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墨書 Inktalez
It is said that life is fleeting, like grass and trees in autumn. Regardless of whether one is a commoner or a ruler, no one can escape the cycle of fate. Although we come and go empty-handed, we must still consider what we leave behind for future generations.
Those who die in poverty leave behind only enough food for a night, while wealthy families often cannot maintain their fortune beyond three generations. Nobles and generals may leave behind the protection of their forebears or hereditary titles, but Li Shimin left Li Zhi a vast empire that dominated the world.
As Li Shimin faced his end, he helped Li Zhi see his true self, allowing the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty to recognize his father's boundless love for him. How could Li Zhi break the decision of his predecessor as soon as he ascended to the throne?
Changsun Wuji feared that public opinion might turn against him, so he refrained from overstepping his regency. But how could he swallow his pride?
Just when it seemed he would deal with Xu Zhen, he unexpectedly produced a Secret Edict that not only spared him but also elevated him to Grand General of the State and Grand Minister, requiring him to participate in state affairs!
What an honor it is to be General of the Guard! Many founding heroes never received such a title. The same goes for Grand Minister; even those who contributed greatly to the founding of the state often went their entire lives without receiving such recognition. Why should someone like Xu Zhen be granted this title?
Although Cheng Zhijie had already been made Duke, he only received the title of General of the Guard last year. Six years ago, Xu Zhen was merely a Wuhou in Chang'an; now he stands as Grand Minister. How could this not provoke jealousy?
Moreover, there are not many who have been appointed Grand Minister in this dynasty. Only military giants like Qin Shubao and Li Jing have received such titles. How could anyone without significant military achievements attain such honors?
It is necessary to explain that during the Tang Dynasty, official ranks consisted of functional officials, honorary ranks, meritorious officials, and nobility. Functional officials held specific positions in departments, such as Minister, Imperial Attendant, or Governor of Lizhou. Honorary ranks included positions like Champion General and General of the Guard, while meritorious titles included State Minister and Grand Minister to recognize contributions.
By Li Shimin's time, there were very few appointed Grand Ministers, which is why Xu Zhen's elevation through a Secret Edict caused such envy and resentment.
Since Xu Zhen entered the court's view, he has been unstoppable, achieving victory after victory and rising through the ranks. His trajectory over these six years has been nothing short of a meteoric rise.
Although he faced many challenges and obstacles along the way, looking back now, where are those who tried to impede Xu Zhen's progress?
But this time is different because this time it is Changsun Wuji who seeks to block Xu Zhen's path!
As the Prime Minister of the current dynasty, Changsun Wuji had reached the pinnacle of his career, relying heavily on his close relationship with Li Zhi. However, with the Secret Edict in play, he could only watch helplessly as Xu Zhen elegantly distanced herself from this murky situation.
In fact, Li Zhi had yet to announce another aspect of the Secret Edict concerning the appointment and dismissal of Li Jue. Within the Secret Edict, Li Shimin had similarly entrusted this matter to Xu Zhen, with instructions nearly identical to those given to Li Zhi: first demote Li Jue to Diezhou, and if he refused to take office, remove him immediately!
Fortunately, the astute Li Jue did not dare return home and went directly to assume his post.
This also made Li Zhi realize an important issue: in Li Shimin's heart, aside from Changsun Wuji and Zhu Suiliang, there was also Xu Zhen, whom he had personally nurtured as a candidate for guardianship.
Changsun Wuji and Zhu Suiliang were in the open, while Xu Zhen operated in the shadows. This clearly indicated that from the very beginning, Li Shimin's intention in cultivating Xu Zhen was quite clear: not only to assist Li Zhi but also to guard against old ministers like Changsun Wuji seizing power.
From this Secret Edict alone, it was evident that Li Shimin no longer viewed Xu Zhen as just a simple subject; he regarded her as if she were his own child!
Although Li Zhi had always had conflicts with Xu Zhen, he could not ignore Li Shimin's thoughts and considerations. He understood that his father rarely misjudged people. Thus, despite feeling jealous of his father's special affection for Xu Zhen, Li Zhi began to attempt to accept her.
This shift was unimaginable for the previous Li Zhi. However, once he ascended to the throne and saw a different world, he had no choice but to embrace this change.
"So even an emperor must bear numerous constraints and pressures..." Li Zhi thought to himself. Yet he did not intend to restore Li Jue's position immediately because he still needed to observe.
On the first day of August, seemingly in response to days of heavy rain, a major earthquake struck Jinzhou, causing severe devastation with over five thousand casualties. It seemed as if the earth itself mourned for Li Shimin. The superstitious populace was heartbroken and praised the unparalleled achievements of the Predecessor Emperor, even regarding Li Shimin as a True Dragon emperor ordained by heaven!
On August 18th, a grand and solemn funeral was held for Predecessor Emperor Li Shimin. He was buried at Zhaoling with the temple name Taizong. The tribal leaders captured by Taizong, including Khan Xieli and fourteen others, were sculpted into stone statues with their names inscribed and arranged at the North Sima Gate to commemorate Taizong's enduring achievements.
As one of Li Shimin's trusted officials entrusted with guardianship and having finally gained recognition from Li Zhi regarding her status, Xu Zhen naturally felt relieved. However, due to rumors deliberately spread by Changsun Wuji and Murong Hanzhu, not only was Li Mingda's true identity exposed but her desire for marriage with Li Zhi could only solidify suspicions about her involvement with Xu Zhen in court affairs. Consequently, their engagement would have to be postponed.
Li Zhi had once promised the dying Li Shimin that he would ensure Li Mingda and Xu Zhen would be together. However, due to Changsun Wuji and Murong Hanzhu's slander against Xu Zhen, which led to doubts about Li Mingda's reputation and placed immense pressure on both her and Xu Zhen, it was only natural for Li Zhi to harbor significant grievances against Changsun Wuji.
At this moment, Li Zhi finally understood his father's intentions and felt Changsun Wuji's disdain for him. He silently thought that perhaps he should promote Xu Zhen; otherwise, if Changsun Wuji continued to hold power, where would he, as the emperor, have any say?
Xu Zhen was unaware that Li Zhi had changed his attitude towards her. After he returned home to rest for a while, Yan Lide hurried over. Upon seeing Xu Zhen, he grabbed her sleeve and pulled her aside, speaking in a low voice, "Something has happened!"
"Brother Yan, what is so urgent?" Xu Zhen asked in confusion.
Yan Lide's round face was covered in sweat, and he didn't even bother to wipe it away as he lowered his voice to Xu Zhen. "The Ministry of Rites idiots said that Qibi Helix and Asena Sher requested to be buried with the deceased. They insist that sixteen of my craftsmen accompany them in death!"
"What?! What era is this? How can such inhumane acts occur!" Xu Zhen exclaimed in anger. Qibi Helix and Asena Sher were loyal followers of Li Shimin, and their request for burial was merely to alleviate Li Zhi's suspicions about them, allowing the new ruler to feel at ease.
Although the scholars at the Ministry of Rites were indeed rigid and conservative, they would not go so far as to adhere to ancient rites by burying living people alongside the dead. This must be a sinister plot by Changsun Wuji and Murong Hanzhu!
The Minister of Rites was originally held by Crown Prince's Right Assistant Yuzhining, but now that Yuzhining had been appointed as prime minister, Xu Jingzong took over the position.
Xu Jingzong had a notorious reputation in history and was not well-regarded at the Tang Court. However, he was considered a core member of the Eastern Palace faction. Now, daringly agreeing to allow Qibi Helix and Asena Sher to be buried with the deceased must have been done with Changsun Wuji's secret approval!
Although Changsun Wuji controlled the civil officials' group and had Cheng Zhijie and Wei Chi Jing De overseeing the palace guards, he had no influence over military affairs since they were always under Li Jue's control. At this time, Li Jue had been sent out to Diezhou as governor. Apart from Xu Zhen, the highest respected figures in the military were still Qibi Helix and Asena Sher, who were actively engaged in campaigns.
Su Dingfang and other veterans understood the importance of hiding their strength, but Qibi Helix and Asena Sher were staunch loyalists of Li Shimin and had always spared no effort. Before the Sovereign passed away, they even brought back the king of Kucha Kingdom as a testament to their loyalty.
Xu Zhen had read this part in the Historical Records; indeed, Qibi Helix and Asena Sher had actively requested burial with the deceased. However, Li Shimin's will had previously stated that they were not allowed to do so.
Unfortunately, Li Shimin's will was interrupted midway by Li Mingda, resulting in this matter not being mentioned at all!
If it weren't for Xu Zhen saving him, Li Mingda would not have lived until now but would have died suddenly at twelve years old. He also would not have obstructed Li Shimin's will. Now that Qibi Helix and Asena Sher faced such a predicament, if one were to investigate seriously, it would ultimately fall on Xu Zhen!
Moreover, the sixteen old craftsmen under Yan Lide are Yan Lide's trusted aides. They are the core designers responsible for the construction of Zhaoling. The ultimate plan of Xu Zhen is to have these individuals specifically manufacture it. Now that the plan is only halfway through, if these people are captured and buried alive, Xu Zhen's grand scheme will be completely ruined!
Since the Zhou Dynasty, this practice of live burial has become rare throughout the ages. The laborers who worked on the tombs were either sent back to their hometowns or recruited locally to serve as tomb guards, remaining on-site to oversee the tombs, thus preventing any incidents of tomb raiding or disturbances to the spirits.
However, Changsun Wuji, seeing that Yan Lide had become a trusted aide of Xu Zhen, intended to weaken her power and actually targeted these core craftsmen!
The Secret Edict given by Li Shimin to Xu Zhen contained only a little over a hundred words, entrusting Li Zhi with a few matters that could be clearly explained in brief phrases. As for Qibi Helix and Asena Sher, Li Shimin did not consider that they would propose live burial to dispel Li Zhi's suspicions.
Now, Changsun Wuji is taking advantage of the situation and truly making the Ministry of Rites and Xu Jingzong execute ancient rites; isn't this deliberately pushing Qibi Helix and Asena Sher into a desperate situation?
Since the Battle of Tugu Hun, Xu Zhen has developed a close relationship with Qibi Helix. During the Han Wang Li Yuanchang Rebellion, Qibi Helix even called upon troops from Beitun Camp at a critical moment, achieving great merit in rescuing them. Over the years, he has been present in every campaign; how could such a loyal and righteous minister lose his life due to Changsun Wuji's suspicions? Xu Zhen cannot stand by idly. Furthermore, Xu Jingzong, in his quest for credit, has involved all sixteen core craftsmen in the tomb construction, which directly threatens Xu Zhen's fundamental interests!
"Let’s go; we will enter the palace to meet the emperor!"
After hearing Yan Lide's plea for help, Xu Zhen immediately made her decision. Before leaving, she thought for a moment and donned her Red Armor, taking Yin Kaishan's long sword as she rushed toward Chengtian Gate.
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