The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 275 Confession
Dali Temple Prison.

Lu Xuan, the Imperial Censor of the Palace, ordered the minor official in charge of investigation and arrest to shackle Wang Zhongsi, hold his feet with his hands, and press wood between his feet, preparing to let Wang Zhongsi taste the pain of being "pulled out of a donkey's foal".

At this time, Luo Xishi rushed in and said, "Yushi Lu, please stop the torture."

Lu Xuan asked, "Does Censor Luo think this torture device is not severe enough?"

"No." Luo Xishi sighed, "Prince Shou wanted to use his own title and official position to atone for his crime, and the saint showed mercy."

"What?" Lu Hyun was shocked.

The seriously injured Wang Zhongsi also raised his head suddenly.

Lu Xuan was stunned for a moment, glanced at Wang Zhongsi, and said, "Even a cooked duck can fly away."

Luo Xishi said, "Prince Shou will be here soon. If he comes in and sees this situation, it might be bad for you."

Lu Xuan sighed and waved his hand to ask the clerk to send Wang Zhongsi back to prison.

Not long after arriving at the prison, Li Heng walked in.

When Wang Zhongsi saw Li Ying, he bowed and said, "Your Highness, I am your humble servant."

Li Heng quickly helped Wang Zhongsi up and took a look at him.

The brave general who once fought on the battlefield with high spirits was now wearing prison clothes, his body was covered with dirt, his eyes were dim, and he looked very listless.

Li Ying asked, "General Wang is injured, why is he still showing me such great courtesy?"

Wang Zhongsi's eyes were filled with tears as he said, "If it weren't for your Highness's plea, I would still be being tortured. Your Highness is a noble man, and you are willing to use your title and official position to atone for my crime. This is a great favor, and I will never be able to repay you in this lifetime."

"General Wang, you are too kind." Li Heng helped Wang Zhongsi sit on the straw mat. "Thunder and rain, is it God's grace? Father loves you, but you made a big mistake this time, so father has to interrogate you."

Wang Zhongsi was stunned when he heard this.

Because he was completely framed, he knew that with Li Heng's ability to handle cases, it would be impossible for him not to see it, but Li Heng actually insisted that he was guilty, and he was a little confused for a moment.

At the same time, the eunuch who was eavesdropping outside the prison nodded with satisfaction.

Li Heng saw Wang Zhongsi's stunned expression, patted Wang Zhongsi on the shoulder, winked at him, and said, "Father is wise and merciful. As long as General Wang can confess his sins and repent, father is willing to give you a chance."

Wang Zhongsi listened to Li Heng's words, analyzed them carefully, and began to understand a little.

Li Heng said that Li Longji was wise and enlightened, which was a hint to him. Li Longji knew that he did not "want to support the crown prince" now, but still arrested him.

So why is this?

From Li Longji's perspective, he had been good friends with Li Heng since childhood, had dealings with Li Heng in the past, and also supported Li Heng as the crown prince. This was enough to show that he had sufficient motivation to support Li Heng.

In terms of strength, he previously served as the governor of four towns. Although he resigned from two towns, he still had people in those two towns. These four towns not only had a large number of troops, but also formed a situation of overlooking and encircling Guanzhong. As long as he really had the intention of rebelling, it would be easy for him to take Guanzhong.

In addition, another key point is that he is unwilling to attack Stone Castle.

Of course, his unwillingness to attack Shibao City was just an appearance. In essence, his thoughts were increasingly inclined towards defending the territory rather than expanding the border.

This runs counter to Li Longji's pursuit of expanding territory.

Different ideas would not only hinder Li Longji's progress, but also deepen the contradiction between them. When the contradiction expanded to a certain extent, Li Longji could not guarantee that he, who held a large number of troops, would not completely side with Li Heng.

Wang Zhongsi had previously overestimated his position in Li Longji's heart. Now, after experiencing imprisonment and with Li Heng's advice, he instantly figured everything out.

Then, cold sweat broke out on his back.

If we put aside loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness and only consider the interests, if he and Li Longji were in each other's shoes, he would make the same choice as Li Longji.

Wang Zhongsi sighed secretly and then thought about the second half of Li Heng's words.

If he confessed and repented, would Li Longji really give him a chance?

He felt that Li Longji should give it.

Because what Li Longji wanted was to take back his power and cut off his connection with Li Heng. If he confessed his crime and repented, it would be equivalent to giving Li Longji a legitimate reason. If Li Longji spared the life of a powerless person who was convicted and dismissed, he would not only not be a threat, but would also gain a reputation of being "generous and magnanimous".

However, once he admits to this false charge, how will he be judged by future generations and in the annals of history?
Wang Zhongsi felt that he had been seeking justice all his life and would rather die than admit to this crime.

So he kowtowed to Li Heng and said, "I thank your Highness for your kindness, but..."

"General Wang." Li Ying read Wang Zhongsi's expression and knew what he wanted to say, so he interrupted him immediately and said seriously, "Does the pine tree grow straight so that others can praise its uprightness?"

"Ah?" Wang Zhongsi was stunned and asked in confusion: "Your Highness, please enlighten me."

Seeing that Wang Zhongsi was having trouble understanding the situation, Li Heng simply said, "Although General Wang is a military commander, he has been well-read since childhood. There is a saying in Guanzi: Law and Law: 'There are no virtuous people who seek fame.' General Wang must be familiar with this saying, right?"

No matter how dumb Wang Zhongsi was, he understood what Li Heng meant.

Li Heng was scolding him for seeking fame and reputation and only thinking of dying for fame.

Wang Zhongsi hesitated.

Li Ying continued, "There are constant wars on the borders now. General Wang has great abilities. If you are truly a loyal and virtuous man, you should kill the enemy and serve your country. Even if you die on the battlefield and return wrapped in horsehide, it is better than leaving your body in the streets."

Li Ying could have been more straightforward, but there were eunuchs standing outside listening, so Li Ying could only say this. If Wang Zhongsi insisted on having his own way, there was nothing he could do.

Wang Zhongsi looked at Li Heng, remained silent for a long time, kowtowed again, and said with tears in his eyes: "I plead guilty and accept the punishment!"

"Yes." Li Heng helped Wang Zhongsi up and said, "General, please take a rest first. I will go back and report to my father."

Wang Zhongsi said: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Li Ying nodded and walked out of the prison.

Arriving outside the prison, Li Ying watched the eunuchs who came to listen to the trial leave, and turned to Lu Xuan beside him and said, "Imperial Secretary Lu, I have heard about your methods. In the case of Yang Shenjin, you tortured Zhang Xuan severely, and also tortured Yang Shenjin's concubine Han Zhutuan. The prophecy book was found in Han Zhutuan's possession, right?"

Lu Xuan didn't expect Li Ying to know so much about these things. He was surprised and said, "Your Highness, I can't hide it from you. I have heard that your Highness is proficient in criminal justice. Today, I will learn from you."

Li Heng said, "Regarding General Wang Zhongsi's matter, my father has issued an imperial decree. I will act in accordance with my father's decree. Please take good care of General Wang. From now on, if he loses even a hair, I will hold you responsible."

"I will take good care of General Wang." Lu Xuan quickly saluted Li Ying.

Li Ying stared at Lu Xuan and walked out.

……

Li Linfu's Mansion.

Luo Xishi and others looked at Li Linfu in silence, waiting for Li Linfu to speak.

But Li Linfu was calmly brewing tea, as if nothing had happened.

Luo Xishi could not help but sigh: "This time the plan to overthrow the prince has failed again."

"Yes." Lu Xuan echoed, "The dethronement of the crown prince is also a good thing for Prince Shou. I don't know what Prince Shou was thinking. He suddenly used his title and official position to exchange for Wang Zhongsi's life. We were a little caught off guard."

Li Linfu said without even raising his head, "Without Prince Shou, the Crown Prince cannot be implicated. From the beginning to the end, the Saint never thought of involving the Crown Prince."

Luo Xishi said, "I don't know why the saint trusts the prince so much."

Li Linfu looked up at Luo Xishi and said nothing.

It would be more accurate to say that Li Longji was more confident in Li Heng than to say that he trusted Li Heng.

Today's Eastern Palace Guard is just an empty shell. Li Heng has basically no possibility of using the Eastern Palace Guard to launch a coup, and Li Heng's generals, both civil and military officials, were either killed or demoted by him.

Li Heng became a very weak prince, but it was his weakness that became his protective shell.

However, no matter how weak he is, the prince is still the nominal crown prince of the Tang Dynasty. As long as Li Heng can smoothly take over power from Li Longji, the situation will be different.

Seeing that Li Linfu didn't say anything, Luo Xishi said, "Although Wang Zhongsi can save his life, it is difficult for him to regain his previous power. We have lost another political enemy. However, Prince Shou can benefit from this matter. Prince Shou's power is growing. Should we set a trap for Prince Shou?"

(End of this chapter)