xymnovel Chapter 55 After the Mountain Mausoleum Matters Were Completed, Feng Dao
Chapter 55 After the Mountain Mausoleum Matters Were Completed, Feng Dao
The Imperial Ancestral Temple in Luoyang, the eastern capital, was built by Emperor Ruizong of Tang, Li Dan, in the first month of the fourth year of the Chuigong era. It consisted of three temples dedicated to Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Taizong, and Emperor Gaozong, and was used for sacrifices in all four seasons, just like the temples in Chang'an, the capital.
Furthermore, due to Empress Wu Zetian's exalted status, a separate Chongxian Temple was established to honor the ancestors of the Wu clan.
After Wu Zetian became empress, she renamed the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Chang'an as the Temple of Enjoying Virtue, and reorganized the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the Eastern Capital into seven chambers to house the ancestral tablets of seven generations of the Wu clan.
From then on, the Imperial Ancestral Temples of the two capitals stood side by side.
When An Lushan captured Luoyang, he used the Imperial Ancestral Temple as a stable and abandoned the ancestral tablets. Yan Ying, a court musician, collected them. When Shi Siming captured Luoyang again, they were lost once more.
After the bandits were quelled, Lu Zhengji, the garrison commander of Tokyo, raised funds to obtain the ancestral tablets. Since the temple had been burned down, they were temporarily placed in the Taiwei Palace.
In the fourteenth year of the Dali era, Lu Sigong, the governor of Luoyang, petitioned to rebuild the Imperial Ancestral Temple in order to welcome the spirit tablets. Emperor Daizong of Tang ordered all officials to discuss the matter, but there was much debate and no decision was made. Yan Zhenqing, the Minister of Rites, insisted on returning the tablets to their original location, but this was not granted.
Yan Zhenqing was killed by rebels not long after, and the reconstruction of the Luoyang Imperial Ancestral Temple was once again put on hold, and this delay lasted for more than 60 years.
It wasn't until the fifth year of the Huichang era of Emperor Wuzong of Tang that, after a debate in the court, officials were ordered to choose a date to repair the temple.
The reason why the reconstruction of the Imperial Ancestral Temple is so controversial is not because it was built by Wu Zetian, nor because of insufficient funds after the chaos.
The Book of Rites states, "There are not two suns in the sky, nor two kings on the land. In the sacrifices of offering sacrifices to the gods of the land, there are not two superiors among the honored ones. I do not know what these are as rituals."
Some officials argued: "The Imperial Ancestral Temple in the Eastern Capital should be properly repaired and renovated, and the old ancestral tablets should be buried there. We request that they be placed in the burial place in the Taiwei Palace. When the emperor has business in Luoyang, the tablets should be transported in a special carriage."
The Imperial Ancestral Temple could be rebuilt, but there could only be one ancestral tablet, which could be moved around with the emperor. This is where the problem lies.
"As a result, Emperor Wuzong of Tang died before the reconstruction of the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the Eastern Capital was completed. When Emperor Xuanzong ascended the throne, he ordered the officials to welcome the abbot of Taiwei Palace to be enshrined in the new temple built on the abandoned temple. However, those who knew the rites criticized this. That was almost ninety years ago."
After recounting this history, Feng Dao revealed the secret: "It was called etiquette, but in reality, it was about interests. The Tang emperor wanted to restore the two capitals and win over the hearts of the people in Guandong, but he was met with opposition."
"Speak, what is the reason for your trip to the capital?"
Before Gao Xingzhou could speak, Feng Dao said, "After the matter of the mausoleum is over, it is customary for the prime minister to step down and be sent to a local post. Don't expect me to be of any help; I'll just listen."
As if he had anticipated Feng Dao's response, Gao Xingzhou asked, "Didn't His Majesty reject your request to relinquish power?"
"That's because there's another troublesome matter."
Feng Dao rubbed his forehead, as if trying to smooth out the few wrinkles that had appeared in the past two years: "The ancestral temple is not something you can just put in the late emperor's spirit tablet and call it a day. Your Majesty is thinking too simply."
"Are there any other rules or regulations?"
"Alas, you, a mere warrior, simply don't understand matters concerning scholars."
Feng Dao recounted a past event: "When Emperor Zhuangzong entered Luoyang, he wanted to enshrine the spirit tablets of Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Taizong, Emperor Yizu, Emperor Xianzu, and Emperor Taizu in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Some people argued that since the Tang Dynasty had been restored, it was inappropriate to use posthumously honored ancestors mixed with the rulers of other states in the Zhaomu system. They suggested that from Emperor Yizu onwards, a separate temple should be established in Daizhou, similar to the story of Nanyang in the Eastern Han Dynasty."
"Emperor Zhuangzong refused, and, emboldened by the victory over the Liang dynasty, forcibly established seven ancestral temples."
Among the seven ancestral temples, the status of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong of Tang is beyond doubt.
Emperor Yizong of Tang bestowed the surname Li upon Zhu Xie, and Emperor Zhaozong of Tang succeeded him at the end of the lineage. This was to mark the legitimate lineage of the dynasty, so there was no objection to including the aforementioned four emperors in the temple.
The other three temples are dedicated to Emperor Yizu Zhu Xie Zhiyi, the eldest son of Zhu Xie Jinzhong, who was posthumously honored as Emperor Zhaolie; Emperor Xianzu Zhu Xie Chixin, also known as Li Guochang, who was posthumously honored as Emperor Wen; and Emperor Taizu Wuhuang Li Keyong.
"When Emperor Zhuangzong died at Xingjiao Gate, and his spirit tablet was placed in the ancestral temple, the officials requested that it be moved to the ancestral temple of Emperor Yizu, which the late emperor agreed to."
Gao Xingzhou was initially confused, but gradually he began to understand the current situation.
The temples of Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Taizong, Emperor Yizong, and Emperor Zhaozong of Tang cannot be moved. Only the temples of Li Guochang, Li Keyong, and Li Cunxu remain. As the late emperor was the adopted son of Li Keyong, he should, in principle, have the temple of Emperor Xianzu Li Guochang removed when he was enshrined in the temple.
Once this precedent was set, it became natural for Li Congke, who also inherited the throne as an adopted son, to succeed Li Keyong.
"His Majesty's offering of the ancestral tablets to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, was it intentional...?"
Gao Xingzhou found himself unable to understand India's thoughts.
"It was already improper to link the three generations of Zhu Xie with the four ancestral temples of the Tang Dynasty in terms of ancestral ranking. Moreover, Emperor Yizong bestowed the surname Yizu upon his son, making both father and son bear the surname Yi, thus reversing the order of ancestry. Is this reasonable?"
Feng Dao stretched and said, "Alright, I'm exhausted. I'm taking a break now, so let others worry about this."
"You are three years older than me, only fifty-three. You're not old enough to call yourself an old man yet."
"Alas, you martial artists are ignorant and incompetent. You have no idea how complicated and intricate a set of rituals is."
Feng Dao counted on his fingers: "There are five officials in charge of the mausoleum, and two ranks, one for the inner court and one for the outer court. Besides myself, the official in charge of the mausoleum, there are the officials in charge of rites, construction, ceremonial procession, bridge and road construction, bridge and road supervision, and mausoleum construction... plus the deputy officials and judges. How many people are involved?"
"It's practically a major battle, and we can't afford to make the slightest mistake."
Gao Xingzhou was certainly aware of the pressure of presiding over the late emperor's funeral. Those ignorant people had no idea of the vastness and intricacy of the imperial court's institutions, or the fine division of labor; they thought they could command thousands of people just by talking.
Based on his understanding of Feng Dao, his complaints were essentially a way of trying to avoid trouble.
"You weren't like this back then. You were full of passion and wanted to take on all the world's affairs."
"Back then..."
Feng Dao suddenly smiled: "You haven't changed at all, still so rule-abiding."
"Two years ago, due to the fall of the Khitan in the north, you were appointed as the military governor of Zhenwu; last year, due to the military campaign in Hexi, there were discussions about moving the garrison to Yan'an. We will go wherever you are told to go. The court prefers obedient ministers like you."
Feng Dao guessed Gao Xingzhou's purpose and answered him directly: "The country has just been established, and stability is paramount. As long as the Dingnan Army submits, the court will not want to cause trouble, much less support any particular side."
Gao Xingzhou had anticipated the court's attitude and was not too disappointed.
From now on, just stay within your own territory.
"Alright, then I'll reveal one more piece of information. How you use it is up to you."
Feng Dao lightly tapped the armrest: "You're not the only military governor who wants to go to the capital for an audience."
Gao Xingzhou sensed something amiss in the question: "Who else?"
"Speaking of which, he's from our hometown of Youyan, the one who abandoned his pen for the sword."
Feng Dao may seem lazy, but he actually has an excellent memory: "I remember you have a lieutenant named Lu under your command. Were you classmates in the past?"
"You mean Zhang Xichong?"
Gao Xingzhou immediately understood and revealed the person's name.
"Two years ago, he was reassigned as the acting governor of Lingzhou. At that time, the garrison troops had to transport grain over 500 li every year and were frequently plundered by the Dangxiang. Zhang Xichong issued a proclamation to the border soldiers, urging them to expand the military farms. After more than a year, the army's food supply was greatly improved. The imperial court issued an imperial edict praising him, and last May he was officially awarded the imperial insignia." (Note 1)
Lingzhou!
The last piece of the puzzle in Gao Xingzhou's mind was suddenly completed.
The four prefectures of Dingnan Army are located inside the "几" shape of the Yellow River, while Lingzhou is adjacent to Youzhou, blocking the way to Hexi.
If Zhang Xichong were to help him, Li Yichao would be surrounded on all sides. Once defeated, he would have no way out but to flee into the desolate desert.
He didn't ask the foolish question, "If that's the case, why wasn't this strategy adopted last year?" which only made Feng Dao look down on him.
Times have changed. Last year, the imperial court dispatched 50,000 troops with the aim of intimidation and subjugation. When a swift and decisive strike failed, the long-term strategy of using regional military governors to control other regional military governors was adopted instead.
You'd better hurry up.
Feng Dao said leisurely, "Zhang Xichong has long been tired of dealing with these barbarians and has sent several memorials requesting a transfer to the capital. I can't hold him back for long."
"Once he arrives in the capital, he will surely refuse to return to the border. At that time, we will discuss dealing with him in the interior. You will have no choice but to go to Binzhou to find him." (Note 2)
Gao Xingzhou had no time to ponder whether Feng Dao knew anything; he deliberately teased himself as a whole strategy began to take shape in his mind.
Zhang Xichong sought a transfer, but Li Yichao was unaware of this.
Taking advantage of the information gap and working with the Lingwu Army to exert pressure, Li Yichao had no choice but to take the initiative and seek a breakthrough.
That's the difference between myself and Li Yichao.
The semi-independent warlords would never dare to personally enter the capital, and the imperial court would never reveal such crucial information, let alone provide cooperation.
"Alright, tomorrow is He Shuo (the beginning of the lunar new year). After attending the grand court assembly, this old man will take a break."
According to Tang Dynasty regulations, grand court assemblies were held on New Year's Day, the first day of the fifth lunar month, and the winter solstice, during which civil and military officials would offer congratulatory greetings to the emperor. This was a national system.
The two grand court assemblies in January and May coincided with the new moon, known as the "New Moon Celebration," and Gao Xingzhou made a special trip to the capital at this time.
"Master Feng, you've worked hard. Please take good care of yourself."
Gao Xingzhou got up to take his leave. He would be able to meet the emperor at court the next day. What would Li Congke be like after ascending the throne?
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Place Name Comparison
Lingzhou: present-day Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region