The sky is gradually getting brighter, and the north wind that has been blowing all night has subsided slightly. However, the climate is extremely dry. There have been only two light snowfalls since the beginning of winter, both of which were only superficial and did not fully moisturize the land.
The city gates opened one after another, and the sleeping city of Chang'an slowly woke up. Businessmen were like clouds, and people were like rain. Officials from all walks of life came out of their respective squares on carriages, entered the imperial city through Zhuque Gate, and headed towards the East Palace Gate.
Gather.
The two cities in the east and west have been completely renovated and rebuilt, and they are larger than before. They have brought together goods and cultural treasures from all over the world, and merchants have gathered. However, the west is now unrest. First, there was the Battle of Hexi, and then the cannibals invaded the western regions, leading to the Silk Road.
It was temporarily cut off, so the scene of groups of merchants from the Western Regions leading camels into Chang'an City amidst the melodious sound of camel bells after the city gate was opened has disappeared. The merchants always felt that something was missing and the atmosphere was a bit strange...
His Majesty Li Er personally conquered Liaodong and ordered the prince to supervise the country. However, the prince did not place the meeting place in Taiji Palace, but moved it to the East Palace to show his respect for the imperial power.
Naturally, there is also a certain avoidance of suspicion...
At three o'clock in the morning, the civil and military officials had gathered in the main hall of the East Palace. The prince, who had just returned to the East Palace from Xingqing Palace, rested in the back hall and drank a cup of hot tea to warm himself.
Go down to the main hall and preside over the court meeting.
"The prince goes to court!"
Amidst the shrill and melodious singing of the chamberlain, Li Chengqian, dressed in a yellow python robe, walked out of the back hall, came to the throne and took his seat.
The ministers were divided into two groups, all bowed and saluted, and shouted: "I have an audience with Your Highness!"
Li Chengqian sat as peacefully as a mountain, nodded calmly, and said in a deep voice: "My dear friends, please take a seat!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
After the ministers thanked each other, they took their seats.
During the Tang and Song Dynasties, monarchs and ministers sat opposite each other in the palace. It was never a bad habit for the emperor to sit down and ministers to stand in wait. Although the emperor was the son of Haotian and the supreme being in the world, he never treated his ministers as slaves. The Tang Dynasty just did not have the Song Dynasty.
The elegance of "sharing the world with the scholar-bureaucrats", but there is only a distinction between master and subordinate between the monarch and his ministers, and there is no distinction between high and low.
Of course, the space at the court meeting is limited, and it is impossible for everyone to have a seat. Only officials with sufficient rank and title can sit on the cushions, while other officials with insufficient rank can only stand behind a group of big shots...
Li Chengqian sat on the throne, looked around at the ministers in the palace, paused for a moment, and then said: "My dear friends, do you have anything to say?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Taichang Qing Wei Ting marching out of the class and came to the palace. He held a fluorene board and bowed, saying: "I have something to report!"
Li Chengqian glanced at everyone and saw Xiao Yu, the leader of the civil service, with his eyebrows lowered and his eyes calm. He felt a little calmer in his heart, and then asked: "If you have anything to do, you might as well report it."
"Here!"
Wei Ting responded, and then knelt down on the ground while the courtiers were stunned. He placed the fluorine board by his side, stretched out his hand to take off the black gauze beam crown on his head, placed it in front of him, and then kowtowed: "Your Majesty, last night the clan members
The middle son Wei Zhengju failed to return all night, which was originally not a big deal. However, at midnight, someone sent a letter to the minister's residence, saying that Wei Zhengju had been deceived and entered the royal forbidden garden by mistake.
Si', died after being tortured to extract a confession..."
There was an exclamation of "boom" from the Li Zheng Palace, and all the ministers were surprised.
The chamberlain immediately said in a sharp voice: "Quiet! How can you be disrespectful in front of His Highness?"
The palace then became quiet, but the ministers were still whispering to each other and looking at each other.
If it had been anyone else, everyone would not have been so surprised. It was said that he had "accidentally entered" the Royal Forbidden City. Who knows if there was a premeditated plan? What's more, we don't know if he bumped into any noble person. Being escorted to the "Hundred Cavalry Division" is certainly a bit excessive.
, but it is enough to condemn the royal family for taking the law lightly, so as not to be so shocked.
However, Wei Zhengju had a conflict with Fang Jun not long ago, which almost caused the entire Jingzhao Weishi to be implicated, and was severely suppressed. The "Baiqisi" was also involved in this.
Now, he just "accidentally entered" the Royal Forbidden City and was accused of being transferred to the Jingzhao Mansion for interrogation. However, he was sent directly to the "Baiqisi" and was "tortured to extort a confession" to death...
The content contained in this is enough to make everyone think about it.
Li Chengqian looked solemn and asked: "Is there any conclusive evidence that Wei Fengchang said this?"
"Fengchang" is the ancient name of Taichang Qing. If others call him this, it not only shows that he is a close relative, but also means that he is respected.
Wei Ting shook his head and said: "There is no evidence...but I am convinced that this matter is true, so I took off the black gauze and begged Your Highness to order the 'Baiqisi' to investigate this matter strictly. If my son is really the 'Baiqisi'
I ask Your Highness to uphold justice and uphold the laws of the country. If it is purely a slander, I am willing to resign from my official position, retire and return to my hometown, as an apology, and please Your Highness to fulfill my wishes."
His Highness the Minister was shocked again.
Is this a question of whether you resign or not? You are simply threatening the prince! In other words, the prince is kind. If His Majesty Li Er was sitting on top, he would probably directly agree to your resignation and take care of you.
Strive for the title to the end, and then be sent three thousand miles away to search for justice in the ends of the earth...
Li Chengqian's face was ashen as he stared at Wei Ting, wishing he could eat him.
Before, he sympathized with Jingzhao Wei and thought that the thieves framed Wei Zhengju to form this series of conspiracies. But now he couldn't help but have doubts in his heart, was Jingzhao Wei's framed by someone, or was this the real thing?
Jingzhao-Webster's bitter plan?
Because Wei Ting's words came out, it meant that he, the prince, had no deterrent power in the eyes of the Wei family. Otherwise, how would he dare to say such coercive words?
It’s so deceiving!
Xiao Yu said: "Taichang Qing's words are out of character. Wei Zhengju just hasn't been seen for a day, which is not enough to be missing. We can't ignore the law just because he is a descendant of the Jingzhao Wei family.
Is it illegal to file a case? Furthermore, Taichang Qing has no basis and no evidence, but he wants Baiqisi to participate in it. What's the reason? To take a step back, even if Wei Zhengju really died at the headquarters of Baiqisi,
Since the Jingzhao Mansion, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Dali Temple have filed a case for trial, why should the 'Baiqisi' be involved in the case? The 'Baiqisi' is His Majesty's brave and powerful wing, and he must not become a prisoner of the imperial court!"
"Baiqisi" must not be involved in this matter. Even if Wei Zhengju died in the "Baiqisi" execution chamber, the Tribunal of Justice could only preside over the trial.
Otherwise, "Hundred Qisi" will definitely be questioned, and he will not be able to explain clearly with all his words, and then the royal family and the prince will be implicated.
After all, Wei Zhengju did die in the "Baiqisi" torture chamber...
Wei Ting knelt on the ground with a determined face. Before he could speak, someone on the side had already made an excuse and said: "The Duke of Song's words are wrong. It is precisely because the 'Baiqisi' is your majesty's fierce tiger and the wing of the country. Moreover, he has always behaved according to the rules and has never made any secret attempts."
, the evil example of abusing lynching, so everyone in the government and the public praised him and believed in his innocence. How can the "Baiqisi", an important weapon of the country, be allowed to be interfered with by the Three Law Divisions? If so, the imperial power will be damaged, and it will be
Conducting an internal trial yourself is really the best way to safeguard Tianwei."
Li Chengqian looked sideways and found that the person speaking was actually Liu Jie, the servant... He couldn't help but frowned.
Although this guy has always been a follower of the crowd, he has become very determined since he attached to Fang Jun, and is now considered one of the big guys in the Donggong family. Although he is not ashamed of his personality, he respects his ability and is willing to rely on him.
Who would have thought that he would be the first to stand up to support Wei Ting and provoke "Baiqisi"?
Everyone knows that the prince is currently supervising the country. Once "Bai Qisi" is confirmed to have murdered Wei Zhengju, the crime will inevitably be implicated on him, the prince. If the government is in turmoil, he, the prince, will be the first person responsible.
He will be subjected to endless slander and his reputation will be ruined.
Does this bastard want to give Gu a "stab in the back"?
Extremely abominable...
Cen Wenwen, who was already old and frail, didn't know what was going on, but he had been used to intrigues, intrigues, and ups and downs in government throughout his official career. He subconsciously felt that the matter might be something serious. After pondering for a while, he said, "What Liu Shizhong said is very inappropriate.
The establishment of the 'Hundred Cavalry Division' was a last resort done by His Majesty in order to stabilize the imperial power and protect the country. When it was established, he set the original intention of never interfering with the court's judicial affairs. Liu Shizhong now agrees that the 'Hundred Cavalry Division' will review everything.
The death of a commoner without an official title not only goes against His Majesty's original intention, but also disrupts the empire's judicial system. Where will this move place the Three Justices? I think this is absolutely unacceptable."