In the early morning, a red sun jumped out of the horizon and quietly enveloped Chang'an City.
The day's regular court meeting is coming to an end. The civil and military officials move their arms and legs and prepare their positions. This daily repetitive life is fresh and glorious at the beginning. After a long time, I don't want to come, but I have to come, but I don't know that I am reporting.
The Minister of War of the Ministry of War changed the topic: "I would like to inform you, Your Majesty, to impeach Li Dejian, the Detective Director of the Supervisory Office."
Everyone was inexplicably startled, and immediately became energetic. They knew that there was a big show to watch. Li Derjian was the son of Duke Wei. If Li Derjian was impeached, would Duke Wei agree?
Everyone in the civil and military circles of the dynasty knew that Hou Junji, the Minister of War, had always been dissatisfied with Li Jing and believed that he was the number one military god of the Tang Dynasty. If he suddenly jumped out, it would definitely be a big deal.
Li Er stared at the other party and said with a cold face: "Speak!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Hou Junji solemnly thanked him, with an unobserved glint in his eyes, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I heard that the Supervisory Office took action last night. I don't know the specific situation, and it is not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War. I have no authority.
I asked, but I know that the Operations Department of the Supervisory Office has been dispatched, and Li Derjian is only the Detective Director of the Supervisory Office. How can he mobilize the troops of the Operations Department? If everyone follows suit, the Tang Dynasty will be in danger."
I have to say that impeachment from this angle is too tricky and spicy.
Li Er was the one who gained power during the Xuanwu Gate Incident. He knew the importance of soldiers and horses, and he was most taboo about their riots. The Detective Department of the Supervisory Office is responsible for detective work. To put it bluntly, you are responsible for investigation and arrests, but you are at the same level as the Operations Department.
, has no authority to mobilize the troops of the Operations Department.
Now the troops and horses are dispatched, and there are thousands of people in the operations department. According to regulations, such a large-scale deployment of troops and horses must be reported to the Holy Emperor. After the Holy Emperor approves it, the highest official of the Supervisory Office, Qin Huaidao, issues an order. Now Li Derjian mobilizes troops and horses.
It's just a big taboo.
The words were like thunder from the sky, shocking the faces of all civil and military officials in the court, and they all looked at Li Jing.
Li Jing, on the other hand, looked at his nose with his eyes and his nose with his heart. Like a normal person, he already knew the plan before taking action. As an old minister, how could he not know how to do something that would violate taboos? He was mentally prepared for it.
Li Er hesitated for a moment and looked at Li Derjian. Although the Supervisory Office was investigating the case and had caught many Fengyulou killers last night, this trend cannot last long, otherwise everyone will follow suit and the consequences will be endless.
Li Derjian knew that it was time for him to appear. Thinking that Xue Rengui's analysis and reminders before the action had now come true, but in order to repay Qin Huaidao's kindness, Li Derjian did not care about any punishment. After he came out, he clasped his fists and saluted, and solemnly said: "Your Majesty, I am sorry, I have no regrets last night."
There is a reason for the action. Of course, those who violate the laws of the imperial court should be punished. I have nothing to say. I just want to ask His Highness the Crown Prince three questions. One is why the Fengyu Tower killer fled into the Prince Villa to escape? The other is why the Prince's Guards blocked the arrest by the Supervisory Office after entering? Three.
Why did we wait until the imperial edict to arrest him? There was a gap of nearly two hours. Could it be that the crown prince’s guards never discovered it, but they discovered it with the imperial edict?”
He asked three questions in a row without mercy.
Every question was more heart-wrenching, pointing the finger directly at the prince. Since Hou Junji wants to impeach and the prince wants revenge, it must be made clear and no one can hide it. After asking, Li Derjian bowed again with a respectful attitude.
Impeccable.
The whole place was in an uproar, talking and asking each other about the inside story.
Hou Junji's expression changed. He didn't expect Li Derjian to be so vehement and break the issue directly. There was no room for maneuver. He couldn't help but glance at the prince, but said nothing.
Li Er also didn't expect Li Derjian to reveal the matter. He didn't think much about it at first. He thought about it carefully and asked three questions. He felt something was wrong and looked at the prince Li Chengqian: "Prince, please say a few words."
After all, he is his own son, and he can beat and scold him, but others cannot, and he must be protected when he should.
The prince's face was cold, and no change in his heart could be seen. He said loudly: "Yes, father."
After saying that, the prince looked at Li Derjian and continued: "On the order of my father, I asked Mr. Li for the first question. The Fengyu Tower killer just entered the Prince Villa by accident. As for the second question, it is even more nonsense. The prince
The guards were just performing their duties and blocking all those who came close. What's wrong with that? The third question was even more confusing. The Prince's Villa is so big and the killer is good at hiding. It's hard to find him when he's hiding. In addition, the Prince's Guards didn't see it in advance.
I don't believe that someone broke in, but as soon as the imperial edict came, I had to conduct a thorough investigation, and naturally I found it. In order to help the Supervisory Office catch the killer, the Prince's Guards suffered a lot of losses. Of course, it was all for the imperial court, so there was no need for words of thanks.
"
What he said was well-founded and impeccable.
But the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty were not easy to fool. Some whispered, some frowned and thought, but there was no evidence and no one jumped out to say anything.
Seeing that the prince's explanation was what Xue Rengui had expected, Li Derjian couldn't help but be a little curious and admired Xue Rengui. He cupped his fists and saluted: "Thank you, prince, for clearing up the confusion. It's just a humble minister who didn't think well and was willing to be punished."
Everyone's expressions changed again. They looked at Li Derjian one after another. They raised their heads, but then retracted them. What kind of song was this?
Li Er also glanced at Li Derjian doubtfully, and then looked at Li Jing. It was a taboo to mobilize troops without permission, and he also misunderstood the prince. If he didn't deal with it, what would be the royal family's face?
Li Jing knew Li Er too well. He was nostalgic for the past, and his talent and strategy were all his talents and strategies, but he valued the imperial power very seriously. Otherwise, he would not have snatched the crown prince back then. It can be said that imperial power was a taboo for Li Er and would never be allowed.
Any sign of wavering occurs.
Fortunately, everything went as expected. Li Jing came out and said loudly: "I would like to inform you, Your Majesty, that although Quanzi's incident happened for a reason, his crime of violating the imperial law is unforgivable. I have nothing to say."
Li Er was a little surprised by what he said. He thought he would beg for mercy, so that he could save face and be given a lighter sentence, but he didn't expect that he would not beg for mercy, but also asked for punishment. He instinctively felt that there was something strange behind him. After thinking about it carefully, he had no clue.
Seeing Hou Junji come out again, he said: "Your Majesty, the state has national laws and families have family rules. They cannot be abolished. Otherwise, if everyone follows suit, there will be endless troubles."
"I second the proposal!"
One by one, the courtiers came out to agree, and they were determined to insist on it.
Li Er glanced at it. Many of them were from aristocratic families. They were usually close to the King of Wei, but now they jumped out. Could it be that they had switched to the prince? Thinking of this, Li Er's heart skipped a beat. He felt more and more that there was something wrong behind this, and couldn't help but think again.
He looked at Li Jing, but Li Jing kept his eyes to his nose and his nose to his heart, and stayed out of the matter.
If something goes wrong, you will become a monster!
Years of experience as an emperor made Li Er feel something unusual. He became cautious and looked at Fang Xuanling, wondering if it was Li Derjian who did it deliberately, retreating in order to advance, letting his opponent jump out, so that he could see the king of Wei and his ministers.
I have taken refuge with the prince, and the prince has become a powerful man?
Is it possible that the Fengyu Tower killer is related to the prince? Is he not his brother's subordinate who is hiding in the dark?
Or are the two of them joining forces?
Thoughts flashed through his mind, and Li Er became more and more cautious. He didn't say anything when he saw Fang Xuanling. He seemed to know something, and his heart trembled, and he couldn't help but look at the prince.
The prince looked calm, as if everything in front of him had nothing to do with him.
This calmness made Li Er inexplicably uneasy, and he couldn't help but think of his forbearance in the past. If he dealt with Li Derjian, he would be involved in a conspiracy trap. However, Li Derjian did violate the laws of the court and had to deal with it. He was in a dilemma.
"Please, Your Majesty, maintain the dignity of the imperial court!" Hou Junji shouted.
"Please, Your Majesty, maintain the dignity of the imperial court!"
"Please, Your Majesty, maintain the dignity of the imperial court!"
The courtiers who came out to support the proposal also shouted in excitement, threatening to remonstrate to death.
As for the military generals, no one dared to stand up and plead for mercy. After all, mobilizing troops and horses was too sensitive, and asking for mercy would be suspected of having ulterior motives, and they all looked at Li Jing.
Two voices suddenly appeared in the court, one in agreement and the other silent.
Li Er suddenly felt that the court had lost some control, and his face became gloomy. He was very dissatisfied with Hou Junji and those who seconded the impeachment, but the matter had to be dealt with.
It will definitely not work to deal with it seriously. It will chill the hearts of Li Jing and other veterans, and it will also fall into some kind of conspiracy. A light punishment is not enough to deter, encourage evil trends, and shake the foundation of the country.
After some weighing, Li Er said in a cold voice: "Li Derjian mobilized troops without permission, which is an unforgivable crime. I think there was a reason for what he did, and he was doing errands for the imperial court. The merits and demerits are balanced, so I will remove him from all official positions and retain his title."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for not killing me!" Li Derjian said loudly. There was no dissatisfaction on his face. Instead, there was a sense of relief and joy. He took off his official hat, took out his official certificate and official seal, and handed them to a chamberlain who came up.
He turned around, flicked his sleeves, and left with his hands behind his back.
This scene looks very much like being without an official.