Hou Junji's Rebellion, Nine Clans Executed!
When Fang Xuanling's words rang out in the hall, the officials 'hearts tightened for no reason.
Although they didn't know the true meaning of the words " a strong man cuts his wrist," Fang Xuanling's unprecedentedly heavy tone made their hearts tighten.
They were all too familiar with Fang Xuanling. As the head of all officials, Fang Xuanling had far-reaching strategies. No matter what he encountered, he would always have a relaxed expression on his face, as if nothing in the world was worth his headache.
However, Fang Xuanling had changed his usual tone and used an unprecedentedly heavy tone. It was as if a huge stone was pressing down on everyone's hearts, making it difficult for them to breathe.
Li Shi Min also felt depressed.
He said,"Xuanling, don't keep me in suspense. Just tell me what kind of strong man broke his wrist."”
Fang Xuanling took a deep breath. A trace of sadness flashed through his bloodshot eyes. He said,"The cause of this matter was the murder of Hou Junji and his son by Li Ke. The common people learned that the Imperial Court was going to slaughter the refugees and framed Li Ke because of Hou Junji and his son!”
"Thus, we can say that Hou Junji and his son were the ones who said all of this. The people learned of this from them, not from the Imperial Court. Or perhaps…they only have solid evidence that Hou Junji and his son massacred the refugees, but they don't have solid evidence that the Imperial Court is behind this!”
Fang Xuanling looked at Li Shiming and remained silent for a while before continuing,"Therefore, Your Majesty…I don't need to say anything else, right?”
"What do you mean?"
Li Shi Min's eyes flashed.
Fang Xuanling nodded and said in a deep voice,""Pushing all the blame onto Hou Junji and his son, saying that the Imperial Court knows nothing of their actions.”
"But…they have imperial edicts with them?”An official couldn't help but say.
"That's even better!"
"This imperial decree was forged by them, and the jade seal on it was also forged by them. Because Hou Junji didn't respect the imperial decree and wanted to rebel, he forged the imperial decree and killed the refugees to make the people misunderstand the Imperial Court!”
"The Imperial Court is innocent, and we are all victims. The true sinner is Hou Junji. Hou Junji has rebelled, massacred the people, and framed the Imperial Court.”
Fang Xuanling bowed to Li Shiming and said,"Your Majesty, this subject implores Your Majesty to execute Hou Junji's nine clans and announce it to the world so that the people will know of Hou Junji's ambitions, wash away the stain on the Imperial Court, and return peace to the Great Tang!”
His voice was loud and clear as it reverberated throughout the hall.
Whether it was Li Shiming or the other officials, they all fell silent.
Ruthless!
It was really too ruthless!
None of them had thought that Fang Xuanling's so-called " strong man cutting off his wrist " would actually be such a ruthless method.
He had nailed Hou Junji, who had sacrificed himself for Li Shimin, who had rendered meritorious service, to the pillar of shame, making Hou Junji bear the crime of rebellion for all eternity, never to rise again!
He also wanted to kill Hou Junji's entire clan.
All of this…shocked the officials.
He was filled with fear and dread towards Fang Xuanling.
It was only now that they knew what kind of schemes and vicious strategies this Prime Minister, who was usually smiling, had.
And this made some officials feel a chill.
Hou Junji was a hero, and he had even sacrificed himself for the Imperial Court and Li Shimin. Was it really necessary to treat such a hero so ruthlessly?
Li Shi Min wouldn't do that, right?
After all, Li Shimin had given them the impression that he was a wise ruler who valued friendship and loyalty. The founding emperors of the past dynasties had all hidden their bows and arrows, but Li Shimin did not. He had always kept those who fought for him and gave them endless glory and wealth.
So Li Shi Min wouldn't do that, right? That was why he was so loyal to Li Shiming!
Li Jing, Cheng Yaojin, and Wei Zheng raised their heads. They believed that there must be other ways to solve this matter. Li Shimin would not treat meritorious officials like that.
Li Shiming would definitely reward Hou Junji for his meritorious service. This was the way a wise ruler should act.
"I…"
However, Li Shiming didn't hesitate for long and suddenly spoke.
He looked at the ministers, his hands trembling, and his voice trembling. Coupled with his hoarse voice, he gave off an extremely sorrowful feeling.
"Zhen, I didn't want this!"
"I don't want to treat my meritorious officials like this!”
"But, is a hero more important? Or was the stability of the Great Tang more important? I believe you all know!"
"So, I had no choice. I was forced. All of this…should be blamed on Li Ke, this unfilial son, this unfilial son!”
Li Shi Min looked at the ministers and closed his eyes. He leaned back as if he had sucked all his strength out of his body. He said in a hoarse voice,"In the future, when we capture Li Ke, we will use his head to apologize to Hou Junji!”
"But now, for the sake of the stability of the Great Tang, We have no other choice!”
"Pass down my orders. Hou Junji has rebelled, massacred the people, and framed the Imperial Court. His crimes are unforgivable. Immediately arrest his entire family and behead them. Then use the Imperial Board to announce to the world Hou Junji's crimes and make him suffer eternal condemnation!"”
Li Shiming's voice fell, and the hall became even quieter.
Li Jing's heart was extremely cold. He felt as if he was in a cold winter, his entire body cold.
Cheng Yaojin clenched his fists so tightly that his teeth were about to shatter.
Although Hou Junji had been born into a hooligan and had many flaws, Hou Junji…was a brother who had fought alongside them, a brother who could entrust their backs to each other.
And now, Hou Junji, the man who had contributed so much to the Great Tang and Li Shimin's ascension, had been executed and nailed to the pillar of shame. All of this…caused the hearts of the Bureau of Military Personnel officials to turn cold.
It was also the first time that the civil officials had experienced what it meant to have the heart of an emperor unpredictable and to accompany the emperor like a tiger.
The entire hall was extremely stifling.
Cen Wen Wen stood among these officials and felt the suffocating pressure. He lowered his head and revealed a trace of mockery and ridicule.
He knew that the seed of a crack in the hearts of the officials had already appeared.
Li Shi Min was digging his own grave!
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