"If you have a document, please submit it. If you don't, please leave the court."

Okay, familiar opening remarks. It would be awkward if I didn’t have the book when I was asked to come here today.

Before Li Xiuzhu opened his mouth, Sun Jingyang, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, during the autumn hunt a few days ago, there was a riot. Fortunately, the Champion Marquis Li Xiuzhu suppressed the rebellion. Your servant Sun Jingyang requests that the Champion Marquis be awarded the title of Duke."

At this time, Song Lian on the side hurriedly stood up.

"I object. The title of Duke is the highest achievement for officials in all dynasties. If the Champion Marquis is given the title of Duke today, won't there be no more rewards for him in the future?"

"You know, Champion Hou is only eighteen years old this year."

At this time another minister came out.

"I disagree with what Lord Song said. If meritorious service is determined by age, who among the young people would be willing to serve the court?"

As soon as he finished speaking, another person came forward.

"I support Lord Song for two reasons. First, I think this achievement is not enough for the Duke. Second, young people should be tempered and calm."

“…”

“…”

As the adults spoke one after another, Li Xiuzhu, the person involved, remained calm. He couldn't help but laugh at the noisy "stage" that was like a vegetable market.

Especially when looking at Li Kuo pretending to be serious, it was even funnier.

Really, why not just end this farce quickly? Who are you performing for? We are all smart people, okay?

As if he had heard Li Xiuzhu's thoughts, Li Kuo finally decided to speak.

He first gestured to Wang Defa, and Wang Defa instantly understood what Li Kuo meant.

"quiet!"

Not to mention, this voice was quite high, and contained a little bit of internal strength. Although not much, it was enough for all the civil and military officials in the court to hear it.

Seeing that the room had quieted down, Li Kuo spoke up, "Since no one can come up with anything to discuss, why not ask our Prince Consort?"

Then he looked at Li Xiuzhu and continued, "Prince Consort, what kind of reward do you want?"

In Li Kuo's opinion, any smart person would retreat in order to advance and let himself take care of the rewards. Then he could go with the flow, give some rewards, and paint a big picture for Li Xiuzhu to gain more experience.

But he didn't expect that Li Xiuzhu would actually dare to ask for a reward, and the reward he asked for was so special.

"Can I ask this myself? Although what I want has nothing to do with the official position, it is difficult for me to ask for it."

Li Kuo didn't expect Li Xiuzhu to dare to ask for it, but when he heard that it had nothing to do with the official position, he immediately guessed that Li Xiuzhu was planning to retire while the world was at its best.

This was in line with his own interests, and Li Kuo smiled immediately.

Yes, he is not greedy for military power or authority, and he knows when to advance and when to retreat.

Thinking again about Li Xiuzhu's lust for women, he seemed to guess what Li Xiuzhu wanted, which was nothing more than women and money.

Does he need these things now? Li Kuo, who is rich and powerful and has the right to recruit beauties from all over the world, spoke up.

"You may ask for it, Prince Consort. I may not be able to grant you the official position directly, but I will grant you everything else."

Li Xiuzhu smiled when he heard this and said, you are the one who dug yourself into a hole.

Li Xiuzhu was not polite and said directly: "It is like this. I used to be familiar with the young lady of Su Taifu's family. Everyone knows this."

After Li Xiuzhu started talking, the smart officials among the officials guessed it, even Li Kuo guessed it, and they all looked strange for a moment.

Li Kuo even frowned.

Is this bastard trying to exonerate the Su family? Do you know what that crime is? How dare he do that?

At this moment, even Fu Wenhan frowned. He didn't expect Li Xiuzhu to be so brave.

If you want to quit while you're ahead, this is not the way to do it.

"Later, by chance, Miss Su and I got engaged for life."

"But Miss Su's mother didn't allow it and took her away by force."

"I didn't expect that it was at this time that Master Su didn't think straight, got kicked in the head by a donkey, and did something extremely treasonous."

"I know that this little contribution is not enough to exonerate Master Su, but I dare to ask Your Majesty to only punish the main culprit and spare the life of my little lover."

Everyone knew that Su Wei was a scapegoat and according to the law, his entire clan should be executed.

But it is also a fact that His Majesty has been tricked by Li Xiuzhu and has made a promise.

They had never seen many people who dared to set a trap for the emperor, especially because of personal matters.

Li Kuo also knew that he had been plotted against, but after thinking about it, his expression improved a little.

The Grand Tutor Su Wei cannot be released. For the sake of the Crown Prince, he must be the scapegoat.

But it doesn’t matter much to his family. When the backbone of the family is gone, it’s like the spine is broken. There is nothing to be afraid of.

And I heard that Su Can is uneducated and a complete second-generation rich kid.

However, he still said with a little dissatisfaction: "You really gave me a difficult problem."

"But I am the ruler of a country, and my words are golden. I have promised you, and it is not easy to go back on my word."

"But you should be punished for scheming against me, or else everyone will follow your example."

There is no wrong version in the 1619 book forum!

Li Xiuzhu smiled when he heard this.

"It should be. It should be."

"Do you think this will work? Twenty strokes of the cane, or a salary deduction."

Seeing that Li Xiuzhu was so understanding, Li Kuo smiled.

"If I hurt you, my precious Liuli baby will hate me as his father to death."

"Just fine you one year's salary. In addition, the Su family can be exempted from the death penalty, but the living crimes must still be punished."

"Draft an edict!"

The eunuch holding the pen beside him hurriedly prepared, and the next breath Li Kuo's voice was heard.

"Grand Tutor Su Wei believed the slander and attempted to assassinate during the autumn hunting operation."

"Of course, the Grand Tutor came to his senses at the last moment, and he was also the Prince's teacher, so he pleaded for mercy with the Prince."

"Grand Tutor Su Wei will be executed in three days, and his family will be demoted to commoners and will never be employed again."

Li Xiuzhu shouted upon hearing this.

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."

Led by Li Xiuzhu, voices of "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy" were heard from below.

This is the sadness of the weak. Not only do you have to take the blame, but when others try to kill you, you also have to thank them for not killing you all.

Li Xiuzhu lowered his head, and the thought of not fighting in his heart completely disappeared.

If necessary, he would sit on the throne even if he didn't want to.

If for no other reason than to protect the people I want to protect.

The first is private guards. The Marquis has 600 private guards under his command. Li Xiuzhu does not plan to recruit the full number, but he must have 500 people.

He planned to recruit orphans as the remaining three hundred men, including two hundred strong guards.

In the past two years, orphans were treated like free people. They were grateful if they were given food to eat, so it was easy to arrange for three hundred people.

Two hundred men and one hundred women, only those with martial arts talent are needed.

The second thing is the secret passage, which must also be dug out as soon as possible and must lead directly to the outside of the city to facilitate exit and escape.

Finally, there are the spies. The emperor has many eyes and ears, but he himself cannot be blind.

Orphans who are not suitable to become warriors will be released to serve as spies.

All these orphans want is a bite to eat. If you give them food every day, you can support a group of little beggars all over the city.

It will not only improve your reputation, but also avoid arousing suspicion.

When these people grow up a little, they can be arranged to learn skills from masters in various industries, and then they can be sent to various industries for long-term training.

(End of this chapter)