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

Chapter 84: The First Confrontation between Imperial Power and Scholar Power

"Why? Why is it that the food that was prepared in the two river regions a long time ago has disappeared now? Tell me, what is going on?"

In the Taiji Hall, Li Shimin was furious and roared at the court. His eyes were extremely intimidating, as if he wanted to shoot through all the ministers.

All the ministers were terrified, with their heads lowered, not daring to breathe.

But many people know exactly what is going on.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the matter of collecting food and grass has always been in the charge of the Right Servant Changsun Lord. After the Right Servant went with the army to the war, this matter has been in the charge of the Left Servant Xu Lord. The Left Servant knows the specific reasons better."

Imperial Censor Wei Ting stepped out and spoke with conviction.

Xu Jingzong's face suddenly darkened. Such a big fuss was made, could it be that it was just to target him?
He was the spokesperson of the imperial family in the court. When a group of aristocratic families attacked him, they were weakening the imperial power.

Xu Jingzong knew that he couldn't just sit there and wait for death, otherwise he would become a scapegoat. He quickly stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty, I was indeed responsible for collecting food and fodder, but the decree has already been issued. According to previous inspections, all states have sufficient food supplies. In my opinion, it must be the corruption of the officials below."

"I think that the Dali Temple should be immediately involved to investigate the officials in the Mesopotamian region. Anyone who deliberately delays military affairs should be executed."

Now Xu Jingzong is no longer a soft persimmon that can be bullied by others, as he has the royal family behind him.

"Your Majesty, the military situation is urgent. If we wait for the Dali Temple to investigate, the soldiers at the front may starve to death. The most important thing now is to transport food and fodder to the front line."

"Besides, even if it was all done by officials from the Mesopotamian region, and according to Zuo Pushe's words, they were all killed, I'm afraid there won't be many people left in the court."

Wei Ting snorted coldly, with a hostile look on his face.

This is also a blatant point that even if the officials in the Mesopotamian region did it intentionally, what can you do?
What can you do as the Zuo Pushe? What can you do as the emperor?

"Your Majesty, I believe that this result is entirely due to the incompetence of Zuo Pushe. It is because of Zuo Pushe Xu's lack of ability. If someone else takes charge, I believe that the food and grass will arrive on time."

Cui Yi, the Minister of Personnel, bowed and said.

This was telling Li Shimin that he could use the position of Zuo Pushe in exchange for the cooperation of the aristocratic families.

Of course, they didn't dare to make things too awkward with the royal family.

They controlled the material resources of the Tang Dynasty, but Li Er was the hero who founded the country, and the military power was largely in the hands of the royal confidants.

Cheng Zhijie, Yuchi Jingde, Li Ji, Li Daozon, Li Xiaogong, Zhang Shigui and Xue Wanche were all bigwigs in the army and controlled the army.

It would be impossible to confront the royal family head-on, as this would result in a lose-lose situation for both sides.

If Li Er wanted to manage the world, he naturally needed the help of the aristocratic families. The people under him could conquer the world, but they were not very good at governing it.

"Minister Cui, who do you think is capable of taking on the position of Zuo Pushe after Emperor Xu Jingzong? And who is so capable that he can influence my will?"

Li Shimin's eyes were as sharp as knives, making Cui Yi feel uncomfortable all over, as he endured the majesty of the emperor.

"I don't know about that. It has to be recommended by the Ministry of Personnel, reviewed by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Central Secretariat, and finally approved by Your Majesty."

Cui Yi's answer was flawless.

"Xu Jingzong was appointed by me. The summons has been issued. Xu Pushe has done nothing wrong." Li Shimin waved his dragon robe without giving in.

"Your Majesty, if this is the case, I'm afraid it will be detrimental to the war on the front line."

Cui Yi's words also made it clear that if Xu Jingzong was not removed, the aristocratic families would not give in.

"Let the Dali Temple investigate. I want to get to the bottom of this incident."

After much difficulty, Xu Jingzong was promoted. If he was removed and replaced by aristocratic families, the royal family would be further restricted. If military power was further infiltrated, the royal family would become a puppet. This matter was difficult to resolve in the court.

Li Shimin would no longer compromise, even if it meant losses for both sides, otherwise only the royal family would be devoured.

"Your Majesty, please put the overall situation first and the war first."

Xiao Yu also stepped forward and said that it was not worth it to sacrifice the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers for the sake of a Zuo Pushe.

The war has already started. If we return without fighting, how can the Tang Dynasty deter the four directions? How can we make the four barbarians submit?
And all previous transfers will be in vain.

Li Shimin clenched his fists. This was his helplessness. As an emperor, he was unable to decide on the candidate for the position of Zuo Pushe. This was truly a tragedy.

It also reflects the weakness of imperial power.

He glanced at the ministers, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

This time it was Xu Jingzong, so what about next time? It could be Zhangsun Wuji, or someone else.

"Retreat!"

Li Shimin spoke with gritted teeth. At this moment, he was extremely angry.

All the aristocratic families declared war on him.

Given his current embarrassing situation, even if Zhu Yuanzhang came with the bloody knife in his hand, it would be useless.

Zhu Yuanzhang massacred the nobles, not the aristocratic families.

What are the nobles? They are soldiers who have made military achievements during the war. After the founding of the country, they hold high positions due to their military achievements. However, because of this, their foundation is weak, so it is much easier to eliminate them.

The aristocratic families are different. They are deeply rooted and closely related to the country. All middle and low-level officials are their people. To remove them would be more difficult than scraping the bone to heal the wound. If they are not careful, the empire will perish.

The aristocratic families gradually withdrew from the stage of history after experiencing the suppression by Huang Chao, the bloody massacre by Zhu Wen and the extermination of their roots by Jinghou.

It goes without saying that it would be difficult for Li Shimin to go to war with the aristocratic families at their peak today.

The ministers left one after another.

In the main hall, only Chu Suiliang and Xu Jingzong were left.

"Your Majesty, I know you are in trouble, but this time hundreds of thousands of soldiers are going to the front line to fight, and now it is a cold season. If we cannot prepare food and supplies in time, the consequences will be disastrous!"

Chu Suiliang said with a worried look on his face. Of course, he understood how tense the current situation was, but he also knew the priorities. This was a struggle between the imperial power and the aristocratic families. He absolutely could not express his opinions casually, otherwise he would become an accomplice of the aristocratic families. So he could only state the facts to His Majesty the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, it is my negligence that has led to this result. Please allow me to resign from the position of Minister of State."

Xu Jingzong bowed respectfully, expressed his willingness to take responsibility, and took the initiative to request to resign.

"I know what's going on. You all go down first."

Li Shimin said this majestically, his tone firm and powerful. At this moment, he had made up his mind and would not continue to endure.

This is not just about removing Xu Jingzong, but also a game of power. Although the current situation is serious, it is still unknown who will win in the end.

Since Kyoto couldn't break the impasse, Li Shimin could only place his hopes on the outside world.

Indeed, Laizhou’s camp is undergoing a huge change.

(End of this chapter)