These are Shangguan Yi’s original words as recorded in history books. The history books also record what happened next.
Gaozong ordered him to draft an edict to depose the empress. Wu Zetian got the news and appealed to Gaozong to defend herself. Gaozong was reluctant to depose the empress, fearing that she would be angry, so he said, "Shangguan Yi taught me this."
In the same year, Wu Zetian instructed her confidant Xu Jingzong to falsely accuse Shangguan Yi of treason, and Shangguan Yi and his son were executed.
Originally, this incident should have happened a few years ago, but because Wang Zheng helped Li Zhi earn a lot of money and grain, Li Zhi built the Daming Palace for recuperation early, and medicine had further developed, so Wu Zetian did not take the throne early.
Many things could have been changed, but unfortunately, interests moved people and what was supposed to happen still happened.
In fact, if we read the history books carefully, we should know that when Li Zhi was alive, Wu Zetian did not have much real power at all.
The two so-called confidants of Wu Zetian, Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu, were old men who had followed Li Zhi since he was Prince of Jin. They were completely Li Zhi's people.
From the very beginning, the opponent of Shangguan Yi and others was not Wu Zetian, but the old sinister Li Zhi. Doing such things under such circumstances, the outcome is self-evident.
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"I'll take my leave."
But everything has a scale. For example, appropriation of funds can be done with 10 million guan, 8 million guan can also cope with it, and 12 million guan can make a profit.
If an emperor wants to be in power, he also needs to work in the court for a certain period of time. After all, even an emperor cannot place the old people around him in the highest position as soon as he comes to power, right?
However, your approach is in line with Wang Zheng's wishes. After all, the Yuzhou clan has wanted to abolish slavery a long time ago. By confiscating their property and exterminating their clan, you have rescued those slaves.
Shangguan Yi's last straw was Li Zhi, so he kowtowed to him and said, "Your Majesty, the Queen is tyrannical in that she imposes heavy sentences, is extremely stingy in various national construction projects, and cultivates confidants. If this continues, the country will surely be in ruins, Your Majesty."
Wang Zheng, the chief steward, did not take care of the matter, and the dispute between Wu Zetian and Li Xian was over this issue.
If something goes wrong when the confidant does something, it has to be dealt with. Not only will the confidant be harmed, but the emperor will also be embarrassed.
You can ask the emperor to arrange several important positions for his close confidants. Even if the ministers give you face, the emperor cannot guarantee that his close confidants will be able to hold high positions.
As for acting, we are all people who have been through many ups and downs, so who doesn't have some acting skills? It's not shameful for the emperor, his subjects, father and son to cry in front of him, and it's all worth it if we can achieve our goal.
Shangguan Yi's tone was tearful, and Wu Zetian burst into tears, lying on the ground in front of Li Zhi and crying.
A trace of hatred flashed in Wu Zetian's eyes. She stood up and came behind Li Zhi. While massaging Li Zhi's shoulders, she said with some complaints: "These people are getting more and more impatient. Your Majesty, don't you want to teach them a lesson?"
I guess this is probably the reason why Wang Zheng has never raised any objections to you.
Lord Shangguan said that I was tyrannical, isn't that an exaggeration?" Wu Zetian said in a cold tone, and then she stared at Shangguan Yi, waiting for his reply.
"Your Majesty, Lord Shangguan is slandering me. All the government orders are known to countless court officials. I have done things with a clear conscience."
Moreover, throughout Li Zhi's reign, the Wu family never entered the central government, and Empress Wu Zetian simply served as Li Zhi's secretary.
“Every decision I made, big ones, were discussed in the court, and all were implemented only after the approval of the Grand Steward, the Crown Prince, and the ministers. Small ones were also approved by the Secretariat and the Ministry of Personnel before being implemented by the Ministry of Shangshu.
Li Zhi had a smile in his eyes and a helpless and sad expression on his face. He sighed and said, "Shangguan Aiqing is indeed exaggerating a bit. Let's forget about this proposal. Shangguan Aiqing, please go back first."
As for hiring, when there are too many suitable people for a position, it is also unclear who to give the position to and who not to give it to.
"Haha, your tears are really worth it. They involve several families." Li Zhi continued with a smile on his face.
In the Tang Dynasty's system of three provinces and six ministries, even the emperor's power was subject to certain restrictions, let alone the empress Wu Zetian.
Wu Zetian smiled and said, "Your Majesty, just saying this is enough. It will not be in vain for me to shed tears today."
Shangguan Yi looked desperate, kowtowed again and shouted: "Your Majesty!"
For example, in sentencing, beheading can please the people, exile to the northern desert can give an explanation to the people, and confiscating property and exterminating the clan is also justifiable. There is a lot of room for maneuver here.
Wu Zetian's question left Shangguan Yi speechless. As a successful politician, how could there be such an obvious flaw? All resolutions must have been agreed upon by everyone in the end.
As for warning Shangguan Yi and the others, it was not easy to do it before, but now they have given you the opportunity. As long as you spread today's events and accuse them of treason, no one else will think you are going too far.
Li Zhi closed his eyes and lay on the bamboo chair, with a smile on his face. "No matter what we do, we must have an excuse so that we can give an explanation to the people of the world. You are too straightforward, so you make so many ministers dissatisfied.
If you do what I did, just wait a little while and those who oppose you will also suffer a bad end.
Li Zhi looked slightly apologetic, but with a hint of impatience in his eyes. He waved his hand and said, "Shangguan Aiqing, please go back first. I am tired."
Haha, after all, there is a reason for everything. When someone bullies you, it is only natural for you to fight back. Just let it go and just find a reasonable reason.
"Oh, yes, you can confiscate the property and exterminate the clan, but you should kill fewer people. Wang Zheng came to me a few days ago to complain that the Tang Dynasty should abolish the death penalty, especially for those who are young and strong. Even if they are sent to Mobei to open up wasteland, they can still be good laborers.
It would be such a pity to kill them like this. Although the population of the Tang Dynasty is increasing, the momentum of outward expansion is also getting better and better. Now it is not yet to the point of wasting labor at will.
I strongly agree with this.
Although we don't care about the little things now, we can't waste them casually, right? After all, big money is accumulated from small money. "
Wu Zetian nodded and said with a smile: "Okay, if you don't want to kill them, then don't kill them. You can send them to Mobei, but you have to supervise Mobei more strictly to prevent those guys from going there to enjoy themselves."