Chapter 21 Chapter 21

While drinking, they flirted with prostitutes. Some people squinted their throats and guessed fists, some hugged prostitutes and kissed them, some yelled and yelled nonsense, and some continued to complain while drinking.Just as they got carried away, Lu Chengen led hundreds of Yulin soldiers to surround Fangqu, arrested those present, recorded their statements, and executed them in public.The incident served as a further reminder to Wu Zetian of the need to strengthen her rule and silence her opponents.To realize the dream pursued for many years, it needs to create an extraordinary political climate, so that people believe that she is already the supreme ruler, and resisting her is only self-destruction.Carrying out autocratic dictatorship must open the way with massacres.To create a bloody and terrifying atmosphere, two preparations must be made first: First, a special team must be formed that worships her blindly and is infinitely loyal to her.The qualifications, ability and knowledge of these people are secondary, the main thing is to be able to carry out her will accurately, with one look, one expression, a little color, or a hint of her, without ordering, they will follow her like a falcon dog. Complete the task like a pig, and never give up until the goal is reached.Second, the network of eyes and ears must be expanded to form an eye-and-eye system that communicates everywhere, so that everyone becomes a spy of the neighbor.Any voice of resistance will be labeled as "conspiracy" and resolutely suppressed without mercy.

Wu Zetian installed a copper wake next to the gate of the Nanya Palace where frequent contacts were made, and at the same time issued an imperial decree: "The establishment of the bronze sa is to ask the public opinion to be smooth in the court, and justice to be spread in the world." Its role is equivalent to a modern whistleblower box.It was conceived by Jiabao, the son of Shiyu Shiyu Chengye.This person had a very deep friendship with Xu Jingye, and most of those who had close contacts with Jingye were punished by moving to the left and exile, but he was the only one who was spared.

Wu Zetian saw Yu Jiabao's design, and thought it was a good way to convey the meaning from the bottom to the top, so she cast the copper pot according to the pattern, and rewarded Jiabao with some jewelry and silk.The bronze pedestal is well-made, and the four sides are painted with different colors according to the directions of the southeast, northwest, implying the promotion of the four virtues.Green in the east symbolizes "benevolence", red in the south symbolizes "sincerity" in the west, white in the west, and black in the north symbolizes "wisdom".These four colors symbolize the four virtues.There are four book slots on the top of the box."Yan En" is written under the mouth of Dongmian, which is set up for those who seek official positions and promotions in praise of the Queen Mother's political achievements and gratitude.On the south side is written "Remonstrance", which is used to criticize the gains and losses of the government.On the west side is written "redressing grievances". Anyone who has been accused of being wronged and suffers crimes and demands justice and redress can submit a letter from this mouth."Tongxuan" is written in the north, which is set up for submitting letters to report disasters caused by changes in the sky, as well as related military secrets.

Empress Wu Zetian sent Zhengjian Dafu, that is, admonishing Dafu, the fifth rank, Buque Cong the seventh rank, and Suiyi Cong the eighth rank, each to be responsible for the management of Tongyu.Regarding the intention and use of the installation of the copper tower, announcements were posted in every corner of Luoyang, and imperial edicts were issued to states and counties across the country.Suppose someone wants to expose a conspiracy, accuse and criticize court officials, no matter their status is high or low, the local governor should treat them properly, and even prisoners in custody should be treated with courtesy.Anyone who refuses to receive such information or dismisses the informer is equivalent to asylum treason.

If the informant wants to go to Beijing to see the Queen Mother, he will live in the official house of the post pavilion along the way, and provide the fifth-rank officials with accommodation.Officials everywhere were not allowed to make any inquiries to the informer. After arriving in the capital, they were arranged to live in Spin Temple, Honglu Temple, which usually provided accommodation for foreign envoys, and special officials were in charge of taking care of them.Whistle-blowing, called "shangbian" at the time, meant secretly reporting conspiracy events upwards.The "door" of informants was originally opened for the government and the people all over the world. Its basic purpose is to convey from the bottom to the top, and to give the lowest-level Li people, who have been regarded as cattle and horses in history, a chance to speak.Strictly speaking, this form is still an indirect participation in the country's political life.It strictly forbids officials above the ninth rank who have the opportunity to speak to submit letters. Even low-level local officials, including servants, as long as they are working in the government, their opinions will not be adopted in principle.After Tongjia was set up, it first received an unsigned letter accusing Yu Jiabao of making weapons such as bows and arrows for Xu Jingye and indirectly supporting the rebellion.Yu Jiabao was immediately arrested and sent to prison for investigation and verification, and was sentenced to death by beheading.A jingle was quickly spread and sung: If you move rocks and smash your feet, the family security will be ruined.Cause and effect often have retribution, and unrighteous self-death is often a coincidence.Fate can play tricks on people!Xiao He made laws and Xiao He committed crimes, Yu Jiabao was clever but was misunderstood by cleverness, and he worked hard to invent the copper box, but he was the first to suffer.Later, similar situations occurred abroad.

During the French Revolution in the 18th century, Joseph Jordan, a congressman and physician who invented the "painless guillotine", was the first to be sentenced to death with the "painless guillotine".Tongxi caught a "fish" that slipped through the net when he opened the record for the first time, which further strengthened Wu Zetian's confidence.All the pavilions in Luoyang moved.Duting is the seat of county government offices, and there are Dutings on Luoyang Twenty Street and Twelve City Gates.The angels carrying the imperial edict rushed to all directions in the world at the same time.Except for emergencies, the one-day itinerary for conveying imperial edicts is usually six stations per day.There are successors, chariots and horses waiting at the post pavilions that the angel passes along the way.Post pavilions were completed in the Tang Dynasty and became a national system. There were more than 1,600 post pavilions in the country, and a post pavilion was set up every 30 miles or so.There are still several officials below the head of the post pavilion, as well as handymen such as kitchen, accommodation, and stables.Staying in a post pavilion or using a post horse is differentiated according to the level of status.

Those who have official duties, such as supervisory censors, are the first priority. Other personnel, such as foreign envoys, promoted or demoted officials, and escorts of exiles, can also use the post pavilion.Since the whistleblower was considered to have "appealed in Beijing under the order of the Queen Mother", he was treated as a fifth-rank official for official travel, and he was allocated three posthorses—one by himself and two accompanying officials to ride, and the attendants of the officials could only walk on foot.Where there is waterway navigation, official ships can be used instead.When paying homage to the Queen Mother, if the content of the secret report is in line with the Queen Mother's wishes, it is very likely to be promoted to an official who does not want to be an official, and there will be a considerable reward.Even if the information is false, there will be no punishment.Generations of ordinary people who have lived in the lower class of society and barely lived, cheered and thanked the Queen Mother for her grace.Many people flocked to the capital from all directions, overcrowded, the post kiosks were not enough, and the government made room for reception.When the government office is crowded, rich households and merchants are ordered to receive them.The social order was in chaos, the traffic was blocked, and the general administrative affairs of the state and county government offices almost completely stopped.Faced with this unprecedented torrent and whirlwind, officials at all levels were terrified, frowning, and sighing, as if the end of the world was coming.Since Princess Qianjin dedicated Feng Xiaobao, the Empress Dowager seemed to have taken a rejuvenating medicine, her face regained the luster of a young woman, her cheeks were bright pink, her body was full of vigorous vitality, and her body was full of vitality like flying in the sky , After accepting the morning court in Wucheng Hall every day, return to Yiluan Hall to listen to the performance of the prime minister and other courtiers.

Wu Zetian was full of energy, and she felt that her life was very fulfilling, especially when she summoned the informers continuously, the courtiers, eunuchs, and maids who were watching could not help but click their tongues.The informer who came here on the spur of the moment stepped into the palace and saw the majestic buildings and the closely guarded Habayashi Army. He was dazzled, but also so nervous that he couldn't control himself. Make a sound. "Let him go down and rest. It's not easy to come, it's hard enough." Shangguan Wan'er imitated the Queen Mother's tone and ordered a few words, and the eunuch led the informer back.Among these people, some were able to speak a few words, or brought a report.Direct questioning is generally done by Wan'er.The answers are often messy, the words do not convey the meaning, the point is not relevant, and the local dialect is added, so I don't know what they are talking about or what they are saying.Those who can express things clearly, especially those who are articulate, are very few.However, Wu Zetian was not discouraged, nor disappointed.This situation has long been expected, and her purpose: first, to hear directly the voices of the people who are usually separated by heaven and earth, to understand the bottom society, understand the people's sentiments, and second, to extract gold from the sand and find the talents she needs.Wu Zetian, who is obsessed with power, his ultimate goal is to eliminate Datang and establish his own Wu surname world.At present, the target of her attack is the Li family and the powerful nobles, who urgently need a large number of "living weapons" to carry out political terror.Although there are factional disputes in the imperial court, once they face a general crisis, they will inevitably surpass the factions to create a close sense of solidarity.At that time, it would be difficult for them to kill the parties that were in power at the same time.

Therefore, Wu Zetian did not choose serving bureaucrats, but asked for it from the people.These "living weapons" must meet three basic conditions: 1. Blindly worship her and be infinitely loyal to her. Ideally, they should be stimulated to the point where they can swallow each other alive without water. 3. They are not only inhuman cold-blooded animals, but also sinister and cunning like monsters. Unprecedented cruelty and brutal "big clean-up" was carried out.In April, a large-scale astronomical observatory was manufactured. Wu Zetian was very happy and ordered it to be set up at Xuanwu Gate.The reason why she did this is to show both at home and abroad that the Great Tang is the center of the world, and I, Wu Zetian, are in charge of this central power.The imperial court made personnel adjustments again, among which Su Liangsi became the third rank of Zuo Tong Fengge Luantai.The mountain rain is about to come and the wind is all over the building.There are various indications that an earth-shattering catastrophe is about to erupt.

While Wu Zetian was mobilizing, he kept summoning informants.Among the endless stream of informers, she first took a fancy to a Persian vagabond named Suo Yuanli.Hearing Wan'er call him "flat body", his kneeling legs finally stood up straight tremblingly.Through the curtain, Wu Zetian saw his face clearly.This person is slightly hunchbacked, with broad arms, a layer of brown-red skin tightly stretched on his body, a rectangular head with brown unkempt hair, a hooked nose, and a pair of hair embedded in slightly slanted eye sockets. Bright blue eyes.When he looked at people, his thick eyebrows were erected on both sides, and the two seemed to have the meaning of a rough sneer.His whole appearance showed contempt and cruelty, as if he came to the world with hatred to take revenge, or came to China specially to create terror and bloodshed, more vicious than robbers, more sinister and vicious than assassins.

"I have come to your country to make a living for many years, and I have nothing left. I hate those dog officials who are domineering. Once, they arrested me as a thief and beat me severely to force me to confess." Because he is a foreigner, his pronunciation and intonation are not accurate, but he speaks slowly and can barely hear some words clearly. "Who exactly do you want to report?" Wan'er asked in a soft voice. "The world is as black as crows. I want revenge, and I want to kill them one by one like slaughtering animals, so that the world will be bright again." "Whose orders did you come here?" "I, huh, a poor Persian, with no relatives, no relatives. The Holy Mother, the Emperor, hey, why not just call the Holy Mother, the Holy Mother, the Empress Dowager is a mouthful, especially for foreigners like us, I It came in response to the order of the Holy Mother, and only the holy Holy Mother Emperor is the God in my heart." "Well, well, good!" Wu Zetian smiled with satisfaction: "Suo Yuanli, I will appoint you as a guerrilla general to take charge of prison affairs." "Thank you Lord Ron." Suo Yuanli got up again and retreated excitedly outside the hall.Because of Suo Yuanli's rise, many people were encouraged. When they came to Wu Zetian, they forced themselves to be calm, mustered up their courage, made up things, and told the falsehood as vividly as the real thing.The most outstanding among them is Lai Junchen.Lai Junchen was born in Wannian County, west of Chang'an City. His father, Laicao, was a gambler and liar in the Chang'an city.When Laicuo was young, he saw that his good friend Cai Ben’s wife was beautiful, so he tried every means to hook up with her. Later, he had a plan to lure Cai Ben to play a game of fake japonica and cast “dice”. He lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt In the end, he had to use his wife to repay the debt, and used such a soft and poisonous method to occupy this woman for a long time. The woman was pregnant, but even she herself couldn't figure out whether the child in her stomach should be named Cai or the surname until it was born. Finally, it was announced that the child was here to fuck and named Junchen. As the saying goes, if you are close to Zhu, you will be red, and if you are close to ink, you will be black.When he grows up, Lai Junchen does not do his job properly, steals, robs, whores, gambles, and does all sorts of bad things.Chang'an couldn't get along anymore, so he wandered out of town, committed robbery and homicide in Hezhou, Anhuihe County, was arrested and sentenced to death.When he got the news that the queen mother had launched an informant in prison, he was overjoyed and screamed in the cell that he wanted to go to Beijing to seek justice.The jailer ignored him, and he cried and complained that there was something urgent to report to the Queen Mother.When Dongping Wang Lixu, governor of Hezhou, learned of this situation, he did not dare to disobey the imperial decree and prevent him from reporting, so he sent people to Luoyang to closely guard him.Death row prisoners also came to inform, and Wu Zetian summoned Lai Junchen out of curiosity.Although Lai Junchen had been imprisoned for many days, and he was a little thinner due to the exhaustion of the journey, it did not damage his handsome appearance.He is well-proportioned and has a fair and beautiful face.At the age of thirty-six, he looked younger than his actual age, only twenty-eight or nineteen.His movements are alert, his eyes blink and his eyebrows move, making him look suave and cunning.His lips are full of dandelion, his teeth are like a beige, and his eyes are half closed, as if he is used to the division of labor. One side represents ingenuity, and the other represents ferocity, and occasionally reveals some nasty traces of frivolity and mania. Wu Zetian's discerning vision immediately discovered that he was a special character who combined beauty and ugliness, good and evil, and it was just in time to come in handy. "Don't be afraid, just say what you have to say." After listening to Wan'er's crisp and flexible words, Lai Junchen's spirit was lifted, and he continued to tell the false stories that had been made up, making them as true as they are true: "Li Xuren and the governor of the state wantonly searched for people's fat and people's anointing. , lived a life of debauchery, but was a guilty conscience, and was afraid of leaking the news. I went to Hezhou to make a living, because my accent was an authentic Beijing accent, and he mistook me for a spy sent by the imperial court, so he arrested me as a murderer. Get up, fight hard, and be sentenced to death." "Is this true?" "Every sentence is true." Lai Junchen bit the bullet and replied.He is worthy of being a descendant of a gambler, and he actually bet his life in front of Wu Zetian again.I thought it was the death penalty anyway, regardless of the crime of deceiving the emperor or the crime of deceiving the emperor, the worst thing would be death.In fact, committing the crime of deceiving the emperor is even more serious than the capital crime. As the saying goes, beheading will lead to exile.A lunatic like him doesn't fully understand that ordinary beheading is very different from capital punishments such as beheading, dismemberment, and division of households into five horses. The pain he endured before death is very different.It is really a miracle that a death row prisoner pins his life's hope on informants.In addition to the courage to go all out, his expressive ability is also very good, his conversation is natural, his pronunciation is standard, and he can get high marks for selecting officials. Wu Zetian pardoned his capital crime, and made an exception to use him as a criminal judge of the eighth rank.During the reign of Guangzhai, Dali Temple was renamed Sixing Temple.Judges are in charge of investigations of defendants, drafting of judgments, and management of prisons.In this way, Lai Junchen and other informants who had been admitted by Wu Zetian arranged to handle the case under Suo Yuanli.After Suo Yuanli got these thugs of three religions and nine ranks, he asked them to discuss with the old criminal officers how to try the criminals, how to verify the facts, how to accept confessions, and how to expand the results of the battle.The cruel officials trained in the field and competed at the same time.Since then, as long as someone reports a case, the suspicious person will be arrested immediately without asking questions, and the opening of a trial is a letter of forced confession.If one person confesses, hundreds of people will be implicated.The courtiers were so frightened that their hairs were trembling with fear, and their hearts trembled with fear.Among this group of brutal demons, Lai Junchen is the outstanding "outstanding one".Not only is he as vicious as Suo Yuanli, but he is also the most despicable sadist, even compared to those vicious devils in the Underworld, he is even worse. Wu Zetian often summoned Lai Junchen and Suo Yuanli to give them rewards and hints.They never fail to live up to expectations, each has their own special skills in the common cause, and they can all complete the task brilliantly.Not long after, among the current officials, Zhou Xing, a famous and cruel official, also appeared. Zhou Xing was born in Chang'an like Lai Junchen, and he was about ten years older than Lai Junchen.His demeanor was dignified and almost slow, even old-fashioned.He has a slender body, a cyanotic complexion, shriveled cheeks, and a few sparse gray beards. He looks gentle and polite, and speaks in a polite way.This person comes from a poor family. He was eager to learn since he was a child, and he humbly asked for advice. When he grew up, he read a lot of books and focused on law.At the beginning, he served as Shangshu Dushi, and later transferred to Heyang County Magistrate of Mengzhou.Because of his maturity and prudence, he has won people's praise.In the year Li Zhi passed away, he was specially summoned and expressed that he would be promoted to his position.But at that time, the clan power was not completely defeated, and the "blood lineage theory" was popular. Officials were roughly divided into insiders and outsiders. The third rank and above belonged to the rank of Gongqing, the fourth and fifth ranks belonged to the rank of doctor, and the sixth to ninth rank belonged to the rank of scholar.Public ministers and doctors are generally classified as internal officials, while officials below the rank of scholars are classified as external officials.There are also government servants and miscellaneous servants who are one level lower than Liuwai officials, who are not among the officials.Zhou Xingshi was appointed Minister of the Ministry of Finance, and he was a foreign official.Once the children of the nobles became officials, they were included in the official class regardless of their position.Because of Liu Neiguan's interference, the cowardly Li Zhi had to give up on Zhou Xing's promise.Zhou Xing didn't know that his promotion was in vain, so he happily stayed in the capital waiting for the imperial edict.The courtiers pretended to be deaf and dumb, and kept silent about this matter, but Wei Xuantong, Shangshu Zuocheng, Hubu Shangshu, and Tongzhongshu's third rank, out of sympathy, reminded him from the side: "Zhou Mingfu, you should go back to your office. go." In the Tang Dynasty, the county magistrate was called Mingfu.Wei Xuantong was implicated in the case of Shangguanyi and was exiled to Lingnan. Until the beginning of the first year of Shangyuan, Wu Zetian appointed him as the governor of Qizhou, and later he was promoted to the minister of the Ministry of officials. In the first year of Hongdao, he was promoted to the post of prime minister.At this time, he was sixty-seven years old. He is an elder who has experienced bitterness, and he kindly greeted Zhou Xing who was kept in the dark.Since the imperial court has always strictly prohibited leaking secrets, it can only be hinted, not stated explicitly.However, Zhou Xing, who didn't know good and bad, thought that the old prime minister was trying to make things difficult for him and made fun of him, "Old thief Wei, old thief Wei, you prevented my promotion today, if Zhou Xing has a future Day, tomorrow will definitely recover this bitter debt!" Later, he really forced Wei Xuantong to death by any means.Zhou Xing associated Wei Xuantong with the insidiousness of officialdom, and then developed a strong hatred for the official class.After the imperial decree came down, he had been thinking about how to move with the tide.When he got the news that Suo Yuanli, Lai Junchen and others were on the rise, he couldn't hold back anymore and encouraged himself. He wrote an article exploring law and prison, and invested in Tongbao. Originally, it was clearly stipulated that all officials were not allowed to use the copper calendar to submit letters and inform.Zhou Xing acted so boldly, one shows how determined he is, and the other shows that his judgment is accurate.As expected, Wu Zetian analyzed his rebellious psychology from his offensive behavior, and promoted him to take charge of prison affairs.Horror and flattery are twins.When the tense atmosphere of sharpening knives becomes more and more intense, some people will follow the wind and jump out to show courteousness, sing praises, report auspiciousness, shake their hips and farts, and win the favor of those in power.Yongzhou catered to Wu Zetian's wishes, and said in the above table: "Taitai Township in the southeast of Xinfeng County, in the thunderstorm, a small mountain emerged from the ground." According to the "Liangjing Dao Li Zhi": when the mountain first emerged from the ground, it was about six or seven feet high, and gradually rose to 300 feet.According to the regulations, regardless of changes in the world, it must be played in time.Otherwise, local officials are guilty of negligence. Wu Zetian wanted to strengthen his dominance with the help of heaven and earth, so he happily named the hill Qingshan and Xinfeng County Qingshan County.Yu Wenjun, a native of Jiangling, did not take it seriously, and presented a memorandum, saying: "If the weather is not harmonious, the cold and heat will not be distinguished The femininity of a woman sits on the throne of masculinity, making the femininity and masculinity reversed, and the earth's energy is strongly suppressed, and the mound changes, causing disaster. Your majesty named it Qingshan, and I didn't think it was a happy event. Your Majesty should practice virtue carefully and respond to the condemnation of the heavens. Otherwise, disasters will come." The successive disasters did not befall Wu Zetian, but Yu Wenjun. Wu Zetian was furious after receiving the memorial, and exiled Yu Wenjun to the south of Dayuling outside the Lingling Mountains, and secretly ordered him to be executed.You know, Wu Zetian has always attached great importance to power. Whoever writes about her on the word "quan" will be her reply: be unequivocal, never polite, and definitely not lighthearted.However, the traditional thought that men are superior to women is deeply rooted in ancient China. Many officials have always been disgusted with the empress dowager holding the emperor and forcibly proclaiming control. Liu Yizhi also began to discuss with a bit of aggression: "Since the queen mother has abolished the stupid and established the wise, why does she still have to be in charge of the court? It is better to return the government to the emperor, so as to calm the hearts of the people in the world." "It's meaningless to say such things. It's not fun to hear the Queen Mother's ears." Jia Dayin from Fenggeshe pretended to stop talking. "We're just talking, the key is how the Queen Mother treats her." "Hey, hey, please don't drag me into it." Jia Dayin was afraid of getting angry, so he hurriedly reported to Wu Zetian in secret. Wu Zetian's face was so dark that it seemed to be covered with a layer of dark clouds, and he suppressed the anger in his heart.She cherished Liu Yizhi's intelligence so much, she decided to wait and see for a while, and then deal with it when she cooled down.Liu Yizhi used to be a bachelor of Beimen, and later served as Zuo Shi and a direct bachelor of Hongwenguan. Together with Fan Lubing, who was also Zuo Shi, and Lang Yuanwanqing, etc., under the supervision of Empress Wu Zetian at that time, they wrote "Ba Gui" ", "Biography of Martyrs", "New Commandments of Bailiao" and other works have written more than a thousand volumes, and also participated in the formulation of the New Deal strategy, reducing the power of the prime minister from the inside.At that time, the Turks kept invading, and there were often military operations. He was always asked to independently come up with countermeasures and hand them over to her for approval.General Zuo Ying Yang Wei Hei Chi Chang Zhi led the army to defeat the powerful invading enemy, Liu Yi Zhi contributed to this, that is, it was inseparable from his plan.It can be said that Liu Yizhi is a rare generalist, proficient in astronomy, geography, human relations, politics, military affairs, and also has a lot of attainments in literature.When Wu Zetian, who was busy with government affairs, held a banquet in the palace and needed impromptu poetry, he, Cui Rong and Yuan Wanqing took the knife to write it.Cui Rong was one of Shangguanyi's later "Four Friends of Articles". The other three were Su Weiwei, Li Qiao and Du Shenyan. Wu Zetian had a good understanding of people, and Liu Yizhi also repaid her kindness with his achievements in assisting the government.Liu Yizhi has a strong sense of responsibility in handling affairs, and dares to take on the burden, and bears the burden of hard work.Wu Zetian once affirmed and highly rewarded Liu Yizhi's virtue of "making good deeds clear to the emperor and returning evil deeds to oneself". Now that Liu Yizhi's remarks angered Wu Zetian, she couldn't figure it out, and said to her left and right courtiers: "I appointed Liu Yizhi as prime minister, and he betrayed me!" He used his promotion as a bait to accept bribes from Sun Wanrong, the governor of Guicheng Prefecture, and someone impeached him for having committed adultery with Xu Jingzong's concubine.The bullets again and again forced Wu Zetian to express himself.She still couldn't bear to beat Liu Yizhi, and didn't hand him over to cruel officials, or the censor who specialized in impeachment, or other Beijing officials for interrogation. She beat around the bush and ordered Wang Benli, the governor of Suzhou, now Jiuquan City, Gansu, who came to Beijing for official business, to conduct an investigation. I hope that Wang Benli can't deal with this prime minister who is well-known for his knowledge and political achievements, and indirectly keep Liu Yizhi.Did Liu Yizhi fail to understand Wu Zetian's intentions, or did he not buy her?He is familiar with the rules and regulations of the imperial court, and has a particularly stubborn personality. He sniffed his nose and said to Wang Benli angrily: "The Queen Mother's order cannot be counted without going through Fengge Luantai." Good guy!Liu Yizhi really had the guts to resist even the Queen Mother's order.In fact, what he said is not unreasonable, and of course there is also a side of strong words.The imperial edicts of the Tang Dynasty should generally be drafted by the Zhongshu Province, deliberated by the subordinate provinces, and then sent to the Shangshu Province before they become imperial edicts.However, in case of an emergency, the emperor can also directly issue an order, which is called "Mo Chi", without setting aside the three provinces. Wu Zetian used Mo Chi frequently, and this was neither the first nor the last time.Wang Benli couldn't bear Liu Yizhi, so he had to play Wu Zetian back. Wu Zetian shook his head and sighed deeply, and imprisoned Liu Yizhi for violating the imperial edict.To solve the mystery of Liu Yizhi's previous performance and sudden changes, it seems that we have to start with his origin, experience and upbringing.Liu Yizhi, a native of Changshu, Jiangsu, Jinling, Changzhou, was born in Ximei.His father, Liu Ziyi, is a typical doctor of Confucianism with a wild and stubborn personality, but he is filial to his mother.He first served as an official in the Sui Dynasty. After his mother passed away, he was willing to serve in the Tang Dynasty.In his later years, he served as a doctor of Chaosan, and in the early years of Yonghui, he died of illness.Like father, like son.Liu Yizhi has been endowed with talent since he was a child, and he is especially famous for his diction.When he served as Zuo Shi, he was selected as a bachelor of Beimen and became a young scholar. Together with Meng Lizhen, Gao Zhizhou, and Guo Zhengyi, he was also called the "Four Scholar of Letters".He is quick-witted, good at literature, competitive, curious and adventurous.His elder sister was once the maid of Empress Wu Zetian. When Wu Zetian's mother, Mrs. Yang of Rongguo, fell ill, she ordered Liu Yizhi's sister to greet her on her behalf. Driven by curiosity, Liu Yizhi disguised herself as a court lady and sneaked into Mrs. Rongguo's mansion to spy on Yang.Such disrespectful behavior was punished by exile in Junzhou.A few years later, the Queen of Heaven pardoned him, recalled him to the court, and appointed Zhong Shusheren.Because of his talents, he soon became a bachelor of Beimen. After Wu Zetian proclaimed the system, she was greatly appreciated and promoted to the position of third-rank prime minister.After enduring the harsh exile, Liu Yizhi's mental state has changed significantly, his emotions have been diluted, his rationality has increased, his thoughts have matured, and Confucian ethics have penetrated into his body, and he keeps talking about "moral articles".He was as filial as his father was to his grandmother, generous and kind to his relatives and friends, and kept his promise to others.Since Wu Zetian used cruel officials to carry out terrorism, he felt that it was contrary to the theory of "benevolence" vigorously advocated by Confucius, and he firmly advocated the rule of virtue and enlightenment, and opposed tyranny and arbitrary punishment.With the development of terrorist activities, his dissatisfaction and anxiety also increased correspondingly, and he moved out of the teachings of Confucius to resist: "The way is governed, and the order is punished, and the people are free from shame. The way is virtue, and the order is courtesy." , shameful and classy." When the situation developed to the point of no return, he couldn't help complaining.When Liu Yizhi was a middle school student, he served concurrently as Sima in Li Dan's then Prime Minister's Mansion. The gentle and studious Dan established a close relationship with the erudite Yizhi.When Li Dan learned that Liu Yizhi was imprisoned, he hurriedly asked his mother for mercy.Upon hearing the news that the emperor asked the queen mother for protection, Liu Yizhi's relatives and friends were overjoyed. They used the pretext of visiting the prison and told him happily: "The emperor came forward to plead with the queen mother directly. You are saved and will be released soon." "You are wrong. I am very aware of the Queen Mother's temper. If the Holy Majesty does not show up, I have a glimmer of hope of being saved. If he shows up, I will definitely die." Liu Yizhi's deduction was not wrong. Wu Zetian, who was unable to make up his mind for a long time, received Li Dan's pleading letter, and suddenly became suspicious. He was afraid that Li Dan and Liu Yizhi would collude against her, and immediately announced that "Liu Yizhi is in his own house." death" decree.The jailer escorted Liu Yizhi back to the mansion, and Liu Yizhi met with his family.His expression was the same as usual. After bathing his whole body, he personally wrote a thank you form to Wu Zetian for death. He wrote a few pieces of paper in one go, and then took poison to die.He was fifty-seven years old.Lintai Lang Guo Han and Prince Literary Zhou Sijun saw Liu Yizhi's thank you table, and felt that his talent, integrity, noble character and sentiment were all punished by Wu Zetian, and Guo Han was demoted as a judicial officer in Qianyang County, Hunan Province, Wuzhou. , Zuo moved to Zhou Sijun as Sicang, Zunyi City, Guizhou, Guizhou.With the appearance of cruel officials, the judiciary system disappeared.During Li Shimin's Zhenguan period, the prisoner could be executed only in autumn once a year after being reviewed by Dali Temple.In addition, before the prisoner is sent to Chang'an, the capital city, to be determined by Dali Temple, he must first go through a three-level trial in the local area, that is, the three-instance system. .In the past, the imperial censor's office was used to review cases, or to impeach and accuse.Now there are two prisons in the Suzhengtai Government Office, called Suzhengtai Prison.The censor attendant has the duties of investigation, trial and execution. The 15 itinerant censors are no more than eight-rank officials, but they all have the privilege of executing prisoners on the spot, and prisoners have no right to appeal.The door of informant is opened, cruel officials become active, some loyal people, or willing to die for the sake of ethics, or fight desperately with the murderous demon king, trying to uphold justice and preserve human civilization at all costs.Lintai Zhengzi Chen Ziang was one of them. He stepped forward, wrote vigorously, and directly expressed his admonition to Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian lingered over the memorial, and handed it to Wu Sansi. Wu Sansi read in a cadenced tone: "People in power hate Xu Jingye for taking the lead in rebellion. Punishment, where there is a slight suspicion of whereabouts, or the confession is linked, all pursue and interrogate as much as possible. Therefore, some villains lure the court, take advantage of your majesty's sense of crisis, frame up and report specious things, in exchange for official positions and rewards, this is probably not your majesty's crusade Guilty, merciful to the original intention of the people.” "He can't guess what I mean," Wu Zetian smiled mysteriously, "It seems that he is still a little tender." "Not too young, almost thirty-six years old." "As the saying goes, one charge at thirty-six, let's see how he makes the charge." "It's full of bookishness, full of pedantic arguments." Wu Sansi tightened his nose, showing a look of contempt. "It's better to be round than fine, and elves are hard to deal with. Well, read another passage." Wu Sansi picked up the memorial again, and read down: "I observe the general situation of the world in silence. The people have longed for a stable situation, so Yangzhou rebelled for 50 days, but the sea is safe and the dust is not disturbed. Your Majesty does not pursue peace. Doing nothing to save the exhausted people, but using threatening punishment to disappoint them. I am ignorant and deeply confused. Hey, even I am not clear about myself, why do you still have to submit a memorial?" "This is a humble word in a cliché, and it's rare for you to see it." Wu Zetian leaned back, and he will cite the facts next, and continue to read: "I have seen it with my own eyes, all sides have reported, hundreds of people have been imprisoned, and they have been pursued to the end. Not one of the hundred people is actually true. Your Majesty is merciful and forgiving, and wrongly forgiving those who make false accusations, so that treacherous people can take revenge on their enemies to their heart's content, even a little unhappiness. Hundreds of people went to prison, envoys arrested everywhere, and there were as many horses and chariots as in a busy city. Some people said that His Majesty loved one person but harmed hundreds of people, and there was a lot of discussion in the world. I don’t know where is the safe place—” "Well, why stop?" Wu Zetian raised his eyelids. "Next, I am citing that Emperor Sui Yang came to remonstrate with His Majesty, which is really disrespectful." Wu Sansi said viciously. A sullen look flashed across Wu Zetian's face, but he immediately smiled. "This person is not maliciously slandering, but the childishness and passion shown by young people. Although he feels it, he is very immature and has no new insights and breakthroughs." "He is obviously standing on the position of aristocrats, conservative and afraid of revolution." "Serious words, serious words," Wu Zetian waved his hand, "He does not belong to a conservative elite, nor is his thinking conservative, and he is not the object of revolution." Chen Zi'ang, courtesy name Boyu, was born in Shehong, Zizhou [Shehong County, Sichuan]. He was born into a wealthy family for generations.When he was young, he was a hero, and he decided to study after he was 17 or 18 years old. At the age of 24, he passed the Jinshi examination, and was appreciated by Wu Zetian, and he was promoted to be an official.Zhengzi is in charge of the library in the palace, and Zhengzi is under the ninth rank.Today, two years later, with his strong blood, he candidly stated his views on informants to the Queen Mother. "Now there are many people whose eyes are not in the normal position." Wu Zetian continued her topic, using metaphors vividly: "The eyes of the members of the royal family and the dignitaries mostly grow on the back of their heads. They look backward instead of forward. They talk about the past and keep silent about the traditional method. I just want to attract着他们向前看，虽经多方努力，但是改变不了他们顽固的本性，好比盐碱地种不出庄稼一样。” “这么说来，是废弃的好呢，还是掺沙好？” “先来他一场暴风骤雨，再等着瞧。” “太后不是说他们像麻石一样顽固不化么？” “常言道，黄河后浪推前浪，世上新人替旧人。顽固派往往是顽而不固的，顽到后来就要被扫进历史的垃圾堆，由新生的力量取而代之。” “陈子昂年纪不算老，我看也相当顽固。” “最可怕的正是这些年轻人。他们向往正义，向往光明，向往进步，但是又缺乏高瞻远瞩，深思熟虑，喜欢意气用事。” 高延福一践一践走了进来，屈膝下跪后，凑到武则天耳边说：“和尚来了很久啦，在外面等着咧。” “他怎么不进来？”武则天脸上微微发热，露出了少女般的艳笑。 “你们姑侄正谈得投机，怕打落了太后的兴致。” 武三思抬起头来，瞥见武则天正带着微笑瞅着他，他忙站起身来，轻轻地说：“我和髙公公先出去一会儿，薛爷也许有什么要紧的事找姑妈。” 说罢，他拉着高延福走出了仪鸾殿。高延嗣前年去世了，由他的养子高延福接替了他的位置。高延福不及高延嗣忠厚诚实，但是乖巧灵变，能体会武则天的心意，因此武则天把他留在了身旁，听候使唤。丁点儿、傻大哥和红杏、香荷都已年过半百，腿脚不行了，调整他们主管后宫的事务，也算是一种升赏，婉儿、玉兰和髙延福，留了下来，直接侍候武则天。 武则天想把玉兰许配给陆承恩，玉兰看不上陆承恩，只能另择对象。冯小宝落发出家，当上了白马寺的住持，频频往来于古刹与皇宫之间。随着环境的改变，乐享尊荣，过着奢华的生活，人巳养得白胖白胖的，身披耀眼的金祢袈裟，胯下是从御马中挑选出来的宝驹汗血马，背后尾随着二三十名太监，春风得意，神采飞扬，令人又是羡慕，又是嫉妒。 武则天喜大嫌小，觉得“小宝”二字，与他粗壮的体魄不相称，并希望他永不叛离，于是赐名“怀义”，赐给“薛”姓。命太平公主的丈夫薛绍待之以“叔父”之礼。薛怀义独精淫术，颇善健阳之法，陪武则天在龙床睡觉，交欢花样翻新，果然曲尽其妙。 武则天深切体验到，全身都是肌肉的薛怀义，不仅充满男性的魅力，而且为人机敏，没有传统观念的束缚，具有独特的创造力和应变能力。薛怀义也很欣赏武则天的床上功夫：云鬟雾鬓，玉山半颓，柔情欲醉，芗泽先融，描不尽的媚态，道不完的绸缪春情。俩人好得如胶似漆，缱绻缠绵，完全忘记了年龄上的差别。能够占有这如西皇母般高贵的女人，神思惝恍的薛怀义好像躺在云端里似的，高兴得神来天外，栩栩然仿佛长出了翅膀。可是，知情者偏偏没有忘记他的出身，对于他从社会底层一下跃上九重宫阙，颇有微词，背后冷言冷语：“诸位，和我们一起开凿奉先寺大佛的冯石匠来喽！” “什么石匠，明明是不安分守己的江湖郎中。” “他和我是同乡，我知道，他一家人都死于瘟疫，就只剩这个孤儿，光棍一条。” “嘻，嘻，说话真含蓄，又一针见血，他就凭下身这条光棍发迹，成了太后的情夫。” “用不着眼浅，这种形同淫器一般的男妾，实在可怜得很。” “瞧那得意的样子，他可怜吗？” “一个原来是尼姑，一个如今是和尚，和尚尼姑通奸，是佛门内部的事，你我管不着。” “他算什么和尚，明明一个假和尚，地地道道的花和尚。” “哈哈哈哈，花―一和一尚！”薛怀义佯装没有所见，只顾走他的路。当听到叫他“花和尚”时，实在忍无可忍，调转马头，挥动鞭子，向人群中冲了过去。人们抱头鼠窜，四散逃离，跑得慢的，被鞭子抽得头破血流。还有的被抽翻在地，半天爬不起来。从此，人们见了薛怀义，就像躲避瘟神似的，纷纷逃避，生怕和他抵了面挨打。曾经在民间颇受欢迎的冯小宝，如今竟变成了恶狼一般，叫人又惧又恨。反过来都说道教好，道教是国教，道士遵守清规戒律。薛怀义也以眼还眼，以牙还牙，采取了他的报复行动。一旦遇到道士，便命令随从的太监和侍从捉住剃光头。当时佛、道二教争执激烈，谁先谁后排位置。薛怀义当然站在佛教这一边，带着一种极端仇视的心理，向道教发起了攻击。朝臣们对他表面客气，内心厌恶，当面奉承，背后非议。善于见风转舵的武承嗣和武三思兄弟，从年轻时所饱受的风霜之苦，与现在的高官厚禄的对比中，看透了社会，把“世事洞明皆学问，人情练达即文章”，当作了座右铭，争先恐后地向薛怀义讨好，甚至毕恭毕敬地给他牵马。 武则天这两个狡黠而野心勃勃的侄儿，一心只想薛怀义在枕边的细语中，对其姑母说上他们几句好话。 薛怀义为了显示自己的威风，做出心安理得的样子，大大方方地接受他们的过分的恭维和阿谀：人的奸诈阴险和两面三刀，引起了薛怀义的警惕。为了自身的安全，以防不测，他召收了一批无业流氓和无赖，给他们剃成光头，装扮成“和尚”，编成保护他的侍卫队和密探队。这些游手好闲的临时凑合拢来的“和尚”，不懂法规，哪知天高地厚，经常集伴成群，或者独往独来，到洛阳坊间游荡，为非作歹，强抢明要，寻欢作乐。他们天生具有“苍蝇逐臭”的本能，哪里有金银财宝，有美色，总是千方百计地争夺，不落入手中，决不罢休。夜间，则明火执仗地闯进民房，搜其财宝，奸淫妇女，民间惶惶不安。他们暗中记着城中寡妇和娼优所住的街巷房屋，待到更深夜静，以探密为名，破门而人，实行强奸、伤害，哭声震动远近。巡逻市区的金吾卫，知道他们是薛怀义的弟子，拿他们没法，只好任其所为，让他们成了“僧侣强盗”。现在告密成风，法司制度乱了套。当朝诸执宰一个个都成了政务办事员，敢怒敢言的大都压下去了，降了职，丢了官，甚至掉了脑袋。就在白马寺“和尚”恣意猖獗之时，缄口结舌的官吏中却冒出了一个硬汉子一一右台御史冯思勖，他根据大唐法典《贞观律》和《永徽律疏》的规定，搜捕了这些作恶多端的狂徒，投入狱中。洛阳市民无不拍手称快。得意忘形的薛怀义得知这一情况后，大发雷霆，切齿痛恨道：“冯思勖呀冯思勖，你敢在太岁头上动土，老子跟你没完！” “住持，真是欺人太甚，”左右随从怂恿道，“打狗也要看主人嘛。” “不要说啦，说来说去反正是这么回事。嗯，你们都跟我一起走。”薛怀义暴跳起来，带着十余名“和尚”，冲出了白马寺，到处寻找冯思勖。冯思勖早朝下来，躲避不及，被薛怀义等从马上拉了下来。和尚们一拥而上，拳打脚踢，把冯思勖打翻在地，还不甘心，又在小腹上踹了儿脚。冯思勖的两名亲随侥幸逃脱，疾速报告了右台和金吾卫。等到右台和金吾卫派出士卒赶到现场时，冯思勖七孔流血，连嘴也张不开了。抬回家中，冯思勖已经停止了呼吸。因为冯思勖没有留下遗嘱提出控诉，也没有人敢出面替他申冤叫屈，右台便以查不出罪犯为理由，悬下了此案。 武则天已经感觉到了朝臣对于薛怀义的反感与憎恶，但是却若无其事似的，毫无反应，照旧沉静而娴熟地处理政务，谋划天下大计。开国初期，战乱的余波尚未平息，李世民吸取隋炀帝的教训，勤于国政，广开言路，主动纳谏，个人受到“开明君王”的羁绊，逐渐失去了英迈豪气。魏征之后，形成了以长孙无忌为首的贵族官僚阵营，控住了朝政大权，牵制了君主的意志，在选择皇嗣的大事上，李世民也不得不屈从于长孙无忌，让懦弱无能的李治垂承大统，成为一代傀儡皇帝。旁观者清，当局者迷，侍立于君侧的武才人明显看出了李世民作茧自缚所造成的悲剧。 武则天捞取皇后位置之后，首先粉碎了强大而顽固的贵族官僚集团，强化了君主独裁。三十年来，她不遗余力地打击贵族门阀势力，推行新政，促进社会发展。 徐敬业叛乱的事实明确告诉了她，特权阶级并不甘心自行退出历史舞台，随时都有兴风作浪、进行反扑的可能。 武则天咬紧牙关，决计向李氏宗室和贵族官僚发动总攻，开展“大清扫”活动。政治上的频频得手和事业上的成就，也给任性而意气风发的武则天带来了享乐思想，她本是个不甘寂寞的勇敢者，想冲破后妃体制的束缚，主动去追求男性，宣泄自己的性欲，满足自己的生理需要，充分享受床笫上的欢快。正统史家们往往只从道德角度加以评价，斥责其不守妇道，道德败坏，大肆渲染，大加挞伐。这相当片面，不够公正。男性皇帝可以占有众多的女性，为什么不受谴责呢？当然，对于武则天依恃特权，作风不检点，纵欲无度，超出了私生活的范围，应持批判态度，不必包容，也无需强词夺理。 武则天并非冷酷无情，相反，恰恰是个感情异常丰富的女人。对于薛怀义，可以说情和欲兼而有之。为了遏制住薛怀义的野性，她采取了教化的方式，劝其学习文化，增长知识，同时召选洛阳名僧，让薛怀义和他们一起在宫中讲经、坐禅，攻读佛典。闲散惯了的薛怀义以为武则天是要给他套上笼头，很不痛快。 武则天并不责备他，和风细雨地说服道：“你是个聪明的人，智谋、胆略都大大超过那些官僚和贵族子弟，朕将派上你的大用场，但是没有文化修养是不行的。学问二字并不难，不懂就问嘛。” “好，好，”薛怀义找不出理由反驳，“让我先试试看。” “不要抱着试的态度，要钻进去，用心下一番功夫。” 薛怀义明白了武则天的用意，树立了信心，把白天的时间放在修行上，集中精力学习佛经。一则名师出髙徒二则薛怀义秉性颖悟，学得快，记得住，还能发挥一些个人见解。当然，他的目的不在于探求佛学本源，而成为得道高僧，只是从经典中学些字句，提高文化素养。白马寺离皇宫路远，往来奔走费时，薛怀义请求武则天批示，在洛阳城外三东门之一的建春门内的敬爱寺，兴建了一所佛持记寺，给他居住。生性狂野的薛怀义，又增添了一些新知识，更觉得不可一世了，总是斜着眼睛看人，根本不把别人放在眼里。一天散朝后，他和左相苏良嗣碰了头。一个恃宠而骄，一个刚强不屈，两个人都不想让。当彼此的身体快要碰撞时，薛怀义昂首挺胸，两眼翻上额头，仍不停步。 “站住”苏良嗣的随员一声猛喝，“不懂规矩的和尚，遇到宰相应该让路，并躬身行礼，以示敬意。” “宰相，有什么了不起，”薛怀义毫不示弱，“我是出家人，他管我不着”苏良嗣气得涨红了脸，站住脚，反唇相讥道：“混蛋秃子，什么出家人，太后的宠物，有什么了不起。你撞上了苏某，苏某今天非要管一管你不可。” “好家伙，你想造反么，竟敢侮辱太后！”薛怀义打算耍无赖。 “谁侮辱太后？谁侮辱太后？侮辱太后的，恰恰是你这个下三滥的家伙！” “你骂人，不文明！” “骂了你又怎么样？” 苏良嗣两眼一瞪，“诸位，把这不伦不类不文明的秃崽子，轰出去，免得他污染了朝堂。” 朝臣们围裹垅来，逼得薛怀义无路可走。有人当胸一拳，打得他打了个趔趄，又有人从两边夹住他，拳脚跟着像雨点一般落到了他的头上和身上，边打边嚷着，骂着：“赶走缪毐，赶走缪毐。” “可耻的淫具，揍扁他，揍扁他！”缪毐是秦始皇之母庄襄王后的情夫。他原是咸阳市井无赖，性好淫乱，以阳具特大而为人所知。吕不韦赦免了他的淫乱罪，留在府中做门客。在市井游乐的日子里，吕不韦吩咐用桐木做了个车轮，让缪毐用他的阳具穿在车轮之中，拨动车轮转动。庄襄王后听到后，很感兴趣，吕不韦就给缪毐假施阉割手术，献给了身为太后的庄襄王后。其实寡居的太后养一名男妾，算不了什么大事，值不得大惊小怪。然而武则天任用从社会底层爬上来的人物，实行恐怖政治。那些怀恨在心的文武官员，就像受压抑的喷泉一般，一旦找到了出口，便一古脑儿向着同样出身低下的薛怀义愤射出来，发泄怨忿。遍体鳞伤的薛怀义磕磕碰碰来到武则天面前，哭丧着脸，吸着喉咙诉说了被打的经过和苏良嗣不堪入耳的谩骂。 武则天起头恼羞成怒，拳头捏得紧出水来，继而又竭力克制自己，恢复了平静。 “我的胖老大，事儿你错在先，叫我如何好出面？南门是朝臣出入的通道，你要走北门哒。” “你不公平，”薛怀义噘起嘴巴，“反而替他们狡辩。” “忍得一时之气，免得百日之忧。怪只怪你没有一点忍性。” “他们明目张胆地欺侮我，我又没有打他们。” “好啦，好啦，吃一堑长一智，你就买下这个血的教训吧。” “我不服气。” “不服也得服，暂时只能搁一搁。” 这次冲击，把薛怀义的骄气打掉了一些，从此收敛了许多。然而他并不就此善罢甘休，轻饶苏良嗣等朝臣。他等待太后处分苏良嗣，却迟迟没有动静。他伤心了，失望了，虽然伤势已经痊愈，可他依然借口伤痛，呆在佛持记寺里不出来。玉兰看到武则天坐卧不宁的神态，跟婉儿商量，把此事告诉了高延福。 “姑娘们出去不方便，就让我去走一趟吧。” 高延福驱车到了薛怀义的住地。薛怀义知道高延福是武则天的心腹太监，谁也不敢不买他的账。得到通报，只得勉强出迎。 “高公公莅临寒寺，贫僧真是领当不起。” “来得冲撞，”高延福满脸堆笑，“还求佛爷海涵。” 人座以后，僧徒献上斋果和茶点。薛怀义伸出一只手巴掌，客气地说：“公公请角茶，随意尝尝果品。” 高延福呷了两小口茶，拈起一粒开胃果，送入口中，慢慢地咀嚼着：“多日不见，不知佛爷身体康复没有？” “伤倒在其次，就是咽不下这口气，唉。” 薛怀义皱着眉毛，做出垂头丧气的样子，叹了口气。高延福停止了咀嚼，用一只眼睛瞥着对方：“太后有旨，宣你进宫，什么事情都得搁下来，佛爷，圣谕难违呀！”薛怀义只好应召进宫，而且是走北门而入。 武则天先竭力抚慰了一番，又安排他负责宫廷的营缮事项，以此抵消他的思想情绪和怨气。薛怀义一头扎进了这项新事务中，考虑周到，管理精细。 武则天见他脸上有了喜色，这才松了口气。左补阙王求礼得知薛怀义公开留在后宫，以为不妥，立刻上奏折谏道：“后宫除了皇帝，男子一律不得人内。太宗朝琵琶高手罗黑黑去势后，才准进宫教授宫女们演奏琵琶。请陛下以罗黑黑为例，先将薛怀义去势，再入内宫。” 接到奏折，恰好千金公主来了。 武则天将折子递给千金公主观看，两个人不禁相对噗哧一笑。 “天呀天，王求礼真不懂味，这事叫他操什么心？” “不，”武则天止住了笑，“补阙官的任务是指出天子不在意时所犯下的过失，你有所不知，他怕疏忽失职哩。” “失她娘的鸟职假设薛怀义去了势，还要他进宫干吗？！” “嗳，说话文明点。” “臣该死，臣该死。” 千金公主吓得跪了下来，连连叩头请罪。 “快起来，快起来。” 武则天亲昵地说，“你是功臣，何罪之有。” “谢陛下洪恩。臣还有一事相求。” 千金公主跪着不肯起来。 "Go ahead." “太后若不嫌弃，请收臣做养女。” 这个请求，未免荒唐透顶，连武则天也不胜诧异。千金公主虽然比她略小两岁，但她却是高袓李渊的女儿，即太宗李世民的异母妹妹，李治应叫她作姑妈。而她利令智昏，把自己的辈份降低两级，用来求取武则天的恩泽。 “起来说话呀！” “太后不答应，儿臣就不起来。” “这叫我怎么好答应呢，公主？！” "Thank you Lord Ron." 千金公主听到“答应”二字，随机应变，叩了个头，站起身来，“还求母后赐一封号。” “嗨，你真把我为难了。朕就赐你姓武吧，封为定安公主。” 众所周知，武则天所生的那个未满月便猝然死亡的长女，于麟德元年被追封为定安公主，和所赐给千金公主的封号一字不差，看来，武则天至今还没有忘记有助于她击溃王皇后的小公主。千金公主在历史上的知名度不高，很少有人提到她。然而她是一位很有心计、很有活动能力的女性。由于先母地位不高，她在众公主中不被重视，甚而至于遭受排斥。表面上她并不和她们发生冲突，避得远远的。暗地里，却积极向武则天靠拢，讨她欢心，在大清冼的暴风雨尚未到来之前，她摇身一变，成了武则天的养女，改名换姓与李氏宗族彻底脱离了关系，人身安全得到了保障。