This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Cheng Jun cupped his hands in greeting and said:

"If that's the case, then the matter is clear."

He raised his finger, pointed at Qian Jieyi, and said, "Someone persuaded Qian Jieyi, the owner of the gambling den, yesterday to wait for me outside the palace."

As he spoke, he pointed at Quan Heng and said, "Someone told Quan Heng today to come to the gambling den and lose money to me."

His finger shifted, pointing at Quan Wanji, and he said in a deep voice:

"Finally, Quan Zuocheng 'accidentally' discovered that his son was gambling at the gambling den. Enraged, he decided to put justice before family and, along with Hu Shaoqing and officials from the Dali Temple, came to arrest him. By sheer coincidence, they ran into me!"

"The Left Vice Minister Quan had previously served as an Imperial Censor. Upon seeing me, a 'gambler,' how could he not inquire about the matter? He soon learned that his son was losing money to me."

"In my opinion, losing money can be divided into intentional and unintentional acts."

"It wasn't intentional, it was just bad luck."

"If it is done intentionally, it is called bribing a superior."

Cheng Jun sighed, "I'm an innocent person who's never gambled in a place like this before, and suddenly I've been turned into a gambler and even accused of bribery!"

"Once the Left Chancellor Quan reports to His Majesty and His Majesty knows what kind of person I am, will he still give me an important position?"

Cheng Jun looked at Li Shimin and said solemnly:

"I wholeheartedly agree with what Your Majesty just said; this is indeed a conspiracy!"

"Someone is trying to sow discord between us, the ruler and his subjects!"

"If Your Majesty hadn't been invited here today, I would have been in deep trouble even if I jumped into the Yellow River!"

Li Shimin had now figured out the whole story, and with a cold snort, he said:

"This matter must be thoroughly investigated!"

"I want to see who this person is!"

Quan Wanji and Hu Yan, who were also present, looked displeased. Feeling like they were being used as pawns made them very uncomfortable, and they both cupped their hands and said:

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

At this moment, Cheng Jun's voice suddenly reached their ears: "Your Majesty, I think this is not advisable. This person is so meticulous and secretive in his actions. If we investigate in a high-profile manner, we will only alert him!"

Li Shimin looked at him and asked, "What's your plan?"

Cheng Jun said seriously, "We can turn the tables on them!"

Almost forgot, this kid also uses military strategy in his actions... Li Shimin thought to himself, and asked aloud, "How about we turn the tables on him?"

Cheng Jun said in a serious tone:

"The mastermind behind framing me is using a divisive tactic to sow discord between me and Your Majesty. I think we can turn the tables on him and put on a show to make him think that we have alienated each other."

"This person's purpose is definitely not just to sow discord between us, the ruler and his subjects."

"After all, this divisive tactic can only sow discord temporarily. Once His Majesty's anger subsides, he will at most reprimand me a couple of times, and the matter will be over."

Li Shimin chuckled and said, "You seem to know me quite well."

Cheng Jun said earnestly, "Because Your Majesty has a discerning eye for talent and knows that I am of great benefit to the country, how could Your Majesty, with your magnanimity, possibly notice such a minor flaw in me?"

"..."

He's really good at taking pictures...

Not only did he praise His Majesty, but he also took the opportunity to praise himself...

Hu Yan and Quan Wanji looked at him strangely.

Cheng Jun ignored their expressions and looked at Li Shimin, who had a kind face, and continued, "Therefore, I believe that by using a counter-strategy, we can bring the mastermind behind this to the surface."

"Then it's your way!"

Li Shimin made the decision: "You tell me exactly how to do it."

Cheng Jun bowed and accepted the order, then turned to Hu Yan and said:

"Minister Hu, immediately have the Court of Judicial Review investigate and seal off this place."

Hu Yan immediately waved his hand, signaling the Dali Temple to begin its investigation.

Cheng Jun then looked at the gambling den owner and said, "Qian Jieyi, you'll have to spend two days in jail first."

Qian Jieyi quickly replied, "Don't even mention two days of detention, I'd be willing to serve two years as long as I can help."

"It won't take that long."

Cheng Jun smiled, looked at Quan Wanji, and said, "Minister Quan, your son also has to cooperate and spend two days in jail."

Quan Wanji nodded.

"Also, Minister Quan, wait a moment, you take the wooden box containing the money, then drag me to the palace to confront His Majesty."

After Cheng Jun finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, I suspect there are people watching at the gate. You will have to climb over the wall to return to the palace."

As Li Shimin stood up, he said, "Do as Cheng Jun says."

"The ministers obey the order."

Cheng Jun, Hu Yan, and Quan Wanji bowed.

After Li Shimin led Zhang Anan to the backyard and climbed over the wall, Cheng Jun looked at Jin Deman and said, "Your Highness, when you go back later, please take my 'Adolf' back for me and tie him to a tree outside the palace."

"it is good!"

Kindeman nodded.

Once everything was arranged and it was almost time, Cheng Jun walked up to Quan Wanji and said, "Left Chancellor Quan, let's begin."

Quan Wanji nodded slightly, then grabbed his arm and, while deliberately shouting, walked towards the outside of the gambling den.

"Come with me, I'm going to take you to the palace to meet the Emperor!"

Cheng Jun readily complied and was pulled into the carriage, heading towards the palace.

When they arrived at Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin and Hu Yan had already been sitting inside for quite some time.

Seeing Cheng Jun and Quan Wanji walk in, Li Shimin asked directly:

"Cheng Jun, what's next?"

"Your Majesty, please send someone to spread the news that I was dragged into the palace by the Left Chancellor Quan for an audience with the Emperor. Then, we will wait here!"

Cheng Jun said seriously, "Let's see who comes over later!"

Li Shimin seemed to realize something, "Someone came over, so it must be the mastermind behind this?"

Cheng Jun shook his head and said, "It depends on the situation."

“If anyone wants me dead, then that person is definitely not the mastermind behind it.”

Li Shimin asked in astonishment, "You were killed, and you weren't the mastermind behind it all?"

Cheng Jun explained, "Their purpose this time is to sow discord between me and His Majesty, and it has nothing to do with death."

"Besides, gambling is not a crime punishable by death."

Li Shimin stroked his beard and said, "So that means someone pleaded for you, and that person is the mastermind behind it all?"

Cheng Jun denied it, saying, "The person who came to plead for me was not the mastermind behind it."

"I am well-liked in the court, so it is not uncommon for someone to plead on my behalf."

It's already unbelievable enough that you could even say something like that...

Li Shimin muttered something to himself, then asked in confusion, "The one who wanted you dead wasn't the mastermind behind it, and neither was the one who pleaded for you."

"Then, how do we identify whether the person who comes is the mastermind behind it all?"

Cheng Jun said seriously, "I have never seen the person who came before, and he has come to plead for me. Therefore, he must be the mastermind behind this!"

“A person I have never met before means that I have no connection with him. Such a person will not plead for me.”

"Therefore, the person pleading for me, and who is someone I have never met before, must be the mastermind behind this."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin suddenly realized what was happening and turned to Zhang Anan, saying:

"Ananda, immediately spread the word that Quan Wanji dragged Cheng Jun into the palace to meet the Emperor!"

"The slaves obey the order."

After Zhang Anan left, Li Shimin glanced around and addressed Hu Yan, Quan Wanji, and Cheng Jun, who were present:

"My three ministers, come with me and see who is plotting against us."

"The ministers obey the order."

The three of them cupped their hands in greeting.

Soon, a middle-aged man dressed in a purple robe ran over excitedly.