Many people have already cast their eyes vaguely at Wang Gui, who looks haggard and has bags under his eyes, waiting for his reaction later. It is obvious that the head of the Wang family, who was appointed at a critical moment and has just taken office, is under a lot of pressure and did not get a good rest yesterday.
.
But his steps were firm and his waist was straight. It was obvious that he had made some kind of decision in his heart.
"My dear friends, what do you have to say today——"
Sure enough, when Li Shimin heard the news with no hint of joy or anger, Wang Gui stepped out and without saying a word, gave Li Shimin a deep bow.
Then, with a solemn expression, he took off the crown and sash from his head and placed it gently on the steps.
It's a strong dose of medicine.
This is clearly the time to resign——
Those who didn't know the inside story couldn't help but whisper in a low voice. The few people who knew the inside story cast their eyes thoughtfully on Li Shimin, trying to get a clue from his Majesty's face.
It's a pity that they were disappointed.
Li Shimin's eyes were straight and his voice was calm.
"Wang Aiqing, what does this mean?"
"Wei Chen is ashamed, Wei Chen is guilty! The young member of the family is so courageous that he dared to smuggle hundreds of refined steel to Tubo behind Wei Chen's back - I think of all the sages of the Wang family who strictly abide by themselves and cultivate their moral integrity.
After adhering to the family tradition for hundreds of years, we have the hope of today, but I didn't expect that today it would be destroyed at the hands of unscrupulous descendants——"
Having said this, Wang Gui couldn't help but bow his head.
"This move violates the laws of the imperial court and brings shame to the ancestors of the Wang family. This is all due to the incompetence of the ministers, the inability to manage the family, and the laxity of the emperor. How can he stand in this court again?"
Your Excellency, I beseech you, Your Majesty, to grant your permission—"
The Wang family smuggled hundreds of steel-making!
This news is so exciting.
The entire court was suddenly in an uproar. The censor on duty swung Jingdian's long whip and scolded him several times before suppressing the commotion in the hall.
Li Shimin looked at Wang Gui, who was unable to bow his head, and understood that Wang Gui was abandoning his chariot to protect his commander, and was retreating in order to advance.
He did not hesitate to move all the ancestors out. It was obvious that he wanted to remind himself of the Wang family's transcendent status and to focus the nature of the matter on smuggling.
But how can a smuggler stop this matter?
Smelting tens of thousands of pounds of steel is undoubtedly treason!
"Wang Aiqing, this is really quick news - I just received an urgent report from Hezhou, and you got the news over there. You are indeed a famous family..."
Li Shimin stabbed calmly.
As soon as something happened here, you knew about it over there. How dare you say you didn’t know!
Wang Gui obviously heard the sarcasm in Li Shimin's words and did not respond. Li Shimin was too lazy to take advantage of him and glanced towards the court calmly.
"My dear friends, now that we have said this, you might as well take a look at it——"
With that said, Li Shimin waved his hand, and the old chamberlain who had been waiting on the side for a long time passed the memorial written by Shi Yunting. The memorials were passed on to each person. Looking at the detailed introduction in Shi Yunting's memorial, everyone couldn't help but feel shocked.
.
Even those who had known about this for a long time could not help but feel frightened.
The Wang family is so brave!
Colluding with foreigners and smuggling tens of thousands of kilograms of steel to make steel was already a capital crime, but he actually colluded with the border general and colluded with him.
This is simply seeking death!
Do you dare to touch military power?
Many people began to reconsider whether they should stand up for the Wang family today and whether the price they had to pay to save the Wang family was consistent——
No one opens a charity hall.
What's more, His Majesty now holds the great public opinion weapon of Datang Evening News in his hands.
Once the details of the Wang family’s smuggling case are truthfully revealed——
The prestige that the Wang family has accumulated over hundreds of years will fall to the bottom in an instant, and may even become a problem on the street.
There is no need to doubt the pride in the hearts of the people of the Central Plains in this era.
The word "barbarian" is enough to explain everything.
If the Wang family was involved in smuggling even a little bit, they might not have paid much attention to it. If they suddenly smuggled tens of thousands of kilograms of Baili Steel, or smuggled it to Tibet, which would harass the border from time to time, you can imagine what it would look like in the eyes of the people.
Moreover, they believe that as long as His Majesty wants to, even if ordinary people don't understand, Datang Evening News can make them understand.
Therefore, even though I had prepared to help the Wang family before I came here, I had to think twice now.
Seeing the memorial go around in a circle and return to his imperial desk, Li Shimin glanced at the ministers in the hall with straight eyes.
"Dear ladies, do you have any suggestions for how to deal with this matter——"
As soon as Li Shimin said this, many bigwigs looked at the situation with their eyes and noses, like wood sculptures made of clay. It was obvious that they did not want to be the first person and foolishly took on troublesome issues.
Those courtiers who made eye contact with Li Shimin lowered their eyes in panic and shrank their necks subconsciously, obviously afraid of being called by his name.
Although the Wang family is in trouble, it has hundreds of years of history, and its disciples and former officials are spread throughout the government and the public.
Whoever adds insult to injury at this time may inevitably suffer backlash in the future.
Seeing this scene, Li Shimin couldn't help but sigh in his heart, and suddenly he missed Wei Xuancheng who was wringing his neck and quarreling with him.
With his jealous temper, he would definitely not be so sensible and keep silent, right?
Disappointed in his heart, he moved his gaze downwards and soon fell on a young man with a thin body and a somewhat rough complexion.
Ma Zhou——
Not sure if he felt Li Shimin's gaze, Ma Zhou pondered for a moment and stepped out.
"Wei Chen believes that the hundred-refined steel is an important weapon of the country and cannot be compared with ordinary smuggling cases. What's more, the Wang family's caravan smuggles an astonishing amount. Once these hundred-refined steel flows into Tubo, the consequences will be disastrous-"
Having said this, Ma Zhou took a step forward and looked directly at Wang Gui.
"I would like to ask Mr. Wang, if one day, the Tubo army uses weapons made of the hundred-refined steel smuggled by your Wang family to kill the people of our Tang Dynasty and attack our border troops of the Tang Dynasty - will your Wang family be regarded as collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country?"
Wang Gui was speechless for a moment and turned pale.
"What's more, for your own selfish interests, your Wang family has liaised with Tibet and colluded with the generals of the border army - what exactly do you want?"
Everyone couldn't help but take a breath of cold air.
Who is this? This is——
This is obviously to push the Wang family to death.
"Shu Zi, who are you? How dare you tell lies and maliciously slander our Wang family——"
Wang Gui's eyes were about to burst. He took a step forward, staring at Ma Zhou with his eyes fixed on him. He wanted to pounce on him and strangle this incomprehensible dog to death.
This is clearly meant to trap the Wang family to death——
Without bothering to argue with Ma Zhou, Wang Gui turned around suddenly and looked at Li Shimin with sad and angry eyes.
"Your Majesty, a humble minister deserves to die. As the head of the family, he allowed a junior member of the family to commit such a heinous crime. It is truly an unpardonable crime. However, the heavens can tell the truth, and the ancestors of the Wang family are the witnesses. Our Wang family is loyal to the Tang Dynasty.
Geng Geng, I have never had the slightest hint of disobedience and betrayal, so your Majesty, please be aware of it——"
Ma Zhou's label was too big. If such a label were to be applied to him, the Wang family would be completely doomed and beyond redemption.
Li Shimin sat silently.
At this time, the Cui family and the Zheng family really couldn't sit still.
As a family that has been related by marriage for generations, their relationship with the Wang family is undoubtedly much closer than that of other major families.
If the Wang family really falls this time, they will also suffer a heavy blow.
Don't think too much about it.
Zheng Guan, who had just been promoted to Huangmen Shilang, just wanted to go out, but Cui Hong had already taken a step forward.
Seeing this, Zheng Guan calmly retreated.
"Your Majesty, please don't listen to this arrogant kid. The Wang family has a great business, so it is inevitable that the good and the bad will be mixed. There are also some scum in the family. However, the Wang family has a honest family tradition and has been virtuous for generations. Wang Shilang is upright and upright, and his character and knowledge are obvious to all.
, most of the children of the Wang family are kind and loyal people - how can they be beaten to death just because there are one or two young people in the family..."
Having said this, he turned around, pointed at Ma Zhou and scolded him harshly.
"Who are you? Since you have been favored by the emperor, you should be loyal to the country and share the worries of the emperor and father. However, you do not want to repay the favor. Instead, you are talking nonsense, making nonsense, and falsely accusing the royal family. You want to deceive His Majesty and trap His Majesty in cruelty and cruelty.
Land!"
Zheng Guan, who had just been promoted to minister, couldn't help but scolded.
"I am supervising the censor Ma Zhou - supervising hundreds of officials. It is originally the responsibility of the lower officials. The Wang family has liaison with Tubo, smuggling tens of thousands of kilograms of steel and colluding with the border generals. The evidence is conclusive, how can it be framed -
—”
Ma Zhou refused to give an inch.
Li Shimin couldn't help but feel greatly relieved, as expected of me, I personally snatched you away from that brat Zi'an.
Although Wei Zheng was forced to farm by that brat Zi An and temporarily left the court, but with you, I can be considered a big help.
In fact, with his current momentum, he has already passed the stage of being cautious and having to weigh and compromise everything. What he needs is a capable minister who is loyal, outspoken, and dares to stand firmly by his side.
And Ma Zhou is obviously a suitable candidate.
At this moment, Li Shimin was extremely satisfied.