Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 180 The Battle of the Harem: Wu Zetian Enters the Palace (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

No one knows what happened inside Ganye Temple.

But from that day on, Li Zhi visited Ganye Temple much more frequently.

At first, the courtiers thought that Li Zhi was being benevolent and filial, since he no longer interfered in court affairs and that such actions could be seen as setting an example for the people.

But nothing can erase all traces.

Soon, various rumors began to circulate within Ganye Temple.

The ministers received the news of all this immediately, but none of them said much about it.

Although they were all somewhat shocked.

But recalling the example of Consort Xuanhua during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, all of this no longer seems like a big problem.

Even Gu Jing had this thought.

It's not a big problem that an emperor is lustful.

As long as the emperor can control himself and not affect the direction of the world's progress, then he will not interfere with the emperor.

And so, under these circumstances, this matter became something that no one wanted to mention.

Unfortunately, in the original history, the atmosphere during the Sui and Tang dynasties can be described as the most open in ancient Chinese society.

Although this openness is multifaceted.

However, many historical records and even unofficial histories can explain everything.

And this is even more true now.

As national strength continues to grow and culture develops in tandem, the atmosphere of a prosperous era will become even more pronounced.

The court officials naturally remained silent on this matter.
The government and the public remained completely calm.

Gu Jing's appearance fundamentally prevented many people from having other ideas and maintained the direction of the entire Tang Dynasty.

This is a completely different direction from the original history.

It also largely omitted some events that actually happened in the original history.

such as--

The Fang Yi'ai rebellion case is extremely famous in history.

Although Princess Gaoyang remained the same, and although those with ambitions still intended to take action.

But this idea was nipped in the bud by Old Gu Jing.

Changsun Wuji could no longer use this incident to eliminate political enemies on a large scale and dominate the entire court, as was done in the original history.

This was a completely different path, a path that Li Shimin had already foreseen from his arrangements in his later years.

The emergence of the Gu family provided the most basic guarantee for imperial power.

Li Shimin no longer needed to win over the powerful nobles of Guanzhong to stabilize Li Zhi's position, nor did he need to use them to balance the powerful clans in Shandong and Jiangnan at the same time.

Although all of this may seem insignificant, its impact on the entire imperial court is unimaginable.

The second year of the Yonghui era.

At Gu Jing's suggestion, the entire Tang Dynasty once again launched a campaign to change the law, including further adjustments to the imperial examination system.

The Tang Dynasty is currently too powerful.

This strength was absolute, both internally and externally. Coupled with the continuous development of culture, the politics of the Zhenguan era naturally had to continue to expand forward.

Compared to the Zhenguan Code of the Taizong era, the Yonghui Code still inherited its thematic ideas of "virtue as the primary principle and punishment as the secondary principle" and "the combination of rites and laws".

However, in addition to this, the Zhenguan Code was supplemented in more detail.

Li Zhi even proposed providing an official interpretation and annotation for the entire Yonghui Code, line by line and sentence by sentence.

This can absolutely be called a groundbreaking advancement.

The authorities proactively annotating the law can avoid many problems.

As for the imperial examinations, Li Zhi's ideas were even simpler.

He wants to increase the number of students admitted.

This includes personally interviewing students.

Before announcing this, Li Zhi specifically sought out Gu Jing.

He has already taken notice of the current state of the Tang Dynasty court.

The Guanlong aristocratic families were too powerful. If it weren't for the Gu family, Li Zhi suspected that he would have been completely sidelined by them.

An emperor like Li Shimin could disregard everything.

But he couldn't do it; he wanted to break the deadlock by increasing the number of people admitted through the imperial examinations.

Gu Jing naturally did not refuse this matter, but instead gave Li Zhi his support, and a series of reforms were thus launched throughout the Tang Dynasty.

Gu Jing did not directly interfere in the court affairs.

For the Tang Dynasty at present, it is enough for him to just stand there.

Gu Jing was still more concerned about the barbarian lands in all directions.

It is worth mentioning that--

After several years, the plan to relocate the Goguryeo defense line was basically completed, which was a great relief to the entire court.

Migration consumes far too much resources.

Even though the migration is now largely complete, the imperial court still needs to exempt those people from taxes for another three years, including providing them with seeds for land reclamation.

All of this can be described as a huge expenditure.

Fortunately, the Tang Dynasty was strong enough to withstand these challenges, and no major problems arose.

Furthermore, under the influence of these people.

The trade routes connecting the Central Plains with Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje were also opened.

These three kingdoms now have absolutely no intention of fighting against the Tang Dynasty. Not to mention Goguryeo and Baekje, which were almost wiped out by the Tang Dynasty in one battle, even Silla is currently in constant turmoil.

Li Shimin's methods from the past have already worked.

These three parties are almost entirely engaged in internal strife, and their strength has not improved at all.

Gu Jing naturally supported the development of commerce.

If all the grain supplies for these people were to be sent from the Central Plains, the amount of grain consumed would be countless. Even if merchants were willing to take the risk, they would still be unable to control grain prices.

However, if the target is set on the entire Liaodong Peninsula, the situation is completely different.

Furthermore, Gu Jing also needs these people who have lived here for many years to guide the people of Kyushu in farming.

Different terrains inevitably lead to different planting methods, and having someone to guide you can save you from many detours.

Under Gu Jing's influence.

These three kingdoms dared not refuse any request from the Tang Dynasty.

Generation after generation, grain and provisions flowed from the Three Kingdoms to nourish the people.

The same is true for the Western Regions today.

The Western Regions have undergone tremendous changes. The continued prosperity of its trade routes and various educational systems are subtly promoting the integration of the entire Western Regions into the Central Plains.

Although the system of nine provinces has not yet been implemented throughout the Western Regions.

However, whether it's the widespread adoption of plowing and irrigation techniques in the Central Plains or the use of the Chinese language, the Western Regions today are no longer comparable to what they were in the past.

Completely Sinicized villages had already formed in the Ili River Valley and the Chu River Basin.

They not only speak Chinese and study the Analects, but also live using the production techniques of Kyushu.

This is absolutely a tremendous step forward.

Because people's thinking is changing little by little.

If this development continues, in two or three generations, the people of the entire Western Regions will call themselves citizens of the Nine Provinces, which would be a tremendous step forward for the entire Nine Provinces. True integration into the Nine Provinces is not simply about conquering land.

But the human heart.

That's how the Western Regions are today.

Once we truly reach that point, no one will be able to take away the Western Regions in the future!
Gu Jing was also paying attention to this.

Although the Gu family does not have a lineage of expanding the land and integrating the clan, this matter is considered a major event by many Gu family members.

After all, many of their ancestors had done similar things.

The entire Tang Dynasty was thriving.

Although Emperor Li Zhi was inferior to Emperor Shimin in many ways.

However, he can be described as a very benevolent emperor. Whenever a disaster occurred, he would follow the example of Li Shimin in the past and personally comfort the victims.

Even during the Zhenguan era, the court's policies towards the people remained unchanged.

In addition, the Gu family continued to keep a close eye on official corruption and the stability of the court.

All these factors quickly earned Li Zhi the title of a wise ruler.

The entire Tang Dynasty did not appear to be in any chaos. Whether within the imperial court or among the barbarians in the surrounding areas, no one dared to offend the might of the Tang Dynasty.

During this period, the most chaotic place was actually Li Zhi's harem.

That's right, it's a harem!
The power struggle in Li Zhi's harem had reached a point where Empress Wang, who had no children, was in an increasingly awkward position. Her struggle with Consort Xiao had reached a point of no return.

They even sent people to find Gu Jing, all in an attempt to win him over.

The reasons given are varied.

Consort Xiao naturally wanted to take advantage of Empress Wang's childlessness to find an opportunity to depose Empress Wang from her position as empress.

As for Empress Wang, she naturally used her relationship with Li Shimin as a pretext.

She was Li Zhi's first wife, whom Li Shimin personally betrothed to.

Gu Jing would never interfere in such matters; the so-called power struggles within the harem seemed far too childish to him.

But there will always be others who think differently.

Whether it's the forces behind Empress Wang or the people behind Consort Xiao, they will not remain silent forever.

Although the Tang Dynasty did not develop as it was in the original history due to the influence of the Gu family.

But it's clear that the Tang Dynasty is now heading down a different path.
Chang'an, the Marquis of Champion's residence.

"Master."

"The court is in an uproar right now. The Duke of Wei and others are secretly trying to win over the court officials. This is a sign of impending chaos in the country!"

Officials from the Censorate were giving Gu Jing a detailed report.

—And this Duke of Wei refers to Wang Renyou, the father of Empress Wang.

Even Gu Yi hadn't expected that the power struggles within the Tang Dynasty's harem would reach such a level.

But after thinking about it carefully, I felt relieved.

Empress Wang's inability to have children was indeed a fatal flaw.

Under the influence of the Gu family, the Tang Dynasty is no longer a place where one side holds absolute power, which allows these people to have the idea of ​​taking advantage of loopholes.

"understood."

Gu Jing nodded slightly and waved his hand dismissively.

He didn't do anything directly.

They did not go to find Wang Renyou or Consort Xiao's family.

Not everyone is like Changsun Wuji; these people are not enough for him to personally go and warn them.

But of course he will take action.

Gu Jing made the Censorate keep a close eye on Chang'an, but not on all the officials they were trying to win over. He only targeted a few typical cases, and then stopped the momentum.

This is a warning he's issuing.

He warned Empress Wang and Consort Xiao not to let their rivalry affect the development of the entire Tang Dynasty.

Even Changsun Wuji chose to support Gu Jing.

Although Empress Wang's family belonged to the Guanlong Group, Changsun Wuji was clearly unwilling to let this so-called palace intrigue escalate into the entire court.

Throughout history, there have been too many precedents of the consequences of interference in politics by relatives of the empress.

Changsun Wuji was indeed a smart man.

As long as someone can make him feel fear and danger, he will remain absolutely clear-headed and will not do anything wrong.

That's how it is now.

With their actions, the so-called struggle was immediately nipped in the bud within the palace.

Whether it was Empress Wang's family or Consort Xiao's family.

On both sides, some people were dismissed from their posts, demoted, and banished from Chang'an.

Even if he wasn't a key figure, he was still intimidating enough.

At least on the surface, no one dared to get involved in the palace intrigues anymore.

By now, all the officials have understood Gu Jing's bottom line: as long as the foundation of the Tang Dynasty is not threatened, he will not easily interfere.

This was undoubtedly good news for the court officials, and many of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Of course, the struggles within the harem would not end so easily, but the generals would be locked within the palace walls, preventing the conflict from spreading to the entire court.

And it was under these circumstances that he saw no help from the imperial court.

Empress Wang, having received the news from Ganye Temple, actually came up with another plan.

She secretly ordered Wu Zetian to grow her hair long.

Meanwhile, within the inner palace, there were constant urgings for Li Zhi to bring Wu Zetian from Ganye Temple to the inner palace.

There was nothing she could do; Empress Wang was indeed terrified.

Despite being the empress, she had no children, and Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) did not favor her.

On the other hand, Consort Xiao not only had three children, but was also favored by Emperor Gaozong, which made her feel extremely threatened.

If we could summon Wu Zetian back to the palace and win her over to help us seize Xiao Shufei's favor...

This may also be an opportunity!

The entire harem was in turmoil, and Gu Jing received the news immediately.

He could only say "foolish" about Empress Wang's actions.

Although Gu Jing never had direct contact with Wu Zetian.

However, judging from the various messages within Ganye Temple, Wu Zetian was definitely a very scheming person. If Li Zhi had been summoned into the harem, she would have completely taken away all of his favor in a short period of time.

Of course, I had already guessed that this would be the case.

However, Gu Jing did not directly intervene.

The flexible moral bottom line of the Gu family members was fully demonstrated at this time. Gu Jing was somewhat disgusted with everything in Li Zhi's harem.

If someone could stabilize everything in the harem now, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for the Tang Dynasty.

Moreover, this is not something he, as a subject, can interfere with.

Others share the same idea.

Under these circumstances, with the mourning period over, Li Zhi took advantage of the situation and directly brought Wu Zetian out of Ganye Temple.

(P.S.: I was wondering why I felt weak and cold all over; it turns out I had a high fever! That's ridiculous. I'm feeling much better after the IV drip. I'll start making up for lost updates next month, so please vote for me! I'd appreciate your support at the end of the month!)

(End of this chapter)