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

Chapter 389: A Cup of Poisoned Wine, a White Silk (Part )
Among the disciples of Chengtian Sect, Sun Fujia was the first to step out.

More than twenty officials from the Censorate, dressed in green official robes, stood silently in the cold wind.

Their eyes fell on Sun Fujia, their expressions were solemn, and there was a hint of disappointment in their eyes.

Sun Fujia looked at his colleagues calmly, without trying to persuade them, and walked past them and headed towards the Censorate.

The rest of the people watched Sun Fujia leave, then looked back into the depths of Chengtian Gate with a hint of expectation in their eyes.

Occasionally, someone would press his sleeve, revealing the shape of a memorial.

When the officials passing by saw this group of people, they subconsciously walked past the two sides of the city gate to avoid them.

Although most of these people were eighth-rank officials, and the highest was only sixth-rank, no one dared to mess with them.

If these censors from the Censorate act together, even the prime minister can be impeached and removed from office. Now, they are targeting the case of Prince Jin's treason.

If the King of Jin is still alive, where is the majesty of the Tang law?

Gao Zhizhou, with a heavy expression on his face, finally appeared in everyone's sight. When Gao Zhizhou walked out of Chengtian Gate, a group of people immediately surrounded him, "Zhongcheng!", "Zhongcheng!", "Zhongcheng!".

Gao Zhizhou looked at everyone, sighed softly, and said, "It has been decided. The Prince of Jin is plotting rebellion and will be exiled three thousand miles to Yunnan and Guizhou."

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

"Didn't they say he would be imprisoned in Beiyuan forever? Why was it changed to exile?" Supervisory Censor Zhou Ziliang was the first to react.

Exile for three thousand miles was the second most severe punishment after beheading, which meant that the emperor gave in.

"Your Majesty must have known that public opinion was overwhelming, and had no choice but to back down." Supervisory Censor Huangfu Decan sneered and said, "But if we don't kill the Prince of Jin and use blood as a warning to future generations, the incidents at Xuanwu Gate will continue to occur. This is no longer a matter for Your Majesty or the Crown Prince, but a matter for the entire Tang Dynasty..."

"Alright." Gao Zhizhou interrupted Huangfu Decan and said seriously, "Your Majesty has issued a self-criticism edict, and the Crown Prince has submitted a memorial regarding the adjustments to the appointments of the various princes. At the same time... Your Majesty will announce at the New Year's Day ceremony that any prince who plots against the crown prince will be exiled three thousand miles. This will be a permanent rule."

"In other words, if there is evidence in the future that the kings are eyeing the position of crown prince, they can be immediately exiled three thousand miles away." A hint of excitement flashed in the eyes of Supervisory Censor Zhou Ziliang.

"Yes!" Gao Zhizhou nodded and said, "This policy is enough to warn future generations. I was a little reluctant at first, but Duke Zhao said something that forced me to swallow my dissatisfaction."

"What did Duke Zhao say?" Zhou Ziliang asked immediately.

"Do you really want Your Majesty to experience the pain of losing a son at such an old age?" Gao Zhizhou said, then walked past the crowd and headed towards the Censorate.

Everyone was slightly stunned and looked towards the direction of Ganlu Palace. Thinking of the emperor's appearance, many people couldn't help but sigh in their hearts.

The emperor is old.

At this moment, Zhou Ziliang quickly chased after Gao Zhizhou, and the others followed closely.

"Zhongcheng, is this matter over just like that?" Zhou Ziliang still asked unwillingly.

Gao Zhizhou walked quickly to the side of a palace, and then gathered around the officials. His eyes swept over them, and then he whispered, "Imperial Censorate, except for Su Liangsi, Liu Fan, and Li Qianyou, everyone is here today, right?"

He didn't mention Sun Fujia, and no one else asked.

"They're all here." Zhou Ziliang nodded and said, "Su Liangsi is the Crown Princess's cousin, Liu Fan is the Crown Prince's consort Wang's cousin, and Li Qianyou is from the Zhaojun Li family. They can't be too deeply involved in this matter."

"Your Majesty doesn't want to kill the King of Jin because you're old and can't bear the pain of losing a son; the Crown Prince doesn't want to kill the King of Jin because he doesn't want to stain his hands with his brother's blood." Gao Zhizhou's eyes grew cold, and he said in a deep voice, "But things in the world are never that easy. Shang Yang carried out reforms, but the Crown Prince Si broke the law, the Crown Prince's tutor Ying Qian had his nose cut off, the Crown Prince's tutor Gongsun Jia was exiled, and Shang Yang was torn to pieces by a chariot."

Gao Zhizhou's words calmed everyone present down.

"Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the Xuanwu Gate Incident was the result of a quarrel between brothers. Now, the quarrel between your majesty's sons has effectively ended. What remains is for the Crown Prince and his sons to grow up." After a brief pause, Gao Zhizhou said solemnly, "As the Crown Prince said, any prince who covets the crown prince should be exiled. This is a good policy and may resolve the quarrel between the princes forever, but..."

For some reason, Gao Zhizhou's word "but" made everyone present become solemn.

"Shang Yang's reforms ultimately ended with him being torn to pieces by chariots." Gao Zhizhou looked at everyone and said solemnly, "If the Crown Prince's plan is to truly take shape and be remembered forever by future generations, then bloodshed is necessary to alert everyone."

This person is the King of Jin.

"But Your Majesty and the Crown Prince..." Huangfu Decan lowered his voice.

Gao Zhizhou just said in person that the emperor is old and can hardly bear the pain of losing his son, and the prince does not want to be stained by his brother's blood.

"The Prince of Jin plotted rebellion and should be executed according to the law, but under the current circumstances, execution is impossible. However, a cup of poisoned wine and a white silk scarf might be more appropriate," Gao Zhizhou said, then looked at the crowd and said, "It's probably difficult to make any further accusations against the Prince of Jin for plotting rebellion. Duke Zhao probably wouldn't want to, but are these really the only crimes the Prince of Jin has committed?"

After saying this, Gao Zhizhou turned and left.

Leaving behind a group of censors who were pondering carefully.

In the distance, there were a few inconspicuous officials, their eyes fixed on this side.

……

The night was hazy, and Princess Gaoyang was walking beside the Wanchun Palace.

Except for a few lanterns outside the Wanchun Hall, the hall was dark.

After returning from Mount Li, the emperor returned to Ganlu Palace, and Wanchun Palace became empty again.

To the east of Wanchun Hall is Lizheng Hall, the queen's bedroom.

There were few lanterns outside the Lizheng Hall, but the inside was brightly lit. Only a figure wearing a light yellow python robe stood there.

Princess Gaoyang walked into the Lizheng Hall, and suddenly she felt silence.

For some unknown reason, Princess Gaoyang felt uneasy.

Looking at the Crown Prince standing in front of her, Princess Gaoyang quickly stepped forward, then bowed gently to Li Chengqian and said, "Greetings, my royal brother!"

"Kneel down!" Li Chengqian did not look back, but just looked at the imperial couch in front of him indifferently.

When his mother was still alive, she sat here to teach her children.

With a "thump", Gao Yang knelt down behind him.

Li Chengqian's eyes turned fierce, and he turned around. With a "bang", Gao Yang was already sitting on the ground in shock, covering his left face.

"Royal brother, you hit me." Princess Gaoyang looked at Li Chengqian in disbelief.

"Gao Yang." Li Chengqian didn't turn around, but looked around and said calmly, "When you were a child, you were also raised by the Queen Mother. But think about it, are you doing this now and are you worthy of her?"

"Royal brother!" Princess Gaoyang held her head high and looked at Li Chengqian and said, "This is not my fault. They killed Bian..."

With a "slap", a big hand slapped Gao Yang's face again. This time, Gao Yang covered his right cheek.

"Don't mention that disgusting name." Li Chengqian slowly turned around, looked at Princess Gaoyang and said, "Your mother taught you to be a virtuous woman who raises children, cares for the family and respects the elders, not a..."

Li Chengqian couldn't help but clench his right hand, and Princess Gaoyang subconsciously stepped back.

"Get up." Li Chengqian's eyes turned cold as he looked at Gao Yang and said, "You don't deserve to stay in this hall. Go!"

"Royal brother!" Gao Yang was inexplicably frightened and knelt on the ground. He looked at Li Chengqian with a pleading face and said, "Royal brother, Gao Yang was wrong." "Let's go, I'll take you to see something." Li Chengqian strode out of the hall.

Gao Yang stood up with a somewhat grim expression, then glanced at the Lizheng Hall, sighed lightly, and followed Li Chengqian out of the hall.

……

"Gee, gee, gee!" Li Chengqian, wearing a black cloak, rode his horse at full speed on Chang'an Street.

On both sides of the long street, the Jinwu stood solemnly and the people disappeared.

Princess Gaoyang followed Li Chengqian closely. It was curfew now, so why were they coming to Tongjifang at this time?

When a familiar Buddhist temple appeared in front of her, Princess Gaoyang's expression changed slightly.

Hongfu Temple.

Hongfu Temple, the temple where Xuanzang lived, is also the Buddhist temple where Bian Ji once lived.

Li Chengqian dismounted from his horse at the entrance to Hongfu Temple, then looked up at Wei Daijia standing at the entrance and asked, "What's going on?"

"It has just begun." Wei Daijia bowed seriously to Li Chengqian.

"What do you mean it's just begun?" Princess Gaoyang dismounted, stood beside Li Chengqian, and looked at Wei Daijia with a frown.

"Listen!" Li Chengqian looked up with an indifferent expression.

Gao Yang was slightly stunned, then calmed down a little.

"Pa", "pa", "pa"... the sounds of beating with boards came from Hongfu Temple.

Gao Yang looked at Li Chengqian in confusion, then walked quickly forward and arrived outside the gate of Hongfu Temple.

The gate of Hongfu Temple was tightly closed, with only a crack through which one could vaguely see what was happening inside.

Gao Yang moved forward and opened his eyes.

Then I saw in the square in front of the main hall, countless monks standing on both sides, and a figure lying on the ground with his back bare.

The monks on both sides held seven-foot wooden sticks and beat the man hard again and again. The man's back had turned completely red.

However, even though he could not hear any sound, Gao Yang knew it was Bian Ji from the back.

Yes, Bian Ji, Bian Ji is not dead.

"Open the door, open the door, open the door!" Gao Yang knocked on the temple door hard, and then no one in the temple spoke or looked over here.

Even the scriptures that were originally recited silently suddenly became louder, and the sound of the cane also became louder.

Bian Ji did not move and allowed himself to be hit with the stick.

"Open the door, open the door!" Gao Yang suddenly turned to look at Li Chengqian, knelt down, grabbed his hem, and cried, "Brother, please forgive him!"

Li Chengqian grabbed Princess Gaoyang by the neck and threw her to the ground. He then angrily said, "You still don't understand now? Do you really have to wait until you have an illegitimate child before you can figure it out? If that's the case, I will petition my father to strip you of your princess title, demote you to a commoner, and exile you three thousand miles away."

"Royal brother." Gao Yang looked at the extremely angry Li Chengqian and couldn't help shivering.

Li Chengqian raised his head and said indifferently: "In Luoyang, Zhikan and Huihong have been beheaded. Bianji, 300 blows with the cane. If you can survive..."

"He won't survive." Gao Yang stared blankly at Hongfu Temple. At this time, the sound of chanting scriptures suddenly became louder, and the content of the scriptures also became "The Sutra of the Past Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva".

Bian Ji was beaten to death with a stick.

Li Chengqian didn't even look at Gao Yang, but at Wei Daijia. He said calmly, "Tell Master Xuanzang that I will find a good place for him at Da Ci'en Temple, but he should also continue to repair Sanmen Temple. If that place is completed, it will be a great merit."

"Yes!" Wei Daijia bowed in response.

"Gao Yang." Li Chengqian looked at Princess Gao Yang and said indifferently, "From today on, you are under house arrest. You are not allowed to leave the palace once within one year. If you sneak out even once, I will depose you from your position as princess."

The corners of Gao Yang's mouth twitched, and he lowered his head without saying a word.

Li Chengqian snorted coldly, then turned around, walked to the front of the horse, jumped on it, and headed towards the palace.

The Jinwu Guards on both sides quickly gathered together and escorted Li Chengqian back to the palace.

Princess Gaoyang slowly stood up and looked deeply into the temple. There was nothing left inside except a pool of blood.

Princess Gaoyang turned and looked in the direction where Li Chengqian was leaving. A trace of resentment flashed in her eyes, but then she lowered her head in fear.

My father is already like this now, the position of Crown Prince cannot be replaced.

Impossible.

Gao Yang suddenly gritted his teeth: "Damn you childish slave."

……

The 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Pingkangfang.

Cuijin Tower.

Prince Li Yin of Shu walked up to the attic, glanced at the guard standing at the door, then quickly walked to the door, pushed it open, looked at Prince Li Ke sitting inside, and said as he walked in, closing the door, "Brother, why did you choose this place? Isn't the palace good enough?"

Li Ke looked up at Li Yin and said coldly, "Prince Jin's rebellion was witnessed by my father and the Crown Prince from the beginning to the end. After this incident, do you still dare to believe that your palace is safe?"

Li Yin was slightly stunned, his face darkening, and he looked around: "What about here?"

"I had someone buy it yesterday." Li Ke calmly waved his hand and said, "Do you know that all the chief secretaries and generals are going to be transferred?"

Li Yin nodded solemnly.

"Don't complain. This is a good thing. At least after this, no one will be watching us anymore." Li Ke saw that Li Yin was about to retort, so he waved his hand and said, "This is the current situation in Chang'an. After the incident with Prince Jin, the Crown Prince's position has been completely consolidated. Even my father would find it difficult to change the Crown Prince's position."

"Brother!" Li Yan's expression was somewhat gloomy, and he whispered, "Then we..."

"We don't stand a chance at all. Don't try anything, or we'll end up like Prince Jin. However..." Li Ke sneered and said, "But without Prince Jin as a buffer, it will be a head-on clash between Father and the Crown Prince."

Li Yin suddenly understood and raised his glass to Li Ke.

Li Ke had just raised his glass when suddenly a flash of fire was reflected on the side of the glass.

He subconsciously looked outside and saw a two-story courtyard house not far away already engulfed in flames. He subconsciously asked, "Where?"

"Is that the Tubo Embassy?" Li Yan looked puzzled.

(End of this chapter)