Tibet

Zhang Li went directly to the palace and met his daughter, Queen Mother Zhang.

Seeing her father, Queen Mother Zhang asked anxiously: "What's the situation outside now?"

Zhang Li nodded, "The overall situation has been decided, King Qi has completely controlled the political situation!"

"what about me?"

Queen Mother Zhang gritted her teeth and asked: "What should I say? Do you want me to be a puppet Queen Mother?"

Zhang Li looked at his daughter and said calmly: "Mother is more valuable than her son. Do you think your son can keep you rich forever?"

Empress Dowager Zhang was silent for a moment. Logically speaking, she was the empress, and her son was the legitimate son. After the death of the prince, her son should inherit the throne, but the emperor refused to agree to it.

There was a reason for this. Her son was already six years old and could not speak yet. He seemed to live in his own world and did not communicate with anyone. The emperor didn't like it very much, so he told her clearly that it was impossible to make the king the prince. .

If she hadn't reached an agreement with the eunuchs, the ministers would never have supported a fool as the emperor. Now that the child is still young, it's hard to see it, but after the age of ten, it will be impossible to hide it.

Zhang Li sighed and continued to persuade: "Aying, you have to be strong and refuse to admit defeat since you were a child. This is your character. After becoming the queen, dad knows that you want to become the second Wu Zetian, but you have to face reality. You The current situation is even worse than that of Princess Taiping. Princess Taiping at least has the support of ministers and the army, but you have no one to support her, except King Qi. "

"I am a majestic queen, exercising power on behalf of the emperor. Don't any of the ministers support me?"

Zhang Li shook his head, "Li Fuguo has completely ruined your reputation. You handed over the military and political power to the eunuchs, respected Li Fuguo as your father-in-law, killed Peng Wang Li Ji, and declared the three kings to be traitors. Who else do you think besides the eunuchs?" Will I support you again? Now Li Ye just needs you, it’s your luck.”

Queen Mother Zhang was silent for a moment and sighed, "Father, just tell me what he means!"

"It is still the same as before, the Queen Mother is in charge of the court, but Li Ye is the Supervisor of the country. In addition to the Queen Mother's seal, all edicts must also have the Supervisor's seal. He has the power to appoint and remove all officials of third rank or above."

"Is this just a temporary plan? Will he tolerate me until I come to court?"

Queen Mother Zhang was not stupid and guessed Li Ye's intention.

"That's right, it's just a temporary transition, about three or four years. Then you continue to be the Queen Mother, and Dong'er will have to abdicate."

"If I refuse to abdicate, will he kill me?"

Zhang Li nodded, "This is what I'm most worried about. He will let Dong Er die of illness, and then you will be extremely sad and die depressed. I want this result, so I high-fived him and vowed that if he succeeds in taking office, he will Protect your position as Queen Mother and protect the Zhang family’s prosperity and wealth for a hundred years.”

"It seems I have no choice!"

Zhang Li said calmly: "If you want to live, you really have no choice."

Once she realized that she had no choice, Empress Dowager Zhang began to think about how to get the maximum benefit.

"He wants us to go back to Chang'an, right?"

"Exactly!"

"How can I give him the Imperial Seal? What can he give me?"

Zhang Li shook his head, "The Eight Treasures of the Emperor must be handed over to him. It is useless for you to hold them. He will arrange your life well. At least you can still live in the Daming Palace and will not arrange you to go to the damp and old Tai Chi Palace. "

"But."

"Stop saying but!"

Zhang Li became a little impatient and interrupted his daughter rudely, "The King of Qi can depose you now in the name of clearing out the eunuchs, and then find a younger child to be the emperor, such as your sister's son. Do you think he will be the emperor?" Can't make it?

You are just his pawn now. Only by cooperating obediently with him will you get the greatest benefits. If you no longer have self-awareness, then dad will not be able to save you. In order to protect the interests of the family, dad can only recommend your sister's son. She will definitely be willing to do so. Ken will do better than you! "

Empress Dowager Zhang turned pale instantly. Her father's ruthless words shattered all her luck. She thought about sister Zhaoyi still waiting behind her, and thought about her sister's eagerness to replace her.

Empress Dowager Zhang had no choice but to take the big box containing the eight treasures from behind and whispered: "Father, please invite him into the palace! I will hand it over to him with my own hands."

Zhang Li nodded, "Daddy is gone, you can take care of yourself!"

Zhang Li turned around and left the palace, walking quickly.

Li Ye met with Li Lin again in the afternoon. Li Lin was in poor health and could not work too hard, so she declined Li Ye's invitation to appoint him as prime minister.

"I understand His Highness's kindness. I really don't have the energy to serve as Prime Minister. Your Highness knows that I have been in poor health. If Your Highness does not dislike it, I can serve as Zongzhengqing. The royal family will give me some face."

Li Ye nodded. It is very good for Li Lin to be the Minister of Zongzheng Temple. Li Xi can take over as the next Minister of Zongzheng Temple.

Li Ye asked again: "How about Li Xian becoming the Assistant Prime Minister?"

Li Lin smiled slightly and said, "I just want to recommend him. He has served as Prime Minister three times and has outstanding abilities. He is upright but not rigid. If he is willing to serve as Prime Minister, no one in the royal family will object."

"I heard that Li Yu was deposed as a king?"

Li Lin said bitterly: "Don't mention it, the eunuch party uses him to perform operations to clean up the royal family."

Li Ye smiled slightly and said: "I will restore his kingship!"

Li Lin pondered for a while and said: "I would like to give your Highness a suggestion. Regarding the kings and titles, the late emperor compromised too much, which made the kings and titles system a bit confusing. I suggest that your Highness sort it out. Those who deserve to be demoted should be downgraded, and those who should be demoted should go to the king. Restore the seriousness of the prince."

Li Ye nodded, "After the prince takes office as the Minister of Zongzheng Temple, the first thing he will do is to clean up the princes. I will leave this matter to you. Come up with a plan for me."

"Thank you for your trust, your highness. I will definitely handle this matter well!"

Just as Li Lin said goodbye and left, Li Ye received a report from Peng Haiyan, the Minister of Dali Temple, that Li Fuguo's body was found in the Chenghuang Temple in Renhefang.

Li Ye immediately took his men to Renhefang.

Renhefang is located in the southernmost part of Luoyang City, close to Changxia Gate. Not long after, Li Ye rushed to Renhefang.

The Chenghuang Temple had been surrounded by the army. Li Ye walked quickly into the Chenghuang Temple. Peng Haiyan, the Minister of Dali Temple, came up and said, "We have confirmed it with the eunuchs. It is confirmed that it is Li Fuguo. I heard from several beggars that Li Fuguo had a dispute with several of his men and was stabbed more than a dozen times. All his property was robbed by the guards."

"What does his face look like?" Li Ye asked in a deep voice.

Peng Haiyan was stunned for a moment, "I don't understand!"

"Let's wait and see!"

Several Dali Temple officials brought a roll of tattered mats to the square and spread them out. There was indeed a corpse inside.

The chest was covered with blood, which had already coagulated, and the thin face was deformed due to severe pain.

Li Ye took a look and shook his head and said, "It's not Li Fuguo, but his substitute."

Although Peng Haiyan was the Dali Temple Minister, he was not qualified to access some top intelligence, such as the health of the emperor and the heir, which were top intelligence, and Peng Haiyan would not know.

Li Fuguo had smallpox and his face was full of black spots, which was also top intelligence.

Peng Haiyan didn't know, but Li Ye knew that Dugu Ming had told him.