Bluebird throws itself into one's arms
Spring seemed to arrive exceptionally early in the sixth year of the Yonghui era. The Imperial Garden was ablaze with color, and Wu Zetian, enjoying a rare moment of leisure, played with her two princes in the garden.
Like a little adult, Li Hong followed his mother around, pointing at various flowers and asking about their medicinal properties—this was "extracurricular knowledge" that Wu Zetian had given him.
Li Xian, on the other hand, was lively and active, chasing after a butterfly as he ran around, his giggles echoing through the woods.
(Inner monologue: It feels good to occasionally put aside official duties and enjoy family time.)
Suddenly, a flapping sound came from the dense peony bushes nearby. A plump bluebird with bright feathers seemed to be startled and flew straight out, crashing right into Wu Meiniang's broad embrace. It stepped on her chest and left a few small claw marks before flying away in a panic.
"Mother! Mother!" Li Hong was the first to call out, excitedly tugging at Wu Meiniang's sleeve, "Bird! Bird is looking for you!"
Li Xian ran over, tilting his little face up and asking curiously, "Mommy, does the bird like you?"
Just then, officials from the Imperial Observatory happened to be on a mission to survey the garden's landscape in preparation for its use as a summer retreat, and they witnessed this scene clearly.
The official was first taken aback, then his face showed shock, followed by ecstatic joy. He quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement: "Your Majesty! This is an auspicious omen! The 'Illustrated Book of Auspicious Omens' records, 'When a bluebird flies into one's bosom, it signifies the arrival of a sage; when a phoenix cries in the deep marshes, its voice is heard in the heavens'! This is a divine sign that Your Majesty's virtue matches that of heaven and earth, and that you should be the mother of the nation, bringing blessings to all people!"
(Inner monologue: A bluebird falling into my arms? A phoenix singing in the deep marshes? This... this coincidence is too amazing! It's a marketing opportunity sent from heaven!)
Wu Meiniang's heart stirred, but her face remained calm. She simply said, "You flatter me, sir. It's just a lost bird."
However, this matter cannot be easily suppressed.
Upon returning, the officials of the Imperial Observatory immediately reported the matter in detail.
The news spread like wildfire to the previous dynasty.
Xu Jingzong, who had consistently supported Wu Zetian and possessed keen insight into political trends, immediately seized this opportunity and submitted a memorial with impassioned words: "Since Your Majesty began to assist in the regency, Your Majesty has demonstrated discerning judgment in recognizing talent, implemented clear and effective policies, and repeatedly offered sound advice to benefit the nation and its people. Now, with the auspicious omen of a bluebird returning to your embrace, this is Heaven's recognition of Your Majesty's virtue and ability! I earnestly request Your Majesty to follow the will of Heaven and the people, and formally appoint Your Majesty as regent, so that you may jointly uphold the ancestral temple and govern the state with Your Majesty!"
The court was immediately divided into two factions, who argued endlessly.
Supporters believed the auspicious signs were divine will; opponents insisted that ancestral rules could not be violated and that the empress and concubines should not interfere in politics.
During a large court assembly, the topic of the controversy resurfaced.
Wu Meiniang held the young and somewhat bewildered Li Xian in her arms, sitting behind the beaded curtain, listening to the argument outside.
She spoke up at the opportune moment, her tone humble and gentle: "My lords, I am but a woman, yet His Majesty has not abandoned me to participate in state affairs; this is already presumptuous of me. The idea of me becoming regent is truly unworthy of my title. All I ask is to share His Majesty's burdens and do my part for the people..."
Before she could finish speaking, Li Xian, seemingly disturbed by the noisy argument outside or simply finding the embroidered beads on his mother's dress amusing, suddenly reached out his little hand, grabbed the pearl beads hanging from Wu Meiniang's court dress, and with a strong pull, clearly and loudly uttered the first meaningful phrase of his life: "Mother! Rule the world!"
(Inner monologue: !!! Son! You're such a great help to your mother! Your timing was absolutely perfect!)
This innocent child's voice pierced through the beaded curtain and resounded throughout the hall where the debate had subsided.
In an instant, the entire hall fell silent.
All the ministers were stunned.
Is it just a coincidence that a three-year-old child uttered such a sentence at such a crucial moment? Or... is it fate?
Even some officials who had initially opposed the idea now looked surprised and dared not say anything more.
Li Zhi sat on his throne and took in the whole scene.
He looked at Wu Meiniang, who was holding her young child behind the beaded curtain, her expression seemingly helpless but her eyes calm, and then at the assembled officials with their varied expressions. He understood what was going on.
He spoke loudly, his voice carrying an undeniable resolve: "When the Crown Prince was young, the Empress reviewed memorials on his behalf, demonstrating her insight into state affairs. Although the Second Prince's words are those of a child, they reveal the will of Heaven and the people. Empress Wu is wise and virtuous, possessing both talent and virtue, and is capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of the nation. My mind is made up..."
The following day, two edicts that shocked the court and the public were promulgated throughout the land:
Firstly, he ordered the revision of the "Record of Surnames," prioritizing contemporary merits and clarifying the clans and other social classes throughout the land. Those who assisted Li Zhi in ascending the throne and governing the country were ranked first, thus completely breaking the old aristocratic order.
Secondly, the system of "two emperors ruling together" was formally established, and the edict clearly stated: "When there are unresolved matters concerning the military and the state, the Empress Dowager shall be consulted for advice and decision."
From then on, Empress Wu and Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi jointly received the homage of the court officials and jointly ruled the Tang Dynasty.
Wu Zetian's political status reached an unprecedented height.
On the first day after moving to the Zichen Palace, which symbolized the core of power, Wu Meiniang's first action was to order the eunuchs to remove the huge screen in the palace that blocked the view.
"From now on, memorials shall be distributed in this manner." She pointed to the imperial desk and gave the order to the eunuch in charge of documents, her voice clear and concise.
"The stack on the left is for 'urgent matters' that need to be dealt with immediately, such as border military intelligence and major disasters;
The middle stack is for "Standing Reports," which are daily reports from the six departments and require approval according to regulations.
"This stack on the right," she paused, her gaze sweeping over several ornate but empty memorials of greeting, "is just 'nonsense,' something to be read at leisure."
(Inner monologue: Optimizing processes starts with categorization! Time management is the first essential for efficient governance!)
When Emperor Li Zhi returned from court and entered the Zichen Palace, he saw this scene: Wu Meiniang was sitting behind the imperial desk, with three stacks of memorials categorized in front of her.
Five-year-old Crown Prince Li Hong sat on a specially made high chair beside her, with paper and pen laid out in front of him. He was practicing writing the characters "准" (zhun, accurate) and "驳" (bo, refute) in a crooked manner, his little face full of seriousness.
Three-year-old Li Xian lay on the thick carpet, holding several memorials deemed "nonsense" impeaching his mother for "being a hen crowing at dawn," and enthusiastically folding small paper boats, muttering, "Boat, boat, go into the water..."
"Your Majesty is back." Wu Meiniang raised her head and smiled at Li Zhi. The smile was particularly bright in the sunlight shining through the window. "Xian'er has made progress again today. He knows the words 'canal transport'."
As if to confirm his mother's words, Li Xian immediately held up the "paper boat" he had just folded and pasted together from memorials, showing it to his father like a treasure, his words unclear but his efforts earnest: "Boat! Carry rice! To feed the people!"
(Inner monologue: Early childhood education should start with public welfare projects! Subtly cultivate a sense of responsibility and empathy.)
Looking at this warm and peculiar "office" scene, Li Zhi felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
He walked over, first patted Li Hong's head, looked approvingly at the words he had written, then bent down to pick up Li Xian and kissed his little face: "Xian'er is so smart, he even knows that the canal transport is for transporting grain."
Just then, an attendant announced that Grand Commandant Changsun Wuji, accompanied by several senior officials from the imperial clan, requested an audience, saying they had important matters to discuss.
Li Zhi glanced at Wu Meiniang, and seeing her nod slightly, he summoned them in.
Changsun Wuji and the others bowed as they entered the hall. When they looked up, they saw the Empress scooping up a spoonful of warm soup and carefully feeding it to the Second Prince, Li Xian, while the Crown Prince was practicing reviewing memorials beside her.
What alarmed them even more was that, while feeding the child, the Empress clearly dictated an imperial edict to the attendants standing beside her:
"...Immediately investigate the existing fiefdoms and lands of the princes and nobles of the imperial clan. Any lands exceeding the established limit for permanent land ownership must be returned within a specified period. The returned lands will be converted into military farms on the border to cover military expenses. Specific details will be jointly drafted by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War and submitted to me for approval."
These words struck like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, leaving Changsun Wuji and the others dizzy and disoriented.
Reduce the fiefdoms of the royal family!
This is a major event that could shake their fundamental interests!
Changsun Wuji could no longer contain himself and disregarded etiquette, crying out in a trembling voice, "Empress! This is absolutely unacceptable! The imperial clan is the foundation of the nation. Such actions will likely chill the hearts of all the imperial relatives and shake the very foundation of the country!"
The hall fell silent instantly.
Li Xian was startled by the sudden loud noise, and a little soup dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Wu Meiniang remained calm and composed. She took a silk handkerchief and gently wiped her son clean before slowly raising her head and looking calmly at Changsun Wuji. Her gaze seemed gentle, but it carried a kind of all-knowing pressure.
"Grand Commandant," her voice remained steady, yet carried an undeniable weight, "the foundation of a nation lies in the people's peaceful and prosperous lives, in the stability of its borders, and in the fullness of its treasury. If the imperial relatives and nobles only know how to seize land and compete with the people for profit, while sitting idly by and watching the soldiers on the border suffer from insufficient provisions, is this what it means to stabilize the foundation of the nation?"
She gently patted Li Xian in her arms and continued meaningfully, "Your Majesty and I are never stingy with rewards for those who are loyal to the country, as evidenced by the newly revised 'Record of Surnames.' But if anyone abuses their status to enrich themselves at the expense of the public... the laws of the Tang Dynasty are by no means a mere formality."
Her words were like a needle hidden in cotton, pointing out that the core of the policy was for the overall national interest, while also warning those nobles and members of the royal family who attempted to rely on their seniority and obstruct reform.
Changsun Wuji opened his mouth, looked at the emperor who was silent on the throne and clearly supported the empress, and then looked at the crown prince who was learning about governance and the bewildered second prince. A chilling feeling that the tide had turned against them slowly rose from the bottom of his heart.
Sunlight streamed through the tall palace gates, casting a long shadow of Wu Zetian.
She held her infant son in her arms, the crown prince was learning governance beside her, and in front of her were piles of memorials, yet orderly, and old ministers with ashen faces.
A new era has quietly begun within the Zichen Palace.
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