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

"..."

Upon hearing the words "confiscation of property," Li Yi's pupils constricted sharply, but he quickly relaxed.

He sat down at the table, picked up a pen, and began to write down the number of his family's fields and houses on the paper. He wrote down everything of value.

After finishing writing, he put down his pen, looked at Cheng Jun, and asked:

"Imperial Censor Cheng, based on my crimes, what will become of my entire family?"

Cheng Jun picked up what he had written, looked at it carefully, and said, "Exile."

As expected… Li Yi pursed his lips, exactly as Li Jing had said, took a deep breath, and asked:

"Where will I and my entire family be exiled to?"

Cheng Jun said calmly, "Sanyuan in Yongzhou."

Li Yi was shocked upon hearing this and looked at Cheng Jun in disbelief.

Sanyuan in Yongzhou is his hometown.

This is not exile, it's repatriation!

Li Yi stood up, trembling all over, his eyes filled with disbelief, his voice also trembling, "Imperial Censor Cheng, is this really true?"

Cheng Jun folded the paper, put it in his sleeve, and looked at him, saying:

"Now, after investigation, it has been found that your family is the only one in the Longxi Li clan that did not participate in the Cui family's assassination attempt. However, as you just confessed, the increase in salt prices in the capital and the twenty-three counties of the capital region is related to you."

"Since you surrendered yourself, I think His Majesty will treat you leniently."

Cheng Jun said solemnly, "Your family property is definitely not going to be saved. The imperial court will confiscate your property today. However, your wife, children and elderly parents will be spared."

“But you have broken the law after all. You and your family can no longer stay in the capital. From now on, you should go back to Sanyuan in Yongzhou to make a living.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yi was not angry at all; instead, his eyes were filled with joy, and he bowed deeply with gratitude, saying:

"Thank you so much, Imperial Censor Cheng, for your great kindness!"

Cheng Jun waved his hand and said, "Don't thank me, thank Minister Li."

“If he hadn’t made you come to turn yourself in, you and your wife, children and elderly parents would already be on your way to Lingnan tomorrow.”

Li Yi exclaimed excitedly, "Understood, understood!"

Cheng Jun looked at his clear, bright eyes, filled with joy and flattery, and turned to Bu Gandang, saying:

"Send him to the Dali Temple prison and find him a private cell."

Bu Gandang clasped his hands and said, "Yes!"

Cheng Jun watched as Bu Gandang took Li Yi away, and continued to count the prisoners that Changsun Wuji had captured.

Just then, Cheng Jun noticed a burly young man in a purple robe standing not far away, looking in their direction.

Isn't this Li Dejiang...? Cheng Jun was stunned for a moment after seeing the other person's appearance clearly.

When the selection of censors ended and the sons of military and civil officials were getting along well, Li Dejiang played a great role, which left a deep impression on him.

Cheng Jun immediately went outside and asked curiously:

"Brother Dejiang, what brings you here?"

Li Dejiang was lost in thought when he saw Cheng Jun approaching. He quickly clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Brother Chuxia..."

"I...I've come to take a look..."

Look... Cheng Jun's heart skipped a beat, and he asked with a smile:

"Are you monitoring Li Yi to see if he will turn himself in?"

"Uncle Li is really cautious."

Hearing Cheng Jun's感慨 (sentiments/remarks), Li Dejiang shook his head and said, "No..."

Cheng Jun was taken aback. "No?"

"Could it be... that Uncle Li is worried that I won't handle this well?"

Cheng Jun frowned and asked, "That shouldn't be the case. How could Li Jing not know my character? Does he think I'm a child who doesn't even have this much sense?"

Li Dejiang quickly explained, "No, actually it was my own idea to come."

After he finished speaking, he recounted everything that had happened at the Li residence.

"..."

Cheng Jun was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but say:

"You think your father can't handle this situation, so you've come to clean up his mess?"

Li Dejiang's face flushed red, but he still nodded and replied, "Yes..."

Am I crazy, or is he crazy, or is Li Jing crazy...? Cheng Jun stared at him, speechless, and said:

“Your father, I call him Uncle Li, is the Minister of War of our Great Tang Dynasty. He has read more military treatises than we have eaten salt. Do you think he can’t handle this kind of thing?”

Seeing Li Dejiang's silent demeanor, Cheng Jun patiently said:

"Let me tell you this: Uncle Li may seem to be asking Li Yi to turn himself in, but in reality, he is protecting him."

Cheng Jun sighed, "After all, they are relatives. How can we really just stand by and do nothing?"

"When Li Yi came to surrender, whether he saw me or Minister Changsun, as long as they knew that it was Uncle Li who sent him to surrender, both I and Changsun Wuji would definitely give Minister Li face."

"At the same time, Changsun Wuji and I will definitely report this matter to His Majesty, and His Majesty will know about it and understand Li Jing's intentions."

Cheng Jun slowly said, "The Li family did not participate in the Cui family's affairs, so His Majesty, given his character, will make an exception for them."

"In this way, Li Yi's entire family was saved."

Li Dejiang suddenly understood, then said with some shame, "I see..."

"I underestimated my dad."

Cheng Jun said, both amused and annoyed, "You're not underestimating Uncle Li, you're overthinking it."

Li Dejiang scratched his head and said, "Fortunately, my Uncle Li ran into you; he only had his house confiscated."

Cheng Jun nodded, "That's true. If he had run into Changsun Wuji, his family probably wouldn't have needed to be confiscated."

Upon hearing this, Li Dejiang's eyes widened, and he exclaimed in astonishment, "Huh?"

Cheng Jun chuckled and said, "Your Uncle Li is using the price increase of salt to get back at me. If I don't pay him back, how will I maintain my standing in the court? So, I have to pay him back."

"..."

Li Dejiang was silent for a few seconds, then sighed, "I thought he was lucky to have met you, but it turns out he was unlucky to have met you."

After saying that, he said seriously, "Brother Chuxia, I'll be going back now."

Cheng Jun smiled and said, "Please give my regards to Uncle Li."

"Okay!" Li Dejiang replied, turning to leave. Suddenly remembering something, he turned back and said, "By the way, Brother Chuxia, my father said that once you're done with your business, he wants me to follow you."

Cheng Jun was puzzled and asked, "Why did I ask you to come with me?"

Li Dejiang shook his head and said, "My father didn't say."

Cheng Jun pondered for a moment and said, "Alright... come to my house when I'm done with my work."

Li Dejiang breathed a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across his face. He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Alright, Brother Chuxia, farewell!"

Cheng Jun returned the greeting with clasped hands, watching Li Jing's retreating figure, pondering Li Jing's intention in having his son stay by his side.

Could it be that he thinks his son is too stupid and is coming to me for advice...?