In the Tai Chi Hall, Zhang Yang stood in front of the court class. When he said these words, he could even feel a sharp light on his back.
Looking back, he saw that the civil servants around Yan Shigu were looking at him. Zhang Yang smiled and bowed to everyone.
The old system is entangled and has deep roots. To uproot it requires greater strength.
This is just the beginning, there will be more opportunities to communicate in the future.
The morning court ended hastily, the civil servants and generals all retreated, leaving behind only those whom His Majesty named to go to the Manlu Hall.
Yan Shigu's face turned pale, and he couldn't hide the panic in his eyes. He suddenly pointed his hand and said angrily: "Zhang Yang! You are not a good person either!"
"Shaojian Yan, let's go to Ganlu Hall together. What do you think?"
"You are a country boy, but you are lucky enough to be a minister! My grandfather is Yan Zhitui, a great literary figure."
Zhang Yang walked out of the Tai Chi Hall with a long sigh and his hands folded.
Li Junxian personally took these people with him.
Li Chengqian was worried and followed him all the way.
Arriving in front of Ganlu Hall, Zhang Yang looked back and said, "Young Master Yan, do you want to go in first?"
Yan Shigu subconsciously took a step back.
Seeing his behavior, he could no longer stand on his feet, so Zhang Yang stepped towards the Ganlu Hall.
Xu Xiaode also followed the footsteps and entered the palace.
Next came Tang Jian, Tang Guan and his son.
Looking at Li Junxian again, Yan Shigu walked into the hall with his head lowered.
Li Shimin was drinking a bowl of porridge, and then looked at the people in front of him, "Xu Xiaode, how long have you been working in the East Palace?"
Xu Xiaode saluted and said: "Your Majesty, I have been serving in the East Palace for a year."
"It was you who impeached Lishan for some of the trivial matters. I remember you." Li Shimin held the bowl in one hand and took another sip of porridge.
Xu Xiaode added: "Since there are injustices in the world, I should report them myself. Your Majesty is a benevolent monarch who opens up the road and accepts advice and does good. I should be more strict with myself and report everything clearly."
"Yes." Li Shimin nodded and put down his bowls and chopsticks, then glanced at the people in front of him, "Tang Jian, I think I treat you well."
Tang Jian bowed and saluted, "I know I was wrong."
Li Shimin nodded, "You followed your father when Jinyang raised the army, and you were an old member of the Qin Palace back then. Today's peace is hard-won. Cheng Yaojin and the others know what they can't do no matter how crazy they are, and they understand the rules better.
Why do you dare to bribe my officials?"
Tang Jian knelt down on the spot and said, "Your Majesty, I also want to watch your son and hope that he will have a good future. I am obsessed with it for a moment. If your Majesty wants to punish me, you can punish me. All the affairs of the boys are arranged by me."
Li Shimin asked the waiter on the side to remove the bowls and chopsticks, picked up an inkstone and hit Tang Jian on the head.
It also frightened Yan Shigu to death.
The inkstone shattered above his head, and Tang Jian still knelt on the ground motionless.
"Since the beginning, I have treated everyone who has followed me to level the world with kindness. I have treated you like brothers. I thought you should also be a person who values affection and righteousness. Tang Jian, you are nearly fifty years old. You are still so young at your age.
Can you make mistakes?"
"I..." Tang Jian remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head, "I know I'm guilty."
Li Shimin raised his eyes and looked at Tang Guan, "Your brother Tang Shanshi is quite sensible. As a younger brother, you don't know how to set a good example and let your father make such a big mistake."
Tang Guan's expression was much calmer. He bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, this matter is arranged by my father. As a child, even if you refuse, you will only get a severe beating."
Li Shimin nodded and said: "As a parent, who doesn't want their son to be a Jinshi?"
Tang Jian replied: "Your Majesty, everyone has his or her own ambitions. How can we think about it? My ambition is never to be a Jinshi, but to write a book and pass it on to the world."
It was quiet in Ganlu Hall, and Tang Jian lay on the ground and did not dare to move.
Yan Shigu's legs were swaying, and His Majesty was already frightened before he opened his mouth to question him.
Li Chengqian stood outside the palace and walked back and forth, approaching from time to time to listen to the goings on in the palace. During the conversation, he heard his father's angry shouts, thinking that this was not a small matter.
Ordinarily, Zhang Yang should be fine, so he felt relieved.
In the hall, Li Shimin helped Tang Jian up again, "You have been following Jinyang since the beginning. You also went to conquer the Turks in the north. It was thanks to you that you lured the enemy alone so we had the opportunity to send troops. I can forgive you but I have to give you
The civil servants and generals of the Manchu Dynasty told me that the title of Duke of Ju was given by my father and I will keep it. From now on, I will live in Chang'an City and recuperate. As for the power, I will take it away and fine you a salary of five years. Do you have any complaints?"
Tang Jian trembled and said: "I... I thank your Majesty."
"As for Tang Guan who has no intention of pursuing an official career, don't force him. It's rare for an ignorant boy to write a book and pass it on to the world. I will also remove his official rank and suspend him for three months to think about his mistakes."
Tang Guan also saluted, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Li Shimin was first furious and now comforting. He not only frightened Tang Jian but also convinced him.
He also talked about his old love back then and gave it a step down.
One after another, Tang Jian obeyed.
Li Shimin said loudly: "Zhang Yang, what do you think of my handling?"
Zhang Yang cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, I am a simple person, so I will punish you if you want."
"You mean I did something wrong."
"I thought your majesty would lose the conversation if he handled it so lightly. This is for your majesty's consideration."
"You're so considerate of me, what do you think I should be punished for?"
Zhang Yang nodded and said, "Tang Guan was stripped of his official position and will never use it again. His father Tang Jian bribed his secretary, Jianyan Shaojian, and paid him a fine of ten times the bribe to the court, and also took away all the food in his fief.
He will retain the title of Duke of the state and be imprisoned for ten years as a warning, or be sent to the border to do hard labor for five years."
After the words fell, Li Shimin fell silent.
Tang Jian was even more dumbfounded. He had been given a few more acres of land in Lishan, but now he was backing him and making friends as promised.
Zhang Yang added: "Of course, if I were the minister, I would definitely do this as a warning. There should be no let-off or indulgence. This is just a suggestion."
Li Shimin sat down again and held his forehead, "I am not a mean person."
"Your Majesty, this is not a mean thing. This is a rule. This is the red line of the court. It is the source of purity and it is imperative."
Li Shimin said distressedly: "Take back the fiefdom and all the food, and impose a fine of ten times. Prison and hard labor are temporarily exempted. If it is found that there are others who have done this, I will definitely punish them severely."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Zhang Yang bowed and saluted, "May the Tang Dynasty be prosperous and strong."
Finally his eyes fell on Yan Shigu, and Li Shimin said coldly: "Yan Zhitui has a descendant like you. I wonder what he would think if he were still alive?"
Yan Shigu knelt down on the spot, lowered his head and stopped talking.
Half an hour later, Li Shimin's decree came out of the Manlu Palace. Tang Jian bribed the secretary and supervisor to take back his fiefdom and all the food, and fined him ten times. In recognition of his achievements in the war, he was exempted from prison hard labor and fined ten years.
He was confined here for five years to reflect on his past mistakes, and was not allowed to see any guests.
Tang Guan stripped off his official status and removed all his powers. He was no longer used in the court. In order to accuse Yan Shigu of improper behavior, he was exempted from hard labor for three years and had to face the wall for one year to reflect on his mistakes.
When Yan Shigu was serving as a secretary and a junior prisoner, he accepted money and used it to make profits and misused his authority. He strictly investigated the people involved. Yan Shigu was sentenced to exile. He was not allowed to move back to his hometown without an edict and would never be used again.
One after another decrees came out of the Manlu Hall. Tang Jian and his son left the Manlu Hall, and Xu Xiaode also left.
Yan Shigu was taken away.
Zhang Yang stood in the palace and saluted: "Your Majesty, I will take my leave now."
"I told you that you can leave?"
Zhang Yang, who had just turned around, had to stop and asked, "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"
The hall was quiet for a while. Li Shimin sat upright and said loudly: "Yan Shigu has talent and learning but no talent. That's why he was kept in the secretary's prison."
Zhang Yang nodded and said, "I understand."
"Did you know that my harsh treatment will inevitably be criticized by others, especially the nobles?"
"Of course there will be criticism when dealing with Yan Shigu, but if you don't deal with it, will it be child's play in the eyes of others to govern the court? Your Majesty must make a decision when it comes to it. Indecisiveness will only give more people opportunities to take advantage of."
"I am a benevolent king."
"Actually, what I'm worried about is that Your Majesty claims to be a benevolent monarch and always shows mercy. Just talking about favors is useless. I think Your Majesty understands this truth better than I do."
Seeing that the emperor was silent, Zhang Yang saluted again and said, "When you recruited Yan Shigu, your Majesty valued his influence and status among the gentry, as well as his life experience."
"May I ask if your Majesty really doesn't know that the people in the court are doing these things?"
The maids and eunuchs stood aside quietly and did not dare to say anything. They would often glance at His Majesty's expression from the corner of their eyes. At this moment, His Majesty put his hands on the table and clenched his fists, with a dark face as if he was about to get angry.
In their hearts, they could only hope that Zhang Shangshu could stop talking at this moment, otherwise His Majesty would get angry and smash things again, and it would not be the people in the palace who had to suffer.
Zhang Yang's words continued, making the maids and eunuchs beside him feel tense.
"Your Majesty, now that the imperial examinations have been held and official schools are being opened, everyone knows that your Majesty is eager for talents. At present, your Majesty no longer needs Yan Shigu's life experience and status to win the recognition of the noble clan, let alone his influence among the noble clan.
"
"Your Majesty did not deal with him at the beginning because he was still useful to the court. Now that his use value is gone, it is time to cut him off. It is also time for the world to understand your Majesty's determination to rectify the government."
Li Shimin breathed heavily, "Do I only care about Yan Shigu's utilization value?"
"Isn't it true? At first, Your Majesty was compatible with the Xue Yantuo brothers and used Xue Yantuo to check and balance the Turks. When Jieli was defeated, Xue Yantuo's use value was gone. How did your Majesty treat Xue Yantuo Khan?"
"In your eyes, am I such a mercenary person?"
"Yes."
The eunuch on the side took a deep breath and was ready to face His Majesty's thunderous wrath.
Zhang Yang bowed and said: "Your Majesty, can I leave now?"
"Get out!" Li Shimin said through his teeth.
"Here."
Zhang Yang saluted again and walked out of the Ganlu Hall.
Not long after I walked out, I heard the sound of smashing things in the temple, as if something heavy had been thrown on the place, and there were also the sounds of some earthen jars being broken.
Zhang Yang quickened his pace and left, and saw Li Chengqian standing not far away. He bowed slightly and said, "Your Highness."
Li Chengqian looked at the Ganlu Palace and asked, "How was your talk with your father?"
"Well, it's very pleasant."
"That's good." Li Chengqian nodded in relief.
The two were chatting when they saw Li Lizhi approaching. Li Chengqian said, "Li Lizhi is going to see her father."
"I've met the imperial brother, and I've met my brother-in-law." Li Lizhi bowed obediently, "The queen mother said she had prepared some newly made clothes, and she wanted my father to try them on. They are the new fabrics sent by Lishan."
Zhang Yang suddenly realized that the clothing materials made from wool in Lishan were also sent to the palace.
Sometimes the royal family is also the golden signboard of Lishan. As long as the royal family uses things, it will have the best reputation outside.
"It's getting late, so I'll take my leave first."
Li Chengqian also nodded, "I will take Li Zhi to see my father."
Zhang Yang took two steps and then turned back, "No need to send it off."
Li Lizhi's childish little face furrowed her brows, "Brother-in-law, why are you walking so fast?"
Li Chengqian said clearly: "Maybe there is something urgent at home."
The brother and sister were about to walk towards the Manna Hall when they saw a paperweight being thrown out, almost hitting someone.
Then there was a roar.
"Who is he? He dares to make the decision for me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, another pen holder was thrown out, and the precious brushes were scattered on the ground.
Li Lizhi stopped outside the hall, not knowing whether to go in or not.
"Zhang Yang! Sooner or later, I will ask you to kneel down in front of the palace and beg me for mercy. How come I am only seeking profit! You bastard, you fanatic, you are the only one who is only seeking profit!"
"..."
"If you come to court, my morning court will not be peaceful! Damn it, God is blind, and all his talents have fallen on people like you. One day you will hang in front of my Chengtian Gate!
"
Li Chengqian stood outside the palace and was almost petrified. Didn't he say that they had a pleasant conversation?
Finally, the emperor's scolding stopped, and the maids and eunuchs began to clean up the mess in the palace.
When his father walked outside the palace, Li Chengqian came back to his senses and saluted with beauty, "Father."
"Um."
Li Shimin responded perfunctorily.
Li Lizhi trotted to catch up, "Father, Lishan has sent new fabrics, and the queen mother has made new clothes for my father to try on."
Seeing his daughter, Li Shimin's original anger also disappeared. "I'll go take a look."
Compared to the mess in the Manna Palace after His Majesty's anger, His Majesty's temper has become increasingly grumpy recently.
The Li Zheng Palace was as quiet as ever, with a few birds flitting over the eaves.
Empress Changsun was looking at the clothes she had cut out, "This is newly made fabric from Lishan. How does it feel to wear it, Your Majesty?"
Li Shimin heard this and asked the palace maid to change her clothes.
Wearing a thick woolen sweater, Li Shimin felt it carefully, "The clothes fit well."
Empress Changsun straightened the corners of her clothes and said, "This fabric will keep you warm when worn in winter, but it is not suitable for wearing now."
Li Shimin took off his clothes again, sat aside and ate dried fruits in silence.
"Speaking of which, Yue'er and Zhang Yang are sensible. Whenever something new is made in Lishan, it will be sent to the palace first. The children's filial piety must not be let down. There is still some pepper in the palace to send to Yue'er and the others.
.”
Listening to the queen's thoughts about her son-in-law and daughter, Li Shimin became more and more depressed. He was silent for a while and sighed: "It would be better if this boy could change his moral character."