Chapter 15 Great Victory
The next day, the two provinces performed against each other in Xingqing Hall.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Today, no daily affairs were discussed. As soon as the court meeting began, Li Shizhi came out with a tablet in his hand, drafted a memorial, and presented it to the emperor.

Gao Lishi, who was in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, came down from the emperor's throne, took the memorial and presented it to Li Longji.

During this period, the ministers had different expressions.

Those who are well-informed understand what is going on.

They all looked at Xiao Jiong, the Minister of Justice and Prefect of Jingzhao.

Since the central government moved to Xingqing Palace, many ministers have lived in Pingkangfang so that they can attend the morning court. They also knew that Li Linfu was turned away by Li Shizhi yesterday.

Although Li Linfu seemed calm and composed, he was actually extremely dissatisfied with Xiao Jiong.

In just a few years, Xiao Jiong committed three serious offenses in the court, the frontier, and Henan Prefecture, all of which were saved by him.

Last year, the Minister of Justice Li Shizhi was appointed Prime Minister, so the position of Minister of Justice was vacant.

Li Longji asked Li Linfu for a suitable candidate. Li Linfu recommended Xiao Jiong to the emperor as the Minister of Punishments. The emperor also asked: Is Xiao Jiong capable? Is he like Xiao Song, who is only good in appearance but not in form?

He solemnly guaranteed that Xiao Jiong was proficient in the Kaiyuan Code and was capable of doing the job.

Originally, the position of Jingzhao Yin did not belong to Xiao Jiong.

Li Longji favored Han Chaozong, who was demoted to Yuzhang County.

Li Linfu knew that Han Chaozong was close to Li Shizhi, and that Jingzhao Yin was a very important position. On the grounds that Han Chaozong had not returned to Chang'an, he let Xiao Jiong serve as Jingzhao Yin first.

Wait until Han Chaozong comes back, and then let Xiao Jiong "step down and let the wise take over."

Now that Han Chaozong has returned, Li Linfu is still trying to figure out how to deal with Han Chaozong.

A rotten tree cannot be carved! This was Li Linfu's final evaluation of Xiao Jiong.

"The Tang Dynasty ruled the country with filial piety and won the hearts of the people with virtue. Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Taizong, Emperor Gaozong, Emperor Zhongzong, and my father, all dared not bury living people with them in their resting places. How could a small Jingzhao Shaoyin dare to bury five people with him for his son who had no official position, including a good family? After he died as a fourth-rank official, did he have to find a mountain as his mausoleum? What did he want to do with the one-foot-three-inch musicians and horsemen?"

After reading the memorial, Li Longji was furious. His deep voice made the palace maids holding fans on both sides dare not breathe.

Since Emperor Taizong chose Mount Jiuyi as his mausoleum, he issued an edict ordering his descendants to follow this as a permanent example. From then on, the mausoleums of the Tang Dynasty emperors were built on mountains.

What Li Longji said was tantamount to sentencing Fan Ling to the crime of disrespect.

"Your Majesty, calm down."

The civil and military officials stood up and bowed in tacit understanding.

"What does the Left Prime Minister think?"

Li Longji raised his hand to signal the ministers to return to their seats, and then asked Li Shizhi.

"Your Majesty, burying living people with the dead is against human ethics and harms the will of heaven. When I went to Weiyin Township, the people all knew that the Shaoyin of Jingzhao buried living people with the dead, but they could do nothing about it. I saw that your Majesty's wisdom and wisdom attracted criticism, so I went to investigate the case regardless of my status..." Li Shizhi replied to Li Longji.

"Wannianling and Jingzhaoyin, what do they do for a living?"

Hearing that his reputation was ruined, Li Longji became even angrier and questioned all the officials in the court.

"Your Majesty forgive me."

Xiao Jiong, who also served as Jingzhao Yin, and Wannian Ling immediately came out of the office and knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty, as I have written to you, this case was caused by the assassination of a Kucha guard. He has been buried alive for half a year. Half a year ago, the guard's father went to Jingzhao Prefecture to file a complaint, but was beaten by Jingzhao officials. After suffering such injustice, the warrior who fought for the country's security returned home thousands of miles away, risking his life for revenge. Wannian Ling has only been in office for three months and is not aware of this case. Jingzhao Yin has been in office for nearly a year. Jingzhao Yin Xiao Jiong is the superior of Jingzhao Shao Yin Fan Ling. He knew about the case but did not report it, which is suspected of shielding someone. Xiao Jiong is also the Minister of Punishment, in charge of the punishment of the world. He broke the law knowingly, ignored the etiquette, ignored the court order, ignored the imperial power, and was ashamed of the country and the people. Your Majesty, please punish Xiao Jiong!"

Li Shizhi's words were like a knife, cutting Xiao Jiong's body.

All the ministers were silent. On the surface, they were impeaching Xiao Jiong, but secretly they were attacking Li Linfu.

Xiao Jiong was promoted to the Minister of Justice by Li Linfu.

How did the Left Prime Minister become so powerful?
From the memorials submitted to the emperor to today's speeches, all were prepared by Li Xuan.

Aims to stir up Li Longji's emotions.

"Oh!"

"Ten thousand years order to retreat."

Li Longji slapped the throne and ordered Zheng Yan to leave, leaving Xiao Jiong at the table, hoping that Xiao Jiong would explain.

He had long felt that it was inappropriate for the Minister of Justice to concurrently serve as the Prefect of Jingzhao.

Li Longji also glanced at Li Linfu.

Li Linfu happened to see the welcoming gaze, and he knew what it meant.

For a moment, I felt so ashamed.

He quickly lowered his head, looking sincerely at a loss.

"I didn't know Fan Ling was doing such a wicked thing. I was working in the Ministry of Justice and didn't know anyone had come to Jingzhao Prefecture to appeal. I was negligent. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Xiao Jiong was panic-stricken and tried to excuse himself.

If he had known this, he would never have served as Jingzhao Yin concurrently.

"Your Majesty, yesterday the Minister of Justice met with the Left Prime Minister, refused to dismount from his horse, and acted bossy. When the Left Prime Minister ordered Wan Nian to dig the tomb, Xiao Jiong obstructed him in every way."

At this time, Zhang Jun, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, stood up and impeached Xiao Jiong.

"Xiao Jiong, is what Zhang Qing said true?"

Li Longji frowned. The prime minister was worshipped by the emperor, but he didn't even respect the prime minister. How could this be tolerated?
"This……"

Xiao Jiong hesitated. He wanted to deny it, but there were so many officials at the scene yesterday.

If Li Longji asked those officials to come forward to testify, he would surely be guilty of deceiving the emperor.

Seeing that Li Longji's face had changed, Xiao Jiong could only bite the bullet and said, "I didn't mean to offend the left prime minister yesterday. And because Fan Ling was my subordinate, I protected the tomb of his deceased son. If I knew he was that kind of person, I would never dare to do that."

"Bring Jingzhao Shaoyin to the palace. I want to ask him in person."

Li Longji already hated Xiao Jiong in his heart. He sent orders to his attendants.

Li Shizhi knew that the emperor would ask detailed questions, so during the morning court session, he asked the Ministry of Justice to bring Fan Ling to the gate to wait.

"Your Majesty, Xiao Jiong once colluded with the powerful and bullied the people in Tokyo Luoyang. Your Majesty let bygones be bygones and let him take charge of the punishments and manage the capital, but he once again betrayed your Majesty's trust. Please punish him severely."

During this period, Zhang Yi, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, also came forward to submit a report.

The Zhang brothers had always been suppressed by Li Linfu, so they stood together with Li Shizhi.

"When lower-level officials break the law, their superiors are held responsible. This is condoning the illegal behavior of subordinates. How many people have forgotten this?"

Li Longji uttered a word in a serious tone, causing Xiao Jiong's body to tremble.

At the same time, many old officials had mixed feelings, because in the tenth year of Kaiyuan, Li Longji had issued an edict: officials inside and outside the court who were dismissed, removed from office, or expelled for corruption would not be employed for life.

According to Li Longji's previous edict, Xiao Jiong should not be appointed again after he made a mistake as the Yin of Henan.

But it happened to be promoted to a higher level.

When Yao Chong was the prime minister, Li Longji and Yao Chong made a "Ten-Article Agreement". However, during the Tianbao period, Li Longji violated all of them.

Yao Chong, Song Jing, and Zhang Jiuling have all passed away, but who dares to blame Li Longji?
It is widely known that listening to both sides will lead to enlightenment, while heeding only one side will lead to ignorance.

But no one dared to do what Wei Zheng did.

A quarter of an hour later, Fan Ling was brought to the hall.

At this time, Fan Ling looked pale and exhausted. It was obvious that he had not slept all night.

Fan Ling knelt in the main hall.

No matter how Li Longji asked, Fan Ling just said that he was the only one who did it and Xiao Jiong was not aware of it.

It seems that Xiao Jiong was only responsible for negligence.

"Drag him out of the palace and beat him to death..."

After Li Longji finished the interrogation, his eyes became fierce.

"Your Majesty, please spare me... Your Majesty, please spare me..."

Fan Ling suddenly raised his head and begged Li Longji for mercy.

It's doomed to fail.

Two Yulin guards came out and dragged Fan Ling out, leaving him to scream and shout.

At this time, no one dared to persuade him, and it was impossible to persuade him. Fan Ling brought the blame upon himself.

"what……"

The next moment, a shrill scream was heard outside the hall.

This is not the first time that ministers have encountered such a thing.

They all knew that Li Longji was warning his ministers.

After a while, Fan Ling was no longer moving, but the sound of the stick swinging was still clearly audible.

Fan Ling did not reveal that Xiao Jiong knew about it.

First, even if he revealed the truth, he would still die.

The second is for your own family.

As Ji Wen had predicted, Li Longji ordered that Fan Ling's wife, sons and daughters be made slaves.

"Your Majesty, the Kucha official attempted to assassinate an official appointed by the imperial court. Although he failed, he murdered a fourth-rank official, which is an unjust crime and he should be sentenced to death. However, considering the cause and effect and his meritorious service in killing enemies in the Western Regions, I hope that he can be given a lighter punishment to reflect your Majesty's benevolence." Li Shizhi did not forget Li Xuan's instructions.

"You can escape the death penalty, but you can't escape the punishment of life. You can reduce your crime to a lower level and be exiled to the northern border. You can't return home without pardon!"

In consideration of Li Shizhi's plea, Li Longji gave him a lighter punishment.

The court needs majesty and laws.

Even if there is a grievance, one cannot assassinate an official appointed by the imperial court. Otherwise, if everyone follows suit, wouldn't the imperial court be in chaos?
After retiring from court, the emperor summoned Li Linfu and Li Shizhi to the lower hall of the Secretariat to discuss matters.

An hour later, Li Shizhi, with a serious face, and Li Linfu, with cold sweat on his forehead, walked out from the lower hall of Zhongshu Gate.

Soon after, an imperial edict was delivered.

Xiao Jiong was demoted to Lingnan and appointed as the deputy governor of Shixing County.

At the same time, Han Chaozong was promoted to Jingzhao Yin.

I don't need to be a marquis in my lifetime, I just hope to meet Han Jingzhou. This is Li Bai's praise in his "Letter to Han Jingzhou".

At the local level, Han Chaozong had outstanding political achievements and was an official that Li Longji had long favored.

The position of Minister of Justice was vacant, and Li Longji did not ask the left and right prime ministers to recommend someone. He had a suitable candidate in mind.

……

Zuo Xiangfu.

"As soon as the old fox entered the government hall, he apologized to the sage, saying that he did not know people well. The sage actually used the example of Di Renjie recommending Dou Huaizhen to forgive him."

After returning to the Left Prime Minister's Mansion, Li Shizhi saw Li Xuan and said very angrily.

Di Renjie was known for his "students all over the world". He recommended dozens of ministers to the court, many of whom were capable.

Li Longji used Dou Huaizheng, who was ridiculed as "Guo Yan", as an example to recognize Li Linfu's ability and to show that although Xiao Jiong was not good enough, Li Longji still approved of the other people recommended.

"I thought that once this matter was settled, the Saint would distance himself from Li Linfu. During the meeting in the Council of State, the Saint still trusted him very much."

Although he had established his power in the court, Li Shizhi felt extremely uncomfortable.

"This is to be expected. During the Later Han Dynasty, Dou Xian held great power. His demise is not something that can happen overnight. A rope can saw through wood, and water can wear away stone. Father, don't worry."

Li Xuan comforted Li Shizhi.

You have to know that Li Linfu had been prime minister for nine years. During the reign of Li Longji, even Yao Chong, Song Jing, and Zhang Jiuling only served as prime minister for more than three years.

Zhang Shuo served as prime minister twice, but his total term as prime minister did not exceed five years.

Except for Yuan Qianyao, who was "simple and moderate" and served as prime minister twice, and Niu Xianke, the "yes-man" man, most of the others only served as prime minister for one or two years, or a few months.

The eunuchs around Li Longji and the concubines favored in the harem were all bribed by Li Linfu, and they always spoke well of Li Linfu intentionally or unintentionally.

During the years when Li Linfu was the chief prime minister, Li Longji actually felt much more relaxed and enjoyed himself.

Not to mention that Li Linfu had only made a minor mistake, even if he had made a big mistake, as long as he did not commit "treason", Li Longji would have protected Li Linfu.

Li Linfu is jealous of talented people. Doesn’t Li Longji know this?
But he could tolerate Li Longji's shortcomings and mistakes.

"Qi Lang, what other plans do you have? Let me fight Li Linfu again."

Li Shizhi asked Li Xuan as if he was addicted.

"Father, this is not what a prime minister does. For some things, too much is as bad as too little. When the opportunity does not come, it will even cause the emperor to hate you. Li Linfu can be deeply favored by the emperor, and his ability and policies are also very important. Father has only been the prime minister for five months and has not achieved anything. What we need to do now is to establish our own influence in politics and live up to the people." Li Xuan stood up and performed the father-son etiquette, and persuaded.

"My father is confused! Qilang is more thoughtful!"

Li Shizhi slapped his thigh and said self-reproachfully.

But on a whim, he tried to ask Li Xuan again: "Does Qilang have any opinions?"

(End of this chapter)