bayedsolid Chapter 134 Su Zhang's Secluded Corner
Chapter 134 Su Zhang's Secluded Corner
It was a sunny day with the temperature around zero degrees Celsius.
Many small flies crawled out from the cracks in the snow.
I spent the whole day climbing around, listening to the conversation between Zi'an and Xiao Si.
Zi'an teased Mei Xiaosi, saying:
"Miss, I heard you caught a big fish last year, Li Sujie, who was involved in embezzlement and bribery. How's that going?"
Mei Xiaosi looked smug:
"Needless to say, it was handled beautifully! I directly 'demoted' him from the list of ministers to the Prince of Poyang, and also reduced his fiefdom by two-thirds, making him move to that desolate place in Yuanzhou so he could have some peace and quiet."
Zi'an raised an eyebrow: "Oh, so how is he doing now?"
Mei Xiaosi said casually, "In less than a year, he was placed under 'house arrest for life' and moved directly to Yuezhou, where he lived a peaceful life surrounded by mountains and rivers."
A hint of confusion flashed in Zi'an's eyes: "Where is Yuezhou in the future world?"
Mei Xiaosi smoothed her hair, instantly adopting the air of a historian: "Yuezhou, that's Yueyang City in Hunan. You see, it used to have many names, such as Baling, Bazhou... It changed back and forth until the Republic of China era when it was called Yueyang. During the Southern Song Dynasty, a Baling Prefecture was established, and the Liang Dynasty added another Bazhou. During the Sui Dynasty, the prefecture was simply abolished, and Bazhou became Yuezhou, then it became Luozhou, and then almost immediately 'Baling Prefecture' returned to its original name, until the Tang Dynasty, when Bazhou was re-established... Then, it was changed back to Yuezhou, then back to Baling Prefecture, and finally back to Yuezhou..."
Zi'an slapped his thigh and laughed loudly, "The name keeps changing, it doesn't seem like a peaceful place."
Mei Xiaosi scratched her head, looking utterly exhausted.
“I wrote to you requesting your pardon for him and recommending him for the position of Prefect of Yuezhou, but it seems you have completely ignored my request.”
Zi'an looked bewildered and paused for a moment: "Really? How could I have forgotten about that?"
Mei Xiaosi took a deep breath and raised the corner of her mouth:
"Until 683, when Emperor Gaozong of Tang passed away, you traveled back in time and became a scholar, quietly hiding in your study reading poetry and prose."
When Li Sujie's younger brother, my beloved son Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian, ascended the throne, I also became Empress Dowager. After taking power, my influence surpassed yours!
Zi'an clutched her stomach and laughed: "Of course, it's Wu Zetian, so this doesn't count as 'overstepping her authority.' Your historical drama is so entertaining, I almost want to stand up and applaud you!"
Mei Xiaosi said, "I'm also very tired, but I'm stuck in a difficult situation."
Zi'an asked curiously, "And then what happened?"
Mei Xiaosi added: "On the fifth day of the third month of the following year, Li Sujie was enfeoffed as the Prince of Ge. On the tenth day of the fourth month, he was promoted to the Prince of Xu and was also sent to Shuzhou as the governor."
Zi An's eyes lit up: "This move is simply a comeback! It seems he's making a comeback."
Mei Xiaosi shook her head helplessly:
"Unfortunately, in July 690, my nephew Wu Chengsi, in a competition of 'brotherly friendship,' falsely accused Li Sujie and his brother, Prince Ze Li Shangjin, of treason. As a result, I issued another order, summoning the two of them to the capital to report."
Zi'an sighed, "Alas, as expected, new talents emerge in every generation. In the end, Li Sujie still couldn't escape this calamity?"
Mei Xiaosi nodded:
"On his way to the capital, when he passed through Shuzhou, he heard someone wailing at a funeral."
He said coldly, "Even dying from illness is hard to come by, what's there to cry about!"
On July 13th, he finally arrived at Longmen Post Station in the capital. Despite his arrogant demeanor throughout the journey, he was ultimately strangled to death.
Zi'an, recalling the days when Consort Xiao doted on this son, fell silent for a moment:
"This is truly a tragedy."
Mei Xiaosi wore a helpless expression:
“He lived to be over forty years old. I ordered a ‘civilian funeral’ for him. For the sake of the overall situation, there was no pomp and circumstance. He was buried as an ordinary citizen. Not long after, his son Li Ying and eight other children could not be spared due to the changing political situation. They were all captured and executed.”
Zi'an asked with some emotion, "Did Sujie have any other children?"
Mei Xiaosi said with regret: "I have four young sons: Li Lin, Li Guan, Li Qiu and Li Qingu. Because they are still young, they were lucky to escape the calamity of history. I settled them in Leizhou and they lived a life that was like 'isolation', which was relatively peaceful."
Zi'an asked anxiously, "Did Emperor Zhongzong of Tang exonerate him after he ascended the throne?"
Mei Xiaosi nodded:
"Yes, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang posthumously conferred upon Li Sujie the title of Prince of Xu, and posthumously granted him the titles of Grand Master of the Palace and Prefect of Xuzhou. He also arranged a new 'ceremonial funeral' for him and reburied him, and even had him buried in the Qianling Mausoleum."
Zi'an felt somewhat relieved. "It's a pity that life is like a play, everyone is a tragic character. By the way, where is Leizhou?"
Mei Xiaosi said with great interest:
"The history of Leizhou is so long that it's hard to believe! Its history can even be traced back to the Neolithic Age thousands of years ago. At that time, the people of Leizhou had already begun to cultivate the land, passing it down from generation to generation. Even children can tell stories of their ancestors farming. They were truly pioneers in the field of farming."
Zi'an couldn't help but laugh: "Those Leizhou people are really remarkable; they're destined to 'cross mountains and valleys'."
Mei Xiaosi continued:
"This land has not always been under the jurisdiction of one place throughout history. It has been taken over by several counties, such as Xuwen County, Lekang County, Qikang County, and Suikang County. In the Sui Dynasty, it finally changed to a trendy name and was called Haikang County. I guess everyone wanted to be associated with the 'sea' at that time."
Zi An smiled slightly: "Haikang County sounds quite like a place with a seaside flavor."
Mei Xiaosi said, "By 1994, Haikang County finally 'washed' its name and became Leizhou City, finally finding its true name. Today, Leizhou City is the political, economic, and cultural center of the Leizhou Peninsula, and its name can be heard in the 'Belt and Road' initiative. It has also been designated by the State Council as one of the 99 national historical and cultural cities. In the future, people will call it 'a vital place in the south,' what a cultural treasure trove!"
Zi'an couldn't stop smiling.
It was already dusk, and the little flies had retreated back into the ice crevices.
Some hide under moss or dead leaves.
Hiding in these secluded corners is not as pitiful as people think.
It was already very warm for them.