Li Shimin said with a smile on his face: "I didn't expect that Hou Qing is quite popular. There are so many people recommending Hou Qing to participate in the war on the grassland, and those people seem to have some relationship with the aristocratic family."
Li Shimin's words seemed like a joke, but Hou Junji broke into a cold sweat.
Halfway through the journey, Hou Junji received a recommendation from Han Yuan and others to participate in the upcoming battle on the grassland.
As soon as he received this information, Hou Junji became angry and cursed.
He asked Li Tai to find the Shijia to help him, but he didn't let the Shijia do so.
Hou Junji's original intention was that the official of the aristocratic family should be hidden secretly, and someone would be replaced every now and then to say a few words to him, and it would be enough to subtly influence him.
Who knew that the Aristocratic Family would actually find a group of people to recommend him? Didn't this clearly tell Li Shimin that there was a problem?
"Your Majesty, I have no contact with those people at all, and I don't know why they recommended me." Hou Junji quickly explained.
Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Don't be anxious, Hou Qing. I naturally believe in Hou Qing."
After comforting Hou Junji, Li Shimin sneered: "The aristocratic family may have seen me punishing Hou Qing, and felt that Hou Qing was resentful towards me. This was done to divide the relationship between you and our monarch, and secondly to win over you.
.”
Hou Junji breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Your Majesty is wise."
The reason why he dared to come back was not only because he was reluctant to let go of the foundation he had worked hard for for decades, but more importantly, he knew that Li Shimin was very suspicious.
This has disadvantages and advantages.
Li Shimin was very suspicious. When he saw so many officials related to the family helping him to speak, he would definitely be suspicious of him.
However, Hou Junji had no contact with those people, including the aristocratic family. Li Shimin could not find any evidence of his contacts with the aristocratic family, so he would doubt whether the aristocratic family did this to alienate the relationship between them.
Li Shimin solemnly said: "Hou Qing, I have a few words from the bottom of my heart that I want to tell you today."
Hou Junji bowed and said, "I am willing to listen to your Majesty's teachings."
Li Shimin said solemnly: "Since ancient times, monarchs who created the world with martial arts must rely on the assistance of civil servants and generals. However, in the end, few of the founding heroes often ended up well. Why is this? Some people often say that this is
The emperors killed their cunning rabbits and cooked them for lackeys, killing powerful and meritorious officials in order to stabilize the clan. Is this really the case? There are many ways for emperors to support their meritorious officials and weaken their power. Do they have to use killing methods to leave a lasting infamy? "
After a pause, Li Shimin continued: "Has anyone ever checked whether the heroes who were killed were arrogant and perverted the law, or whether they were arrogant because of their favor? The monarch responds to nature, and once he takes the throne, he is not just the monarch of the heroes.
, He is the monarch of the entire world, and the entire world is the monarch’s subjects, and there cannot be any bias.”
"Since he is the monarch of the entire world, heroes who break the law must be severely punished in accordance with the law. From the founding of the Tang Dynasty by my father to my succession, the laws of the Tang Dynasty have been perfected, with the purpose of making future generations abide by them. If any of the heroes violate the laws of the Tang Dynasty,
, and those who do not understand the punishment and precepts will naturally be killed according to the law. Even if they are close relatives and old friends, they will not be forgiven!"
"You have been with me for so long, and I remember all your hard work. I have not treated you badly. I have given you your titles, rights, and dignity. However, during the battle of Gaochang, you disappointed me."
"I have betrayed His Majesty's trust."
Hou Junji said with a ashamed look on his face, as if he was very ashamed of what he had done before.
Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction and said: "You support me and accompany me through life and death, so that I can achieve the world I have today. I sincerely hope that all the heroes can enjoy wealth forever and rest with the country. But if you rely on your past achievements,
If you do evil things, don’t blame me for being ungrateful and unkind!”
"I will be careful in my words and deeds in the future and live up to His Majesty's trust," Hou Junji said.
"Okay, you have worked hard. I will allow you to rest at home for three days before going to court." Li Shimin did not say any more.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Hou Junji left the hall and exhaled softly. Since Li Shimin knocked on him, it meant that this level had passed.
As for what Li Shimin said, he listened, or it could be said that he didn't.
No matter what, since Li Shimin said this, he must be careful in the future. Gu Zheng
But he did not agree with what Li Shimin said. Hou Junji believed that his contribution was not inferior to that of Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong and others.
However, he has always been suppressed by Cheng Yaojin and others.
When Yuchi Gong took advantage of the Xuanwumen Incident, he shot Li Jiancheng and forced Li Yuan to write an edict, claiming that he was the first hero and arrogant.
Even so, Li Shimin did not punish Yu Chigong, but only reprimanded him.
And what about Cheng Yaojin?
Although he was born into an aristocratic family, he was extremely vulgar. It was common for him to insult ministers in the morning.
Li Shimin usually just scolded him a few words.
And he was just greedy for some money and killed the king of a small country. Li Shimin actually imprisoned him directly, making him lose face in his achievements.
Although he did not dare to say anything about Li Shimin's words, he sneered in his heart.
When Hou Junji returned to his house, Mrs. Hou was already waiting at the door with her children.
Seeing Hou Junji dismounting from his horse, Hou took the lead and saluted: "Congratulations to your husband on your triumphant return."
"Congratulations on your triumphant return, father." All the children saluted.
Hou Junji had no expression on his face, waved his hand and said, "It's just a walk to the border. There's no fighting, so how can we say we're going to triumph? Let's all go in."
Arriving at the hall, Hou Junji asked Hou to lead the other children down, leaving Hou De behind.
"Is there anything unusual when you delivered the letter I gave you when I left?" Hou Junji asked.
"Dad, there's nothing abnormal," Hou De said.
Hou Junji was silent for a while and said, "Get rid of that woman."
Hou De was stunned and said: "Dad, why? Miss Qingqing has helped us so much, but how can we send messages after she is gone?"
A trace of anger appeared on Hou Junji's face, and he cursed: "You actually questioned my words because of a dirty guy who hooked up the tiles? Are you really planning to let her in?"
"Isn't this what you said, dad?" Hou De muttered softly.
"Asshole, I was just a temporary measure to let a prostitute into the house. Do you want our family to become the laughing stock of Chang'an?" Hou Junji said angrily.
Even in the open-minded era of later generations, no one would accept a brothel girl.
Not to mention the ancient times when hierarchy and sects were even more divided.
The Cinderella story did not exist in ancient times.
Even if the emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty fell in love with the famous prostitute Li Shishi, he only dared to go there privately and did not include her in the palace.
Hou Junji asked Hou De to say that before, just because he wanted Miss Qingqing to deliver the letter for him wholeheartedly. Unexpectedly, Hou De took it seriously.
Seeing Hou Junji getting angry, Hou De shrank his neck and said, "Dad, I'll make arrangements right away."
Hou Junji can be said to be consistent at home. Although Hou De was reluctant to let go of Miss Qingqing, he did not dare to disobey Hou Junji.