The Great Tang Dynasty's Trans-Dimensional Conference: Little Rhinoceros Arrives

Chapter 49: The Wei Duo and Wei the Debater

Morning next day.

Inside the Taiji Hall, the civil and military officials stood in the east and west, respectively. In the past, before Li Shimin arrived, ministers would often whisper and discuss state affairs, but today the court was unusually quiet.

Cheng Yaojin stood at the front. He was usually the most outgoing among the generals, but today he was unusually seen closing his eyes to rest.

Standing next to him, Yuchi Jingde couldn't stand the atmosphere any longer and nudged Cheng Yaojin lightly with his elbow.

"Hey, Cheng San'er, what's going on today? I feel like the atmosphere in court is a bit off!"

"Shut up, I don't know anything, let me take a nap!"

Chen Yaojin looked sleepy and yawned three times after saying just one sentence, clearly indicating that he hadn't slept well last night!

"Damn it, you little rascal, did your new concubine from a few days ago drain your energy? Why do you look so listless?" After saying that, he gave Cheng Yaojin a knowing look.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin seemed to have been stepped on, his eyes widened like copper bells, and after looking around, he lowered his voice.

"Big Blackie, don't talk nonsense! A strong and muscular man like me isn't someone an ordinary person can hollow out. What a joke!"

Although Cheng Yaojin said that, the dark circles under his eyes betrayed him.

"Hehe, could it be that your eyes are turning black because your wife beat you up?"

"Bullshit! Humph! I'm too lazy to talk to you!" Cheng Yaojin said, turning around and ignoring Yuchi Jingde.

"Oh! I was going to give you a prescription I recently acquired for nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the body, but it seems you don't need it!"

As Yuchi Jingde spoke, he shook his head with a regretful expression.

"Really?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin turned his head sharply, his eyes shining, and stared intently at Yuchi Jingde.

"Oh, I remember someone just said they were as strong as an ox?"

"I'm mainly interested in strengthening the body's foundation and cultivating one's character, hehe! Old Hei, when are you going to send the prescription to my residence so I can see it for myself?"

Faced with Yuchi Jingde's teasing, Cheng Yaojin rubbed his hands together with a grin. In terms of shamelessness, no one in the Tang Dynasty could match him.

"Want to know? I can tell you right now!" Yuchi Jingde looked at Cheng Yaojin with a mysterious expression.

"Yes, yes, tell me quickly!"

Upon seeing this, Cheng Yaojin didn't hesitate for even a second and immediately nodded frantically.

"Ahem!" Yuchi Jingde cleared his throat, but his next words enraged Cheng Yaojin.

"Actually, this method is very simple. Don't take concubines so easily in the future. You should learn from me. My two wives and I treat each other with the utmost respect. You must know, lust is a dangerous thing..."

"Shut the fuck up!"

Before Yuchi Jingde could finish speaking, Cheng Yaojin immediately interrupted him. By now, how could he not have realized that he had been led by the nose by Yuchi Jingde the whole time?

"I'm telling the truth. If you had learned more from me, you wouldn't be in this situation!" Yuchi Jingde shook his head, looking smug.

"Tch, so what if you're afraid of your wife? You actually put it so elegantly! I, Old Cheng, am ashamed to be associated with you!"

Cheng Yaojin looked disdainful and chose not to pay any more attention to the other party. Just as Yuchi Jingde was about to retort, he heard a shrill voice coming from outside the hall.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

"Hmph!" Yuchi Jingde could only suppress his anger and quickly turned around.

Li Shimin, dressed in a dragon robe, walked slowly to the imperial desk and sat down. The court officials all bowed their heads, and no one noticed that he had two dark circles under his eyes, just like Cheng Yaojin's.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

"Hmm~ Gentlemen, please rise!" Li Shimin raised his sleeve and couldn't help but yawn.

"Hey, San'er, were you with His Majesty last night? How come His Majesty is doing the same thing as you?"

"Go away, shut up." Faced with Yuchi Jingde's question, Cheng Yaojin was too impatient to say anything more.

However, he was indeed a little curious, since Li Shimin had been emperor for so many years and rarely canceled or was late for the morning court session, but this had happened repeatedly in recent days!

Although Li Shimin concealed it well, those ministers were all cunning and shrewd. They might pretend to be old and senile when faced with their own problems, but when it came to Li Shimin's faults, they were extremely critical.

As the day's events began to be reported, Li Shimin also roused himself and discussed various matters with his court officials.

An hour later, as many matters were finally discussed, Li Shimin immediately gave Wu She a wink. Wu She understood instantly and immediately stood up and stepped forward.

"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court is dismissed!"

Li Shimin, who thought nothing was wrong, was about to get up and leave when a familiar voice made him stop.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has something to report!"

Li Shimin took a closer look and felt a headache coming on, because this person was none other than Wei Zheng, who was serving as a court attendant at the time.

Upon hearing Wei Zheng speak, many court officials subconsciously shrank back, because they all knew that this old critic had come prepared, which was why the atmosphere was so oppressive even before Li Shimin arrived at the morning court.

Li Shimin couldn't figure out what Wei Zheng was up to. After thinking it over carefully, he realized that there hadn't been anything major recently that could make Wei Zheng lose his temper. Could it be that the disaster situation in various places had changed?

"What brings you to report, Minister Wei?" Li Shimin asked, though he had been wondering what was going on in his mind.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng strode forward and knelt down before Li Shimin with such force that the sound echoed throughout the palace.

"What is the meaning of this, Minister Wei?"

Wei Zheng's action startled Li Shimin, who quickly stepped down the imperial steps to help him up, but Wei Zheng, stubborn as ever, refused to get up no matter what.

"If you, Wei Qing, have any grievances, please speak to me as soon as possible, and I will certainly stand up for you!"

Li Shimin said this aloud, but inwardly he was cursing, "Which blind fool has angered this stubborn mule again?"

"Is Your Majesty truly telling the truth?"

Upon hearing Li Shimin speak, Wei Zheng immediately raised his head.

"I am the Emperor, my words are law, do you still not believe me, Minister Wei?" Li Shimin said, trying to pull Wei Zheng up again.

Seeing this, Wei Zheng stopped insisting on kneeling and stood up tremblingly. Since Li Shimin had given him face, he knew to stop while he was ahead, since standing was definitely more comfortable than kneeling.

Having knelt too forcefully just now, Wei Zheng straightened his clothes after getting up, then took a deep breath and said...

"Your Majesty is aware that the previous Emperor Yang was a foolish and incompetent ruler who indulged in debauchery and neglected state affairs. Although Your Majesty is known to strive for good governance and prioritize the people's well-being, you too have been suspected of indulging in sensual pleasures!"

When Li Shimin heard Wei Zheng speak to this point, how could he not realize that the old man was referring to him today?

This fellow actually compared himself to Emperor Yang of the previous Sui Dynasty. Li Shimin gritted his teeth, his five fingers clenched so tightly in his sleeves that they turned white, but he did not interrupt him. He wanted to see what Wei Zheng had to say today!

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