Since ancient times, only powerful officials have been able to influence the private affairs of emperors and empresses.
Although Changsun Wuji was a high-ranking official, he was not a powerful official.
He is still a hundred thousand miles away from the powerful officials, and his attempt to influence the affairs of the emperor and fight against Wu Zetian is clearly an overestimation of his own abilities.
As for why Changsun Wuji lost to Wu Zetian. Let’s give the most direct analogy, everyone will understand.
If you love your wife very much and feel that she also loves you, and the two of you are as close as honey; Your uncle suddenly kicked in and tried to forcefully break you two apart. Will you get angry like this and listen to your uncle?
This is the fundamental reason why Changsun Wuji must be defeated!
Because Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, was extremely infatuated with Empress Wu Zetian, and Changsun Wuji relied on his uncle’s and Yuanxun’s status to forcefully intervene in the emperor’s private affairs, which had already aroused Emperor Gaozong’s extreme disgust.
The emperor’s disgust, coupled with occasional “pillow wind” blowing, planted the fuse for his tragic life in the end.
To sum up, the reason why Changsun Wuji couldn’t defeat Wu Zetian is mainly due to the following factors.
Wu Zetian had unwavering support from the emperor.
With the support of the emperor, it’s a matter of standing in line, which is not a small matter. Naturally, some high-ranking officials of the court will follow the trend and then turn to Empress Wu Zetian.
Because leaning towards Wu Zetian means standing on the same side as the emperor, which is a major issue of right and wrong.
So, Changsun Wuji seems to hold a high position and power, with a group of ministers around him who prioritize their orders.
In fact, compared to the imperial power of the Tang Dynasty during its heyday, it was actually very weak and powerless.
The court doesn’t need to plan ahead or deploy troops to capture Changsun Wuji.
With just a decree, a few soldiers can accomplish it! Later, Changsun Wuji was demoted, and that’s how it was.
Old Cuntou Li Ji’s statement ‘You don’t need to ask foreign ministers about imperial affairs’ was actually a harsh blow to Changsun Wuji, giving him a suspended death sentence.
As mentioned at the beginning, Changsun Wuji only relied on the trust of Emperor Taizong and his status as a close uncle of Emperor Gaozong, leveraging his prestige. He is not a powerful minister, far from reaching the position of a powerful minister who can make decisions on military affairs with just one word.
At that time, in the Tang Dynasty, the imperial power was extremely strong, and the system would never allow such a person to appear.
Changsun Wuji’s power is limited to the court.
The Imperial Palace Palace Guard, the Kyoto Twelve Guards Guard, the Border Defense Army, and so on, all of the armies of the Tang Dynasty were directly commanded by the emperor, and Changsun Wuji couldn’t even touch the corners.
Both veteran generals and new aristocrats in the military have no friendship with Changsun Wuji, and even have a very bad relationship.
The person who Weichi Jingde wanted to beat up at the imperial banquet but was blocked by Li Daozong and failed to beat up was likely Changsun Wuji.
When Changsun Wuji first took power, in order to eliminate the rise of rebellion, he launched a large-scale wrongful imprisonment and executed countless princes, important ministers, and famous generals in a “Fang Yiai Rebellion Case”.
Famous general Xue Wanche was killed.
Li Daozong, the Prince of Rencheng, who had accompanied Emperor Taizong of Tang throughout the war and participated in wars such as the extermination of the Eastern Turkic and Tuyuhun tribes after establishing the country, achieved outstanding military achievements. Although he was praised by both Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, he was exiled due to his involvement in this case and died of illness on the way.
Changsun Wuji, who relies on power, acts without regard for emotions, and is narrow-minded. In fact, it has already offended many people and it is difficult to gain the favor of the Tang military.
So, Emperor Gaozong wanted to appoint Wu Zetian as his successor, but due to pressure from Changsun Wuji and others, he was forced to consult with Li Jishi.
Then Li Ji replied, “This is Your Majesty’s family matter. Your Majesty can make a decision with just one word, why bother asking outsiders
The words spoken by Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, were like a sudden realization.
And from this moment on, Changsun Wuji and others were destined to be completely defeated!
As the uncle of the emperor, Changsun Wuji’s biggest illness was treating the Tang emperor, who had already wielded great power through life and death, as his nephew who had been obedient for ten years.
