In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

After the court session.

Li Yuanchang did not leave, but quickly went to the Imperial Study.

He couldn't plead for leniency directly in court just now, partly because he knew Li Shimin was too enraged to listen.

Secondly, they wanted to draw a clear line and didn't want to get too close to the Crown Prince and his ilk, which could arouse suspicion and create a rift.

But he was grateful; Hou Junji had given him two kind reminders, so he had to repay them.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

"King of Han, what brings you here? You're not here to plead for that scoundrel Hou Junji either, are you?" Li Shimin's anger was clearly not yet completely subsided.

Li Yuanchang looked up and found that several people had already arrived at the Imperial Study, including the famous minister Wei Zheng and the Vice Minister of the Chancellery Cen Wenben.

Are they all here to plead for mercy?

He gave an awkward smile: "Your Majesty, to be honest, it is indeed true."

Li Shimin immediately frowned.

Li Yuanchang immediately explained, "But Your Majesty, please let me finish."

"I am not pleading for Hou Junji, but speaking out for justice."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was displeased: "Are you implying that I acted unfairly?"

Li Yuanchang, with his silver tongue, said, "No, His Majesty is only temporarily angry. Once his anger subsides, with His Majesty's saintly virtue as a great emperor throughout the ages, he will surely recover immediately."

The phrase "Emperor of a Thousand Ages" elevates Li Shimin to an unparalleled level.

Li Shimin, who was originally displeased, even straightened his posture and subconsciously touched his beard. Although he didn't show it on his face, his micro-expressions clearly showed that he was pleased.

"Then tell me, how exactly do you plan to plead your case?"

Standing to the side, Wei Zheng, who was nearly seventy years old, and Cen Wenben, and other important figures, stared blankly at Li Yuanchang, their eyes as clear as those of a college student.

Is this how you plead for mercy?

One sentence was enough to soften the Emperor's firm stance.

Li Yuanchang quickly appealed to his emotions and reasoned with him, saying, "Your Majesty, taking treasures privately is indeed a serious crime, but Hou Junji's conquest of Gaochang is also a great achievement."

"A commander who has achieved great military exploits returns to find himself imprisoned. What do the soldiers think? What do the people think?"

"Indeed, Hou Junji committed a serious crime, and His Majesty has legitimate reasons and justification for his anger. But the problem is, others may not think the same way."

"Some people with ulterior motives even tried to slander His Majesty as petty and suppressing meritorious officials."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression changed slightly; this hit the nail on the head.

Throughout his life, in order to atone for certain sins, he cared deeply about his reputation, hoping that the world would think of him as a virtuous and good emperor!

Following that, Li Yuanchang added, "However, if Your Majesty can pardon and release Hou Junji and his accomplices, it would be a sign of the sage's magnanimity, which would boost the morale of the army and enhance Your Majesty's prestige."

"The higher Your Majesty's prestige, the more peaceful the Tang Dynasty will be, and the more peaceful the people will be."

"Of course, mistakes must be punished. Your Majesty can offset your merits and demerits. The stolen goods should be confiscated, but I think the detention can be cancelled."

He flattered and pleaded at the same time, a textbook example of how to pleas for mercy.

As soon as he finished speaking, Cen Wenben immediately stepped forward to echo, "Your Majesty, what His Highness said is absolutely right."

"When a general is in the field, his merits outweigh his demerits."

"As the art of war says, 'Use the greedy and the foolish.' Your Majesty should be magnanimous; this is the way to win people over!"

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that!" Wei Zheng and the others stood with Li Yuanchang.

Li Yuanchang felt it was a dream come true that one day he would actually be on the same side as Wei Zheng.

After listening, Li Shimin's anger completely subsided; he was indeed an emperor who could listen to advice.

"Never mind!"

"Since everyone says so, I can't just go my own way."

"Then let's balance out our merits and demerits and release Hou Junji."

"However, this matter has extremely negative consequences, and Hou Junji has always been arrogant; he must be restrained and warned!"

"Your Majesty, go and release him, but also warn and admonish him not to repeat the offense!"

"If this happens again, I will execute him without mercy!"

Li Shimin spoke very firmly, suggesting that his dissatisfaction with Hou Junji was not only about this matter, but also about his personality. Li Shimin had already seen through the situation.

"yes!"

Li Yuanchang readily accepted, but in addition to repaying the kindness of the two reminders, he had another purpose: to prevent that incident from happening.

The rebellion of Li Chengqian and Hou Junji involved too many people. Historically, he himself died in a rebellion, although he has now managed to protect himself.

However, it's hard to guarantee that he won't get caught up in the vortex. For Li Yuanchang himself, it would be a good thing if it didn't happen.

Li Yuanchang left with the orders.

Li Shimin immediately said, "This Prince of Han is too eloquent. Wei Zheng, you should learn from his foul mouth."

He was joking, but Wei Zheng glared at him and immediately took it seriously.

"Your Majesty, I am merely fulfilling my duty to offer advice. How can a ruler be insulted?"

Li Shimin immediately put on his mask of pain: "Alright, alright, stop talking."

"Your Majesty, why can't you speak?"

Cen Wenben and the others nearby were wiping away sweat. Here we go again.

……

Dali Temple.

As one of the top commanders in the Tang Dynasty, he was naturally imprisoned in the highest criminal institution of the Tang Dynasty.

When Li Yuanchang arrived here after receiving his orders, he passed through without hindrance and was personally led into the prison by the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

This place is completely different from the ordinary Ministry of Justice prison. It is not a synonym for a stinking, dark, and filthy iron cell, but is actually very clean.

In addition, Hou Junji was of such high status that he was treated with great courtesy during the few hours he was imprisoned.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Han?"

In the prison, Hou Junji was dressed in gray, his armor and hat removed, but he still couldn't hide the murderous aura of a general who could defeat ten thousand men. However, at this moment, his face was extremely gloomy.

It wasn't directed at Li Yuanchang, but rather a feeling of extreme dissatisfaction and humiliation.

Li Yuanchang sighed inwardly, then waved his hand to dismiss the others.

"Chief Steward Hou, His Majesty has released you."

As he spoke, he placed Hou Junji's personal belongings on the table.

Most people would be immediately excited and grateful upon hearing this, but Hou Junji's face at this moment showed no such emotion.

"Was it His Highness who pleaded for me?"

Li Yuanchang said, "No, it wasn't that. It was His Majesty's order. He felt that Chief Steward Juehou had always been of great merit to the country."

Hou Junji sneered: "If that were the case, His Majesty wouldn't have ordered my arrest."

"Among the many dukes and military commanders of the Tang Dynasty, perhaps only I, Hou Junji, have received such treatment. Yet, upon returning to the capital in triumph, I am met with such humiliation!"

As he spoke, his fists clenched unconsciously, filled with extreme dissatisfaction.

Li Yuanchang frowned.

At this moment, he didn't even know if releasing Hou Junji was the right or wrong thing to do; this guy was a double-edged sword.

Ultimately, even if Li Yuanchang hadn't pleaded for Hou Junji, he would still have been released eventually; historically, it was Cen Wenben who pleaded for his release.

Moreover, once Li Shimin calmed down, he couldn't keep Hou Junji locked up indefinitely, since his crime didn't warrant death and he had a long list of military achievements.

"Chief Steward Hou, it's just the two of us here, so I'll speak frankly about what I have to say."