Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5288 Severe Warning
Back in the imperial study, Li Chengqian had just sat down when Prince Han, Li Yuanjia, strode in, bowed, and took his seat, asking respectfully, "Your Majesty summoned this humble subject; may you have any instructions?"

As the year drew to a close, not only did the various pensions and rewards for members of the imperial clan need to be delivered, but all sorts of sacrifices and ceremonies also needed to be prepared. The entire Imperial Clan Court was in a frenzy, and he didn't even go home for two consecutive days. He was busy until the wee hours of the morning and would then get a quick nap in the yamen...

Li Chengqian asked, "Has the Prince of Jiangxia's residence offered any compensation or rewards?"

"Uh……"

Li Yuanjia hesitated for a moment and said, "Without Your Majesty's explicit instructions, this humble subject dares not make any decisions on his own."

That means there isn't one.

Your Majesty is benevolent. After Li Daozong's death, he was convicted of "attempted coup" rather than "treason," which has done your best to restore Li Daozong's reputation and spared the entire Jiangxia Prince's Mansion from being implicated. Although there were some complaints from the court and the public, as well as from within and outside the imperial clan, there were more voices of praise.

A benevolent ruler pleases everyone.

However, Li Daozong died with his crimes committed. Although his title was not revoked, there was no decree allowing his sons to inherit it. His sons' official positions were also revoked, and the other members of the imperial clan were deprived of all the benefits they were entitled to.

Even so, the entire Jiangxia Prince's Mansion remained quiet, without uttering a single complaint...

Li Chengqian sighed and said, "Uncle, please go to the Jiangxia Prince's residence in person and inform the Jiangxia Prince's sons that one of them is permitted to go to Da Nang. I will inform the Grand Commandant separately that once he arrives in Da Nang, he will be incorporated into the naval force to participate in the battle. I hope he will fight bravely and not tarnish his father's reputation."

Treason is an unforgivable crime, and Li Daozong's crime is unforgivable, but his circumstances are pitiable.

If his sons cannot inherit the title, the Jiangxia Prince's Mansion will sooner or later decline and perish, its lineage dying out... Whether out of affection for Li Daozong or to cultivate his own "benevolent" persona, he is willing to let it go.

Li Yuanjia understood immediately, knowing that His Majesty intended to grant Li Daozong's sons permission to inherit their titles in the future. He rose and prostrated himself on the ground, exclaiming, "Your Majesty is truly benevolent beyond measure. Which monarch throughout history can compare to Your Majesty? This is a blessing for your subjects, a blessing for the people, and a blessing for the nation!"

What could better demonstrate "benevolence and magnanimity" than extending favors to the descendants of disgraced officials?

Whether or not the Jiangxia Prince's Mansion should be punished is no longer important. The purpose of punishment is not simply to vent anger, but to learn from past mistakes and prevent future ones. Now, it seems that the imperial clan has been combed through. Many princes and dukes who refused to submit to His Majesty have been dealt with one after another. Even if they are not dead, they will no longer have the ability to threaten the throne...

Li Chengqian nodded: "Then go ahead and do it. After all, the Prince of Jiangxia has rendered meritorious service to the country. Although he has made a grave mistake, I cannot bear to let his bloodline end. I only hope that his sons can understand my good intentions as the emperor, and not harbor any resentment. Instead, they should think about how to learn from their mistakes and strive to improve, and like their fathers, use their military achievements to support their family's reputation and legacy."

Li Yuanjia understood that these words were practically a direct message to the Jiangxia Prince's Mansion: as long as they remained loyal to the Emperor and diligently served the country, the Emperor would not hesitate to forgive Li Daozong's sins and extend the favor to the entire Jiangxia Prince's Mansion...

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly convey your words and let everyone in the Jiangxia Prince's Mansion understand Your Majesty's good intentions."

……

Fangfu.

Fang Xuanling went out to meet friends, and Fang Jun received Li Yuanjia, who came to visit.

Li Yuanjia first bowed and greeted his mother-in-law, Madam Lu, in the main hall, and then went to the study with Fang Jun...

"You went to the Jiangxia Prince's residence to deliver the imperial edict?"

"Yes, I just got back. Li Jingren has already led his personal guards out of the city to Huating Town. His Majesty's kindness has moved everyone in the Jiangxia Prince's Mansion to tears. They thought they would be stripped of their titles and have their property confiscated, but who would have thought His Majesty would be so benevolent as to give them a chance to come back to life?"

Li Yuanjia sighed for a while, then looked at Fang Jun and said, "You used to be on very good terms with the Prince of Jiangxia, but after the Prince of Jiangxia got into trouble, you didn't care about his children at all. This goes against your reputation of being 'righteous and chivalrous'. Besides, that kid Li Jingren used to hang around behind you. Why don't you remember your old friendship at all?"

The reason why the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era took good care of Fang Jun and got along well with him was partly due to Fang Xuanling, but more importantly because Fang Jun was cheerful, generous and loyal, and he was very compatible with the heroes who had come from the chaotic times.

Logically, since Li Daozong was already dead, Fang Jun should have taken care of his descendants and family, but instead he ignored them completely...

This has led to considerable criticism of Fang Jun from both the government and the public.

Fang Jun sipped his tea, his eyelids drooping dismissively: "It's one thing for outsiders to make wild guesses without knowing the facts, but how could you say such stupid things?"

Li Yuanjia was dissatisfied with his attitude and couldn't help but retort, "How is that stupid talk?"

Fang Jun sighed and said, "Given the situation at the time, and the delicate relationship between His Majesty and me, do you think it was good for me to extend a helping hand to the Jiangxia Prince's Mansion?"

"Uh……"

Li Yuanjia was speechless.

Fang Jun shook his head, seemingly very disappointed in this "foolish brother-in-law": "You don't even understand the principle of 'favor comes from above.' How did you become the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court? It's one thing if you end up losing your life in a muddle, but before that, please send your elder sister home and write a letter of divorce to take full responsibility. Don't let your wife and children suffer as a result."

Li Yuanjia was furious, but he also admitted that Fang Jun had a point.

Li Daozong's actions constituted a genuine act of treason. According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, his entire family would be implicated. Even if they weren't all executed, they couldn't escape unscathed. Losing their titles, being dismissed from office, and being exiled were almost certain. The only one who could be pardoned was His Majesty.

Pardoning treacherous officials is the best opportunity for Your Majesty to cultivate a "benevolent" image. If others were to step forward and show concern and care for Li Daozong's children and family at this time, would Your Majesty be happy?

You've mastered the art of navigating social relationships, but what does His Majesty amount to?
Even if His Majesty subsequently pardons the Jiangxia Prince's Mansion, some people will believe that Fang Jun intervened to persuade His Majesty to do so out of necessity.

Your Majesty's actions and favors are beyond measure...

Originally, he had no intention of killing the Jiangxia Prince's Mansion, but at that time, he probably would have killed a few to vent his anger.

By ignoring the matter and giving His Majesty an opportunity to show his "benevolence," this is the true way to care for the Jiangxia Prince's Mansion.

If one were to favor Li Daozong's family and descendants solely for the sake of one's own reputation, it would ultimately harm them...

"So, you are the one who understands His Majesty better than anyone else in the court and among the people."

Li Yuanjia was full of praise.

In contrast, he couldn't quite figure out His Majesty's personality. He felt that His Majesty was both genuinely kind and benevolent, yet also somewhat stubborn and sensitive. He was willing to show the world love and forgiveness, but at other times he harbored a hint of rebellion and narrow-mindedness...

For example, he couldn't understand the relationship between His Majesty and Fang Jun.

If one were to say that discord and suspicion were gradually growing between the emperor and his minister, yet whenever Fang Jun offered advice on important matters of the court, His Majesty would listen to him without question and grant his every suggestion; yet if one were to say that the two were intimately close and that the emperor and his minister were in harmony, yet His Majesty would suppress Fang Jun in many ways…

Too complicated.

Fang Jun changed the subject: "How do you plan to train your sons? I've heard that Si Lang Li Zhuan is quick-witted and skilled in writing. Why not send him to Da Nang to be taught by Su Dingfang and have him train him a bit to improve his martial spirit?"

The King of Han had five sons and one daughter, all born to Queen Fang. Except for the eldest son, Li Xun, who died young, all the others survived...

Li Yuanjia quickly shook his head: "The Central and Southern War is attracting attention from the court and the public. Countless noble families want to send their sons into the war to gain military merit, but they cannot. If I, as the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, were to rely on Erlang's connections to get through this channel at this time, there would be a lot of discussion, which would be harmful to both of us."

Fang Jun praised, "Your Highness, the Prince of Han, is selfless and of noble character. I admire you greatly."

Li Yuanjia disagreed: "With your uncle here, why should the children join in the fun like everyone else? Once this storm has passed, you can arrange for them to join the Anxi Army or the Navy, steadily accumulating military merits without attracting attention. Wouldn't it be better to return to the capital in three to five years and get them a position?"

Fang Jun: "..."

The abacus beads were clicking and rattling.

He looked down on the King of Han's cunning and scheming nature, but since the children were his nephews after all, he nodded and said, "Alright, you can handle it yourself."

After giving a briefing, Li Yuanjia got up to take his leave: "The affairs at the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs are piling up, and I have to stay and oversee them, so I won't go to say goodbye to my mother-in-law. Please give my regards to Erlang."

"Why go through all this trouble as family? Your Highness may go."

"How could I dare to be rude? If I were to inadvertently offend you, Grand Commandant, and then cause another incident of trampling down the Prince of Han's residence, I would be too ashamed to show my face!"

"Why did I trample on your Han Prince's Mansion? Don't you know yourself? Back then, I was young and impetuous and didn't think things through. I still regret it now."

Li Yuanjia smiled and said, "That's more like it! Not to mention that I am your brother-in-law, but also an imperial prince and the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court. It would be a disgrace for the Prince's Mansion to be trampled by your horse. Adults should leave room for maneuver when they do things."

Fang Jun sneered: "If I were in the same situation now, I would never trample on the Han Prince's Mansion."

Li Yuanjia asked curiously, "So what would you do?"

"I'll drag you to the front of the Vermilion Bird Gate and let all the people of Chang'an watch as I slap your face with the sole of my shoe!"

"..."

Li Yuanjia was shocked, furious, and guilty: "You dare?!"

Fang Jun took a sip of tea, speaking with a leisurely air: "Is there anything in this world I wouldn't dare to do? My family is my Achilles' heel, especially my elder sister and younger sister. If you're going to be fickle and tired of your wife, then send me a letter of divorce, and I'll personally come and bring my elder sister back. We can part amicably and go our separate ways. But if you do something like favoring a concubine over your wife, I'll beat you up outside the Vermilion Bird Gate and drag you to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to ask the ancestors of the Li Tang imperial family if they still have any family honor!"

"...Farewell!"

Li Yuanjia's expression shifted, a chill ran down his spine, he felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, and he hurriedly took his leave...

In the past two years, as Fang Jun's power and status have become more and more exalted, he has become more and more kind and respectful to him, which has led to a reduction and dissipation of his fear of his brother-in-law. He always thought that since he had grown up and was in a high position, he would not be as reckless as before.
Some thoughts then began to stir within them.

However, today Fang Jun seemed to be jokingly warning him: no matter when or where, a fool is still a fool...

(End of this chapter)