Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

In late autumn in Chang'an, the cold wind blew dead leaves swirling between the palace walls.

Inside the Xiande Hall, Emperor Li Xian's dragon robe shone coldly in the candlelight. His hand, clutching the memorial, trembled slightly, and his knuckles turned white.

There were bursts of footsteps coming from outside the hall, coming closer and closer, like a death warrant.

Li Xian's heart tightened, he knew that Wu Zetian had come.

"Your Majesty, the Queen of Heaven has arrived."

Li Xian stood up in a hurry, but saw Wu Zhao wearing a black cloak and walking into the hall with steady steps.

Her eyes were as sharp as an eagle's as she swept across Li Xian's face, causing him to lower his head involuntarily.

"Your Majesty has reviewed this memorial with considerable care, but I wonder if this decision will be equally prudent."

Wu Zhao's voice was neither high nor low, but it carried an irresistible majesty.

Li Xian opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself, but he didn't know where to start.

He knew in his heart that he, the emperor, was just a puppet in the hands of a bitch.

The power of the court has long been firmly controlled by his mother, and he is just a decoration.

"Queen, I... I think..."

"Enough!" Wu Zetian interrupted Li Xian abruptly. "As a ruler of a country, you are so indecisive. How can you shoulder the heavy responsibility of the world?"

Before she finished speaking, Wu Zhao waved her hand and several guards rushed in from outside the hall.

Li Xian widened his eyes and looked at everything in front of him in horror.

"From now on, Li Xian abdicates and is demoted to Prince of Luling. You must leave Chang'an immediately!"

Wu Zhao's voice was firm and unquestionable.

Li Xian collapsed to the ground. He never imagined that his career as emperor would be so short.

At that time, the child had the dream of governing the country and realizing his ambitions when he first came to power, but now, he has ended up like this.

After Xian was deposed, the entire city of Chang'an fell into a dead silence. The people whispered among themselves, and the officials trembled with fear, all waiting for Wu Zetian's next move.

In 690 AD, the sky in Luoyang was exceptionally clear.

On the Yingtian Gate Tower, Wu Zhao, wearing a gorgeous dragon robe and a crown with twelve tassels on her head, slowly walked onto the throne surrounded by officials.

At that moment, the entire Luoyang city was in an uproar.

"I ascend the throne today, change the country's name to Zhou, and establish the capital in Luoyang, which will be called the Divine Capital!" Wu Zhao's voice resounded through the sky and spread to every corner of Luoyang.

She looked at the officials prostrating themselves on the ground below the stage, feeling a flood of emotion in her heart.

From a humble talent to the ruler of a nation, she has come a long way, overcoming countless hardships and dangers. Only she knows the ups and downs of her life.

In order to consolidate her rule, Wu Zhao carried out drastic reforms to the official system.

She established the Wenchang Terrace, Luan Terrace, and Feng Pavilion. The chief officials of the Wenchang Terrace were Wenchang Zuo Xiang and Wenchang You Xiang, and under them were six ministries: the Tianguan (Ministry of Personnel), the Diguan (Ministry of Revenue), the Chunguan (Ministry of Rites), the Xiaguan (Ministry of War), the Qiuguan (Ministry of Punishments), and the Dongguan (Ministry of Works), thus reconstructing a strict bureaucratic system.

The chief official of Luantai was the Nanyi, whose main functions were to review imperial edicts, seal and reject memorials, and participate in decision-making. The title of Tongpingzhangshi was added as the title of prime minister to strengthen control over the government.

The head of Fengge was the Nei Shi, whose main functions were to draft imperial edicts, record the emperor's words and deeds, and be in charge of confidential documents. He also added Beimen scholars to participate in confidential matters to make his decision-making more efficient.

When the news came out, the whole world was shocked.

Since ancient times, there has never been a precedent of a woman becoming emperor.

In people's minds, women should stay at home and take care of their husbands and children. Now Wu Zhao actually broke the convention and ascended the throne, which made it difficult for many people to accept.

In Yangzhou, the atmosphere in the Duke of Ying's Mansion was solemn.

Li Jingye sat in the main seat with a terribly gloomy expression.

He was the grandson of Li Ji and inherited the title of Duke of Ying. He was the governor of Meizhou at the time. Later, because he was dissatisfied with Wu Zetian, he was demoted to Sima of Liuzhou.

Now, he has come to Yangzhou, and the resentment in his heart is like a raging fire, burning more and more fiercely.

"Duke Yingguo, just as you expected, the Queen Mother has usurped the throne!" Luo Binwang hurried into the hall, his face full of anxiety.

Li Jingye picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea had already gone cold, but it seemed unable to extinguish the anger in his heart.

"The Evil Queen has usurped the throne. I am a descendant of the founding heroes of the Tang Dynasty. How can I watch my Li Tang dynasty fall?"

Li Jingye slammed his teacup to the ground, sending shards flying. "I'm going to raise an army to support Prince Luling and restore the Li Tang dynasty. Mr. Luo is incredibly talented, so I'll leave this manifesto in your hands."

Luo Binwang pondered for a moment and nodded resolutely: "For the country and the people, it is my duty!"

Soon, a magnificent "Exhortation to Punish Wu Zhao" spread across the country.

In the manifesto, Luo Binwang enumerated Wu Zetian's "crimes" with sharp and passionate words, which inspired the fighting spirit of many people who were dissatisfied with Wu Zetian.

Li clan members and founding heroes from all over the country responded one after another, and a storm of resistance against Wu Zetian was brewing.

Inside Yingtian Gate, Wu Zhao stood at the window, looking at the lights of thousands of homes in Luoyang City.

She knew in her heart that rebellion was inevitable once she came to power.

I just don't know how many people in this world will rebel, and how many people can truly threaten my rule.

"Let's go, Wan'er, to the Mingtang. All the civil and military officials are waiting for me."

Wu Zhao turned around and spoke to Shangguan Wan'er behind her.

Her tone was calm, yet firm.

Shangguan Wan'er hurried to catch up, and the two of them walked towards the Mingtang. Along the way, the guards were lined up in neat rows, their eyes sharp.

At the same time, in Xianyang, in an ancient courtyard, Lin Dafu was lying in a rocking chair with a haggard face.

He looked at Mr. Qi in front of him, his eyes filled with reluctance. "Old Qi, please show me around Xianyang City again. No matter how good other places are, in my heart, they can't compare to Xianyang. Back then, it was here that we followed His Majesty in raising an army and conquering the world. Only now is there the prosperous Tang Dynasty."

Mr. Qi sighed softly, reached out and touched his beard, his eyes full of sadness.

He slowly walked up to Lin Dafu and said, "Okay, I'll take you there."

The two walked on the streets of Xianyang, watching the people coming and going and the shops on the street.

After years of development, Xianyang City is very different from what we remember.

Lin Dafu looked at everything in front of him and felt a lot of emotions in his heart.

"Old Qi, you have finally opened your eyes now. It is His Majesty's will that the empress ascend to the throne, right? Otherwise, I don't believe that you, an old man, can bear it." Lin Dafu suddenly said.

Mr. Qi was slightly taken aback, then nodded. "Yes, Fatty Lin, it doesn't matter who becomes emperor. As long as the people live and work in peace, isn't that what His Majesty has instructed us to do? As long as the world is not in chaos, that's all that matters."

Lin Dafu nodded and coughed twice: "Lao Qi, you bastard, we have been brothers for so many years, and now I am about to die, and you are still covering it up."

"Tell me the truth, aren't you an immortal descended from the earth?"

Mr. Qi smiled, but tears welled up in his eyes: "You old man, at this time, you are still making such jokes."

The two of them came all the way to the highest point of Xianyang City, Jiulongpo. From here, they could take in the beautiful scenery of Xianyang City.

As the sun sets, its afterglow shines on Xianyang City, covering this ancient city with a golden coat.