"Your Majesty thinks deeply, has Li Mu ever done anything to betray His Majesty?"
"Your Majesty, think about it again! The main figures in the Jisi Hall are all from the Five Surnames and Seven Sects, and from the family. If Li Mu has a relationship with the Jisi Hall, why do these people want to frame the six big boxes of memorials and kill Li Mu?
If Li Mu is really his son, shouldn't they build a plank road to Chencang secretly and protect Li Mu until the future?"
Li Shimin was slightly startled, but he thought rationally. He also thought that what Queen Changsun said was reasonable. Yes, if Li Mu was really related to Jisitang, then how could the wealthy nobles who were inextricably related to Jisitang want him to die?
?
But now these memorials——
Li Shimin suddenly thought of an extremely terrifying possibility, that is, Changsun Wuji colluded with the noble family and wanted to get rid of their common enemy, which was Li Mu.
But why did Changsun Wuji do this? He is not a member of the family!
In Li Shimin's mind, he suddenly remembered what Empress Changsun had just said. Although Changsun Wuji finally wanted to be himself, the first thing he had to consider was the Changsun family.
The Changsun family, the Changsun family... Li Shimin understood. It turned out that, unknowingly, the Changsun family had gradually transformed from a distinguished noble to a powerful family. There was no difference between the Changsun family and the five surnames Qiwang. What they wanted was also
Gradually it is becoming consistent.
Li Shimin was a little sad. He murmured: "Even my assistant can't trust me. Is it true that as an emperor, you can only be a loner?"
"Your Majesty should have thought of this situation when he sat on the throne." Queen Changsun's voice was like a voice-over, which made Li Shimin gradually realize the reality. He sighed and said: "I have failed Li Mu, he will not
Forgive me."
"Then your Majesty will insist on going his own way?" Empress Changsun said seriously: "No matter whether Li Mu forgives your Majesty or not, when your Majesty realizes his mistake, your Majesty should correct it. This is the way of a gentleman and the conduct that an emperor should have. If Li Mu is wronged today
Death, Your Majesty, do all the talented people in the world still dare to serve Your Majesty?"
"The queen is right!" Li Shimin was convinced. He raised his head and glanced at the sky. It had just passed and there was still time, so he shouted: "High cadre, please convey my order quickly and release Li Mu."
"No!" Eunuch Gao was overjoyed. Just as he was about to turn around and go out, he was stopped by Queen Changsun again.
"Why Queen?"
Empress Changsun said seriously: "Your Majesty, I would like to ask you, how to free Li Mu?"
Li Shimin frowned and said: "Just say -" He was suddenly stunned and thought of the problem. He wanted to kill Li Mu because Li Mu committed a major crime in the Gaochang Massacre and wanted to give an explanation to the world. If he didn't have an explanation, he would just kill him.
If Li Mu lets it go, how can he explain it to the people of the world? If the emperor goes back on his word, isn't it just like farting? How should the people of the world treat him as an emperor in the future?
"What should we do?" Li Shimin scratched his head, his thoughts becoming confused again.
Queen Changsun said: "Your Majesty, why don't you say that Li Mu saved your Majesty's life during the young assassin incident? When Your Majesty remembers this incident, you can spare Li Mu's life and avoid the death penalty. How about that?"
"Okay!" Li Shimin no longer wanted to kill Li Mu, so he agreed after hearing the words. At this moment, a young eunuch hurriedly ran in at the door, with a panic look on his face, and said: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Ju rushed into the palace and said that he must
I must see His Majesty!"
"Tang Jian?" Li Shimin frowned and said, "Where did he get the courage!"
Queen Changsun's eyes lit up and she said: "Your Majesty, there is no need for the excuse I just mentioned. There is a ready-made reason."
Li Shimin was startled for a moment, then thought of something, nodded and said: "You're right, here's a ready-made reason! Senior officials, let Tang Jian come in!"
…
The execution time was about to arrive, but Sun Fuga still didn't wait for the new news from the palace. He looked up at the sky and realized that he couldn't delay it any longer. According to the procedure, he had to verify his identity.
The death penalty was a very cautious matter no matter which dynasty it was in. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, in order to prevent the emperor from "impulsively killing", every time the emperor executed a prisoner, according to the rules, all civil and military officials had to "please for pardon three times".
That is, he asked for pardon three times to give the emperor a chance to reconsider.
In the Tang Dynasty, although there was no such rule, it was still necessary to check repeatedly to make sure that the person to be killed was the victim himself, so as to avoid anything culpable. Because this was a death penalty, there was no regret in taking the medicine, and the head could not be reattached after being chopped off.
As a supervisor, Sun Fuga had such responsibilities and obligations. He came to Li Mu, looked at Li Mu in front of him, and said: "County Lord, according to the rules, you need to verify your identity. I ask a question, and you answer."
"The person in front of me is named Li Mingmu and was born in Mayi?"
This is called identity verification, and it is a necessary step. No matter whether the prisoner is willing or unwilling, he must respond. In fact, it is just a formality. If this person was not Li Mu, the executioner would have beaten him until he screamed in pain.
A sound can be regarded as a response.
But Li Mu couldn't fight, and he couldn't fight. After Sun Fuga asked, he waited for Li Mu's answer, but 'Li Mu' still didn't say a word.
Sun Fuga frowned and said: "County Lord, even if the matter is up to now, your response won't change anything, so why bother to resign?"
'Li Mu' still didn't respond, and the onlookers were talking attentively. Some of the children from well-known families booed loudly, calling Li Mu greedy and fearful of death, and cowardly.
"County Lord, why are you silent?"
Li Mu still didn't make a sound. He knelt down, stretched out his neck, and placed it on the guillotine. It had the meaning of "killing someone just by pointing the neck". The meaning of this move was very obvious. It was not that he was afraid of death, but he just didn't bother to talk. But according to the
The rule is that one must answer the call. If the call is not made, the victim's soul will remain, and the executioner does not want to be implicated in this cause and effect.
"County Lord, you..." Sun Fujia bent down and wanted to persuade Li Mu, but suddenly the tip of his nose moved, and he felt something was wrong. Sun Fujia was born in a criminal family, and he observed the subtleties very carefully. Why did Li Mu smell of perfume on his body?
?Although the perfume was invented by Li Mu and only sold in his store, he has never seen Li Mu using perfume in the few times he has been in contact with Li Mu. This means that Li Mu does not use perfume. There is no reason to die.
, did you even put some perfume on your body to make your body smell more fragrant?
This doesn't make sense.
With doubts in his heart, there were more flaws. He looked carefully at the Li Mu in front of him. Although his face was the same, the Li Mu in front of him seemed a little shorter and much thinner than Li Mu. According to the calculation of Li Mu's previous life
, He is about 1.78 meters tall. Although Jin Chen is not short, he is only about 1.7 meters tall, at least 78 centimeters short. If you don't look carefully, you may not be able to tell, but if you look carefully, it is still very obvious.
of.
Sun Fujia was horrified. He never expected that Li Mu would find someone to die on his behalf. What should he do?
Kill him in a daze? Is that possible? People from Dali Temple, Yushitai, Ministry of Punishment, and the Three Law Departments are all here. Everyone is working in Xing Prison. Since you can see it, you can't guarantee that others can't. Even if
If you didn’t see it at the time, can you still see it when he restrains himself? He is a supervisor and can’t escape this responsibility. Maybe someone will make a big fuss and accuse him of conspiring with Li Mu. Then he will really not be able to bear the consequences.
Gone!
After quickly judging the pros and cons in his mind, Sun Fujia gritted his teeth, decided to expose it, and shouted loudly: "Come on, get this impostor quickly!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone was in an uproar. 'Li Mu' also seemed a little flustered. He climbed up from the guillotine and looked at Sun Fujia. Sun Fujia pointed his hand, and several officers rushed forward. With a shake of the chain in his hand, he used
He used Suo's technique to grab the prisoner, broke the joints of his arms, and pushed 'Li Mu' to the ground.
"I don't care who you are, and you don't need to explain. I'm just telling you that if you assume the blame, you will be punished according to the law. If you can repent and tell me where Shepherd Li is, I may be able to let you go."
There is a way out, if you insist on not realizing it, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"
"The one you want to kill is Li Mu. Isn't it enough to have Li Mu to kill for you? Mr. Sun, why do you have to be serious and aggressive?"
When Jin Chen spoke, it was his daughter's voice, and the people watching were excited again. What kind of luck is this today? What a big show! Among the crowd, there was Jin Chen's theater fan. As soon as she opened her mouth, she heard
Knowing who she was, he shouted loudly: "This is Boss Jin from Lichun Court! I also asked why Boss Jin suddenly disappeared. It turned out that he was with the Marquis! He actually died for the Marquis, how benevolent and righteous!"
Boss Jin, I read you right!"
"How can a noble man let a woman die on his behalf? Where is Li Mu, come out!"
"Let Li Mu come out! Don't hide behind women and be a villain!"
"Master Hou, don't let us look down on you!"
Because Jin Chen's identity was exposed, it aroused the indignation of countless men. Sun Fujia looked around and said to Jin Chen: "You also heard it, but you still refuse to say it?"
Jin Chen pursed his lips and said nothing, his attitude was already obvious.
Sun Fujia shook his head and sighed, and was about to let someone take Jin Chen down when suddenly a voice came over.
"Master Sun, why should you embarrass a woman? Am I not here?"
The voice was not loud, but it overshadowed the onlookers. Upon hearing this familiar, slightly frivolous voice, everyone turned their heads and automatically gave way to a path.
Li Mu crossed the crowd and walked in, followed by Bai Qiaoqiao. Bai Qiaoqiao held his sleeve tightly, looking a little nervous, but her expression was determined, and she was obviously ready.
Li Mu came to the middle, and the officer who was escorting Jin Chen saw him and quickly let go of his hand. Li Mu took the key from the officer very naturally and gave Jin Chen his shackles. The two Li Mu faced each other, and the scene was a bit strange.
One of them, Li Mu, lowered his head and shed tears.
Li Mu smiled, pulled him over, blocked him behind him, looked at Sun Fuga, and said: "Master Sun, I know that there is not much human kindness between you and me. But there is a saying that is good when a person is about to die.
His words are also kind, Master Sun, can you give me, a dead man, some face?"
Although Li Mu claimed to be a dead man, Sun Fuga did not dare to make a mistake in front of him. He said honestly: "Please tell me, Lord County."
"Don't make it difficult for my woman. She is doing it for me. I am already here, so don't pursue this matter."
"good."
Sun Fujia agreed without any hesitation. The person he was ordered to supervise and kill today was Li Mu. The other matters were just trivial matters.
Jin Chen looked at Li Mu with tears in his eyes, and was deeply moved in his heart, not for anything else, but for Li Mu's words of 'my woman'.
Li Mu turned around, held Jin Chen and Bai Qiaoqiao in his arms, and said: "I don't want to talk about the past things anymore. After I die, take care of Qiaoqiao and the children for me."
Jin Chen cried and nodded, and Bai Qiaoqiao's eyes became even more determined.
Li Mu just told her that she could not die because she still had a child in her belly and he had to leave a heir for the Li family. Bai Qiaoqiao agreed, but at this time she made a new decision to wait until the child was born.
After coming down, she wanted to go with Li Mu, but she didn't say it, and there was no need to say it.
Li Mu let go of the two girls, looked at Sun Fuga, and said, "Master Sun, let's continue."
Sun Fuga nodded and asked again: "The person in front of me is named Li Mingmu and was born in Mayi?"
"yes!"
…
Tai Chi Palace.
When Li Shimin saw the brocade box, he looked at Empress Changsun. Li Shimin was really convinced by his empress. He said that she knew everything like a god, which was not an exaggeration at all. It was indeed what she thought.
Tang Jian knelt on the ground, bowed to the ground, stood up, opened the brocade box, and revealed the contents.
This is an iron coupon with the word "save death" in Wei stele style on it, and Li Yuan's seal on the back. This was a special gift from Li Yuan to express his gratitude to Tang Jian after Tang Jian exposed Dugu Huaien's conspiracy to rebel.
This was also caused by the environment at that time. In the early days of the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the foundation was unstable. Without Tang Jian's exposure, Dugu Huaien would have probably succeeded in his rebellion. Tang Jian was equivalent to saving Li Yuan and saving Li Yuan.
The Tang Dynasty was destined to die. Nowadays, this situation will never happen again. This card has been the only card to avoid death since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, and there will be no second one in the future.
Li Shimin originally wanted to pardon Li Mu, but if he could use this to take back the only privilege of avoiding death, it would be a beautiful thing that kills two birds with one stone.
He had already made up his mind, and with a very stern face, he said: "Ai Qing, what are you doing? This death-free card was given to you by the Supreme Emperor to the Tang family. If you don't keep it to protect your descendants, are you going against me by taking it out now?"
?”
Tang Jian lay on the ground and said: "Your Majesty, Li Mu is my stepson and cannot be regarded as an outsider. I sincerely ask your Majesty to fulfill the old agreement and use this death-free card in exchange for Li Mu's life."
"Tang Jian! Aren't you afraid of my anger? Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Your Majesty!" Tang Jian banged his head on the ground and said, "It is really not the way to serve as an minister to offend His Majesty's power of heaven. I feel ashamed in my heart, and I am already old. I would like to resign to Your Majesty now. I hope Your Majesty will allow me to retire and return to my hometown to take care of myself."