Wu Meiniang stood up and paced back and forth above.
"There was a famine in the Jiangbei region this year. Xue Rengui once again betrayed the trust of the Ai family in him. He pursued the invaders victoriously and returned in defeat."
"Di Renjie, who can share the burden for the Ai family, is patrolling outside again."
"The only good news these days is that he destroyed the obscene rituals built indiscriminately by the people."
Obscene worship is not established by Buddhism, but by superstitious belief in monsters or gods.
In any land, historical figures such as He Bo, Fox Fairy, Snake Spirit, Mountain God, and even Xiang Yu are all worshiped as gods.
The most numerous among them are the Imperial Masters, who are worshiped as gods.
In order to pray that these things can alleviate the disaster.
Little do they know that these things not only waste people and money, delay farming, but are of no use to the world.
Di Renjie's methods were severe and he destroyed more than 2,000 places in three years, reducing the burden on the people in many places.
The corners of Suo Yuanli's eyes twitched. Di Renjie was quite ruthless and demolished his handsome man's temple...
Li Yunxiao had known these things for a long time, but they didn't know that at least half of the places Di Renjie destroyed were Li Yunxiao who spread the news.
It is a good thing to have faith, but it should not go to great lengths to worship in temples and confuse the people.
Suo Yuanli smiled: "Actually, people believe this kind of thing. Even if no one publicizes it, they still do it."
"Although a lot has been destroyed now, I am afraid that in the hearts of the people, they will not be grateful, but will resent the fact that the court has too many things to do."
Wu Meiniang sighed: "Yes, I have received comments from people in countless places about Di Renjie."
"Fortunately, Di Renjie has the courage to do these thankless tasks, which is enough to prove his loyalty to the court."
"That's why I arranged for him to move far away and not let him come back, so as not to put pressure on him and squeeze out this capable minister."
Suo Yuanli scratched his cheek: "Since the Queen Mother is so complimentary, why not let her become the Crown Prince and Grand Master, so that the officials below will not dare to say more?"
The crown prince and grand master, from the first rank, are much older than the prime minister.
Wu Meiniang glanced at Suo Yuanli: "Just because the official position is high, it doesn't mean it will be good."
"This disaster has started. The more prominent a person is, the easier it is to be involved. If a person like Di Renjie who can do practical things is implicated, do you think I should save him or not?"
Suo Yuanli said without even thinking: "That must be a rescue!"
"Save? If you are alone and show mercy outside the law, how can you show your power of killing? Who will still fear the imperial court?"
"Uh..." Suo Yuanli seemed to be choked, speechless.
"Okay, there's nothing wrong. Just step back. The Ai family needs to rest too."
Suo Yuanli nodded, stood up, gave a salute, and retreated.
After he left, Wu Meiniang sat on the bed, looking at the memorials discussing her, her eyes flashing with danger.
....
Inside Chang'an Imperial City.
Li Xian held the chess pieces in his hand and played chess with himself in the hall.
Not long after, a person walked in from outside the hall.
Li Chong, son of Li Zhen, King of Yue.
Li Zhen was the eighth son of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and his mother was Concubine Yan De.
And his son Li Chong suddenly received a summons from Li Xian and rushed over after a long journey.
"Your Majesty summoned me for what reason?"
Li Xian walked down slowly with his hands behind his back and looked Li Chong up and down.
Although Li Chong is not handsome in appearance, he is very resolute. This is also the blood tempered by going to the battlefield.
"What? If I have nothing to do, why can't I come out and talk to you?"
"Of course not."
"It's okay if it's not. There have been a lot of small battles recently. Thank you for your hard work."
Li Chong said calmly: "I eat your salary and share your worries, how can I say it's hard work?"
Li Xian patted Li Chong on the shoulder: "Okay! It's a pity that I have bloody spirit. I don't have real power in my hands now. Otherwise, I will definitely reward you and other soldiers!"
When Li Chong heard this, he felt extremely uncomfortable. He, Li Tang, had unknowingly become Wu Meiniang's world.
Li Xian looked at his appearance and suddenly asked: "Have you heard about the recent rumors among the people?"
When Li Chong heard this, he was not afraid of anything and snorted coldly: "Rumor? Is that really a rumor?"
"Your Majesty, on the other hand, you didn't pay any attention to it when you heard about it, which chilled the hearts of the people below."
Li showed a helpless look on his face and sighed deeply.
"Hey... I can't help it. Who said she is my mother? The ministers in the court are also looking at her. Whether it is true or not, I can't do anything about her."
Li Chong looked at Li Xian with slightly narrowed eyes. In his eyes, the emperor in front of him was really cowardly and incompetent!
"Excuse me for talking too much. Now that I have said this, your Majesty must have called me here just for this matter. If you have anything to say, just say it. You don't have to hide it from me."
"Okay!" Li Xian hugged Li Chong and said in a serious tone: "I won't say much to you. I want you to help me and use this momentum to destroy my mother's reputation!"
"what for?"
"What do you mean? Don't you know it clearly? Your father is the son of Emperor Taizong, and now my mother is so powerful that she intends to take over the Li family and establish the Wu dynasty. Are you going to keep pretending not to know?"
Li Chong slowly clenched his palms.
How could he not know?
Ever since he was sensible, he has always disliked Wu Meiniang, participated in politics, and dismissed officials. Now that he is seizing power, all civil and military officials have gone to Luoyang, and Chang'an seems much cooler. This is not rebellion! ?
But having said that, he has also heard that when hundreds of officials passed by, one of them was given instructions by the emperor in front of his family.
Furthermore, during Li Zhi's reign and even after his death, Wu Meiniang had given their family many rewards over the years.
To be fair, Wu Meiniang was very kind to their family, and even more so to his father.
If it weren't for Wu Meiniang's favoritism, their family's fiefdom would not have been chosen in a lush place.
Even if Wu Meiniang really wanted to seize power completely and use the emperor to control the princes, then their family's lives would not be in danger.
Thinking of this, Li Chong slowly loosened his hands.
It's true that he fought bravely, but that doesn't mean he has no brains and little thoughts of his own.
Seeing his appearance, Li Xian said in a solemn tone: "Are you thinking about the reward my mother gave you?"
"Why are you being rewarded? Isn't it just to stop your mouths and stop the mouths of the people all over the world!?"
"You have the blood of the Li family, how can you use your own personal favors in exchange for her being in danger of usurping the country and doing nothing, just ignoring her?!"
"Look!" Li Xian shouted, spreading his arms and walking back and forth in the hall.
"What do I have in such a huge palace? What is the difference between this and house arrest? Outsiders think that I am a mediocre emperor, a dull and playful emperor, but who understands the hardships that I have to suffer!?"
"For so many years, I have been afraid to say something or do something. I, the minister, cannot believe that bad people are loyal to the royal family. Oh! It's all bullshit! They are all a group of rebellious people who seek wealth and glory!"
"If they are loyal to the Li Tang royal family, why haven't they shown up yet? Where were they when I had no one available? Where were they when I was ignored!!"
At this point, Li Xian's eyes turned red, and he held Li Chong's shoulders with both hands and shook them vigorously.
"Li Chong! Your father is my father's brother. My father has worked hard and devoted his life to rule the country. Can all of this... be abandoned?!"
"Is the world going to be surrendered to others? Look at the wars on the border, which time has she presided over a victory!?"
