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

As dusk fell, Di Renjie stood under the Danchi, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the fish bag at his waist. The cool touch of the goldfish talisman in the bag came through the brocade, just like the emotions surging in his heart at the moment.

The sound of stringed instruments could be heard faintly from the hall, but it could not conceal the invisible pressure - since the great victory, the atmosphere in the entire Luoyang city had changed. Even the peddlers on the street spoke of the "evil queen" with a hint of timid awe in their tone, as if those two words had been plated with the golden edge of imperial power.

He remembered the military report he saw at the Ministry of War three days ago.

The ink had not yet dried, but the lines were filled with the smell of gunpowder and weapons: The Turkic cavalry attacked Yunzhou at night, and the Tang army broke through seven camps in three days, killed twelve generals, and captured tens of thousands of cattle and sheep. When the Turkic Khan sent an envoy to seek peace, he did not even dare to mention the word "marriage" and could only send his own son to Luoyang as a hostage.

Such a record might not be surprising during the Zhenguan period, but everyone knows that things are different now.

"Master Di, you've been called in."

The eunuch interrupted his thoughts. Di Renjie took a deep breath, straightened the hem of his court robes, and stepped into the hall.

The hall was brightly lit with candles. Wu Zhao was sitting on the dragon throne, playing with a white jade chess piece in her hand.

She was wearing a dark blue casual dress today and no phoenix crown, but when her eyes swept over, they still had a sharp look that looked down on everyone.

"Huaiying arrived just in time," she raised her chin, motioning him to look at the files on the table. "This is the list of awards sent from Northern Xinjiang. Please check for me and see if there's anything I've missed."

Di Renjie took a few steps forward and his eyes fell on the file.

Densely packed names filled three pages, from captains to fire chiefs, and even the civilians responsible for transporting food and fodder were listed.

The amount of reward silver was marked behind each name, ranging from fifty taels to over a thousand taels. At the end was a line of words in red ink: "The Ministry of Revenue is to disburse the funds immediately without delay."

He was startled - this amount of money was enough to open ten silk shops in Luoyang West Market, and enough for farmers in Guanzhong to buy hundreds of acres of fertile land.

"Your Majesty is clear about rewards and punishments, and the soldiers will surely be impressed." Di Renjie spoke slowly, his voice so steady that no ripples could be heard.

Wu Zhao chuckled and dropped the chess piece onto the board, making a crisp sound. "Huaiying, do you think I'm trying to win people's hearts?"

The question was asked bluntly, with a touch of tentativeness and a touch of candor. Di Renjie looked up and met her gaze.

The candlelight reflected in those eyes, like two bottomless ancient wells. He suddenly remembered what she had said to him in the past: "Everyone says that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent, but this country has never been secured by virtue alone."

At that time, her eyes were sharp, yet still carried a bit of a girl's stubbornness. Now, the sharpness remains, but there is more of the calmness of someone who is strategizing.

"I dare not make rash comments." Di Renjie lowered his eyes. "But I heard that in the battle of Yunzhou, some veterans rushed into battle with wounds, shouting, 'Earn money for your Majesty to settle down.' I think it was your Majesty's grace that made them worry about their future."

"Worries about the future?"

Wu Zhao put down the chess piece and stood up.

She was thinner than she was twenty years ago, but standing there, her figure was taller than the guards in the palace. "Huaiying, did you know that last winter, three families of the Yunzhou garrison commander froze to death in Chang'an? Did you know that the soldiers of the Hexi Army had to sell their bows to others in order to have a full meal?"

Her voice suddenly rose, filled with long-suppressed anger. "During the reign of Emperor Qianwu, the treasury was full. When the soldiers charged into battle, they knew their fields were being tilled and their children were being educated."

"Yet today, the Ministry of Revenue is even withholding military pay, and those censors are still arguing about whether I am worthy of the throne!"

Di Renjie was silent. He knew all this.

Last winter, he tried a case in the Dali Temple: a soldier from the Hexi Army stole rice from the granary. After being caught, he cried heartbreakingly and said that his mother at home was almost starving to death.

He wanted to give the soldier a lighter sentence, but was impeached by the censor for "abuse of power and perverting the law", and in the end the soldier was sentenced to exile.

At that time, he wondered why the principles of this world are always the most harsh on the people?

"So I rewarded them with money," Wu Zhao's voice slowed down, with an almost cold clarity. "I gave them money, land, and documents exempting their children from taxes."

"They fought bravely, not for the Li Tang Dynasty, not for the Wu family, but for their own better lives."

"The most real things in this world are money and food, not the loyalty and righteousness written in history books."

Di Renjie raised his head and suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, do you still remember the corruption case you asked me to investigate during the Xianqing period?"

Wu Zhao was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "I remember. The Minister of War withheld military pay, and you discovered it. I will execute his entire family."

"At that time, His Majesty said that military pay was the lifeblood of the soldiers, and that embezzling military pay was more punishable than treason."

Di Renjie's eyes were as calm as water. "Your Majesty's generous rewards to the soldiers today are actually the same as your harsh punishment of corruption back then."

Wu Zhao smiled, warmth lingering in the fine lines at the corners of her eyes. "Huaiying truly understands me. Those old ministers always say I'm using 'womanly tactics' to win people's hearts. What do they know?"

"The reason Emperor Taizong allowed Yuchi Gong to ride alone to protect him wasn't because Yuchi Gong was a loyal minister, but because Emperor Taizong gave him the trust and wealth that no one else could give him."

"Everyone in this court swears by the 'stench of money,' but who can escape this 'stench of money?'"

She turned and walked to the window, pushing it open. The evening breeze, carrying the moisture of the Luo River, rushed in, blowing her clothes.

"Huaiying, look! The lights in Luoyang City are on." She pointed to the crisscrossing streets in the distance. "Under those lights are countless people who want to live a better life."

"What I want to do is to make them feel that they can live a good life by following me."

Di Renjie looked out the window at the lights of countless homes and suddenly remembered what his father often said when he was young in his hometown of Bingzhou: "If an official forgets that the people need to eat, his official hat will fall off sooner or later."

He didn't understand at that time, and always thought that being an official should put "loyalty and righteousness" first. Now he understands that the so-called loyalty and righteousness, after all, means making the people trust you - trust that you can let them have food to eat, clothes to wear, and a good night's sleep.

"But there's one thing I don't understand." Di Renjie lowered his voice. "Your Majesty's power is so great that no one dares to disobey you. Why do you still use cruel officials? People like Lai Junchen..."

"Lai Junchen?" Wu Zhao turned around, her eyes cold. "Huaiying, do you think I enjoy hearing those fabricated accusations?"

She walked over to a map and tapped her finger heavily on the location of Chang'an. "The Li Tang royal family has a complex network in Guanzhong. Those old ministers are subservient on the surface, but secretly collude with the vassal kings. If I hadn't taken drastic measures, this court would have been in chaos long ago."

"Why do you think we won the battle of Yunzhou? It wasn't just because of the reward money. I first executed three generals who collaborated with the enemy and confiscated their homes. Only then did they know the consequences of betraying me."

Her fingertips slid across the rivers and mountains on the map, from Youzhou to Liangzhou, from Lingnan to Mobei, and every place name carried her warmth.

"I know Lai Junchen and his men are ruthless, but to deal with wolves, you can't use the methods of sheep."

"Once I have cleansed out all these corrupt officials, I will naturally remove the cruel officials. Huaiying, you must wait."

Di Renjie's heart trembled suddenly. He recalled the list he had seen at the Ministry of Personnel the day before. More and more Wu clan members were being promoted, and even a few young children had been awarded the fifth rank.

He had always wanted to ask, but always found it difficult to speak out - why did she go to so much trouble to consolidate her power?

Was it to become a female emperor who would go down in history, or to completely turn the Li Tang dynasty into the world of the Wu family?

"Your Majesty. I just want to ask one question. Your Majesty, do you still recognize Li Tang?"

As soon as Di Renjie said this, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

"Recognize Li Tang?" Wu Zhao suddenly laughed, her laughter tinged with sarcasm and fatigue. "Back then, Emperor Taizong killed his brother and forced his father to surrender, and the people recognized him."

"What the people recognize is not the name 'Li Tang', but an emperor who can allow them to live and work in peace and contentment." She walked up to Di Renjie and looked at him with a burning gaze. "Huaiying, you've been with me for over twenty years. Tell me, have I been bad to the people all these years?"

Di Renjie raised his head and looked at her.

He thought of the newly opened canal outside Luoyang City, the tax reductions in Guanzhong, and how she ordered the granaries to be opened and grain released during the disaster years, and even went to the charity granaries to supervise in person.

He thought of the loyal ministers who were framed by cruel officials, and also of the people who survived because of her grace.

This is a woman so complicated that it is difficult to see clearly. Her methods are cruel and her ambitions are obvious, but she understands the suffering of the people better than many emperors who claim to be "benevolent monarchs."

"Your Majesty has been extremely kind and righteous to the people," he said word by word.

"Then what are you worried about?" Wu Zhao's voice softened. "Are you afraid I'll hand over the kingdom to the Wu family?" She sighed, walked over to the chessboard, and picked up the white jade chess piece again. "Huaiying, do you remember when you gave me a chess game? At that time, you said that when playing chess, you have to look at the overall situation, not just focus on one or two pieces."

She placed the chess piece on the "Tian Yuan" position on the board, the center and most crucial position. "This country is a huge chess game. Every move I make now is to ensure the continuation of this game. As for whether the surname is Li or Wu..."

She paused, looking out the window at the deep night sky, "A hundred years from now, future generations will judge for themselves."

Di Renjie stood there, and the depression in his heart suddenly eased a little.

He didn't know whether she was sincere or just being perfunctory, but he suddenly realized that some things couldn't be rushed.

Just like the war in the northern border, she used money to boost morale, used cruel officials to intimidate villains, and used a combination of kindness and force to make the entire Tang Dynasty follow her rhythm.

Her ambition may be truly boundless, but her ability can indeed support this ambition.

"I understand."

He bowed and said, "But I still feel that some things must be said by someone."

"Just like when His Majesty asked me to investigate a corruption case, I had to speak out even if it offended all the powerful people in the court."

Wu Zhao looked at him, a hint of warmth flashed in her eyes, and then was replaced by majesty.

"Whatever you want to say, just say it. I'm not so bad at not hearing honest advice that might be unpleasant to the ear."

"I ask Your Majesty to remove the cruel officials and pardon the old ministers who speak frankly and offer advice."

Di Renjie raised his head, his eyes firm, "Your Majesty has already gained prestige, so there is no need to resort to drastic measures."

"Just like the soldiers of the Northern Frontier, they charge for Your Majesty because Your Majesty gives them hope, not because they are afraid of Your Majesty's sword."

The hall was silent for a long moment, broken only by the occasional crackling of the candlelight. Wu Zhao remained silent, her head lowered as she gazed at the chessboard, as if pondering her next move.

Di Renjie stood there, cold sweat already oozing out of his back. He knew that what he said was almost challenging her bottom line.

"Okay." After a long moment, she finally spoke, her voice calm and composed. "Starting tomorrow, Lai Junchen will be transferred to Lingnan and will no longer be in charge of the prison."

"For those old ministers who were exiled, as long as they were not guilty of treason, their descendants will be given a chance to return to the capital."

Di Renjie was stunned. He didn't expect her to agree so readily.

"Do you think I really like killing people?" Wu Zhao looked up at him, a complicated smile on her lips. "Huaiying, you are my mirror. You can always reflect what I can't see."

"Some things need to be slowed down."

She waved her hand and said, "You can leave now. I want to be alone for a while."

Di Renjie bowed and took his leave. He didn't know what the future would be like, nor did he know where Wu Zetian would eventually lead the country, but he suddenly felt that perhaps he didn't need to worry too much.

Just like the lights in Luoyang City, even if there is wind and rain, as long as the foundation is still there, they can always light up again.

What he can do is to be a mirror that always stays bright in this storm, reflecting ambitions and original intentions.

When I returned to the mansion, the moonlight had already climbed up to the eaves.

Di Renjie sat in his study and wrote a memorial, which was not an advice, but a request to go to Guanzhong to inspect the disaster.

He wanted to see with his own eyes what kind of life the people who benefited from Wu Zhao's grace lived.

Some answers may not be found in the political arena, but in the smoke from cooking fires on the ridges of the fields.