Chapter 179 Wei Duidui is online and ready to serve.

study.

After having the butler pour some tea, the group hid in the study to begin their discussion.

"What exactly happened?"

Wei Zheng knelt on the head seat, his expression extremely solemn.

Li Daliang and Chu Suiliang were both rare talents.

Li Daliang is dead.

But Chu Suiliang is still alive.

If Chu Suiliang was truly framed, Wei Zheng would definitely try to protect him.

"Deng Shan is still on his way back to Chang'an, and we don't know the specifics..."

"Let me start by telling you everything we already know."

Ouyang Xun carefully considered his words before saying, "The fact that salt prices in Liangzhou and Jiangnan are both experiencing problems at the same time is indeed somewhat related..."

"And it's related to Li Daliang!"

"As everyone knows, Li Daliang has four sworn brothers..."

"Chi Mengbiao, Wu Xiaokuan, Zhu Shuyu, Fan Chengye!"

"Wu Xiaokuan, Fan Chengye, and Zhu Shuyu were all from Jiangnan." (The first two were from Jiangsu, and the latter was from Jiaxing, Zhejiang.)

"Chi Mengbiao was from Chenliu (Henan)."

"And the main base of the Zheng family of Xingyang is in Kaifeng..."

"Does Xuancheng think there might be some connection between these two things?"

Wei Zheng nodded upon hearing this.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "This proves that my son's analysis was correct!"

Damn it.

We're here to talk business.

What nonsense are you spouting about your son?!

"right."

Ouyang Xun nodded.

One breath, two breaths...

After a few breaths, seeing that Ouyang Xun remained silent, Wei Zheng couldn't help but ask a question.

"Finished?"

"It's over."

Ouyang Xun nodded.

"..."

So I dismissed the servants and closed the door to make tea. Why?

"Right now we only know that Deng Shan killed Li Daliang. We will have to wait until Deng Shan is escorted to the capital to find out the rest."

Yu Shinan sighed.

Based on the current intelligence, rescuing Chu Suiliang is extremely difficult.

"Father, is this really not urgent?"

After reviewing the Tang Code, Wei Shuyu held it in his hand and shook it: "It's only summer now. Not to mention the need for multiple reviews and petitions, even executions would have to be carried out in the autumn. There are still several months to go."

Um?

Wei Zheng had not yet reacted to these words.

Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan were stunned.

The Tang Code stipulated that no executions could be carried out from the beginning of spring to the autumnal equinox. Even in winter, executions could not be carried out on major sacrificial ceremonies, the first and last days of the lunar month, the waxing and waning of the moon, the twenty-four solar terms, days when rain had not yet stopped, nights before dawn, days when slaughter was suspended, as well as statutory holidays such as the emperor's birthday and the Lantern Festival.

No wonder the two of them were in such a hurry.

They often gave Chu Suiliang pointers on calligraphy; they were friends in name only, but in reality, they were teacher and student.

"In that case, let's wait until Dengshan returns before discussing anything else."

Wei Zheng spoke up.

Without sufficient information, no matter how eloquent he is, it's useless.

"You two elders need not worry. If Deng Shan has truly been framed, Xuan Cheng will certainly do his utmost to help him."

"I'll go sound out His Majesty later and see what he has to say."

As Wei Zheng finished speaking, the two men stood up and bowed to him, saying, "Then we'll have to trouble Xuan Cheng."

"It's all for the Tang Dynasty."

Wei Zheng quickly stood up to return the greeting.

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace!

Li Shimin sat at his desk, his face extremely gloomy.

Before him, numerous officials from the Li clan of Longxi were pleading for Chu Suiliang's execution.

"Chu Suiliang has indiscriminately killed meritorious officials; Your Majesty, I beg you to execute him!"

"Chu Suiliang, relying on His Majesty's secret order, has indiscriminately killed innocent people. We implore Your Majesty to execute him!"

"Chu Suiliang embezzled public funds; I humbly request Your Majesty to execute him..."

The officials launched a series of attacks.

Many members of the royal family also stepped forward.

Execution after autumn was a law of the Tang Dynasty.

But if Li Shimin issues an order for someone to die.

Then this person will definitely not see the sun tomorrow!

"Your Majesty, regardless of Chu Suiliang's reasons, the fact that an eighth-rank official could execute a third-rank official is an act of treason. We implore Your Majesty to convict and execute him!"

Fang Xuanling took a step forward.

His face showed anger, but even more so, sorrow.

If Li Daliang were still alive, he would definitely be a pillar of the Tang Dynasty!

"Do you all think so?"

Li Shimin surveyed his ministers with a stern expression, his face cold and his words carrying a hint of anger.

"Your Majesty, I also believe that Chu Suiliang deserves to die!"

Cheng Yaojin also took a step forward, his face full of resentment.

Li Daliang was a military officer, but more importantly, he was a comrade-in-arms.

And what about Chu Suiliang?

It's just a small karami now.

"I second that proposal."

"I second that proposal."

Seeing that all his ministers agreed, Li Shimin finally gave in as well.

"In that case, after Chu Suiliang is escorted to the capital, the Dali Temple will investigate the case."

"Once verified, he will be executed without mercy!"

Li Shimin's tone was filled with murderous intent.

He was traded an eighth-rank censor for a minister who was skilled in both civil and military affairs.

Anyone would feel bad in that situation!

"Your Majesty is wise!"

All the ministers bowed in unison.

After chatting about matters for a while, the officials took their leave.

Li Shimin sighed.

Then he continued to handle state affairs.

I don't know when, but suddenly someone came in to report...

"Your Majesty, Attendant-in-Ordinary Wei requests an audience."

"Announce."

Li Shimin replied without even looking up.

I haven't seen Lao Wei in a long time, and I don't know why I miss him a little.

"Your subject Wei Zheng greets Your Majesty."

Li Shimin put down the memorial and looked at Wei Zheng with a smile: "Xuancheng, have you recovered?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am now fine."

Wei Zheng bowed in response.

"It's almost time to finish my shift, Xuan Cheng, did you come all this way just to freeload a meal at the palace?"

Li Shimin rarely cracked a joke.

"Your Majesty, I have come here regarding the matter of Chu Suiliang."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's face immediately darkened.

"Xuancheng, Chu Suiliang was recommended by you," Li Shimin solemnly reminded him.

He originally didn't want to bring this up.

Because Chu Suiliang was recommended by Wei Zheng, it damaged the relationship between the two, who were ruler and subject.

But Wei Zheng brought it up himself.

It seems we still have to plead for Chu Suiliang, which means we've crossed the line!

"Your Majesty, I heard on my way here that you have already handed over Chu Suiliang's case to the Court of Judicial Review for trial?"

Wei Zheng straightened up, his voice suddenly becoming firm.

Li Shimin was stunned.

This setup, this sound...

Why do I have this familiar yet ominous feeling?

"What? Is there a problem?"

Suppressing the awkwardness in his heart, Li Shimin asked in a dignified tone.

"There is naturally no problem with handing it over to the Dali Temple for trial."

Wei Zheng nodded: "However, I have heard that once the facts are verified, the offender will be executed without pardon. Why is that?"

Li Shimin's hand trembled involuntarily.

It's over.

Old Wei caught me red-handed again.

Wei Zheng was still talking non-stop...

"His Majesty personally approved the three revisions and five memorials, and now you are leading the charge to overturn them..."

Where is the Tang Code?

"As the current emperor, Your Majesty should set an example for the people of the world."

"Inconsistent words and deeds may displease officials and cause the people of the world to question our actions!"

"I believe..."

Li Shimin's expression changed repeatedly, and soon he couldn't listen anymore, so he immediately interrupted...

"Wei Zheng, I merely wish to execute a prisoner. Is it as serious as you make it out to be?"