"Although Pheasant Slave has eaten corn, he has never seen what corn looks like in the field. How can he find corn?" Li Shimin sneered.
When Lin Xuan saw Li Shimin sneer, he felt panicked. This was the expression he had when Li Shimin ordered him to be punished yesterday.
"Your Majesty, I am really unjust. I was chatting with His Highness the Crown Prince in the pavilion, and His Highness the Prince of Jin was playing elsewhere. When I got the news, I quickly ran to stop him." Lin Xuan felt that he could still save his life.
"Really?" Li Shimin didn't believe Lin Xuan's lies at all.
"Really, Your Majesty, besides, His Highness the Prince of Jin was the one who broke the corn, and His Highness the Prince of Jin was the one who ate the corn, but I didn't eat it," Lin Xuan said.
When Li Zhi heard Lin Xuan's words, he seemed to understand that he had done something wrong. He blinked and wanted to explain, but he didn't know how to explain.
What Lin Xuan said was the truth, and at a young age, he didn't know how to refute it.
"You said it has nothing to do with you? I'm still waiting for corn to be promoted throughout the Tang Dynasty. The corn was planted in your land and you didn't protect it. It was a mistake. I just saw that the corn seemed to be roasted by you. This was a second mistake. I
Didn't I accuse you unjustly?" Li Shimin said.
"Your Majesty, if the corn is not fully mature, it cannot be used as seeds even if it is not eaten. Isn't it a waste?" Lin Xuan retorted.
"Ha!" Li Shimin was happy.
A eunuch trotted up to Queen Changsun and whispered a few words. Queen Changsun listened and gave some instructions. The eunuch bowed and retreated.
"Your Majesty, Zichu is right. Since corn can no longer be used as seeds, wouldn't it be a waste not to eat it?" Queen Changsun said.
The emperor came to visit. For such a big event, Lin Dongyang and Zhang Qing must come to pay their respects.
The young eunuch just came to report this matter. Lin Dongyang and Zhang Qing had already arrived, but they were blocked from the yard by the guards.
If according to popular opinion, the two families are still in-laws, if Lin Xuan is really punished in front of them, Lin Dongyang and the others will definitely feel resentful in their hearts without saying anything.
Seriously, this matter was caused by Li Zhi, and Li Zhi came to visit Li Lizhi, which will definitely affect the relationship between Li Lizhi and Lin Xuan's parents.
In addition, Empress Changsun knew that Li Shimin wanted Lin Xuan to return to the army as soon as possible. If he was beaten, it would be delayed again.
"Yes, yes, the Queen is right." Lin Xuan nodded repeatedly.
At the same time, he cursed in his heart: "This corn seems to be mine, it makes me feel like a thief."
Of course, Lin Xuan did not dare to tell Li Shimin these things.
Just when Li Shimin was about to say something, Lin Dongyang and Zhang Qing came over under the leadership of the eunuch.
"Common people, common women meet Your Majesty, the Queen." Lin Dongyang and Zhang Qing nervously followed the etiquette taught by the Ministry of Rites before.
Although Lin Xuan was made a marquis, Lin Dongyang did not have an official position or title, and Zhang Qing did not have a royal title, so he could only be called a commoner.
Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "No courtesy."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The two thanked them, then straightened up and didn't know what to say.
If it were an ordinary minister, he would definitely say something nice, saying that the emperor can come and the emperor will be prosperous.
Under the status of ancient merchants, they would not be qualified to see a county magistrate, let alone the emperor, if they had no connections.
Lin Dongyang is a businessman after all. Although he is usually eloquent, the gap in status makes him dare not say more for fear of making a mistake.
Li Shimin pondered for a while and said: "Lin and Zhang have a good way of teaching their children, and they have been granted the title of Lord of Lantian County."
In the Tang Dynasty, women were divided into five levels, commonly known as imperial edicts.
All first-class civil and military ministers, the prince's wife or his mother have the opportunity to be titled "Mrs. of a certain country".
The family members of officials of the second and third grades have the opportunity to be granted the title of county wives, while those of the fourth grade can only be granted the title of county monarch, and those of the fifth grade can only be granted the title of county monarch.
Li Shimin named Zhang Qing the King of Lantian County, which also means he was named the fifth-grade imperial concubine.
Madam Gaoming is not hereditary like a title, nor does she have a fief. She seems to be of little use, but she has many privileges.
The first privilege is that all imperial wives have a "salary", which varies depending on their rank, but they have no real power.
Second, the royal wives in the capital, especially those of the first and second grades, have the opportunity to be invited by the queen to attend banquets. That is definitely a status symbol.
Third, Mrs. Gaoming does not need to salute when she sees Mrs. Gaoming or an official who is of lower rank than herself.
When the lower-ranking Madam Gaoming and officials see the higher-ranking Madam Gaoming, they must salute, even if they have no real power, they must salute. This is the rule.
Although the fifth-grade Lady Gaoming is the lowest among the ranks of Lady Gaoming, she is not low among officials.
Even the county magistrates of Chang'an and Wannian counties are only at the fifth rank. This is because they are in the capital. If they go to the local level, the county magistrates are only at the seventh rank.
Of course, this is Chang'an, and there are many second and third grades, let alone fifth grade ones.
Even so, many marquis mothers and wives do not receive such honors.
Zhang Qing was stunned after hearing this, and a thought kept flashing through his mind, I have been ordered to do so, I have been ordered to do so...
Lin Dongyang traveled all over the country and saw some things about the world. He came to his senses first, pulled Zhang Qing and whispered: "Why don't you thank me quickly?"
"A common woman thanks His Majesty for your grace." Zhang Qing said with some excitement.
Empress Changsun smiled and said: "I have been given a royal decree. From now on, I can no longer call my wife a commoner, but my concubine."
"I am rude, I hope your majesty will forgive you." Zhang Qing said in a panic.
Naturally, Li Shimin would not care about this with Zhang Qing. He gave Lin Xuan a few words of relief and said, "I said yesterday that you would go to the army in three days. This is already the second day. The military situation is urgent and there is no need to delay. Tomorrow you will
Just go to the army."
Originally, when Empress Changsun begged for mercy, Li Shimin thought of giving Lin Xuan a few days, but now Li Shimin felt that there was no need to give it.
Li Lizhi wanted to plead for Lin Xuan, but she knew that Li Shimin was angry. At this time, he could only listen to Queen Changsun's words, and he quickly looked at Queen Changsun for help.
Queen Changsun saw Li Lizhi's eyes, but acted as if she hadn't seen him and said nothing.
She also felt that Li Zhi's breaking of the corn had a lot to do with Lin Xuan. If Lin Xuan went to the army, naturally no one would harm the corn.
Seeing that Queen Changsun didn't help, Li Lizhi had no choice but to look at Li Chengqian.
Li Chengqian was afraid of Li Shimin, so he didn't dare to plead for mercy. In addition, Lin Xuan had made him unhappy before, so he would not help.
"I obey." Lin Xuan knew that there was no possibility of delay, so he bowed in a bachelor's manner and agreed.
"Your Majesty, you see, my mother has a royal decree, but my father is still white. I want to beg a baron for my father, and I beg your majesty to agree." Lin Xuan said.
"Oh, whether your father can be knighted depends on your performance this time. If you can make meritorious deeds, then you will be fine, let alone baron, or viscount."
Li Shimin was very happy with Lin Xuan.
There were many officials who wanted to ask for a title from him, but this was the first time someone asked him for a title.