Chapter Twenty-Seven: As Seductive as Poppies
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In response to Princess Taiping’s inquiry, it was Cui Shi who spoke first.
Cui Shi hailed from the Baling branch of the Cui clan, foremost among the five great families—Cui, Lu, Li, Zheng, and Wang. Of these, the Cui clan stood at the pinnacle, making Cui Shi a favored son of the most illustrious household in the realm. He himself was a rare beauty among men, gifted with remarkable talent and widely celebrated for his abilities. Yet, he was equally renowned for his lack of political integrity—his reputation in that regard was lower than that of a courtesan. Cui Shi began his career as an assistant official in the Bureau of Evaluation. When Empress Wu Zetian was forced to abdicate and the throne was returned to the Li family, Huan Yan Fan, one of the chief architects of the restoration, wielded great influence. Cui Shi became his protégé. However, Huan Yan Fan, distrustful of Wu Sansi, sent Cui Shi as a spy to gather intelligence under Wu Sansi’s command. When Cui Shi saw Wu Sansi's star rising, he betrayed Huan Yan Fan and aligned himself with Wu Sansi. Later, when Lady Shangguan Wan’er gained control over court affairs, Cui Shi shifted his loyalty to her. He grew close to both Shangguan Wan’er and Princess Anle, and when Li Longji staged his coup, Cui Shi sided with Li Dan, eventually becoming a confidant to Princess Taiping herself. In a political career spanning little more than a decade, Cui Shi betrayed and shifted allegiances repeatedly. Though his lack of principle was scorned, his keen judgment always ensured that each defection brought him greater benefit, propelling him into the ranks of the highest ministers.
“Peace reigns across the land; mostly minor matters unworthy of mention. Yet there is one issue worth discussing. Xue Na, Grand Commander of Youzhou, has submitted a memorial seeking approval to launch a campaign to reclaim Liaoxi and Liaodong. He seeks authorization. What is Your Highness’s opinion?”
Princess Taiping’s gaze settled on Xiao Zhizhong.
Xiao Zhizhong too hailed from a distinguished lineage—the Lanling Xiao clan—and was equally gifted. He was a man of contradictions: at times upright and unyielding, unafraid to impeach corrupt officials such as Chancellor Su Weidao; at other times, capable of petty schemes, currying favor with Prince Liang, Wu Sansi. Sometimes he held fast to his duties and was respected by the people; at other times, he lost his way, allying himself with the Wei family, marrying his daughter to Empress Wei’s cousin, and even arranging a ghost marriage between his deceased daughter and the Empress’s brother. Yet his talent was beyond question—even Song Jing, one of the four great chancellors of the Tang, lamented Xiao Zhizhong’s allegiance to another. Even after Xiao Zhizhong’s execution, Li Longji remembered his capabilities. When appointing Yuan Qianyao as Chancellor, Li Longji remarked to Gao Lishi, “Do you know why I promote Yuan Qianyao? Because he reminds me of Xiao Zhizhong.”
At present, Xiao Zhizhong was considered the chief strategist under Princess Taiping.
He said, “His Majesty intends to make use of foreign war to enhance his own prestige. If I am not mistaken, His Majesty has already been in secret correspondence with the Grand Commander; otherwise, the Grand Commander would not propose such a campaign at this time.” With a single glance, he saw through Li Longji’s intentions.
Cui Shi respectfully presented Xue Na’s memorial to Princess Taiping with both hands.
Princess Taiping unhesitatingly opened the memorial and examined it closely. She nodded and said, “The Grand Commander speaks wisely. As long as Liaodong and Liaoxi remain unreclaimed, the Andong Protectorate cannot be at peace, and Silla also eyes us greedily. We cannot lower our guard.” Li Wuyi had been executed as a traitor of the Xi and Khitan tribes, but all this was part of Silla’s conspiracy—a fact Princess Taiping had already gleaned from Xue Na’s memorial.
Cui Shi’s tone carried a hint of disbelief. “Does Your Highness mean to agree?”
Princess Taiping countered, “Why not? At present, there are few truly capable generals in our Tang Dynasty. If even Xue Na cannot reclaim Liaodong and Liaoxi, no one else can. This is a matter of great benefit to our empire and no harm at all—why refuse?”
Cui Shi frowned. “But if Xue Na is victorious, won’t that only enhance His Majesty’s prestige?”
“And what if it does?” Princess Taiping retorted. She rose and walked to the palace doors, pausing to say coolly, “My royal brother has already decided to depose the new emperor and install a new crown prince. Let my nephew do something for the good of the Tang one last time.” With that, she departed gracefully, leaving Xiao Zhizhong and Cui Shi frozen in shock.
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These two extraordinary men, at this moment, could only feel boundless astonishment: the Retired Emperor intends to depose the new emperor and appoint a new crown prince...
How had Princess Taiping accomplished this?
Staring at her vanished figure, Xiao Zhizhong and Cui Shi’s eyes held not only admiration, but a trace of fear—her brilliance was almost terrifying.
In the contest of wits between Princess Taiping and Li Longji, she had always had the upper hand, yet once, she faced a crisis of unprecedented magnitude. In the first year of Yanhe, she sought to depose Crown Prince Li Longji and install another, leading to rumors of Li Longji’s alleged treason. Li Dan, however, instead of fearing Li Longji’s supposed threat and removing him, took the opportunity to abdicate, passing the throne to Li Longji.
Li Longji was elevated from crown prince to emperor in an instant. Just when all believed the outcome was settled, no one could have foreseen that Princess Taiping would single-handedly turn the tide, persuading the Retired Emperor Li Dan to sideline Li Longji and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat...
Now she had persuaded Li Dan to depose Li Longji... It was inconceivable!
Xiao Zhizhong and Cui Shi, as Princess Taiping’s most trusted strategists—outstanding men among men—found themselves feeling oddly superfluous...
She had accomplished with ease what they could never have managed, no matter how they racked their brains.
A victorious smile blossomed on Princess Taiping’s face, as dazzling and intoxicating as a poppy.
“Your Highness, Princess Yuzhen has arrived!”
A sweet, lovely face appeared in Princess Taiping’s mind. She smiled, “Quickly, invite her in! No, wait—I’ll greet her myself!”
The direct line of the Li family had been all but wiped out by her mother, Wu Zetian; only a few precious scions remained. For the few relatives she had left—so long as they posed no threat to her power—Princess Taiping cherished and protected them sincerely.
“Aunt!” Li Chiying, who adored her indulgent Aunt Taiping, came running and dove straight into her embrace.
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Princess Taiping immediately noticed the bruise on Li Chiying’s forehead and, distressed, asked, “What happened?” Her gaze landed on the maids accompanying Li Chiying, and her tone turned icy. “How have you been tending to the princess?”
The four maids, terrified, dropped to their knees.
Li Chiying hastily said, “Aunt, don’t blame them—it was my own carelessness, nothing to do with them.”
“How could you be so careless?” Princess Taiping gently blew on the bruise and ordered good medicine to be brought.
Li Chiying, indignation written on her face, said, “That’s not important. Aunt Taiping, I’ve come to complain. That Hui Fan is simply too outrageous—his behavior is intolerable! Not only did he arrest innocent people in broad daylight, he even tried to harm Doctor Liu, who once helped me. Isn’t that despicable?”
Princess Taiping laughed. “Despicable indeed. Tell me, how should he be punished?”
Li Chiying considered for a moment. “Flog him, strip him of office, dock his salary, and throw him into the pond!” She pointed her little finger toward the large pool in the front courtyard.
Princess Taiping pinched Li Chiying’s nose affectionately. “As you wish!” She waved her hand. “Call Hui Fan here. Give him fifty strokes, throw him into the lake, and don’t let him out for a full hour.”
Li Chiying suddenly hugged herself and said, “But it’s winter—won’t he freeze to death?”
“He won’t die so easily,” Princess Taiping replied, embracing Li Chiying. “You wanted this done, and your aunt has granted your wish. Now, shouldn’t you tell me—who sent you to find your aunt?” Her smile was radiant as she spoke.
Li Chiying paused, then exclaimed, “Oh! I forgot to ask his name. I only remember he’s tall—and very handsome!”