The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 234 The King is Infallible
Li Heng stood up and asked the officials in the hall, "Can I speak?"

The officials in the hall responded in a flurry, but they all expressed the same meaning that they were sure it could be said.

Li Heng smiled slightly and said, "I have forgotten why Minister Ji tortured Du Erniang just now."

Ji Wen bowed and said with a smile, "Your Highness, because Du Erniang refused to confess."

"Confess what?"

"Confess whether you know that Du Youlin's death was a prophecy."

"Did Liu Ji mention Du Erniang in his complaint or confession?"

"This...no."

"Is there evidence pointing to Du Erniang?"

"Neither... nor."

"Then what do you want her to do?"

"I," Ji Wen was startled, paused, and said, "But she is Du Youlin's daughter."

Li Heng stretched his body and said, "Pei Dunfu is good friends with Liu Ji and is also a relative of Wei Jian. You use this to say that Liu Ji is colluding in the middle. Du Erniang is the daughter of Du Youlin, and you use this to think that Du Erniang is involved in this matter. According to your logic, the Right Prime Minister is also a relative of Wei Jian. Do you want to arrest the Right Prime Minister and interrogate him, and torture him?"

The relationships among officials of the Tang Dynasty were complicated. No matter whether they were political enemies or allies, many of them were relatives.

Moreover, Wei Jian did not serve Li Heng from the beginning. In the beginning, Wei Jian was good friends with Li Linfu. However, as his power grew, Wei Jian became more and more arrogant, and gradually began to want to squeeze out Li Linfu, so he turned from friend to enemy.

After hearing what Li Heng said, Ji Wen's expression changed slightly, and he said, "The Right Prime Minister is devoted to the country and the people. He has no contact with Wei Jian except for political affairs. How could he be involved in such a matter?"

When a person starts to explain, it means that he is in a passive position.

Li Heng smiled and said, "First, there is no confession involving Du Erniang, and second, there is no evidence pointing to Du Erniang. Is it reasonable to torture her like this?"

"It's unreasonable." Han Chaozong, the prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, who had been silent, took over Li Heng's words, "If we use torture instruments based on our own assumptions, then we can arrest anyone we want, right?"

When Han Chaozong was in office, he liked to promote young talents. People at that time once said: "I don't need to be a marquis, I just hope to meet Han Jingzhou."

In order to get Han Chaozong's recommendation, Li Bai wrote the world-famous article "Letter to Han Jingzhou" to flatter Han Chaozong.

Generally speaking, Han Chaozong was a good person, and he had a good relationship with Li Shizhi and also supported Li Heng.

With Li Heng and Han Chaozong taking the lead, Xiao Jiong, who was soft-hearted but had a conscience, also followed suit.

Ji Wen had no choice but to say, "In that case, I will just ask the question. Forget the torture on Du Youlin."

Li Ying smiled, nodded, and sat back.

Ji Wen asked as usual: "Du Erniang, do you know about the story of Du Youlin claiming to have read the prophecy when he died?"

Du Erniang glanced at Li Heng, but ultimately did not choose to bite Li Heng. She shook her head and said, "I don't know."

According to Ji Wen's original plan, the next step should be to ask whether there is any connection with the Eastern Palace, but after Li Heng's interruption, he couldn't get anything out of it, so he could only let Du Er Niang leave the room first and call Wei Jian and Wang Nandi to come up.

The case of Wei Jian and Wang Nande was much simpler. Apart from the secret meeting between the two, Ji Wen, Yang Shenjin and others could not find any other clues. Ji Wen and others could only speculate that they intended to support the crown prince and launch a coup. The trial ended, and Ji Wen and others sent the news to Li Linfu.

Li Linfu held the news document in his hand and remained silent for a long time.

For Li Linfu, although this case did not bring down Li Heng, it did clip Li Heng's wings, which was half a success.

Therefore, Li Linfu was not silent because of the case itself. He remained silent because he was moved by Li Longji's intentions.

What Li Longji wanted was a crown prince who posed no threat, not a deposed crown prince. Therefore, even if Li Longji did not send Li Heng to interfere, he would have used other methods to check and balance the situation.

His wish to overthrow the prince seems difficult to achieve.

……

The next day, Zichen Palace.

Li Linfu, together with Li Heng and officials from the three courts, presented the results of the case to Li Longji.

After reading it carefully, Li Longji said, "Wei Jian has been reforming the grain transport in recent years. At the opening ceremony of Guangyun Lake in the eastern suburbs of Chang'an, Wei Jian specially arranged a music and dance program for me. I remember that more than a hundred people sang in unison: 'Treasures in Hongnong, Hongnong has obtained treasures! Boats and cars are bustling in the lake, and there are many bronze wares in Yangzhou. Sanlang sits in the hall and sings the song 'Obtaining Treasures'. At that time, I thought he was grateful for my kindness, but now it seems that he is taking advantage of me and trying to please me in order to gain an official position. He was like this before, and now he is doing the same when he meets with Wang Nanyi in secret."

Li Linfu echoed: "The saint is wise."

"Wang Nandai was the military commander of Longyou and the deputy governor. Not only did he lose Shibao City, but now he is still not satisfied with his position. After entering the capital, he contacted officials everywhere. He deserves death." Li Longji continued to comment on Wang Nandai, then turned to Li Linfu and said, "Let the right prime minister and the three officials discuss and convict these two people."

"Yes." Li Linfu and the officials of the three departments accepted the order in unison.

Li Longji turned to Li Heng and asked, "I heard that Shiba Lang brought Du Erniang back to the mansion?"

"Yes." Li Heng did not deny or explain, but said: "Father, your majesty is wise and enlightened. Nothing I have done can be hidden from you, Father."

Li Longji nodded with satisfaction.

In this case, Li Heng did not conceal anything, did not overstep the line, and did not add insult to injury to Li Heng. He acted impartially within the scope of his authority and cleared Li Heng of all charges without favoritism, which was completely in line with his expectations.

Li Longji continued, "The case of Du Youlin has been solved. They claimed to be prophecies and attempted to frame the Crown Prince. Fortunately, the Crown Prince is loyal, filial, benevolent and righteous, and does not use relatives to override the law. According to the law, Du Youlin and others should be executed, but God has a merciful heart. I am concerned that Liu Ji, Du Youlin and others were relatives of the royal family, so I will spare their lives and sentence them to be beaten and exiled..."

Li Longji pondered for a moment and continued, "Shibalang and Du Erniang saved my life, so let's banish them to Anxi and let them make contributions to Anxi."

Li Longji's words sounded like he was rewarding Li Heng, but his real intention was to further alienate Li Heng from Li Heng and Li Linfu.

This was also one of Li Longji's intentions in letting Li Heng sit in at the beginning. He wanted to find someone to take the blame.

Although Li Heng took off his clothes to avoid the fire and divorced Du Erniang, he still couldn't forget Du Erniang in his heart. He secretly sent Li Jingzhong to contact Du Erniang, wanting to give her a good life.

Gao Lishi reported this matter to Li Longji.

Therefore, Li Longji did not want Li Heng to succeed. He wanted Li Heng to think of Li Heng whenever he thought of Du Erniang, so that Li Heng's hatred for him would be transferred to Li Heng.

Li Linfu wanted to overthrow Li Heng this time, but was disrupted by Li Heng. Therefore, as long as Du Erniang was in Anxi for one day, Li Linfu would hate Li Heng for one day.

Anyway, no matter what Li Longji did, no matter how others flattered the emperor, he, Li Longji, would never be wrong.

(End of this chapter)