Chapter 198 Want to Be a High-Ranking Official? First Go to Jail
"The matter concerning Chu Suiliang will still be handled by the Court of Judicial Review!"
"But the Prince of Hejian..."
Li Shimin glanced at Li Xiaogong: "There are many doubts about you, so it's not appropriate for you to be the presiding judge. Just assist from the side."
"promise."
Li Xiaogong accepted the order.
At this standoff, it would be good enough if we could offer assistance from the sidelines.
"Wei Shuyu".
Li Shimin then looked at Wei Shuyu.
"Your subject is present."
Wei Shuyu stepped forward and bowed.
"What is your opinion on Li Chongyi's vandalism of Wenyun Pavilion?" Li Shimin asked.
"Your Majesty, I believe that failing to address this issue will not appease the people."
Wei Shuyu bowed and replied, "But beheading him would hurt the feelings of the Prince of Hejian. It would be better to let him atone for his crime by performing meritorious service."
"oh?"
Li Shimin nodded, tacitly agreeing to the condition: "Then what good plan do you have?"
Wei Shuyu did not hesitate at all.
Because while Li Xiaogong was talking to Wei Zheng, he had already secretly discussed everything with Wu Qiqi.
"I believe that Li Chongyi is obstructing the policy of promoting commerce. It would be better to let him join the cause of promoting commerce!"
"This way, I can give the merchants an explanation."
The assembled officials all nodded in agreement.
This punishment is reasonable and justified.
Li Xiaogong couldn't find an excuse to refute it.
"What does the Prince of Hejian think?"
Li Shimin asked the same question as usual.
"I leave it to Your Majesty's decision," Li Xiaogong replied, bowing.
"In that case, Li Chongyi is hereby granted permission to join the Chongshang Group and to redeem himself through meritorious service."
Li Shimin solemnly announced.
"Where are the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Justice?" Li Shimin shouted again.
"Your subject is here!"
Gao Shilian and Li Daozong stepped forward together.
"The pro-business policy is beginning to show results."
"The Ministry of Personnel will establish the official system, and the Ministry of Justice will improve the legal system. Once established, the system will be submitted to the Secretariat for review!"
"I obey the decree!"
Gao Shilian and Li Daozong received the imperial decree.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
After the two responded, all the ministers bowed in response.
Logically, the matter should be over by now.
Just as Li Shimin was about to announce the end of the court session, Changsun Wuji suddenly jumped out...
"His Majesty!"
Changsun Wuji stepped forward and bowed solemnly to Li Shimin.
“Wei Shuyu attacked and threatened the Prince of Hejian in the imperial court, and also insulted officials.”
"I believe this boy is far too arrogant and should be severely punished!"
Holy crap.
As expected of that cunning old fox.
He held it in all day, not uttering a single word, turns out he was just circling around here.
Changsun Wuji has learned his lesson now...
Old Wei was impeccable in his dealings with others; he couldn't find any flaws in his character.
Young Wei was impetuous and hot-blooded.
If you catch it in the net, it will crawl in on its own.
And look, he caught me on several charges today.
The only pity is that Xiao Wei made such a small mistake.
It's alright though.
Something is better than nothing, and there's plenty of time in the future.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Changsun Wuji is right."
Just as Changsun Wuji was full of confidence, Wei Zheng suddenly stepped forward.
Um?
Wei Zheng?
Changsun Wuji was dumbfounded.
Li Shimin was dumbfounded.
Everyone was stunned.
"Dad, are you running a fever?"
Wei Shuyu's eyes widened as well.
"Stop nagging."
Wei Zheng flicked his sleeve and said, "If you want to be a high-ranking official, you must first go to jail. When you come out, you'll be a hero again."
"Where did you hear that nonsense?"
Wei Shuyu's lips twitched.
"It was something I demonstrated through my own actions and practice."
Holy crap.
Your answer left me speechless.
Think about it carefully.
That actually makes a lot of sense.
Censors often offend the emperor, but their promotions are rapid and risky.
Eating prison food is as common as eating home-cooked meals.
"Xuancheng, are you serious?"
Li Shimin couldn't help but offer a reminder.
Don't wait until I convict your son, then you'll find an excuse to criticize me again.
"Your Majesty, a mistake is a mistake."
Wei Zheng said righteously and sternly, "The emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people, let alone Shuyu, who is merely a supervising censor."
Um……
Li Shimin stared at Wei Zheng for a while and quickly understood Wei Zheng's intention.
First, Wei Shuyu is a handsome man who attracts a lot of attention. At a young age, he can already influence the court and leave the ministers speechless with his sharp remarks.
Over time, this could very likely cause the court officials to hold a grudge.
Changsun Wuji was one of them.
Second, Wei Shuyu is indeed arrogant and needs to be properly disciplined.
If we don't teach them a lesson, it will be easy for others to find fault with them later.
This time, Changsun Wuji found a handle against them.
Third, Chu Suiliang will arrive in Chang'an soon, at which time an investigation will be needed.
They can be detained together to collect evidence.
Well……
Why do you think Li Shimin understood Wei Zheng so well?
What if you get criticized if you don't thoroughly study Wei Zheng?
We need to prepare defensive fortifications in advance!
"If that's the case..."
Li Shimin declared, "Wei Shuyu has committed insubordination and disrespect for the court; he shall be imprisoned."
"Your Majesty, is this punishment too lenient?"
Changsun Wuji jumped out again.
They didn't even spank me.
They won't say how long they'll be locked up.
Who are you trying to fool?
"Changsun Wuji, are you questioning His Majesty?" Wei Zheng retorted sharply.
I can accept going to jail, but I cannot tolerate anyone daring to hit my son.
"That's not what I meant."
Changsun Wuji hurriedly bowed to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, I just feel..."
Before he could finish speaking, Wei Zheng interrupted him again.
"How to punish him is His Majesty's business, but isn't throwing him into prison serious enough?"
"His Majesty has already issued the decree. Do you intend to make the decision for His Majesty?"
"..."
Changsun Wuji lost his temper: "Wei Zheng, I just feel that His Majesty has not finished speaking."
"Disrespect for the imperial court is punishable by caning!"
"Even if he's thrown into jail, he should still be given thirty strokes of the cane first!"
Changsun Wuji stared intently at Wei Zheng, waiting for his rebuttal.
But just then, a familiar voice rang in my ears...
"His Majesty has already spoken, what are you still babbling about?"
Li Xiaogong stepped forward, pointed at Changsun Wuji, and cursed, "His Majesty has his own reasons for doing what he does, so why do you need to talk nonsense?"
What's going on?
Didn't you have a falling out with Lao Wei?
How did I end up on his side?
"Prince of Hejian, are you speaking up for Wei Zheng?" Changsun Wuji asked.
An old cunning person is an old cunning person.
On the surface, it's an inquiry.
In reality, he was subtly criticizing Li Xiaogong for colluding with Wei Zheng, thus arousing Li Shimin's suspicion.
“My son is the head of Chongshang!” Li Xiaogong’s eyes widened.
Well……
Changsun Wuji suddenly realized.
Currently, there are only two people carrying out the pro-business matters: Wei Shuyu and Li Chongyi.
After Wei Shuyu went to prison, wasn't Li Chongyi the only person in charge?
The foundation for Hu County has been laid.
This is such an easy achievement!
"Alright."
Li Shimin interrupted the two of them domineeringly: "This matter is settled."
"Do any of you ministers have anything else to report?"
"If not... Court is adjourned!"
After a few breaths, no ministers stepped forward, and the court assembly finally ended.
Li Yuan, being of the highest rank, left first with Wu Qiqi and the two others.
"Qiqi, what exactly did you tell our nephew?"
As soon as they were out of sight of the crowd, Li Yuan couldn't wait to ask a question.
We need to get to the bottom of this.
He felt like he was being tickled, it was incredibly uncomfortable.
"It's nothing."
Wu Qiqi took out a lollipop, but then remembered that Wei Shuyu said she could only eat one a day, so she put it back.
"Qiqi, tell me quickly."
"Exactly, I can't sleep at night until I figure this out."
The two goods kept urging them on.
"All right."
Wu Qiqi hesitated for a moment before replying, "I told you you can't tell anyone."
The two nodded repeatedly.
Li Yuan nodded earnestly.
Who doesn't love to hear gossip and secrets?
"You know why the Prince of Hejian stays away from the court, right?" Wu Qiqi said.
Both of them shook their heads in unison: "We don't know."
"roll."
Li Yuan simply kicked the two of them aside.
What's the reason?
It's not that his achievements are too great and threaten the emperor's position.
And it's also because of me!
“The Prince of Hejian was far from the center of power, and his son did not enter officialdom either.”
"Even with the title of Duke, it's very difficult to get by without power..."
After Wu Qiqi's explanation, Li Yuan understood.
A noble title can only guarantee a comfortable life.
Without power, you can't protect all of this!
Just look at Li Yuan's sons; they were all princes, no matter how many they were.
But did Li Shimin ever treat them well?
With power and titles, future generations can live better lives.
Wu Qiqi persuaded Li Xiaogong by saying that Wei Zheng would help Li Chongyi get an official position.
In reality, Li Chongyi became involved in the promotion of commerce.
No matter what happened...
Li Chongyi did indeed become an official!
Although the official position is yet to be determined, if the pro-commerce policy succeeds, it will be an enormous achievement!
They might even create a new department outside of the six ministries... the Ministry of Commerce!
This is also the most important reason why Li Xiaogong would step forward to confront Changsun Wuji!
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