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Chapter 236: Disorder
Until deep into the night, Li Jian Cheng had not rested, and according to Li Wei's report, the Retired Emperor had also not turned off the lights to sleep.
However, Li Jian Cheng no longer cared. If one were to consider him as an opponent, Li Yan was hardly a figure to be feared beyond being a father.
Among the Royal Family, aside from Li Shimin, Li Yuanji, Li Xiaogong, Li Shentong, and Li Shenfu, the rest merely held titles without any real power.
Of these four Royal Family generals, Qin Wang was undoubtedly the most capable. Yet, being right under his nose, despite being the commander of the Chang'an garrison, it would be exceedingly difficult for him to stage a rebellion.
Li Yuanji was insignificant; he had no military achievements before the founding of the nation and had made no contributions afterward. In local affairs, he only fostered enmity without bestowing any favors. Without an imperial decree, he could command only about a thousand guards from various princely estates.
As for Li Shentong and Li Shenfu's Divine Martial Army, their stance was somewhat delicate. However, since the Divine Martial Army had only recently been established and consisted mostly of well-bred youths who enjoyed Imperial Favor, it was unlikely they would dare to rebel.
The most crucial figure remained Li Xiaogong. He held significant power in Jiangdu, but since he had followed Li Jian Cheng since he was eight or nine years old, it could be said that among his relatives, this cousin was the one he trusted the most.
Thus, the Royal Family posed little threat. The biggest issue from beginning to end lay with Pei Ji and the Noble Families of Guanlong. They wielded considerable influence not only in court but also locally.
However, they did not possess much military power, and with the hearts of the people at peace throughout the realm, such a fundamental situation could not be changed by a mere call from Guanlong.
Otherwise, everyone would not have had to endure Yang Guang for over a decade.
"Your Majesty, the Queen requests an audience."
Li Jian Cheng nodded. Soon after, Xiao Chanyan entered carrying Chengzong.
Li Jian Cheng's expression softened as he stepped forward to take his sleeping son. "Why did you bring him along?"
"I hadn't planned to bring him," she replied. "But seeing that everyone in the palace is anxious and even those tasked with caring for Chengzong have begun to neglect their duties, I thought it best to take care of him myself."
Li Jian Cheng said, "The matters of the previous dynasty do not concern the inner court, but it is also not permitted for the Court Lady to discuss them."
"Understood, I will make arrangements upon my return," she replied.
"Tomorrow, you will lead Chengzong to accompany the Empress and summon the Changsun Clan and the Xiao Family as well."
The Changsun Clan refers to Consort Qin, while the Xiao Family is Consort Jin, the daughter of Lanling Duke Xiao Xian.
Not far from Chang'an, the army learned about the events that had transpired in the capital through various means. The generals were first shocked, followed by grim expressions.
At such a critical moment, the Retired Emperor causing this kind of incident was utterly unacceptable and would not win anyone's support. Wang Shichong, Zhai Rang, and Wang Bo expressed their intentions to return to the capital to protect the emperor.
Xu Shijie asked Wang Yi, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui for advice: "Given this situation, should we send some troops back to Chang'an to await His Majesty's orders?"
Du Ruhui replied, "The urgent matter is still with the Turkic forces. If we can repel them, everything else will be manageable."
Wang Yi thought carefully: "The Imperial Guards in the palace and the Thousand Cattle Guard are all loyal to His Majesty. With General Qin Dan Er defending Chang'an, our returning would not have much significance."
Xu Shijie nodded and then summoned the other generals. Although he was the commander, he dared not act unilaterally; he needed to unify thoughts with several of His Majesty's confidants before issuing orders to the entire army.
Li Mi and Wang Shichong quickly arrived, eager to lead their troops back to Chang'an. However, they were sternly reprimanded by Xu Shijie, who ordered them to focus their thoughts on the Turks.
After continuous commands from above, the army finally set aside their various concerns and continued advancing toward the front lines.
Soon after, an imperial edict arrived, announcing that His Majesty intended to gather an army of five hundred thousand to campaign against the Turkic forces. This news invigorated the entire army.
As soon as he thought about the hundreds of thousands of reinforcements arriving behind him, the initial anxiety transformed into a determination to achieve military merit first, lest he end up with nothing when the crowd arrived.
Xu Shijie saw that morale was high and immediately marched to the battlefield. After a brief rest, he proactively engaged with the Turkic forces.
Although the Turkic army had combined their forces for an assault, they had only recently been in conflict with each other, which meant there was little mutual understanding or trust among them.
Upon seeing the grand arrival of over a hundred thousand reinforcements from the Tang Dynasty, the initial fervor for plunder quickly dissipated. Each side hoped that the other would take the lead in a direct confrontation while they observed from behind, fearing that they might suffer losses themselves.
As a result, the numerical advantage of the Turks could not be fully utilized, while the Tang forces benefited from their advantageous position and morale.
Frequent skirmishes broke out between the two armies, with Xu Shijie and Li Mi in command. Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui provided strategic counsel, while Wang Yi oversaw military affairs and logistics. Wang Shichong, Du Fuwei, Xue Wanchu, and Xue Wanshu led the front lines against the Turkic forces.
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Shen Guang led his troops to surround the Pei Residence. The steward and guards dared not intervene, and cries of despair echoed from within the inner courtyard where women and children lamented.
To kill a Chancellor required a process; Shen Guang was waiting for an imperial decree while those inside awaited their doom.
However, this decree was stuck at the Secretariat. According to protocol, the emperor's orders were drafted by the Secretariat, reviewed by the Ministry of Rites, and executed by them.
If such a process was not followed, then even if it was the emperor's intent, it could not be considered an official decree. All officials could refuse to comply without being deemed as disobeying orders.
This was also why Yang Guang began his reign by executing many officials while promoting those who flattered him; without such measures, the emperor's will could never be enforced.
Thus, resolving this issue had precedents to follow.
Moreover, if officials were to be held accountable for not adhering to court regulations, who could hold the emperor accountable for his own disregard?
It is nothing more than advice, but unfortunately, the emperor who once welcomed counsel is now determined to act unilaterally.
In the Secretariat, Chancellor Dou Wei looked at the eunuch before him and said, "Even if His Majesty wants to dismiss me, it must go through the three provinces; what you are doing is a false decree!"
Li Wei sneered, "What I hold is the edict of the Emperor, bestowed by heaven itself. There is no need for you officials to meddle!"
Dou Wei sighed, "I understand His Majesty is angry, but if the court's system is destroyed, how will there be any authority left in the future? Please, Eunuch, take me into the palace; I want to personally advise His Majesty."
Li Wei shook his head. "Dou Gong, out of respect for the Empress Dowager, I will give you one more chance to carry out the edict. If you still refuse to comply, then you will no longer be Chancellor. I will invite Xiao Gong to take over the Secretariat."
Dou Wei naturally refused, but an impatient Li Wei waved his hand, and the palace guards stepped forward to apprehend him.
"Impudent! Impudent! I am the Chancellor of the court! How dare you insult the current Chancellor? I demand to see His Majesty!"
Li Wei leaned in close and whispered, "Dou Gong, forgive me for speaking disrespectfully, but with the Empress Dowager's illness and your current behavior, how many more years can the Dou Family remain prominent?"
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(End of Chapter)
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