The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 1077: Hou Junji's Beating
"Haitang, it's been nearly two months since the emperor came back. How are Xiang'er and the emperor getting along?"

When this matter was mentioned, Haitang's expression also became quite depressed: "Dad, you know Xiang'er's character. The emperor has been very busy recently. He and the emperor have no other time to spend together except meeting in the court."

"Moreover, Xiang'er seems to be a little afraid of Cheng Qian. Every time he goes to pay his respects, he seems timid and cowardly."

Hou Junji frowned, thinking of the aura the emperor displayed in front of him that day and the fleeting murderous intent. Even he, a brave general who had survived hundreds of battles, felt a little frightened, let alone his grandson who had been cowardly and timid since childhood.

"That won't do. The emperor is busy, but Xiang'er, as a son, must also be filial. This is his duty. No matter what, he must go to Chengqing Palace to pay his respects every day."

Hou Junji advised earnestly: "The emperor has been away for many years, and he and Xiang'er have not cultivated a relationship since childhood, so they are more distant than ordinary father and son. But they are blood father and son after all, and even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected. How can the emperor not miss his son?"

"It's just that the emperor's position is not stable yet, so he won't focus on these children's private affairs."

"As a son, Xiang'er should serve you every day. With time together, the father-son relationship will naturally grow stronger. If Xiang'er keeps hiding from the emperor, it will inevitably lead to problems in the father-son relationship. You know, the emperor has more than one child!"

"He hides from the emperor, but others won't. Once someone invites the emperor's favor, Xiang'er will be in danger!"

Haitang was a little panicked when she heard this, and asked anxiously: "Dad, what should we do? You know, Xiang'er is an honest child, not the kind of person who can please others?"

"These are exactly what you, the queen mother, should consider. Think carefully about how Empress Zhangsun handled such matters. When the emperor was the crown prince, how did he get close to the emperor?"

Hou Junji was a little disappointed: "Don't stay in the palace all the time and think about other things. Go to Daming Palace when you have nothing to do and serve the Empress Dowager. Don't you see Ankang and Jinyang sticking to Daming Palace every day? Even Jinyang, the sister who has never seen the emperor, has a much better relationship with the emperor."

"You are the queen, and it is your duty as a daughter-in-law to serve and accompany her. By asking for advice on managing the harem, you can make her happy."

"If anything happens, she will naturally make the decision for you. This is much better than you doing it yourself."

"Also, have Xiang'er go to Chengqing Hall every day, but don't go in the morning. The emperor is either holding court or receiving ministers in the morning. If he goes there, he will only get in the way."

"I heard that the emperor reviews memorials until late at night every day. If he is asked to go at night to help the emperor sort out the memorials, serve tea and water, prepare midnight snacks, etc., the emperor will definitely not mind. In the dead of night, the emperor will definitely show more care and love if he spends more time with the emperor."

"It will even cultivate Xianger's ability to govern, and slowly, the affection between father and son will accumulate."

Haitang listened to Hou Junji's teachings, and her eyes suddenly lit up: "Dad, you still have a way. Why didn't I think of this? If this is the case, it won't be long before their relationship as father and son will become closer."

Suddenly thinking of something, Haitang whispered gossipingly: "Dad, I heard some people in the palace say that Gao Yang's death was caused by the emperor..."

Before he could finish his words, Hou Junji suddenly sat up from the bed, and he was furious, his eyes seemed to be spitting fire and angrily shouted: "Asshole, who is gossiping behind your back, slandering the emperor, and alienating the royal family?"

"Daddy, you."

Haitang was so frightened that she trembled, not knowing where she had done wrong.

Hou Junji's chest rose and fell violently with anger. "I said that the emperor has been back for a while, why does he rarely visit you? You still have the nerve to ask? Haitang, what have you learned from what Daddy taught you?"

Seeing that his daughter still didn't understand, Hou Junji suppressed his anger and said, "You are the queen. You should step in to stop the gossip in the harem, especially those that are not beneficial to the emperor. At a critical moment, you can kill a few talkative servants to kill chickens to honor the marquis."

"Perhaps Concubine Yang and Concubine Wei deliberately spread the news to undermine the emperor's prestige and create opportunities for their sons. How come you don't have any political sensitivity at all?"

"You are the Queen, and you are one with the Emperor. How can you tolerate such unfavorable remarks about the Emperor being spread in the harem?"

"If Empress Zhangsun were here, she would have dealt with it long ago. And you, not only do you not realize the seriousness of the problem, you are still speculating here. You must remember your identity. You are the Empress who governs the harem and rules the country."

"You are not an ordinary woman who talks about this and that. If you can't manage the harem, you will only disappoint the emperor."

Seeing Haitang trembling and pale under his power, Hou Junji did not show any mercy. Instead, he said coldly, "If Gaoyang's matter has nothing to do with the emperor, you can't let them ruin the emperor's reputation; if this matter is really instructed by the emperor, then you dare not let anyone say it."

"I think you need to reflect on yourself and learn how to be a queen."

Although Hou Junji felt sorry for his daughter, he had to harden his heart.

He knew that his daughter becoming the queen and his grandson becoming the crown prince was not the end, but the beginning of a more severe struggle. The bloody storm in the harem was no less severe than that in the court. If his daughter could not grow up quickly.

Sooner or later you will lose your position as queen and be pushed down by others. You can protect yourself for a while but you cannot protect everything. In the end you have to rely on yourself.

After a violent storm, Haitang fell into a deep daze. Yes, she had not yet changed her identity. She still thought she was the little widow who was not loved by her husband and uncle, hiding in the East Palace, and it didn't matter if she talked about the gossips of other people.

Am I acting like a queen now?

Her husband was working hard to secure the throne, and her son's position as the crown prince was not so secure. How could she think about these romantic matters every day? She neglected the harem and was taken advantage of by others.

Haitang's face turned red and white, and finally turned cold. She gritted her teeth and said, "Daddy, don't worry, I know what to do next!"

"Ah."

Hou Junji looked at his daughter's determined expression and softened his tone: "But don't worry too much. Our emperor is not a weak emperor. He is a tough guy who can hold up the sky."

"All you have to do is manage the harem and supervise Xiang'er."

"Besides, we still have Dad! No matter what, Dad's old bones can still hold on for a few more years. He won't collapse anytime soon."

Haitang's eyes were blurred with tears. She looked at Hou Junji's gray hair and wrinkled face. She seemed to see the shoulder that had protected her from wind and rain since she was a child. She nodded vigorously and said, "My daughter believes in Daddy."

After the court was dismissed, Li Yan returned to the imperial study, changed out of his formal dragon robe and put on a light robe. With the help of two palace maids, he ate some cakes to fill his stomach and began to deal with memorials.

When Cen Wenben arrived at the imperial study, Li Yan was busy.

Seeing Cen Wenben coming in, Li Yan quickly dealt with several urgent matters, and threw a memorial he had just approved to the new Zhongshu Sheren Li Yifu who was waiting on the side, and ordered: "Yunzhong is in urgent need of food. I have approved it. You can take it directly to the Ministry of Revenue and urge them to transport the military food before the autumn flood."

"If there is any delay, I will only hold you responsible"

"Yes, I will not delay." Li Yifu responded respectfully, bowed to his immediate superior who had just come in, and hurried off to do his job.

Li Yifu is 31 years old this year. Li Yan had checked it out before. He was previously a ceremonial officer in the Ministry of Personnel, and later he was promoted to the position of Supervisory Censor of the Censorate. Li Yan felt that it was not a good idea for such a sinister person with unlimited potential to stay in a place like the Censorate.

He was directly promoted to the position of Sheren in the Secretariat, just replacing Xu Jinzhong's previous position.

Although the two men's character was not good, their ability was beyond doubt. In history, both of them had achieved the position of prime minister, and there was absolutely no problem for them to be independent. Li Yan personally promoted them, trained them, and stuffed them into the two major departments.

One entered the Menxia Province, and the other was added to the Zhongshu Province, and they would become his powerful arms in the future.

Such people are always responsible, whether doing things or taking risks, and they don't feel sorry for their sacrifices.

Seeing Cen Wenben coming in, Li Yan waved his sleeves, and Wang De hurriedly directed the palace maids and eunuchs to retreat, and he stood guard at the door himself.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Cen Wenben saw this scene. The emperor had dismissed everyone else and it was obvious that he wanted to talk to him specifically about something. Thinking of the scene in the court before, Cen Wenben saluted with some worry.

Li Yan sat behind the desk, waved his hand, and pointed at the brocade cushion in the middle: "Sir, please take a seat."

"I dare not!"

Cen Wenben hurriedly saluted, his heart was even more shocked, and he became a little panicked. The emperor did not refer to his position but to Mr., it seemed that this time he was doing it for personal reasons, but he knew Li Yan's temper, so he said something polite and sat down nervously.

At the same time, I took a deep breath. If it is a blessing, it will not be a disaster. If it is a disaster, it cannot be avoided.

"In fact, I have always admired your talents."

Li Yan imitated Li Shimin, leaned back on the couch and stroked his neatly trimmed beard, saying with a smile: "My father once said that you are very disciplined and a man of big picture. No matter what your position is, you can always maintain the overall situation and do the court affairs meticulously."

"I deeply agree with this point."

When Li Shimin was mentioned, Cen Wenben stood up in a hurry to show respect, and said in fear: "I am ashamed to accept the praise of the emperor. If it were not for the emperor's broad mind and courage, how could a humble historian like me be able to enter the elegant hall and do something for the Tang Dynasty."

"And the emperor's generosity in selecting me has moved me beyond words. The two holy masters of our dynasty value me, and I am deeply grateful to them. I will repay them with my life."

(End of this chapter)