My wife, Wei Gui, was 1.9 meters tall and fought against the Tang dynasty for the throne.

The second and third followed closely behind. The wording of each letter was more intense than the last, with some accusing him of "eliminating dissidents," others of "buying people's hearts," and still others of "concentrating power and plotting treason."

Li Zixiong personally took to the court, delivering a passionate speech: "Li Ju has gathered boatmen and placed his own people in the docks, granaries, river embankment camps, and canal transport teams, excluding outsiders. Although he is young, he is very ambitious. If he is not eliminated soon, he will become a great threat."

In the imperial court, Wei Kuangbo stepped forward.

"Those whom Li Ju has dealt with have all committed illegal and disorderly acts, and the evidence is conclusive, verifiable, and verifiable. If acting according to the law is called 'eliminating dissidents,' and punishing according to the law is called 'mistreating soldiers,' then what is the point of the court's laws?"

Li Zixiong sneered: "Lord Wei and Li Ju have a very close personal relationship. Everyone in Luoyang knows he's given them furniture, maids, and writing implements. Doesn't Lord Wei consider the implications of speaking up for him?"

Wei Kuangbo remained unmoved: "Personal relationships are personal relationships, and official business is official business. In court, I only distinguish right from wrong, not personal relationships. If General Li believes Li Ju is guilty, please produce evidence. Anyone can make empty promises."

The two sides argued endlessly.

Li Xiaochang stood in his seat, saying nothing.

His gaze occasionally swept over Wei Kuangbo, then over Li Zixiong, finally settling on the official tablet in front of him. Some colleagues glanced at him, but he pretended not to notice.

Yang Guang sat on his throne, looking at the noisy courtiers below, his face grim.

His gaze swept back and forth between Li Zixiong and Wei Kuangbo several times, then landed on Li Xiaochang and paused for a moment.

Li Xiaochang remained silent.

At that moment, someone stood up.

Yang Xuangan.

The Minister of Rites, a high-ranking official in the court, had always been on good terms with Li Zixiong. When he spoke, the entire court fell silent.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Li Ju's actions are not a crime."

Li Zixiong suddenly turned his head and looked at Yang Xuangan, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Yang Xuangan did not look at him and continued, "Since Li Ju took office as the Director of Water Conservancy, he has supervised the transport of one million shi of grain and fodder without any delay or shortage. During the flood relief efforts in Liyang, he ensured the supply of military provisions and protected the dikes, which is a great contribution to the country."

This man is young and capable, reliable in his work, and incorruptible; he is a rare talent. As for the matter of impeachment—to label the handling of a few minor officials who break the law and a few soldiers who fight as "eliminating dissidents" and "mistreating soldiers"—who will dare to enforce the law in the future?

He paused, then continued, "Your Majesty is about to launch another campaign against Liaodong, and the grain transport is of paramount importance. How can the front lines fight if the rear is unstable? I believe that Li Ju should not only not be punished, but should also be commended to reassure him and encourage his will."

The court fell silent for a moment.

Yang Guang looked at Yang Xuangan, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Li Zixiong's face was ashen, and his lips trembled slightly, but he did not lash out on the spot.

Yang Guang turned his gaze to Li Xiaochang.

"Li Xiaochang, you are Li Ju's father. What is your opinion on this matter?"

Li Xiaochang rose, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, my rebellious son is young and may have made mistakes in his actions. However, with the laws of the land before us, as his father, I would never dare to show favoritism. Everything is left to Your Majesty's wise judgment."

After he finished speaking, he returned to the queue.

Yang Guang looked at him, his gaze turning colder.

After a moment of silence, Yang Guang spoke, his voice not loud, but heard throughout the hall.

"This matter need not be discussed further; let it be dropped! Anyone who makes further unfounded accusations or stirs up trouble will be punished for disrupting the administration of the court."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Li Zixiong and then over the censors who had impeached him.

"Next year, I will launch another campaign against Liaodong. The Grand Canal is the foundation of the military and the nation, and the rear must be as stable as a rock—anyone who jeopardizes my important plans at this time will not be spared!"

These words were very harsh, and everyone broke out in a cold sweat.

Li Zixiong lowered his head, gripped the tablet tightly, and his knuckles turned white.

After the court session ended, Wei Kuangbo walked out of the main hall, with Li Xiaochang walking ahead of him.

Wei Kuangbo did not call him.

He watched Li Xiaochang's retreating figure, shook his head, and walked towards the palace gate.

Li Ju waited in the duty room of the Water Conservancy Bureau for the message sent by Wei Kuangbo.

There was only one sentence: "The court affairs are settled, there's nothing more to do. His Majesty has spared you."

Li Ju put down the note, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath.

Wang Yu leaned closer: "Your Excellency, are you alright?"

"It's alright now."

"What about Zhao Wenyuan?"

"It's still there."

Wang Yu cursed, and Zhang Yi followed suit with a curse.

Du Chen did not speak, but simply placed the verified account book on Li Ju's desk and said softly, "Your Excellency, the Duke of Chu spoke up for you in court today."

Li Ju nodded.

"I didn't expect that either," he said.

"The Duke of Chu and Li Zixiong have always been on good terms, why have they turned against each other today?" Du Chen asked.

Li Ju remained silent for a moment.

"It's not a defection," he said. "He's deliberately trying to curry favor. His Majesty had no intention of harming me, a key figure in the grain transport, over a minor official's matter. He's just going with the flow to gain favor by mentoring a junior official. He has other motives."

Du Chen thought for a moment and nodded: "The attendant is right."

Outside the window, it was getting dark.

Li Ju stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the old locust tree in the courtyard.

Yang Xuangan.

He silently repeated the name in his heart.

According to history books, this person will raise an army in Liyang to rebel against the Sui Dynasty next year.

Was it a coincidence that he spoke up for me in court today, or was there another motive?

Li Ju shook his head, keeping the question to himself.

In any case, we've passed this hurdle today.

The Wei residence.

Wei Nizi ran into Wei Gui's room, panting heavily.

"Sister! Sister! It's alright! Li Huairun is alright! His Majesty said, no more trouble is allowed!"

Wei Gui was embroidering when she paused for a moment.

How did you know?

"The Prince sent word back!" Wei Nizi said, leaning on the table, his eyes sparkling. "I heard there was a lot of arguing in court today. Li Zixiong impeached him, the Prince spoke up for him, and in the end, the Duke of Chu also spoke up for him. The Emperor said that this matter is over, and anyone who causes trouble again will be punished!"

Wei Gui lowered her head and continued embroidering.

"Sister, are you unhappy?"

"Happy."

"Then smile."

Wei Gui didn't laugh, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

Wei Nizi saw it, chuckled, and didn't ask any further questions.

She leaned over the table, resting her chin on her hand, watching Wei Gui embroider the magnolia branch stitch by stitch.

When Li Ju returned home, it was already completely dark.

He had just sat down in his study when a maid came to report: "My lord, there are guests outside the door. They say they are from the Duke of Chu's residence."

Li Ju's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Duke of Chu, Yang Xuangan.