Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 261 The minister impeached the magistrate of Gaoyang County for abusing his power for personal gain.
"Your Majesty, I hereby impeach the magistrate of Gaoyang County for abusing his power for personal gain, colluding with the Turks to smuggle goods out of the country, and enriching himself."

At the Grand Council.

It had barely begun when an imperial censor stepped forward and immediately convicted Wen He of a serious crime.

The case of embezzlement of military funds has just ended, and now someone is impeaching Wen He for embezzling public funds.

Li Shimin, sitting on the throne, suddenly became gloomy.

He glanced down, trying to find Wen He, when he suddenly remembered that he had promised Wen He that he would not have to attend the morning court session.

"Cough cough."

Li Shimin coughed lightly, his face solemn and stern as he asked, "Although I allow reports based on hearsay, I will not let slander go unpunished."

After saying that, he deliberately looked at Wei Zheng.

I want to see if this censor's impeachment of Wen He is his intention.

Noticing Li Shimin's gaze, Wei Zheng shook his head almost imperceptibly, and no one else in the Taiji Hall noticed.

"Your Majesty, I have evidence of this matter. The magistrate of Gaoyang County used a hundred cavalrymen to collude with the Turks and sent caravans to smuggle salt, tea, and other goods needed by the Turks in exchange for money and wool."

"As far as I know, the wool entered Chang'an the day before yesterday and is currently in De'an Ward. It can be found out with a simple investigation."

As the censor spoke, he failed to notice the unusual expression on Li Shimin's face.

The officials from the Ministry of Personnel, the Secretariat, and the Ministry of War all seemed to be spitting fire in their eyes.

They didn't expect that someone would target Wen He's wool so quickly.

They even sent the censor to cause trouble!
The border garrison's 10,000 winter uniforms all depend on this batch of wool from Wenhe.

This matter involves not only the Ministry of War, but also the Secretariat and the Ministry of Personnel.

This matter was originally established by Li Shimin and the Secretariat, and then the Ministry of War agreed to it and prepared to send someone to contact Wen He to inquire about the price.

Needless to say, the Ministry of War has already begun mobilizing the families of the soldiers, and soon someone will come as a representative to learn how to knit sweaters from the Empress.

Now that all of this is about to begin, it just so happens to be met with impeachment!
An impeachment by an imperial censor is not something that can be done simply by talking about it in court, especially since this person also accused Wen He of colluding with the Turks and using a hundred cavalrymen to line his own pockets.

Even if they all knew what was going on, such things were ultimately kept under wraps and couldn't be made public.

Therefore, an investigation is necessary.

Wouldn't that be a waste of time?

"Your Majesty, I have something to say."

A deep, resonant voice rang out as Wen Yanbo suddenly stepped out of the classroom.

Upon seeing this, the expressions of many members of the aristocratic families among the civil officials changed repeatedly.

Some even cursed him in their hearts.

"What does Wen Qing have to say?"

Looking at Wen Yanbo, Li Shimin smiled knowingly.

He naturally knew what the Wen family in Taiyuan was thinking lately.

The Wen family's reputation among prominent families is not low, but it is not particularly high either.

As for the imperial court, Wen Dalin is currently the highest-ranking official there.

Therefore, they wanted to win over Wen He.

Li Shimin didn't mind this. If he could use this opportunity to win over some aristocratic families and sow discord between the aristocratic families in Guanzhong and the north, it would be a good thing.

That brat Wen He is so stubborn.

They must think that I'm going to be wary of him again.

As Li Shimin cursed Wen He in his heart, Wen Yanbo bowed to him and said...

"I believe that the censor's impeachment was completely unfounded. As far as I know, the magistrate of Gaoyang County sent a hundred cavalrymen to the Turks to investigate military affairs. As for the so-called trade, it was just a cover for the real purpose."

"As for wool, as far as I know, it can keep warm after the smell is removed, and it is inexpensive. If it can be made into clothing, it will benefit all people."

"Such a loyal and devoted young man has been shamelessly slandered by someone. I am ashamed to serve in the same court as this person. If it weren't for Your Majesty's wisdom in knowing the character of the young man from Gaoyang County and not being deceived by this person, I'm afraid the young man from Gaoyang County would be disheartened."

Wen Yanbo spoke with righteous indignation, both criticizing the censor and praising Li Shimin. Most importantly, he explained to Li Shimin the importance of Wen He.

Upon hearing this, the censor's face turned ashen: "Sophistry! Even if the wool can benefit the people, it does not change the fact that he is using the hundred cavalry for his own personal gain. Such behavior is detrimental to the country and the people. I believe he should be expelled from the court."

This censor was driven to desperation.

If Wen He's guilt cannot be confirmed, then he will lose his position.

Although the people behind him had promised to recommend his children for the Imperial Academy, if he lost his official position, wouldn't he be discarded by those people in the future?

"This is my decision. Do you think I have also misled the country and its people, and should also be expelled from the court?"

A cold voice suddenly came from the throne.

The censor's expression changed.

He wasn't surprised that Li Shimin was behind this, but rather astonished that His Majesty the Emperor had actually admitted to it.

"You traitor! Do you know that more than 10,000 soldiers have no winter clothes to wear this year? Without these wools, are you expecting them to stand guard on the border in the freezing winter winds?!"

Li Shimin had already taken the stage, so how could Changsun Wuji, as his most loyal minister, be absent?

Although he didn't want to speak up for Wen He.

But at this point, they had no choice but to step forward.

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Jing, who was standing to his left, stepped forward with a serious expression and stared at the censor: "May I ask Your Excellency, how will the 10,000 soldiers sent to the north survive the winter?"

"This, this, the imperial court has its own laws and regulations, and we cannot let this matter disrupt the law..." He stopped midway through his sentence.

To say that Wen He violated the law and discipline.

But His Majesty just said that he made the decision on this matter.

Doesn't that mean His Majesty has broken the law?

He immediately broke out in a sweat and hurriedly searched for allies in the train.

Those who had previously supported him were now looking down at their feet.

The censor gritted his teeth, but finally couldn't hold back and bowed to Li Shimin, saying, "Your subject was wrong."

"Alright, it's good that you admit your mistake. In the future, don't make such unfounded accusations against your colleagues. Although I allow reports based on hearsay, you can't make unfounded accusations. Does Minister Wei agree?"

No one expected that Li Shimin would suddenly turn his attention to Wei Zheng.

Upon hearing this, the latter felt somewhat awkward.

It was he who suggested that Li Shimin start reporting matters based on hearsay, but he never expected that his subordinate censors would do such a thing.

"I have failed in my duty." Wei Zheng did not mince words and stepped forward to admit his mistake.

Li Shimin was overjoyed to see this.

'You old country bumpkin, you've finally met your match.'

However, he still pretended to be magnanimous on the surface: "This matter is not your fault."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wei Zheng couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Li Shimin was even more pleased with himself.

As for that censor, he's just a nobody. Once he returns to the Censorate, Wei Zheng will naturally find a pretext to transfer him away.

Because of this little incident, Li Shimin lost interest in continuing the grand court discussion that day.

He only summoned the heads of the three provinces and six ministries to the Liangyi Hall, and dismissed the others.

Half an hour later.

Inside the Liangyi Hall, the people who were discussing matters were suddenly interrupted by a eunuch who barged in.

Li Shimin immediately frowned, and before he could question him, he heard the eunuch hurriedly say something.

"Your Majesty, the magistrate of Gaoyang has committed a crime outside Xuanwu Gate!"

(End of this chapter)