Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling retreated one after another. Li Shimin took out the map of Chang 'an and spread it on the imperial table.
He raised his finger and pointed at Xi City, frowning and deep in thought.
After a while, he suddenly thought of something and pushed the map away. He took a snow-white piece of paper, dipped his pen in ink, and began to write on the paper.
The brush rose, and the ink was formed!
Li Shi Min looked at the words on the paper and smiled with satisfaction.
At this moment, the yellow-robed chamberlain entered the palace and reported,""Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice, Li Daozong, requests an audience outside the palace.”
(The Yin and Yang Palace is within the forbidden grounds. Only a few ministers can enter to discuss state affairs with the Emperor.）
"Oh, quickly call him in."
Li Daozong was a relative of Li Tangzong. In terms of age and seniority, Li Shimin was Li Daozong's cousin.
A moment later, a dignified man wearing a purple official robe walked into the hall and bowed to Li Shimin."This subject, Li Daozong, greets Your Majesty!"
Li Shimin smiled and stepped forward. Why do you want to enter the palace today? I'll go to the Martial Virtue Hall to see Qian 'er later. He's been talking about you, his uncle!”
Li Daozong had made outstanding contributions in many wars during the founding of the country. He was upright, broad-minded, knowledgeable, and admired wise men. Among the members of the imperial clan, he and Hejian Prince Li Xiaogong were the most praised. Therefore, Li Shi Min admired him and appointed him as a third rank official of the Ministry of Justice.
"Your Majesty, I have something important to report today." Li Daozong said respectfully.”
"Oh?" Li Shi Min's face turned serious," What's the matter?”
According to the rules, if the Ministry of Justice had an important case, they should first report the document to the Minister's Office, and then the Minister's Office would pass it to him. Now that Li Daozong had personally come to meet the emperor, the matter was probably very serious.
"Regarding the fire at Yunliang Pavilion in Peace Lane, we have discussed it with the various departments of the Ministry of Justice and confirmed that it was arson!”Li Daozong said with a serious expression.
"What? Arson?"
Li Shi Min was furious.
To set fire to a workshop in Chang 'an, the capital, was equivalent to treason. Who was so bold?
After that, Li Daozong reported the detailed analysis of the arson case that Si Chen had submitted to him.
The fire in Yunliang Pavilion was set on fire, and it was confirmed without a doubt. And the suspect was none other than the Duke of Wei, Zhang Liang!
Li Shimin remained silent for a long time after hearing the story.
Then he said,"Chengfan, you may leave first. I have my own opinion on this matter."”
Seeing this, Li Daozong brought up the second matter."Your Majesty, the Great General of the Right Guard, Luo Prefecture Governor Dou Gui, returned to the capital a few days ago and wishes to enter the palace to meet the Retired Emperor. Unexpectedly, that day, the marquis captain Si Chen drove the fire-extinguishing waterwheel and rushed back to the workshop to put out the fire, bumping into the general's carriage. Dou Manor reported this matter to the Ministry of Justice. Retired Emperor also expressed his concern and requested for Si Chen to be severely punished.”
Li Daozong didn't dare to make a decision on his own with the Retired Emperor involved.
"Ignore it!" Li Shi Min said bluntly.
Li Daozong secretly said,"As expected" and left.
After Li Daozong's figure disappeared, Li Shiming shouted towards the outside,"Tell General Zhang Liang to come and see me immediately!”
The two Thousand Bull Guards outside the palace quickly left the palace and rode their horses to the Duke's Mansion.
……
Half an hour later, the burly Zhang Liang entered the Yin and Yang Palace, panting heavily.
"I, Zhang Liang, pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
Li Shi Min sat behind the imperial table and did not get up. He looked coldly at Zhang Liang and asked,"Speak! Did you send someone to set Pingkang Lane on fire?”
When Zhang Liang heard this, he was so shocked that his legs trembled. He knelt down and said,"Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
He was not stupid. With the Emperor's style of doing things, if there was no conclusive evidence, he would definitely not ask so directly.
It was better to plead guilty than to fall into a passive position after the Emperor produced the evidence.
"You're so muddle-headed!"
Li Shi Min picked up the inkstone on the table and threw it at Zhang Liang's forehead.
Zhang Liang's body swayed for a moment before he immediately knelt down again. He grimaced in pain, but he did not dare to scream. Blood flowed down his forehead.
"Although you were a farmer in your early years, you have gained a lot of knowledge after following me on expeditions. He had unique talent in administration, so how could he do such a thing? Is there something else? Tell me the truth!”
Li Shimin felt a deep regret for Zhang Liang, who had followed him since the end of the Sui Dynasty. If he could, he really didn't want to be like Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, who killed the founding heroes.
"It's all my wife's fault for being muddle-headed. When I found out, it was already too late." Zhang Liang's tears flowed down his face, looking extremely remorseful.
"Humph!" Li Shi Min sneered," Don't I understand your character? He probably knew that Madam had committed the crime and did not stop her, right?”
When Zhang Liang heard this, he was afraid and dared not answer.
"Forget it!" Li Shi Min sighed tiredly and waved his hand." You may leave." Considering your hard work in the past, I will spare you the death penalty and demote you to Lingnan's long history. Move your family to Lingnan.”
When Zhang Liang heard this, his body trembled and he bowed to the ground,""I thank Your Majesty for not killing me!"
He knew that the Emperor had demoted him to the position of Chief Historian of Lingnan so that he could fight for control of Lingnan with the local emperor, Feng Ang, and the natives.
His Majesty still needed Zhang Liang!
Exiling his entire family instead of detaining him in the capital was a sign of his love and trust!
As long as he did his job well, in five years, seven years, ten years... Zhang Liang would eventually be favored by the Emperor and return to Chang 'an.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。