Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4925 Strict Military Discipline
Liu Xiangdao did not sleep all night. He temporarily stopped the interrogation at dawn and ordered his subordinates to collect the results of last night's interrogation and organize the various confessions. He washed his face and walked out of the room. Immediately, the oncoming snowflakes hit his face. He shivered, and all his tiredness disappeared, and his spirits were lifted.

He went to the toilet to relieve himself, and when he came out he heard some noise on the street outside, so he went to the door. The soldier guarding the door saluted and then opened the door of the county government office.

As he stepped out of the door, Liu Xiangdao was stunned.

The heavy snow was still falling. The officers and soldiers of the Jinwu Guard took the tools borrowed from various people, lined up in a row and divided into areas, and worked hard to pile the snow in the corners of the walls on both sides of the streets. Only a thin layer of snow that had just fallen remained on the streets.

In the distance, the gate of the neighborhood opened, and many people who had just eaten breakfast came out and joined the snow-clearing team. The soldiers were in front and the people were behind. They talked to each other while they were busy, and their laughter spread melodiously in the heavy snow.

Soon, many women came with basins or even iron pots, and took out pots of steaming food, including flower-shaped steamed buns, snow-white dumplings, hot noodles... and warmly invited the officers and soldiers who were sweeping the snow to eat.

However, no officer or soldier offered his hand, and they all declined with a smile.

"Our army has discipline and we dare not touch a single needle or thread of the people at any time!"

"How can you touch even a single needle or thread of ours? You didn't do anything, we took the initiative to give it to you!"

"That's right, this is to thank you for helping us clear the snow. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be able to finish it in a day!"

"Thank you for your help, but military discipline is as strong as a mountain and I dare not violate it!"

The young captain was surrounded by a group of women, and his face turned red, shy and embarrassed, but he strictly abided by the military discipline and did not dare to slack off in the slightest.

The women were helpless, and many of them saw Liu Xiangdao standing at the gate of the county government office, and some recognized him.

"Is this the Imperial Censor in person?"

The women in Guanzhong are very strong-willed. From ancient times to the present, men have been fighting in wars or on their way to war. The elderly and children in the family have to be taken care of by women. Being weak, shy and tactful is not acceptable. They must be strong to support a family.

Moreover, the Tang officials of this period were still very down-to-earth. At the beginning, Emperor Li II would make private visits in disguise from time to time and stroll around in and outside the city of Chang'an. The prime ministers also often rode horses through the streets. Which neighborhood didn't have a few high-ranking officials as neighbors?
No matter how high the official position is, I am not afraid of him.

Liu Xiangdao walked down the steps with a smile: "This is me. Does this girl have any grievances to appeal? If so, I will plead for the people today. Please tell me the truth."

The woman looked less than 30 years old, with a pretty face. She blushed and was not afraid of the stage. "What injustice have we suffered? The previous County Lord Lai and the current County Lord Li are both good officials who care about the people's livelihood and are fair and honest. There has never been any unjust, false or wrong cases in the government! It's just that we prepared food and wanted to treat these soldiers to thank them for helping to sweep the snow, but no one was willing to eat. I think it must be because you, the Imperial Censor, are here, and they are afraid of being impeached by you later. Can you say something and let them take a break and eat something?"

After she said this, everyone else reacted and came forward to talk.

"No wonder they don't want to eat it. With you, the high-ranking supervisor, here, who would dare to eat it?"

"Even the prime ministers in the court are afraid of you, let alone these soldiers!"

"These are the meals we prepared spontaneously. Will you please allow them to eat them?"

Even Liu Xiangdao was at a loss as a group of women surrounded him and talked to him. He smiled bitterly and said, "What does this have to do with me? They have their own rules!"

"You speak, and they dare not listen?"

"Their superiors are all afraid of you, they will definitely listen to you!"

Liu Xiangdao was quite helpless being harassed by a group of women, and this was also a good thing of "the close relationship between the army and the people", so he called the young lieutenant to him and said gently: "I know you have discipline, but after all, this is a kind gesture from the people, otherwise, you will eat these meals?"

The young captain had blushed and looked immature when facing the woman's entanglement just now, but now facing the Imperial Censor, he straightened his back, looked serious, and said in a sonorous tone: "Imperial Censor, the Jinwu Guards strictly prohibit taking things from the people. Whether you actively ask for it or passively accept it, military discipline is as heavy as a mountain and cannot be violated!"

Liu Xiangdao was rejected in public, but he did not feel embarrassed. Instead, he was very pleased and nodded repeatedly: "Okay, iron-like discipline and iron-like army! This is the cornerstone of the country's stability and security, and victory in foreign wars!"

This is also the reason why he praised Fang Junzhi. Whether it was the previous Youtunwei or the current Jinwuwei, they were all known for their strict military discipline. Even Li Ji, who was always known for his strict military discipline, praised them a lot. This is a true talent.

Like Cheng Yaojin, Niu Jinda, Liang Jianfang and others, they are fierce and victorious, but they are also bandits. Their military discipline is lax and they are arrogant and domineering. Wherever they are stationed, the people suffer and complain...

Among the commanders of the time, Li Jing was the best, followed by Li Ji and Fang Jun slightly, and the rest were not worth mentioning.

*****
Li Chengqian in the imperial study had a sullen look on his face, and he even rarely scolded the two palace maids who had made mistakes, beat them with a stick 20 times, and then expelled them from the palace and sent them back home.

He was really furious!

He could accept the disrespect from royal family members, ministers and even nobles, but he could not accept these people desecrating the Zhaoling Mausoleum of Emperor Taizong and Empress Wende, especially the royal family members!

In order to avoid being branded as a "massacrer of royal family members", he repeatedly tolerated those royal family members with ulterior motives, constantly gave them opportunities to turn back, and even insisted on his own way and would rather take danger than take the first step. But how did these people do it?

Not only was he ungrateful for his mercy, he was bent on usurping the throne and even dared to tamper with the building materials of Zhaoling Mausoleum!
It’s tolerable, it’s unbearable!

In front of him, a group of important civil and military officials all looked ugly and angry.

Everyone is full of admiration for the virtuous Empress Wende, and everyone is full of love for the wise and powerful Emperor Li II. Now someone is actually tampering with Zhaoling. How embarrassed are those important officials who have always regarded themselves as Emperor Li II's lackeys?
Many of them planned to be buried beside Zhaoling Mausoleum after their death. If they were buried next to Zhaoling Mausoleum in the future, Emperor Taizong would ask them in his afterlife: "My dear ministers, do you think my mausoleum is magnificent and beautiful?"

How should they answer?!

Li Xiaogong's face was dark, and he gritted his teeth: "This case must be investigated thoroughly, and all those involved will be punished severely! Whoever dares to disobey, let him come and talk to me!"

This first prince of the royal family was really angry. He had followed Emperor Li II since he was a child, causing trouble and fighting in Daxing City. He obeyed his brother's words without any second thoughts, so much so that when Emperor Li II launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he took a knife and killed his other two brothers without hesitation: Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince of Qi Li Yuanji.

Without even considering the consequences.

He had always advised Li Chengqian not to kill the royal family, and constantly mediated between the two sides in the hope of calming the situation. However, he did not expect that the gang not only wanted to usurp the throne, but also had no bottom line to reach out to Zhaoling...

King Han Li Yuanjia also nodded and said: "Of course, this case must be investigated thoroughly, but we cannot be impatient. We cannot let go of any traitor who deserves to be punished, but we cannot wrongly accuse any innocent person who has nothing to do with this."

The various branches within the royal family are entangled with each other, and their interests are difficult to divide. This case must involve many people, but there may be people who are not involved. They must be carefully identified and strictly interrogated. In a hurry, it is easy to cause false cases and wrongful convictions.

The Minister of the Central Secretariat Liu Li said: "This case is extremely heinous and unforgivable. It will surely shock the world and be known to everyone inside and outside. Therefore, the Censorate and the Hundred Cavalry Division should not be responsible for the trial, but should be handed over to the Three Law Departments to solve it with all their strength, and the Zongzheng Temple should supervise from the side to give a fair and just explanation to the court and the world."

The "Baiqisi" is the emperor's personal army and the imperial power's minion. It is difficult to maintain a fair and impartial position among them. Although the Censorate has this power and responsibility, it is inevitable that officials will be greedy for merit and thus make mistakes. The best way is for the Three Judicial Departments to intervene and the Zongzheng Temple to supervise. No matter what the final result is, no one can say anything.

Otherwise, if someone slanders Li Chengqian for "taking revenge for personal gain" and "building up a large prison", it may affect the emperor's reputation...

Although Liu Xiangdao was dissatisfied, he knew that this was the best solution: "I second the motion."

Han Ai, the Minister of Justice: "I second the motion."

Dali Temple Minister Dai Zhou: "The Zhongshu Ling's mature and wise words for the country, I second this old minister."

King Han Li Yuanjia also nodded in approval: "This is absolutely safe."

The three judicial departments and the Zongzheng Temple all agreed, and the matter was finalized.

Li Chengqian looked at Fang Jun who was drinking tea and said, "The Grand Commandant must supervise the Jinwu Guards to ensure that the situation in Chang'an City is stable and that no chaos can occur due to any circumstances. The New Year is approaching and envoys from various countries are coming to Chang'an. We must not let those barbarians laugh at us and damage the prestige of the empire."

Hearing Li Chengqian calling him "Grand Marshal", Li Ji's eyebrows couldn't help but raise, but his expression remained unchanged.

Fang Jun quickly put down the teacup and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, don't worry, there will be no mistakes!"

Outside the door, Wang De walked in quietly, came to Li Chengqian's side, and whispered: "Your Majesty, there is an urgent war report from Hexi sent by Anxi Grand Protector Pei Xingjian, which is about Zuo Wuwei and Fanhe City."

Li Chengqian was slightly stunned, and hurriedly said: "Bring it here quickly!"

Not long after Cheng Yaojin launched the attack on Fanhe City, he received a battle report from him. This war had been planned for a long time, and he did not think there would be any accidents. It was just a matter of fighting for a few days and deciding whether An Yuanshou would fight to the death or surrender.

But why was it Pei Xingjian who delivered the battle report?

Why didn't Pei Xingjian stay in Ganzhou and keep an eye on the Gar tribe, but interfere in the battle between Zuowuwei and Fanhe City?
(End of this chapter)