I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

Changsun Wuji stepped forward.

"Your Highness, in my opinion, Han Yuan is indeed inexperienced. The position of Vice Minister of War is important, and I fear he is not up to the task."

Yang Hongli had served as a general for many years, was well-versed in military strategy and knowledgeable in military affairs, making him perfectly suited for the position of Vice Minister of War.

Therefore, this senior official recommends Yang Hongli.

After Changsun Wuji finished speaking, he glanced at Li Shen with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Changsun Wuji had already guessed that Li Shen and the other man had come to help the Crown Prince. As far as he knew, Han Yuan and Prince Ji had no connection.

It's possible that even the Prince of Ji wouldn't know who Han Yuan is.

It was always the Crown Prince who recommended Han Yuan. As expected, when it comes to war, the younger brother goes to war with his son. The first thing Prince Ji did after returning was to recommend Han Yuan to the Crown Prince.

Oh dear? Seeing Changsun Wuji's gaze, Li Shen felt that he was being provoked.

Everyone knows that the Yang family of Hongnong is a member of the Guanlong Group, and the Changsun family is one of the four core members of the Guanlong Group during the Tang Dynasty.

The Yuwen family, the Dugu family, and the Li family are all core families under the control of the government.

"I also believe that Yang Hongli is truly deserving of the title and is capable of undertaking this important task." Just as Li Shen had predicted.

Several members of the Yuwen family immediately stood up and echoed his sentiments.

Next came the Yang family, the Dugu family, the Gao family, and finally even Yu Zhining, the Imperial Secretary, sided with Yang Hongli.

Their numbers were in no way inferior to those of the aristocratic families.

Li Chengqian frowned and looked at Li Shen. He had witnessed this scene several times before.

He wanted to know how Li Shen would break the deadlock.

Logically speaking, Yang Hongli was indeed the most suitable candidate, as he had merits, talent, and was also the Chief of Staff of the Army.

But Yang Hongli was not one of his men.

Just then, Li Shen suddenly turned around and looked at the court officials who supported Yang Hongli. Although there were few of them, they were all people of high rank and power.

Two prime ministers from three provinces have emerged. This guy is just a fourth-rank vice minister. Why make such a big fuss about him?

Everyone could feel Li Shen's cold gaze, and they all trembled inwardly, wondering if he would suddenly lose his temper.

Li Shen's gaze finally met Changsun Wuji's, but Changsun Wuji looked at Li Shen with a smile, without the slightest fear.

Just as everyone was waiting for Li Shen to explode, Li Shen suddenly laughed:

"Hahaha."

His laugh stunned everyone.

"Uncle, may I speak to you in private?" Li Shen said after laughing.

"What?" Changsun Wuji's expression froze. Prince Ji has gone mad. This is the council hall, and the Crown Prince is sitting on it. How can you say such things so blatantly? Don't you take the Crown Prince seriously?

“Your Highness Prince Ji, this is the Taiji Palace, not a private place. There are no secrets between us, and we can speak freely about anything.”

"Speak your mind." Changsun Wuji glanced at Li Chengqian above and said loudly.

"Are you sure? You should know that if I were to say this in public, you might not be able to handle it."

"Don't worry, it's not just us who are spies; His Highness the Crown Prince is also involved."

Li Shenyi raised an eyebrow, his tone threatening.

Changsun Wuji frowned. What did he mean by "I can't bear it"? He suddenly felt a little uneasy.

Did Prince Ji have some kind of leverage over him?

Thinking of this, he looked at Li Chengqian again, his gaze asking for the Crown Prince's opinion.

Li Chengqian stood up.

"In that case, please come with me to the side hall. My dear ministers, please wait a moment."

Li Chengqian knew that Li Shen must have a major trump card up his sleeve, otherwise he wouldn't be so calm.

Everyone present was stunned. How could there be such a rule?

There are things that can't be said face to face.

Moreover, this was the first time such behavior had occurred, making the ministers very uncomfortable. Had His Highness the Crown Prince broken the rules?

Regardless of what others thought, Changsun Wuji and Li Shen followed Li Chengqian to the side hall.

After Li Chengqian sat down, he asked directly:

"Your Highness, please speak plainly." This means you can begin your performance.

Li Shen bowed to Li Chengqian with a composed expression:

"Yes, then I will speak frankly, Uncle. The Western Expeditionary Army has allowed its soldiers to plunder the people's property in the capital of Yanqi, violating military regulations."

Yang Hongli was one of them, and he received at least 40,000 to 50,000 strings of cash.

My uncle should know what this means. I wonder if he still remembers what happened to Hou Junji back then.

"What?" Upon hearing this, not only Changsun Wuji, but even Li Chengqian was extremely surprised.

"Tenth Brother, are you serious?" Li Chengqian couldn't help but ask.

“Of course it’s true. I believe you all know that I went to Yanqi because among the valuables they robbed was my money, more than a million strings of cash.”

Furthermore, they killed the men I sent to guard the valuables. Otherwise, why would my elder brother think I would have traveled all the way to Yanqi?

"I have made a record of all the generals who distributed the spoils." Li Shen nodded.

At this moment, Changsun Wuji and Li Chengqian suddenly realized that they had received news that Prince Ji had gone to the west. They had originally thought that Li Shenxian was just idly wandering around the Western Regions.

I only found out today that it was because the Prince Ji's mansion had been robbed. No wonder the Prince Ji went to great lengths to chase after the Western Expeditionary Army.

"Your Highness Prince Ji, is there any evidence to support this claim? It is customary for large armies to plunder during their campaigns."

If we punish them for this, it would discourage the soldiers at the front.

Changsun Wuji was not alarmed, but calmly said.

"Hehe, Uncle, although I am young, I still know some military regulations. Without the commander's order, it is considered acting on my own and violating military orders."

I have already inquired with the soldiers and generals, and General Ashina, the Grand Commander of the Kunqiu Road Army, did not issue this order.

Instead, they launched a surprise attack on Kucha.

You might say that Yang Hongli was just a chief clerk and didn't have the authority to mobilize troops, but don't forget that he received a share of the money, which means he was involved.

If I were to bring this up in court, would Yang Hongli still have a chance to become the Vice Minister of War?

I'm afraid that when he returns, he will not only fail to receive a reward, but will also be punished.

Hou Junji, a duke and a founding hero, was dismissed from office and sidelined for several years. What do you think Yang Hongli's fate will be?

Li Shen was smug, and the expression on his face made one want to slap him.

Changsun Wuji felt somewhat passive at this moment. Yang Hongli was just a pawn to him, but behind him was the Hongnong Yang Clan.

Moreover, Yang Hongli's position is not low; if he is punished, the Guanlong Group will lose a force.

"Oh, right, there was also a member of the Xue clan, Xue Wanbei, among the participants."

Li Shen then suddenly added a sentence.

The Xue family was also a member of the Guanlong Group.

“What exactly does Your Highness Prince Ji mean? If they have broken the law, they should be dealt with according to the law,” Changsun Wuji said calmly, as if it had nothing to do with him.

"Is that so?" Li Shen wasn't in a hurry. He picked up the teacup on the table without ceremony, poured himself a cup of tea, and then drank it all in one gulp.

(Han Yuan is quite a character; let Huo Long give them a brief introduction.)