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

Chapter 86: Execution without mercy
A trace of struggle flashed across Liu Rengui's face. He knew in his heart that these people were all children of nobles. If he forgave them easily, it would be difficult to convince the public in the future. But if he did not forgive them, he would offend powerful people like Changsun Wuji.

After weighing the pros and cons, he finally decided to pay his respects to Changsun Wuji and explained:
"Master Changsun, I am only following military rules. If we do not punish them severely, how can military orders be effectively enforced in the future?"

When many noble sons heard Liu Rengui's words, they felt despair. They thought they would definitely be severely punished this time.

They all looked at Changsun Wuji at the same time. Everyone bowed to Changsun Wuji.

"Chief Steward Changsun, we acknowledge our guilt and are willing to make meritorious contributions while serving our sentence."

Zhang Sun Wuji looked at the scene in front of him and whispered, "General Liu, let me persuade His Highness and then make a decision!"

Liu Rengui leaned over and whispered to Changsun Wuji, "Master Changsun, this is what His Royal Highness the Crown Prince meant!"

Hearing this, Changsun Wuji's pupils shrank suddenly, and he was secretly shocked. But he quickly regained his composure, a shrewd light flashed in his eyes, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"General Liu, I'm afraid you don't fully understand what the Crown Prince means. Asking you to stop now is not a mistake, but may be a great achievement."

Changsun Wuji said meaningfully.

"Is that really the case?"

Liu Rengui couldn't help but feel suspicious after hearing what Changsun Wuji said. He secretly wondered if he really misunderstood the prince's intentions.

"Of course. Is this move to establish authority in the army?"

Changsun Wuji's eyes were as sharp as a torch, as if he had seen through Liu Rengui's heart.

"Now that General Liu's authority has been established, they will definitely not dare to commit crimes again. Now I go to persuade His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to pardon them, which is considered a mercy outside the law. Since it will not destroy General Liu's authority, it will also show that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is benevolent and will use the entire army for his own use."

Changsun Wuji seemed to have seen through the truth of the matter.

Is it true?
Liu Rengui felt that this made sense. This was indeed killing two birds with one stone. He nodded slightly, raised his right hand, and asked the executioner to step aside.

Many noble sons collapsed on the ground, revealing their joy at having survived the calamity.

The previous arrogance was completely gone.

"Chief Steward Changsun, please stop. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already rested."

Wu Xing and Lin Zhi stood on both sides and blocked Changsun Wuji.

"Please tell His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that there is urgent military intelligence to report."

A hint of surprise arose in Changsun Wuji's heart. Shouldn't His Royal Highness the Crown Prince be waiting for his arrival now?
Could it be that he really wants to kill those children from powerful families?

"Just a moment please!"

Upon hearing the military intelligence, Wu Xing and Lin Zhi were stunned. Lin Zhi turned around and entered the big tent.

After a while, the lights in the big tent came on.

"Chief Steward Zhang Sun, I heard there is an urgent military situation. What is it?"

Li Chengqian, wearing a mink coat, asked while yawning, looking like he was still sleepy.

"Your Highness, do you know that General Liu is going to kill the generals in the army?"

Changsun Wuji asked.

"I know. I asked him to do it. Did a clan start an uprising? Where did it start?"

Li Chengqian's tiredness was swept away, and one could even hear a hint of excitement in his voice.

"If His Highness really kills them, they will really rebel."

Changsun Wuji felt a headache. This prince ignored the overall situation. His Majesty made him the commander-in-chief of the three armies. It was really a bad move.

What surprised him even more was that the memorial he submitted seemed to have fallen on deaf ears and received no response from Li Shimin. This was too abnormal.

Although he was a minister, Li Shimin would always respond to him, but this time was different. He allowed the prince to do whatever he wanted, and before the expedition, the internal situation became chaotic.

"Haven't they already rebelled? They withheld food and fodder and refused to obey orders. Isn't this treason?"

Li Chengqian's voice was cold and he was extremely dissatisfied.

Changsun Wuji was speechless for a moment. What Li Chengqian said made sense.

"Even so, Your Highness should not kill the generals in front of the battlefield. It will cause a great disturbance. Moreover, their crimes are not punishable by death. Some of the generals are the sons of important officials in the court. Your Highness, do you know how much disturbance Your Highness's killing will cause?"

Changsun Wuji tactfully advised that this man was not Li Shimin, so just confront him, as only Li Chengqian had the right to confront others.

“No matter how big the waves are, you should jump out of them. Only when you break down can you stand up again.”

Li Chengqian had the military power in his hands and was confident in what he said. At worst, he could turn around and follow the example of Huang Chao and Zhu Wen and kill their way forward.

"No, absolutely not!"

Only then did Changsun Wuji realize that his nephew had such a strong desire to kill.

"No, so we just let them ride on the heads of the royal family?" Li Chengqian sneered, unmoved. How could he not know the impact of the Dongmen clan's movements?

But being proactive is always better than being passive.

"The Tang Dynasty has just stabilized, and the major clans control various resources. Your Highness must not act on his own. The nobles and generals in the army must not be killed. I believe that Your Majesty has already solved everything. If you kill these generals at this time, Your Majesty will be in a dilemma."

Changsun Wuji was very anxious. The aristocratic families only put up a slight resistance, but hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the three armies were in a life-and-death situation. If they were pushed to the limit, they might as well overturn the table.

"It means that Liu Rengui has not yet executed those criminals who disobeyed military orders."

Li Chengqian showed a hint of displeasure.

"Wu Xing, go ask Liu Rengui what he is doing? Is it because I gave him the power to lead the army that I am no longer responsible for my words?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Xing immediately trotted away.

Changsun Wuji raised his right hand and was about to say something, but it all turned into a long sigh.

"Right Prime Minister, you must be clear about your position. The prosperity of the Changsun family today is all due to the glory of the royal family."

Li Chengqian said meaningfully.

"I know that the Changsun family, enjoying the emperor's grace, will definitely stand together with the royal family."

Changsun Wuji bowed with trembling body.

"That's good to know. His Majesty asked you to come with the army, not to hinder me. I don't want this to happen again."

Li Chengqian didn't mind finding a reason to get rid of Changsun Wuji, but in terms of camp, the Changsun family still stood on the side of the royal family.

They are royal relatives, in-laws, and half royals.

"I know!"

Changsun Wuji lowered his head. This time he felt an extreme chill. This Crown Prince was too overbearing.

"General Liu, the time has come, why haven't you carried out the execution yet?"

A horse came running over, a man of high martial arts skills.

This loud shout made the temperature around them even colder.

The criminal generals twisted their necks with difficulty, their faces pale, and looked at the soldiers riding horses towards them.

These are the prince's personal guards, and it is His Royal Highness the Prince who wants them killed.

(End of this chapter)