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

They worried that if Cheng Jun was dismissed from office by the Emperor again, and if there was another earthquake, Lu Ting would definitely take the opportunity to eliminate them.

Therefore, protecting Cheng Jun now is protecting themselves.

After all, if what Cheng Jun said is true, they will be the next ones to be dismissed from their posts.

Fang Xuanling put aside his thoughts and stopped thinking about it. He immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the dragon throne, and said:

"Your Majesty, I believe there is some truth to what they say, and we should indeed try changing it."

Du Ruhui also stepped forward and said, "I second that proposal."

Wen Yanbo added, "I also agree."

Upon seeing this, Lu Ting was both shocked and furious.

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Wen Yanbo stood up to speak for Cheng Jun, which was not surprising to him. What surprised him was that Cheng Jun's words had won over another junior official who usually opposed him in the Ministry of Agriculture.

"His Majesty......"

Lu Ting's mind raced. He knew he had to persuade Li Shimin immediately and not let him listen to them.

However, just as he was pondering his words, he saw Li Shimin raise his hand and wave at him.

Immediately afterwards, Li Shimin's voice resounded throughout the Taiji Hall:

"Minister Lu, you don't need to say anything more."

"I am not a foolish ruler. I can distinguish right from wrong and I can make clear-headed decisions."

"That's why I've listened to everything you said, Minister Lu."

As Li Shimin spoke, he changed the subject and said in a deep voice:

"But as you've seen, even after I listened to you, the earthquake didn't stop. Now you're saying it's because Cheng Jun wasn't punished enough that the earthquake didn't stop. I've listened to you for two days and haven't seen any effect. How can I believe your words now?"

"Furthermore, if I really do as you say and severely punish Cheng Jun, what if the earthquake still doesn't stop?"

Li Shimin stared at Lu Ting and then said:

"Besides, don't think that others don't have a temper. Cheng Jun's words just now were telling me that listening to only one side leads to darkness, while listening to both sides leads to enlightenment."

"I cannot listen to only your opinion and not his."

"I have already given you two chances. Things can be done once or twice, but not a third time. That is why I want to hear what Cheng Jun has to say today."

Li Shimin pointed at Cheng Jun and said, "Now Cheng Jun has refuted you and mentioned a new method. I have listened to you twice, so it is time to listen to Cheng Jun once."

After saying that, he shouted loudly towards the outside of the hall, "Guards!"

Suddenly, four palace guards entered.

Li Shimin counted the number of people who came out to speak for Lu Ting; there were twelve in total. He pointed at Lu Ting, then at them, and said:

"Remove the official hats of Vice Minister Lu and these twelve ministers, then ask them to remove their official robes and escort them out of the palace!"

"According to the order!"

Four palace guards immediately began removing the official hats from Lu Ting and his companions.

Then they were made to take off their official robes themselves.

After all, this was the morning court session, and they were court officials, so they had to be given dignity. Of course, if they didn't want dignity, the four palace guards could only help them by dragging them outside the hall and forcibly removing their official robes.

The twelve ministers who had just spoken up for Lu Ting were now pale-faced, truly not expecting things to develop to this point.

Under the watchful eyes of four palace guards, they had no choice but to remove their official robes with trembling hands.

Soon, the four palace guards had twelve official robes of different colors in their hands.

The four of them looked at Lu Ting.

Lu Ting's eyes were bloodshot. He looked up at Li Shimin and shouted:

"Your Majesty, you mustn't! You absolutely cannot listen to Cheng Jun's nonsense!"

Seeing that Li Shimin ignored him, Lu Ting persisted:

"Your Majesty, you listened to Cheng Jun today. If the earthquake does not stop or even intensifies, what should we do?"

Li Shimin looked at them coldly, "What should be done? You submitted two memorials and I did not blame you, but Cheng Jun submitted one and you want me to blame him?"

"I can tell you now that if there is another earthquake, it will naturally mean that it has nothing to do with you. At that time, I will reinstate you to your original positions."

Do you think I am an unreasonable person?

Upon hearing this, Lu Ting immediately fell silent and had no choice but to take off his official robe.

Just then, Cheng Jun's voice rang out:

"Your Majesty, those criminals from the five noble families and seven prominent clans who have been pardoned should still be dealt with according to the law."

Li Shimin said calmly, "Granted."

Cheng Jun glanced at Lu Ting, who was glaring at him, and then said:

"And Minister Changsun should also be reinstated to his original position."

Li Shimin nodded, "Granted."

Cheng Jun then gave Lu Ting a kind smile, "Lu Shaoqing, may you have a safe journey."

Lu Ting gritted his teeth, feeling that he was being humiliated, but dared not retaliate. He bowed to Li Shimin and, under the "escort" of four palace guards, left the Taiji Hall and headed out of the palace.

After Li Shimin waited for him to leave, he withdrew his gaze and asked, "My dear ministers, is there anyone else who wishes to report?"

Seeing that the civil and military officials remained silent, Li Shimin stood up, left his throne, and said:

"If there is none, then the court session may be adjourned."

The civil and military officials all bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we respectfully see you off."

Cheng Jun also bowed. Standing in the main hall, no longer seeing Lu Ting and his men, he felt much better.

The court session had ended, and the civil and military officials stood in small groups, discussing the matter.

Cheng Jun then left the Taiji Hall directly, preparing to return to his post at the Censorate.

As soon as he stepped outside the hall, he saw Zhang Anan walking over.

"Imperial Censor Cheng, His Majesty requests your presence at the Ganlu Hall. Please come to see him as ordered."

Cheng Jun responded, "Please have Eunuch Zhang lead the way."

Zhang Anan spread out his palms, pointing towards the direction of Ganlu Palace, and said:

"Please come, Imperial Censor Cheng."

Meanwhile, outside the Vermilion Bird Gate.

The twelve officials, dressed in white undergarments, were driven out of the palace gates by four palace guards. Standing in the autumn sun, enduring the chill, they surrounded Lu Ting and said urgently:

"Young Master Lu, what should we do...?"

"That's right, how could this happen? How did things suddenly turn into us being dismissed from our posts?"

"Yes, the current situation is different from what we expected!"

Lu Ting was in a state of utter confusion. Listening to their incessant chatter, he hissed, "Stop talking!"

"So what if he was dismissed from his post? It's no big deal. If Cheng Jun could be reinstated, so can we!"

"The most important thing now is how to deal with Cheng Jun!"

Lu Ting gritted his teeth and said, "If Cheng Jun is not eliminated, he will definitely take revenge on us in the court in the future!"

Upon hearing this, the twelve dismissed officials calmed down.

"Now that we've all been dismissed from our posts, how are we supposed to deal with Cheng Jun?"

someone asked.

Lu Ting pursed his lips and said in an unquestionable tone, "We only lost in the court; we haven't reached the point of total defeat yet."

"What we lost in court, we can get back from the streets!"