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

Chapter 39 The Disadvantages of the Five Surnames and Seven Families
There was no light in the east yet, and the sky was still pitch black.

Li Chengqian had to leave his warm bed and prepare to attend the morning court. Too many things happened yesterday.

In the brightly lit palace, Concubine Su was changing Li Chengqian into a gorgeous court dress. Her movements were gentle and delicate, as if she was afraid of wrinkling this precious piece of clothing.

Li Chengqian stood quietly in front of the bronze realm, his eyes deep, as if he was thinking about some important issue.

"Now that His Majesty has entrusted such a heavy responsibility to Your Highness, Your Highness must act with caution!"

Su Fei said softly, while carefully arranging Li Chengqian's clothes.

"Don't let those remonstrators get hold of any evidence, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous. Your Highness, please rest assured that I will definitely help you solve the problems in the East Palace."

Concubine Su whispered softly and carefully combed Li Chengqian's hair. Her eyes were full of concern and love, showing the demeanor of a virtuous wife.

"They are just a bunch of civil officials who can only talk big!"

Li Chengqian raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a disdainful smile.

"If they can offer reasonable suggestions, I will naturally listen to them; but if they just talk nonsense, I will not show mercy to them."

Li Chengqian was very clear about those ministers who gave advice to him. There were not many people who were as loyal and outspoken as Wei Zheng.

Most people gave advice for their own benefit, with the aim of limiting the emperor's power.

Hearing Li Chengqian's words, Concubine Su's face became a little nervous. She quickly advised:

"Your Highness, you must not do this! Now that you are the regent, your every move is under scrutiny. If those remonstrators find evidence of you and pass it on to His Majesty, it will be extremely disadvantageous to you."

Li Chengqian was silent for a moment, then nodded, indicating that he understood what Concubine Su meant.

"Don't worry, I will be careful."

Li Chengqian patted Concubine Su's hand to reassure her, then left the Eastern Palace under the protection of the Longwu Guards.

Today, Li Shimin did not preside over the court, but Li Chengqian was in charge.

At this time, Li Chengqian was sitting in the Taiji Hall, but he was still one step away from the dragon throne, so he could only sit on a newly erected chair on the side.

After all the officials paid their respects, they got down to business.

The old lady stepped out and opened the imperial edict:

"Li Tai, the Prince of Wei, was guilty of treason, and his crime was extremely serious. However, considering that he had made great contributions to the country by compiling the Comprehensive Geography, he was spared from death, demoted to a commoner, and exiled to Guizhou."

"Su Xu, the Sima of the Prince of Wei's Palace, instigated the Prince of Wei to rebel. He should be the chief criminal. His head should be beheaded and his property should be confiscated to serve as a warning to others."

"General Fang Yiai betrayed the emperor's grace and plotted treason, so he was sentenced to immediate execution. Fang Xuanling failed to discipline him strictly, so he was stripped of all his official positions. However, considering his great achievements, he was allowed to retain his title of Duke of the State, but he was not allowed to participate in court meetings anymore."

……

As the old eunuch finished reading, all the ministers couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, they did not get into trouble. These people had more or less dealings with the King of Wei before.

"Your Highness, is the sentence against the King of Wei too light? The King of Wei was plotting a rebellion, and he should be the mastermind. Such a sentence is unfair. More importantly, he is not put to death for treason. Will this cause..."

Duke of Song Xiao Yu made this suggestion.

"Yes, this sentence is too light, not enough to convince the people, nor enough to shock the world."

The Secretary of the Central Secretariat Cui Renshi also stood out from the queue. He was also a minister of remonstration, but it was not known for what interests he did so, but it was definitely not for the people.

He was famous for his courage in admonishing others, along with Wei Zheng, Ma Zhou, Chu Suiliang, Wang Gui and others, and was even appointed as prime minister.

In the Tang Dynasty, there were many people who served as Prime Minister. This was related to the Tang Dynasty's appointment method. This position was changed every few years and was a rotational position.

Therefore, those famous people in the Zhenguan period all served as Pushe, including Li Jing, Chu Suiliang, Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, Pei Ji, Wei Zheng, Xiao Yu, etc. "Duke Pei, please be careful with your words. The mastermind is Su Xu. The King of Wei is young and was just deceived. If you don't believe it, you can go to the Dali Temple."

Li Chengqian glanced over and said coldly.

This was the king's decision, but it was still questioned by his subjects, which made Li Chengqian very unhappy.

The reason why the ministers of remonstration have such power is because of the forces behind them. Xiao Yu and Cui Renshi are from the Five Surnames and Seven Families.

Many senior officials in the court also belonged to these five surnames and seven families. They had the power to influence the court, and Li Shimin was often restrained by them.

Li Shimin made several major revisions to the "Clan Records" in an attempt to eliminate their influence, but the effect was minimal.

In the end, it was Huang Chao who cut off the surname hierarchy with one sword, otherwise everyone in India would have to call him "Big Brother".

How could the advice they are giving now not be aimed at reducing the reputation of the royal family?

"Is the Dali Temple Minister here?" Xiao Yu turned around and looked towards the back row.

Snapped!
Li Chengqian pushed the imperial case vigorously and glared at him, "Duke Song, you dare to question the fairness of His Majesty, what are you trying to do?"

"I dare not!" Xiao Yu immediately bowed to apologize and lowered his head. As a new official, he had three things to do in his first job, so he did not choose to contradict again.

"Then there is no objection to this matter. If there is nothing else, we will adjourn the court." Li Chengqian said, giving people an autocratic look.

"I have something else to report!" Gao Shilian bowed.

"Please play!" Li Chengqian's expression suddenly softened a lot. Gao Shilian should not make things difficult for him since he had already given him a heads up.

"Last year, Xuzhou was hit by a flood, and many people were displaced. Now, an epidemic has broken out, and the governor of Xuzhou is requesting disaster relief."

Gao Shilian said that originally this matter should have been reported to Zuo Pushe Fang Xuanling, but he had already been removed from the Dali Temple.

After a great disaster, there will be a great epidemic. This is an unchanging law in ancient times.

After a major disaster, the victims will lose their food source and most of them will starve to death. As for the relief money and grain from the imperial court, no one knows who they are fed to, and it is certain that very little of it can be eaten by the victims.

It caused a large number of deaths and poor handling, which led to the rampant plague and further expanded the affected area.

"Now, in order to prepare for the war with Goguryeo, the court no longer has any extra money and grain to distribute. If it were to distribute it, I'm afraid it would affect the war."

Changsun Wuji also stood up and spoke.

The Left and Right Pushe are the superiors of the six ministries, and they must be aware of all major affairs of the six ministries.

Make bricks without straw.

On the first day that Li Chengqian officially resumed his position as regent, he was given such a difficult task.

"The military campaign will not begin for another year. We will first mobilize some money and grain to provide disaster relief to the people, and also mobilize material support from other states." Li Chengqian said immediately.

"Then who should be sent as the envoy?" Changsun Wuji asked again.

In the Tang Dynasty, the imperial court sent officials to disaster-stricken areas to carry out disaster relief. These officials were called Xuanfu envoys, just like imperial envoys.

Upon hearing this, the ministers were instantly excited and recommended more than a dozen officials in a short period of time.

Because this envoy had so much money, even if he deducted just a little bit from him, it would be enough to make him rich.

"Adjourn the court. I already have an idea of ​​the candidate." Li Chengqian directly announced the adjournment of the court without giving the ministers any room for discussion.

Seeing Li Chengqian go behind the scenes, everyone was shocked. Wasn't this too overbearing?

(End of this chapter)