Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 19 The Power of the "Godfathers"

"Your Majesty, Duke of Lu Cheng Zhijie, Duke of Wei Li Jing, Duke of Ying Li Ji, and Duke of Shen Gao Shilian are outside the palace requesting an audience."

A young eunuch hurried into the palace, knelt down in front of Li Shimin, and reported respectfully.

"Xuan!"

Li Shimin was in a very happy mood at the moment. He stroked his beard, smiled and nodded, agreeing to summon them, but he couldn't help thinking in his heart.

These dukes must have come here to apologize.

After all, their eldest son had sworn brotherhood with the crown prince, committing a serious crime; he also beat up the left minister Zhang Xuansu, which was even more unavoidable. Otherwise, how could the long-retired Weiguo Duke Li Jing enter the palace again?
Li Shimin half-lying on the dragon chair, his eyes slightly squinting, thinking about how to deal with this matter. This matter could be big or small, the key lies in how he handles it.

It must comply with the law and appear to be the emperor's graciousness, so that they will be grateful to him.

"Pfft!"

Suddenly, one of them knelt down without hesitation.

"Zhijie, why are you doing this? Now is not the time to pay homage. As the Duke of Lu, you don't need to perform such a grand ceremony."

Li Shimin asked in pretended surprise, but his heart was as clear as a mirror.

"Your Majesty, please make the decision for me!" Cheng Zhijie cried with a look of grievance on his face.

What? Aren't you here to plead guilty? Could it be that you still have grievances?
"Zhijie, if you have anything to say, just tell me. I will make the decision for you."

Li Shimin waved his hand and said helplessly. Among his group of meritorious officials, the most cunning one was Cheng Zhijie, the Duke of Lu.

This guy is not as honest as Cheng Yaojin in the Romance of Sui and Tang Dynasties, but on the contrary, he is famous for being smooth and cunning. He has served three generations of emperors and has always been at ease. He has taken all the merits and never made any mistakes.

Hearing Li Shimin's words, Cheng Zhijie suddenly became alert, and hurriedly stepped forward and said loudly:

"Your Majesty is wise! I have followed Your Majesty in battles for many years, and I have made some contributions. I have been granted the hereditary title of Duke, but there are still people who call me a bandit. I am indignant!"

Watching Cheng Zhijie's performance, Li Shimin laughed secretly in his heart. This guy is really an acting genius. Of course, he knows what kind of person Cheng Zhijie is.

"Indeed, I participated in the uprising, but I was not the first one to follow Your Majesty. Perhaps because of this, I was ostracized. Not only that, my descendants were also called bandits. Your Majesty, please clear my name."

Li Shimin's face twitched. You are now the host and are beating people because you are wronged. How could he not hear what Cheng Zhijie is talking about?
"Your Majesty, I am not angry. I have expanded the territory for the Tang Dynasty and guarded the borders. I have made contributions but I have also worked hard. I have saved millions of families, but I have not saved my own family. I have always obeyed the orders and have never dared to violate the people. How could I be a bandit? Moreover, my eldest son was also called a bandit."

"Your Majesty, this is a slander against me! Please investigate it thoroughly, otherwise my reputation will be ruined."

Li Ji also knelt down and asked Li Shimin to make the decision.

Did Li Ji also become bad? Li Shimin's eyes widened. This was a play. Not only did he not want to admit his fault, but he also wanted to put the blame on others.

Li Shimin glanced at Li Chengqian and saw that he had his head down, his eyes on his nose, and his nose on his heart, as if he was indifferent and had nothing to do with it.

But this turmoil was caused by Li Chengqian, who used the name of sworn brotherhood but was actually trying to win over others.

There was a sharp light flashing in Li Shimin's eyes, as if it could see through people's hearts.

He was not angry, but more relieved that the prince would negotiate with these pillars of the country. Zhang Xuansu and others on the side were shocked. These generals played word games, and they all felt inferior. Didn't they just say green forest grass? How could it be slandered them?

"I already know what the two Dukes said. The Crown Prince's left assistant made some mistakes and slandered Duke Lu and Duke Ying, but he was punished. This matter is over."

Li Shimin said that this quarrel was settled, otherwise based on his understanding of Cheng Zhijie, he would definitely not give in.

"Humph, Zhang Xuansu, you better be careful next time. You called me a bandit, and if I don't act like a bandit once or twice, I will be unworthy of this title."

Cheng Zhijie stood up and snorted coldly.

"Duke Lu, this is a political discussion, not a street swearing."

Li Shimin reminded again that this old guy played even dirtier games than the literati. It was obviously his son who beat others first, but he not only filed a complaint first, but also threatened others in the end.

"I was the one who lost my composure. I didn't think so. Does this look like a political discussion?" Cheng Zhijie muttered with his head down, a look of dissatisfaction written on his face.

"Duke Lu, please mind your behavior." Li Shimin said coldly. Is everyone going to join in the opposite role now?
"Your Majesty, I feel that my behavior and speech are fine, but your Majesty is frivolous." Cheng Zhijie shifted his gun and aimed it at Li Shimin.

"It has been stipulated in all dynasties that the harem cannot participate in politics. In the past, Empress Zhangsun never stood beside the emperor in the court. Your Majesty allowed a little talent to stand in the Taiji Hall. Why is this?"

Cheng Zhijie's demeanor suddenly changed and he questioned Li Shimin.

Is the field of speech in the Tang Dynasty so open?
Military generals can now confront kings.

"You can step down!" Li Shimin's old face turned red and he waved his hand. Wu Cairen stepped down with his head lowered, but there was a cold light flashing in his eyes that others could not see.

"Duke Lu is right. It is my fault for disregarding etiquette and government affairs."

Li Shimin forced a smile on his face. Li Er was famous for his courage to admit his mistakes, which was also what made him different from other emperors.

A king should know his mistakes and correct them, but he should never admit them. However, Li Er could endure what other kings could not endure.

"Your Majesty's fault is not just this." Cheng Zhijie said again.

"What else have I done wrong?" Li Shimin's smile froze and his nose rubbed against his face.

"Originally, these things should be said by the civil officials. I, Old Cheng, am just a military man and don't know much. But now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to say a few words to Your Majesty."

"We, your Majesty, fought together to conquer the world. Looking back, it was not easy. But now, some of your Majesty's actions have shaken the foundation of the country. I have to say something."

Cheng Zhijie raised his head, not afraid of power, and looked at Li Shimin with bright eyes.

"Duke Lu, you'd better explain it to me, otherwise I won't let you off easily."

Li Shimin has been criticized again and again these days and was in a bad mood. Just when things were getting better, he was criticized by a military general again. Does he still have any shame? Where is his dignity as an emperor?
"Your Majesty, don't you understand what I said even now?" Cheng Zhijie asked back.

"I don't know!" Li Shimin's voice came out from between his teeth.

(End of this chapter)