Throughout history, the power of the crown prince has never been underestimated.

Because compared to siding with other princes and grandsons, siding with the crown prince always carries the least risk.

Therefore, as long as there is a crown prince in the court, many people will naturally flock to him to pledge their allegiance.

Even if the crown prince did not know them or could not even recall their names, it could not stop these people from being loyal to him.

Those who stepped forward at this moment were all spontaneously supporting the Crown Prince.

They had no connection with Changsun Wuji, and some of them were even his political enemies.

Li Shimin didn't care whose people they were; at this moment, he only considered these people to be the Crown Prince's men.

Now that the Crown Prince has grown powerful, we need to find a way to prune him to avoid hurting ourselves.

Li Shimin is in good health now and wants to be emperor for another 10 or 20 years. How can he tolerate anyone who challenges the dignity of the emperor?

Although Li Shimin had decided to get rid of these people, now was definitely not the right time. He could only write down their names for the time being and deal with them slowly later!

"good!"

"very good!"

"You are all my good subjects!"

"Since none of you agree to severely punish Changsun Dan, then I will show leniency and exile him three thousand li away!"

"ah?"

When Li Shimin said this, everyone was stunned again.

What's going on?

Judging from His Majesty's tone just now, I thought he would let Changsun Dan off the hook.

Why did the conversation suddenly change and become three thousand miles?

"Your Majesty, perhaps we should exile them to Zhaoling instead..."

Zhaoling is only a little over a hundred li from Chang'an, making it a very close place for exile. Given Changsun Wuji's extensive network of goodwill over the years, it's unlikely that Changsun Dan will actually be forced into hard labor when he is exiled to Zhaoling.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin gave a cold laugh, then nodded, which was taken as agreeing to the ministers' request.

While Li Shimin was fighting with his ministers, Li Tai remained a cold observer.

He was increasingly grateful that he had escaped the struggle for the crown prince position; otherwise, he would be the one going head-to-head with his father right now.

I don't have Li Jue's strong mental fortitude; sooner or later, I'll be driven crazy by my own perverted father.

Seeing that Li Shimin had suddenly become idle, Li Tai couldn't help but touch the memorial in his sleeve, secretly wondering whether he should provoke this matter.

However, before he could even speak, Li Shimin preemptively announced the adjournment of the court.

"Court adjourned!"

"Whatever it is, let's talk about it tomorrow. I'm not in the mood to deal with you today!"

"this?"

Li Shimin's sudden action left many ministers somewhat unprepared. Only Li Tai secretly rejoiced, thinking that he had just backed down, otherwise he would have become his father's punching bag.

After Li Shimin forcefully announced the end of the court session, the officials and civil servants dispersed in twos and threes, and Li Tai happily returned to the Secretariat, beginning a busy and fulfilling life.

Li Tai found himself enjoying visiting provincial offices, especially when he was refuting imperial edicts from the Secretariat, which gave him a particularly satisfying feeling.

Therefore, the first thing he did upon arriving at the Secretariat was to inquire whether there were any new imperial edicts.

"Any new imperial decree today?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, there are two portions..."

"Give it to me!"

"promise!"

Li Tai unfolded the imperial edict and looked at it. The first one was about conscripting laborers to come to the capital to repair the city walls.

Li Tai rejected it without even thinking, and then casually wrote down his proposed solution.

The second imperial edict was about rewarding the meritorious officials who had participated in the eastern expedition. Li Tai frowned slightly, feeling a little displeased at the thought that his eldest nephew had also gone to Liaodong.

Why should his nephew, who has made such great contributions, be banished to the imperial mausoleum by his father?

That's not fair!

Since you won't let my nephew have an easy time, then none of you will have an easy time either!

Thinking of this, Li Tai immediately picked up his brush and wrote a poem, rejecting the second imperial edict as well...

Li Tai's proposed solution quickly reached the Secretariat, where officials were already used to it.

Although the Secretariat had the right to reject imperial edicts, it seemed that no one dared to actually do so except for Wei Zheng, that stubborn fellow.

But no one expected that after Wei Zheng died, Li Tai, who feared neither heaven nor earth, came along!

The Secretariat was experienced in handling such matters, so it immediately presented the imperial edict, which had been rejected by the Chancellery, to the Crown Prince and asked him to find a solution.

When Li Zhi saw the two imperial edicts that had been returned, he was immediately distraught.

Fourth Brother is bullying us too much! Does he even want people to live their lives?!

Although Li Zhi was so angry he wanted to curse, he had long cultivated an image of gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, and humility, and with so many people in front of him, he couldn't very well break that image. Therefore, he could only suppress his anger and ask the question in a nonchalant manner.

"What's the reason this time?"

"Your Highness, the first reason for the rejection is that laborers have already been conscripted this year, and the court cannot break its promise and abuse the people's labor."

"this……"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi asked somewhat agitatedly.

Have any people been drafted this year?

Upon hearing this, the officials of the Secretariat hurriedly nodded.

"They were indeed conscripted..."

"When the army was on its eastern expedition, the imperial court conscripted laborers from the capital region to transport grain and fodder."

"this……"

When Li Zhi heard his subordinates say this, he immediately knew that he was in the wrong and had no choice but to grit his teeth and admit it.

"All right!"

"This matter is my fault, and I will tear up this imperial edict now."

"There's another document about rewards, isn't there? Why did the King of Wei reject even that one?"

"Your Highness, please see for yourself..."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi could only pick up the imperial edict on the table and glance at it. After reading it, he fell silent again.

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