After walking out of the princess's manor, Du Kefa looked up at the sun that had sunk into the western mountains. The blood-red sunset glow illuminated half the sky.
There were already many people pressuring Du Kefa regarding Dang Renhong's corruption case.
Li Shimin wanted to save Dang Renhong's life, and his brother Du Ruhui advised him to follow Li Shimin's wishes.
Although Princess Chang Le did not say it explicitly, she also wanted him to obey Li Shi Min, worried that it would affect the marriage.
There was also Wei Zheng. Du Kefa had already been judged. Wei Zheng supported him in punishing Dang Renhong according to the law.
To be honest, Du Kefa didn't want Wei Zheng's support. Rather than calling it support, it was more like pressure, forcing him to insist on ruling the party according to the law.
"What a troublesome case." Du Kefa sighed and returned to the manor.
He knew that this was only the beginning. There would be more people putting pressure on him in the future.
What made him a little depressed was that the main character of the case, Dang Renhong, had not been arrested and brought to justice. The case had not yet begun to be tried.
After returning to the residence, he did not meet Du Ruhui. After resting for a night, he went to court with Du Ruhui again.
……
Du Kefa's palanquin stopped on the white jade square. The palanquin landed and Du Kefa got off.
Li Jing waved his hand when he saw Du Kefa.
Du Kefa walked to Li Jing's side and the two of them chatted.
On the white jade square, the officials gathered in groups of three to five, discussing different matters.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui huddled together and chatted in low voices.
Cheng Yaojin, Qin Shubao, and Yuchi Jingde gathered together and heard Cheng Yaojin shout at the top of his voice,""Yesterday, I, Old Cheng, had a dream and went to fight again. This time, I, Old Cheng, am really powerful. With a swing of my big axe, I killed a large number of people…"
Those who could attend the court were all officials above the fifth rank. Officials below the fifth rank did not need to attend the court.
Most of the officials had three or five close friends. Only Wei Zheng stood alone beside the bluestone railing. He held an ivory board in his hand and had a solemn expression. Even if someone greeted him, he would just respond casually and not talk.
According to the laws of the Sui Dynasty, entering the court for an audience was a solemn and sacred matter. During this period, the ministers were forbidden from making any noise.
But this law could not be implemented in the Great Tang.
Cheng Yaojin, Qin Shubao, Du Ruhui, and the others had helped Li Shimin conquer the Tang Empire. Many of the meritorious officials were born in the wilderness and did not understand the official etiquette. It was already very good that they could understand the system of audience to this extent.
Moreover, Li Shiming had also told them that the Great Tang's Imperial Court did not need to rigidly adhere to the laws of the previous dynasty.
With Li Shiming's words, the ban on talking outside the hall became useless. Perhaps the next generation after Du Ruhui and the others would abide by this law, but Cheng Yaojin and the others would not.
……
White Jade Bluestone Square.
The sound of bells and drums sounded.
The gates of the Black Tortoise Sect were opened!
When the bell and drum sounded, Li Jing returned to the ranks of the generals, along with Qin Shubao, Yuchi Jingde, and the others.
The leaders of the civil officials were Du Ruhui and Zhangsun Wuji. Fang Xuanling and the others were all second-grade court officials, and their titles were first-grade.
In the Great Tang, there were as many as twenty-seven First Rank Dukes, such as Duke of Hu Qin Shubao, Duke of Yun Yin Kaishan, Duke of Qiao Chai Shao, and so on.
In the court, Fang Xuanling was in charge of the secretary as the prime minister, Du Ruhui and Zhangsun Wuji as the left and right servants, and Du Ruhui and Zhangsun Wuji as the assistant.
The head of the three ranks was Wen Yanbo, the Imperial Censor, Wei Zheng, the Secretary Supervisor, and behind Wei Zheng was Du Kefa, the Minister of the Supreme Court. Behind Du Kefa was Tang Jian, the Minister of Honglu.
The civil and military officials of the Great Tang held ivory boards in their hands and stood in their positions, waiting to enter the court.
……
The Xuanwu Gate opened wide. The officials passed through the gate and entered Daxing Palace, the main hall of the Chang 'an Royal Palace!
Du Kefa turned his head and looked at the majestic Black Tortoise Sect. The Black Tortoise Sect incident had happened here.
……
In the court, Du Kefa saw that Li Shimin didn't look at him at all and didn't mention Dang Renhong's case.
This was ignoring his existence. Du Kefa laughed a few times in his heart and pretended to be disconnected. He resolutely implemented the policy of "watching more, listening more, and not talking" and stayed out of the debate between the ministers.
Gradually, he saw something interesting.
The important officials of the Great Tang were clearly divided into several factions, some cooperating with each other, some opposing each other.
Du Kefa silently divided the ministers into groups in his mind. The court session had already ended, and Du Ruhui woke him up.
"What are you thinking about?" Du Ruhui asked.
"Something interesting."
The two of them chatted as they walked out of the Purple Imperial Palace. Just as they were walking, an official suddenly rushed over from behind and heavily bumped into Du Kefa with his shoulder.
"Duke Lu, why did you deliberately bump into my third brother?" Du Ruhui shouted coldly.”
Hou Junji's black beard stood on end. If I bump into him, he can lock me up in the Supreme Court.”
Du Kefa had already turned around. When he saw Hou Junji's arrogant expression, he sneered."Duke Lu, why are you so hostile towards me? Did I steal your chicken?”
"He and Dang Renhong are old generals of Prince Qin's Mansion, and they have a close relationship," Du Ruhui whispered to Du Kefa.”
Du Kefa instantly understood that Hou Junji was warning him.
……
There were many factions in the court.
It was clear that Hou Junji and Dang Renhong belonged to the same faction. The two were political allies, one ruling the court and the other ruling the borders!
"Du Fuma, if you know the situation, let Dang Renhong go as soon as possible. Otherwise, you will regret it." Hou Guoji sneered.
"Oh, I never know how to write regret. Please teach me, Duke Lu.”
Since Hou Junji was here to pick a fight, Du Kefa wouldn't give in and coldly glared at Hou Junji.
Hou Junji.
[Official position: General Youwei]
[Strength: 80]
[Stamina: 80]
[Strength: 89]
[Commander: 89]
Power: 70
"Duke Lu, if you want to save a friend, you can come to the Supreme Court to break out of prison. I will satisfy your request and treat you to free tea and lunch in the Supreme Court.”
"Brat, you dare to bully me." Hou Junji's beard trembled as he reached out to grab Du Kefa, his movement so fast that Du Kefa couldn't dodge.
At the moment of crisis, a hand came over to stop him.
"Duke Lu, this is not the place to fight.”
Du Kefa took two steps back and saw that the person who helped him was Wing Nation Duke Qin Qiong and Qin Shubao.
"Thank you for your help, Duke Yi."
"Qin Qiong, are you going to help him kill his own brother?”Hou Junji shouted at Qin Qiong.
Cheng Yaojin smiled and walked over to smooth things over." Old Hou, your temper is even more impatient than mine. This is the palace, not a place to fight."”
Hou Junji swept his gaze over Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, and Du Ruhui. He coldly harrumphed and turned to Du Kefa."You're lucky today. Don't let me see you in Chang 'an.”
Hou Junji swaggered off.
"Thank you for helping my third brother.”Du Ruhui thanked him.
"Old Du is still so polite." Cheng Yaojin laughed." Xiao Du, don't be angry with Old Hou." The eldest son of the Old Party had died in the army to save Old Hou. Old Hou owed him his life, so he was like this.”
"I see. My third brother is young, so it's normal for General Hou to lecture him.”Du Ruhui replied.
Cheng Yaojin slapped Du Kefa's body and said,""You're not bad, kid. You dared to contradict His Majesty. Old Cheng admires your courage. In the future, if you have nothing to do, come to my residence and get to know my good-for-nothing sons.”
"I will definitely visit your residence when I am free." Du Kefa's shoulder hurt from Cheng Yaojin's pat.
Cheng Yaojin laughed out loud and then said seriously,""However, I also want to ask for mercy on behalf of the old party. Isn't it just a few bribes? Get the money back and punish them lightly.”
Another one came to plead for mercy.
No, it was two. Although Qin Qiong didn't say anything, he wanted to give Dang Renhong a light slap from his expression.
Du Kefa took two steps back and avoided Cheng Yaojin's big hand." General Cheng, I heard that you and General Li Ji were from the Wagang Stronghold. May I know why you gathered at the Wagang Stronghold?”
"It's all because of those corrupt officials from the previous Sui Dynasty who forced people to die.”Cheng Yaojin cursed. He paused and stared at Du Kefa for a long time.
"Forget it, I can't win against you.”
After Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong left, Du Ruhui said worriedly,""Third brother, bring more servants with you when you go out these days.”
Du Kefa nodded, but he didn't mind.
What was the use of bringing more servants? Could they stop Hou Junji, who had spent his entire life on the battlefield?
Under the strange gazes of the officials, Du Kefa silently followed his big brother out of the Imperial Palace.
"System, can we give up the mission?”
[No.] The system replied mechanically.”
This…Du Kefa could only think about how to guard against Hou Junji. He was a fierce man who dared to rebel while Li Shiming was still alive. It was really possible that he would send someone or kill him personally.
If only there was an expert protecting him, or he could become an expert himself.
When he thought of experts, Du Kefa thought of Xue Rengui. If Xue Rengui was here, he would definitely be able to protect himself.
Xue Rengui was already 17 or 18 years old. Where could she find him?
After returning to the Supreme Court, Du Kefa was not in the mood to revise the law. He had been thinking of ways to save his life.
Just as he was thinking, the system suddenly moved.
[Ding-dong. The host has already completed the system mission: The case of Dang Renhong was exposed. The mission completion reward has been issued. Because the host did not choose in time, the system automatically drew the prize. Do you want to receive it?"
"Eh? The mission was completed? When did this happen?"
"In front of Li Shimin, the host refused to punish Fang Renhong lightly.”
Du Kefa suddenly understood. He vaguely remembered that he had heard the system's voice, but he was too nervous to hear it clearly as he was scolding Li Shiming.
Damn, I was too careless. I actually missed the mission reward lottery.
"System, can you draw again?"
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