But now that Dai Zhou said this, he just wanted to pass the blame to Li Shimin and let Li Shimin make his own choice.
Whether it was Li Shimin's business to kill or behead him, it had nothing to do with him.
His family could not blame him for this, and if Li Shimin really killed his relatives, the people would probably still praise him for being sensible.
But now his attitude is obviously that he is going all-in.
He just wanted to force Li Shimin to punish Li Chengqian.
Li Shimin stood up, looked up and said with a smile: "My Lord Dai is so selfless, why worry about our Tang Dynasty not prospering?"
While talking, he walked down from the high platform and walked up to Dai Zhou.
Li Shimin bent down and helped Dai Zhou up, and said earnestly: "After all, Mr. Dai is the pillar of our Tang Dynasty and has worked hard for our Tang Dynasty for half his life."
"You have made great contributions to the expansion of our territory in the Tang Dynasty. How can I bear to let you become a sinner of the family?"
"If I really did that, wouldn't it mean that the people of the Tang Dynasty would poke me in the back?"
Before Dai Zhou could speak, Li Shimin continued: "However, living crime can be avoided, but death crime cannot be avoided. After all, your relatives have violated the national law and should be punished."
"After a while, you and I come to the imperial study room, and I will talk to you alone..."
As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, he turned to look at Li Chengqian and said, "Li Chengqian!"
"My son is here!"
"Of course, Shiwei's situation is special."
"But this is not a reason for you to kill people wantonly."
"Originally, you performed well in the Battle of Shiwei, and even created a miracle of defeating many with less on the battlefield."
Li Shimin walked towards the throne and said: "I have given you many rewards for this, but now I have to take them back."
"Preach my will."
"Li Chengqian acted boldly and recklessly. Although there was a reason for everything, his faults outweighed his merits, so the merits and demerits cannot be balanced."
"Fine Li Chengqian one year's salary and return the rewards and property to compensate him." Shiwei killed and injured innocent people."
"And the punishment will be thirty lashes, which will be carried out outside the palace."
After he finished speaking, he looked down at Li Chengqian and said, "Do you have any objections?"
"My son is guilty and I am willing to let my father handle me!"
"Well!"
"Here comes someone!"
Following Li Shimin's words, two guards walked in from outside the palace and knelt on one knee in front of the palace.
Li Shimin waved his hand and said: "Pull Li Chengqian out, on the square, and execute thirty lashes without mercy!"
"yes!"
The two guards intervened and then walked up to Li Chengqian.
Li Chengqian did not hesitate, stood up, and bowed to Li Shimin again.
Then, he followed the two armored guards to the square outside Tai Chi Hall.
Seeing Li Chengqian being taken out, Li Shimin looked at everyone present, as if muttering to himself, and said: "Thirty lashes is a lot..."
Thirty lashes are indeed a lot, enough to tear a person's skin to pieces and make him unable to get out of bed for several months.
But as a monarch, as a majestic Khan, did he just say what he said casually?
Of course it's impossible.
What he means by saying this now is nothing more than telling everyone.
His son, he has already punished him.
No matter what the reason was, he had already punished him.
If anyone says anything about this matter in the future, don't blame him, Li Shimin, for being ruthless.
This will of course have a deterrent effect on those ministers who stand on the opposite side of Li Chengqian.
But for those who stand with Li Chengqian, or those who can empathize with Li Chengqian, this is a bit too ruthless.
After all, when Li Chengqian ordered the killing of the common people in the imperial family, it all happened during the war.
And now that half a year has passed since the Battle of Shiwei, it is really inappropriate to bring this matter up now.
What's more, did Li Chengqian issue such an order in order to avoid too many casualties among Tang Dynasty soldiers?
Therefore, some people inevitably feel disappointed.
But this disappointment was not for Li Shimin, but for Dai Zhou.
Because Dai Zhou raised this matter, in their view, he was targeting them generals, but Li Chengqian just stood up to him.
… ??
The square outside the palace.
Without waiting for the two guards to speak, Li Chengqian stood still and said: "I understand all the rules, so there is no need to trouble you two."
While speaking, Li Chengqian raised his hand to unbutton his clothes, took off his official robe to reveal the white tunic underneath, and then arranged them neatly and placed them far away from him.
"This official uniform was made for me by my wife herself, so it cannot be stained."
He chuckled and said, "If it gets dirty or damaged, my wife will be angry with me when I get home."
The two guards were full of admiration for Li Chengqian's ability to joke at such a time.
The two armored guards also knew about the prince.
And also knowing the prince's benevolence, one of them pursed his lips and said: "Your Highness, I'm offended."
Snapped!
This whip fell on Li Chengqian's back, and the sound resounded throughout the palace square.
At this time, everyone in the hall couldn't help but look back.
The palace guard got Li Shimin's hint, so the whip was merciless at all.
A bloodstain immediately appeared on Li Chengqian's back shirt.
Even though he had an anti-beating skill pack, he also shuddered in pain at this moment.
The two guards looked at each other and then no longer hesitated.
Snapped!
Snapped!
Snapped!
The two of them swung their whips together, almost drawing blood from the whips. After only ten lashes, the original white color of the clothes on Li Chengqian's back could no longer be seen, and they were all covered with scarlet bloodstains, which was simply shocking.
The ministers could see it clearly, and so could the people who came to complain.
Now, who dares to say that Li Shimin favors Li Chengqian?
Even among the people, who can say that Li Shimin prefers his own son?
With this strength, an ordinary person might not be able to withstand even ten lashes, let alone a pampered prince?
Even a strong man like Li Chengqian began to tremble uncontrollably after receiving ten lashes.
After twenty lashes, the clothes on Li Chengqian's back were all torn to pieces, and his whole back was dripping with blood.
The two guards who were watching were a little bit unbearable, and the strength in their hands could not help but weaken.
"You two..."
Li Chengqian grinned and his voice trembled: "If you two really think I'm a good person, then don't show mercy and hit me as hard as possible."
"Because the harder you fight, the less hatred will be in the hearts of the people, and the peace will be in the Northeast..."
One of the guards whispered: "But Your Highness, if we continue to fight, I'm afraid you won't be able to bear it..."
"Can not bear?"
Li Chengqian smiled bitterly: "Those brothers who died in the Northeast battlefield suffered much more than me..."
As soon as these words came out, the eyes of the two guards turned red.
The imperial guard also understood what Li Chengqian said, gritted his teeth tightly, and increased the strength in his hands.
After thirty lashes, the blood had stained Li Chengqian's pants red.
No matter how strong his body is, he can't hold it anymore.
Unable to stand, his legs became weak and he knelt on one knee on the ground.
Seeing this, the two guards subconsciously wanted to come over and help him.
But Li Chengqian shook his head, raised his hand and took out the saber from the waist of a guard, relied on the saber for support, and stood up again.
This situation made all the ministers in the court look stupid...