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

"Minister Changsun, please!"

Led by Zhang Anan, the two soon arrived at the Dali Temple prison.

Upon entering the prison, Changsun Wuji immediately spotted Cheng Jun standing in the cell. Looking around, he saw that, in addition to Li Shimin, several important court officials, including Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Yaojin, Li Jing, and Wen Yanbo, were also present.

Hu Yan was there too!

Seeing Hu Yan, Changsun Wuji became even more certain of his guess.

Who is Hu Yan? He is the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. The duty of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is to review criminal cases.

His presence here speaks volumes; it signifies that His Majesty has summoned his ministers to discuss how to convict Cheng Jun.

Okay, you called me over, you've come to the right person!

Overjoyed, Changsun Wuji strode to Li Shimin's side, cupped his hands, and proclaimed loudly, "Your subject Changsun Wuji greets Your Majesty!"

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and the others were somewhat surprised to see Changsun Wuji's ecstatic expression; they truly hadn't expected him to be so happy.

They truly are His Majesty's good family...

Everyone sighed inwardly.

Li Shimin was also deeply moved, and held his arms, saying, "Fuji, I have important matters to discuss with you."

"I know."

Changsun Wuji smiled, turned to look at Cheng Jun standing in the prison cell, and found his official robes utterly displeasing. Raising an eyebrow, he looked at Hu Yan and reprimanded him:

"Minister Hu, as the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, you have the power to supervise the prison. Cheng Jun is a criminal and should be wearing prison clothes. He's already in prison, yet you still make him wear official robes. What kind of decorum is this!"

"And where are the shackles? Bring them over and put them on him! A prisoner should look like a prisoner!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jun looked at him with a strange expression.

Everyone looked on in astonishment, wondering what had brought them here...

Suddenly everyone realized that Changsun Wuji seemed to have misunderstood.

Li Shimin was also taken aback. He turned to look at Zhang Anan and asked, "Didn't you tell him directly?"

Zhang Anan chuckled dryly, thinking to himself, "Do I dare to say it? What if he claims to be sick and doesn't come if I tell him directly..."

Changsun Wuji also sensed something was amiss and cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, you summoned me here to discuss how to convict Cheng Jun?"

"Pfft..."

A muffled laugh echoed from the cell.

Li Shimin looked somewhat uneasy. He first glared at Cheng Jun, then grabbed Changsun Wuji's arm and pulled him aside, saying:

"Auxiliary Machine, come with me for a moment."

Seeing his expression, Changsun Wuji realized that he clearly had something important to discuss with him, and he became even more puzzled.

Shouldn't this kind of thing be discussed openly and honestly? What's the point of dragging me to this secluded corner to discuss it...?

Although he was full of doubts, he didn't say anything and followed Li Shimin to a deserted corner.

Li Shimin stopped, released his arm, looked at Changsun Wuji with a serious expression, and said:

"Master, I intend to release Cheng Jun. What do you think?"

Changsun Wuji became anxious, "He was perfectly fine in prison, why did you release him?"

Li Shimin said, "He is innocent."

So you called me here not to discuss how to convict Cheng Jun, but to see how he'll be released... Changsun Wuji was stunned, increasingly puzzled, and asked in bewilderment, "If Your Majesty wants to release someone, just release him directly. Why do you need to discuss it with me?"

Li Shimin said with an unnatural expression, "The problem is, Cheng Jun is unwilling to come out."

Changsun Wuji exclaimed with delight, "Then why release it? Let's grant his wish!"

"no!"

Li Shimin waved his hand in denial, saying, "I must release him, and he must come out willingly."

Changsun Wuji suddenly realized, and said with some disappointment, "So, His Majesty summoned me here to discuss how to get Cheng Jun to leave the prison willingly?"

Li Shimin shook his head and said, "You misunderstand. I have already come up with a way to make Cheng Jun come out willingly."

Changsun Wuji asked in bewilderment, "Then why did you summon me here?"

Li Shimin stared at him and said, "The method I came up with is similar to false accusation and reciprocal punishment. Didn't I imprison Cheng Jun? Now it has been proven that he is not wrong, so I will imprison him as well."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji's eyes widened. "What kind of logic is it to imprison the emperor?"

Li Shimin nodded and said, "That's right. There has never been such a thing in any dynasty. I don't want to set a precedent for this. Besides, I am responsible for the country and the people and I have countless affairs to attend to every day. Therefore, I need someone to go to prison in my place."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji suddenly realized something, abruptly retreating to the corner of the wall, looking at him in disbelief, "You summoned me here so that I would go to prison in your place?"

Li Shimin solemnly asked, "Are you willing?"

Changsun Wuji couldn't hold back any longer and said excitedly, "Do you need to ask me if I'm willing to do this? How could I possibly be willing?"

Li Shimin nodded and said, "You can, you are my family!"

Upon hearing the word "family," Changsun Wuji nearly jumped up. "What family am I to you? I'm just a pot placed next to you!" he thought decisively, "Your Majesty, can't you choose someone else to go to prison in your place?"

Li Shimin said helplessly, "I have no one else to choose but you."

Changsun Wuji pointed in the direction of the prison cells and said, "Isn't there a group of people standing over there? Not to mention Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, isn't there also Hu Yan?"

Li Shimin patiently said, "I cannot let my subjects feel disheartened for my own sake."

Changsun Wuji said excitedly, "Aren't you afraid of disappointing me?"

Li Shimin patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly, "I am not afraid of your disheartening feelings."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji nearly fainted. Wasn't this bullying an honest man like me? Suddenly realizing that all of this was because Cheng Jun was unwilling to leave the prison, he instantly grasped the key point and turned to curse, "That brat!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes narrowed and he rebuked, "Changsun Wuji, you must not slander my beloved minister!"

Changsun Wuji felt a pang of sadness. Just because I said something negative about Cheng Jun, he started calling me by my name. Am I family, or is Cheng Jun your family? Why are you siding with outsiders...?

Seeing Changsun Wuji's aggrieved expression, Li Shimin felt a pang of pity and patiently said:

"Auxiliary Machine, did you hear about the explosion in the palace?"

Changsun Wuji responded in a muffled voice, "I know, I heard it was Yuchi Jingde who did it."

Li Shimin shook his head and said, "That thing is gunpowder. It wasn't made by Yuchi Jingde, but by Cheng Jun."

"This thing is no ordinary thing. If used properly, conquering cities and expanding territory will become a piece of cake."

Li Shimin exclaimed, "Cheng Jun is a talent that appears only once in a thousand years. His appearance is like a beacon, allowing me to see the future direction of the Tang Dynasty."

"Therefore, I tolerate his criticisms, his impeachments, and even his indirect insults. I don't take it to heart. I want him to be willing to serve the Tang Dynasty."

Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "Therefore, I cannot let Cheng Jun suffer injustice in this matter."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji said excitedly, "You can't let me suffer any injustice!"