Chapter 283 Guanzhong vs. Wagang

The next day.

The imperial court!

Civil and military officials stood on both sides, embracing their ceremonial tablets.

His gaze would occasionally sweep towards Wei Zheng in front of him.

Wei Zheng, however, ignored them all and remained as quiet as if he were attending court as usual.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Upon Li Shimin's arrival, everyone bowed in greeting.

"No need for formalities!"

Only after Li Shimin replied did he sit on the dragon throne.

His gaze immediately fell upon Wei Zheng...

"Do any of my beloved ministers have anything to report?"

Li Shimin asked the questions as usual.

"His Majesty."

As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, Changsun Wuji immediately stepped forward and bowed: "Recently, there have been rumors that Sirius has descended to earth, causing panic and resentment among the people. I implore Your Majesty to destroy Sirius!"

"Is this really true?"

Li Shimin feigned surprise and replied.

Events in the imperial court were recorded in history books.

Therefore, Li Shimin needed his ministers to speak for him and say what he was not comfortable saying himself.

Previously, this person was Wei Zheng.

This time, however, Wei Zheng was the one being targeted!

"Who is this person?"

Li Shimin glanced at Wei Zheng almost imperceptibly.

Kill Wei Zheng.

He couldn't bring himself to do it.

But Wei Shuyu must die!

"Your Majesty, there are rumors that this person is Wei Zheng's son, Wei Shuyu," Changsun Wuji replied with a bow.

However, regarding this...

Wei Zheng's eyelids remained droopy, and he showed no reaction.

"Does Minister Wei have anything to say?"

Li Shimin turned his gaze to Wei Zheng.

"His Majesty."

Wei Zheng bowed and replied, "I believe this is just a rumor and nothing to be afraid of."

"Wei Zheng!"

Changsun Wuji shouted angrily, "Now the whole of Chang'an is saying that your son is the reincarnation of a demon star. Are you still going to deny it?"

You believe everything they say?

Wei Zheng looked at Changsun Wuji and sneered, "I thought you were the reincarnation of the Celestial Hound, why don't you bark a couple of times and let me hear it?"

Changsun Wuji was furious.

In terms of verbal sparring, he admitted that he was no match for Wei Zheng!

He immediately gave a wink to the side.

"Your Majesty, I believe that rumors may not be entirely unfounded, and we should proceed with caution in this matter."

Um?

Everyone was shocked...

No one expected that it would be Li Jing who stepped forward!

The officials' eyes flickered.

Why was Changsun Wuji honored as the head of all officials?

It was his achievement?

Or was he Li Shimin's brother-in-law?

No……

The most important reason that truly made him the head of all officials was his other identity...

Guanlong Group!

Guanlong Group can be described as the strongest group in history!

Was the Sui Dynasty destroyed because of the aristocratic clans?

No!

Aside from Emperor Yang of Sui's own self-destructive actions, a large part of the reason was that he offended the Guanlong Group!

The gentry are just gentry!

The Guanlong Group, on the other hand, was referred to as an aristocracy!

In its early days, it was led by eight pillars of state and twelve generals, each of whom held military and political power!

Characteristics of Guanlong Group...

When in office, one becomes a prime minister; when out of office, one becomes a general. There is no distinction between civil and military positions.

The emperors of the Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, and Tang dynasties all came from this group.

In all four dynasties, the Guanlong Group was undoubtedly behind the scenes manipulating events.

However, the Guanlong Group gradually declined during years of fighting.

Li Shimin was also a strong-willed emperor who was unwilling to be manipulated by others.

They continuously promoted children from humble backgrounds and members of the aristocratic families.

As the power of the Guanlong aristocracy declined, the power of the gentry rose, and they gradually unified and were called the gentry!

But a nobleman is a nobleman!

Some things cannot be erased by outsiders.

Li Jing also belonged to the Guanlong Group!

“Xuancheng”.

Li Jing looked at Wei Zheng with a resolute face: "You often say that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."

"Now that the people are spreading rumors about your son, how do you plan to quell their anger?"

Li Jing was the foremost military general.

Following his pronouncement, many military generals began to attack and annihilate Wei Zheng...

"Your Majesty, Wei Zheng harbors malicious intentions. I humbly request that he be imprisoned!"

"A demonic star has descended upon the world, bringing calamity to humanity; it is an act that Heaven and Earth cannot tolerate!"

"Your Majesty, for the sake of the Tang Dynasty, it is better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free..."

Wei Zheng stood calmly.

There was no reply...

Just when everyone thought Wei Zheng was speechless, a figure stepped forward...

"Your Majesty!"

"I believe that Shuyu is just a child and cannot be called a prodigy."

"On the contrary, he has made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty at a young age, and is a rare talent!"

Um?

There are actually people speaking up for Wei Zheng?

The courtiers looked in the direction of the sound...

Among the ranks of military officers, a middle-aged official was still bowing.

That's interesting.

The aristocratic families, who had originally planned to take a beating at Wei Zheng, exchanged glances and temporarily abandoned their ideas.

Li Shiji (courtesy name Maogong)

The people of Wagang!

If we're talking about the entire Wagang Village, who's the most loyal and righteous?

Li Shiji!

When Shan Xiongxin was beheaded, Li Shiji cut off a piece of his own flesh as a parting gift!

The only general entrusted with the care of the young emperor by Li Shimin when he passed away!

but……

In his early years, Li Shiji fought in the south and north, either under the command of Li Shimin or Li Jing.

He's not qualified to challenge Li Jing.

"Maogong, step back! This is none of your business!"

"Li Shiji, the Marshal has treated you well. Do you want to become a traitor?"

"With the Marshal in front of you, do you dare to contradict him?"

As soon as Li Shiji finished speaking, it immediately provoked a backlash from many military officers.

Li Jing remained silent.

Just look at him.

"This is the imperial court!"

Li Shiji's expression remained unchanged, but he retorted sharply, "This is not a place for you to form cliques."

The expressions of the military officers changed drastically.

They glanced at Li Shimin and immediately shut their mouths.

Li Shimin's biggest fear was that Li Jing's achievements would overshadow his own.

Such unity among the military generals crossed Li Shimin's bottom line.

"Maogong, the descent of a demonic star has a profound impact, which is beyond your control!" Li Jing said indifferently.

What is a demon star?

Li Shiji retorted without hesitation, "What did Shuyu do?"

"Shuyu may not have done anything, but the Tang Dynasty needs his death to maintain stability!"

Li Jing's voice was cold.

He was not only a marshal, but also a military genius.

He has a sharp eye and gets straight to the point.

Always consider issues from the perspective of the big picture!

The matter of Sirius...

The simplest solution is to kill Wei Shuyu.

Why go through all that trouble and empty formalities when a mere child can bring peace to the Tang Dynasty?

"Marshal, I deeply respect your character..."

Li Shiji's expression gradually turned serious: "But Shuyu is Xuancheng's son!"

"how?"

Li Jing's gaze remained indifferent, and his emotionless voice rang out: "Isn't it only right for a subject to die in order to maintain the stability of the court?"

That's amazing.

Li Jing is usually quiet.

Such sharp words right from the start!

If the answer is to die, then Wei Shuyu is certain to die!

If you answer that you shouldn't die, then you have ulterior motives, are dishonest, and are disloyal to the court!

Li Shiji was instantly suppressed.

His mouth moved a few times, but he didn't know how to answer...

"What a Li Jing! He's even bullying children in the imperial court!"

Just then, a rough voice rang out in the court.

The officials looked behind them and saw a man with a sallow complexion, wearing a brand-new official robe, enter the Taiji Hall!