfer of the throne to the prince was decided.

When the crown prince Li Long heard this, he was naturally overjoyed at first, and he was even happier than a bunch of gold ingots in the sky, and Sister Lin came, because when he became the emperor, how many of these two things would be! But Li Longji has a lot of eyes, he didn't hurry to thank him after hearing the news, but ran to see Li Dan and cried bitterly, saying that he was blessed and shallow, and his father was still on the throne, why should he be in a hurry to pass on the throne to himself, he never dared to accept it, Li Dan was also very moved after hearing it, thinking that this son was really filial, so he said: "I know that you are a filial son, but is it filial piety to wait until I die and succeed to the throne in front of the spirit?" If you're afraid that you won't be able to fully manage the empire, I'll still help you, just treat it as if you're an intern. Li Longji regretted that he had gone too far, and wanted to say that if he continued to act, he accidentally lost the throne he had in hand, so he took thirty-six plans, and it was the best policy to go, so he kowtowed and quit

Additional Notes:

The governors of the three provinces of the Tang Dynasty were all prime ministers, respectively, Zhongshu Ling/Shizhong/Shangshu Ling, but because Li Shimin had been Shangshu Ling, later people did not dare to hold this position, and the prefect of Shangshu Ling was renamed Shangshu left and right servants, and later in order to let some people who did not serve as Zhongshu Ling or Shizhong serve as prime ministers, and had the title of Pingzhangshi (the same as Zhongshu Ling/Menxia Shizhong, they can participate in major policy decisions), and they can be prime ministers, and Shangshu servants, if there is no such title, theoretically cannot be regarded as prime ministers, Of course, there are some details that have changed, but this shows that everyone will see it more clearly! (To be continued.) )