novelAbuy Chapter 36: The Fierce Empress Wei: Even in death, I will die gloriously!
Chapter 36: The Fierce Empress Wei: Even in death, I will die gloriously!
"According to my son."
"Do you know what you're doing?"
"Even if you succeed, how will history record your story?"
Wei Zifu's eyes were as deep as the sea, full of wisdom and insight, as if she could see through all the affairs of the world and people's hearts.
"Mother Empress."
Meeting her gaze, Liu Ju firmly declared, "The Han dynasty is in my hands."
"What I do and what I don't do is not for the sake of leaving a name in history, much less for the sake of being remembered for eternity."
"I have no intention of explaining right and wrong; let future generations judge for themselves."
Historically, after the witchcraft scandal ended, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, gave him a posthumous title: Li, which is an evil posthumous title, meaning a person who is eccentric and violent.
What evaluation could be worse than this?
"Hahaha."
Empress Wei Zifu, who had never seen Liu Ju like this before, suddenly burst into laughter and exclaimed, "He thought he had everything under his control his whole life."
He once said you weren't like him, but what he didn't know was that you were more like him than anyone else.
"You are his son, and your mother hopes that you will remember what you said today."
"If you're going to do it, then do it without regrets. Even if you die, die a glorious death."
"Yes."
Looking at the woman before him, who appeared gentle on the outside but was strong on the inside, Liu Ju felt a surge of emotion he had never experienced before.
Just like in the original history, when Wei Zifu learned that he was going to rebel, she chose to support him. This time, she supported him as well, and that was enough.
.............
The northern residence is located east of Gui Palace and near the northern gate.
The Li family mansion was not particularly remarkable among the mansions of meritorious officials. It was only after Li Gan was enfeoffed as a Marquis within the Pass that it was expanded to six acres.
Although Li Guang served as Commandant of the Guards and Palace Attendant, ranking among the Nine Ministers, he was never able to rise to the ranks of the court's elite. His cousin, Li Cai, served as General of Light Cavalry in the fifth year of Yuanshuo (124 BC), and together with Wei Qing, he led troops to Shuofang, defeated the Right Wise King of the Xiongnu, and made outstanding military achievements. He was then enfeoffed as Marquis of Le'an and resided in the Eastern Mansion.
The Li family can be traced back to the time of Qin general Li Xin. Li Guang's great-grandfather, Li Zhongxiang, rose to prominence by serving as Grand Commandant of the Han Dynasty.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Li Guang and his son Li Gan were both outstanding military figures, and their family became a famous military family in the Han army.
Now, it is under the control of Li Ling, who is the Attendant-in-Ordinary and Supervisor of Jianzhang Palace, responsible for overseeing the guards and affairs of Jianzhang Palace.
"Master!"
"That little bastard has entered the Crown Prince's palace; I'm afraid he'll never get another chance."
Inside the study, heavy curtains blocked outside prying eyes, and two figures were faintly visible in the candlelight.
"snort!!!"
Li Ling snorted coldly and said sternly, "The Crown Prince's move is to use Huo Shan to win over veteran generals in the army."
"If Huo Shan were to have an accident at the Crown Prince's palace, the first person the Crown Prince would look for would undoubtedly be us."
"We had painstakingly planned to take advantage of the opportunity of the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai to attack them without anyone noticing, but the Crown Prince disrupted everything."
"As long as Huo Shan is alive, the Huo family's influence in the military will never falter."
"When will our Li family be able to take back what is rightfully ours?"
"Master!"
The hunched figure below seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
"I told you to ask Princess Pingyang, has she replied?"
"Report to the master of the family."
The hunched figure spoke in a hoarse voice: "We didn't see Princess Pingyang at all, we only saw female officials."
She said that it was inconvenient to interfere in matters of the palace, and she didn't know how to understand them.
"well."
Li Ling's voice grew increasingly cold as he sneered, "She thought that with Huo Qubing dead, everything would be over."
"The Huo family is still alive, and the Marquis of Champion has not yet been stripped of his title."
"The truth will eventually come out; she really thought no one knew what she had done."
"Her attempt to distance herself from us is utterly ridiculous!"
"Master of the family."
The hunched figure suddenly raised his head and said in a sinister tone, "Should we spread some rumors to warn Princess Pingyang?"
"No need."
Li Ling raised his right hand and said coldly, "Warning Princess Pingyang is a small matter; inviting trouble is a big one."
"The most urgent task is to deal with Huo Shan; we must nip this in the bud."
"We've done enough; we can't just let them watch from the sidelines forever."
"I have written this in my own hand. You should have someone send it to the states of Qi and Yan immediately, and tell the kings of Qi and Yan that the Li family is fighting for them, and it is inappropriate for them to do nothing."
"The State of Yan borders the Eastern Hu, and the State of Qi has many alchemists; the poison from last time was made by them."
"This time, it's their turn to lend a hand."
"Master of the family."
The hunched figure continued, "The third branch of the family has sent a girl to the Crown Prince's palace."
"Should we discuss this with Second Master?"
"I will keep an eye on this matter. You may go ahead."
Li Ling's eyes gleamed with a sinister light as he waved his hand, dismissing the guest.
Back then, Li Gan was a subordinate of Huo Qubing and supported the Crown Prince. He had a daughter who was sent to the Crown Prince's palace as a maid. His son, Li Yu, was very close to the Crown Prince Liu Ju.
The third branch of the family was very dissatisfied with the Li family because of Li Gan's death, especially after he took over the Li family.
"promise."
The hunched figure slowly retreated from the study.
After he left, Li Ling's face, illuminated by the candlelight, revealed a wolfish and eagle-like gaze, his words filled with ambition: "The Jianzhang Palace Supervisory Office is too small."
"I still need to wait, wait for an opportunity."
"The Li family must be revived and reach new heights under my leadership."
.............
Late at night, Li He, the Crown Prince's steward, hurriedly entered the Crown Prince's palace and woke Liu Ju.
"Your Highness."
"The Li family has made a move."
Li He said urgently.
"It moved?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Ju's sleepiness vanished without a trace.
Since eliminating the spies in the Crown Prince's palace, he had ordered people to keep a close watch on the Li residence, and unexpectedly, he actually reaped the rewards.
"Two messenger slaves flew out of the Li residence; judging by their directions, one headed east and the other northeast."
"East...Northeast".
Liu Ju's mind raced, and he blurted out, "The State of Yan, the State of Qi."
"It's them."
"Does Your Highness mean that the Li family has colluded with Prince Qi, Liu Hong, and Prince Yan, Liu Dan?"
Zhang He looked surprised.
The interaction between central government officials and local vassal kings has always been a taboo subject in the imperial court.
If Emperor Wu of Han found out, not only the Li family, but also the King of Qi and the King of Yan would be in trouble.
"I've been wondering how many people were involved in my cousin's death."
"After Li Gan's death, only Li Ling remained in the Li family. How much power could a mere Attendant-in-Ordinary and Supervisor of Jianzhang Palace have to accomplish this task?"
"But if the feudal lords are involved, everything will be different."
"They colluded with officials both inside and outside the court, with local authorities echoing the central government, and even interfered in the inner palace, weaving an impenetrable net."
Liu Ju meticulously analyzed the possible causes of Huo Qubing's death, piece by piece.
"Your Highness."
"You mean besides the King of Qi and the King of Yan, there are others?"
Zhang He's eyes widened, revealing an expression of disbelief.
PS: "Dongdi" generally refers to the residence of kings, nobles, and high-ranking officials, signifying their prestigious status.
The term "Northern Residence" specifically refers to the residence of meritorious officials or those who receive the most favor, with "First in the Northern Residence" being the most prestigious.