The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 95 The Art of Proportion
Another impeached person, Li Shizhi, was also in the court. After reading the memorial, he felt more doubt than fear.

Li Shizhi has always been known as a good guy who is lenient in his administration and is liked by everyone around him.

Li Shizhi has always been nice to his subordinate Zhou Ziliang, and has no conflicts with Zhang Jiuling and others.

Therefore, Li Shizhi never expected that Zhou Ziliang would do this to him, and he had no idea what Zhou Ziliang was trying to do.

Li Shizhi walked forward to pay his respects to Li Longji while thinking, and he didn't have time to refute.

Seeing that Li Shizhi only bowed and said nothing, Li Longji asked, "Shizhi, don't you have anything to say?"

Li Shizhi came back to his senses, thought for a moment, and said honestly, "Your Majesty, Minister Niu started out as a minor official at the border. He has worked diligently for decades and made great contributions. He has now been promoted to the position of Minister because of his talent and the grace of the Saint. Censor Zhou's impeachment this time is... nonsense."

"I don't think it's just that." Li Longji stood up and asked Niu Xianke and Li Shizhi to return to their seats before continuing, "Zhou Ziliang is making trouble out of nothing and implying my faults. Humph, he wants to gain a good reputation and leave his name in history. Fine, I will help him, arrest him, throw him into prison, and beat him with eighty sticks!"

When Zhang Jiuling heard that he was going to be caned 80 times, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, although Zhou Ziliang is guilty, he is just a weak scholar. If he is caned 80 times, his life will be in danger. Your Majesty, please consider that this is a first-time offender and he speaks without restraint and show mercy."

Zhang Jiuling addressed his Majesty as a solemn statement.

"I have already shown mercy. It all depends on his fate." Li Longji did not give in at all.

In the early years of Kaiyuan, Li Longji worked hard to govern the country and allowed people to express their opinions freely. Even if there were censors who made random impeachments, Li Longji would not take it too seriously.

But now, he is tired.

He is already over fifty years old and has worked hard for so many years. Now he just wants to live happily for the rest of his life, which is unknown how many years he has left.

Therefore, he no longer wanted to listen to these unpleasant words, and today he was going to give a warning to those censors who had "made random suggestions".

Moreover, this is only his first step.

Li Longji paused, and then said: "You may think that I have punished Zhou Yushi too harshly, but I did not punish him like this just because he was making trouble out of nothing. As a censor, he not only impeached Zhou randomly, but also said nonsense like "a two-horned calf is also a cow". If there was no one behind him instructing him, he would never dare to say such a thing!"

Zhang Jiuling was shocked when he heard the words "instigated from behind", because he was the one who promoted Zhou Ziliang.

Zhang Jiuling knew that he was finished.

He quietly retreated to his seat, and instantly became listless.

The other ministers and princes all had expressions of shock on their faces.

Only Li Heng and Li Linfu showed no change in expression.

Li Heng knew the history and knew that he could not interfere in this matter, so he could only accept it calmly.

Li Linfu had already guessed Li Longji's thoughts.

Li Linfu was clear about Li Longji's three main demands: enjoyment, making money, and expanding borders.

Li Longji's three major demands were not exactly the same as Zhang Jiuling's governing philosophy, but they were contrary to it, so Zhang Jiuling's resignation was inevitable.

Today, Li Longji simply seized the opportunity and completed something that had already become inevitable in a natural way.

All the ministers were silent and dared not say a word.

Li Longji continued, "Who instructed Zhou Ziliang, who did he collude with, and how did he conspire to form a party..."

Li Longji said as he scanned the crowd, paused on Li Heng, and finally landed on Li Heng, saying: "Prince Zhong, you go and check this matter." Li Heng hesitated for a moment, saluted and said: "My son obeys your order."

This time Li Heng was a little surprised.

Because historically, Zhang Jiuling's resignation had nothing to do with Li Heng. Not only that, Zhang Jiuling even supported Li Heng to be the crown prince.

Li Heng thought for a moment and instantly understood the crux of the problem.

The key to the problem is Li Ying.

Historically, Li Ying had died, but now Li Ying is still alive. This led to Zhang Jiuling, who had always advocated the establishment of the eldest son, still supporting Li Ying, and also made Li Ying the first target that Li Longji wanted to guard against.

Therefore, Li Longji asked Li Heng to investigate, firstly, to let Li Heng take ruthless action against Zhang Jiuling who supported Li Ying, and secondly, to clear away political enemies for Li Linfu and bring Li Heng and Li Linfu closer.

This is Li Longji supporting Li Heng.

As Li Heng was thinking, Li Longji said, "This matter has been settled. There is no need to discuss it further."

As he spoke, he suddenly turned to Li Heng and said, "Shibalang, I just said I want to reward you. What is the reward?"

Li Heng came back to his senses and said hurriedly: "I have done my best to be filial to my father, so I don't need any reward."

"No." Li Longji refused, then pretended to think for a while and said, "By the way, you have been married for two years, but you are busy with official business and have no children. I will give you a concubine."

"Father, my son..." Li Heng wanted to refuse.

But Li Longji didn't listen to Li Heng at all, and continued: "I think the daughter of Imperial Physician Zhang, that one is called... Zhang Mujin, she is not bad, she is beautiful and has noble character, and most importantly, she is proficient in medicine. If you take her as a concubine, she can take better care of you. Even Prime Minister Zhang has suggested this, right, Prime Minister Zhang?"

Li Longji turned and looked at Zhang Jiuling.

Zhang Jiuling was so distraught that he didn't hear what was said and replied in a daze, "Yes."

After Zhang Jiuling finished his response, he remembered what Li Longji had said, but he thought that Li Heng might be able to protect the Zhang family, so he repeated, "Yes, I suggested it."

Li Heng was completely stunned when he saw Zhang Jiuling following suit.

Because Li Heng was not like Zhang Jiuling who could not think far ahead under the heavy pressure, he knew clearly what Li Longji was going to do.

Zhang Jiuling is about to be finished. Once Zhang Jiuling falls, Li Linfu will be the only one in power. At that time, Li Linfu will have to liquidate those people Zhang Jiuling once used, whether for his own power or to implement his own policies. Without Zhang Jiuling as their backer, those people will think of Zhang Mujin's relationship and come to him for help.

If he helped, he would be in opposition to Li Linfu. If he did not help, the people Zhang Jiuling employed were all Confucian disciples who had entered the officialdom through the imperial examinations. These people had great reputations and strong propaganda skills, and they might even slander him.

This is just a political consideration.

In private matters, Yang Yuhuan, this jealous little girl, might not be ready for him to take a concubine. If Yang Yuhuan had a quarrel with him, it would be a disaster.

Li Heng understood everything in an instant and opened his mouth to refuse, saying, "Father, I ..."

Li Longji interrupted again and said with a smile: "What's the matter? Don't you want to give me a grandson? Or do you not want my reward for you? Or do you have any other reasons?"

Li Longji said this lightly, but he actually put three big accusations on Li Heng.

(End of this chapter)