My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 306: Judgment of the Family
It's not just the Changsun family.

In Luoyang City, almost half of the noble families suffered the same treatment during the curfew tonight.

As long as your name is on the list, no one can escape.

Curfew, gates closed.

This leaves people from these aristocratic families no chance to unite.

At the same time, they did not expect that the action of deposing the crown prince would be so quick and so cruel.

The Changsun family is the maternal family of the deposed prince.

"The royal family is ruthless, there is no such thing as a mother's family."

"If it's really my mother's family, will they join forces with other families to deal with me?"

Some of the discussions reached Li Chengqian's ears, and he was very disdainful of it.

For the throne, there were many cases of fathers and sons killing each other, and brothers killing each other.

My mother's family, what does it mean here?

Are we just going to sit there and wait for death?

"How does Your Highness intend to deal with this?"

Su Dingfang bowed slightly.

Su Dingfang is the main person in charge of tonight's arrest operation.

The reason why Liu Huaijin went to the Changsun family was just because Li Chengqian wanted to force the Liu family to take sides.

Having offended the Changsun family, Liu Huaijin had no way out and could only stand on Li Chengqian's side.

Don't underestimate the Governor of Liuzhou. In fact, he plays a very important role.

Before fighting the outside world, you must first make peace with the inside.

As the governor, Liu Huaijin naturally knew the situation in Luoyang City best.

"Follow the New Tang Law."

Li Chengqian made the final decision.

At this point, things have come to this extent.

It would be irresponsible to try to let it go.

Others will only think that it is just a lot of noise but little rain.

What we want now is to have the effect of killing the chicken to scare the monkey.

Let more people with ulterior motives think about the possible price they may have to pay.

The so-called New Tang Code is Li Chengqian's revision of the sentencing part of the Tang Code.
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The presiding judge this time is Pei Xingjian.

As Su Dingfang's apprentice, he was well-versed in both civil and military affairs, and was also a successful candidate in the imperial examination. It was naturally not a problem for him to serve as the chief judge.

Because there are too many people, not all the captured children of noble families will be tried by Pei Xingjian.

There were one or two thousand people, and several public offices were set up as trial points.

Moreover, this trial was an open trial, allowing the public to watch.

The news quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys.

Three days later, the trial began.

"Master Sun Ming, do you admit your guilt?"

Pei Xingjian's voice was full of majesty, even though it was his first time, but he remained calm.

Chang Sun Ming is no small figure.

In terms of relationship, he is the cousin of Changsun Chong, the nephew of Changsun Wuji, and a genuine royal relative.

He and Li Chengqian are cousins.

But a person of such status was treated as a criminal today.

Although Chang Sun Ming was wearing gorgeous clothes, they were now covered in dust, his hair was disheveled, and his face showed fear and unwillingness.

He tried to straighten his back and maintain the pride of the Changsun family, but his slightly trembling legs betrayed his inner fear.

Chang Sunming raised his head slightly, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes, but he still pretended to be calm and said: "Master Pei, my Chang Sun family has been loyal to the Tang Dynasty and has made outstanding contributions. I just acted a little recklessly, but I have never committed a serious crime. I hope Master Pei will understand."

Pei Xingjian's eyes were stern. He picked up the file beside him and said sternly, "You took a woman by force and caused her to commit suicide. The evidence is irrefutable. Do you still dare to quibble? Tang law is strict. How can you not know what the crime is for taking a woman by force and causing death or injury? Don't use your Changsun family's merits to excuse yourself! When I, Pei Xingjian, judge a case, I only recognize evidence, not merits!"

Chang Sunming narrowed his eyes slightly, forced a smile on his face, and said: "Master Pei, I was just reckless at the time. The woman and I were in love with each other. I never took her by force, let alone forced her to death. There must be a misunderstanding. I hope that for the sake of my Chang Sun family, you can see through it and give me a lighter sentence."

Chang Sun Chong calmed down a little. He thought Pei Xingjian was going to bring up the matter of their Chang Sun family's alliance, but he didn't expect it to be such a trivial matter.

It's just the death of a commoner girl, how big a deal is that?

The worst that can happen is that you have to pay some money.

Pei Xingjian said coldly: "Chang Sun Chong, stop using sweet words to flatter others!"

"You raped a woman and caused her death. There are witnesses and evidence, and the evidence is as strong as a mountain. Do you still dare to argue? The Tang Dynasty law is strict. The punishment for rape and causing death is what you should be punished for. Don't you know it?"

Chang Sun Chong's face turned pale instantly, and his body trembled slightly, but he was still unwilling to give up, and continued: "Master Pei, you can't say that. That girl and I were originally in love, but then something unexpected happened in her family, and it was not my fault."

"Someone must be jealous of the power of my Changsun family and deliberately framed me. I hope you can see clearly and not be blinded by this villain."

"My Changsun family has deep roots in the court. If Chief Pei can handle this fairly, my Changsun family will never forget Chief Pei's kindness."

Pei Xingjian snorted coldly, picked up a file from the table, raised it and said, "The evidence is irrefutable, and you still want to deny it? Here is the testimony of the woman's family, the confession of your servants, and the relevant material evidence of your rape of the woman. It's clear, how do you explain it? You are a child of a noble family, but you bully others and take human lives lightly. Such evil deeds, how can you quibble!"

Zhang Sunchong had beads of sweat on his forehead. He gritted his teeth and said, "Master Pei, I admit that I was wrong about the incident with that woman, but I was also confused for a moment."

"I am willing to give money to compensate the woman's family, and I hope you will show leniency and give her a lighter sentence."

Pei Xingjian slammed the table and said angrily, "Shut up! The dignity of Tang law cannot be violated. I, Pei Xingjian, judge cases impartially and impartially. How can I be shaken by your threats and inducements? You took a woman and caused her death. This is a serious crime that cannot be tolerated by heaven and law! Do you think you can use money to make up for your sins?"

"If everyone does what you say, won't those with money be able to act recklessly and ignore the law?"

Seeing that Pei Xingjian was unmoved, Chang Sun Chong became more and more anxious. He took a step forward, pleading on his face, and said, "Master Pei, I have parents and a wife and children. If I am sentenced to a heavy sentence, what will happen to them?"

"I hope you will have mercy on me and give me a chance to make amends."

"I promise that I will change my ways and never do evil again."

Pei Xingjian looked serious and said with a firm gaze: "Chang Sun Chong, since you have made a big mistake, you should be responsible for your actions."

"Everyone is equal before the law. There will be no favoritism based on your identity or family background."

"If you really care about your family, you shouldn't do such a heinous thing."

"Today's trial of you is not only to uphold the dignity of the laws of the Tang Dynasty, but also to give an explanation to the innocent woman and her family, so that the people of Luoyang City can live and work in peace."

Su Dingfang had explained this to Pei Xingjian before he came.

All crimes involving children of noble families will be punished severely and strictly.

Strictly follow the law. Of course, from the perspective of game theory, attacking the noble families is just a better excuse.

Li Chengqian needed this excuse.

If there is no one who has violated the law among the children of the aristocratic family, naturally no one will care about him.

It’s just that the aristocratic families are very powerful, especially the Changsun family, which is the most powerful in Luoyang.

In this area, the five surnames and seven families are all inferior.

Therefore, the children in the clan are naturally spoiled.

After hearing this, Chang Sun Chong knew that there was no chance for him to escape punishment. He swayed and collapsed to the ground, muttering to himself, "It's over, everything is over..."

Pei Xingjian's face darkened and he shouted angrily, "Chang Sun Chong, your crime is obvious. According to the law, you are sentenced to fifty years in prison and forced labor. You will serve hard labor in prison as a warning to others!"

"You need to do heavy physical labor in prison and reflect on your crimes!"

"Someone, take him away!"

In fact, according to the law, if multiple crimes are committed together, the person should be executed in the autumn.

But Li Chengqian needs manpower now, and killing most of them is not a good thing, it is too bloody.

Moreover, according to the death penalty law formulated by Li Shimin, even the trial of a commoner would have to go through three trials. Only after the evidence was conclusive could Li Shimin personally decide on the death penalty.

Li Chengqian simply abolished the death penalty and replaced it with hard labor.

The so-called hard labor is mining.

Mining is the hardest labor of all.

Fifty years is not much different from a life sentence.

Of course, from Chang Sun Chong's perspective, he felt somewhat fortunate.

As long as you are not dead, there is hope.

How could the deposed crown prince possibly defeat His Majesty? As long as the deposed crown prince is defeated, he will naturally be released from prison.

By then, he, Chang Sun Chong, will still be Chang Sun Chong.

The second scene is about Jia Hong, the head of the Jia family in Luoyang.

He was usually arrogant and domineering, but at this moment, he could not hide his fear. However, he still held on and said unconvincedly: "Master Pei, what my Jia family did was just to follow the world's will. Other families did the same. Why did you only target my Jia family? This is obviously unfair!"

Pei Xingjian's eyes were as sharp as an eagle. He slammed the table and said angrily, "Don't quibble! Your Jia family colluded with salt merchants to monopolize the Luoyang salt market, making huge profits and causing the people to suffer. This is a serious crime."

"Today, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is determined to rectify Luoyang. He wants to catch all of you lawless criminals in one fell swoop and restore peace to Luoyang City!"

"How can you be so unreasonable here! You, Jia, disregard the lives of the people for your own selfish interests. Today is your retribution!"

After that, Pei Xingjian picked up the verdict and read aloud the verdict on all the Jia family members. Jia Hong was sentenced to fifty years in prison and was responsible for hard labor on large-scale projects in the city. Other accomplices were also sentenced according to the severity of their crimes.

Then, people involved in the case from Henan Yu family and many other families were tried one after another.

Yu Zheng, the head of Henan Yu family, also stood in front of the trial point at this time. He was full of regret and said with a sad face: "Master Pei, my Yu family didn't want to get involved in this matter. We were forced by other families!"

"We are also helpless. We hope that Master Pei will show mercy and spare our Yu family. Our Yu family has been doing good deeds in Luoyang City for generations. We hope that Master Pei will show some leniency."

Pei Xingjian looked at him and said sternly, "Being forced? Then why didn't you report it to the authorities in time? It shows that your Yu family is also hoping for a lucky break and trying to profit from it."

"Now that you have committed a serious crime, how can the Tang law let you off lightly? As the head of the family, you failed to restrain your clansmen and participated in the conspiracy of rebellion. Your crime should be punished! But considering that some of your Yu family members did not participate in the core crime, you can give them a lighter sentence. If your Yu family really does good deeds and accumulates virtue, how could they participate in such a conspiracy of rebellion?"

After thinking for a moment, Pei Xingjian announced the verdict. Yu Zheng was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment with hard labor in prison. Some of the Yu family members involved in the case were also sentenced.

The trial lasted three full days.

Pei Xingjian is the main person here, and other minor characters are the responsibility of other people.

However, the case files and the final conclusion of the trial will need to be reviewed by Pei Xingjian.

Of course, it has to be reported to the prince in the end.

During the three-day trial, the noble families also tried to find connections and plead for mercy. Some secretly bribed Pei Xingjian. They sent their trusted people with a large amount of gold and silver treasures to secretly find Pei Xingjian and said humbly: "Master Pei, this is just a small gift. I hope Master Pei will show mercy and give my son a lighter sentence. As long as Master Pei is willing to help, there will be a big reward in the future."

Pei Xingjian glared at him and said righteously, "Put away these dirty things! The dignity of Tang law cannot be violated. I, Pei Xingjian, have been upright all my life. How could I violate my conscience and the law for this money? Your son has committed such a crime and should be punished accordingly. Go back and tell your master not to do these useless things anymore! If you dare to bribe again, you will be severely punished!"

Some people explained the situation to the officials under Li Chengqian and found some people through various connections.

For example, King of Han Li Yuanchang, Zhao Jie and others.

They all found connections.

Although Li Yuanchang was unreliable most of the time, he knew that Li Chengqian was determined to reorganize Luoyang at this time, so he did not dare to interfere in the matter easily.

"It's not that I don't want to help, it's just that Chief Officer Pei is impartial and selfless. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has made up his mind this time to thoroughly rectify the chaos in the aristocratic families in Luoyang."

"When you were at my house, I couldn't help you."

Not to mention Li Yuanchang, even Li Dejian who was imprisoned in his mansion had people coming to his door.

Li Dejian was merely imprisoned, not forbidden to see anyone.

However, regarding this matter, he just smiled bitterly and shook his head.

He is in such a state himself, how can he have the ability to help others?

Outside the government office, the common people looked at the noble families being escorted away, feeling mixed emotions in their hearts.

"I never thought that those noble family children who usually act arrogantly would end up like this!"

"Commander Pei is truly fair and selfless."

"The prince is wise!"

If the aristocratic families are put on trial, people will naturally support Li Chengqian.

After all, there are hundreds of thousands of people in Luoyang City, but the number of aristocratic families is only about three or four thousand.

He is used to being the king and dominating on weekdays.

This news soon spread to Chang'an.

After Changsun Wuji received the news, his expression was not at all unhappy.

Failure was expected.

After all, that was Li Chengqian.

But I didn't expect that Li Chengqian would be so ruthless.

So many people were arrested.

In contrast, Li Shimin was furious and lost his temper at the court meeting.

However, after the court was dismissed.

But he couldn't help laughing, and the corners of his mouth subconsciously curled up.

(End of this chapter)