Chapter 124: Still Worry About Li Jing
The impeachment memorials of Xiao Yu and dozens of other officials were placed on Li Shimin's desk by Hongwen Palace. After reading these memorials, the emperor's brows furrowed into the Chinese character Sichuan.
"Father, more and more people are coming back from the front line. It's definitely not possible to do it quietly. If Xiao Yu does this, it won't take more than two days for everyone in the government and the public to be aware of it, and they will be passive by then."
He knew Xiao Yu very well. Li Chengqian was right. Xiao Yu's broken mouth was like an old lady's belt. She had to tighten it as much as possible when it came to this kind of thing.
After a while, he issued an order to Gan Yun in a low voice to inform several important ministers that they must be prepared in advance before Xiao Yu makes trouble in court...
"Not long ago, someone reported to me that the Great Victory of Bai Dao was inconsistent with the facts.
I was afraid that this matter would cause unnecessary confusion, so I sent Changsun Wuji to Dingxiang to express his condolences. At the same time, I was responsible for investigating the truth of the matter. Both Xuanling and Keming knew about it.
Now that the matter has been clarified, there must have been false claims of military merit. Such things are common in the military and are really not a big deal.
But I don’t know why in the court, but there are always some people who want to make a small thing big. I don’t understand what they are trying to do.”
After speaking, he raised his hand to signal Li Chengqian to hand some memorials to Wei Zheng and Cen Wenwen for circulation.
Wei Zheng looked at it for a while, then closed the memorial in his hand and said: "Your Majesty, according to the memorial written by Xiao Yu, Li Jing was instigated from behind to falsely report the military situation.
The lines in the memorial clearly imply that Li Jing colluded with some of the important ministers and princes in the court, plotted against each other, and conspired to usurp the throne. It can be said that the words are sharp, and every sentence can kill people."
After listening to Wei Zheng's words, Li Shimin nodded and turned to look at Fang and Du.
"I think, I think Xiao Yu and others are making a fuss out of a molehill. Taking credit is taking credit. How come they are plotting something evil?
And as long as the army still exists, things like this will never stop, and I, the military counselor, have long been accustomed to this kind of thing."
There is a reason why Fang Xuanling stutters. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the important officials mentioned by Xiao Yu are pointing the finger at him.
His eldest son Fang Yizhi was Li Chengqian's chief envoy, and he was actually interfering with the three of them. As for Zhang Baoxiang, it was just a cover.
This kind of thing actually depends on what the emperor thinks, not what the ministers do. Prince Ru is a good example. Xiao Yu wanted to imitate Jiang Chong, but his intentions were really sinister.
Seeing his old friend in such trouble, Du Ruhui gave him a comforting look, then stood up and said: "Hundreds of thousands of troops drank ice and lay in the snow, ran thousands of miles to attack, and made great achievements in the sun and the moon.
Why are you so picky? Is that what they want to see when they force the generals on the front line to rebel?
Hasn’t he, Xiao Yu, always regarded himself as a loyal minister? Is this how he behaves as a minister by driving a wedge between father and son?"
Du Ruhui usually couldn't stand Xiao Yu's fussing over everything, and now he was even more angry when he saw that he was willing to frame the country's heroes in order to gain fame and profit. Isn't he capable of going above and beyond? Who wouldn't be like that?
"I think the actions of these people have revealed what they are thinking. Seeing that others are winning the battle and I can't get any benefits, I feel a little uncomfortable."
Cen Wenwen has always been good at observing words and expressions. How could he not understand what the emperor meant.
Just like what Du Ruhui said just now, now that Li Jing has been dealt with, there will be no chaos on the front line. The imperial court's investment in Mobei not only resulted in nothing but nothing in return.
The most important thing is that it is unknown whether those hundreds of thousands of troops can be recovered.
If such consequences were really caused, then the Tang Dynasty would be unable to manage the north within ten years and would allow new rivals to rise on the grasslands. This was of course something the emperor did not want to see.
Since these important officials are so understanding, it will be easy to handle.
"Jing Ren is right. This kind of trend cannot last forever. If all civil servants do this, wouldn't it chill the hearts of those generals who have just shed blood? Who will be willing to shed blood when the country is in trouble in the future? It's too much.
It’s time to fight.”
"If this evil trend cannot be suppressed, Chao Gang will definitely be in chaos. Jingren, if Xiao Yu can write, so can you.
You will go back to Zhongshu Province to draw up three decrees for me. The first is to move Li Jing to be the Duke of Wei, and the second is to promote Li Ji to be the official of Guanglu. Let everyone in the world know that the Tang Dynasty will never treat its meritorious officials unjustly.
The third memorial dismissed Xiao Yu, severely reprimanded him for not understanding the general situation, and asked him to reflect on his own mistakes."
"Your Majesty, your Majesty." Fang Du and other important ministers bowed respectfully and then left.
Although he agreed with the officials, Li Shimin still didn't look good.
Li Chengqian, who was sitting at the bottom, knew that his suspicious father still couldn't let go. Behind the screen in Chengqing Hall was his armor from when he was the King of Qin.
In fact, this is understandable. After all, Changsun Wuji has been gone for so many days and there is still no news, so he would be worried.
"Father, if you feel that you are not in trouble, why don't you talk to Hou Junji? After all, among our Tang Army generals, Hou Junji is considered the leader."
Li Chengqian did not believe that it was a coincidence that Hou Junji became Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs at this time. He said it at this time just to show that he was not selfish.
Hearing what he said, Li Shimin laughed, this guy was getting more and more cunning.
Hou Junji is considered the most capable of fighting among the generals who stayed in Chang'an City, and he has many old troops. If he responds to Li Jing at this time, he will indeed be a great threat to himself.
But at this moment, the old eunuch Gan Yun hurriedly walked to the emperor and respectfully presented the urgent report in his hand to Li Shimin.
After a while, Li Chengqian clearly saw a smile flash across the emperor's face. If he could still smile at this time, it must be Changsun Wuji's memorial, and the errand must have been done well.
"Look, your uncle has done a great service for me again. The situation in Dingxiang has been stabilized through his mediation.
He and Li Jing are both on their way back to Chang'an, and the army is gradually gathering to prepare for the retreat."
"My uncle is indeed a worthy official of the country. In such a critical situation, he turned the tide and saved the court from falling. Father, you can feel at ease now." After putting down the memorial in his hand, Li Chengqian said with a smile.
But Li Shimin shook his head disapprovingly. Many things are often overturned by his opponents when he is about to succeed.
Wasn't it this kind of thinking that led to the failure when the Xuanwu Gate was built? He had to pull out Li Jing's last sharp claw to truly feel at ease.
"Remember, the most dangerous time is when you are traveling a hundred miles.
Chapter completed!