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

Li Shimin looked at Cheng Jun, indicating that it was his turn to speak.

Cheng Jun pondered for a moment and said, "I believe they should be released without charge. After checking, I found that those on the list who have been arrested and imprisoned in Dali Temple Prison are indeed innocent."

"..."

Li Shimin opened his eyes wide, looked at Cheng Jun, then at Changsun Wuji, and questioned:

"How did you two investigate? How did you end up finding these people innocent?"

Didn't we agree at the beginning to set up a scheme, implicate all the people from the five surnames and seven clans, and then punish them all?

During the process, Cui Caiqi suddenly confessed to the assassination attempt, thus turning their scheme from a hoax into a real one.

In Li Shimin's view, punishment was a foregone conclusion, but now he discovered that the two had changed the script!

Changsun Wuji explained, "Your Majesty, you heard it. The statement of innocence was made by Cheng Jun."

Cheng Jun said, "Your Majesty, it was Minister Changsun who agreed, which is why I came with him to see Your Majesty."

Changsun Wuji turned to look at him and said, "Don't talk nonsense. I didn't agree. I brought you here to ask His Majesty for a decision!"

Cheng Jun also stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Li Shimin, and said:

"Since Minister Changsun has said so, then Your Majesty shall make the decision!"

Li Shimin angrily retorted, "What do you mean by 'I make the decision'?!"

"If I were to make the decision, what would be the point of having you all? I might as well investigate it myself!"

Changsun Wuji and Cheng Jun said in unison, "His Majesty's will is divinely ordained!"

Li Shimin shouted, "Get out of here!"

Changsun Wuji and Cheng Jun replied in unison once again, "As you command!"

Seeing the two walk to the two corners of the hall, Li Shimin angrily cursed:

"Come back! Come back!"

Seeing the two return, Li Shimin rubbed his cheeks. Now he told them to go somewhere cool and stay there, so the pressure of the officials pleading for leniency would fall entirely on his shoulders.

They must continue to hold the line... Li Shimin made up his mind, looked at Cheng Jun, and said sternly:

"Minister Cheng, do you think it's possible to release them without charge?"

Changsun Wuji echoed, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. Is this even possible? I myself think it is impossible, which is why I decided to report it."

Li Shimin glared at him and said, "What are you reporting? You two can discuss and resolve this in private. Why should I make the decision?"

Cheng Jun said earnestly, "I had just finished speaking when Minister Changsun brought me here."

The implication was that Changsun Wuji had no intention of discussing the matter with him at all.

Changsun Wuji sneered, "How can I discuss things with you when you're spouting nonsense?"

Cheng Jun retorted, "Then why didn't you point it out? Instead, you brought me directly to His Majesty. You clearly intended to make things difficult for His Majesty."

Changsun Wuji chuckled and said, "You know in your heart who is trying to make things difficult for others, and I know in my heart too!"

Li Shimin slapped the table, drawing their attention, and stared at them, saying:

"You two both know, don't you? Come, tell me, I don't know right now!"

Changsun Wuji said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, please don't try to figure it out."

Li Shimin slammed his fist on the table and said, "I don't understand at all!"

"Assistant, are you the presiding judge, or is he the presiding judge?"

Li Shimin looked at Changsun Wuji and scolded him:

"Why ask him for his opinion? If you think what he said is wrong, just refute it directly. Why bring him here in the first place?"

"How can I shift the blame if I don't bring Cheng Jun along? He's clearly trying to tear the roof off. If I try to negotiate with him, wouldn't I be falling into his trap?" Changsun Wuji thought to himself, while asking:

"Your Majesty, what do you suggest we do?"

Li Shimin frowned, looking Changsun Wuji up and down, feeling somewhat puzzled.

He wasn't like this before. He used to take responsibility for everything himself. How come he's learned to shirk responsibility now?

The key point is to throw it at him, the emperor.

Li Shimin said, "I am good at accepting advice; I like to listen to the suggestions of my ministers. Cheng Jun has finished his suggestion; it's your turn."

"..."

Changsun Wuji's expression stiffened. He glanced at Cheng Jun and saw that Cheng Jun was holding back laughter, with his head down, eyes closed, and lips pursed.

This isn't going well... Changsun Wuji felt a little panicked. What did it mean that Cheng Jun's suggestion was finished and it was his turn?

Cheng Jun's suggestion was problematic, but instead of criticizing him, you asked me to offer suggestions?

Doesn't this mean that what Cheng Jun said is correct?

Having made his judgment, Changsun Wuji decisively said, "I believe they should be released without charge."

Cheng Jun suddenly said, "Minister Changsun, can't you have some self-respect?"

Li Shimin put on a stern face and said, "That's right, how can you listen to Cheng Jun in everything!"

Changsun Wuji's pupils contracted, and for a moment he felt a strong sense of rejection in the Ganlu Hall, shutting him out. He immediately tried to make amends, saying, "I do think that what Cheng Jun said makes some sense."

Li Shimin solemnly replied, "That's his reasoning, but I will listen to you!"

Changsun Wuji said, "In my opinion, those who should be dealt with should be dealt with, and those who should be decided should be decided!"

Li Shimin retorted angrily, "Isn't this the same as saying nothing at all! Say something practical."

"..."

Changsun Wuji looked at Cheng Jun and saw him sitting there calmly and motionless, which made him somewhat annoyed.

We agreed that I wouldn't be blamed, so how come I'm the one being blamed now?

Do I look like a stove?

However, now that he was in a difficult situation, he couldn't remain silent. Changsun Wuji gritted his teeth and decided to divert Li Shimin's attention, saying:

"Your Majesty, Cheng Jun has confiscated the property of Li Yi of the Li family in Longxi and sent him back home. I believe..."

Li Shimin interrupted him, saying, "You mean to confiscate the property of all those who have been arrested and send them back to their hometowns?"

"What you say makes perfect sense, permission is granted!"

"That's settled then!"

As he spoke, he turned to Zhang A'nan:

"Ananda, quickly draft the decree!"

"Don't keep my dear minister waiting!"

Zhang Anan responded with a "Yes, Your Majesty," and then swiftly moved behind the desk, quickly writing on the brand-new imperial edict.

Soon, a drafted imperial edict was handed to Changsun Wuji.

"..."

Changsun Wuji stared at the imperial edict in his hand, completely stunned.

No, isn't this speed a bit too fast?

He looked at the three people in the hall and felt that the three of them were like a gang at this moment.

But he was an outsider.

Changsun Wuji gripped the imperial edict tightly. Putting it down would be disobeying the decree, but keeping it would also be problematic, as the blame would truly fall on his shoulders. His face flushed red as he said:

"Your Majesty, don't you think there's something wrong with this?"

Li Shimin said solemnly, "I believe in you!"

"Therefore, I will listen to whatever you say!"