Chapter 10 Chapter 3 Ministers in Dilemma

As mentioned in the previous chapters, Tang Xizong loved sports, and was especially good at batting, with extremely superb skills.Batting was a popular court game in the Tang Dynasty. Because it was played on horseback, it was called polo.The polo ball is made of wood, hollowed out and painted with red lacquer.The stick used for hitting the ball is also made of wood, and the head of the stick is crescent-shaped.Compared with cuju, polo is a very dangerous sport, which requires not only superb skills of the batter, but also outstanding horsemanship.Because the batter bumps on the galloping horseback, if he is not careful, he will fall off the horseback.Therefore, those who are good at this method are often masters with agility and quick response.

As an ordinary trickster, with this skill, he will definitely win people's praise.However, unfortunately, Xi Zong is not an ordinary person, he is the emperor, the son of the Tang Dynasty, the fate gave him the right to do whatever he wanted, and at the same time gave him the obligation to govern the country.It's a pity that the emperor, who was born with athletic cells, just didn't pay attention to Jiangshan. Emperor Xizong once proudly said to Shi Yezhu, an excellent man beside him: "If I should be the first scholar in batting, I must be the number one." Minister of the Ministry of Rites, I am afraid that your Majesty will inevitably refute it." ("Zi Zhi Tong Jian Volume 253") means that if you meet a virtuous king like Yao and Shun as the examiner for the Minister of Rites, I am afraid that Emperor Xizong will be blamed and lose the election.When Xi Zong heard this, he just laughed it off.

Shi Yezhu's luck was not bad, and he didn't get killed because of his outspokenness.Probably because his role in the eyes of the emperor was always just an actor, and what he said could not be taken seriously.However, when a minister seriously stated that "the emperor should not specialize in games", the ending was very tragic. The first year of Guangming (880) was an extremely turbulent year. At that time, Huang Chao, a peasant army, occupied Guangzhou and Tanzhou, and marched eastward through Hubei (now Wuchang, Hubei). (Shangrao), Chi (now Guichi, Anhui), She (She County), Wu (now Jinhua, Zhejiang), Mu (Jiande) and other states.The Shatuo tribe of the Turkic tribe took advantage of the chaos in the Central Plains and wanted to take advantage of the fire to loot, sent troops to attack Daibei, and approached Jinyang.Datang is already in a precarious state, showing a complex state of fragmentation.

Zuo Shiyi Hou Changye was worried about this.In February of the first year of Guangming (880), Hou Changye risked his life to go to Shuji to remonstrate, claiming that thieves were all over Guanzhong, but the emperor was not close to political affairs and was only engaged in games. Tian Lingzi had absolute power and would endanger the country.Hou Changye struggled to write the letter when the country was in crisis, hoping to wake Emperor Xizong from his dream and cheer up to turn the tide, so he not only criticized the emperor fiercely, but also accused Tian Lingzi, the eunuch most trusted by the emperor.

Unfortunately, the playful Emperor Xizong was furious after reading the memorial, and immediately summoned Hou Changye to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to order him to die in a rage.Xi Zong charged Hou Changye with the following charges: "Hou Changye was born in a commoner family, was promoted to a high position, and was able to get close to the emperor, but he did not know how to be cautious in his words and deeds. Instead, he foolishly reported some gossip, insulted the emperor, and slandered him for hundreds of conscripts before he was allowed to take office. According to the law of the country, all the officials of the state cannot be tolerated, so he was given to commit suicide." (For the matter, see "Tongjian Kaoyi Volume 24 Citation "Continued Baoyun Record Record Hou Changye's Letter")

Hou Changye was murdered because of his letter, which aroused suspicion from many parties.According to the records of "Beimeng Suoyan": "Later, there was a rumor that Hou Changye's sparse words were inappropriate, and the end said: 'Please open the Jiedi Daochang to eliminate the soldiers.' It seems to be a fake work by a mediocre monk." In any case, it really angered Emperor Xizong What is still the rhetoric that accuses the emperor.In this memorial, Hou Changye accused Emperor Xizong of "robbing the treasures of Persia, suppressing the pearls of tea shops, taking cabinet workshops, and (moving) (hiding property) throughout the city" (referring to Tian Lingzi persuading Emperor Xizong to confiscate Chang'an Rich businessmen's property to make money), this is not just a frolicking child who likes to play, no different from robbers and bandits.

Hou Changye was an admonishing official, and Zuo Suyi was the name of the admonishing official, that is, the official who specially persuaded the emperor to correct his mistakes.This kind of official position is not high, but it is an official who can get close to the emperor. "Shiyi" means to "pick up" things that the emperor "forgotten" to avoid doing wrong things because of forgetting. Picking up relics was first created in the Tang Dynasty, and the system of admonishing officials also tended to be complete in the Tang Dynasty.The establishment of admonishing officials existed in the Qin and Han Dynasties, and developed greatly in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties.Until the Tang Dynasty, the central court implemented a three-provincial system, and the task of admonishment was shared by Menxia Province and Zhongshu Province.Menxia Province has set up four officials and a number of assistants, as well as four Zuo Admonishment Doctors and four Zuo Sanqi Regular Attendants.Among them, the imperial edict of refuting (that is, the meaning of review) given to Shi Zhongzhang has more power.Zhongshu Province set up four right admonishing doctors and four You Sanqi regular attendants, who were able to admonish and rectify any lack of morality and national decision-making.The two newly created official positions of Buque and Suiyi were divided into left and right. Zuo Li Men Xia Sheng and Right Li Zhong Shu Sheng took care of the four caskets used by other admonishing officials to present memorials.

Du Fu, a famous poet in the Tang Dynasty, did "recovery".Yuan Zhen, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, also did "collecting relics" in his early years. Later, he was demoted from the capital to become a magistrate because he directly criticized the government.The famous Wei Zheng in the Tang Dynasty was actually an admonisher, and he served as an admonisher at that time.Tang Taizong attached great importance to Wei Zheng, and often brought him into the inner court to inquire about the gains and losses of political affairs.Wei Zheng also wholeheartedly assisted, knowing everything and saying everything.Coupled with his upright personality, he often fights on the basis of reason and never compromises.

In the second year of Zhenguan (628), Empress Changsun heard that an official surnamed Zheng had a daughter who was only 16 or 17 years old, with outstanding talents and looks, which was unique in the capital.So he told Taizong and asked to be included in the palace as a concubine.Emperor Taizong issued an edict to hire the woman as a concubine.Wei Zheng heard that the woman had been betrothed to the Lu family, so he immediately went to the palace to remonstrate: "Your Majesty is a parent, caressing the people, you should worry about their worries and take pleasure in them. Living in the palaces and terraces, you must think of the people's concerns." The safety of the house; eating delicacies from mountains and seas, you must think that the people will not suffer from hunger and cold; when the concubines are full, you must think that the people have family happiness. Now Zheng Min's daughter has long been betrothed to the Lu family, and His Majesty has brought her into the palace without further inquiry. In the middle, if the rumors spread, is it the reason for the parents of the people?" Taizong was shocked when he heard this, and immediately expressed deep guilt, and decided to withdraw his order.However, Fang Xuanling and others believed that the matter of Zheng's Xuren was false, and insisted that the edict was valid.The Lu family also sent someone to hand over a seal, declaring that although there were financial exchanges before, there was no engagement.At this time, Tang Taizong was dubious, and called Wei Zheng to inquire again.Wei Zheng said bluntly: "The reason why the Lu family denies this is because they are afraid that His Majesty will use it to harm him in the future. The reason is very clear. It is not surprising." Taizong suddenly realized, and resolutely withdrew the edict.

Because Wei Zheng was able to offend Yan Zhizhi, even when Taizong was furious, he dared to face court disputes and never backed down, so Tang Taizong sometimes felt awe of him.Once, Tang Taizong wanted to go hunting in the Qinling Mountains for fun, and his luggage was ready, but he couldn't make it.Later, when Wei Zheng asked about this matter, Taizong smiled and replied: "I did have this idea at the beginning, but I was afraid that you would speak out again, so I quickly dismissed this idea." Another time, Taizong got a good Harrier Eagle and put it on his shoulders, very proud of it.But when he saw Wei Zheng walking towards him from a distance, he quickly hid the bird in his arms, for fear that Wei Zheng would criticize him for playing with the bird.It just so happened that Wei Zheng played for a long time.After finally waiting for Wei Zheng to leave, Taizong quickly took out the kite, but found that it was suffocated to death.

Wei Zheng's spirit of "concerning the country like home, and giving honest advice" has left a very deep impression on people.Wen Zong liked to read and admired Wei Zheng, so he issued an edict to find Wei Zheng's fifth descendant, Wei Jian, and appointed Wei Jian as You Sui Yi, who was also an official who could advise the emperor.Li Sheng, the famous general who saved the fate of the Tang Dynasty in the "Jingyuan Mutiny" of the Dezong Dynasty, admired Wei Zheng's outspokenness, courage and loyalty to the court.He once said to the guests: "Wei Zheng can speak out and remonstrate with Taizong above Yao and Shun. He is a true loyal minister and admired by his servants." Sheng said solemnly: "Xingjun (Li Shudu) made a slip of the tongue. It is said that 'the country has the right way, and dangerous words and deeds'. In the current rest period, Sheng is fortunate to have all the generals. They can't bear it and don't say anything. Hidden, one who knows everything and does it right! Right and wrong are at the discretion of the ruler.” So later when Li Sheng was prime minister, when the emperor asked him something, he would speak with utmost sincerity and do his utmost to be loyal.Many admonishers in the Tang Dynasty also followed Wei Zheng as an example.However, not every emperor was as diligent and broad-minded as Tang Taizong.There are not a few people like Hou Changye who died because of direct remonstrance in letters. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, Li Linfu monopolized power and colluded with Niu Xianke.Zhou Ziliang, the supervisory censor, was dissatisfied with Li and Niu, and wrote a letter to impeach Niu Xianke.As a result, Xuanzong was angered, and Zhou Ziliang was beaten to death on the spot in the court hall.The prime minister at that time, Zhang Jiuling, was also implicated because he had recommended Zhou Ziliang, and was dismissed for "sitting on the wrong person". In Chinese history, there are many examples like Hou Changye and Zhou Ziliang—those who dare to put forward different opinions are often ruined and ruined their families.This makes some people cover up their true faces, so "in ancient and modern China and abroad, only China has more facial makeup, which makes foreigners amazed."The killing of Zhou Ziliang and the dismissal of Zhang Jiuling had a great impact on the current situation of the Tang Dynasty.The great poet Wang Wei was promoted by Zhang Jiuling at that time, and he was an official in the court. After seeing this incident, he became discouraged, lost his enthusiasm for politics, and lived a life of half official and half hidden. Chen Ziang, a famous poet in Tang Gaozong Dynasty, served as an admonisher. At the beginning, he had great ambitions, worried about the country and the people, commented on the gains and losses of current politics, and dared to admonish the mistakes of the dynasty.Wu Youyi, Wu Zetian's nephew, was ordered to lead troops to challenge the leader of the Khitan tribe, with Chen Zi'ang as his staff.When the Tang army entered Yuyang (now Jixian County, Tianjin), the forward troops were defeated, causing the whole army to panic.Wu Youyi has never known soldiers, and his military discipline is lax.Chen Zi'ang suggested sending 10,000 elite soldiers under his command as forwards, and he volunteered to act as the vanguard.Wu Youyi believed that Chen Ziang violated his dignity intentionally, so he refused on the grounds that Confucians did not understand military affairs.Chen Zi'ang offered advice to Wu Youyi again, but Wu Youyi got angry and demoted him.From then on, Chen Ziang didn't dare to speak anymore.Chen Zi'ang was famous for his stubbornness and integrity in history. People with his personality would succumb to the power of power, and the actions of other admonishers can be imagined. To give another example, Yuan Zhen mentioned above is a great poet as famous as Bai Juyi, and he is called "Yuan Talent".When this talented scholar of the Yuan Dynasty started to be an admonisher, he was able to speak uprightly, and he had the integrity of a literati.During the reign of Emperor Xianzong, Yuan Zhen served as the censor of Dongtai. When he returned to the capital, he stayed overnight at Fushuiyi (now in Huayin, Shaanxi).It just so happened that the eunuch Qiu Shiliang was ordered to go on a mission, and he also came to Fushui Post.Because Yuan Zhen arrived at the post station first, he has already occupied the upper hall.Relying on the favor of Emperor Xianzong, Qiu Shiliang was arrogant and unreasonable. He kicked open the hall door, cursed loudly, and injured Yuan Zhen's face with a horsewhip.Yuan Zhen was so angry that he impeached Qiu Shiliang after returning to the capital.Emperor Xianzong didn't listen, regardless of right and wrong, but demoted Yuan Zhen to Cao Junjun, a Jiangling scholar.After that, Yuan Zhen's attitude changed completely, and he began to curry favor with eunuchs in order to gain a high position.During the reign of Emperor Mu Zong, Yuan Zhen became a Zhizhizhao because he made friends with eunuchs, but he was despised by court officials ever since.Once, a group of colleagues were eating melons together, and flies flew over. Wu Ruheng, a member of Zhongshushe, waved a fan to repel the mosquitoes.Said: "Where did this thing come from!" As he spoke, he looked at Yuan Zhen.Yuan Zhen was ashamed and hated, but he had no choice but to walk away in despair. ).The male protagonist Zhang Sheng portrayed in the work is actually the incarnation of the author Yuan Zhen, and the West Chamber Story is Yuan Zhen's recollection of a romantic affair in his youth.When Yuan Zhen was twenty-three years old, he ran into the family of Cui Yingying, a relative, and Yuan Zhen shamelessly deceived Cui Yingying's pure love of a seventeen-year-old girl.After Yuan Zhen entered Chang'an to take the exam, although he failed the exam, he was appreciated by Wei Xiaqing, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and married Wei Xiaqing's daughter within a few days.Yuan Zhen's "Hui Zhen Ji" was revised and embellished by literati, and then compiled into a famous script by Wang Shifu of the Yuan Dynasty.It occupies a very important position in the history of Chinese literature and opera, and it is called "the masters are already gone, and the later learners can't catch up." "May all lovers in the world get married" is the theme of the theme, and has become a famous sentence through the ages, and the name of the maid and matchmaker has finally evolved into a synonym for promoting marriage and adult beauty.It's a pity that Yuan Zhen, the prototype of the hero, is a romantic man who always gives up.Yuan Zhen went to Chengdu for business when he was the supervisory censor, and had an affair with Xue Tao, a famous prostitute in Chengdu (that is, the famous female school secretary in history).At that time, Xue Tao was over forty, and the talented woman who had seen countless people fell in love with Yuan Zhen without reservation.At that time, Xue Tao was famous and famous, and she associated with many celebrities and talents. Bai Juyi, Niu Sengru, Linghu Chu, Pei Qing, Zhang Ji, Du Mu, Liu Yuxi, Zhang Hu, etc. all had poems and essays for her, but they touched her heart. Yuan Zhen is the only one who is affectionate.After Yuan Zhen left Shuzhong, Xue Tao missed his lover day and night, and hoped that he would come to greet him soon, just like an empty girl waiting for her husband far away, full of resentment and longing, which became the famous poem "Jinjiang Chunwang Ci" handed down to later generations , one of which is: "Flowers bloom differently for appreciation, and flowers fall for different sorrows; if you want to ask about the place of lovesickness, when the flowers bloom and fall." Yuan Zhen is a typical heartless man. At this time, he is in love with the young and beautiful Liu Caichun in western Zhejiang. In full swing. "Beauties have been like famous generals since ancient times, and the world is not allowed to see gray hair."After these ups and downs, Xue Tao built a poetry-recitation building in the outer suburbs, dressed in the attire of a female Taoist priest, and died in seclusion. During the reign of Emperor Yizong Li Wei, he indulged in feasting and feasting, and ignored government affairs, all affairs were entrusted to Prime Minister Lu Yan.Lu Yan lives extravagantly, often accepts bribes, and villains also participate in political affairs.Chen Pansou, the magistrate of Zhide County, wrote a letter to Tang Yizong asking for a reconciliation, saying: "Please copy Bianxian's family, and the stolen property can be used to support the national army for two years." Yizong was very interested and asked: "Bianxian Who is it?" Chen Pansou said, "It's Lu Yan's personal servant." Yizong was furious and exiled Chen Pansou in Aizhou, and no one dared to speak since then. It is precisely because of direct remonstrance that many were demoted or killed the admonisher, which also caused the latecomers to remain silent and dare not express their opinions casually.During Yizong's reign, there was also the famous case of Princess Tongchang in history. Princess Tongchang is the eldest daughter of Yizong and the most beloved princess. Her mother is Concubine Guo Shu, who is known as "the most beautiful woman in Chang'an".Yizong, formerly known as Li Wen, was the eldest son of Xuanzong and was named King of Yun.Although he was the eldest son, he did not please Xuanzong. Before Xuanzong died, he entrusted his third son Li Zi, the king of Kui, to the minister Wang Guichang and others, preparing for Li Zi to succeed him.However, the eunuch Wang Zongshi and others killed Wang Guichang and three others, and made Li Wen the crown prince, changing his name to Li Wei.Li Yu is the emperor, who is Tang Yizong. Princess Tongchang was born when Yizong was King Yun.It is said that Princess Tongchang never spoke a word until she was three or four years old.One day, she suddenly sighed and uttered the first sentence in her life to her father: "Today I will live." Everyone didn't know what it meant, and they couldn't understand it.At this time, the guard of honor sent by the eunuch Wang Zongshi to welcome King Yun to the throne arrived at the gate of King Yun's mansion.Therefore, Yizong believed that his daughter was his lucky star and regarded his daughter as the apple of his eye. The girl is not allowed to stay in college, and Yizong loves Princess Tongchang no matter how much she loves, after all, her daughter still wants to marry when she grows up.After thousands of selections, Yizong chose Xinke Jinshi Wei Baoheng as his son-in-law. Wei Baoheng, whose character is Yunyong, was born in Jingzhao.Both grandfather Wei Yuanzhen and father Wei Que were Jinshi, so he can be regarded as coming from a scholarly family.Although Wei Baoheng was also a Jinshi and a first-year student, this did not come from his real talent and learning.At that time, his teacher (under the imperial examination system, the chief examiner was called the teacher) was Wang Duo.Wang Duo thought that Wei Baoheng did not have real talent and learning, so he did not plan to admit him.But Wei Baoheng was dignified, handsome and unrestrained, which attracted the attention of Yizong.Around this time, Yizong planned to choose Wei Baoheng as his daughter's son-in-law in his heart, but Princess Tongchang was still young at that time, so it was naturally inconvenient to say so.Therefore, Yizong intervened, and Wei Baoheng finally passed the Jinshi.But people in the same discipline as him know what's going on, "Baoheng is lucky to advance to no art, and all students in the same year are poor" ("Old Tang Book Volume 179 Biography of Xiao Yu"). On the day the princess got married, Yizong wished he could move all the treasury to the Wei Mansion, pour out all the treasures in the palace, and give his beloved daughter as a dowry.Yizong's love for Princess Tongchang can be seen from this. After this batch of unparalleled dowry was moved to Wei's house, the originally spacious mansion of Wei's house couldn't fit in, so he had to invite craftsmen to expand the mansion day and night.The doors and windows of the new house are all decorated with jewels, well fences, medicine mortars, tank cabinets, etc. are made of gold and silver, and even the fence and basket are woven with gold thread.The bed is made of crystal, tortoise shell, colored glaze, etc., and the brackets of the bed legs are also carved with golden turtles and silver deer.Others such as partridge pillows, emerald boxes, Shensi embroidered quilts, Yuruyi, Sesemu, Wenbu towels, fire silkworm cotton, and nine jade hairpins all come from exotic places.Princess Tongchang's family has a kind of "Chengshui silk", about eight or nine feet long, like cloth but thinner than cloth, bright and transparent, and can shine on people.It is said that there is ambergris in the silk, which can cool off the heat.When the summer is hot, hang it in the house, and all the seats will feel cool, and there will be no heat.Princess Tongchang also used a red glaze dish to hold night pearls, and the house was as bright as day at night. In the fifth chapter, it is specifically mentioned that there is a linked pearl tent made by Princess Tongchang hanging in Qin Keqing's room, which means to emphasize the luxury of Qin Keqing's room.Su E of the Tang Dynasty recorded in "Du Yang Miscellaneous Edition": "In the ninth year of Xiantong, Princess Tongchang came out and lived in Guanghuali, with five million tin coins, and even more treasures in the inner treasury, in order to realize her house.  … ...In the hall, there are tents with pearls. The curtains are cold, the mats are made of rhinoceros and ivory, and the tents are embroidered with dragons and phoenixes. It is also possible to continue the pearls." After Princess Tongchang got married, Yizong was afraid that the food in Wei's mansion would not suit his daughter's appetite, so he kept sending people to deliver rare food.Among them is a dish called Lingxiao Sunburn. Only four taels of meat from a head of sheep meet the standards for its ingredients, and after it is made, it can be stored for a long time, even after a scorching heat.There is also a kind of dried red meat, which is fluffy and coiled, up to one foot high. If you press it with a spoon and chopsticks, it can be pressed very low, but once you let go, it can return to its original height.Once, a group of aristocratic sons were drinking in Guanghua, and suddenly smelled a strange fragrance. At first, they thought it was the fragrance of borneol, but later found that the fragrance was strong and rare in the world. The palace of food has just passed. And after Wei Baoheng married Princess Tongchang, he began to be promoted non-stop, almost non-stop, straight up, from Hanlin Bachelor, to Langzhong, Zhongshu Sheren, Minister of the Ministry of War Chengzhi, Founding Marquis, all the way to Jixian Hall A bachelor, he rose to the high position of Zaifu at a young age.A discerning person can understand at a glance that this is not because the son-in-law has any special skills, but because he is honored by Princess Tongchang. It is a pity that the princess with golden branches and jade leaves fell ill and died in the third year of her marriage.Yizong missed his beloved daughter and was very sad.Wei Baoheng was afraid of the emperor's punishment, so he shifted the responsibility to the imperial doctors who had treated the princess, saying that it was because their imperial doctors were improper, which delayed her illness and killed the princess.This led to a great injustice.Yizong immediately turned his grief into anger, angered the medical officials, and even ordered the killing of more than 20 people including Han Zongshao, a medical officer of the Imperial Academy, and arrested more than 300 of their relatives and imprisoned them in Jingzhao Prison.Because of the large number of provisional arrests, the prisons were filled to the brim. For a while, there was a lot of discussion between the ruling and opposition parties.Yizong's inhumane act in grief aroused a lot of discussion inside and outside the court, and the whole country was indignant about it.Prime Minister Liu Zhan believed that the emperor's move aroused dissatisfaction among the people and would eventually bring disaster to the court, so he summoned admonishers and asked them to give advice.But the admonishers were cowardly and useless, fearing that Yizong would turn his anger on themselves, none of them dared to stand up.It is not only the personal tragedy of the admonisher, but also the tragedy of the Tang Empire. In view of this situation, the Prime Minister Liu Zhan had no choice but to write a letter to persuade him. The words were quite euphemistic: "The length of life depends on the destiny. The princess has an illness, which deeply touches His Majesty's mercy. When Zong Shao and others treat the princess' illness, they only ask It is not inattentive to prepare and apply alchemy when recovering from illness. But misfortune and fortune cannot be removed, and manpower is difficult to recover. It is really a pity to cause this tragic situation. Today, more than 300 people, old and young, have been imprisoned. People all over the world are talking about it, and there are many injustices. Your Majesty is kind and reasonable, how can you be misunderstood by others, and you should be prepared for danger in times of peace, so as to appease the hearts of the people of the world. I hope that your Majesty will not return to the holy worries, and forgive those involved!" Liu Zhan's memorials are reasonable and impeccable.However, Yizong has determined that the imperial medicine killed his beloved daughter, and he will never tolerate their family. Therefore, he is very displeased with Liu Zhan's words. ignore it. Liu Shan was a stubborn person. Seeing that the first performance was fruitless, he joined forces with Jingzhao Yin Wenzhang when he went to court the next day.The two remonstrated together, their words were not as euphemistic as before, but much more intense.This angered Yizong on the spot. He loudly reprimanded the two for committing crimes, and immediately issued an order. Liu Zhan was transferred to Jingnan Jiedu envoy, Wen Zhang was demoted to Yazhou Sima, and ordered to leave Beijing to take up his post within three days, so that they would not be in court again There was endless chatter in the classroom. Wen Zhang was an upright and talented minister. He was really angry when he was demoted to the land of the Southern Barbarians. He sighed: "It's not a pity to die at the wrong time!" He took poison and committed suicide at home that night.When Yizong heard the news of Wen Zhang's death, he said fiercely: "There is a lot of evil, and there is more than one death!" Afterwards, Yizong held a grand funeral for Princess Tongchang. The clothes and toys used for the funeral were no different from those of strangers, and several halls were carved out of wood. The crowd is invincible.On the day of the funeral and burial in the eastern suburbs of Chang'an, Yizong and Concubine Shu saw him off at the Yanxing Gate and wept bitterly. They also brought out the "Diamond Sutra" scrolls, golden camels, Phoenix and Qilin are considered guards of honor.The scene was grand, and the funeral procession was more than 20 miles long.All the scholars in the capital stopped to watch. Musician Li Keji has been conferred the title of Grand General for his meritorious service in composing the "Sigh of a Hundred Years Song" mourning Princess Tongchang.When Li Keji's son got married, Yizong specially gave him wine, but when he opened it, he found that the jug was not wine, but pearls and gems. As for Princess Tongchang's husband, Wei Baoheng, he took the opportunity to vigorously eliminate dissidents and control the government.Anyone who he disliked was falsely accused of colluding with medical officials to murder Princess Tongchang, which caused many courtiers to be demoted.After Liu Zhan was demoted, Wei Baoheng recommended his teacher Wang Duo as prime minister.But Wang Duo still despised him and never discussed with him when dealing with government affairs.As a result, Wei Baoheng was angered, so Wang Duo was dispatched as a military governor. Wei Baoheng is still a villain.At that time, Princess Tongchang married into his family, and he used various names to take the rare treasures that Yizong rewarded Princess Tongchang as his own.When Princess Tongchang died of illness, he said that those rare treasures disappeared inexplicably.After Princess Tongchang was buried, he actually snatched gold, silver and jewelry from the ashes of the burnt funerary objects.Its greed is evident. For Princess Tongchang's sake, Wei Baoheng was always favored during Yizong's reign.Before Yizong's death, Wei Baoheng appointed his 12-year-old son Li Yan (later Emperor Xizong) as regent to handle military and state affairs with full authority.However, when Wei Baoheng was prime minister, he didn't think about making progress and only cared about eradicating dissidents, which offended many people.Once Yizong died, he lost his backer, and the ending can be imagined.After Emperor Xizong ascended the throne, the eunuch Tian Lingzi contacted all officials to impeach Wei Baoheng.Wei Baoheng was first demoted to Hezhou Inspector, and was bestowed to death soon after. Compared with the admonishers in the Yizong Dynasty, the latecomer Hou Changye obviously had extraordinary courage and a sense of responsibility for worrying about the country and the people.The tragedy of Hou Changye is that he did not see that the eunuchs in the Tang Dynasty were in power, and there were many feudal towns for a hundred years.However, in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, treacherous ministers were in power and villains were rampant, and there were not many ministers with integrity and talent.Looking back at the beginning of the founding of the Tang Dynasty, heroes and talents came out in large numbers, and all arts and martial arts were prosperous.But now, the sun is setting in the western mountains, and the Tang Dynasty has approached the twilight of history.Li Shangyin, a famous poet in the late Tang Dynasty, wrote a quatrain in "Deng Le You Yuan":