Five years of county magistrate, 100 million catties of grain shocked Li Shimin

Chapter 397 Another discovery, the eldest grandson begged

It's not that Fang Yuan doesn't want to bring down the eldest grandson's family.

But this matter alone cannot bring down the eldest grandson's family.

Moreover, Li Tai was involved in this matter, and continuing to do so would be equivalent to offending Li Tai.

Fang Yuan is not afraid of offending Li Tai, but if it is not necessary, Fang Yuan does not want to offend a prince.

So after deciding to hand over the case to Li Shimin, Fang Yuan planned not to intervene.

However, the idea is good, but the reality is another matter.

Fang Yuan had just returned to Fang Mansion when Zheng Jiu came over.

Because of Fang Yuan's relationship, Zheng Jiu was not imprisoned.

But responsible for the interrogation.

"My lord, I found something!"

Zheng Jiu said solemnly.

"I forgot to let someone tell you that I will no longer interfere in this matter, and the emperor will send someone to investigate."

Only then did Fang Yuan remember that he asked Zheng Jiu and Zhu Yingzhong to be in charge of the trial.

"Don't check?"

"My subordinate just asked Zheng Mingzhu that there are a group of soldiers in Wei Wangfu."

"It seems that the King of Wei printed a lot of money just because he wanted to train them."

Zheng Jiu was a little surprised.

But still tell Fang Yuan what he has investigated.

"There are a group of soldiers in Wei Wangfu?"

Fang Yuan was surprised.

But I was not surprised by Zheng Mingzhu.

The people commanded by the king of Wei are likely to have some official positions.

Among the people on duty tonight, only Zheng Mingzhu's official position has a rank.

Therefore, Fang Yuan had already guessed who set the fire when he was sure it was Li Tai secretly instigating it.

It's just that they didn't expect that behind the seemingly simple and honest Li Tai, there was an army in the Wei Palace.

"Zheng Mingzhu said this, saying that he accidentally saw it when he was in Wei Wang's mansion, and that's why he decided to join Wei Wang."

Zheng Jiu continued to explain.

Now the princes are staring at the crown prince.

Among them, Li Tai, king of Wei, and Li Ke, king of Shu, had the highest prestige.

Although Wei Wang Li Tai is a direct descendant, Shu Wang Li Ke is very famous.

But after learning that Wei Wang Li Tai has a soldier, he will naturally get more support.

It's just that the prince raises the army privately. If he is found out, the consequences will be very serious, and his status as a prince may even be revoked.

"What is Luo Zheng doing now?"

"Let him investigate this matter secretly!"

Fang Yuan pondered for a moment, said in a deep voice.

Li Shimin took over this matter, then Zheng Mingzhu is destined to live soon.

I don't know if he will be intercepted and killed by Li Tai in advance, but Li Tai's private raising of soldiers will definitely be concealed.

Either Li Tai had a way to hide it, or Li Shimin directly removed him.

If it is the former, Fang Yuan wants to know the specific situation.

It's not terrible to offend the prince, if there are black materials about him, he will fear himself.

"Yes."

Zheng Jiu should leave respectfully.

Soon, Li Shimin's people went to the Chang'an county government office to take him away.

At dawn the next day, there was a lot of public opinion in Chang'an City, talking about the truth about the fire in the backyard of the Chang'an County Government.

People have many ways, and soon know that this matter has something to do with Fang Yuan, has something to do with fake money, and has something to do with the eldest grandson's family.

Similarly, people like hearsay. When there is no correct version, various versions appear, so that they do not know whether it is true or not.

However, the higher-ups knew the real version, they knew that after Fang Yuan found a large amount of money from the grandson's family and moved it back to the county government, the backyard of the county government caught fire.

It's just that Changsun Wuji was suspended, so there was no way to target Changsun Wuji, so that the ministers couldn't blame Changsun Wuji when they went to the early court.

However, Li Shimin's pressure cannot be avoided.

"Your Majesty, since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, there has never been such a bad incident as the burning of the Chang'an county government. It must be strictly investigated!"

Fang Xuanling was the first to stand up.

His meaning was agreed by most of the ministers.

Some people dared to burn the county government as the imperial capital, it was too courageous.

It is related to the face of the imperial court, it must not be settled hastily, and it must be strictly investigated.

"I already know, everyone just wait."

"There must be a lot of public opinion outside the court, so don't let people spread it indiscriminately."

Li Shimin said in a deep voice with no expression on his face.

He was very angry in his heart, but he didn't show it.

Because last night when Zheng Mingzhu and others were handed over to him, Zheng Mingzhu committed suicide around midnight.

And only Zheng Mingzhu knew about the arson, but she didn't expect to commit suicide before interrogating the other party.

This is a contempt for the court and him. He immediately asked Li Tai to enter the palace to inquire, but he has not asked about the situation yet.

Li Shimin does not intend to announce Zheng Mingzhu's suicide for the time being, so as not to be secretly ridiculed by the ministers.

"Your Majesty, there is news from Qingzhou that the war has made good progress and should be fully victorious within a month."

Hou Jun collected reports.

The war in Qingzhou is about to end.

Without the conspiratorial plan of the Bishamon military division, Qingshan could not resist the court after all.

Moreover, the imperial court also has such powerful weapons as firecrackers, which cannot be resisted by the Qingshan field army.

"Very good, tell the general that you must give me a big victory."

Li Shimin showed a rare smile, then looked at Fang Yuan and asked, "How about Dongying and Goguryeo?"

"It's still going according to plan."

Fang Yuan reported the truth.

Datang supported Dongying to attack Baekje, and secretly supported the third prince of Goguryeo.

But these two things are still in progress, and no actual results have been achieved yet, and it will take a certain amount of time.

"Keep an eye on it!"

Li Shimin said solemnly.

Then the court meeting was almost over.

After all the ministers left, Li Shimin went to try Li Tai again.

As soon as Fang Yuan returned to the household department, Li Ke came to find him.

"His Royal Highness the King of Shu, every time you come to me in such an open and aboveboard way, it will make me very embarrassed."

Fang Yuan frowned slightly.

He wanted to stay out of the crown prince battle.

But every time Li Ke came, he came over aboveboard.

This will make people gossip, and people will think that they are Li Ke's people.

"The body is not afraid of the shadow, Fang Shangshu, what are you afraid of?"

Li Ke laughed.

He didn't care about Fang Yuan's dissatisfaction at all, and sat directly opposite Fang Yuan.

"Of course you're not afraid, but I don't like being gossiped about."

Fang Yuan still didn't give Li Ke a good face.

"Let's get down to business first."

"Did Fang Shangshu preside over the overall situation at the Chang'an County Government last night?"

Li Ke giggled, then said seriously.

"It just happened to be here."

Fang Yuan said indifferently.

"Last night, before the Chang'an county government was on fire, I was watching Li Tai."

"But it's a pity, he didn't know when he arranged for people to burn the Chang'an county government. Is there any evidence?"

Li Ke said in a low voice.

If anyone wants Li Tai's downfall and the Changsun family's downfall the most, it is undoubtedly Li Ke.

Because the eldest grandson's family is the strongest support of the direct line, if there is no eldest grandson's family, Li Tai and other direct lines may not be his opponents.

"Are you sure that Li Tai sent people to set the fire?"

Fang Yuan frowned slightly, said in a deep voice.

"Not sure, but nineteen is not far from ten."

"So, is there any evidence left?"

Li Ke continued.

All kinds of information showed that it was Li Tai who instigated it.

"There is also evidence that some of the fake money was not burned."

Fang Yuan thought for a while and said.

"Join us?"

Li Ke said suddenly.

The eyes are swollen and bright.

"Sorry, I'm not interested."

"If you want evidence, I can give it to you."

Fang Yuan shook his head and rejected Li Ke.

No matter how the two join forces, the final decision is still Li Shimin.

If Li Shimin didn't plan to punish Li Tai, it would be useless for the two to join forces.

The point is, if you join forces with Li Ke this time, you will be telling outsiders that you are on Li Ke's side.

This is not Fang Yuan's principle.

So he won't cooperate with Li Ke.

"What if I say that Zheng Mingzhu may be dead?"

Li Ke frowned and said in a deep voice.

He paid close attention to this matter in order to bring Li Tai down.

So many spies were arranged in the palace, and they learned that Li Tai was called into the palace.

In addition, knowing a few words from his mother and concubine, he felt that Zheng Mingzhu was dead.

"Already guessed."

Fang Yuan was taken aback, then sighed.

Zheng Mingzhu can be regarded as a colleague who has worked together for a period of time.

Unexpectedly, his final ending turned out to be like this.

This is the fate of participating in the prince's dispute, dying so worthlessly.

"Zheng Mingzhu was your former colleague, are you not going to seek justice for him?"

Li Ke said in a low voice.

"I have my own ideas, but I won't cooperate with you."

"His Royal Highness, you should understand what I mean, so let's go."

Fang Yuan issued the order to chase away guests, said in a deep voice.

"Before this king leaves, do you have any clues to provide?"

Li Ke was silent for a while and then said.

He understood what Fang Yuan meant, he didn't want to intervene in the crown prince's dispute.

Whether it is looking for him by himself, Li Tai looking for him, or other princes, Fang Yuan will not help.

Such people are annoying, but such people are also very good.

With Fang Yuan's energy, it would be terrifying to support any prince.

So Fang Yuan doesn't help himself or other princes, that's the best situation.

"You can try to check from Wei Wang's account book."

Fang Yuan thought about it, and still gave his opinion.

It can be regarded as an explanation for Zheng Mingzhu to seek justice.

In fact, Fang Yuan and Zheng Mingzhu are also not relatives.

It's just that it's a pity that he died like this, and I'm slightly dissatisfied with Li Tai.

Since you are dissatisfied and don't want to intervene in the dispute for the prince, let's see if Li Ke has the ability to do it.

"Thank you!"

Li Ke's expression froze, and he said solemnly.

He believed that Fang Yuan would not say this for no reason.

Although I don't know, it is definitely not wrong to start from this aspect.

So Li Ke left immediately and arranged for his own people to check Li Tai's financial situation.

the other side.

Changsun Wuji and Gao Shilian were also called into the palace.

The uncle and nephew met at the gate of the palace, and as soon as they saw each other, they guessed why they entered the palace.

"Uncle, regarding the fake money, we firmly insist that it belongs to us and has nothing to do with Li Tai!"

Changsun Wuji said as he walked, his voice could only be heard by two people.

"how so?"

"Even if we say it's Li Tai's money, the emperor won't blame him, will he?"

Gao Shilian was puzzled.

If you take it on yourself, the emperor will blame them.

Now that they are all suspended, it may take longer for the officials to return to their original posts if they take on such a thing.

"Li Tai asked Zheng Mingzhu to commit suicide. The emperor must be very dissatisfied with this matter, and feels that he has been provoked."

"If the emperor still knows that Li Tai is the instigator behind this matter, then Li Tai will undoubtedly be farther away from the throne."

Changsun Wuji said in a deep voice.

He was speechless at Li Tai's actions.

It wasn't Li Tai who made Zheng Mingzhu feel speechless by committing suicide.

It was Li Tai who made Zheng Mingzhu commit suicide when he was handed over to the emperor.

If he committed suicide before, the matter would not be so complicated, and the emperor would not be angry.

To appease the emperor's anger now, one is destined to sacrifice one party, and that can only be himself.

"Did he commit suicide at the hands of the emperor?"

Gao Shilian also felt the seriousness of the matter.

Between the prince and the emperor, as long as it is not too much, the emperor will not pursue it too much.

But now, Zheng Mingzhu has told Li Shimin that it is disrespectful for Li Taidu to attack Li Shimin.

Changsun Wuji nodded solemnly.

"Confused!"

Gao Shilian cursed in a low voice.

It can be regarded as agreeing with Changsun Wuji's opinion.

Soon, uncle and nephew entered the imperial study and saw Li Shimin.

The two also noticed that Li Tai was kneeling on the ground, with beads of sweat on his forehead, and his face was slightly pale.

"Your Majesty, I have committed a crime. I should not be obsessed with ghosts and greedy for that little money."

Changsun Wuji was very decisive, and directly knelt on the ground to admit it.

"Your Majesty, I'm guilty. I shouldn't have given Wuji a printing press, causing him to go astray."

Gao Shilian was also very decisive, and knelt down after Changsun Wuji.

Li Tai, who was kneeling beside him, finally breathed a sigh of relief, and almost collapsed to the ground.

"Okay, you are so kind, I admitted my mistake before asking, so kind!"

Li Shimin said yes again and again, but anger appeared in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, Zheng Mingzhu's suicide was begged by the old minister to King Wei."

"The king of Wei couldn't bear to refuse because it's his uncle's sake. Your Majesty, please treat King Wei lightly."

Changsun Wuji lowered his head and continued.

"Insanity!"

Li Shimin was furious.

He was so angry that he kicked away the desk in front of him.

The memorial on the desk fell to the ground with a crackling sound, scattered all over the floor.

As the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, but acting like this, is he still acting like a Minister of the Ministry of Officials?
"The guilty minister was confused for a while, please punish him, Your Majesty."

"For the sake of the old minister's contribution to the Tang Dynasty, I beg Your Majesty to spare the guilty minister's family."

Changsun Wuji choked up and said.

As he spoke, he knocked heavily and put his head on the ground.

"uncle!"

Li Taidun felt sad and couldn't help shouting.

And this cry was heard in Li Shimin's heart, and it also brought him back from anger to reality.

Among the many ministers, Changsun Wuji was undoubtedly the most loyal to him, and also the one who stood by him the most.

When he was still the King of Qin, Prince Yin transferred all his officials to various places and ordered them not to return to Beijing.

In this case, it was Changsun Wuji who secretly came back to support him at the risk of being discovered, regardless of life and death, and this is how he achieved his grand plan and dominance today.

Although Changsun Wuji was at fault, he did contribute to the court and also to himself. For a while, Li Shimin felt compassion.

"Get up first, kneeling is ugly."

Li Shimin was no longer so angry in his heart, but his face was still calm.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Changsun Wuji's eyes lit up, and then changed into a bitter face, struggling to get up.

Gao Shilian and Li Tai on the side also followed these words and struggled to stand up.

Gao Shilian was getting older and it was difficult to get up, but it was not a big problem.

But Li Tai was different, his body was too fat, and he knelt for a long time, almost unable to get up.

However, after trying his best to get up, his eyes went dark, he passed out, and fell to the ground with a bang.

"The blue sparrow!"

Suddenly, the imperial study room was in chaos.

(End of this chapter)