Li Mu looked at Li Shimin and suddenly smiled. He did not respond or refute, but asked: "Is your Majesty worthy of me?"
Li Shimin's lips trembled, but he didn't say anything.
"Your Majesty just asked me if I feel that I feel ashamed of Your Majesty. I know what Your Majesty is referring to, and I can answer Your Majesty, morally, no. Wang Ou is the daughter-in-law of the Cui family, not His Majesty's concubine.
.But emotionally, I feel sorry for Your Majesty, and I do feel guilty."
"I understand that paper cannot contain fire. One day, Your Majesty will know the truth. After Your Majesty knows the truth, he will definitely be furious. So I thought, if that time comes, what should I do?
"
"After thinking about it, I found that there were only two options before me. Either, before His Majesty notices, I run away with my family and live in seclusion in a place where His Majesty cannot find me, or I make a big enough decision.
Please let your majesty spare my life for the sake of this merit."
"I like the life in Chang'an, and I had no choice but to say goodbye, so I chose the latter. So, I racked my brains to find ways to help His Majesty solve the problems he encountered. Whatever your Majesty can think of or unexpected, I will accept them all.
The purpose of establishing the Ministry of Internal Affairs is to decentralize power from three provinces to six, and thereby centralize the imperial power, which can help His Majesty accomplish what His Majesty wants to do more quickly. I foolishly thought that if I made enough contributions
, when your majesty deals with me, you will be able to forgive me if you think of your merits and affection."
"Your Majesty, I have done so many things for Your Majesty because of an apology that is not moral, but just personal. In order to do these things, I do not hesitate to make enemies of everyone, risk my life, risk my life, sewage, and infamy.
It's all mine, and I don't have any complaints. I thought it was enough to offset it. But how did Your Majesty treat me?"
"I never imagined that in order to put me to death, Your Majesty, who I admire in my heart, would completely ignore my merits, disregard any friendship, and even go so far as to frame me, without even verifying the evidence, and would use trumped-up evidence to prove it.
The crime will kill me——"
Li Mu had tears in his eyes: "Your Majesty's majestic figure collapsed in my heart. I finally understood that to His Majesty, I am not a nephew, just a chess piece. The king is for fishing, and the minister is for fish.
, fish and fish, let others slaughter you!"
"My heart has become cold. Now I only hope that your majesty will treat me as dead and let me live. Let me take my wife, children and children to find a secluded place in the wilderness to live out my remaining life. Now, I can only
If you want to survive, there is no ambition left in this life."
After Li Shimin listened to Li Mu's words, he didn't know what to say. As he guessed, Li Mu was indeed disheartened by his actions. He was also just like Empress Changsun said. There was only one thing that could actually find fault with Li Mu.
No, it can only be a guess without any solid evidence.
Li Shimin didn't know how to explain it. At this time, Empress Changsun came over. Li Mu didn't notice that Empress Changsun was also there. When he saw her, he was stunned for a moment and bowed to salute.
"Li Mu, don't blame His Majesty. Let me tell you. In fact, this is a plan I gave to Your Majesty."
"What do you mean?" Li Mu knew in his heart that Queen Changsun was talking nonsense. This was just a step that Queen Changsun gave him and Li Shimin. At that moment, a trace of hesitation flashed through Li Mu's mind, whether he should take this step or not, almost at the same time.
, he made a decision to accept it, and the consequences would be to tear his face apart.
"Look over there." Empress Changsun pointed, and Li Mu saw several large boxes filled with memorials to impeach him. Empress Changsun walked over, took a copy and handed it to Li Mu, saying: "These are all articles of impeachment.
Did you see this posture in your memorial? It is truly unprecedented."
Li Mu opened it, and it was written by Wang Jingze. He didn't need to read it to know what Wang Jingze wrote, because these words were all instructed by him.
Li Mu angrily threw the memorial on the ground, stepped on it a few times, and said anxiously: "These people all hate me to death!"
"Yes." Empress Changsun took the words and said: "Your Majesty just wants to use this matter to find out who is trying to kill you."
Li Mu showed a suspicious expression and said, "I'm afraid your Majesty won't be so kind!"
Li Shimin had already understood what Empress Changsun meant, and said with a fierce face: "I have already told you what your kid said. I didn't want to kill you. I gave you a hint. It's because you were stupid and didn't hear it!"
Empress Changsun also said: "It's not to say that it's to find your opponent. You just said that everything you do is for your majesty and for the country and the country of the Tang Dynasty. So, I want you to die.
People must be the opposite group of people. Some of these people are known to your majesty, but there are also some that your majesty does not know yet. Through this incident, they have been exposed. At the same time, your majesty also wants to take a look and protect you.
Who are there, and who are of the same mind as His Majesty."
"Really?" Li Mu seemed to have accepted the result, and his expression softened a lot. But suddenly, he frowned again and said, "But if it is fake, why do you still need the Tang family's escape card?"
"Tang Jian doesn't know the details. In order to save you, he made this move out of desperation. But he has already taken out the escape card, how can he take it back? But this is good, it does provide His Majesty with a reasonable excuse.
."
"Is that so..." Li Mu was still doubtful and looked at Li Shimin. Li Shimin coughed and said: "The Queen said it in detail. Let me explain it, but it is not so clear. In short, as I said, I never thought about it.
Kill you."
"Why did your Majesty deprive me of my title?"
"That's because, because -" Li Shimin looked at Empress Changsun for help. Empress Changsun took over and said: "To show those envoys, no matter how you say it, you have done something similar to massacre. This is not an example.
If there is no explanation, people will be panicked. Li Mu, you are not anxious about your title or official position. Although His Majesty has deprived you of your title today, in the future you can just make some achievements and get it. You can still
Worried about this?"
"That's true..." Li Mu showed a rather conceited look again, as if he was agreeing with Queen Changsun's words, but soon he said angrily: "Even if the title makes sense, why did you let me go to Luoyang?"
Become a county magistrate? The third rank has been reduced to the seventh rank, and the phoenix has turned into a black-bone chicken. How many people will laugh at me! No, no! I still don’t want to be an official!"
This time, Empress Changsun didn't know what to say. She could help Li Shimin explain, but she couldn't make the decision for him. If she did, it would be interfering in politics, and the meaning would be different.
Li Shimin had some concerns about this matter, and said: "I asked you to go to Luoyang to be a magistrate, not a county magistrate. Maybe you are a high-ranking official, but I didn't make it clear."
"What's the difference between one word and one word?"
"The difference is big." Li Shimin said loudly: "Luoyang is the companion capital and has an extraordinary status. In the past, the Supreme Emperor had long thought of moving the capital to Luoyang. Because of its convenient transportation, it is easy to defend but difficult to attack. In order to resist the Turks, I
At that time, we tried hard to make it happen. Now that the Turkic troubles have been eliminated, I also have the idea to move the capital to Luoyang when the time is right."
Li Mu nodded. Although the reasons given by Li Shimin were far-fetched, they were reasonable and reasonable.
"Now Chang'an City has basically taken shape, but Luoyang is still the same as before, so we need someone who is trustworthy and capable to pick up the mess in Luoyang City. I am asking you to go to Luoyang, not to serve as a county official.
The order is so simple, I want you to open a government office, just like my Tiance Mansion back then. All matters in Luoyang, big and small, are handled by your house, and all the money, food, expenses, etc. are decided by you alone!"
Li Shimin spoke cheerfully, but Empress Changsun looked at her sideways frequently. This was very different from what she had just heard. If Li Shimin made such an arrangement, wouldn't it be equivalent to enfeoffing Luoyang to Li Mu? This kind of treatment would be even better than that of the princes and grandsons.
A few points higher.
Li Mu didn't seem to notice anything strange. He rolled his eyes and asked, "What rank is this Luoyang order?"
"There has never been a case before. I really haven't thought about how many grades I should give." Li Shimin looked indifferent and said, "How many grades do you think is appropriate?"
"First grade!"
"Follow your dream!" Li Shimin said angrily: "In addition to special promotion and promotion, how can there be an official of the first rank in the court? When I was a minister, I was only of the second rank. Where can I find a first-rank official for you?
Are you going to be an official? Keep your rank unchanged, talk ugly things ahead, and there will be no salary for you."
"Your Majesty, are you being a bit of a rogue?" Li Mu said anxiously: "It's just that I'm not allowed to resign and become an official. Why don't you even give me a salary? This is not a matter of more money and less money, this is a matter of course.
Son, if you don’t give me a salary, no one is capable enough, let alone me. If it doesn’t work, you have to give me a salary.”
"I can't give it." Li Shimin said with a straight face: "Not only can I not give you your salary, but I will not be able to give you the salary of Luoyang officials of all sizes in the future."
"Then who will give it?"
Li Shimin pointed to Li Mu's chest and said, "Give it!"
"Why should I give it!" Li Mu said anxiously: "This world is not mine, why should I give it?"
"Because I have made you the Luoyang Order. I also told you very clearly that all matters, big and small, are out of your house, and you alone decide how to spend money and food. Don't you understand? Just be self-sufficient!"
"..." Li Mu understood that Li Shimin wanted to 'draw the ground as a prison' and imprison him in Luoyang. If the prediction is correct, it should be difficult for him to leave Luoyang in the future. Li Shimin would cut off Luoyang's supply, so that
It will force Li Mu to think of a solution. Luoyang and Chang'an have both been capitals and have a lot in common and can learn from each other. What Li Shimin wants is to rehearse the problems encountered by Chang'an in Luoyang and let Li Mu figure it out.
The method was then moved back to Chang'an and even used in Datang.
This is equivalent to Luoyang becoming Chang'an's "internal testing venue".
We really can’t underestimate the ancients, this plan!
Now that Li Shimin had made a plan, if Li Mu refused, it would definitely cause more trouble. He had no choice but to agree first.
"Okay, I accept the order, but there is a request!"
"explain."
"I want to choose some capable people to take with me."
"Are you talking about people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs?" Li Shimin frowned and said: "You have taken away all the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, what should I do? You cannot take away important people, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has to operate. You can only choose a few at most.
Personally, please make a list and I will see if I can let them go."
"I understand." Li Shimin's reaction confirmed what Li Mu was thinking, and it was useless to say anything else. Li Mu resigned, and Li Shimin did not keep him. Through the window, he saw Li Mu walking away, and Li Shimin looked at Empress Changsun,
Said: "Does the Queen think that the rhetoric just now deceived Li Mu?"
Queen Changsun smiled: "Li Mu is so smart, how could he deceive me? He just saw that I was walking down the steps and just walked down the steps." Queen Changsun asked again: "Your Majesty, why did you change your mind temporarily?"
"I also suddenly thought of it." Li Shimin was silent for a while without explaining too much. He believed that Queen Changsun could guess his intention: "I hope that this impromptu idea of mine will have the desired effect."
Li Shimin sighed, feeling somewhat dejected. The relationship with Li Mu had reached this point, which was far different from what he had imagined. He originally thought that the relationship between him and Li Mu would be passed down through the ages like the good stories about monarchs and ministers recorded in history books.
But now, under the circumstances, even the most basic trust may no longer exist.
After Li Shimin came to the desk, he wrote an imperial edict and used a seal. This kind of imperial edict directly sealed by the emperor is called "Zhongzhi". Zhongshu's disciples have no right to interfere. It is usually used to directly reflect the emperor's will.
.
"Here comes!" Li Shimin shouted, and a young eunuch entered the room. Li Shimin handed him the imperial edict and said, "You don't need to go to Zhongshu Province. Send it directly to Tang Jian's house and let him read it alone. If he asks
, there is no need to explain anything, he will know how to do it."
The young eunuch took the edict and left, and Li Shimin began to write the edict again, this time handing it to Eunuch Gao.
After writing more than a dozen edicts in a row, Li Shimin put down his pen. Li Shimin asked Eunuch Gao to send all these edicts to Zhongshu Province for drafting. Then he followed Empress Changsun to the Li Zheng Hall and announced that he was ill and that he would not see any foreign ministers.
Already.
…
The Duke's Mansion of Ju State.
After sending away the eunuch who delivered the edict, Tang Guan, Sun hurriedly gathered around Tang Jian, wanting to know the content of the edict. Tang Jian did not hide it and showed them the edict. Sun could now read and read it.
After that, her expression suddenly changed. Although she was a wife who married into the Tang family, she also knew a little about the affairs of the Tang family. The foundation of the Tang family was in Bingzhou and Jinyang, and Tang Jian was an official in the court.
So there are also some near Chang'an.
Although Li Shimin rejected Tang Jian's appointment this time, he did not retain him. Instead, he made him the governor of Shuzhou.
Shuzhou, the place where the three seedlings gathered, is not very peaceful now. Li Shimin asked Tang Jian to be the governor there. Even if he didn't say it clearly, it was just like a match.