Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 388: Is it really necessary to let His Majesty experience the pain of losing a son? (First update)
In the Taiji Hall, the emperor, dressed in a scarlet and yellow dragon robe, sat high on the imperial couch, gazing calmly into the hall.

All officials, civil and military, were divided into two groups.

The prince stood on the third step of the Danbi.

Li Shimin looked to the side.

Fang Xuanling, the Minister of Works and Minister of the Left, stood to the upper left of the courtiers, holding the imperial edict in his hand. He announced in a loud voice: "... Yang Shidao, the Minister of the Right, and Duke of Ande, is ignorant of the feelings of his subjects and incompetent in managing his household. He is hereby dismissed from his post as Minister of the Right and appointed Minister of Works."

When the ministers in the hall heard this, they couldn't help but look at each other in confusion.

Someone from the Hongnong Yang family was involved in the Jin Wang rebellion case. He was Yang Shidao's nephew, Yang Sijian, the Lang Jiang of the Right Jinwu Guard.

When Yang Sijian entered the officialdom, he was recommended by Yang Shidao.

This happened many years ago, but the emperor dismissed Yang Shidao from his position as Shangshu You Pushe and Prime Minister because of this.

"Your servant Yang Shidao accepts the imperial edict." Yang Shidao stood up and kowtowed calmly to express his gratitude.

The ministers who saw this scene couldn't help but flash their eyes slightly.

No one is stupid.

Yang Shidao gave up the position of prime minister so decisively. In fact, he was using the position of Shangshu You Pushe in exchange for Yang Sijian's life.

"...Changsun Wuji, the Minister of the Interior, and Duke of Zhao, is dismissed from his posts as Minister of the Interior and Minister of the Interior, and appointed as the Right Prime Minister of the Ministry of Rites." As soon as Fang Xuanling's voice fell, Changsun Wuji stood up and kowtowed, and the ministers were even more stunned.

Especially the Chief Censor Gao Zhizhou.

He was not in Mount Li that day, but he knew that the Duke of Zhao wanted to use the position of Si Tu and the title of Duke of Zhao in exchange for the survival of the King of Jin.

It is normal for an uncle to not want his nephew to die and to try his best to plead for mercy.

It is normal for an older brother to not want his younger brother to die and to try his best to plead for him.

It is normal for a father to not want his son to die and to try his best to plead for mercy.

But as the censor, Prince Jin must die.

There was the Xuanwu Gate Incident before, and now the three kings, the King of Qi, the King of Wei and the King of Jin, are plotting rebellion.

In other words, they all failed. If they succeeded, wouldn’t it be another Xuanwu Gate?

If the head of Prince Jin was not used as a sacrifice, then in the future, would there be people in every generation of the Tang royal family plotting rebellion and trying to carry out the Xuanwu Gate Incident?

……

Gao Zhizhou glanced lightly at Sun Fujia who was standing next to him.

After returning from Mount Li, Sun Fujia became the Imperial Censor, but he rarely said anything.

All the censors, palace attendants, and assistant censors went to find him, but he basically didn't say a word, so many censors went to Gao Zhizhou.

It was agreed that Gao Zhizhou would speak first, and then everyone would follow suit, asking His Majesty to sentence King Jin to death.

Gao Zhizhou had his own memorial in his sleeve, and the censors behind him were also waiting for him to submit a memorial together.

But now, the emperor has begun to remove Duke Zhao from his position as Si Tu.

This was one of the steps the emperor took to save Prince Jin.

Gao Zhizhou looked at Changsun Wuji who was kneeling on the ground. If he lost his position as Si Tu and only served as Shang Shu You Pushe, it would mean that he was completely behind Fang Xuanling.

In the past, Changsun Wuji was the Minister of the Interior and the Inspector of the Secretariat, and his position in the court was still the first.

Now, he no longer has the position of Si Tu, and although he has been promoted to Shang Shu You Pushe, Fang Xuanling is Si Kong and Shang Shu Zuo Pushe. In terms of official position, Fang Xuanling has become the real number one person in the court at this moment.

Use this humiliation to save the King of Jin.

Gao Zhizhou couldn't help but feel angry. He stared at Fang Xuanling. As soon as the imperial edict was read out, he immediately stepped forward and asked for the death penalty for King Jin.

"...Zhu Suiliang, the Minister of the Central Secretariat and Vice-Chancellor, is promoted to the Minister of the Central Secretariat!" Fang Xuanling continued to read the imperial edict.

Chu Suiliang stood up with his hands clasped, then kowtowed to the ground: "I obey your command and thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

"...Ma Zhou, the Minister of the Secretariat and the Right Assistant to the Crown Prince, is appointed as the Vice-Chancellor, in charge of confidential matters." When Fang Xuanling said the last sentence, Gao Zhizhou was a little stunned.

Not only him, but all the ministers understood exactly what had happened.

The emperor made several moves and finally made room for Ma Zhou to become the prime minister.

In this way, the candidates for the Eastern Palace in the Council of State became three people.

Li Ji, the former Prince's Left Guard, Special Advancement, and Head of the Ministry of Personnel.

Yu Zhining, former Prince's Secretary, Yellow Gate Minister, and Vice Prime Minister.

Now, there is also Ma Zhou, the former Junior Secretary of the Crown Prince, Minister of the Secretariat, and Vice-Chancellor.

The prince actually controls nearly half of the three provinces and six ministries.

If we add Fang Xuanling, with whom he has always had an ambiguous relationship, the prince's uncle Changsun Wuji, and Changsun Wuji's confidant Chu Suiliang.

No one in the world can take the position of crown prince anymore.

The Prince of Jin plotted rebellion, and the final result was that the position of the Crown Prince became more secure.

This is a warning to the kings and a comfort to the people of the world and all officials.

It is not necessary to kill King Jin.

Many imperial censors in the court could not help but look at Sun Fujia, who stood there calmly without saying a word.

Then they looked at Gao Zhizhou.

At this time, Gao Zhizhou's gaze had already turned to Li Chengqian.

By doing this, is the emperor trying to bribe the prince in disguise?
……

Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch, his eyes calmly looking at the ministers, especially the imperial censors who were ready to make a move. He was well aware of the rumors in the court these days.

Although public opinion is strong, the common people will forget about these things after three to five days.

Most officials in the court are concerned about the job vacancies and promotions that come with this.

Although some people have said that they hope to use the head of King Jin as a warning to future generations, not many people would insist on it. The ones who really insist on it are the officials of the Censorate.

After Fang Xuanling finished reading the imperial edict, Li Shimin looked up at his ministers and said, "Although there are important matters to attend to at the end of the year, we must not neglect the affairs of state. The assessment of officials in the Ministry of Personnel, the statistics of grain and grass in the Ministry of Revenue, the review of death sentences in the Ministry of Justice, the battle situation on the front lines in the Ministry of War, the grand court sacrifices in the Ministry of Rites, and the rush to produce military equipment in the Ministry of Works are all of the utmost importance to the country. If you really neglect them, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The emperor's face turned cold, and all the officials immediately became awed and bowed in unison, saying, "Yes!"

"Hmm!" The emperor nodded gently and said indifferently, "Today's court meeting has arrived. The Crown Prince, Duke of Liang, Duke of Zhao, Minister Chu, Minister Yu, Duke of Ju, Prince of Jiangxia, the Imperial Censor, and the Chief Censor, all of you should come to the Ganlu Hall to discuss matters."

"Yes!" Gao Zhizhou bowed along with the other ministers.

When he stood up, the emperor had already left.

Just as Gao Zhizhou was about to say something to Sun Fujia, Sun Fujia had already gone straight to the side hall.

Later, many imperial censors came to Gao Zhizhou's side, and the supervisory censor Zhou Ziliang couldn't help but say, "Zhongcheng!"

"Wait, let's go see His Majesty first." Gao Zhizhou took a deep breath, calmed himself, and looked at the ministers and said, "It's not easy for the Ministry of Personnel to intervene in this matter. We in the Censorate absolutely cannot let this matter drag on."

In the current Menxia Province, the Shizhong Li Ji is still in Hebei and it will take a few days for him to return to Chang'an, and the Huangmen Shilang and Canzhizhengshi Yu Zhining was once the Prince's Secretary.

The entire Menxia Province is too closely involved with the Eastern Palace. It is impossible for the prince to ask the emperor to kill his own brother. He even has to take the initiative to ask the emperor to spare the life of Prince Jin.

This is filial piety and respect for elders.

Therefore, their Censorate took on the important task of upholding the rule of the country.

"Yes!" Many imperial censors bowed solemnly, but there were three who remained silent.

Assistant Censor Su Liangsi, Assistant Censor Liu Fan, Assistant Censor Li Qianyou.

……

In Ganlu Palace, Wu Meiniang subconsciously came out to greet the emperor when she heard his footsteps. Just as she was about to bow, she saw Li Chengqian, Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, Tang Jian and others entering together.

"Your Majesty!" Wu Meiniang lowered her head and saluted the emperor.

"Stand up," the emperor said, looking up. "Send someone to prepare refreshments."

"Yes!" Wu Meiniang immediately bowed and retreated.

Changsun Wuji looked at Wu Meiniang's back and frowned slightly.

Li Zhi tried to use Guo Xiaoshen and Helan Yueshi to get Wu Meiniang to assist him by the emperor's side. Although the emperor and the prince tried to cover it up, these things could not be hidden from Zhangsun Wuji.

In his eyes, Wu Meiniang was a woman with weaknesses, and such a woman should not stay by the emperor's side.

Changsun Wuji took a deep breath. Now was not the time to deal with Wu Meiniang. He would deal with Wu Meiniang after the matter of Prince Jin was completely resolved.

Everyone quickly sat down according to their official titles and ranks. Fang Xuanling subconsciously wanted to sit back in his original seat, but was forcibly pushed to the top seat on the left by Changsun Wuji.

Li Chengqian knelt down under the imperial couch.

Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang, and Yu Zhining sat on the left; Tang Jian, Li Daozon, Sun Fujia, and Gao Zhizhou sat on the right.

The emperor took out Li Chengqian's secret memorial and handed it to Fang Xuanling, saying, "The Crown Prince submitted a memorial last night, stating that if any princes covet the crown prince's position, they will be exiled three thousand miles away once identified."

The ministers subconsciously looked at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian nodded calmly and said, "Three days ago, after returning from Mount Li, the Crown Princess said that everyone was watching everything that happened today and hoped that I could handle it carefully and not leave any bad things for the future."

If the King of Jin is not executed, people will inevitably feel lucky in the future.

If the King of Jin is executed, the brotherhood will remain for the time being.

"I summoned Li Yiyan, Cen Changqian, Wei Xuantong, Luo Binwang and others, and discussed for half a day, and finally came up with this memorial." Li Chengqian lightly passed over the whole matter.

"In the future, any king who covets the position of crown prince will be exiled three thousand miles. What about the King of Jin?" Gao Zhizhou couldn't help but speak, his gaze shifting from Li Chengqian to the emperor.

"Also, he will be exiled for three thousand miles." The emperor glanced at Gao Zhizhou and said, "But the Princess of Jin is about to give birth. When the Prince of Jin gives birth, I will exile him to Yunnan and Guizhou after his first birthday. Before that, he will stay in Beiyuan for the time being."

"Your Majesty!" Gao Zhizhou couldn't help but speak. At this time, Zhangsun Wuji, who was sitting in the second seat on the left, couldn't help but shout angrily, "Enough! Do you really want Your Majesty to experience the pain of losing a child in your prime years?"

Gao Zhizhou was slightly stunned, then looked up at the emperor. The emperor was already old with gray hair on his temples. He sighed lightly and bowed deeply.

"Alright." The emperor waved his hand and said, "It is so. The Prince of Jin will be transferred from the Zongzheng Temple to Beiyuan today."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

"The Ministry of Personnel has begun adjusting the officials under the various princes." The emperor looked at Tang Jian and said, "What the Crown Prince said earlier at Mount Li is also a necessary precaution. We can begin preparations and announce the adjustments during the Grand Court on New Year's Day."

"Yes!" Tang Jian immediately bowed.

"Regarding this matter," the emperor took Li Chengqian's memorial and said solemnly, "On New Year's Eve, after offering sacrifices to Zhaoling Mausoleum, I will announce this as a permanent rule on the first day of the first lunar month. On the second day of the first lunar month, I will offer sacrifices to heaven and earth."

"Yes!" The ministers bowed again.

"Finally, Li Yiyan, Cen Changqian, Wei Xuantong and Luo Binwang have made meritorious contributions and will be awarded thirty pieces of silk immediately!" The emperor raised his hand slightly towards Li Chengqian.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian bowed and accepted the order. In today's Tang Dynasty, silk can be used as money.

"Okay, that's it for today. You all may leave." The emperor waved his hand.

The ministers immediately stood up and bowed: "Yes!"

However, just as the ministers were approaching the palace gate, the emperor's voice rang out again: "Prince, stay."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian bowed in surprise and turned around...

(End of this chapter)