Chapter 10 Li Xiang wants to kill the heart (seeking follow-up reading)
In principle, the Ganlu Hall in the Taiji Palace is the emperor's bedroom. However, due to Li Shimin's personal habit, he lived in the Lizheng Hall.

It was also because of this that Empress Changsun accompanied him in Lizheng Hall, just like an ordinary couple.

This was also the reason why Zhang Xuansu was able to go to Lizheng Hall to meet the emperor yesterday.

In the early Tang Dynasty, the Liangyi Hall in the inner court was the inner court, where the emperor and his clan members gathered to discuss state affairs, or where he discussed state affairs with his ministers. Old Li would often receive envoys in the Liangyi Hall or hold banquets with ministers.

On the way to Liangyi Palace, Li Shimin had already told Li Xiang the whole story.

Zhang Xuansu was imprisoned yesterday not because Li Shimin felt that he was wrong to speak out against the emperor, but to appease Li Xiang and maintain his filial piety to his father.

While speaking, Li Shimin was also paying attention to Li Xiang's reaction.

Bringing Li Xiang to his side is just the beginning. Old Li also plans to test the quality of his grandson.

The main trumpet is almost useless, so it’s time to consider training a small trumpet - but whether this small trumpet can be of great use remains to be seen.

Old Li was very pleased that the kid volunteered to follow him. This kid was not the kind of person who would back off when something happened.

As the saying goes, one can tell a person's future at the age of three and his character at the age of seven.

However, Li Xiang, who "learned the truth", did not show any emotional fluctuations, which was beyond Lao Li's expectations.

Although the boy is young, he already knows that one should not show his emotions on his face.

Yes, it’s my grandson!

Li Xiang didn't know about his grandfather's twists and turns. He just simply felt that Zhang Xuansu should not be let off so easily.

It's not about right or wrong, it's just a stance.

If Zhang Xuansu could get away with it easily today, the officials of the Eastern Palace would certainly become more aggressive in their remonstrances in the future. Li Chengqian was now a powder keg, and if he looked at him any more, he would explode. Li Xiang could not take it lightly.

He was thinking about how to deal with these three powerful talkers after Wei Zheng.

When he reached the entrance of the palace, Li Xiang rubbed his face with his hands, pretending to be indignant.

Li Shimin looked at his grandson's face-changing stunt in amazement, not knowing what he was up to.

"What are you doing?" he asked in a low voice.

“The greatest wealth is to make my enemies overestimate my shortcomings.”

Li Xiang's expression changed instantly, and he looked at Li Shimin with a cute look.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's face turned dark.

"Nonsense! They are your elders, not enemies!"

But while scolding, Lao Li still felt somewhat satisfied.

Having this kind of understanding at this age already makes one far ahead of his peers.

At the same time, his evaluation of Li Xiang rose by another point.

Entering the hall, the three officials had been waiting for a long time. The Tang Dynasty was not as strict as the Ming and Qing dynasties, especially in such an informal occasion, Kong Yingda and the other three could even sit for a while.

Seeing Li Shimin coming, the three of them immediately stood up to greet him.

"No need to be so polite. Hmm, Yu Qing and Kong Qing should have met Xiang'er and Shi Wen (Xiao Yu's courtesy name). This is my eldest grandson, Li Xiang... Xiang'er, why don't you greet the three elders?"

There is nothing wrong with it. In theory, Kong Yingda and Yu Zhining are both Li Chengqian's teachers, and Xiao Yu is the father-in-law of his half-aunt, Princess Xiangcheng. Everyone present is two generations older than him.

"I am Li Xiang, honored to meet Lord Song, Master Kong, and Master Yu."

Li Xiang immediately greeted him, but there was still an aggrieved look on his face.

Yu Zhining and Kong Yingda immediately turned aside and refused to accept Li Xiang's salute, while also returning the salute.

But Xiao Yu stood there with a calm demeanor and accepted Li Xiang's salute.

"I remember that the last time I saw my grandson, he was about this tall." Xiao Yu gestured as he spoke.

"In the blink of an eye, my eldest grandson is almost an adult."

"Eight years have passed since Wen left Beijing in the ninth year of the Zhenguan reign."

Li Shimin also said with emotion.

After a few more pleasantries, we finally got to the point.

Kong Yingda was the first to stand up and defend Zhang Xuansu.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's Left Secretary Zhang Xuansu was only angry and distressed for a moment, and there was nothing wrong with his speaking out. Why was he imprisoned?"

"Zhang Xuansu's words were outrageous, so he was imprisoned and punished according to the law."

Li Shimin's answer was very official.

"Zuo Shuzi is passionate and loyal to his country. What's wrong with him speaking frankly and making suggestions? If the Crown Prince cannot accept suggestions, then can Your Majesty not accept them?"

Kong Yingda is still continuing to output.

Li Shimin didn't say anything, but glanced at Li Xiang.

It's your turn.

"Li Xiang thinks what Master Kong said is inappropriate!"

Li Xiang spoke up, his face indignant: "Zhang Xuansu is rebellious and repeatedly offends my father. Is this what a subject should do?"

"What's wrong with speaking your mind? I'll have no regrets even if I die!"

Kong Yingda flicked his sleeves, and it was obvious that he was the same type of person as Zhang Xuansu, saying "this kid is not worth talking to".

"Besides, the inability to accept advice is the fault of the monarch, not the ministers!"

"Then I wonder what is the purpose of Master Kong's advice?"

Li Xiang took a step forward and looked at Kong Yingda with burning eyes: "Is it to correct the monarch's mistakes, or is it just to give advice?"

Kong Yingda glanced at Li Xiang and snorted coldly, "Of course it's to correct the monarch's mistakes!"

"Looking at Master Kong's behavior, I'm afraid that's not the case!"

Li Xiang sneered and continued: "You know my father doesn't like direct criticism, but you still offend him again and again. You have made him famous for his direct criticism, but my father has gained a bad reputation for not accepting criticism!"

"The monarch is also a human being, and humans have seven emotions and six desires. Even a young boy like Li Xiang knows that wise monarchs like my grandfather are rare from ancient times to the present."

Hearing Li Xiang praising him as a "rare and unicorn-like" wise and enlightened monarch, Li Shimin couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth.

Isn’t it a wonderful thing to be admired by your grandchildren?
Praise more! I love to hear it!
Li Xiang still did not stop his output: "Most monarchs are just average, and some are even as unbearable as Jie, Zhou, and Yang Guang. I think that as a minister, you should accept the mediocrity of the monarch, and pay attention to the way you give advice. When Zou Ji advised the King of Qi to accept advice, he also used the theory of the 'three beauties' to attack indirectly. If Zou Ji had pointed out the King of Qi's mistakes directly like Confucius, how could he have made the King of Qi wake up?"

"We are all devoted to the country, what's wrong with that?"

Kong Yingda retorted angrily.

Li Xiang deliberately showed an exaggerated expression: "Then I will ask Master Kong what he really thinks. Is he really trying to correct the monarch's mistakes, or is he trying to fulfill his reputation as a person who speaks out against the emperor?"

"伱!"

Kong Yingda's heart trembled violently. He never expected that a child like Li Xiang could say such heartbreaking words.

Under this intense stimulation, he couldn't help but feel his eyes getting darker.

However, Li Xiang's principle has always been to take advantage of your weakness to kill you. He pressed on and asked: "Master Kong always says that he is wholeheartedly serving the country and correcting the monarch's mistakes. However, in my eyes, Master Kong's so-called 'extraordinary admonition' is just for the sake of reputation and honesty!"

"It doesn't matter what the prince thinks! It's even less important whether the prince will accept advice! What's important is whether your reputation as a master who is not afraid of power will spread to the court and the public! Am I right, Master Kong?"

When he said the last sentence, Li Xiang was already shouting loudly!
(Forgot to set the time, noisy)
(End of this chapter)