Fuyang City soon returned to its former peace.
To the people, there doesn't seem to be much difference, except that the person in power in the palace has changed from Queen Mother Liu to King Zheng in the past and Princess Qingluan now.
There was no increase in taxes or any new corvee, and everyone was still doing what they were supposed to do, so the people of Fuyang City quickly accepted this unchanged change.
The army of the Tang Dynasty also withdrew, but there were still some people living in the camp outside the city. I heard that they were the navy of the Tang Dynasty following Duke Ping and Princess Qingluan of the Tang Dynasty.
After they resolve the matter in Fuyang City, they will continue to go south to find trouble for the Zhen family and his son.
Zhen Xiong served as the founding father for several years, but the people did not like him very much and even hated him.
In the battle of Baozicheng, Datang lost 40,000 soldiers, while East Vietnam suffered 100,000 casualties. Two or three out of ten households held a funeral.
The reason for this battle was originally to defeat the traitors, but later it was discovered that it was because he was afraid that Duke Ping and Princess Qingluan would seek revenge from him.
In addition, Zhen Xiong was plundering people's wealth some time ago, which made more people hate him.
So Tang Ping and the others wanted to continue going south to Nanyang to attack Zhen Xiong's new territory, and many people applauded in their hearts.
Of course, what happens after that has nothing to do with the people here. Princess Qingluan has said that there will be no tax increase within two years. For many people, this is enough. For others, just love whoever you want.
The only ones who felt uneasy were the former officials from the East Vietnam Central Committee in Fuyang City.
A few years ago, the late emperor passed away and Zhen Xiong stole the country. They can be said to have vested interests. After all, the positions in the court were like a carrot and a pit. Many officials who supported the Wang family stepped down, and the positions were vacated. Put them in position.
This is why the closer Tang Ping and the others get to Fuyang, the stronger Dongyue's resistance becomes, and these people are indispensable behind it.
Otherwise, how could it be possible for Queen Mother Liu in the palace to do it?
Empress Dowager Liu opened the city and surrendered. They were originally unwilling to surrender, but the huge artillery outside the city and the hundreds of thousands of Tang troops made them know that if they did not surrender now, whether they could survive after the city was broken would be a problem.
In desperation, he remained silent.
Now that the power is in the hands of Wang Qingluan, the status of these people is still unknown. They just heard that Wang Qingluan has sent people to invite some old ministers from the past. This news also made them even more uneasy.
It will always be uncomfortable to hand over the power you once held.
After waiting like this for five or six days, Princess Qingluan in the palace neither went to court nor made an appointment. She just sent Zhang Wenhan to each official and asked them to think about what they would do if they were in their original position. As for administrative measures, if they were allowed to manage East Vietnam, what would they think?
It's okay to say that the first one is seeking his position. Although these people were promoted by Zhen Xiong later, they may not have made some achievements in their positions in recent years. At least Dongyue has remained prosperous in recent years. They It’s a great contribution.
The rare thing is the second one. As a minister, it would be a bit arrogant to express his views on how to manage Dongyue. In addition, he is not the original minister, and he can't figure out Princess Qingluan's temperament.
"Tell me, what is Princess Qingluan's intention?"
"He Shangshu must be careful. Today we should all change our names to Your Majesty!"
"What Wang Shangshu said is that I made a mistake."
A group of former East Vietnamese courtiers gathered together to discuss.
"I think it's because of the late Emperor's affairs that your Majesty is suspicious of us? So we're using this as a test?"
"It's unlikely. You know that Your Majesty has been learning the ways of the emperor from the late emperor and was married to Tang Ping, the Duke of Ping, who is known as the smartest in the Tang Dynasty. How could they come to test us so straightforwardly?"
"Do you think it is possible that His Majesty will live in Chang'an in the future because he is married to Tang Ping, Duke of Tang Ping? I have heard that the two of them have a beloved daughter named Tang Tang, who is extremely loved by both of them. So will Your Majesty not stay in Fuyang, so she will choose someone to supervise the country on her behalf?" A
As soon as the minister finished speaking, a group of courtiers looked at him with strange eyes: "I'm afraid you haven't woken up, Mr. Cui? Your Majesty has finally returned to the country and regained control. How can you live in Chang'an?"
"That is, although Dongyue is bound to be controlled by the Tang Dynasty in the future, we are the richest country in the Central Plains. How could your Majesty leave Dongyue just for Princess Tangtang? Absolutely impossible!"
A group of East Vietnam courtiers discussed and discussed over and over again, but they never figured out why Wang Qingluan asked everyone to come up with their opinions on how to manage East Vietnam.
In the end, we could only discuss writing some clichés. They were very good at this kind of thing. A eloquent letter of thousands of words seemed to have said everything, but also seemed to say nothing. Anyway, it was good to leave no mistakes.
On the tenth day after Fuyang changed its owner, everyone finally got the news of the resumption of the court meeting, and left home and entered the palace early in the morning.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..." Tang Ping surrounded Wang Qingluan, who was wearing a dragon robe, and made strange tsk-tsk sounds.
Wang Qingluan rolled her eyes at him and asked, "What? Do you think I don't look better in a dragon robe than Gu Xiaotang in a sweat suit?"
"Hey, look what you said, why does this involve Gu Xiaotang again?" Tang Ping adjusted her collar: "Have you never seen such a beautiful female emperor?"
"I am now the King of Dongyue, not an emperor. Please stop talking nonsense."
"It's okay, I'll just say it. As long as my uncle doesn't mind, I'll keep it to myself even if other people have their opinions." Tang Ping looked at Wang Qingluan who was sorting out his clothes and said, "Well, I didn't expect it. One day, I will truly be a man who can become an emperor."
Wang Qingluan didn't understand at first. After careful consideration, he figured out what he said. He spat at him and said, "It's time to go to court. You really don't want to go with me?"
"Haha..." Tang Ping yawned: "I won't go. You see, I don't even bother to go to the Tang Dynasty meeting. Moreover, I have talked about East Vietnam's autonomy. I'm going because I'm afraid it will be true."
Wang Qingluan nodded. Of course she had gone up to the Dongyue Hall countless times in the past, but she always stood at the lower position as King Zheng of Dongyue. This was the first time she sat on the dragon chair. It was impossible not to feel a little uneasy. of.
As the chamberlain walked through the corridor, he could already see the hall filled with East Vietnamese courtiers. Wang Qingluan took a deep breath and walked in.
"See Your Majesty!"
Li Shimin made him King of Dongyue, but he did not say that he would change the rules. The Turks still called Gu Xiaotang the Great Khan, and the courtiers in Dongyue also called Wang Qingluan their Majesty.
"Everyone is at peace."
Among the courtiers, there were many who were not wearing court uniforms, but they all stood upright with arrogance on their faces.
These people are the old ministers of the past. After the death of the late emperor, they were expelled from the court by Zhen Xiong. Now they are invited back by Wang Qingluan. Naturally, they feel that they have turned over. On the other hand, those wearing court uniforms looked cautious and timid.
"I won't say too much. Everyone knows the current situation in East Vietnam. Zhen Xiong, the female thief who stole the country, and her family have fled overseas. Naturally, I will personally go to seek justice for the late emperor. I have called everyone here today..."
"Your Majesty, I have something to say." Before Wang Qingluan could finish his words, he was interrupted by an old man in civilian clothes.
Wang Qingluan also knew this person, the former imperial censor.
I couldn't help but have some strange thoughts in my heart. You must know that the old man often interrupted his father like this back then, and his father was often very angry after he came down.
I didn't expect that it would be my turn today.
"My dear, please speak."
"It is natural for Your Majesty to want to fight against the late Emperor. However, a country cannot be without a king for a day. The Zhen family and his son are far away from home. Your Majesty can just send someone to go there. How can you easily lead a personal expedition?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, the situation at sea is changing rapidly. How can Your Majesty, with his wealth of gold, be easily involved in danger? I heard that Your Majesty is returning home with the Tang Dynasty Navy this time, so why not ask the Datang Navy to take action on your behalf?"
"I hope Your Majesty will think twice!"
With the imperial envoy taking the lead, a group of veteran ministers in civilian clothes stood up to advise.
.
But those in court uniforms were all silent, and the camps above the court were clearly divided.
Wang Qingluan felt helpless. This was one of the reasons why she did not want to be the emperor. It was not that she did not understand the art of the emperor and the art of balance, but she just felt too tired.
These veterans seemed to be well-intentioned, but in fact they were just afraid that the journey would be long and that they would be on the sea. If something happened to them at sea, their return to the court and the power they finally had would probably be in vain.
Moreover, they dared to refute without giving themselves face even before they finished speaking, because they felt that they were part of the former emperor's faction at that time, and they were demoted for the sake of the former emperor. They were all meritorious ministers, and there was nothing they could do against them. .
Originally, Wang Qingluan wanted to re-adjust the officials in various departments of the imperial court, but before she could speak, these veterans began to object to her continuing to go south to conquer Zhen Xiong.
"Then Zhen Xiong is a traitor to the country. I am the lord of Dongyue, so how can I sit back and ignore it? What's more, when the late emperor passed away, I vowed to personally fight against the rebellion. If I don't go, wouldn't it be unfilial?"
These veteran ministers were labeling themselves for their own safety, but Wang Qingluan turned around and took back the label for being unfilial.
But these old fried dough sticks were not so easy to dismiss. They once again commented one after another, and for a while, the court turned into a group of civilian veterans chattering around Wang Qingluan.
"Ahem!" At this moment, a cough interrupted their argument, and Tang Ping walked in with twenty-eight steps.
"Pingguo Gong, what are you..."
"It's okay, I just came to take a look. Originally, I said I would wait for my wife to go have breakfast later, but I didn't see anyone for a long time, so I came to take a look."
"you!"
"Ping Guo Gong, this is the Dongyue court, you do this..."
"Okay!" Tang Ping said loudly: "You are the only ones who have a lot to do! You also know that this is the Dongyue Court. Sitting here is the only daughter of the late emperor, the king of Dongyue recognized by His Majesty the Tang Dynasty. What did she say? You Just listen, where do you get so many opinions?"
The courtiers below were stunned, this...isn't this the case above the court? What do you mean by saying this?
Tang Ping ignored their thoughts and continued: "Also, the reason why I called you here today is not necessarily to reinstate your officials. The original purpose is to discuss the positions of various ministries. If you can't sit in that position, you will still be just ordinary people. ? It’s your turn to dictate matters in the court?”
"You!" Several veterans pointed at Tang Ping with their eyes wide open.
"What am I? What we want today are executors, people who can do things according to His Majesty's decrees. If they can do it, they can do it. If they can't, they can go home and farm."
Of course Tang Ping knew that what he said was a bit too much, but it was these veterans who went too far in the first place. Because they were from the late emperor's faction, they relied on their elders to betray their elders, and were so arrogant that he couldn't stand listening to them anymore.
So he just came out to support his wife and cut through the mess quickly.
And he was right. What Dongyue needs in the future is a manager. It doesn't matter if Fang Du and others in Chang'an City make decisions, as long as they can be implemented properly.
"Ping Guogong, this is Dongyue, not the Tang Dynasty!" An old minister blurted out in a hurry.
"So what?" Tang Ping glanced at him contemptuously: "I have dozens of strong ships and cannons outside the city, as well as tens of thousands of brave men. You must also understand that East Vietnam now is not what it used to be. It’s east of Vietnam!”
"Okay, don't talk nonsense. I told you a long time ago. Prepare the administrative measures for your respective positions. Today we will select and compete for positions. Starting from the position of Prime Minister, those who intend to take up this position will be ranked first. .”
Then Tang Ping waved his hand and called the waiter who was carrying the dinner plate outside, and said to Wang Qingluan: "Let's eat and listen. Don't starve yourself."
Although Tang Ping's move was too ridiculous, Wang Qingluan was filled with joy, knowing that Tang Ping was protecting her, so she nodded in agreement, regardless of the reaction below, and sat down to have breakfast with Tang Ping.
