Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

"What is it?"

Li Shimin looked at Changsun Chong and asked.

Changsun Chong shouted loudly:

"I am willing to resign from my post as General of Loyalty and Martial Valor, return all rewards, and even return my life to the court."

"I only beg Your Majesty's mercy to spare my father the punishment of banishing him from Chang'an, allowing him to live out his remaining years as an ordinary citizen within the city."

These words were like a thunderclap in the hall.

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, and murmurs immediately arose.

Cui Mingan almost burst out laughing.

Has Changsun Chong lost his mind?

The emperor has just issued an edict demoting Changsun Wuji, and you immediately jump out to plead for him. Isn't that a public slap in the emperor's face?

Li Shimin's face instantly darkened.

He looked coldly at Changsun Chong and asked:

"Changsun Chong, do you know what you're saying?"

Your father was corrupt and lawless, and formed cliques for personal gain. I have already shown him mercy by sparing his life.

Are you now going to use your merits to atone for his crimes?

Changsun Chong kowtowed heavily.

"Your subject knows that your father's crimes are unforgivable."

But a son should not speak ill of his father. He gave me life and raised me, and as his son, I cannot bear to see him, at such an old age, exiled and die far from home.

I am willing to sacrifice my own achievements to allow my father to eke out a living in Chang'an.

"I beg Your Majesty to grant my request."

After Changsun Chong finished speaking, he lay down on the ground and refused to get up.

He seemed determined to die on the spot if the emperor didn't agree.

Li Shimin did not speak, but simply looked at Changsun Chong quietly.

In reality, driving Changsun Wuji out of Chang'an was merely a gesture by Li Shimin to show the world.

Changsun Wuji was, after all, his brother-in-law, an old comrade who had gone through thick and thin with him.

Li Shimin felt a little uneasy about actually driving the person away.

But the imperial edict had already been issued, and a ruler's word is law; he couldn't very well contradict himself.

Li Shimin turned the jade thumb ring on his thumb and looked at Li Chengqian.

"Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian's heart skipped a beat, and he cursed Changsun Chong inwardly as a complete idiot.

Yesterday, the Empress Dowager made her point so clearly in the Lizheng Hall, yet this guy still dared to cause such a scene in the court today.

Is this because they want Changsun Wuji to die quickly enough?

"Your subject is here."

Li Chengqian forced himself to come out.

Li Shimin looked at him and asked:

"Changsun Chong is your cousin, and Changsun Wuji is your maternal uncle."

What's your opinion on this?

Li Chengqian cursed Li Shimin a thousand times in his heart.

That old geezer is wicked.

This is simply impossible to accept.

If he agrees to Changsun Chong's request, it would be a blatant defiance of the newly issued imperial edict, and it would make the court officials think that he, the crown prince, is protecting his corrupt uncle and forming cliques for personal gain.

If he objects, he will be branded as cold-blooded and heartless, disregarding even the life or death of his own uncle.

Changsun Chong will also completely break away from him.

Li Chengqian's eyes darted around, and he decided to start playing dead.

He looked at the position standing in the civil servants' queue.

He winked at Wei Zheng.

Old Wei, help!

Quickly display the aura of the most loyal minister of the Tang Dynasty and verbally abuse Changsun Chong to death.

As long as Wei Zheng steps forward to refute the claim and emphasizes the impartiality of the law, the matter can be smoothly suppressed, and Li Chengqian will not have to take the blame.

Wei Zheng received the Crown Prince's signal.

He stepped out of the queue.

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.

This is a sure thing.

When Lao Wei takes charge, he's worth two men.

Wei Zheng walked to the center of the hall, first bowed to Li Shimin, and then turned to look at Changsun Chong kneeling on the ground.

"His Majesty.

In my opinion, Changsun Chong's move is excellent!

Li Chengqian looked up at Wei Zheng in disbelief.

What did you say?

Are you out of your mind or did you drink fake alcohol last night?

Wei Zheng completely ignored Li Chengqian's murderous glare and continued:

Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important!

Although Changsun Wuji committed heinous crimes, he should be severely punished.

However, as a son, Changsun Chong did not covet wealth and honor, but was willing to exchange his own merits for his father to stay in Chang'an and spend his old age in peace.

Such filial piety is truly moving!

Our Great Tang Dynasty governs the world with filial piety, and Changsun Chong's actions are a model for all sons and daughters.

If Your Majesty can grant his filial wish, it will not only demonstrate Your Majesty's benevolence and virtue, but also win the hearts of the people and bring about a fresh atmosphere in the court.

Wei Zheng spoke at length, praising Changsun Chong's filial piety and pleading with the emperor to grant his request.

Li Chengqian stood to the side, so angry that he felt like he was about to grind his back teeth to powder.

Pig mate!

That's absolutely terrible teammate.

I asked you to come out and criticize him, but instead you just went along with his words and even flattered him?

Now that even Wei Zheng has given his support, if Li Chengqian were to stand up and oppose it, wouldn't he become the most cold-blooded person in the world?

Li Shimin was secretly overjoyed to see Li Chengqian standing below, almost spitting blood with anger.

This unfilial son pretended to be well-behaved all morning, but now he's finally broken his act.

Li Shimin, barely suppressing a laugh, said:

"What Minister Wei said makes sense."

Changsun Wuji's crime is unforgivable, but Changsun Chong's filial piety is so great that I cannot bear to punish him harshly.

Since the Crown Prince also feels that the decision rests entirely with me, then I grant Changsun Chong's request.

Li Shimin waved his sleeve and made the decision directly.

"Retain Changsun Chong's position as General Zhongwu, but reduce his reward by half."

Changsun Wuji was permitted to remain in Chang'an, but was forbidden from leaving his residence for life, and would be strictly guarded by the Hundred Cavalry Guard.

Changsun Chong was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly, saying:

"Your Majesty, I kowtow in gratitude for Your Majesty's divine grace! Thank you, Your Ma

After dealing with Changsun Chong's matter, the officials began to tidy their court robes and prepare to go home.

"Father, I have something to report."

Li Chengqian suddenly stepped forward.

Li Shimin was about to announce the end of the court session, but he swallowed his words back.

He looked at Li Chengqian with a puzzled expression.

What is this unfilial son up to now?

"Bring it on."

Li Chengqian pulled a memorial from his sleeve and raised it above his head with both hands.

"Father, the three kingdoms of the peninsula are now at peace, and the Andong Protectorate has been established."

Your son is of limited talent and experience, and is truly unsuitable to continue leading the 100,000-strong army in Liaodong.

Your Majesty, I formally request today to completely relinquish military power and ask that Your Majesty select another capable person to guard Liaodong.

Upon hearing this, the entire Taiji Hall went mad.

Didn't His Majesty just refuse the Crown Prince's offer to hand over military power?

Why is this happening again?

This thing even offers three chances to win?

"Brilliant! Matters of national importance are not to be taken lightly!"

Li Shimin asked with a stern face.

"Your subject is not playing games."

Li Chengqian raised his head and said with a serious expression,

"Your Majesty, I not only wish to relinquish military power, but I also wish to recommend someone to take over the defense of Liaodong."

"Who?"

"The Duke of England, Li Ji!"

Another collective gasp filled the hall.

Who is Li Ji?

He was the emperor's trusted confidant and the pillar of the Tang Dynasty's military.

Giving military power to Li Ji was tantamount to handing it back to Li Shimin completely, and the crown prince didn't even have a trusted confidant appointed.

Li Shimin was truly at a loss this time.

What exactly is this brat up to?

In fact, Li Chengqian's thinking was very simple.

Now, let alone Li Ji, even if Li Shimin went in person, it would be useless.

There are Qin Qiong and Du Ruhui in Liaodong.

Who in the Tang Dynasty court could suppress those two?