Changsun Wuji trembled, banged his head on the ground, and said sadly: "I don't dare, I just ask your Majesty to think again!"
Li Shimin looked at Changsun Wuji with a cold face. After a while, he exhaled and said to Gao Gongzheng: "Xuan Li Jing, Li Ji, Niu Jinda," paused, and then said: "... Hejian
The prince of the county, the prince of Jiangxia has come to see me."
Changsun Wuji raised his head in shock, and was so frightened that he could not speak. When he attacked the Turks at the beginning of last year, Li Shimin did not use such a formation. Now that he has summoned these people, it shows that he has made up his mind.
Changsun Wuji pursed his lips, stopped begging, and lowered his head sadly. Eunuch Gao did not dare to delay any longer, so he agreed and turned around to deliver the order.
There were only four people left in the yard. Li Mu stood beside him with his hands tied. Changsun Wuji knelt in front of Li Shimin. Li Shimin looked at him, while Queen Changsun had been drinking porridge, as if she was not aware of what was happening next to her. She even looked at her.
Never moved.
Li Mu couldn't help but admire him. To be a good actor, you have to be like Empress Changsun. No one can see any flaws in her acting skills!
"Auxiliary machine, you have disappointed me very much this time." Li Shimin spoke slowly and said: "I will give you another chance because of our past friendship. I order you to be the chief judge, together with Dali Temple, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Censor.
Taiwan's Third Division will jointly review the case. We have a deadline of two days to give me a reply."
After a pause, Li Shimin said again: "I trust you with my life. If you still don't understand after trial, you can sue me. I agree."
Hearing these words, Changsun Wuji felt as if he had fallen into an ice hole, and his whole body was as cold as ice. He was only thirty-three years old, in the prime of life, so why did he talk about getting old? Li Shimin's words were clearly telling him,
Those who follow me will prosper and those who go against me will perish. If you don’t do what I want, get out of here!
Changsun Wuji looked at his sister, but didn't get a single response, and the look in his eyes became darker and darker.
"I understand."
After struggling to say four words, Changsun Wuji slowly stood up, turned around and walked out. Li Mu secretly gave Li Shimin a thumbs up and wanted to follow him out, but was stopped by Li Shimin.
"Boy Li Mu, I have something to ask you."
Li Mu had no choice but to stand and watch Changsun Wuji walk out of the hospital, then lowered his voice and said: "Your Majesty, I still have things to do. Is there anything you have to do that can't be done later?"
Li Shimin turned over the confession and asked, "Is this confession true?"
Li Mu said seriously: "Your Majesty, during the interrogation, Eunuch Gao was present throughout the whole process. If you don't believe it, you can ask Eunuch Gao. He definitely doesn't dare to lie to you, right?"
Li Shimin flipped through it and found Wang Zhi's confession. He pointed at one line and said, "He said that an assassin came from Prince Yan's Mansion. Is that true?"
Li Mu nodded and said nothing.
Li Shimin clenched his fists and cursed: "What a traitor! What a traitor!" He looked up at Li Mu and said, "How do you deal with it?"
"Uh..." Li Mu knew that he could not hide it from Li Shimin, so he hesitated and told the truth. His approach was somewhat rude, and it was a little embarrassing to say it in front of Li Shimin. After he finished speaking, he grinned and said: "Your Majesty,
I am also forced to have no choice. You said that I did nothing wrong about what happened last time. It is also your decision to deal with King Yan. But King Yan sent an assassin to kill me. This... As the saying goes,
If you want me to die, I have to die, but King Yan is not the emperor after all. I think, he should have no power to let me die."
When he said this in front of Queen Changsun, Li Mu was really angry. Although King Yan was a prince, he was different from his concubines. Unless he rebelled, the throne would never be his turn. Li Mu deliberately
Saying this is just to arouse the sensitive nerves of Empress Changsun.
Sure enough, when Li Mu mentioned this problem, Empress Changsun, who had been sipping her porridge, turned her beautiful eyes and glanced at Li Shimin imperceptibly, as if she was paying attention to his expression.
Li Shimin's heart was agitated and he hurriedly said: "What nonsense are you talking about! King Yan is a concubine, and he refuses to change despite repeated admonitions. I am about to punish him! Li Mu, you are doing the right thing, it's time to teach him a lesson."
Li Shimin thought for a while and said: "King Yan is not young anymore. Since he is staying in Chang'an, he should go to the fiefdom as soon as possible." Li Shimin asked Empress Changsun, "What does the empress think?"
Queen Changsun knew that Li Shimin still couldn't bear to deal with her son and let him go to the fiefdom, which was equivalent to absolving the crime in disguise. She felt a little unhappy and did not answer. Instead, she looked at the "victim" Li Mu at the time of the assassination and asked: "
how do you feel?"
Li Mu lowered his eyebrows and said, "I think your Majesty is very wise."
Empress Changsun snorted and said: "You monarchs and ministers think it is appropriate. I have nothing more to say. I wonder where your Majesty plans to seal him?"
"Yang..."
As soon as she said a word, Empress Changsun raised her eyebrows and said: "Yangzhou is the land of fish and rice and is very rich. Does your Majesty intend to seal a prince who has made mistakes in a place like this?"
"Uh," Li Shimin choked and didn't know what to say.
In fact, Li You's age is far from the time to enfeoff. Usually, princes will not be enfeoffed until they reach adulthood. Princes who are valued are usually led from afar, called "unworthy officials" and enjoy
The income from the fiefdom did not have to fulfill the obligations of governance. In history, Li Tai had many times granted fiefdoms, and the fiefdoms were as high as 22 states, but he was granted the title of "not an official". It was precisely because of this special preferential treatment that he had
In order to fight for the throne.
Li You's mother-in-law was one of the four noble concubines. Logically speaking, he should also enjoy the treatment of "not an official". Early enfeoffment was already a very serious punishment. Li Shimin wanted to make up for it.
Closing a good place will also make his future life more comfortable.
But Queen Changsun didn't allow it, so he had no choice. He pursed his lips and said, "Then the Queen will make the decision. What does the Queen think is appropriate?"
How could Queen Changsun be willing to do such an offending thing? She rolled her eyes, threw the ball to Li Mu, and said: "Li Mu, where do you think it is suitable?"
Li Mu thought to himself, okay, you two should be good guys, and let me do the bad guy? For a good place, the queen will not be happy, but for a bad place, it is clear that Li Shimin will not be happy. Li Mu thought about it for a long time, but he had no clue. The main reason was that he came to Chang'an
I’ve never left, and I don’t know what’s good or bad about it!
Although Li Mu didn't know much about the history of the Tang Dynasty, he had watched "The Long Song of Zhenguan". In the TV series, Li You was named King of Qi, and he rebelled in Qizhou in the 17th year of Zhenguan. Since he can't think of a good place to go, okay,
Let's respect history.
Having made up his mind, Li Mu cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, I think Qizhou is very good."
Li Shimin looked at Li Mu with drooped eyelids and said angrily: "Don't think that I don't know your little thoughts. Dou E died in Qizhou. You are really petty!"
Li Mu was stunned for a moment. He really didn't expect this. He changed the name of Dou E's injustice to Qizhou just to disgust the Shandong nobles. He had to smile bitterly and said: "Your Majesty, what a coincidence. Otherwise, I'd better not say anything. Your Majesty, please
Let’s decide.”
Li Shimin wanted to decide by himself, but looking at Queen Changsun's face, I'm afraid he couldn't decide. Although Qizhou was not as good as Yangzhou, it was still a prosperous place, and it was better than being sent to Qiongzhou. He sighed and asked Queen Changsun:
"Qizhou, does the queen think it's okay?"
Empress Changsun looked at Li Mu, then at Li Shimin, nodded slowly, and said: "Li Mu has thought carefully, Qizhou can do it."
What are you talking about? Li Mu looked helpless. Queen Changsun said this, which was tantamount to confirming that he did it on purpose. He wanted to explain a few words, but after thinking about it, he still didn't say anything. What's the point of explaining or not explaining?
Anyway, Li You must hate him to death.
After it was decided, Li Shimin called over a young eunuch brought by Eunuch Gao and asked him to deliver the order. He changed the title of King Yan Li You to King of Qi, and appointed him as the governor of Qizhou, the governor of Tongzhou, and the military governor of Qi, Qing, Lai, and Mi.
, ordered him to say goodbye to his mother and concubine, and do so immediately without delay.
This is what the prince should do when he goes to the feudal vassal, and Empress Changsun did not raise any objections. Supervising the military of the four continents has been downgraded. Logically speaking, the mother concubine is one of the four concubines, and she is at least the superintendent of the surrounding eight continents.
In terms of military affairs, no one will hinder him. Only four continents are slightly inferior to ordinary princes.
The decree came out, and the government and the public were in an uproar. In this sensitive season, something like this happened suddenly, and no one knew why. Soon, another news spread. One of the assassins was the sword and spear instructor of Prince Yan's Palace.
, after Zhulu Hou found out, he chopped the person into pieces and put them in a box and sent them to Prince Yan's Mansion. He was so scared that Prince Yan peed his pants. Immediately after, the decree of the feudal lord came. It is difficult for people not to associate these two things.
stand up.
The feud between Li You and Li Mu was well known to everyone in the government and the public. Li You sent someone to interfere, and no one was surprised. But because of this incident, he was forced to declare vassal status in advance, which was beyond everyone's expectation. It can be seen from this that
, How determined is the emperor, even his own son is involved in this, and he will be punished so severely.
One wave after another, while the news of Li You's surrender to the vassal was still being discussed, another news came out in the evening. The emperor announced to the five generals headed by Li Jing and awarded him the tiger talisman for the deployment of troops. Niu Jinda and Li Daozong had already
One can imagine what they would do if they left Chang'an and gathered the government soldiers in the capital.
When things have reached this point, everyone no longer has any illusions. Various signs indicate that Li Shimin's butcher knife has been raised, and it depends on who will be the first to die!
…
A huge military tent was set up by the river, which temporarily served as the lobby of the Ministry of Punishment. In a transfer at the beginning of the year, Li Daozong was appointed Minister of Zongzheng Temple, and the position of Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment was taken over by Zhang Liang.
One of the people in Yange was originally a subordinate of Li Mi. He once served as a general under Li Ji and accompanied Li Ji to the Tang Dynasty. When he got Fang Xuanling, Li Ji recommended him to join the Qin Palace and planned many things for Li Shimin. After Li Shimin came to the throne,
He was granted the title of General of the Right Guard and Duke of Changping County. At the beginning of the year, he was granted the title of Duke of the State. He succeeded Li Daozong and became the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment.
This move can be regarded as one of Li Shimin's measures to reduce the power of sects and vassals. After Li Daozong left the Ministry of Punishment, there was no longer a member of the royal family among the six ministries.
Zhang Yungu, the minister of Dali Temple, was also a famous person in history. His main deed was that he was falsely accused by Quan Wanji and accidentally killed by Li Shimin. Now history has changed, and Quan Wanji, as Li Shimin,
You's long history followed Li You to join the vassal in advance, and he saved his life.
Wei Zheng, the imperial censor, and Sun Wuji, the presiding judge, were sitting behind the desk, all looking frowning.
They had already met the assassins once, and they couldn't find anything new when they asked. The six living people seemed to know that they were going to die, and they didn't make any move to beg for mercy. They yelled at Li Mu and never admitted that they were assassinating the emperor. They only said that they were assassinating Li Mu.
, one person does things and one person is responsible, just don’t involve the clan.
There is no difference between the confession and Li Mu's, and it is not easy to make a fuss about it. Moreover, Li Shimin has made his meaning clear. This is not the result he wants, and Changsun Wuji's duty is to implement Li Shimin's will.
The last prisoner was taken down. Changsun Wuji rubbed his swollen temples, looked at Wei Zheng on the left, and said, "What does Duke Wei have to say?" During the interrogation, Wei Zheng didn't say a word, so Changsun Wuji didn't say a word.
Don't ask for his opinion first.
Wei Zheng said with a sullen face: "What can I say? I have nothing to say! Whatever result Hunjun wants, give him whatever result he wants. Kill him! Kill him! He will be at ease when the smoke spreads everywhere and the world is in chaos!"
Changsun Wuji frowned and said: "What Duke Wei said is ridiculous. It's true that the assassin was killed, and it's true that His Majesty was injured! What's wrong with punishing people according to the law? Your Majesty is kind and may pardon some people, but you can't say that Your Majesty is wrong, right?"
If your Majesty does not punish you severely, wouldn't it mean that you are telling the people of the world that assassinating the emperor can only be done without denying it? Is this what Duke Wei means?"
Wei Zheng was speechless and said angrily: "You know that's not what I mean, so why bother with words! I'm just, just for those innocent people... Alas!"
Changsun Wuji looked at Zhang Liang again and said, "What's the opinion of the Ministry of Punishment?"
Zhang Liang was single-handedly promoted by Li Shimin, so he naturally relied on Li Shimin's will as the criterion. Hearing this, he said: "The law has no mercy. It is clearly written in the laws of the Tang Dynasty. To assassinate the emperor is like treason. I think there is nothing wrong in your majesty's handling of the Yi tribe."
"You..." Wei Zheng opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say and sighed.
Changsun Wuji looked at Zhang Yungu again and said, "Do you have any opinions about Dali Temple?"
"According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, there is nothing wrong with it, but the laws are nothing more than human relationships. I just made a calculation. If it is really implemented according to the standards of the Yi tribe, it will involve more than 60,000 people. This... has never happened in the past dynasties.
!”
After Wei Zheng heard this, he immediately answered: "How can your Majesty bear the loss of more than 60,000 lives? No, I have to go see Your Majesty! If I can't persuade Your Majesty to change his mind, I will bump into him and die in front of him!"
Changsun Wuji sighed: "Now is not the time to be impulsive. The more you act like this, the more you will anger His Majesty..."
Before he finished speaking, a school captain hurried in. Changsun Wuji frowned and said, "What are you doing in such a hurry?"
"Uncle Rong, something happened! General Cheng ordered me to retaliate. Zhuluhou put a sharp knife on his neck, and he was admonishing you in front of your majesty. I begged your majesty to change his mind. He said that if your majesty refused, he would die in front of your majesty to avoid witnessing the ruin of life!"