Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5237 Be a Treacherous Official
When Li Ji uttered these words, the military officers in the hall did not echo him, but instead all looked up at Li Chengqian with burning eyes, their attitude self-evident.

For the Wuxun Group, dying in battle was the ultimate honor, and they absolutely could not allow their reputation to be tarnished after death. Li Ji's words represented everyone's interests and stance.

Perhaps when Emperor Taizong was alive, people were forced to submit due to his power and dared not resist. This is also the main reason why the cause of Guo Xiaoke's death was left unresolved for many years.

But now, absolutely not.

After Li Chengqian sat on the throne, he clearly felt the oppressive aura emanating from the court. In the past, he would have been furious, which meant that he did not have enough prestige to suppress these fierce generals. Now, although he was still unhappy, he felt much more relaxed.

Because he wanted to take a path completely different from that of Emperor Taizong.

He understood that no matter how hard he tried, he could never improve his prestige, and it was virtually impossible for him to surpass these meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era...

But he cannot back down; he can compromise, but not when he is under the pressure of his subjects.

So he sat silently, saying nothing.

After Li Ji spoke, an eerie silence fell over the court, the atmosphere tense and solemn.

Xu Jingzong glanced at Liu Ji and saw that the latter was keeping his eyes down and had no intention of speaking up. He was puzzled. Civil and military officials had different paths and conflicting interests. This was the current state of the court and also the basis of Liu Ji's position. Logically speaking, regardless of Guo Xiaoke's merits or demerits, since Li Ji, representing the military, stood up to support Guo Xiaoke's posthumous reputation, Liu Ji should have expressed his opposition.

But why did Liu Ji remain silent and stand aside?

Since he doesn't understand, it means there must be some things happening outside the court that he's not yet aware of. Getting involved rashly might just lead to trouble...

So he suppressed his restless heart and decided to keep his mouth shut and not ask any questions.

Yet I also felt a gaze fixed on me...

As he moved his eyes, he saw Fang Jun staring at him from the opposite side, and he seemed to blink.

Xu Jingzong: "..."

Are you trying to signal me with your eyes?

But I don't understand the meaning behind your look!
Although he couldn't understand what Fang Jun was signaling to him, he was probably asking him to stand up and speak.

But what to say?

For or against?

If he agreed with Li Ji, why would he need to speak out himself?

That would definitely be opposition...

"Your Majesty is wise, but I believe the Duke of Ying's words are somewhat inappropriate!"

Having received Fang Junzhi's hint, Xu Jingzong naturally had to respond. Even if he didn't understand the meaning behind Fang Junzhi's eyes, he still had to say a few words according to his own understanding.

"Guo Xiaoke's death in the Western Regions, resulting in the loss of his army and the disgrace of his country, is an undeniable fact. The court's failure to convict him does not prove his innocence. The saying 'an incompetent general leads to the death of his entire army' perfectly describes Guo Xiaoke. If it weren't for the Grand Commandant's subsequent leadership of troops to support the Western Regions, the entire region would likely have fallen under the Turkic iron hooves. The hard-won achievements of generations and over 100,000 soldiers since the Sui Dynasty would have been lost in a single day. With such a grave crime, what qualifications do his family members have to be selected or granted official positions?"

As they talked, Xu Jingzong gradually understood Fang Jun's meaning and the current situation, and his speech became smoother and smoother.

Why are Liu Ji and Fang Jun not saying anything?
What is Your Majesty waiting for?
The matter is quite clear!

Guo Xiaoke's merits and demerits are all in the past and cannot possibly have any impact on the court. The decision rests solely with His Majesty. Such a simple and clear fact can be resolved simply by signing an edict in the Imperial Study and making it known to the world. Why bring it up for discussion in the Hall of Supreme Harmony?
It's unnecessary.

But since things have come to this point, it means that someone must have other demands.

Who is it?
It can only be His Majesty!
First of all, since it was Fang Jun who stepped forward to help his brother-in-law get an official position, and His Majesty would not reject it if it did not affect the overall situation, it means that His Majesty did not want to convict Guo Xiaoke.

Secondly, since His Majesty did not want to convict Guo Xiaoke, why did he not agree with Li Ji's words? This shows that His Majesty also did not want to simply forgive Guo Xiaoke.

The answer is then clear—His Majesty intends to use this opportunity to either do Li Ji a great favor or to demonstrate his benevolent nature.

Whether it's currying favors or demonstrating benevolence, to achieve the ultimate effect, a villain is needed to highlight it...

Isn't it just being a "treacherous official"?

Xu Jingzong felt no burden whatsoever!
At the end of the martial arts troupe, Cheng Yaojin said with a displeased expression: "Minister Xu is mistaken. In the end, the court has not reached a conclusion on the Guo Xiaoke matter, so depriving his family members of their eligibility for selection is a violation of regulations."

Xu Jingzong didn't even glance at him: "Then let's convict Guo Xiaoke now. He caused the loss of the army and the disgrace of the country, suffered a great defeat, and almost caused the Western Regions to fall into the hands of the Turks. He damaged the glorious prestige of the empire, and many soldiers were buried in the Western Regions because of him. He should be stripped of his title, dismissed from his post, have his family property confiscated, and be barred from holding office for three generations!"

A collective gasp filled the Taiji Hall, and almost everyone's eyes were fixed on Xu Jingzong.

too harsh!

Too toxic!

Ultimately, Guo Xiaoke was fighting for his country. Although his poor decision-making led to his defeat and death, China has a long-standing tradition of "respecting the dead." After all, once someone is dead, even if they are punished, they can be given a perfunctory reprimand or their rank reduced by one degree.

Strip them of their titles, dismiss them from their official posts, confiscate their property, and ban them from holding office for three generations... If this is done, the Guo family of Yangdi will be completely ruined and forgotten by the masses. Unless a brilliant and outstanding person emerges from their descendants, they will have no hope of rising again.

Cheng Yaojin was furious: "Why go to such lengths? If Guo Xiaoke is punished today, who will be willing to fight to the death on the battlefield and defend against foreign aggression in the future?"

Xu Jingzong retorted without hesitation: "If you're afraid of death, go home and farm and raise your kids. You soldiers are all cowards, so let's, the civil officials, take your place! What, do you think we civil officials can't ride horses, wield swords, or kill enemies?"

He showed no fear of Cheng Yaojin whatsoever, and his words were quite harsh.

The title of "Eighteen Scholars of the Prince of Qin's Palace" is not just for show.
Although he was ranked last among the "Eighteen Scholars," the people ahead of him who died of old age or retired from officialdom managed to outlast him.

Although their abilities are not as good as those at the top, as long as they live long enough, they will eventually become the last one standing!
Among all the civil and military officials in the hall, how many could compare to him in terms of seniority?
Upon hearing this, the civil officials immediately erupted in a clamor, each scrambling to echo the sentiment, their emotions running high and their spirits surging.

During the Sui Dynasty and the early Tang Dynasty, most officials emerged from the chaos of war, emphasizing the ability to "serve as both a general and a prime minister." Whether civil officials in the court or military generals in the army, most were skilled in both literature and martial arts, capable of pacifying the world on horseback and bringing peace to the land with their pens on foot.

If these civil officials were truly sent into battle, there would be absolutely no problem with them!
Cheng Yaojin was furious and roared, "Others may be able to take up arms and fight, but you, Xu Jingzong, have always been cowardly and lack any courage. If you were to go into battle, you would be unable to draw a bow or kill anyone. You would be captured alive by the enemy with just one charge, bringing shame to the empire!"

Xu Jingzong was not angry at all, and said calmly, "Then I will die on the front line, and die with honor! Rather than like Guo Xiaoke, who was stubborn and lacked strategy, and died tragically in the chaos of battle, losing his army and disgracing his country!"

"Damn it! You old scoundrel, you're truly despicable! I'll smash all your teeth in and see if you can still twist the truth and spout such vile words!"

As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, ready to rush forward and punch Xu Jingzong.

Zheng Rentai, Liang Jianfang, and others quickly pulled him back...

Faced with such rampant behavior, the officials in the Taiji Hall openly shouted and cursed, and the hall was thrown into chaos.

By the time the censor in charge of maintaining order in the palace reprimanded them and stabilized the situation, the civil officials had won a complete victory, leaving the military officers red-faced and speechless.

Li Chengqian sat on the throne and tapped the table with a paperweight, instantly silencing the hall.

His face was filled with sorrow as he sighed, "Guo Xiaoke lost his army and disgraced his country, suffering a crushing defeat in the Western Regions. His crimes are unforgivable. However, he fought bravely to the death and died a heroic death for his country. He did not beg for mercy or try to survive when the enemy's swords and arrows were at his door. In any case, he was a true hero!"

Then, with a sigh, he said, "He washed away his guilt and shame with his death. Now that time has passed, how can I bear to punish him again? I have even pardoned the Changsun family, so how can I bear to let Guo Xiaoke's family and descendants never have a chance to enter officialdom again? The way of a ruler is to be clear in reward and punishment, but the way of a person is to be forgiving and benevolent... I am not only the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, but also a person of flesh and blood. Even if Guo Xiaoke has committed countless crimes, I always shed tears when I think of those heroes who died for the empire... I cannot bear to punish Guo Xiaoke."

At this point, his face was filled with sorrow, his eyes brimming with tears.

The courtiers were all affected by His Majesty's emotions, and for a time, sighs of lamentation filled the air...

Just as Liu Ji was about to rise, Fang Jun suddenly sprang up from the opposite side, strode into the hall, bowed deeply to the Emperor, and loudly proclaimed: "Your Majesty's magnanimity and benevolence are truly unparalleled throughout history! Xu Jingzong is malicious and wicked, attempting to place Your Majesty in a cruel and oppressive situation and damage the reputation of a benevolent ruler. He should be severely punished!"

Liu Ji: "..."

You said all the lines I'd spent ages rehearsing?

Xu Jingzong: "..."

You're implying that I should become a "treacherous minister"!

I listened to you and became a "treacherous minister," and now you're calling for my execution?

Not a son of man!

"Hey, Grand Commandant, there's no need to be so harsh!"

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said with a smile, "Minister Xu's original intention was also to uphold the discipline of the court, which is similar to the Censorate's impeachment. How can he be blamed for this? As the saying goes, 'The warrior dies in battle, and the scholar dies in remonstrance,' this is the foundation of the empire's prosperity."

Fang Jun bowed deeply once more, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty is magnanimous and forgiving; this is a blessing for the country and its people!"

Many ministers who finally understood the current situation in the court cursed Fang Jun in their hearts for being shameless. How could he sing praises and flatter the emperor like this? Did he have no integrity at all?
Then, they all showered Li Chengqian with praise in various ways, making him seem like a flower in full bloom.

The relationship between the ruler and his ministers was harmonious and peaceful.