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

Chapter 288 Expansion of the Hundred Cavalry, Wen He's Promotion

Is the Zheng family trying to sacrifice a pawn to save the king?

Wen He's gaze lingered on Zheng Renji's retreating figure as she pondered to herself.

With Zheng Yuanzhu's downfall a foregone conclusion, the Zheng family of Xingyang will inevitably lose their voice in the imperial court.

The alliance with the Cui clan of Boling at this moment is nothing more than an attempt to stabilize the situation with the help of Cui Dunli. This move is both hasty and risky, but it is the only way out at the moment.

As he was pondering, Cui Dunli, holding his tablet, stepped forward steadily, bowed, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I second your opinion. Zheng Yuanzhu failed to educate his son properly, almost causing a war. I believe that his father, Zheng Yuanzhu, could not have been completely unaware of this. I beg Your Majesty to punish him severely."

He clearly understood Li Shimin's thoughts and went along with them perfectly.

Since they couldn't protect Zheng Yuanzhu, they might as well use this opportunity to gain benefits for themselves.

We, the Cui clan of Boling, will show our loyalty to the emperor that we stand by your side.

No sooner had the words been spoken than a chorus of agreement arose from the train: "Your Majesty, I second that!"

Among them were members of the Lu family, a turn of events that surprised even Wen He.

Lu Cheng'an, who was standing in the classroom, was even more surprised. He turned around abruptly to look at Cui Dunli, his eyes full of astonishment and confusion.

But Cui Dunli gave him a barely perceptible nod, his gaze calm and deep.

Lu Cheng'an's Adam's apple bobbed twice. After a moment of contemplation, he finally gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "Your subject seconds the motion."

On the military side, Cheng Zhijie nudged Yuchi Gong hard in the lower back with his elbow and muttered in a low voice, "Old Blackie, does this mean we don't need to lift a finger?"

Yuchi Gong winced in pain and stomped backward, landing right on Cheng Zhijie's cloud-patterned boots. Old Cheng grimaced in pain: "What do you know, you fool? They call this cutting off their tail to survive."

"Who's stupid?" Cheng Zhijie glared angrily and reached out to pinch the flesh on Yuchi Gong's waist.

"I've read just as many books as you! Li Mu used the same tactic to defeat the Xiongnu back then!"

"Cheng Yaojin, you're asking for death!"

Yuchi Gong increased the pressure with his foot, the sole of his boot grinding against Cheng Zhijie's instep. Cheng Zhijie didn't hesitate either, grabbing Yuchi Gong's waist and spinning him around halfway.

"You two, stop fooling around. We're in court."

Li Daozong, who was standing to the side, was worried that something might happen and wanted to say something to persuade them, but he was glared at by both of them.

He, the dignified Prince of Rencheng, was actually huddled up by the glares of these two scoundrels.

Forget it, arguing with these two clowns would only lower my status.

This little incident in the court was observed by many, but no one paid any attention to it.

The officials from the five clans and seven prominent families were all on edge, even holding their breath.

With the downfall of the Zheng family a foregone conclusion, what they were more concerned about was whether His Majesty would use this incident to target all the aristocratic families.

On the throne, Li Shimin had a faint smile on his lips, and his voice carried a hint of approval: "The Zheng family of Xingyang has put righteousness into their actions, even at the cost of family ties, which pleases me greatly. However, the determination of guilt must be based on the law. Where is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?"

These words sound like praise, but in reality, every word is sharp and pointed.

I acknowledge your noble cause in using clan law to sacrifice pawns to save king, but the final judgment must be made according to the law of the land.

The state operates according to national laws, not the family laws of your aristocratic clans.

Zheng Renji, standing in the classroom, instinctively lowered his head even further upon hearing this. The fabric of his clothes at the back of his neck was already damp with cold sweat, and even the hand holding the ceremonial tablet trembled slightly.

"The minister is here."

Liu Dewei straightened his clothes, stepped forward steadily, bowed respectfully, and performed the salute with meticulous movements.

"Your subject, Liu Dewei, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, respectfully listens to Your Majesty's instructions."

"What should be the sentence for the crimes committed by Jung Yunho and his father, Jung Won-joo, under the law?"

Li Shimin's voice was calm and even, yet it carried an undeniable authority. His gaze swept over Liu Dewei as if he were scrutinizing him.

Liu Dewei did not answer directly, but instead raised his eyes and asked, "If I may be so bold as to ask, is that batch of wool a gift from His Majesty to the army, or is it the personal property of the magistrate of Gaoyang County?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall held their breath.

This question may seem ordinary, but it is actually of great importance.

If it's a private item, then it doesn't matter much.

If it is military equipment, then it violates national law, and the nature of the violation is completely different.

"What the hundred cavalry took will go into the national treasury. It is not my personal property or that of me, but property of the state."

Li Shimin sat up straighter, his tone suddenly becoming serious.

Liu Dewei bowed and replied, "If that is the case, Zheng Yunhao and his father Zheng Yuanzhu have damaged state property and, according to the law, must compensate the state treasury for the loss and be punished with fifty strokes of the cane. Zheng Yunhao also instigated others to commit arson and will be exiled for two thousand li."

He paused and added.

"Zheng Yuanzhu failed in his duty to educate his son, and he should be reprimanded for his oversight."

That's it?

Wen He hid behind Xu Jingzong, her brows slightly furrowed.

Li Shimin clearly intended to strip Zheng Yuanzhu of all his power and completely eradicate the Zheng family of Xingyang from their influence in the court. Liu Dewei's sentence was far too lenient.

But upon further reflection, it seems reasonable.

As the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he was required to adhere to the bottom line of the law. As for the final decision, it was up to the emperor and his court officials to decide, and it was not his place to overstep his bounds.

This is where Liu Dewei's shrewdness lies: he neither violated the law nor directly contradicted the emperor's will, thus passing the buck back to Li Shimin.

This person is indeed formidable.

The officials of the Qin Prince's faction were indeed getting restless.

Changsun Wuji stepped forward first, the hem of his scarlet robe brushing against the gold-brick floor with a soft sound. He bowed and said loudly, "Your Majesty, the deeds of Zheng Yuanzhu and his son have brought disaster to the country and its people. It is not enough to simply reprimand them for their negligence. I request that they be demoted!"

"I second the proposal!"

Among the ranks of military officers, Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Gong had long forgotten their earlier rivalry and stepped forward in unison, their voices booming like bells.

Among the civil officials, Yu Zhining, Yu Shinan, Chu Liang, and other members of the Prince of Qin's faction followed suit.

With the addition of officials from the five clans and seven noble families led by Cui Dunli, at least 80% of the officials in the Taiji Hall bowed and agreed.

Among the three provincial leaders, Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Du Ruhui before slowly stepping forward.

Wen He glanced around the hall and suddenly realized that, apart from himself, a minor official of the eighth rank, only Wei Zheng and a few censors were still standing in the hall.

Wei Zheng held his tablet, his back ramrod straight, his face bearing his usual stern expression, as if the surrounding waves had nothing to do with him.

An attitude of not wanting to follow the crowd.

Wen He couldn't figure out Wei Zheng's thoughts either, but it was good that he didn't object.

It seems that the real Wei Zheng was not as stubborn as later generations described.

Wen He was unaware that Wei Zheng actually had other thoughts in his mind.

He was telling Li Shimin his attitude.

He remained silent because he knew Zheng Yuanzhu's crime did not warrant such an action, and he did not object because it was a matter of state, and he also owed Wen He a favor, which he would repay this time.

It's only because Wen He didn't know what he was thinking, otherwise she would definitely have scolded him for being "shameless." "Sigh."

Suddenly, a sigh was heard from the throne.

Everyone knew that the matter was about to be settled.

"Zheng Qing was young and served in the military, and was particularly knowledgeable in military law. His father often ordered him to tour the various armies and teach them military affairs. In the first year of Wude, Zhu Can invaded Xizhou. Zheng Qing led 10,000 infantry and cavalry to attack and defeated his army in one month. Alas."

Li Shimin sighed again as he said this.

He was expressing his reluctance to part with Zheng Yuanzhu, telling outsiders that his decision to punish Zheng Yuanzhu was purely out of necessity.

"Although I cherish talent, I cannot disregard the law of the land. I hereby decree that General Zheng Yuanzhu, the Left Martial General, and his son have disregarded the law of the land. He shall be dismissed from his position as General Zheng Yuanzhu and demoted to the position of Registrar of the Chongzhou Military Command. His son shall be given fifty strokes of the cane and shall accompany his father in death."

"Order a hundred cavalrymen to confiscate all of Zheng Yuanzhu's property, and all of it shall be confiscated by the state treasury."

Chongzhou?

Sichuan?

Oh, no, Chongzhou now seems to be in the Hebei area.

In the fifth year of the Tang Dynasty's Wude era, Li Yuan separated the Raole Prefecture and established Chongzhou as a tributary state, which now seems to be under the jurisdiction of Yingzhou Prefecture.

Later, during the Five Dynasties period, the Khitan established Jianzhou in the former territory of Chongzhou, which should be in what is now Liaoning. I haven't really looked into the exact location.

At that time of year, the place was blanketed in snow, a pristine white landscape.

Wen He couldn't help but wonder if this was Li Shimin's wicked sense of humor.

You dared to burn the wool, almost ruining my benevolence. Then let you and your son live a miserable life in the cold wind.

As for confiscating their property, that's like cutting flesh off the Zheng family of Xingyang.

Most of their assets in Chang'an were under Zheng Yuanzhu's name, and now they've lost everything.

Even though he felt sorry for her, Jung In-ki didn't dare to complain. He had to put on a willing act and cheer along with the crowd.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

"Wen He".

As everyone stood up, Li Shimin suddenly called out.

Before Wen He could even react, Xu Jingzong shoved her out.

"Ah, Your Majesty, I humbly await your instructions."

Seeing Wen He's flustered appearance, Li Shimin guessed that the boy must have been distracted just now.

If he weren't in the Taiji Hall, he would have gone to find the brush washer.

"He ordered a hundred cavalrymen to go to Zheng Yuanzhu's residence to search and confiscate his property."

"what?"

Wen He pointed to himself in surprise. The Hundred Cavalry is nominally under Xu Jingzong's command now, so this job should be done by him, right?

"What are you 'ah' about? You have no manners whatsoever as a subject. Why aren't you accepting the decree?" Li Shimin scolded him, pointing at him in annoyance.

But the scolding wasn't too harsh or too mild; it didn't sound like a reprimand at all.

"Oh, then this humble subject obeys the decree." Wen He reluctantly pouted and then bowed.

That brat!
Li Shimin gritted his teeth, really wanting to go down and give that brat a good kick in the ass.

Doesn't he realize that I did this so that he would seek revenge?

If he's so lazy all day, how will Gao Ming manage to control him in the future?

Ugh.

Li Shimin sighed inwardly, then waved his hand and asked Li Jing.

"Is Su Dingfang still in the Ministry of War?"

"Your Majesty, Su Dingfang is still awaiting his post at the Ministry of War," Li Jing replied.

"Well then, let him serve as the Inspector General of the Hundred Cavalry. I intend to expand the Hundred Cavalry to a battalion and place him in charge. Today, let him travel with Wen He."

Expanding the 100-horse force?

Li Shimin had not mentioned this matter to anyone except Wen He.

This completely caught the three provinces off guard.

The Hundred Cavalry is already so powerful in the hands of Xu Jingzong and Wen He. If they are expanded further in the future, the entire court will likely become even more uneasy.

But who dares to step forward and oppose this today?
Didn't you see that even Wei Zheng was standing there obediently?

Your Majesty is taking advantage of the situation!
"Your subject obeys the decree." Li Jing stepped forward without hesitation to receive the decree.

As long as the emperor values ​​him and allows him to realize his ambitions, nothing else matters to him.

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Wen He.

"Furthermore, you lazy scoundrel, after the confiscation of your property is over, you shall report to the Ministry of Works every day. I give you five days to get the wool matter done and to produce more than a thousand winter clothes before New Year's Day, otherwise you will go to Chongzhou with Zheng Yuanzhu."

Your uncle!
Wen He suppressed her frustration and managed not to utter a curse.

Seeing his angry but speechless expression, Li Shimin was immediately delighted.

He then continued, "However, you have done well during this time. You are hereby awarded one million coins, one hundred catties of silver, one hundred bolts of silk, and promoted to the rank of Colonel of One Hundred Cavalry, a rank of seventh grade. The Ministry of Personnel shall register this."

You got promoted?
But Wenhe was still unhappy.

This clearly means he's going to have to do more things in the future.

He has to train those 900 additional men.

However, considering the one million dollars involved, he'll let it slide this time.

This is at least a few months' salary for him, enough to buy quite a bit of beef and mutton.

Li Er at least had some conscience.

"Your Majesty, I thank you." Wen He couldn't help but smile.

However, Li Shimin's decree of promotion sent chills down the spines of many in the Taiji Hall.

It seems like we're all going to have a tough time from now on.

"Alright, take your men to Zheng Yuanzhu's residence immediately." Li Shimin waved his hand impatiently. This brat is just a money-grubber.

"Here!"

After bowing deeply, Wen He turned and left the Taiji Hall, heading straight for the Hundred Riders.

Xu Jingzong was not there; only Huang Chun and Changsun Huan were present.

However, the latter is more like a mascot.

"Brothers, take your swords, armor, bows and crossbows, let's raid their homes!"

(End of this chapter)