Chapter 48 Closing the Net
In the days that followed, the court in Chang'an appeared calm on the surface, but the purges behind the scenes were like a deep, still stream, silent yet thorough.
Changsun Wuji's methods were shrewd and precise. Instead of making a big show of arresting and prosecuting people, he gradually stripped Li Yuanji and Li Jiancheng's former subordinates from the core of power through a series of "reasonable" personnel adjustments, investigations into crimes, and job transfers.
Zhang Miao from the Ministry of War was transferred to the Ministry of Works, Chen Ping from the Ministry of Justice was sent to Luozhou, and Wang Kai from the Censorate went to the Imperial Academy... One by one, names disappeared from key departments and were reassigned to sinecure positions. Some people sensed something was wrong and tried to struggle, only to find that their past "minor mistakes" had been dug up—embezzlement, dereliction of duty, and condoning relatives to oppress the people—each one was well-documented and enough to shut them up.
The court officials sensed something unusual, but none dared to ask further questions. Changsun Wuji was the Minister of Personnel, and it was his duty to rectify official corruption. Moreover, these transfers were indeed justified, and those transferred were all "willing"—after all, compared to losing their posts, being able to keep their lives and ranks was already a stroke of luck.
The inner palace was also undergoing a silent purge. Control over Consort Wei's palace was tightened, and all those entering and leaving had to register. Several concubines who had close ties with Consort Yang and connections outside the palace suddenly became "seriously ill" and were moved to a side hall to recuperate—effectively under house arrest. Some suspicious palace servants were reassigned or released from the palace.
Throughout the entire process, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun maintained an astonishing tacit understanding. The emperor tacitly approved Zhangsun Wuji's actions in the court, while the empress cooperated in the purge within the palace. With the emperor and empress working together, the purge proceeded efficiently and smoothly.
Li Ming, following his plan, continued to deal with those who tried to contact him. He acted like a confused and cowardly child, half-believing and half-doubting their provocations, neither daring to agree nor refuse, only vaguely delaying.
The old subordinates grew increasingly anxious. Changsun Wuji's actions made them sense the crisis; they needed to control Li Ming as soon as possible to prepare for the storm. Therefore, they intensified their contact, even hinting that they could "help" Li Ming gain the Emperor's favor, hoping for a future opportunity...
These words were recorded word for word by the guards who were secretly protecting Li Ming, and then presented to Li Shimin.
"Ha, how audacious!" Li Shimin looked at the records, his eyes flashing coldly. These people not only wanted to use his son, but also wanted to sow discord between father and son, and even hinted that they could help Li Ming "contend for the throne."
"Your Majesty, the evidence has been collected nearly completely," Changsun Wuji reported in the Imperial Study. "These people have close ties in private and have formed a small group. Furthermore, some of them have connections with local powerful families and former officials of the Sui Dynasty, and their intentions are not small."
Li Shimin flipped through the thick stack of evidence, his expression calm: "How many people were involved in total?"
"There are seven key figures, involving a total of twenty-three officials and generals," Changsun Wuji said. "If you include their protégés, former subordinates, relatives, and cronies, the number is no less than a hundred."
“A hundred men…” Li Shimin closed his eyes. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, in order to stabilize the court, he adopted a lenient policy towards these former subordinates. Unexpectedly, this benevolence was not met with gratitude, but with lurking hatred and ambition waiting for an opportunity.
"Your Majesty, what should be done?" Changsun Wuji asked.
Li Shimin remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "The seven core members, those with conclusive evidence, shall be dealt with according to the law. The rest... shall be transferred from important positions, sent to remote areas, and never be employed again."
He did not choose to unleash a massacre. It wasn't out of soft-heartedness, but rather a calculated move—killing too many would cause an uproar in the court and among the people, and would also instill fear in the other former officials who had submitted. Slowly eliminating them, like boiling a frog in water, was the best strategy.
"Your Majesty, I understand." Changsun Wuji bowed. "And what about His Highness Prince Cao..."
"Let's close the net," Li Shimin said. "The palace banquet three days from now will be a good opportunity."
---
Three days later, a banquet was held in the palace to celebrate the Empress's gradual recovery. This was the first large-scale palace banquet since the incident involving Consort Yang, and it was of great significance. Officials and their families entered the palace, and concubines, princes, and princesses gathered together, creating an atmosphere that seemed joyous and peaceful.
Wang Yi was also present. She sat among the concubines, close to the Empress, a clear indication of her favor. Today she wore a light purple palace dress, her makeup exquisite yet understated, sitting quietly, occasionally conversing softly with the concubines beside her, poised and elegant.
Li Ming sat in the prince's seat, remaining low-key. He could sense that the atmosphere was different today. Those who usually kept a close eye on him seemed unusually tense.
Midway through the banquet, amidst the revelry of singing and dancing, a eunuch suddenly rushed in and whispered a few words in Li Shimin's ear.
Li Shimin's expression remained unchanged; he merely nodded slightly, then raised his cup and said with a smile, "Today, with Empress Kang Fu restored, I am overjoyed. Come, all of you, let us drink this cup together."
The officials raised their cups in celebration. But just then, the sound of orderly footsteps came from outside the hall. A troop of imperial guards quietly entered and stopped at the hall's entrance.
The singing and dancing stopped. The hall fell silent instantly, and everyone sensed that something was wrong.
"Bring him in," Li Shimin said calmly, setting down his wine cup.
The imperial guards escorted seven people into the main hall. Among them were officials, generals, and two people dressed as eunuchs. Their hands were bound behind their backs, and their faces were deathly pale.
"Your Majesty, this is..." an official asked, puzzled.
Li Shimin stood up, descended the imperial steps, and approached the seven men: "Do you all know what crimes these men have committed?"
No one dared to answer.
“Colluding with palace servants to plot treason; sowing discord within the imperial family and alienating father and son; even worse—” Li Shimin’s gaze swept over the seven people, his voice icy, “intending to support a prince and undermine the foundation of the nation.”
An uproar erupted inside the hall.
The leader of the seven suddenly looked up and hissed, "Your Majesty! We are innocent! We were only... only concerned about His Highness Prince Cao, and had no other intentions!"
“Concern?” Li Shimin sneered. “Your so-called concern is to instigate a child to avenge his 'wrongfully killed' mother? Is it to imply that he can take what doesn’t belong to him? Is it to make him resent me, the Empress, and the Crown Prince?”
With each question he asked, the man's face paled a little more.
"Do you think I don't know?" Li Shimin's voice echoed in the hall. "Do you think that if I forgive you once, I will forgive you a second time? You're wrong. I can tolerate your resentment towards me, but I absolutely cannot tolerate you plotting against my son!"
He turned to his officials and declared, “Today, I will make it clear to everyone that anyone who dares to harm my family, no matter who they are or what their reasons are, will not be spared!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the imperial guards escorted the seven men out of the main hall. Their fate was self-evident.
The hall was deathly silent. Everyone kept their heads down, not daring to utter a word.
Li Shimin returned to his throne, sat down slowly, and said in a calm voice, "Let's leave it at that. I hope this is the last time."
He raised his glass: "Let's continue the feast."
The singing and dancing resumed, but the atmosphere was completely different. Everyone understood that this was a carefully planned warning—the emperor was alerting all those with ill intentions: where his bottom line lay.
Wang Yi watched all this calmly, understanding the situation perfectly. The operation was swift and decisive. Seven key figures were taken down in public, serving as a warning to others. The remaining henchmen would be gradually eliminated, but without causing too much of a stir.
As for Li Ming... Wang Yi looked at the child sitting in the corner. He had his head down, his shoulders trembling slightly, whether from fear or relief, it was hard to tell.
After the banquet, Wang Yi did not leave immediately. She "bumped into" Li Ming in the Imperial Garden.
"Your Highness," she called softly.
Li Ming looked up, his eyes slightly red: "The real person..."
“It’s all in the past,” Wang Yi said gently. “From now on, you can rest easy.”
Li Ming was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Thank you, Master."
"No need to thank me," Wang Yi shook his head. "This is the path you chose yourself."
"I..." Li Ming hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Would Father really... allow me to be adopted by my uncle, Prince Qi?"
“His Majesty never goes back on his word,” Wang Yi said confidently. “Once this matter is completely resolved, His Majesty will make the arrangements.”
Li Ming breathed a sigh of relief, and a glimmer of light finally appeared in his eyes.
“But before that,” Wang Yi changed the subject, “Your Highness should still be cautious. Although those people have been purged, it’s hard to guarantee that no one has escaped. As long as you’re in the palace, you must be careful.”
“I understand,” Li Ming nodded.
"Furthermore," Wang Yi looked at him, "Since Your Highness has chosen this path, you must see it through to the end. After being adopted, settle down as a prince and do not harbor any more delusions. Only in this way can you ensure a peaceful life."
These words were blunt, even somewhat cold. But Li Ming understood—this was Wang Yi's final warning to him.
“I will remember this,” he said solemnly.
Wang Yi nodded and turned to leave. After taking a few steps, she stopped and turned back, saying, "If Your Highness needs anything, you may come to me. I... will do my best to help."
This was no mere formality. Wang Yi genuinely intended to take care of the child to the best of her ability. After all, he was the first pawn she had placed in the Tang Dynasty, and a key node in her network of relationships with Li Shimin and the Changsun family.
Li Ming watched her departing figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions. This woman had saved him, but she had also used him. But regardless, she had given him a way out.
That's enough.
Inside Qixia Garden, Wang Yi was sorting through today's harvest.
The relationship with the Changsun family was further solidified through this incident. Changsun Wuji clearly understood Wang Yi's role in it. Although the two had no direct contact, this tacit understanding had already been formed.
Li Shimin's trust in her deepened. She proactively "confessed" to Li Ming, offering advice, and at appropriate times suggested maintaining contact with the Changsun family. This openness reassured Li Shimin even more.
As for those former subordinates who were purged... Wang Yi smiled slightly. Their downfall freed up many positions. Although she couldn't and didn't want to touch most of them, there were a few insignificant positions where she could perhaps place some of her own people.
Not high-ranking positions in the imperial court, but rather places like the Imperial Medical Bureau, the Directorate of Works, and the Imperial Household Department. These institutions controlled resources such as medicine, artisans, and royal industries, making them the best channels for her to introduce modern knowledge to the Tang Dynasty.
She spread out paper and pen and began to plan.
The Imperial Medical Bureau could introduce more systematic medical theories and improve some diagnostic and treatment methods; the Imperial Workshops could try out some new technologies and crafts; and the Imperial Household Department could improve the management and operation of royal properties...
These changes will not affect the government, but they can genuinely improve her life and help her build connections and resources.
Wang Yi's pen flew across the paper, and plans gradually took shape.
Outside the window, the moonlight was like water. The night in the Tang Dynasty was tranquil and profound.
The turmoil has finally subsided. Consort Yang is dead, her old subordinates have been purged, Li Ming has found a way out, Empress Zhangsun's condition has stabilized, and although Li Yuan is still unconscious, his vital signs are stable...
Everything seemed to be back on track.
But Wang Yi knew this was just the beginning. True peace would never prevail in this deep palace. Solving one problem today would only bring new ones tomorrow.
She had already prepared for a long "vacation." Having chosen to stay in this era, having chosen this complex relationship with Li Shimin, and having chosen to get involved in this grand scheme, she was determined to play this game well.
It's not for power, not for ambition, but simply so that I and the people I care about can live better, safer, and freer in this time and space.
The pen stopped on the paper. Wang Yi looked at the paper filled with plans, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Tang Dynasty, here I come. And this game spanning a thousand years has only just begun.
She stood up and walked to the window. The lights of the Liangyi Hall were still on in the distance; Li Shimin was probably still handling state affairs.
"Your Majesty..." she murmured to herself, "I hope we can always be like this, each getting what we need, and living in peace."
But what if one day her existence threatens his empire, or his choices threaten her and the children's safety...?
Wang Yi's eyes were as calm as ice in the moonlight.
She would not hesitate to choose the path that is most beneficial to her.
After all, she was never that little woman who only relied on men and was immersed in love. She was Wang Yi, an elite of modern society, and a being who possessed knowledge that transcended time and space.
Whether in the Tang Dynasty or in modern times, she will be the master of her own destiny.
A gentle night breeze carried the fragrance of early summer flowers. Wang Yi closed the window.
Tomorrow will be another day. And her game of chess will continue.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com