bullyxtreme Chapter 1036 Di Renjie Dies Without a Trace
Chapter 1036 Di Renjie Dies Without a Trace
In the third year of Huiyao's reign, in winter, Tibet surrendered.
The Tibetan king, Qinu Xi, led his nobles to Luoyang and submitted to Li Cunxi, thus ending the Tang Dynasty's worries about the west.
To appease the Tibetan nobles, Li Cunxi lavishly rewarded many of them and then selected an excellent piece of land for them to live on to the west of Taichu Palace.
Wang Xiaojie, Guo Yuanzhen, Quan Shancai, and others made tremendous contributions in destroying the Tubo Kingdom. Li Cunxi rewarded them all, and the generals were all overjoyed and grateful to Li Cunxi.
The Daleha army and Sun Xiangzhou army, which had been attacking various regimes on the Korean Peninsula, also sent back reports to the Tang court, indicating that the wars in various places had basically ended and the Korean Peninsula had been formally incorporated into the territory of the Tang Dynasty.
Wang Jinghui, who was in Japan, found a large number of gold and silver mines. After reporting this good news to Li Cunxi in Luoyang, he gathered the local Japanese slaves together and dragged them all, regardless of age or gender, to mine.
Because of the large number of deaths, the people on the Japanese island were filled with resentment.
Faced with this situation, Wang Jinghui chose to make an example of them.
After burying more than 10,000 Japanese slaves, regardless of gender, alive or subjecting them to other extreme punishments, there was no longer any voice of resistance in Japan.
But Wang Jinghui did not stop there. He sent men to surround the cities where the trouble was most intense, and had soldiers go in to carve the words "sinner" on the faces of the Japanese invaders, as a warning to the Japanese invaders.
Seemingly feeling that this was not enough, he sent people to various parts of the Japanese islands to capture Japanese slaves. In each place, they captured thousands of Japanese slaves, slaughtered them, cut off the tumors on their necks, and piled them together to build a Jingguan (a mound of corpses).
Terrified by their deaths, the Japanese invaders could no longer muster the will to resist and embarked on an endless journey of colonization.
By the time Li Cunxi received the news in Luoyang, it was already spring.
Part of the army that had been conquering various countries had already embarked on its return journey. The prime ministers of the Council of State, looking at the latest news sent from the Japanese islands, dared not speak.
Everyone here reads the books of sages and their teachers taught them to treat foreigners with kindness and compassion. This is the first time they've ever seen someone like Wang Jinghui who kills without blinking an eye.
Based on Wang Jinghui's actions on the Japanese islands, at least 100,000 to hundreds of thousands of people have been killed.
The kind-hearted Zhang Jianzhi wanted to offer some advice, but when he looked up and saw the indifferent expression on Li Cunxi's face, he swallowed his words.
He had finally managed to return to the central government, and if he displeased Li Cunxi over something like this, no matter how much Di Renjie helped him, he probably wouldn't be able to come back.
After careful consideration, Zhang Jianzhi put the matter out of his mind and pretended not to know anything about it.
On the contrary, Yao Ting, the Minister of Revenue, took out a document from his pocket requesting retirement, saying that he was getting old and wanted to return to his hometown to enjoy a happy life surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
This time, Li Cunxi didn't bother with the act anymore. He agreed to let Yao Ting retire and, after sending him 100,000 taels of silver, immediately appointed Yu Zhou, who had returned from Tibet, as the Minister of Revenue.
As Zhang Jianzhi left Taichu Palace, he looked up at the sky:
"Things are completely different from what they were like back then!"
"Perhaps, it's time for this old man like me to retire."
"But then again, I've been assisting His Majesty for so long, and now I'm leaving again. His Majesty must think I have a problem with him, right?"
……
Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.
In the spring of the fifth year of the Huiyao era, which is 703 AD, Di Renjie, who had been suffering from a serious illness for two years, could no longer hold on.
He didn't show any signs of physical discomfort, but he just felt that his life might be coming to an end.
He lay on his bed as usual, recalling everything from the past twenty years. The images in his mind kept flashing, starting with his favorite Li Cunxi, and then Hu Jinghui, Li Yuanfang, Lu Dayou, Liu Chuanlin and others.
The past events seem like they happened just yesterday, and his students and nephews who had long been forced to part ways with him seem to be right in front of him.
He suddenly exhaled, the image in his mind lingering on the day Li Cunxi became emperor. On the abdication platform, Zong Qinke took the Imperial Seal from Wu Zetian and solemnly placed it in Li Cunxi's palm.
"How wonderful! I've done what I was supposed to do, fulfilled all my obligations, and seen the ending I wanted to see..."
Di Renjie smiled slightly and slowly closed his eyes.
After an unknown amount of time, the scene before him suddenly changed, and he seemed to be in a valley, with two mountain walls sandwiching him in the middle. His body, which was originally difficult to move, suddenly became light, and the mist that stretched from the boundless distance spread across the ground, swirling and rising.
This is a world from which there is no turning back, like the depths of a canyon, yet the mist that partially obscures his lower body seems to possess a magical power, making his body feel light.
"My time has come."
Di Renjie calmly accepted reality and began to move forward step by step.
After walking for less than half an hour, they saw a bright flash of light in the distance.
He felt he had reached the end of the canyon, and looking up, he saw that the top of the mountain wall did indeed have a design resembling a steep slope.
"It seems we need to get out of here."
Di Renjie composed himself and prepared to see what awaited him ahead.
After walking several dozen steps, the previously crowded path suddenly opened up, and the dazzling light at the end of the road was so bright that he couldn't open his eyes.
He covered his face with his hands and took two more steps forward. This time, he finally emerged from the narrow path. The glaring light outside dimmed, and Di Renjie closed his eyes, slowly adjusting to the light.
After a long while, Di Renjie slowly opened his eyes, his gaze lowered. The earth was full of vitality, with fragrant grass and fallen petals, as if spring had arrived. The vigorous vitality of all things vying for life moved this veteran official who had experienced the ups and downs of officialdom for many dynasties.
As his head slowly rose, his gaze gradually turned forward.
About thirty meters ahead on flat ground, you'll see a small slope covered in green grass that moves undulating even without wind.
At the top of the slope stood a small octagonal pavilion. In the center of the pavilion was a blue stone table, with several stools on either side. A young man with a limp slowly walked up to the pavilion and poured water for the people sitting inside.
Di Renjie was astonished. He never imagined that he would see such a scene after his death. His long-standing habit urged him to move forward and exchange a few words with these people.
Before he even got close, he stopped and stared at the limping young man's face.
As his lips moved, Di Renjie's body trembled.
The young man felt his gaze, stopped pouring water, and quietly met his eyes.
Several familiar faces sitting around the pavilion also stood up and looked at Di Renjie with calm eyes.
Di Renjie looked at them one by one and felt a sudden dizziness.
He actually knew all of these people!
Even if he had never met the person, he had seen their portrait before, and he would never fail to recognize them!
In the end, Li Xianxian stepped forward and nodded at him.
"Elder Guo, you've come too?"
Di Renjie remained silent, unsure how to respond, and could only nod.
The lame man was naturally Li Chengqian. He coughed lightly and said, "I must thank the Elder, otherwise we would never have been able to take back this empire. My father and my fourth brother were unworthy and gave up the Li Tang dynasty. Fortunately, the Elder did his best, and my nephew from Zezhou is talented and virtuous. Otherwise, future generations would not know how to ridicule my Tang dynasty."
Di Renjie bowed deeply: "Your Highness, this humble subject pays his respects."
Li Xian and Li Dan also stood up and said, "Lord Di, the country is safe and sound, all thanks to you."
"I am unworthy of such an honor, I am truly unworthy of such an honor," Di Renjie said, bowing repeatedly.
“Huaiying, the Tang Dynasty is truly remarkable because of you!” At the table, Li Shimin, with his dragon-brows and phoenix-like eyes, finally spoke, “Although the Tang Dynasty lasted for five generations, the descendants of the Li family have taken back this vast land.”
"The dynasty perished after only five generations? Whose fault is it?" Li Chengqian retorted sarcastically without hesitation. "If you hadn't deliberately instigated the conflict between the two empresses, how could this disaster have occurred?"
Beside Li Shimin, a handsome and tall man clapped repeatedly.
He laughed heartily and exclaimed, "My dear nephew's words are truly the most correct!"
"The Tang dynasty, though it rose in your hands, also fell in your hands! You were both a wise ruler and a foolish and tyrannical father, hahahahahahaha!"
There are precedents to learn from. Emperor Wu of Han almost brought the Han Dynasty to its doom because of his own mistakes. Sun Quan's power struggle with the two emperors led to the Eastern Wu, which was in a corner of the country, experiencing the chaos caused by powerful ministers.
Li Shimin did not learn from history, forced the crown prince to rebel and die, and the destruction of the country was not something he should have done.
On this issue of imperial power, which concerns morality, ethics, father-son relationships, and the struggle between brothers, Li Jiancheng, as the loser of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, had to stand up and give his nephew a good beating!
To know!
Even if Li Shimin didn't learn from history!
And it's impossible to forget how he killed his two brothers during the Xuanwu Gate Incident!
Li Jiancheng firmly believed that if it weren't for his unparalleled achievements and status as a wise ruler keeping these troubles in check, how good would Li Shimin's reputation be?
Li Shimin had nothing to say to his elder brother's blatant mockery, and calmly turned to look at the chubby Qingque.
"Drag the ninth brother out and give him a good beating!"
Li Zhi, dressed in a dragon robe, immediately looked distressed.
He never imagined that Empress Wu Zetian, whom he used to balance the court, would eventually usurp his son's throne.
Seeing that the fat Qingque was about to come and deal with him, he immediately looked at Li Jiancheng.
Li Jiancheng sneered and slammed his hand on the table:
"Old Nine is perfectly fine!"
"Second brother, do you really think this is the Zhenguan era?"
"Let me tell you, this is the Glorious Dynasty!"
"You are no longer the emperor!"
"Stop pretending!"
"Your grandson himself said that if it weren't for you, this immoral and incompetent ruler, how could the Tang Dynasty have perished after only five generations?"
"A thousand and one wrong!"
"The fault lies with your second son!"
"What does this have to do with your son?"
Li Jiancheng growled at Li Shimin for a while before turning to Li Zhi, who had become more assertive:
"Do good, and you can put your mind at ease!"
"You're dead now, do you think your dad can just beat you whenever he wants?"
"You dare to lay a finger on Qingque, that little fat pig? He dares to deceive the emperor! I'll break his legs!"
Li Shimin immediately rubbed his forehead.
At first glance, Li Jiancheng's words seemed reasonable.
But he's the father. Letting his son beat his son is a family matter. Is it any of anyone else's business?
but……
Indeed, they're already dead.
"Forget it, brother, we've been fighting all our lives, it's time to take a break."
"Why don't you ask Gao Ming if he'd be willing to give your little fat pig a break?"
After Li Jiancheng finished speaking, he turned to Li Chengqian.
"Gao Ming, are you willing to give your fourth brother a break?"
Li Chengqian lowered his head and remained silent, but took two steps. His limp made walking difficult.
After reading it, Li Shimin understood Li Chengqian's meaning.
He opened his mouth, ready to say something about the harmonious coexistence of this large family.
But Li Chengqian anticipated his prediction, saying:
"Unless my father dies."
"Otherwise, I'll never let that little fat pig live under the same sky again!"
Li Shimin's face turned a deep purplish-red, and he was speechless after being rebuked.
His excessive favoritism earned him two enemies and indirectly led to the downfall of the Former Tang Dynasty. It can be said that among all the emperors of the Tang Dynasty, only he lived a relatively comfortable life.
Di Renjie watched this scene with mixed feelings.
He sighed softly, knowing that he was probably really dead.
This scene was so real that he didn't want to believe it.
The inner workings of the former Tang imperial family were incredibly complex and corrupt—this is no exaggeration; they were truly filthy and chaotic.
If Li Cunxi hadn't intervened and resolved the lingering problems left by the former Tang dynasty, it's likely that every future emperor would have faced a similar military coup before ascending the throne.
"So be it, so be it. Having witnessed this scene, my heart is at peace."
"Hopefully, such a thing won't happen again in the future."
Di Renjie smiled slightly, walked slowly forward, stepped onto the small slope, and was naturally supported by Li Xian and Li Dan.
"Elder, Elder, please slow down!"
"Let us drink this toast to our victory."
……
When Di Renxian awoke from his dream, he was devastated to learn of Di Renjie's passing. However, he did not forget to have his son spread the news of the death.
You Huan dispatched the Imperial Guards to deliver the message to Luoyang by express courier. Li Cunxi ordered a ten-day suspension of court and wanted to personally go to offer condolences, but was blocked by many ministers on the grounds that "the emperor cannot leave the central government without permission."
As if he had compromised, Li Cunxi dispatched Ma Rong to escort the four-year-old Crown Prince Li Qiaonian, carrying the imperial edict posthumously granting Di Renjie the title of Grand Tutor, to Taiyuan to pay homage to Prince Di Renjie of Zhou.
The ministers of the Council of State who dealt with Li Cunxi day and night were well aware of the situation. After leaving a few ministers to handle matters, they all took leave together.
That night, two luxurious carriages came out of Wu Chengsi's residence and met up with Li Cunxi's carriage in the east of Luoyang. The eight people, along with four guards, headed towards Taiyuan.
Upon arriving in Taiyuan, Li Cunxi kept vigil before Di Renjie's coffin for several days, and finally personally saw Di Renjie off on his final journey before returning to Luoyang with grief and the other ministers.
The first court session after the suspension of court began as normal. Looking at Li Cunxi on the dragon bed, the disciples and former officials of Di Renjie who had gone to pay their respects to their mentor all lowered their heads, afraid that Li Cunxi would see them.
Everything seemed to have returned to what it was before.
Several days later, the elderly Zhang Jianzhi once again proposed retiring from office. Li Cunxi, looking at the gray-haired Zhang Jianzhi, had no reason to refuse.
Zhang Jianzhi is 78 years old this year, an age most officials don't even live to.
In this timeline, Di Renjie also passed away at the tender age of 72.
In the world he knew, Di Renjie died at the age of 70.
At this moment, Li Cunxi looked at Zhang Jianzhi in front of him and sighed softly.
"Within a dozen days, two of my teachers have left me, which truly makes me feel quite sad."
“However, what Duke Jianzhi said is true. I cannot stop Duke Jianzhi. I agree to Duke Jianzhi’s retirement.”
Zhang Jianzhi bowed repeatedly, saying, "Your subject Zhang Jianzhi thanks Your Majesty."
"But after the Duke of Cambodia, who can take his place?"
“Your Majesty, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Mi Qing, has served as an official for many years, and Prince Wu Chengsi of Jin has devoted himself to his teaching. He may be suitable to serve as the Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Secretariat,” Zhang Jianzhi said.
"Then who is capable of replacing Mi Qing as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?" Li Cunxi asked immediately.
Zhang Jianzhi knew in his heart that Li Cunxi already had someone in mind.
It's just that that name can't be said out of Li Cunxi's mouth.
But he's leaving soon, so there's nothing he can or can't say.
He cleared his throat and said, "For the position of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, I recommend Liu Chuanlin."
Li Cunxi nodded: "It seems that Lord Jianzhi was prepared in advance. In that case, I will listen to Lord Jianzhi."
The news of Zhang Jianzhi's retirement immediately caused a great uproar.
Meanwhile, the two people recommended by Zhang Jianzhi caused many civil and military officials to be shocked.
Mi Qing is only in his early forties, yet he has already been appointed as a Chamberlain in the Secretariat, a position that many people dream of reaching.
Who is Liu Chuanlin?
He's only in his early 30s this year, right? How can someone so young be the fourth-in-command of the Ministry of Personnel?
Mi Qing and Liu Chuanlin, who had already been transferred to high positions, did not care about these issues. Li Cunxi's practice of nepotism was nothing new. Others might not know how Mi Qing was promoted back then, but Mi Qing himself certainly did.
If you really want to say that Mi Qing got promoted based on his own abilities, even he himself wouldn't say such a thing!
After receiving the imperial edict, Liu Chuanlin, who was far away in Tangzhou, completed the handover with the next governor, packed his bags, and took Yingyu to Luoyang.