A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 749 Coveting the Divine Artifact Shakes the Nation
Dali Temple Prison

Commonly known as the Heavenly Prison.

Li Yi arrived at the prison and met Li Xiaochang.

Haven't seen you for a few days,

He had aged so much that he was unrecognizable; his fine clothes and jade belt had been replaced by dirty prison uniforms.

With his gray hair disheveled, Li Xiaochang's murky eyes flashed with excitement the moment he saw Li Yi.

It's like a drowning person seeing a lifeline.

"Wu Yi, save me! I'm innocent! I really didn't plot a rebellion! I didn't!"

Seeing his frantic struggle, Li Yi turned and gestured to his attendants to bring up the food box.

The jailer turned on some of the lights.

The cell reeked of dampness, mold, and a foul stench.

The dignified Prince Yi'an was imprisoned here for a few days, and all his pride and sharp edges were worn away.

It was dark and gloomy, damp and moldy, and infested with insects and rodents.

The sky is not responding to the call, and the earth and the earth are not working.

Few people can withstand the enormous contrast of falling from heaven to hell.

The lunch box is opened.

Good wine and good food.

“I remember my uncle liked to drink Jiannan Shaochun tea, so I specially chose the best one.”

The snacks were also plentiful, including roast chicken, braised goose, roast duck, braised donkey meat, roast lamb leg, sesame pancakes that were still hot, fried peanuts, and hot soup.

But Li Xiaochang saw these dishes and wine,

But his face was pale.
Suddenly she burst into tears.

Li Yi never expected that a half-decrepit old man would cry so hard, with snot and tears streaming down his face.

"I won't eat the last meal before my execution. I really didn't plot a rebellion. I'm innocent."

"Wu Yi, please help me! I am truly innocent. I am willing to offer half of my family fortune to His Majesty."

The eldest son died without even having a meal to send him off.

But now, faced with this sumptuous feast, he dared not eat.

"Uncle, this isn't your last meal before you're executed, please eat."

Li Yi poured him a cup of Jiannan Shaochun tea, and then poured one for himself as well.

Faced with the chopsticks handed to him, Li Xiaochang hesitated for a moment, but still accepted them.

He looked at this adopted nephew, who, although adopted, was also his great-grandfather and grandfather, Li Jing.

"Wu Yi, you must help me. I really didn't rebel. I'm already a prince, why would I rebel? Really, you have to believe me." He tried his best to explain.

"Uncle, Yili has confessed everything. He, along with Liu Deyu's son and nephew, Changsun Anye's son and nephew, and Wang Junkuo's son, conspired to rebel."

Do you know how audacious he is? They actually wanted to storm the Taiji Palace and reinstate the retired emperor.

Li Xiaochang dropped his chopsticks, his face filled with horror.

"That beast, how dare he!"

Li Xiaochang was aware of the seriousness of the matter.

"Uncle, the Emperor is furious."

"Wu Yi, I truly knew nothing about this matter and was not involved at all. That rebellious son, Your Majesty, please execute him immediately. I am willing to offer half of my family fortune to atone for his sins."

I, I'm willing to give you half of the remaining half of my family fortune, please, Wu Yi, help your uncle this time.

"Erlang is beyond saving this time, even by divine intervention."
But you, Uncle, were a founding hero and one of the seventeen meritorious officials of Taiyuan, and you received an iron certificate of immunity from death.

Originally, since the matter involved treason, even with an iron certificate, death was not an option.

But I pleaded with His Majesty,
"I've given you, Uncle, a glimmer of hope."

"I'll do anything Your Majesty asks, as long as you spare my life," Li Xiaochang quickly declared.

Li Yi asked someone to bring him another pair of chopsticks.
Then tear off a roast goose leg and hand it over.

"Let's talk while we eat."

"How can I possibly eat right now? Wu Yi, just tell me."

"Then I will tell you the truth. This matter cannot be downplayed. But His Majesty is also unwilling to involve the Emperor Emeritus."

Therefore, as long as you, Uncle, voluntarily admit that you wanted to usurp the throne and don't involve that person in the Taiji Palace in the slightest,
His Majesty can ultimately use an iron certificate to atone for your death, and you will be exiled to Lingnan. Except for Li Yili, who must be executed, your other five sons can be spared and exiled to Lingnan with you.

The women and children of the Prince's residence will also be protected.

In front of him was his favorite Jiannan Shaochun liquor.
There was also a fragrant roast goose leg.

But Li Xiaochang sat there blankly, his face ashen.

After a long while, he murmured, "I am truly innocent. I did not rebel. I never thought of usurping the throne!"

Li Xiaochang never considered plotting to usurp the throne.

Although his father was a high-ranking official in the Sui Dynasty, holding the positions of Minister of War and Governor of Xijing, he was actually the son of Li Jing and Yang Jian's servant, a fact that Li Jing refused to acknowledge.

Li Yuantong grew up in the Yang family mansion with his slave mother, always as a household slave. It wasn't until later, when he went to work in Yang Jian's household, that Li Yuantong, as Yang Jian's confidant, was able to rise in rank and eventually be granted the title of Duke and appointed Minister.

Because of his father's lowly birth, Li Xiaochang was a servant in the Yang family when he was young. Even after his father became wealthy, he still suffered discrimination in aristocratic circles.

Li Yuantong, the father, was framed by Yuwen Shu at the beginning of the Daye era, dismissed from office and removed from his post, and died at home in fear and anxiety.

He inherited the title after his father's death, but his career prospects were ruined.

When Li Yuan raised his army and marched into Guanzhong, he was still just the magistrate of Huayin County.

A county magistrate,
How could he possibly dream of usurping the throne?

Even though he later donated Yongfeng Granary, and with the affection between his father and Li Yuan, he was granted the title of Prince of the State in the new dynasty and appointed Governor of Lizhou, he never harbored any greater ambitions.

All he loved was hunting, fine wine and beautiful women, and enjoyment.

At most, he might have engaged in land annexation, leasing and lending, or even accepting bribes.

He would never even dare to think of plotting to usurp the throne.

"Uncle, if you can step forward and take responsibility for this, then our family can be saved, and we will simply be exiled to Lingnan."

But if my uncle refuses,
"If they don't leave this cell, no one in the Yi'an Prince's Mansion will escape unscathed." The words were already quite blunt.

This case,

It cannot be related to the retired emperor.

If Li Xiaochang could come forward and admit that he was the mastermind behind the rebellion, then things would be much easier to handle.

If he refused to come forward, the emperor could still kill him and pin the crime on him, but there would still be some difference.

He took on all the responsibilities and, according to the emperor's wishes, gave instructions to certain individuals.

In the end, although he could not keep his official rank and property, at least he could save his own life and that of his family, but he would be exiled to Lingnan for the rest of his life.

"drink wine!"

The message has been delivered.

Now it's up to Li Xiaochang to choose; any smart person knows how to choose.

Li Xiaochang swallowed hard.

“I did not commit treason. How could I dare to take on this crime? Treason is the most heinous crime, and my whole family would die.”

Li Yi ignored him.
Savoring the wine in my cup slowly, I thought, "This Jiannan Shaochun is quite good. It truly lives up to its reputation as a rare brew that costs ten thousand coins per jug."

After he finished drinking three glasses of wine,
He then put down his chopsticks and stood up.

"Uncle, take your time to think it over. I'll be going now, but please make a decision as soon as possible, time waits for no one."

"Wu Yi, please help your uncle. Your uncle is willing to give you all my property."

Li Yi shook his head.

Turn around and leave.

"Wu Yi, I... I agree."

Li Yi turned around
Li Xiaochang picked up the wine glass he hadn't touched, tilted his head back, and gulped down the entire glass of wine. It was a wine he always liked, but he couldn't taste a thing.

I promise.

You won't lie to me and confess, then go back on your word, will you?

Li Yi said, "I keep my word!"

On September 15th, there will be a great meeting in Wangri.

The widely publicized Li Xiaochang treason case
Today, the results have finally been achieved.

Li Xiaochang was brought to the Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace, where he confessed his crimes to the emperor in front of all the civil and military officials.

Cui Dunli, a court attendant, stepped forward and read the imperial edict aloud.

"Throughout history, when a dynasty is in peril and a country is in chaos, it is always due to the flattery of wicked ministers and the instigation of treacherous factions, which leads to disaster for the dynasty and poisons the people."

If the laws and regulations are not clearly defined, how can the world be brought to order?
I have heard that Heaven has witnessed the wisdom of Zhuge Liang, and that the way of Zhenguan (the Zhenguan era) prioritizes punishment and reward; when human schemes are not virtuous, chaos and disorder arise from within the walls. Therefore, the ruler commands the six armies to punish the wicked, thus demonstrating the power of the nine campaigns and blocking the source of calamity.

Prince Xiaochang of Yi'an, a distant relative of the imperial clan, was unjustly granted the title of Gui.

Liu Deyu, Sun Ye of Chang'an, and others served as military commanders or gatekeepers, and both received imperial favor and were trusted advisors for a long time.

However, he harbored evil intentions, secretly formed a vicious clique, falsely claimed to be divinely ordained, and plotted treacherous schemes.

They dared to use their imperial guards to plot against the forbidden palace, to covet the imperial throne, and to shake the very foundations of the state.

If this is tolerable, what is intolerable?

Once the facts were clear and the investigation was conducted, all confessions were accepted, and the signs of rebellion were as clear as the sun.

····”

The main hall was completely silent.

The voice of that man from the Five Surnames was incredibly loud, proclaiming the majesty of the imperial court.

Li Xiaochang knelt in the hall. Although he had prepared in advance, he still trembled all over when he waited for the final verdict.

But because of Li Yi's promise,

In order to protect the family,

He could only admit in court that he wanted to become emperor, that he wanted to usurp the throne, and that he was the ringleader!

"Prince Xiaochang of Yi'an!"

Upon hearing his name called, Li Xiaochang trembled.
"The five men, namely Liu Deyu, General of the Right Guard, Changsun Anye, General of the Right Gate Guard, Wang Junkuo, Governor of Qingzhou, and Du Caigan, Governor of Huazhou, are the ringleaders and their crimes are unforgivable."

The four generals, namely Liu Hongji (Left Valiant Guard), Changsun Shunde (Right Valiant Guard), Li Yuan (Prince of Lujiang), and Li Yi (Prince of Yan), were also implicated.

All his actions were perverse and evil, and judging from his conduct, his crimes warranted the death penalty.

However, I still cherish life and could not kill them all. Therefore, I hereby grant them all the privilege of being spared death, and each shall be sentenced to one hundred strokes of the cane.

Li Xiaochang and his five ringleaders were all exiled to Lingnan, with no possibility of pardon. Their wives, concubines, children, and servants were also exiled to Lingnan. All their wealth, land, houses, and slaves were confiscated by the government.

Liu Hongji, Changsun Shunde, and two others were dismissed from their posts and removed from their positions.

He was dismissed from office; both official and honorary titles were removed.

Li Xiaochang and four others were exiled to Lingnan and their property was confiscated.

Liu Hongji and the other three fared better; they were only stripped of their official titles and ranks, without any other punishments or confiscation of their property.

Li Yili, Liu Wenzan, Yuan Hongshan, Liu Xiaoben, Wang Yong'an, Changsun Ya, and nine others committed suicide.

Wei Yuanzheng was the Empress's nephew-in-law, but he was dismissed from his post and removed from his official position.

After the long imperial edict was read,

Li Xiaochang finally stopped trembling.

Li Yi did not lie to him. After he took the blame for the mastermind of the rebellion, the emperor did not kill him.

The family was forced to flee to Lingnan, where they were trapped in a desolate and harsh environment, never to return, but they managed to save their lives.

"I, Li Xiaochang, am grateful for the Emperor's gracious forgiveness!"

On his throne, the emperor waved his hand dismissively.
Qianniu stepped forward and dragged him out.

A major treason case has thus come to an end.
Nine meritorious ministers fell.

Three princes, two generals, two governors, two generals, five were exiled to Lingnan, and four were dismissed from office and removed from their posts.

(End of this chapter)