Imperial edicts in vermilion ink, revealing their initial brilliance.
In the autumn of the second year of the Yonghui era, Chang'an was shrouded in a thin layer of morning mist.
Inside Chengxiang Palace, Wu Meiniang had finished washing and dressing. She was not wearing elaborate palace attire, but only a light blue casual dress. Her long hair was tied up with a simple white jade hairpin. She was intently reviewing the monthly expenditure statement sent by the Shanggong Bureau.
Sunlight streamed through the carved wooden window, casting a soft glow on her serene profile. Only her occasional, sharp, bead-like glances revealed the rapid pace of her thoughts.
(Inner monologue: The expenses of the six palaces have been initially standardized, saving nearly ten thousand guan per month. However, this amount is still a drop in the ocean compared to the military expenditure on Goryeo. The root of the boss's problem lies in the previous dynasty.)
Suddenly, a series of hurried yet steady footsteps came from outside the hall, breaking the tranquility of the morning.
Wang Dequan, the emperor's most trusted eunuch, strode in, bowed, and said in a low but clear voice, "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence at the Liangyi Hall immediately."
Wu Zetian's hand steadily placed the last number on the brush before she looked up, a knowing glint in her eyes.
The Liangyi Hall was the true power center of the empire, where the emperor and his chief ministers discussed and decided on important military and national affairs. Even the empress, a concubine in the harem, was not allowed to enter without an imperial edict.
(Inner monologue: As expected. Not a private consultation, but a direct summons to the Liangyi Palace... It seems the boss is facing no small problem; he needs my on-site assistance. This is a critical moment, both a crisis and an opportunity.)
She calmly rose, looked at herself in the mirror, and made sure that her hair was perfectly styled and her clothes were dignified and appropriate, without the slightest flaw.
The person in the mirror still has delicate features, but a maturity and insight beyond their years has been cultivated deep in their eyes.
She subtly adjusted her breathing, quietly concealing the confidence and sharpness of a career elite, and instead donning a gentle and graceful demeanor befitting her role as a "virtuous wife."
"Let's go, don't keep His Majesty waiting." Her voice was calm and even, as if she were just going to an ordinary tea party.
When Wu Meiniang's figure appeared outside the solemn and magnificent gate of the Liangyi Hall, the hall, which had been filled with low murmurs, suddenly fell silent.
Dozens of gazes, filled with astonishment, curiosity, disdain, and even anger, instantly focused on her, as if they were tangible objects.
She could clearly feel the almost bursting anger in the eyes of several veteran ministers, led by Changsun Wuji; it was an undisguised hostility stemming from a perceived invasion of their territory.
She seemed oblivious, her eyes fixed straight ahead, and walked calmly along the central passageway of the imperial road.
Her skirt fluttered slightly, and the jade pendants jingled softly, their sounds particularly clear in the silent hall.
She walked to the foot of the imperial steps and bowed deeply according to etiquette: "Your Majesty, I, Wu, have been summoned to pay my respects."
Li Zhi sat on his high throne, looking somewhat tired, but his eyes brightened when he saw her, and his voice softened with deliberate gentleness: "Consort Wu, rise. I and my ministers are discussing the campaign against Goguryeo. There are many obstacles and conflicting opinions regarding the allocation of provisions. I know you have always had some unique ideas, so come and listen; perhaps they will be of some benefit."
(Inner monologue: The boss's opening remarks... directly threw the difficult problem at us, and even explicitly stated that it was a 'brilliant idea,' both providing a pretext and silencing those who wanted to say 'the harem should not interfere in politics.' Masterful.)
"Your Majesty's inquiry is my duty to answer your questions." Wu Meiniang's voice was gentle, yet it clearly resonated throughout the hall.
She slowly rose, her gaze meeting the questioning eyes with composure, finally settling on the enormous Liaodong map hanging in the hall.
She approached the map and examined it carefully.
The map is detailed with mountains, rivers, cities, and passes, but the only line representing the Tang Dynasty's logistical supply lines is a lonely, long red line that starts from Chang'an, passes through the long Hedong and Hebei routes, and finally reaches the Liaodong front.
Minister of War Cui Dunli stepped forward, his tone troubled: "Your Majesty, Goguryeo is stubbornly resisting, and our soldiers at the front need a great deal of grain. However, transporting grain from Chang'an is a long journey, and the laborers suffer greatly. As the saying goes, 'Even when grain is transported a thousand miles, the soldiers show signs of hunger.' In addition, the grain is transported by canal to Hebei and then transferred to land routes. The carts and horses are exhausted, and several shi of grain are consumed en route to the front. The national treasury is truly struggling to sustain this."
The Vice Minister of Revenue immediately echoed, "That's right. Last year's harvest in Guanzhong was mediocre. If we levy additional grain and fodder, it might strain the people's strength and cause resentment."
A buzz of discussion immediately filled the hall, mostly emphasizing the difficulties, but no one could offer a practical solution.
Wu Meiniang listened quietly, her mind already clear as a mirror.
She turned to Li Zhi, her clear voice instantly drowning out the whispers: "Your Majesty, I believe what the officials have said is indeed true. However, why insist on transporting grain from Chang'an?"
These words shocked the entire hall. If grain wasn't being transported from the capital, how could it be conjured up from the front lines?
She calmly took out a thin vermilion brush that she had prepared beforehand for marking on the map from her sleeve—this small action caused several old ministers to frown.
She pointed to the sea area between the Shandong Peninsula and the Liaodong Peninsula on the map.
"Your Majesty, please look. Our Great Tang has a vast territory and abundant resources. Why should we only focus on Guanzhong? The Jiangnan region is a land of fish and rice, and this year is a bumper year with ample grain transport. We can order that not all of the grain transported from Jiangnan be transported west to Chang'an, but a portion can be diverted north to Dengzhou and Laizhou." Zhu Bi emphasized the two points of Dengzhou and Laizhou.
Then, the pen tip traced a graceful arc, crossing the azure sea and landing on Beisha City at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula.
"Then, we will recruit coastal fishermen and merchant ships to form a grain transport fleet and transport the grain directly to Beisha City by sea. This place is an important stronghold for our army in Liaodong. The grain can be stored here and then distributed to the troops at the front. The journey can be shortened by 70 or 80 percent, and losses will naturally be greatly reduced!"
"By sea?" Changsun Wuji finally couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward, shouting sternly, "Does Your Highness know how ruthless the seas are? If we encounter danger, the entire army will be wiped out! This plan is far too risky; how can you treat matters of national importance like child's play!"
Wu Meiniang had anticipated this question. She turned to face Changsun Wuji, her expression respectful yet her tone neither servile nor arrogant: "Your Excellency's concerns are quite valid. Sea routes certainly have risks, but how can we throw the baby out with the bathwater? Overland transport inevitably incurs losses; the dangers of the sea, however, are probable and can be mitigated. We can order the Imperial Workshops to improve the ships, increasing their stability and resilience against storms; at the same time, we can recruit fishermen and boatmen familiar with the seas at high salaries, choosing seasons and routes with calm seas. Even if one out of ten ships encounters danger, the total losses will be far lower than the continuous losses on land!"
Before Changsun Wuji could object, she pointed to Hebei and Shandong with her vermilion brush again: "Furthermore, a 'grain-salt exchange' policy can be implemented in Shandong, Hebei, and other areas near the front lines. The court controls the profits from salt and iron, and can issue salt permits as proof to encourage merchants, wealthy households, and even ordinary people to exchange grain for salt permits. Salt is a necessity for people's livelihood, and the profits are substantial, which will greatly stimulate the enthusiasm of the people to transport grain to the border. In this way, the court will not have to spend a lot of manpower on long-distance transportation. It only needs to pay a portion of the salt profits to raise enough grain. This is 'using the enemy's strength against them,' which can save at least 30% of the transportation losses and corvée labor."
Her words were clear, her data was specific, and her logic was rigorous. She not only put forward a brand-new idea, but also provided a concrete implementation plan.
In an instant, many officials in the hall who had previously held reservations, such as the Minister of Revenue, revealed expressions of sudden enlightenment and extreme admiration in their eyes.
"Brilliant! Your Highness's plan has truly solved our urgent problem!" The Minister of Revenue couldn't help but agree. "If we can implement this strategy of combining sea and land transport and exchanging grain and salt, the pressure on military expenditures will be greatly alleviated!"
Seeing the sudden shift in the tide, Changsun Wuji's face grew even more somber. Unable to directly dismiss this clearly feasible plan, he turned his attention back to Wu Meiniang's identity, his voice icy cold: "Consort Wu! This is a matter of vital importance to the nation, and the Liangyi Palace is not a place for women like you! Your clever words and flattering manner, and your presumptuous discussion of state affairs, are already an overstepping of your bounds! Your Majesty, the laws of our ancestors cannot be disregarded. Interference in politics by the harem is a path to disaster. I implore Your Majesty to immediately order Consort Wu to withdraw from the Liangyi Palace!"
His words were powerful and resounding, drawing support from many conservative officials.
The scene froze instantly. All eyes were focused on Wu Zetian and Li Zhi.
Wu Meiniang sneered inwardly, knowing that the crucial moment had arrived.
She was not intimidated by Changsun Wuji's imposing manner. Instead, she slowly put away her vermilion brush, revealing a perfectly appropriate expression of grievance and confusion on her face.
She turned to Changsun Wuji, her voice still calm, yet carrying an undeniable sharpness: "Grand Commandant, you constantly speak of ancestral laws and regulations, and always mention matters of great importance to the military and the nation. But I wonder, why do you so strongly oppose the policy of saving military expenses and ensuring the food and pay of the soldiers at the front?"
She paused, and amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, she slowly took out a thin booklet from her sleeve. It was one of the results of her secret investigation and compilation over the past few days.
She gently unfolded the booklet, her gaze fixed directly on Changsun Wuji, and spoke each word clearly: "I happen to have a question I'd like to ask the Grand Commandant. Last year, the imperial court allocated 800,000 strings of cash specifically for repairing the dikes along the Luoyang section of the Yellow River to prevent flooding and ensure the safety and well-being of the people. However…"
Her voice suddenly turned sharp, "According to my investigation, the actual funds used for the dam project were less than 500,000 strings of cash! Meanwhile, during the same period, the Grand Commandant's family purchased a thousand acres of prime farmland in Longyou! I am foolish, may I ask you, Your Excellency, where did that huge sum of money for purchasing the land come from? Could it be just a coincidence?"
"Whoosh—!"
Inside the main hall, it instantly erupted into chaos!
All the officials were stunned, staring incredulously at Wu Meiniang, then at Changsun Wuji, whose face had suddenly turned deathly pale.
Embezzling river repair funds! This is absolutely outrageous!
Before Changsun Wuji could defend himself, Wu Meiniang continued in her clear, melodious voice, like an icicle striking everyone's heart: "Your Majesty, the soldiers on the front lines are fighting valiantly to protect our country. Yet, in the rear, some are lining their own pockets, even daring to embezzle funds meant for repairing river embankments and protecting the people's peace! Tell me, how is such behavior any different from aiding the enemy? I know I have made a mistake in discussing state affairs today. But I believe the most urgent matter is not whether women should stand in the Liangyi Hall, but rather to thoroughly investigate how much military expenditure and how much of the people's hard-earned money have not been used wisely, but instead flowed into the pockets of certain parasites!"
She turned abruptly to face the throne, bowed deeply, and said in a resolute voice, "Your Majesty! The shortage of provisions is not only due to the difficulty of transportation, but also to the corruption at its core! If corruption is not eradicated, even the best strategies will be insufficient to fill this bottomless pit! I implore Your Majesty to issue an order for a thorough investigation!"
Silence, deathly silence.
Everyone was stunned by Wu Zetian's earth-shattering attack.
She not only skillfully defused her own crisis of "interfering in politics," but also turned the tables and launched a fatal attack, directly targeting the powerful Changsun Wuji!
Li Zhi sat on his throne, his chest rising and falling slightly. He looked at the woman kneeling on the ground below him, her figure slender yet seemingly containing boundless power. His eyes were filled with extremely complex emotions—shock, admiration, and an indescribable excitement and determination.
He knew this was an opportunity.
A golden opportunity to break the Guanlong Group's monopoly and truly reclaim power! And Wu Meiniang personally handed this opportunity to him.
He took a deep breath, his voice carrying an undeniable authority that resounded throughout the hall: "I wholeheartedly agree with what Consort Wu has said. As for the allocation of grain and provisions, we shall follow the consort's proposal of combined sea and land transport and the exchange of grain and salt. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War shall immediately work together to formulate detailed rules and implement them as soon as possible!"
He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over the ashen-faced, silent Changsun Wuji and the trembling officials, before coldly declaring, "As for the embezzlement of river repair funds... the evidence is irrefutable. How can I tolerate this? I order the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate to conduct a joint trial and investigate thoroughly! Anyone involved, regardless of their status, shall be punished according to the law!"
"Court adjourned!"
The officials bowed and retreated in shock and fear.
The vast Liangyi Hall was soon left with only Li Zhi and Wu Meiniang, who was still kneeling on the ground.
Li Zhi stepped down from the throne and came to her, personally helping her up.
His fingers trembled slightly as he gazed intently at her: "Meiniang... I'm sorry to have wronged you today."
Wu Meiniang raised her head, a hint of tears welling up in her eyes, but she forced them back, making her appear even more resolute: "I do not feel wronged to be able to share Your Majesty's burdens and eliminate treacherous officials. However... I was too anxious just now and my words were too harsh, which may have made enemies for Your Majesty, and I am uneasy about it."
(Inner monologue: I'm using this as a strategic retreat to let my boss know that I'm doing all this for him, and that I'm being considerate and mindful of the bigger picture.)
Li Zhi's heart was filled with a mixture of love and gratitude. He held her hand tightly and said, "Make enemies? Meiniang, you have rendered a great service to me and to this Tang Dynasty today! If it weren't for you, I don't know how much longer I would have been deceived!"
He led her to the imperial desk, his gaze falling on the mountain of memorials. He pondered for a moment, as if he had made a decision.
“From this day forward,” Li Zhi’s voice was deep and powerful, “you will be on duty in the side hall of the Liangyi Hall.”
Wu Meiniang was deeply shaken and looked up at him.
"I will order someone to set up a private desk for you in the palace, complete with writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone, and all the regulations will be in accordance with... the regulations for prime ministers participating in government affairs."
He looked at her with unwavering trust and entrustment in his eyes, "From now on, you shall review all memorials submitted by the Six Ministries, annotate them with preliminary opinions in vermilion ink, and then submit them to me for a final decision."
Annotations in red ink!
This is no longer just about participating in political discussions; it's practically granting the "vice emperor" the power of preliminary investigation!
In the Tang Dynasty, this was an unprecedented honor and authority!
Looking into Li Zhi's firm and profound gaze, Wu Meiniang understood that this was not a fleeting favor, but a political choice made based on her remarkable abilities and loyalty displayed that day.
He needed her, her wisdom, and her decisiveness, to face together this vast empire and its intricate web of power.
She slowly knelt down, this time with utmost solemnity and promise: "Your Majesty, I... accept the imperial decree and express my gratitude! I will certainly do my utmost to assist Your Majesty and live up to your trust!"
As she emerged from the Liangyi Hall, the sun was already setting. The golden afterglow bathed the glazed tiles of the Taiji Palace, creating a magnificent and splendid scene.
Officials passing by on the palace road would all give way to her, bowing respectfully, their eyes filled with unprecedented awe and complexity.
Wu Zetian walked steadily, step by step.
She felt the weight of the vermilion brush in her sleeve, which still seemed to carry the scent of ink. She gently clenched her fist, her fingertips turning slightly white from the force.
(Inner monologue: I got it! It's not just trust, it's the real power to review and approve memorials! This means that I have finally stepped from being a behind-the-scenes advisor to the forefront of imperial decision-making, and have the power to influence the direction of this country!)
She looked up at the sky, which was dyed a magnificent purple by the sunset, and finally, a cool and sharp smile appeared on her lips.
The downfall of Changsun Wuji thus began.
The Tang Dynasty court was destined to be thrown into turmoil by the arrival of Wu Zetian.
In this game of chess, she is no longer an observer or strategist, but the one playing the game!
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