strictlysupreme Chapter 1703: No Success
Chapter 1703: No Success
It can be seen that Li Shimin was very angry.
Changsun Wuji had followed Li Shimin for so many years, so he naturally knew how to read people's expressions.
I didn't expect that Your Majesty actually trusts Prince Ji so much.
Facing His Majesty's questioning, Changsun Wuji hurriedly bowed and explained:
"Your Majesty, I really don't know. I rarely participate in the family business. Now I have handed it all over to Li Zhi to manage. The same is true for Xizhou's business.
Ever since Huan'er made a mistake and returned to Luoyang, the affairs of Xizhou cotton were also handed over to Lizhi.
I am fully focused on state affairs and assisting the Crown Prince. Due to my advanced age, I have no interest in doing anything else.
So I know nothing about this. If Your Majesty doesn't believe it, you can go ask Li Zhi."
"This old thief!" After hearing what Zhangsun Wuji said, Li Shimin couldn't help but curse in his heart.
This old thief was indeed well prepared. Li Shimin did not expect that Zhangsun Wuji would do this and hand over the property to his daughter.
His daughter Li Lizhi is very sensible and well-behaved, and she does things in a gentle and elegant manner.
I would never do something like knowing about Xizhou and deliberately concealing it.
This old thief actually wants me to confront my daughter. He has ulterior motives.
But Li Shimin didn't believe that Changsun Wuji didn't know about the affairs of Xizhou.
Even if Wang Wencheng bribed the officials of Xizhou, or intimidated them by using Li Shen's name.
But the Ji Wang Mansion is not the only one that grows cotton in Xizhou.
All the major aristocratic families and some nobles followed the trend and started growing cotton. How could they not have heard of it?
"Your Majesty, I dare to say something." Just as Li Shimin was thinking, Changsun Wuji spoke.
"Go ahead."
“Your Majesty, I know that Your Majesty favors Prince Ji, and Prince Ji is also of great significance to the Tang Dynasty.
But this does not mean that Prince Ji can disregard the law and act recklessly.
If one could achieve this with just some achievements, then there would be so many meritorious officials in the Tang Dynasty. If it were all like this, wouldn't the world be in chaos?
Our Tang Dynasty has always governed the country according to law and with benevolence and filial piety.
It is said that a prince who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as a commoner.
If His Royal Highness Prince Ji has really committed such a serious crime, I believe he should be dealt with according to the law.
This will not only demonstrate your Majesty's fairness, but also serve as a warning to the world.
Give justice to the people of Xizhou and make Xizhou more stable."
Changsun Wuji's words seemed to come from the bottom of his heart, and they were well-reasoned and made it impossible to refute them.
"Duke Zhao, aren't you afraid of the turmoil in the Tang Dynasty and the suffering of the people?"
Li Shimin looked at Changsun Wuji and asked seriously, but he did not refute Changsun Wuji's words.
“Your Majesty, we are just merchants. We have never been able to become powerful since ancient times. We are not a concern for the power of the imperial court.
As long as it is guided properly, there won't be any big problems.
King Ji has always adopted high-pressure methods and oppressed merchants. I think this is very disadvantageous.
Merchants are also ordinary people and should be guided and guided with kindness.
I believe that it is better to open up than to block, and educating all people should include merchants.
King Ji's long-term use of overbearing means to suppress merchants will have the opposite effect.
The best example is that merchants have begun to spontaneously rebel against King Ji.”
Changsun Wuji spoke eloquently, and the art of governing a country was nothing to him.
But after he finished speaking, he didn't know that Li Shimin was sneering in his heart. Not to mention that he had discussed it with Li Shen, even if he hadn't discussed it,
He also knew why merchants were placed in a low position in the past and why some dynasties even banned business.
As the prime minister, Changsun Wuji actually spoke against his conscience in front of him. It seemed that he didn't want to let Li Shen go.
"Okay, Duke Zhao is right. The foundation of our Tang Dynasty cannot be destroyed because of a few merchants.
Then let’s do as Duke Zhao wishes.”
Li Shimin waved coldly at Changsun Wuji.
Changsun Wuji bowed and left:
"My minister retire."
When Changsun Wuji walked to the entrance of the hall, he heard Li Shimin say:
"Duke Zhao, treason is a serious crime, and collusion with the enemy and treason is also a serious crime.
Prince Ji is my son, and I love him dearly, just as you love Changsun Huan.
I hope you understand. ”
After hearing this, Changsun Wuji paused, then turned around and bowed deeply:
"I can understand your majesty's heart. I understand."
After speaking, he turned and left.
Looking at Changsun Wuji's departing back, Li Shimin felt filled with emotion.
He once said that he and Changsun Wuji were just friends of common people.
When I was still a playboy, I played with Changsun Wuji, and they had a close relationship.
But now, he is not on the same page with me.
Because the Queen trusted the Changsun family very much and entrusted them with important tasks, they should have stood on her side.
"Duke of Zhao... this was my original title." Li Shimin looked at the door with deep eyes.
In his past, Li Shimin served as the Duke of Zhao. The Duke of Zhao had been a first-class duke since ancient times, and he specially conferred the title on his eldest grandson Wuji.
"Wang De!" Li Shimin suddenly looked up and shouted.
"I'm here." Wang De quickly agreed.
"Draft an imperial edict. The Duke of Pi County, Changsun Wuyi, will be dismissed from his post as General Yunhui and appointed General You Wuhouwei. Submit this to the Secretariat for drafting and pass it through the three provinces."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When Wang De heard the decree issued by Li Shimin, he knew that this was the first blow taken by His Majesty against the Changsun family.
~~This is the dividing line~~~~
at dusk.
Changsun Wuji left the court in a carriage. After leaving Li Shimin, he followed Ma Zhou to the Ministry of Justice.
I have been studying the information collected from the investigation.
There are a lot of testimonies that need to be verified, including those from people from different tribes and some local merchants.
There are also confessions from local officials.
He did not return to the Secretariat that day.
"Alang is back." The old butler was waiting at the door.
"Well. Is there anything happening at home today?" Changsun Wuji asked as he got off the carriage and walked inside.
"It's nothing, but Mr. Wu is here."
"Fifth Young Master?" Chang Sun Wuji was stunned, but then he asked, "You said that Fifth Brother is here?"
The old butler nodded. "Yes."
Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji walked inside quickly.
When I arrived at the front hall, I saw a man standing there waiting anxiously. He was in his forties, dressed in fine clothes, with red lips and white teeth. He looked like a pampered person.
Seeing this person, Changsun Wuji immediately greeted him warmly.
"Xuan Tong, why are you here? Aren't you on duty today?"
This man's name was Changsun Wuyi, with the courtesy name Xuantong. He was Changsun Wuji's half-brother and the fifth child.
"Fourth brother, I have been dismissed from my position, so why should I be on duty?" Changsun Wuyi said with a bitter face.
"What did you say? You were fired?"
Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji's face changed and he had a bad feeling in his heart.
"Yes, I just received the imperial edict, your Majesty has removed me from my post and appointed me as the General of the Right Wuhou Guard.
I will take office tomorrow.
After I received the imperial edict, I immediately rushed over to ask Fourth Brother, what does His Majesty mean?"
Changsun Wuyi still hasn't figured out what he did wrong.
After hearing what Changsun Wuyi said, Changsun Wuji sighed after a moment:
"Alas, Your Majesty is showing that you are beginning to distrust our Changsun family."
(Evolution of Jinwu Guard: Left and Right Wuhou Mansion → Left and Right Houwei Mansion → Left and Right Wuhou Guard → Left and Right Jinwu Guard)