Chapter 29: I have resolved to take the reins of government and rule from behind the curtain. Who is in favor? Who opposes?

Chapter 29: I Have Decided to Rule from Behind the Curtain; Who Approves, and Who Opposes?

Li Shimin’s influence over the Great Tang military was in no way inferior to Napoleon’s influence over the First French Empire.

In fact, upon closer inspection, one finds a terrifying truth: Napoleon served as the cohesive force of a modern nation-state. Yet, in the medieval era, the Tang Dynasty possessed such strength that a single name or a single melody could rally spirits on the verge of collapse and instantly turn the tide of a battle. Even in modern society, such a phenomenon is extremely rare.

According to the *Zizhi Tongjian*, when the rebel army of Huang Chao approached Fengxiang, Chang'an had already fallen. Huang Chao’s forces sent envoys to demand surrender. The morale of Jiedushi Zheng Tian’s troops was so low that many were contemplating surrender, which so enraged Zheng that he fell bedridden. The military supervisor, Yuan Jingrou, struck up a pleasant rapport with the envoys, and after a satisfying discussion, they decided to share a meal.

It was during this meal that music began to play. The soldiers were instantly moved to tears. When the confused envoys asked why, the advisors made up an excuse: "Because the Chancellor (Zheng Tian) is incapacitated by illness and cannot attend, everyone is grieving."

The common folk who heard this were moved to tears as well. Upon hearing of this, Zheng Tian sighed, "I knew the hearts of the people had not yet turned against the Great Tang. The day the rebels are brought to justice is near!"

When Sima Guang recorded this account, he did not explicitly name the melody played at the banquet. Perhaps it was unnecessary—in the military’s major celebratory events, there was only one primary choice: the famous *Prince of Qin Breaks the Battle Lines*.

The result was predictable: Zheng Tian led his army to crush Huang Chao, severing over twenty thousand heads and forcing the rebels to retreat to Chang'an.

Thus, it was only natural that the soldiers of the Chongshe era would happily follow Li Shimin upon seeing him.

Bringing this unit of over eight hundred men back to Chang'an would cost about ten thousand emotional points. Fortunately, Li Shimin and Li Zhi had already contributed quite a lot, so there was no need to worry about the cost of bringing them along.

Qiu Shenji was also stripped of his armor and bound tightly, held under guard.

Li Qing cast a meaningful glance at Li Xian’s corpse, took everyone with him, and activated the teleportation, instantly returning to the city of Chang'an.

At this, the soldiers who had voluntarily followed Li Shimin no longer held any doubts. Such a divine miracle could only be displayed by the manifestation of the Emperor Taizong.

Meanwhile, inside the main hall, the court session continued. Nayan Liu Qixian stepped forward and memorialized: "I believe that after the new Emperor ascends the throne, he should move into the central palace to rule. The King of Xiang has long passed the age of adulthood; he is no longer a child. I cannot fathom why the Empress Dowager still needs to rule from behind the curtain."

"Is there anything else?" Empress Wu’s expression remained unreadable.

Hu Yuanfan, the Vice Minister of the Fengge, also stepped forward: "We believe the Empress Dowager is of advanced age. Seeing you attend the morning court every day is truly exhausting, and it weighs heavily on our hearts. Would it not be better to follow the late Emperor’s edict: have Chancellor Pei assist in the administration, the Emperor preside over the court, and all major military and state affairs be consulted with you?"

"The Empress Dowager may rest in peace and need not endure the hardship of the curtain every day." Hu Yuanfan failed to realize the grave problem in his words.

No matter what, Empress Wu was a woman. To tell her she was of "advanced age" was like a man jumping into a pit of fire; he was practically courting his own destruction.

"Very well. I agree to your request. From now on, I shall no longer rule from behind the curtain."

In the upper reaches of the hall, Empress Wu slowly rose, stepped out from behind the curtain, and surveyed the court with a haughty, prideful smile. "Actually, keeping up this charade is useless, and it annoys me... Wan'er?"

Shangguan Wan'er replied, "I am here."

"Remove the curtain," Empress Wu commanded.

"Yes," Shangguan Wan'er responded. She called for several maids to lift the curtain away.

"This is much brighter. We can speak face-to-face now, and there is no need for concealment," Empress Wu said pointedly.

She scanned the crowd below. Since Pei Yan’s faction had been the first to attack, she would strike back. She spoke: "Chancellor Pei, do you have anything to say?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yan slowly stepped out and said in a deep voice: "I also believe the Empress Dowager should return power to the new Emperor as soon as possible. Do not provide leverage to villains to incite rebellion, causing chaos and suffering for the people."

"Pei Yan, are you defying an imperial decree?" Empress Wu’s anger flared.

Pei Yan clutched his tablet, standing as straight as a pine tree.

"The throne is empty; where would the decree come from?"

Seeing that she could not win the argument, Empress Wu resorted to her classic tactic of labeling her opponents: "Hmph... no wonder some say you harbor malicious intent. It seems it is true."

"Where would my malicious intent come from? Is the Empress Dowager going to punish me for my private thoughts?" Pei Yan asked sarcastically.

"Hmph, I will find out," Empress Wu shouted. "Guards!"

"Here!"

The imperial guards stepped forward.

"Take him away!"

"I am acting in accordance with the late Emperor’s edict to assist the Emperor! What crime have I committed?" Pei Yan held his tablet and protested loudly. "A dignified Chancellor, yet the Empress Dowager can condemn him with a single word! Where is the heavenly law? Where is justice?"

"Gag him!" Empress Wu pointed at Pei Yan, shouting in a rage.

The guards immediately gagged Pei Yan. The pitiable Chancellor of a nation was dragged out of the hall in such humiliation.

The courtiers on both sides felt a sense of dread, whispering to one another, all sharing the feeling of "the fox mourning the death of the hare."

"Empress Dowager, please investigate! Left Chancellor Pei Yan has always been loyal to the royal family. He only spoke out of turn due to urgency, without any intent to rebel..." Hu Yuanfan lifted his robes and knelt on the floor. "I am willing to stake my life and family to guarantee for Chancellor Pei."

*Hah, loyal to the royal family.* Loyal to the Li family, not to me, Wu Meiniang...

Empress Wu stared coldly at Hu Yuanfan. Just as she was about to speak, Liu Qixian’s faction also knelt to plead for Pei Yan: "Empress Dowager, please reconsider. Chancellor Pei was only momentarily confused and harbors no malice. I also wish to guarantee for him."

"Enough! Whether Pei Yan is a traitor, I will find out for myself!" Wu Meiniang was so angry her brows arched and her eyes widened. "Since you two are willing to guarantee for him, then go to prison together! Guards, take these two away!"

"Empress Dowager! If you refuse to listen to loyal advice, you will regret it too late!" Hu Yuanfan struck the floor with his tablet in grief. But being old and frail, he was no match for the strong guards and was dragged out of the hall alongside Liu Qixian, still shouting in an attempt to make Empress Wu change her mind.

Seeing the Left Chancellor and two other veteran officials dragged away, the remaining courtiers dared not speak, fearing the Empress would vent her rage upon them.

Looking at the courtiers cowering like quails below, Empress Wu felt a sense of satisfaction.

What if she was a woman? Were these men not still trembling on their knees, waiting for her to dispose of them as she pleased?

Yet, she failed to realize that her entire reign would be defined by the white terror she used to control the court and the world. The entire country would reek of corruption, with whistleblowing becoming the norm, to the point that officials would bid their families farewell before every morning court.

Filled with pride, she surveyed the crowd and asked loudly: "I have decided to rule from behind the curtain; who approves, and who opposes?"

There was no response from the hall. Empress Wu looked at the ministers with great satisfaction, when suddenly, a highly discordant voice came from outside the hall.

"I do!"