In the military tent by the river, Wang and others, who had not slept all night, were anxiously waiting for the results.
It can be seen here that everyone is getting closer and closer. Last night, all the forces that had put aside their previous grudges and worked together to help each other returned to their own affairs after writing the congratulatory form. In the small military tent, some stood or stood in front of each other.
Whether sitting or sitting, they all separated into their own little piles.
Wei Zheng was originally a power in Shandong, but now, he is sitting alone in the corner, his eyes are a little straight, and when someone talks to him, he does not respond, as if he has been poisoned. I don't know what he is thinking.
Wei Zheng himself didn't know what he was thinking. His intuition told him that there must be something wrong, but he didn't know which part was wrong.
Are the assassins fake? Absolutely not. As one of the chief judges, Wei Zheng believes in his own eyes. These assassins are definitely not fake. They are assassins. But they are definitely not the ones who assassinated Li Shimin. They came for Li Mu.
But there is no way to argue that Li Shimin killed these people because he was an assassin. After all, he was injured, and the assassin also admitted that he was responsible for the stabbing. This is irrefutable evidence and cannot be overturned.
If this is a bureau, then there can only be two people who planned it, one is Li Shimin and the other is Li Mu. But there is a premise for all of this, there must be an assassin. But how did they calculate that the assassin would come?
?This can’t be a collusion, right?
What Wei Zheng couldn't understand the most was that the assassin named Wang Zhi actually lost half of his tongue. When he asked Eunuch Gao who had passed the transfer, Eunuch Gao said that the man bit it off himself because he couldn't bear the torture. He asked his fellow assassins,
But they said they didn't know anything about it. When they were tortured together, Wang Zhi still had his tongue, but when he came back after meeting Li Mu, his tongue was gone.
Then, it is very likely that Li Mu cut out his tongue. But why did he do this? Does a mortal man know anything that he shouldn't know?
Wei Zheng frowned and was about to exercise his power as the presiding judge again and call Wang Zhi up for detailed questioning. Suddenly, a captain entered the military tent and the conversation in the military tent suddenly stopped.
The school lieutenant came to the four chief judges, bowed and said: "Report, the assassin Wang Zhi tried to escape and was shot to death by General Cheng's order."
Wei Zheng suddenly stood up: "Why are you dead?"
The captain looked at him confused, thinking he didn't hear clearly, so he repeated it again, "The assassin Wang Zhi wanted to escape, so..."
"There's something wrong here!" Wei Zheng was furious and shouted: "Li Mu must be trying to cover up the truth. Why did that guy Wang Zhin cut off his tongue? He must have known some secrets that he shouldn't have known. He died before the secrets were found out.
, someone must have silenced you! How can you do this, you are a fool! You are a fool!"
Wang's expression changed and he quickly came over and covered Wei Zheng's mouth.
Changsun Wuji waved his hand, and the captain resigned. Wang let go of Wei Zheng's mouth, stopped talking, stamped his feet, and said: "Wei Gong, Wang Zhi is a member of my clan, I didn't say anything, why are you shouting?
Son, at this critical moment, if you offend His Majesty again, all our efforts will be in vain, what happens, can you bear it?"
Wei Zheng stared at Wang and said: "Uncle, why do you talk like this? Do you still know that Wang Zhi is your clansman? Don't you want to investigate the matter clearly? You..."
Wang turned his head and said in a low voice: "Wang Zhi, how dare you assassinate Your Majesty? Such a rebellious person is no longer worthy of being a descendant of the Wang family in Taiyuan. The clan leader has expelled all his clan from the clan."
"Yes." After a pause, the king said again: "But no matter what, it has nothing to do with you, Mr. Wei. I also ask Mr. Wei not to cause trouble."
Wei Zheng gritted his teeth and said: "I really can't believe that you, uncle, could have fallen to this level! You don't ask, but I have to ask. If you are guilty, you can be punished, but you can't die in vain. I want to see your majesty..."
Before he finished speaking, someone spoke outside the tent: "Who wants to see me?"
Everyone in the tent was startled, and they quickly bowed and shouted: "Welcome Your Majesty."
Eunuch Gao opened the curtain, Li Shimin walked like a tiger, and Li Mu followed closely. The two ignored everyone and walked straight into the tent. Changsun Wuji gave up his seat, and Li Shimin sat down. Seeing Li Mu standing next to him, he also pointed.
On the chair next to him, he said: "Ai Qing, sit down too."
Li Mu pretended to be polite and sat down with a smile. He had already written the script and Li Shimin had memorized the lines. He had just shot Wang Zhi to death and the plot was laid out. He could just watch the show next. As a director, he should take a break.
Rest.
Li Shimin scanned the crowd, and finally rested his eyes on Wang and Wei Zheng, and said: "My two dear friends seemed to be quite controversial just now. You should tell others everything you want. Since it involves me, don't hide it.
Come forward and talk about the matter and see whose problem it is."
Wei Zheng's face turned red, but at this point, he could not retreat, and the grievance in his chest prevented him from retreating. He took a step forward, and bowed as if he were playing in the hall, "Your Majesty
, I would like to ask, why did Wang Zhi die?"
Li Shimin did not answer, but said: "Xuan Cheng came to see you with money."
Eunuch Gao turned around and went out. Not long after, Cheng Yaojin walked into the military tent. Just as he was about to salute, Li Shimin said: "Without courtesy, Aiqing, Wei Aiqing has a question. Come and answer it for him."
Cheng Yaojin looked at Wei Zheng, who asked again. Cheng Yaojin snorted and said: "Wang Zhi tried to escape, but was discovered by the patrolling captain and shot to death by random arrows. At least twenty people witnessed this.
If Duke Wei doesn't believe it, he can ask them to come over and provide circumstantial evidence."
Wei Zheng glared and said, "If it was all arranged by you, what's the use of circumstantial evidence?"
Others in the court may be afraid of Wei Zheng, but Cheng Yaojin is not used to him. He has always been known as "Hun", and his qualifications are there. He is from the Prince of Qin's Palace, and he is from the Xuanwu Sect.
Conglong was also the first among them. He could be said to be a leader in understanding current affairs. His status in the court could not be called first or second, but he was still among the best. He won Li Shimin's trust, otherwise he would not have been appointed to escort him.
The civil and military factions in the DPRK and China have never dealt with each other very well. Hearing Wei Zheng's tone, Cheng Yaojin seemed to be questioning, and immediately snorted coldly and said: "Is Wei Gong slandering me, old Cheng? Is it arranged? Whose?
Arrangement? My old Cheng’s arrangement? If I tell the assassin to escape, he will escape? Why does he listen to me so much?"
Suddenly, Cheng Yaojin looked like he suddenly realized something and said: "Ha, I understand, Wei Gong is not talking about assassins, he is talking about me as the mastermind behind the scenes! Yes, the assassins are all sent by me, and I am not guilty.
But forgive me, come on, come on, surnamed Wei, chop me up with an axe!"
With that said, he put the ax in Wei Zheng's hand.
Wei Zheng couldn't lift Cheng Yaojin's ax, so he quickly pushed it away and said hurriedly: "Cheng Yaojin, don't mess with me! I don't mean to accuse you falsely, I'm asking why the assassin died so coincidentally!"
Cheng Yaojin stared at him and shouted: "Who are you asking? He wants to run away, how do I know? If he runs away, how can I not catch him? Is there anything wrong with shooting him to death when I see him running away?"
At your age, what you say is all nonsense!"
Wei Zheng couldn't explain to Cheng Yaojin, so he simply ignored this fool and bowed to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, the assassin Wang Zhi was found to have a broken tongue while I was waiting for interrogation. According to other assassins,
It is said that when he was interrogated in the woods that night, his tongue was intact, but when he saw Zhulu Hou, half of his tongue was cut off. Based on this, I have reason to infer that Wang Zhi's tongue was cut off and he had nothing to do with Zhulu Hou.
There must be a connection! There must be a reason, and when I thought of this and wanted to figure things out, news came that Wang Zhi was dead. How could it be such a coincidence? Your Majesty, isn't this strange enough?"
Li Shimin sneered and asked: "Wei Aiqing is really an upright person. He fought so hard for an assassin who assassinated me, and also involved my thousand-mile horse. This thought is worthy of admiration."
Wei Zheng couldn't hear the sarcasm. He blushed and said: "I am not trying to excuse Wang Zhi. He deserves death for assassinating His Majesty. However, I think that guilty people can be punished and even killed, but they cannot die in vain. Some things still have to be done."
It’s better to find out.”
"Ha!" Li Shimin sneered, pointed at Wei Zheng, and said: "Wei Zheng, Wei Zheng! I have always regarded you as a tolerant and tolerant person, but today it seems that this is not the case. Compared with Li Mu, your tolerance is very narrow.
, it really opened my eyes!”
Wei Zheng pursed his lips and said nothing. The matter had come to this, and he had no choice but to persevere to the end.
Li Shimin looked at Li Mu and said, "Ai Qing, Wei Zheng has questioned you, do you have anything to say?"
Li Mu stood up and said respectfully: "I have nothing to say about this. Although I know the truth of the matter, I have promised others to keep it secret. A word of faith is as important as a mountain in my heart. I must not violate my faith."
Therefore, if Wei Gong believes that Wang Zhi’s tongue was cut off by me, then I should admit this crime.”
Wei Zheng was dumbfounded when he heard what Li Mu said. Before he could speak, Wang suddenly knelt down and cried bitterly: "Your Majesty, Zhulu Hou Yi Bo Yuntian, I can't let him take care of me. I plead guilty! Please deal with it, Your Majesty!"
Li Shimin looked at the king and said, "What does this have to do with loving you?"
"Your Majesty!" Wang banged his head on the ground and cried: "I cut off Wang Zhi's tongue! When the Marquis of Zhulu interrogated Wang Zhi, I also went to see the Marquis of Zhulu and happened to hear half of it. I was worried that Wang Zhi would be implicated in the family.
There were many people, so they were confused for a moment, snatched the murder weapon that Zhulu Hou took out to identify the assassin, and cut out Wang Zhi's tongue. Zhulu Hou Nianchen worked hard for the family, and hoped that if he could implicate one less person, he would be less involved.
One person's kind thoughts promised to conceal this matter for me. Now that the incident has happened today, how can I let him take care of me? I plead guilty and plead guilty!"
Wang kowtowed to the ground and couldn't stand up for a long time. Wei Zheng was completely dumbfounded. He groaned and had nothing to say, so he had to kneel down.
Li Mu sighed and took over the words: "Your Majesty, I concealed this matter at the time, but I felt pity for a moment, and then I thought that Wang Zhi was already a mortal man. He had already confessed everything he needed to say. It doesn't matter whether he has this tongue or not.
, I promised to conceal the matter. I wanted to tell His Majesty, but since I have already promised Wang Shizhong, I cannot break the letter. To hide something from Your Majesty is really a lie." After saying that, he also knelt down and said:
"Your Majesty, please punish me."
Such twists and turns made the big bosses of the three provinces and six departments standing next to them dumbfounded. Those who were slow to react could not keep up with the train of thought.
Li Shimin helped Li Mu up and praised: "Ai Qing puts your faith first, how can I bear the punishment? On the other hand, Wei Zheng, judging from his words and deeds today, may not be as good as Ai Qing praised. I should reconsider."
Li Mu immediately said: "Your Majesty, it's one thing after another. As for the candidate for that position, I still think Duke Wei is the most suitable candidate. I don't have any jokes. How can you change the candidate that Your Majesty has decided on at will?"
Everyone was confused when they heard this. Even Wei Zheng himself was confused. Who should be chosen? As for such a dispute?
Li Shimin sighed, raised his hand and said, "Everyone, please get up first."
Wei Zheng and Wang got up. Li Shimin sat down again and pursed his lips in silence. After a while, he spoke and said: "High cadre, read out my decree."
Eunuch Gao took out an imperial edict from his arms, opened it, and said loudly: "The edict says...Since I came to the throne, I have been wearing clothes at night and eating at night, just to prosper all industries and make the people rich. However...in the time of Yao and Shun, all the people used it.
Yao and Shun had their hearts as their hearts, and I was the king. The people all took their hearts as their hearts, so they felt pain. What the officials said is all my fault. Now I am issuing an edict to offend myself..."
After everyone heard it, they understood what this imperial edict meant. It turned out to be an edict to sin against oneself!
Changsun Wuji was the first to kneel down. His tears seemed to be in his pockets and flowed down in the blink of an eye. The others also followed suit and knelt down and cried bitterly. The king has sinned against himself, and all officials can't help but blame him.
Even if it is a formality, they must do this.
After reading the edict of Sin Ji, Li Shimin took it and handed it to Zhongshu Ling Cen Wenwen, saying: "I love you, I will publish it in various places and tell it to the world."
Cen Wenwen cried: "Since your Majesty came to the throne, you have worked hard to govern. Now that you have been injured by a thief, you still have to issue an edict to blame yourself. How can there be such a reason in the world?"
Everyone tried to persuade him, but Li Shimin resolutely said, "My decision has been made. There is no need for you to persuade me." After that, he added, "Gao Gan, the second decree."
Eunuch Gao wiped away his tears and took out another imperial edict, saying: "The edict says: If the law is clear, there will be no danger of chaos inside; if it is calculated, there will be no danger of death or captives outside. Therefore, those who preserve the country are not benevolent and righteous, and must follow the law.
Also. Today, ten thieves are assassinating me. According to the law, the three tribes should be barred. Ten thousand people are involved, and I cannot bear it. However, the law does not tolerate human kindness. In order to save the lives of innocent people, I now issue an edict to rebuild the laws of the Tang Dynasty to preserve the foundation of benevolence and righteousness.
, to get rid of the roots of cruelty. Recruit wise scholars from all over the world, and appoint Wei Zheng, the imperial censor, as the general manager, for a period of three years, so that everything can be done according to the law and live up to my expectations."
After Eunuch Gao finished reading, he handed the imperial edict to Wei Zheng and whispered: "Wei Gong, Zhuluhou just knelt for a full hour to get this result. It was he who strongly recommended you to preside over the practice. What you just said
His words are really a bit like judging a gentleman’s belly with a villain’s heart.”
Wei Zheng looked at Li Mu in surprise, and Li Mu smiled back, not showing off his dignity at all, as if he had just done an insignificant thing.