When the emperor asks questions, it is naturally not a simple casual question.
Li Zhi summoned these important ministers into the palace today to solve the problem.
The eight prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River have learned a lesson, and of course they will not give in. The next step will be a crazy counterattack against Li Qinzai.
Li Zhi's purpose today is to minimize the consequences of the incident before the opponent counterattacks.
To put it simply, Li Zhi wants to wipe Li Qinzai’s butt.
In Anren Hall, several important ministers remained silent, and they also knew the seriousness of the matter.
In this era when the emperor, scholar-bureaucrats and aristocratic families jointly rule the world, the consequences of completely offending an aristocratic family are very serious. Although the aristocratic family does not show off in the court, it seems that they are soft and let others manipulate them, but that is just an appearance.
In fact, the official positions in the court were basically divided among the family members.
Just pick up an official from the court and ask him about his origin. He is either a certain family from a certain place or a certain county. Everyone's name has a prefix in front of it, and this prefix is the identity of the family.
This is the terrifying power of the aristocratic families. The same is true for the eight prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River. Many of their clansmen are also officials in the court. Officials from these famous families have their own personal connections. After the layers are added up, this force cannot be underestimated.
.
Li Qinzai deposed a prominent Jiangnan clan today, what will be the consequences?
He has made countless enemies, and these enemies will target him. No matter what he says or does, there will always be a group of people behind him.
Participating in impeachment is just a trivial matter, and the worst thing is to ignore it. What is more serious is that the means of punishing people in the officialdom are not just a few memorials and scoldings, but also many more insidious and despicable means.
Is it okay to frame someone? Is it okay to spread rumors? Is it okay to set up a trap?
When Wei Xiaobao buried the golden sword and jade seal in Prince Pingxi's palace, Wu Sangui was so anxious that Li Qinzai was on guard day and night from now on, and this was what he was guarding against.
It is undeniable that Li Qinzai caused a big trouble today, and even Li Zhi couldn't help but feel a headache for him.
Looking at the silent ministers in the palace, except for Xu Jingzong, the others looked hesitant.
Only Xu Jingzong stroked his beard and smiled, as steady as an old dog.
There was silence in the hall for a long time, and Li Zhi became impatient.
"You guys are talking, things have caused such a big fuss today, how should we deal with it?"
The Prime Minister of the Left, Xu Yushi, hesitated and said: "Your Majesty, what happened today was that the distinguished family from the south of the Yangtze River attacked Li Jun's official car first, and Li Jun Gong led his troops to retaliate behind. If you are wrong, both sides are at fault."
"The noble family in the south of the Yangtze River made the first move, and Duke Li retaliated afterwards, and he was too cruel. Between the ministers, there is no better way to punish both sides..."
After speaking, Xu Yushi glanced at Li Zhi carefully, secretly wondering whether his words were in line with Li Zhi's wishes.
However, as soon as these words came out, not only Li Zhi, but also several important ministers nearby frowned.
So, let’s just play fifty big boards each? What’s the difference between this and the mud?
For such a serious incident, both parties were punished and it was over. No distinction was made between right and wrong. How could we explain it to the world?
Li Zhi's expression was neither happy nor angry, he just gave a faint hum.
Master Xu Yu's heart sank, knowing that what he just said didn't scratch Li Zhi's itch. He didn't know this question, he didn't know it, it was too difficult.
Dou Dexuan, the imperial censor next to him, coughed twice and said: "I think that the prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River should be punished lightly and the princes of Liaodong counties should be punished severely."
All eyes turned to him.
Dou Dexuan said calmly: "It doesn't matter whether the matter is right or wrong. What is important is that your majesty should appease the prominent families in Jiangnan. Jiangnan and Huainan are the granary of our Tang Dynasty. The imperial court must firmly control Jiangnan and Huainan. If your majesty does what you want today
It makes the prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River dissatisfied, and I fear that there will be chaos in the south of the Yangtze River."
"As for Liaodong County Duke, although he was attacked first, what Duke Li did today was too brutal and his methods were quite cruel. It really harmed the peace of the world. To put it more seriously, Duke Li's actions have shaken the Tang Dynasty.
Because of his suspicion, I believe that he should be severely punished to calm the minds of the prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River."
Regardless of the pros and cons or the pattern, Dou Dexuan's words are undoubtedly correct.
But Li Zhi was quite dissatisfied.
Dou Dexuan's words were completely opposite to Li Zhi's inner intention.
If he really wanted to appease the prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River, Li Zhi would never let what happened today happen. If he had sent someone to stop Li Qinzai earlier, everything would have been fine.
Why should we acquiesce and condone what Li Qinzai did?
Because Li Zhi also wanted to attack the famous families in Jiangnan, Li Qinzai just helped him handle the matter.
If Li Qinzai is severely punished, what is the meaning of Li Zhi's acquiescence today?
The Eastern Expedition of the Tang Dynasty has not yet ended, but Goguryeo has been destroyed, and the military power of the Tang Dynasty is at an unprecedented peak.
With the emperor's prestige remaining after his great victory in the Eastern Expedition, who in the world is qualified to make him compromise?
If the prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River dare to cause trouble in the local area, they can send troops to quell the rebellion. Now Li Zhi has the confidence to do so. This is the fundamental reason why he is unwilling to compromise and deliberately attacks the prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River.
Now Dou Dexuan said that he wanted to appease the prominent families in Jiangnan and severely punish Li Qinzai.
Li Zhi couldn't help but secretly reflect, why on earth did I call this old guy here? To cause trouble for myself?
I am very old and have no eyesight. Several of my princes and princesses are participating today. Do you still not understand what it means? You can’t even speculate on the holy will. You have lived to the age of a dog.
So Li Zhi hummed again and did not respond to Dou Dexuan's words at all.
At this time, Zuowei General Su Dingfang finally spoke.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River deserve their punishment, and the Liaodong County Duke is right."
"I raided my own car for no reason. If the Duke doesn't even dare to take revenge, how can he still act like a man? Your Majesty, I speak upright. Don't blame me. Anyway, I think Li Qinzai is right. If it were him instead, I might attack him more."
He was ruthless and slaughtered all the eight prominent families until not one of them was left."
Li Zhi finally showed a smile and said: "Su Gong is a military commander, and I like him more if he speaks more straightforwardly."
The courtiers in the palace finally came to their senses at this time.
Looking at the attitude of the Emperor, His Majesty did not pay any attention to what Xu Yushi and Dou Dexuan said, because they both proposed to punish Li Qinzai severely. When Su Dingfang said that Li Qinzai was right, His Majesty immediately laughed and laughed.
Don’t you understand the meaning of the two faces before and after?
Therefore, His Majesty summoned them to the palace today, in fact, not to listen to their opinions at all, but to support Li Qinzai, and at the same time, it also hinted that they all support Li Qinzai.
Translate, translate, it turns out this is called a surprise.
Xu Jingzong said with a smile at this time: "Your Majesty, I thought that the current decree severely reprimanded the prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River. These prominent families are becoming more and more rampant and are just dominating the local area. They have even reached out to Chang'an City, and they actually still
Dare to send assassins to attack the chariot of the imperial magistrate in public."
"They seem to have forgotten that the surname of this country is Li. No matter how powerful the local aristocratic family is, they are only His Majesty's ministers. And they have gradually lost their courtesy as ministers. Your Majesty must punish them severely!"
"As for Duke Liaodong, first of all, Duke Li did not provoke any of them. Secondly, although Duke Li's revenge was a bit cruel, he was an innocent victim and was attacked for no reason. Shouldn't he fight back?"
As he spoke, Xu Jingzong suddenly puffed up his chest and said with a righteous look on his face: "My grandson Xu Yanbo also participated in the action of smashing the mansion of a prominent family in Jiangnan today. The Xu family also mobilized the personal guards in the mansion. It was my personal permission."
of."
"If Your Majesty thinks that Duke Li is wrong, then I will plead guilty to Your Majesty, and everyone in the Xu family is willing to share the same guilt with Duke Li."