Chapter Four: Schemes Devised Within the Palace

Facing the sharp gaze of Li Longji, Wang Ju was the first to speak. “Princess Taiping’s power has reached its peak. Of the seven chancellors at court, five are her protégés. Among both civil and military officials, more than half are aligned with her. Any official who maintains a close relationship with Your Majesty inevitably becomes her target, especially those in positions of real authority—she will not tolerate them. She presses from all sides with clear intent; her ambition is as obvious as Sima Zhao’s. The situation is urgent, Your Majesty must prepare in advance and act decisively.”

A fervent light flashed in Cui Riyong’s eyes. “Princess Taiping relies on the trust of the Retired Emperor and has long harbored rebellious intentions. Back when Your Majesty was Crown Prince, you were still, in name, a subject; seeking to remove Princess Taiping then was a son’s and a minister’s duty. But now, you are the ruler of the world, holding the helm of the empire. With a single edict, who would dare defy you? If you hesitate and the traitors’ plot succeeds, regret will come too late!”

Li Longji felt his heart stir, his gaze turning to the third man, Zhang Shuo. Of these three, Wang Ju and Cui Riyong were closest to him, utterly devoted and loyal. While both were capable, neither could be called a man of great wisdom. Since Liu Youqiu’s demotion, Zhang Shuo had become his chief strategist and most reliable advisor.

Zhang Shuo did not answer at once, but after a moment’s thought, said, “Does Your Majesty recall the two coups in which Princess Taiping was involved? Years ago, led by Zhang Jianzhi, five princes executed the traitors Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Zongchang, forcing Empress Wu to abdicate. Without Princess Taiping opening the doors for them, their success would have been far less assured. In the first year of the Tanglong era, Your Majesty led a night assault on the Imperial Guards’ camp, turned the troops, and stormed the Xuande Gate. Meeting Li Xianfu at midnight in the Hall of Lingyan, you eliminated Empress Wei, Zong Chuke, Princess Anle, Wu Yanxiu, and the remaining members of the Wei and Wu clans, thus cleansing the court. In all this, Princess Taiping’s covert assistance and planning were crucial. Do you remember this?”

Li Longji’s face darkened, bordering on fury. Every word Zhang Shuo spoke was true. During the Shenlong Coup, when Wu Zetian returned the throne to the Li clan, he had been but a bystander, witnessing Princess Taiping’s achievements with his own eyes. As for the Tanglong Coup, he himself had swept away the remnants of the Wei and Wu families and placed his father on the throne—he had been directly involved. Without Princess Taiping’s support, he might not have dared to act then.

But now, he had summoned Wang Ju, Zhang Shuo, and Cui Riyong to discuss how to deal with Princess Taiping—not to hear tales of her past merits.

Of the three, Cui Riyong held the lowest rank—not even a capital official, but the Chief Administrator of Jingzhou, governing far from the capital. This time, he had come to court with a memorial and quickly found common cause with Li Longji, eager to earn merit by supporting the dragon and ascend swiftly in rank. Seeing Li Longji angered, he bristled in defense of his master and snapped, “What do you mean by this, Chancellor Zhang? Have you, too, benefited from Princess Taiping and become complicit with Dou Huaizhen, Cen Xi, Xiao Zhizhong, and Cui Yiji?”

Zhang Shuo ignored Cui Riyong and bowed. “I am not recounting the Princess’s achievements, but her political cunning. Princess Taiping’s current power is not due merely to the Retired Emperor’s favor, but to her talent, resolve, and strategy. In both coups, the greatest beneficiary was not the five great princes—Zhang Jianzhi, Cui Xuanwei, Jing Hui, Huan Yanfan, Yuan Shuji—nor Your Majesty, but Princess Taiping. She rose through political upheaval and thus holds her present strength. With two such precedents before her, do you think—with her intelligence—she would not anticipate Your Majesty’s move? Brother Youqiu once planned to use a military coup to eliminate the Princess, but before he even set his plan in motion, she struck first. If not for Your Majesty’s quick response, Brother Youqiu would have perished by her hand.”

Li Longji fell silent, even shivering despite himself. Zhang Shuo was right—Princess Taiping’s political acumen reminded him of one person: Empress Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian, a frail woman with no strength to bind a chicken, could summon the winds and clouds, trampling the Li Tang imperial clan underfoot. If not for her age and mental decline, the Li family might never have regained the throne.

Now, Princess Taiping was not yet fifty, possessing both the vigor of youth and the cunning of age—she was at her most formidable and dangerous.

“I fear the Princess is waiting for Your Majesty to make the first move. The moment you act, she will have her pretext,” Zhang Shuo said gravely. “You must remember, the Left and Right Commanders of the Imperial Guards, Chang Yuankai and Li Ci, are both her people. Most of the palace troops are under her control. Any sign of disturbance, and the Guards will be at her command. At that point, both Your Majesty and the Retired Emperor will be in grave peril.”

As Li Longji reflected on the state of the court, he realized Zhang Shuo’s words were entirely accurate. He felt a deep frustration, exclaiming, “I am the Son of Heaven, yet find myself constrained by a mere princess—how stifling this is!”

Wang Ju, convinced by Zhang Shuo’s reasoning, pleaded, “But we cannot sit here and wait for death. Chancellor Zhang, do you have a plan for our current predicament?”

Zhang Shuo replied in a low voice, “We must wait and let her grow complacent. Only when Princess Taiping lowers her guard can we strike with certainty.”

Li Longji pondered a moment. “Given my aunt’s cautious nature, I doubt she will relax her vigilance any time soon.”

Zhang Shuo smiled. “That’s why Your Majesty must act—but not with open confrontation. The situation has not yet reached a point of mutual destruction. Even if Princess Taiping harbors treasonous thoughts, she dares not openly defy the throne. My suggestion: Your Majesty should consolidate your strength openly, gather loyal supporters, and foster your own power as if preparing for a legitimate contest, not a covert military coup. As emperor, you have far more means to reward and win over officials than Princess Taiping. By playing to your strengths and forcing her into open opposition, you draw her focus to the battlefield of public authority. Once she grows lax in private, we strike without delay—no hesitation whatsoever.” As he spoke, his expression grew increasingly severe, and at the last, he made a killing gesture.

Applause rang out.

Li Longji, gifted with both talent and intelligence, immediately grasped Zhang Shuo’s meaning. He clapped his hands and laughed, “Chancellor Zhang, your strategy of playing to our strengths—open contest on the surface, with hidden intent—truly is brilliant. It seems I must pay special attention to the upcoming Spring Examinations.”

Zhang Shuo nodded. “The Spring Examinations are near, with both civil and military tests. Among the countless candidates, there will surely be men of exceptional talent and unshakable loyalty. These men, with clean backgrounds, are far more trustworthy than many so-called loyalists at court, who secretly harbor ulterior motives.” He smiled slyly. “From what I know, the Princess has already decided that Chang Yuankai’s son will be the top scholar. Are we to let her have her way?”

Wang Ju added, “In that case, the selection of the chief examiner is of utmost importance.”

Li Longji laughed. “I already have someone in mind. What do you think of He Zhizhang, the Doctor of the Imperial Academy?”