Muchuan bowed his hands respectfully and said, "Wei Chen believes that Xu Jingzong's words are not enough to win people's trust. His words are false."
"Nonsense!"
Xu Jingzong angrily scolded: "Mu Chuan, you not only left your post without permission, but you also dared to slander me. You are seeking death!"
"presumptuous!"
At this moment, a loud shout came.
Xu Jingzong trembled with fright, and Li Shimin said: "Did I let you speak?"
You asked Muchuan to finish speaking, who asked you to interrupt?
"
After Li Shimin finished speaking, he stared at Xu Jingzong so sharply that he sat down on the ground in fright.
He never expected that Li Shimin would be so protective of Muchuan.
Even though he said what he said, Li Shimin still ignored his own feelings and blindly defended Muchuan. Was he trying to scare the monkeys?
Xu Jingzong was frightened in his heart. He didn't know what Li Shimin was thinking, but he knew that if he dared to talk nonsense again, he would probably really anger Li Shimin.
So he didn't dare to speak.
Li Zhi also looked at Li Shimin in confusion and said, "Father, Muchuan is right. What Xu Jingzong just said is just nonsense, and there is no evidence at all!"
Li Shimin said: "Regardless of whether there is evidence or not, Muchuan has made great contributions. I cannot punish Muchuan because of an unfounded crime."
When Xu Jingzong heard this, his face suddenly showed surprise. He did not expect that Li Shimin really wanted to protect Muchuan.
Li Zhi said: "But, my father, Muchuan has committed the crime of deceiving the emperor."
Li Shimin glanced at Li Zhi and said: "My words are the imperial edict.
Muchuan’s contribution is not small, let’s first listen to Muchuan’s explanation.”
Li Zhi looked at his father speechlessly.
Li Shimin set his sights on Muchuan, looking forward to Muchuan's new speech.
Muchuan said calmly: "Your Majesty, the general believes that what our Tang Dynasty needs to do most now is to consolidate its territory.
At the same time, the lost ground was recovered.
Goguryeo and Baekje invaded our Tang Dynasty over the years, plundered our Tang Dynasty's countless wealth, and killed countless people of our Datang Dynasty. Now our Datang Dynasty has been weak for too long.
The Tang Dynasty should be revitalized!
Therefore, I sincerely request your Majesty to confer the title of General to the West and lead an army of 200,000 to attack Goguryeo and Baekje."
Li Shimin was stunned. He never thought that Muchuan wanted to attack Goguryeo and Baekje.
"Your Majesty, I agree that we in the Tang Dynasty can no longer be cowards!"
"We are willing to go to Goguryeo and Baekje!"
…
Before Li Shimin could speak, many generals stood up and said.
Li Shimin looked at Muchuan bitterly, and then said, "Mu Chuan, what do you mean?"
"Your Majesty, the reason why I used troops privately is because the leader of the border army was injured in a battle. It happened that Goguryeo invaded our country and humiliated our border people, so I couldn't help but lead the army. I understand the suffering of the border people and feel in my heart
It is for the national prestige of the Tang Dynasty! But I also acted according to orders and obtained the tiger talisman from General Xu Liang, which did not violate the laws of the Tang Dynasty."
Muchuan knelt down and said."
Muchuan's words shocked many people.
"Your Majesty, Muchuan's loyalty can be measured by the sun and the moon!"
"Your Majesty, I think Muchuan's proposal is very suitable."
"The general seconded the proposal!"
…
In an instant, the civil and military ministers in the hall expressed their opinions one after another and agreed with Muchuan's words.
"Father!"
Li Zhi looked at Li Shimin eagerly.
Li Shimin waved his hand, and then said: "I understand what you all mean! I have decided that Muchuan is not guilty!"
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
"I will thank you, Your Majesty!"
When many ministers heard that Li Shimin had pardoned Muchuan, they were overjoyed and fell to the ground one after another.
Only Xu Jingzong looked at Muchuan with sorrow and indignation, then stood up and said: "Your Majesty, Muchuan is committing a treasonous act!"
Li Shimin snorted coldly, and then said to the censor's desk: "Xu Jingzong framed Zhongliang, drag him down and behead him!"
"Your Majesty, I am wronged, I am wronged!"
Xu Jingzong wailed.
He knew he was doomed, so he impeached Muchuan, which touched Li Shimin's bottom line.
Xu Jingzong was dragged away.
Everyone else in the hall bowed their heads and remained silent, silently praying for Xu Jingzong in their hearts.
At this time, Han Binyou, the third old man, stood up to plead with Xu Jingzong and said: "Your Majesty, although Shi Lang Xu's words are a bit extreme, he is your majesty's confidant after all. I hope your majesty will remember the old relationship and show mercy beyond the law!"
Li Shimin snorted coldly: "Old love, what is old love?
Xu Jingzong is my confidant, isn’t Muchuan the same?
Muchuan conquered the east for me and made great military exploits for the Tang Dynasty. Isn't he a hundred times stronger than Xu Jingzong?"
After hearing this, Han Bin still advised: "Your Majesty, Minister Xu has followed you for decades and devoted himself to the Tang Dynasty. There is no merit but hard work. I hope your Majesty will be lenient!"
Li Shimin glanced at Han Bin and said: "Han Aiqing, since you care about Xu Jingzong so much, why not you personally execute Xu Jingzong, and then hang his head at the city gate, so that those young people can see that the army of the Tang Dynasty is definitely not
Easy to get along with."
Han Bin was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that Li Shimin would say such a thing. Xu Jingzong was his favorite, and he actually asked him to personally supervise the execution. What did this mean?
Does Li Shimin really hate himself?
Thinking of this, Han Bin's heart suddenly became cold.
Li Zhi was also stunned, and then said secretly: Father is so cruel!
He suddenly felt that his father seemed to have changed.
My father used to be a kind emperor, but in recent times, he has changed a lot.
In the past, my father turned a blind eye to government affairs and never dealt with anyone.
Now he actually wanted to kill his former favorite Xu Jingzong for a few words.
However, Li Zhi did not stop him. He also wanted to test his father's depth and see if he had really changed.
"Your Majesty, this is inappropriate!"
Li Jing, the minister of the Ministry of Industry on the side, also stood up.
Li Shimin looked at Li Jing and asked lightly: "Oh, why is it inappropriate?"
Li Jing said: "Your Majesty, I remember that during the autumn hunt the year before last, a general named Xue Rengui also led troops into the capital without authorization."
"I remember this."
Li Shimin said.
This is his dark history, and he doesn't want others to mention it.
"I believe that General Xue Rengui was removed from office and demoted to a layman by His Majesty, but now the same Muchuan is not guilty. Even if the matter is not suitable for investigation, it has nothing to do with Mr. Xu, and Muchuan should be given a light sentence."
After hesitating for a moment, Li Jing continued: "Xue Rengui sent troops to Beijing without authorization. Although he also did it for the Tang Dynasty, it was wrong after all."
When Li Shimin heard the name Xue Rengui, he frowned slightly and said, "Then according to your wishes, Aiqing, what should we do about this matter?"