Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5006: Lifetime Exam Ban

Even in his rage, Li Chengqian was forbearing. As an emperor who was unable to control the military power, he had to be humble and full of concerns. He believed in Fang Jun's loyalty, but if the imperial power and military power directly clashed, Fang Jun might change his ways and support another sensible and obedient emperor.

It might be difficult for Fang Jun to do it alone, but once he and Li Ji work together and become of the same blood, 80% of the empire's troops will obey his orders, which will be enough to change the world.

Of course, there may be some tentative intentions...

Fang Jun sighed and said helplessly: "Your Majesty, why do you say that? Ever since Emperor Taizong wanted to depose me, I have stood firmly behind you, regardless of profit, reputation, honor or disgrace. My heart to support the legitimacy of the empire is as firm as a rock, and I have never wavered even in the most difficult situations."

At this point, he straightened his back, his eyes burning, "Your Majesty is the head of the empire and the ruler of all people. I have nothing but respect in my heart. How dare I neglect you? As for all your Majesty's orders, I have always listened respectfully and carried them out resolutely without any complaints."

Some things can be tolerated, but they must be spoken out when necessary, otherwise others will take it for granted and look down on your tolerance and dedication.

Li Chengqian's expression changed. He naturally understood what Fang Jun meant.

There is no doubt that Fang Jun is the well-deserved "first meritorious official" of the "Renhe Dynasty". Without Fang Jun's strong support, how could Li Chengqian be where he is today?

But how did he treat Fang Jun, the hero?
He constantly deprived him of his real duties and power, and gave him a seemingly honorable and unrivaled title of "Grand Commander", but in fact he put him on high pedestal. Even though the navy and the left and right Jinwu guards were created by him, he only gave them the empty title of "moderation"...

Strictly speaking, as an emperor, he could not escape the infamy of being "mean and ungrateful" in his treatment of his meritorious officials.

But from beginning to end, Fang Jun never complained, and used his influence to reform and promote many aspects of the empire, including the military, economy, and culture. He was conscientious and selfless.

What else can we find fault with such a meritorious person?
If there is, it is just a vague but necessary precaution of "being too powerful to be a threat to the master"...

Li Chengqian exhaled lightly, his expression somewhat annoyed, and he put away the majesty of the emperor, more like expressing dissatisfaction between friends: "You only think about your great contributions to me and your loyalty, but have you ever thought that I also trust you and favor you in many ways? Every time you advise me, I have never refuted it. It is not an exaggeration to say that I listen to you and follow your advice. Throughout history, has there ever been a king who trusted his subjects so much? As for those powers and official positions, you may feel a little wronged, but let me ask you, if you and I were in each other's shoes, what would you do?"

Li Yun, lying on the ground, was almost frightened to death, his heart was pounding, and cold sweat was pouring down his body. The ministers were pressing him aggressively, and the king kept giving in, even saying things like "let's change places"... How could I, a prince who was just eating and waiting to die, listen to these words?

If a quarrel breaks out later and His Majesty feels humiliated, will he kill his brother to silence him?
Fang Jun spread his hands, looking innocent. "So we, the emperor and his subjects, have made concessions and understood each other, and jointly created the prosperous Tang Dynasty. We are destined to be recorded in history and be remembered forever. Why did Your Majesty start to criticize me so harshly, and even said such heart-piercing words? Once those words spread, I will inevitably be branded as a 'powerful minister', and Your Majesty will also be mistaken by the world as 'indecisive and power lost'. It will hurt both sides, why bother?"

Li Yun almost cried. He covered his head and could no longer pretend that nothing happened. He said in a trembling voice, "I didn't hear anything. If it gets out, it will have nothing to do with me!"

Li Chengqian slammed the table with a loud bang and shouted angrily, "Shut up!"

"Oh..." Li Yun covered his head tightly and dared not say a word.

Li Chengqian stared at Fang Jun and gritted his teeth, "Don't be so unreasonable in front of me. Is it because of these things that I am angry with you?"

Fang Jun was at a loss: "What is your majesty doing?"

"Playing dumb with me, huh?"

"I really know nothing. Your Majesty, please explain clearly."

Li Chengqian was so angry that his face turned red: "As a great general, you dare not take responsibility for what you did? Do you dare to say that this guy's false accusation against Dou Huairang has nothing to do with you?"

Fang Jun shook his head: "I really don't know. This matter is just an accident. Why bother to investigate it? Since His Royal Highness Prince Jiang has committed a crime, he should be severely punished. Deprive him of his title, confine him in the palace, confiscate his salary... Kill one to warn the rest, and set an example to others!"

Li Yun no longer cared about pretending to be dead and shouted, "No!"

What did he hear? !

I just beat Dou Huairang up, but the punishment was even heavier than that of Zhinu who rebelled?

Fang Er, you must have a dark heart!

He endured the pain in his buttocks, turned over and knelt before the imperial desk, tears streaming down his face and full of fear: "Your Majesty, this is what Sizi asked for. She said that Dou Huairang was incompetent, unworthy of his reputation, and irresponsible, so she asked me to make the Dou family fearful and give up the marriage proposal... Although I have committed a serious crime, I am only an accomplice, not the mastermind. Why is the punishment so severe? I know I was wrong and will never dare to do it again..."

Fang Jun said: "Your Majesty, the truth of the matter has now been revealed, hasn't it?"

Li Yun was so scared that he just cried and dared not speak.

He had originally decided to take this matter on himself, to put on a good show in front of Sizi, and to be a good brother who was loyal and righteous, but who would have thought that Fang Er was so vicious that he actually advised His Majesty to punish him like this? He knew that His Majesty almost never refuted Fang Jun's advice, and as long as Fang Jun said something, His Majesty would basically listen.

He was stripped of his title, confined in his house, and his salary was confiscated... All he had to do was give him a three-foot white silk and a cup of poisoned wine, and he would be treated the same as those vicious and treasonous traitors in history books.

He wanted to carry it, but he couldn't...

Li Chengqian ignored Li Yun and angrily said to Fang Jun: "Although this was certainly done by Jinyang, the fault lies with you in the end!"

Fang Jun was speechless: "Your Majesty, isn't this a bit unreasonable?"

"Let me ask you, why did Jinyang falsely accuse Dou Huairang and why did he refuse to get married?"

Fang Jun smiled bitterly and was speechless.

He never made any promise to Princess Jinyang, not even a hint. What does it have to do with him if Princess Jinyang is just wishful thinking?

But after all, he has always treated Princess Jinyang as his own sister and they have a deep friendship. How could he say such cold and mean words?

"boom!"

Li Chengqian slammed the table again and said, "You provoked Changle before, not only did she give herself to you but also gave birth to a son. I tolerated it, but now you have provoked Jinyang. As your brother, what do you want me to do?"

Fang Jun was speechless.

He had no desire for Princess Jinyang and was happy to see her get married, but she still wanted to find a husband and live a happy life in the future, right? If he let Princess Jinyang marry hastily just because he was anxious to get rid of this trouble, how could he bear the fact that the couple would be unhappy and resentful for the rest of their lives?

So he said gently: "Your Majesty is worried about Princess Jinyang's marriage, but the more urgent the matter is, the easier it is to lower your expectations. If Princess Jinyang's life is not happy in the future, how can Your Majesty be at ease? Why not wait a while, while looking for a suitable candidate, and while waiting for Princess Jinyang to change his mind, maybe it will be perfect."

Seeing Fang Jun reveal his true feelings, Li Chengqian's expression also eased. He snorted and said, "Then how should this matter be handled? A child of a noble family was beaten in the imperial examination room, which led to his expulsion from the examination room and his banishment from the examination room for three years. He must give an explanation to the Dou family and everyone in the court! Jinyang caused this incident. Help me think of a suitable punishment."

Of course he didn't want to offend Jinyang, otherwise the girl would only need to shed a few tears and he, as her brother, would be helpless, and Fang Jun would have to be the bad guy.

Fang Jun was shocked. "Your Majesty, why do you say that? It was His Royal Highness Prince Jiang who beat people, and it was His Royal Highness Prince Jiang who took the brunt of the torture. What does this have to do with Princess Jinyang?"

Li Chengqian's eyes widened. You said you had no desire for Jinyang, how could you be so biased?
Li Yun was sobbing on the side. When he heard Fang Jun's words, he was suddenly shocked.

"……belch!"

He burped to catch his breath, then raised his head, looking horrified: "Brother, brother-in-law, you can't do this!"

He even called me "brother" and "brother-in-law", which means we are all family. You knew that Jinyang was the mastermind behind this incident, but you turned a deaf ear and turned a blind eye to it, and insisted on putting all the blame on me. Is this appropriate?

Where is the axiom?

Where is family love?

Li Chengqian looked at the frightened Li Yun, pretending to hesitate, and asked Fang Jun: "Then how should we deal with this guy? Deprive him of his title and confine him to the palace?"

Li Yun rolled and crawled, hugged Fang Jun's thigh, and shouted: "Brother-in-law, save me!"

Seeing the snot and tears on this guy's face, Fang Jun couldn't help laughing, and deliberately followed Li Chengqian's words to scare him: "Prince Jiang should know that the imperial examination is the national policy of the Tang Dynasty. Your Majesty has repeatedly ordered that the whole country should pay attention to it. No one can interfere or destroy it at will. Prince Jiang openly beat the examinee in the examination room. It can be said that he has ignored Your Majesty's dignity and the national policy of the Tang Dynasty. If he is not severely punished, how can we maintain Your Majesty's dignity and show the severity of the national law?"

Just when Li Yun was frightened to the point of turning pale and terrified, he waved his hands and said, "...In my opinion, King Jiang should be banned from taking the imperial examinations for life. This severe punishment should serve as a warning to those who harbor evil intentions that the imperial examinations are sacred and cannot be violated!"

"Uh……"

Li Yun swallowed his saliva, a little dazed.

When he realized what was happening, he was overjoyed.

This punishment is really too harsh... For a dissolute prince who is uneducated and unskilled, it is basically a reward.

He quickly said, "This, this, this, no chance of taking the imperial examination in my lifetime? This is really too harsh!"

"Get out!"

"what?"

"roll!"

"Here!"

Li Yun felt as if he had been pardoned. He didn't care about the pain in his buttocks and ran away.

As for the so-called military sticks and court canes, which guard would dare to really hit him hard without the emperor's special instructions? So Li Yun's injuries looked serious, but in fact they were just superficial injuries, and his muscles and bones were not injured at all...

Li Chengqian stood up and walked out from behind the imperial desk, motioning Fang Jun to come with him and kneel on the mat in front of the window.

He picked up the flint and lit the small stove, then boiled water himself, looking very casual: "Come over and have a cup of tea, we haven't sat together and chatted for a long time."