Chapter 4973 Mudflat
On the journey of the great road, the world is for the common good!
When Fang Jun expressed his ideals and beliefs, even a great man like Li Ji was willing to give in and follow Ji Wei.
A person always has something to pursue in his life. Why not devote his limited life to such a noble pursuit?
After calming down, Li Ji clicked his tongue, feeling that fighting for power and profit in the past was too low-level and a bit shameful.
Of course, the game with the monarchy is destined to be an extremely long process. It must be carried out step by step, and it must be gradually encroached. The most taboo is to be eager for quick success and quick success.
Perhaps he still failed to achieve this goal at the end of his life, but so how?
Give your life to such a grand ambition, instead of wasting it in fighting for power and profit, even if it is a hundred or a thousand years later, someone will remember that he has paid for it.
In life, not all plans have to have appropriate results, the process is equally important.
This is enough.
*****
The sun is shining brightly today, but Liu Ji, who is sitting in Zhongshu's provincial value-for-money room, is filled with gloom.
The Zhongshu Province has great power, but it is not a specialized supervisory agency. It is really unable to solve cases. However, His Majesty entrusted him with the important task of interrogating major treason cases, and he could not refuse. He was really overwhelmed and did not know what to do. Where to start.
The most difficult thing is to grasp the scale.
The involvement is too deep and the punishment is too severe, causing great losses to the clan and putting everyone in danger. Will His Majesty be dissatisfied because of this?
His majesty couldn't vent all the anger in his heart. Would he think that he was colluding with the clan and profiting from it?
It's not good if it's too deep, and it's not good if it's too shallow. It's really difficult.
After sitting for a long time, my beard was almost gone. I had no choice but to get up and leave Zhongshu Province, and took a carriage to the Hejian County Prince's Mansion...
……
"Your Majesty has appointed you to take charge of this case. How can I interfere? Absolutely not!"
When Li Xiaogong heard Liu Jie's intention, he immediately shook his head. He has now gradually faded out of the court, and his position as "Shang Shu of the Ministry of Personnel" is only superficial. Most affairs are handed over to the two ministers of the Ministry of Personnel. How could he be involved in this major treason case when he was waiting to retire and become an official and coquettishly flirt with his grandson?
He even stayed out of the previous "Zhaoling Case", let alone this matter. He doesn't need these achievements. If he does it well, there will be no benefit. If he does it badly, he will not be safe...
Liu Ji naturally knew Li Daozong's mentality, and said sincerely: "Although the county prince is not Zong Zhengqing, he is the first person in the clan in terms of military exploits and seniority. Only if you come forward to preside over this case can the case be limited to a reasonable range." , up and down, stable inside and outside, after all, according to my preliminary investigation, this time. There are too many clans involved in the conspiracy, and the vines are all involved. Maybe the entire clan will be wiped out... Can the prince really watch such a tragedy happen? The clan is the cornerstone of the empire. If the clan is Being broken and withered blood is not a good thing.”
Li Xiaogong stroked his beard, frowned, stared at Liu Ji for a long time, and sighed dejectedly.
As Liu Ji said, there was a "Zhaoling case" before and now a "treason case". Once these two major cases are severely punished, it will be tantamount to a disaster for the clan, and only a handful of people can survive alone. , most of the clans have to be involved.
But once this happens, the clan will be severely weakened. Without the stability of the clan, how can Li Tang's country be stable?
It should be noted that although the family members suffered serious blows and suffered huge losses at this time, the centipede was still alive. If one or two amazingly talented people appeared again and started fighting everywhere, Li Tang's country would probably be in turmoil. ……
"Being the first person in the clan" is a great honor and power, but it is also a great pressure.
"What are the regulations of Zhongshu Ling?"
"Only the first culprits will be punished, and the rest will be given lighter punishments. This should not only shock the world, but also control the impact within a certain range."
Li Xiaogong nodded, approved, and said: "It is not appropriate for me to come forward in this matter. Come with me to Zongzheng Temple."
"This is exactly what I mean."
Although Li Xiaogong was the "number one in the clan" with unparalleled prestige and seniority, if it were to interrogate this case, Zong Zhengqing would be more justified.
I just don’t know if King Han is willing to wade into this muddy water...
……
Zongzheng Temple.
King Li Yuanjia of Han is also worried. He is Zong Zhengqing, the nominal "number one in the clan". The "Zhaoling case" and the "rebellion case" broke out one after another, and countless clans were involved. After these two blows, the clan's strength will be reduced. It will fall off a cliff, and he, Zong Zhengqing, cannot escape the blame.
It would be fine if he was punished by His Majesty. The worst he could do was lose his position as "Zong Zhengqing". But when the clan suffered such heavy losses during his tenure, how could he feel at ease?
How to explain to Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong?
Opposite him, Zongzheng Shaoqing Li Xiaoyi also sighed and felt depressed.
Li Shenfu was his uncle. This rebellion resulted in the entire Xiangyi County and Prince's Mansion being wiped out. Although His Majesty promised Li Shenfu to keep the children under the age of five in his family, he would only be demoted to common people and would not be held responsible for their lives. , but Li Shenfu gave birth to seven sons. Except for the eldest son who died young, the other six sons are all alive. There are more than 20 grandchildren, and there are only three boys under the age of five...
What's more, because of Li Shentong's wooing and bewitching, many people from their branch, that is, Li Shentong's lineage, were involved.
In other words, King Zheng Xiao’s family suffered heavy losses this time...
Li Xiaoyi glanced at Li Yuanjia, who looked gloomy, and whispered: "Your Highness, waiting like this is not an option. Although it is said that those who commit great evil will die unjustly, we cannot allow those ministers to be wantonly implicated, otherwise the clan will suffer heavy losses and the country will be shaken. Absolutely!”
Li Yuanjia said helplessly: "Do you think I am willing? I am helpless! The 'Zhaoling case' is a joint trial of the 'Three Law Divisions'. Our Zongzheng Temple is only assisting from the side and has no say! This time the 'treason case' is led by Liu Jie Judge, Your Majesty paid no attention to me. Even if I am worried, what can I do?”
He is Zong Zhengqing, and no one cares about the clan more than him. When the clan suffers heavy losses and its strength is weakened, he, Zong Zhengqing, is the first to bear the brunt. He might even be angered by His Majesty for his "incompetent management and incompetence." How can he intervene in this matter? Two major cases?
If you can't intervene and have no right to speak, you will naturally not be able to protect more people.
Li Xiaoyi also knew that Li Yuanjia was in trouble. After thinking about it, he suggested: "How about we mobilize the clan members and jointly write a letter to His Majesty, begging Your Majesty to be more lenient?"
Although the two major cases are widely involved, in fact more people are just implicated and may not be deeply involved. However, the nature of these two major cases is extremely bad. Whether it is tampering with the tombs of Emperor Taizong and Queen Wende, or gathering the clan to launch a mutiny, His Majesty cannot tolerate it.
I'm afraid that in his rage, His Majesty would rather punish those involved in vain than indulge in them, and most of the clan will suffer disaster...
Li Yuanjia was startled and hurriedly waved his hands: "Are you crazy? Do you want to put His Majesty on the opposite side of the entire clan?"
Li Xiaoyi also realized that he had a bad idea, smiled coquettishly, and said no more.
Both the "Zhaoling Case" and the "Conspiracy Case" are heinous crimes. No matter how severe the punishment is, it is justifiable. But you have to gather the clan to ask His Majesty to be lenient. This is not just a simple matter of violating the imperial authority. , do you want to tell the whole world that "Your Majesty's actions are not tolerated by the clan"?
The common man's anger has caused blood to splash five steps. Does this force His Majesty to wield the butcher's knife against the clan?
"Your Highness, the Prince of Hejian County and Zhongshu Ling are here."
"Oh? Please!"
Li Yuanjia stood up quickly, stopped even after taking a step, looked at Li Xiaoyi, and whispered: "It will be a little miserable for a while, and I must impress the county prince. Your little shoulders cannot bear big things, but the county prince can."
Li Xiaoyi understood and nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I know how to do it!"
Having a big tree like Li Xiaogong to protect you from wind and rain can solve a lot of troubles...
The two came to the door and welcomed Li Xiaogong and Liu Jie into the inner hall. After the scribe served tea, he was driven away by Li Yuanjia. There were only four people sitting opposite each other in the hall. Li Yuanjia motioned to drink tea, and then asked: "Unknown Uncle Wang and Zhongshu Ling." Come together, but what’s important?”
Li Yuanjia went straight to the point, and Li Xiaogong did not beat around the bush and said bluntly: "His Majesty has ordered the order to be fully responsible for the trial of the treason case. What do you two think?"
Li Yuanjia and Li Xiaoyi looked at each other. The latter stood up and left the table, then knelt down with a "pop" and begged: "Uncle, please save my nephew!"
"Hey, what are you doing? Get up and talk!"
Li Xiaogong didn't expect Li Xiaoyi's arrival and quickly reached out to help him.
However, Li Xiaoyi refused to get up. Tears came at every turn, and he choked and said: "Not only my uncle and his whole family are guilty of this conspiracy, but my brothers are also involved. Under strict interrogation, I will not be able to escape the involvement." Ah! Although it is not a pity to die for the crime of treason, the whole clan will not be able to escape if it is involved. Please give me a hand for the sake of my father."
"This... alas!"
Li Xiaogong sighed. Just now Liu Ji asked him to come forward. This was his taboo. The blood of the entire clan continued and interests were intertwined. Li Shenfu had been very active in the past few years. Relying on his seniority and qualifications, he often interacted with other branches. , now that Li Shenfu has committed a major conspiracy, it is difficult for those who have been in contact with him to tell clearly who is innocent, who is innocent, who is an accomplice, and who is an accomplice.
But now Li Xiaoyi was kneeling in front of him and begging, what could he do?
Although Li Shentong, the king of Huai'an, suffered repeated defeats and a disastrous record at that time, he was a rough man and very loyal. He spared no effort to support and encourage the children of the clan. Many of the clan's children were favored by him, and his popularity was not generally good. This point Li Shenfu couldn't hold a candle to his brother.
The fledgling Li Xiaogong was also pulled and supported by him, so Li Xiaogong could not care about the life and death of Li Shenfu's team, but he could not just watch Li Shentong's team suffer disaster. This is a mudflat. Once you step in, it will be difficult to escape cleanly...