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Chapter 197: Positioning
After entering Chang'an, Li Jian Cheng first went to pay his respects to the new emperor. It had been several years since the uncle and nephew had last met, but there was little to say at this moment.
Yang You's coronation ceremony was hastily conducted, while the Ministry of Rites showed no signs of slowing down, preparing for the next grand coronation ceremony, which would be the true treatment befitting a sovereign.
With such matters at hand, there was nothing more to discuss. The new emperor was compliant, and Tang Wang respectfully completed the audience and received his title.
After conferring titles upon Han Wang and Tang Wang, the emperor continued to bestow titles on Xiao Cong as Liang Wang, Li Jing as Duke of Wei, Li Shimin as Duke of Zhao, Li Xuanba as Duke of Jin, and Li Yuanji as Yan Duke...
Once the conferral of titles was concluded, Li Jian Cheng did not leave the palace but led the courtiers directly to Martial Virtue Hall, leaving the new emperor and a few loyalists in court.
Martial Virtue Hall was located just outside the Eastern Palace. At this moment, serving as the prime minister's residence, Han Wang Li Yan and Tang Wang Li Jian Cheng walked at the forefront.
The Li family inherited the title of Duke of Tang, and at that time, Tang Wang was Li Jian Cheng. Li Yan had been reappointed as Han Wang, demonstrating once again the internal stance of the Li Clan through this passing of titles from father to son.
This reassured everyone; it seemed that Han Wang was indeed a formidable figure who could stabilize Chang'an without bloodshed. However, those who truly recognized and followed him were still Tang Wang.
Perhaps for the Guanlong Aristocracy, there was little difference; but for individuals like Wang Yi, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Qin Shubao, Dan Xiongxin, and Luo Yi, the distinction was significant.
If not for Li Jian Cheng ascending to the throne, their interests would remain unprotected—something they could not accept. These individuals currently held great power, especially military authority.
Upon arriving at Martial Virtue Hall, Li Jian Cheng respectfully invited his father to enter first. Li Yan remained silent. After repeated requests from Li Jian Cheng, Li Yan still did not take a step forward.
After five invitations and three inquiries from Tang Wang regarding Han Wang's reluctance, Wang Yi led the other ministers in advising: "The world is not yet settled; the people are still in turmoil. Tang Wang has aspirations to stabilize the nine provinces and possess the ability to secure peace across all lands. We humbly request that Your Highness consider the state and enter the hall to take charge and alleviate the suffering of these people!"
"Your Majesty, we beseech you to rescue the people and establish proper governance!"
"Your Majesty, we beseech you to rescue the people and establish proper governance!"
Tang Wang knelt deeply before Han Wang, who then left the palace and returned to his residence. Thus, Tang Wang took control of the Martial Virtue Hall and issued orders throughout the realm.
Li Jian Cheng slowly approached the ornate chair, intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes, clearly the Dragon Throne.
Turning to face the courtiers, all stood with their heads bowed in solemnity. Li Jian Cheng gradually sat down; after years of meticulous planning, he had finally achieved this moment.
Li Jian Cheng began appointing the courtiers. He did not rush to promote his confidants but instead ordered representatives from the Guanlong Aristocracy to take up high-ranking positions.
For instance, the new emperor's uncle, Wei Yijie of Jingzhao Capital, continued to serve as the Minister of Justice, while his cousin Wei Ting was even promoted to Imperial Historian.
Meanwhile, Wang Yi and Fang Xuanling were assigned to positions such as those in the Prime Minister's Office and as Prefect Sima, which satisfied everyone present.
However, Tang Wang's subsequent decree surprised many; it was not about establishing a posthumous title for Yang Guang or mobilizing troops to secure the realm but rather a tribute to a scholar who had passed away this year.
Li Jian Cheng said, "Today I have heard of the passing of Prince Tongbing, and I am deeply saddened. In my youth, I witnessed Prince Tongbing present his work 'On Prosperity and Decline' to Wen Emperor. It is lamentable that the emperor did not utilize it, and my predecessor Emperor indulged himself without appointing capable officials, leading us to our current predicament.
Now that Wang Gang is destroyed, humanity has been forsaken. The world is in decline; the three cardinal guides are on the verge of extinction, and heretical doctrines and violent acts are rampant. It is time for us to heed fate and be pragmatic."
Some nobles were puzzled; the world was still unsettled. At this moment, they should be mobilizing forces to reclaim their lands rather than speaking of a deceased individual.
Yet Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged knowing glances. Wang Yi immediately spoke up: "The Master composed 'Spring and Autumn,' elucidating 'Yixiang,' deleting 'Poetry' and 'Books,' establishing 'Rites' and 'Music' based on Yao and Shun, enshrining civil and military principles."
Xin Mang usurped the Han dynasty, and as Yang Xiong composed the "Zhun Yi Yan" with fifty thousand words and the "Law of Words" in thirteen chapters to elucidate it, now Wang Gang has been destroyed, humanity abandoned. We must preserve it with Prince's work, the "Continuation of the Classics!"
Fang Xuanling immediately responded, "The Six Classics endure through the teachings of Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Wen, Wu, and Duke Zhou. With Yang and Mo Bi, Confucius's teachings flourish, the "Law of Words" is refined, and Mighty Evil is revealed. If the 'Continuation of the Classics' is established, then Wang Gang will rise!"
The nobles were dumbfounded; while Wang Tong had some reputation, how did he suddenly become a figure mentioned alongside Confucius and Mencius?
Confused and speechless, they remained silent. Tang Wang immediately decreed: "Posthumously elevate Prince to the title of Minister of Personnel and Grand Master of Glorious Favor. Appoint officials from the Ministry of Rites to conduct sacrifices and establish his posthumous name as Wen Zhong.
Include Prince's writings in the Wende Hall, summon his disciples Yao Yi, Xue Shou, and others to the capital to compile the unfinished works of Prince."
No one dared to dissuade Tang Wang from any decision today; they could only comply.
Li Jian Cheng nodded in satisfaction. He not only wanted to wield military and political power in court but also aimed to use Wang Tong to reshape public thought. Only by doing so could his Great Undertaking avoid a swift demise.
Wang Tong was good in many ways, but the best part was that he had just died.
…………
The self-proclaimed Qin Emperor, Xue Ju, defeated both the Chu Emperor Li Hongzhi and the Tang Emperor Tang Bi, swallowing their forces and gaining immense prestige, claiming an army of three hundred thousand.
He sent his son, Xue Rengao, to besiege Qinzhou and dispatched his second son, Prince Xue Renyue, to Jiankou to raid Hechi County.
Initially filled with ambition and determination to emulate the First Emperor by unifying the world under one rule, he began to feel anxious as news of Li Jian Cheng entering Chang'an reached him.
Earlier, he was shocked to hear that Li Jian Cheng had captured Turkic Shibi Khan. As a person from the Northern Frontier, he was well aware of how much the Turkic forces had grown in recent years.
Now, with Li Jian Cheng's power even greater, he actually controlled over thirty counties, with another twenty or so scattered across various regions, all responding to his call. This demonstrated his prestige.
Unless he could drive Li Jian Cheng out of Chang'an, there would be no chance. However, Guanzhong was inherently easy to defend but hard to attack, and Chang'an was a formidable city; it seemed he had little hope.
At that moment, his second son, who had been ordered to attack Hechi County, returned with someone. According to the report, it was Xiao Yu, the Prefect of Hechi County.
Xue Ju's sturdy body trembled. Could this person be willing to surrender? Beyond Hechi County lay Jingzhao. If that were true, the Great Undertaking could still be achieved.
He immediately wanted to go out to greet them personally but suddenly stopped in his tracks. He lifted his robe and took off one of his boots, putting it on the other foot before stumbling out.
Not only was he a prefect of a county; Xiao Yu was someone significant—Uncle to the Emperor of the Sui Dynasty and the younger brother of Liang Guo Gong Xiao Cong. The Xiao Family already had relatives raising troops in Shu to conquer cities and territories. If the Xiao Family were willing to join him, even if he couldn't take Guanzhong for now, he could march south and connect with the Shu Region.
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. It was common for powerful families to place their bets in multiple areas; his own family also had hopes of dominating the world.
Xue Ju awkwardly welcomed them out, his eyes reddening as he looked at Xiao Yu from a distance. His demeanor made his son Xue Renyue feel embarrassed, prompting him to quickly say, "Father, Xiao Gong is here to persuade us to surrender."
………
(End of Chapter)
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