Zhang Li went directly to the palace and met his daughter, Queen Mother Zhang.
Seeing her father, Queen Mother Zhang asked anxiously: "What's the situation outside now?"
Zhang Li nodded, "The overall situation has been decided, King Qi has completely controlled the political situation!"
"what about me?"
Queen Mother Zhang gritted her teeth and asked: "What should I say? Do you want me to be a puppet Queen Mother?"
Zhang Li looked at his daughter and said calmly: "Mother is more valuable than her son. Do you think your son can keep you rich forever?"
Empress Dowager Zhang was silent for a moment. Logically speaking, she was the empress, and her son was the legitimate son. After the death of the prince, her son should inherit the throne, but the emperor refused to agree to it.
There was a reason for this. Her son was already six years old and could not speak yet. He seemed to live in his own world and did not communicate with anyone. The emperor didn't like it very much, so he told her clearly that it was impossible to make the king the crown prince.
If she hadn't reached an agreement with the eunuchs, the ministers would never have supported a fool as emperor. Now that the child is still young, it is hard to see it, but after the age of ten, it will be impossible to hide it.
Zhang Li sighed and continued to persuade: "Aying, you have to be strong and refuse to admit defeat since you were a child. This is your character. After becoming the queen, dad knows that you want to become the second Wu Zetian, but you have to face reality. You The current situation is not even as good as that of Princess Taiping, who at least has the support of ministers and the army, but no one, except King Qi."
"I am a majestic queen, exercising power on behalf of the emperor. Don't any of the ministers support me?"
Empress Dowager Zhang was not stupid and guessed Li Ye's intention.
Queen Mother Zhang was silent for a moment and sighed, "Father, just tell me what he means!"
"Is this just a temporary solution? Will he tolerate me until I come to court?"
Zhang Li nodded, "This is what I'm most worried about. He will let the Dong children die of illness, and then you will be extremely sad and die depressed. I want this result, so I high-fived him and vowed that if he succeeds in taking office, he will Protect your position as Queen Mother and protect the Zhang family’s prosperity and wealth for hundreds of years.”
Once she realized that she had no choice, Empress Dowager Zhang began to think about how to get the maximum benefit.
"That's right, it's just a temporary transition, about three or four years. Then you continue to be the Queen Mother, and Dong'er will have to abdicate."
"If I refuse to abdicate, will he kill me?"
"Exactly!"
Zhang Li shook his head, "The Eight Treasures of the Emperor must be handed over to him. It is useless for you to hold them. He will arrange your life well. At least you can still live in the Daming Palace and will not arrange you to go to the damp and old Tai Chi Palace. "
"It seems I have no choice!"
Zhang Li shook his head, "Li Fuguo has completely ruined your reputation. You handed over the military and political power to the eunuchs, respected Li Fuguo as your father-in-law, killed Peng Wang Li Ji, and declared the three kings to be traitors. Who else do you think besides the eunuchs?" Will I support you again? Now Li Ye just needs you, it's your luck."
"He wants us to go back to Chang'an, right?"
"It is still the same as before, the Queen Mother is in charge of the court, but Li Ye is the Supervisor of the country. In addition to the Queen Mother's seal, all edicts must also have the Supervisor's seal. The power of appointment and dismissal of all officials above the third rank is in his hands."
"How can I give him the Imperial Seal? What can he give me?"
Zhang Li said calmly: "If you want to live, you really have no choice."
"But."
"Stop saying but!"
Zhang Li was a little impatient and interrupted his daughter rudely, "The King of Qi can depose you now in the name of clearing out the eunuchs, and then find a younger child to be the emperor, such as your sister's son. Do you think he will be the emperor?" Can’t make it?
You are just his pawn now. Only by cooperating obediently with him will you get the greatest benefits. If you no longer have self-awareness, then dad will not be able to save you. In order to protect the interests of the family, dad can only recommend your sister's son. She will definitely be willing to do so. Ken will do better than you!"
Empress Dowager Zhang turned pale instantly. Her father's ruthless words shattered all her luck. She thought of sister Zhaoyi still waiting behind her, and thought of her sister's eagerness to replace her.
Empress Dowager Zhang had no choice but to take the big box containing the Eight Treasures from behind and whispered: "Father, please invite him into the palace! I will hand it over to him with my own hands."
Zhang Li nodded, "Daddy is gone, you can take care of yourself!"
Zhang Li turned around and left the palace, walking quickly.
Li Ye met with Li Lin again in the afternoon. Li Lin was in poor health and could not work too hard, so she declined Li Ye's invitation to appoint him as prime minister.
"I understand His Highness's kindness. I really don't have the energy to serve as Prime Minister. Your Highness knows that I have been in poor health. If Your Highness does not dislike it, I can serve as Zong Zhengqing, and the royal family will give me some face."
Li Ye nodded, it was very good for Li Lin to be the Minister of Zongzheng Temple. Li Xi could take over as the next Minister of Zongzheng Temple.
Li Ye asked again: "How about Li Xian being appointed as the Assistant Prime Minister?"
Li Lin smiled slightly and said: "I just want to recommend him. He has served as Prime Minister for three times and has outstanding abilities. He is also upright but not rigid. If he is willing to serve as Prime Minister, no one in the royal family will object."
"I heard that Li Yu was deposed as a king?"
Li Lin said bitterly: "Don't mention it, the eunuchs use him to perform operations to clean up the royal family."
Li Ye smiled slightly and said: "I will restore his kingship!"
Li Lin pondered for a while and said: "I would like to give your Highness a suggestion. Regarding the kings and titles, the late emperor compromised too much, which made the kings and titles system a bit confusing. I suggest that your Highness sort it out. Those who deserve to be demoted should be downgraded, and those who should go to the king should go to the king. Restore the seriousness of the prince."
Li Ye nodded, "After the prince became the Minister of Zongzheng Temple, the first thing he did was to clean up the princes. I will leave this matter to you and propose a plan to me when the time comes."
"Thank you for your highness's trust. I will definitely handle this matter well!"
Just after Li Lin said goodbye, Li Ye received a report from Peng Haiyan, the minister of Dali Temple, and found Li Fuguo's body in Renhefang City God's Temple.
Li Ye immediately rushed to Renhefang with his men.
Renhefang is located in the southernmost part of Luoyang City, close to Changxia Gate. Not long after, Li Ye arrived at Renhefang.
The City God's Temple had been surrounded by the army. Li Ye quickly walked into the City God's Temple. Peng Haiyan, the minister of Dali Temple, came up to him and said: "We have confirmed with the eunuch and it is definitely Li Fuguo. We heard from some beggars that Li Fuguo had a dispute with several of his men. , was stabbed more than a dozen times, and all his belongings were taken away by the guards."
"What does his face look like?" Li Ye asked in a deep voice.
Peng Haiyan was stunned for a moment, "I don't understand what I am doing!"
"Let's see and then talk!"
Several officials from Dali Temple carried a roll of tattered mats to the square and spread it out. What was revealed was a corpse.
His chest was covered in blood, which had already condensed, and his thin face was deformed by severe pain.
Li Ye took one look and shook his head and said: "It's not Li Fuguo, it's his substitute."
Although Peng Haiyan is the Minister of Dali Temple, there are some top-level information that he is not qualified to have access to. For example, the emperor's health, heirs, etc. are top-level information, and Peng Haiyan will not know about it.
Li Fuguo suffered from smallpox and his face was covered with black spots. This is also top-level intelligence.
Peng Haiyan didn't know, but Li Ye knew that Dugu Ming had told him.