Chapter 63: Famous Painting: Emperor Taizong Cleanses the Court

Chapter 63: Famous Painting: Emperor Taizong Cleanses the Imperial Court

Daxing Palace, Taiji Hall.

Ever since the completion of the Daming Palace, the Tang Dynasty’s regular morning assemblies were generally held at the Xuanzheng Hall. Therefore, the officials had, as usual, been waiting at the Xuanzheng Hall.

It was not until the hour of Si that word finally came: the morning assembly had been moved to the Taiji Hall in the Daxing Palace.

Crown Prince Li Chongjun’s uprising to clear the imperial court of evil ministers and execute the traitors had already caused a tremendous uproar throughout the capital. The officials were already vaguely aware of what had happened, and word had it that the Crown Prince had succeeded.

Some officials were already silently slapping their own faces in regret—what Crown Prince? Clearly, it was His Majesty!

Meanwhile, the faction of Wu Sansi, Empress Wei, and Princess Anle, such as Zong Chuke, looked as though they had lost their parents, their expressions utterly dejected.

Following the Crown Prince's coup, a purge of the court officials was bound to follow. Given the "benevolent mother and filial son" relationship between the Crown Prince and Empress Wei, and the "brotherly love and sisterly harmony" between Princess Anle and the Crown Prince, this bunch figured that leaving behind intact corpses might be a bit of a luxury.

However, since they were already here, and with the Feathers Forest Guards glaring fiercely all around them, running was certainly out of the question. They could only pin their hopes on managing to melt the heart of the Crown Prince—no, His Majesty—with their sincerity later on.

When they arrived at the Taiji Hall, however, they looked up to find a stranger sitting upon the Dragon Throne.

Standing in respectful attendance beside him were several familiar faces. Wei Yuanzhong, a veteran official who had served through three reigns, had sharp eyes and immediately recognized Li Zhi and Li Xian.

"It... it is Emperor Gaozong and Crown Prince Zhanghuai!" he exclaimed involuntarily.

Upon hearing this, the assembled officials collectively gasped in shock.

Emperor Gaozong and Crown Prince Zhanghuai had both been dead for twenty years; how could they possibly have suddenly appeared here?

Yet, immediately afterward, they realized a fact even more incredible, yet infinitely logical.

The man who possessed the qualification to sit in the center, making even Emperor Gaozong stand respectfully by his side, could he possibly be... could he be...

Realizing this, one official who deeply cared about the state of the court let out a gasp and fainted with joy.

"Welcome to His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Taizong Wen!"

Inspired by a sudden flash of divine insight, Wei Yuanzhong immediately dropped to his knees in a full prostration, prostrating himself completely to demonstrate his utter loyalty.

Loyalty! Devotion!

Throughout the entire Tang Dynasty, aside from rebellious subjects and traitors, which civil or military official did not yearn to serve under the command of Emperor Taizong Wen? To be able to gaze upon the true countenance of Emperor Taizong with one's own eyes today made even death a small price to pay!

Following Wei Yuanzhong’s lead, everyone in the court—whether willing or unwilling—dropped to their knees, respectfully welcoming the arrival of Emperor Taizong Wen into his loyal Chang'an.

"Since you have all guessed My identity, let us dispense with pleasantries and speak plainly," Li世民 (Li Shimin) said with a flick of his robe and an overwhelmingly imposing aura. "My lords, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

***

Once the officials had risen, Li Shimin spoke, "Presumably, my lords have already learned of the small disturbance that occurred within the palace this morning."

"We believe that Crown Prince Li Chongjun has pacified the chaos, executed the treacherous and evil, and rendered great meritorious service to the state. He may ascend the imperial throne immediately, and Li Xian shall be elevated to the position of Retired Emperor."

"Who is in favor of this proposal, and who is against it?"

The officials immediately expressed their enthusiastic approval.

"His Imperial Majesty Taizong is truly wise!"

Yet, at that moment, a discordant voice rang out.

"This subject, Zong Chuke, has words to present in remonstrance!"

Zong Chuke was truly desperate. If Li Chongjun ascended to the throne, a thorough reckoning against their Empress's faction was inevitable. Rather than sitting here waiting for death, he might as well fight for a glimmer of a chance.

"This subject has heard that Emperor Taizong opened wide the avenues of speech and humbly accepted remonstrance. This subject offers his loyal words with tears of blood and repeated kowtows, hoping that Your Majesty Taizong will examine them."

"State them," Li Shimin said, quite surprised. This was one of the very few people he had encountered across his recent time-travels who dared to openly voice opposition to him.

It seemed that the longer the time elapsed, the more the golden reputation of Taizong faded.

"This subject believes that military force is a dangerous instrument. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince rashly wielded blades and weapons, arbitrarily executing officials—this is overstepping his bounds and usurpation."

"Bursting uninvited into the forbidden precincts of the palace and holding the Son of Heaven under duress—this is unloyal."

"Initiating a palace coup and coercing the Son of Heaven, his own father—this is unfilial."

"This subject believes that we should select another virtuous descendant and not allow such an unloyal and unfilial person to throw our Great Tang into turmoil!"

Sitting at the very top, Li Shimin crossed his legs and sneered, "We also rose to power through a palace coup. Could it be that Lord Zong also believes We are an unloyal and unfilial person?"

"Ah... this..." Zong Chuke was instantly struck dumb by the question.

If he said yes, he would immediately have to experience the extermination of his nine clans; if he said no, his previous speech would have been completely in vain.

To save his own life, he could only drop to his knees and plead for mercy: "This subject has no such intention whatsoever! Absolutely no such intention!"

Without a word, Li Shimin pointed a finger.

Li Chongjun immediately understood and shouted loudly, "Guards, seize this wretch! Throw him into the heavenly prison!"

Guards immediately rushed forward and hauled away the thoroughly limp Zong Chuke.

"Furthermore, We intend to keep Li Chongjun by Our side to personally instruct and guide him for two and a half years before he assumes personal rule. State affairs shall temporarily be overseen by Prince Xiang, Li Dan, with Princess Taiping assisting in the administration."

"Issue the imperial decree: confer upon Prince Xiang, Li Dan, the title of Prince Xiang of Anguo, and upon Princess Taiping the title of Great Princess Taiping of Zhenguo."

***

Li Shimin was not worried that Li Chongjun would be reduced to a figurehead during the two and a half years he was away. Essentially, he and Li Qing could travel back and forth at will. In reality, the supreme decision-maker of the Great Tang in the third year of Shenlong had already become Li Shimin himself, rather than any nominal emperor.

Hearing that his great-grandfather intended to keep him by his side for education, Li Chongjun was overcome with excitement.

Such a golden opportunity must be firmly grasped.

Among the court officials, there was not a single objection. The fact that the Crown Prince had been ruined by Empress Wei's upbringing was an open secret among them. Originally, some had worried whether problems might arise once he ascended the throne, but since Emperor Taizong Himself had stated that he would keep the prince by his side for education, how could he possibly fail to be taught well?

"Having addressed matters concerning the emperor, let us now speak of the loyal ministers who were persecuted by the Wu clan and the Empress's faction."

"We posthumously confer upon the former Imperial Son-in-law and Commandant Wang Tongjiao the title of Prince of Anyang County (Wang Tongjiao being a native of Anyang). His son may inherit the title of Prince of Anyang, which shall be reduced to the rank of Duke of Anyang after two generations!"

"We restore the county prince titles of Zhang Jianzhi, Cui Xuanwei, Jing Hui, Yuan Shuji, and Huan Yanfan. Their eldest sons may inherit the title of county prince, which shall be reduced to the rank of county duke after two generations!"

In addition to these individuals, all the others who had suffered tragic deaths as a result of implication were also posthumously honored, and their descendants would likewise enjoy the privilege of inheriting titles.

Such was Erfeng (Taizong): toward those who remained loyal to him, he was never stingy with his rewards.

And how could this act of righting wrongs, posthumously honoring meritorious officials, and extending grace to their descendants fail to stir the hearts of the officials?

The entire imperial court had completely shaken off the gloomy pall that had lingered throughout Emperor Gaozong’s reign, replaced by a radiant, sunlit brilliance.

His Majesty Taizong has come, and the clear blue skies have returned! His Majesty Taizong has come! The Great Tang is saved!

They shouted these words at the top of their lungs, entirely from the depths of their souls.

"His Imperial Majesty Taizong is truly wise!"

Standing off to the side, Li Qing was pleasantly surprised to find that his emotional value points were skyrocketing rapidly.

It seemed that the positive emotional feedback from the court officials could indeed generate emotional value points.

With the dead posthumously honored, it was now the turn of the living meritorious officials.

"Where is Yuan Congyi, Supervising Censor of the Left Terrace?"

"This subject is here!"

Resisting his intense excitement, Yuan Congyi stepped out of the ranks, held his tablet with both hands, and bowed respectfully.

"You, as a censor, have restrained yourself and served the public interest, unyielding before the mighty and refusing to pander to power. You pleaded for the people by arresting arrogant retainers, and right before Our throne, you boldly pointed out the transgressions of Princess Anle. We greatly appreciate this."

"Our mind is made up. We appoint you as Vice Censor-in-Chief, Duke of Liu'an County, with a fief of one thousand households and an actual taxable fief of two hundred households!"