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

He's trying to shift the blame... Cheng Jun is very knowledgeable about these kinds of things. To suggest asking the retired emperor to die at this time would be falling into Changsun Wuji's trap. He asked, "What does this have to do with the retired emperor?"

Changsun Wuji said calmly, "Because the system of government capital and the establishment of officials in charge of collecting money have existed since the founding of the Tang Dynasty!"

Cheng Jun pondered for a moment and asked, "Minister Changsun, what was the reign title of the Emperor Emeritus?"

"Martial virtue."

"now what?"

"The Zhenguan era..."

After Changsun Wuji finished speaking, his expression changed, and he realized something was wrong.

Cheng Jun looked at him and said, "In the Zhenguan era, you talked about the Wude era. In the Wude era, are you going to talk about the former Sui dynasty?"

"Although the former Sui Dynasty is gone, our Great Tang Dynasty follows its system, but we also learn from its strengths and make up for its weaknesses, keeping what is useful and discarding what is not."

Cheng Jun, with a serious expression, said righteously:

"The public office capital and the money-collecting officials left over from the Wude era have harmed the people. Even in the Zhenguan era, Your Majesty has not abolished them. So should I impeach Your Majesty, rather than the Emperor Emeritus?"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji couldn't help but look at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin angrily said, "Why are you looking at me? I'm asking you a question, so refute him!"

Changsun Wuji thought about it and felt a great headache. Cheng Juncan did indeed have something to do with it, and there was no way to clear His Majesty of any wrongdoing.

Seeing that he remained silent, Cheng Jun looked at Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, may I ask whether the system of public office capital and the establishment of money-collecting officials are harmful to the people?"

"Yes."

Although Li Shimin was angry, he was clear-headed and nodded directly.

"Shouldn't it be abolished?"

"of course."

Shouldn't His Majesty issue an edict of self-reproach?

Cheng Jun asked.

Li Shimin shuddered, his eyes widened in anger, and he grabbed Li Shimin's shoulders, shouting, "On what grounds?"

"I admit that what you say makes sense. The government capital system and the money-collecting clerks should be abolished. But your motives for impeaching me are impure. If you were only after these two things, I would absolutely grant your request. But is that really what you mean?"

"You're clearly using a feint to deceive others while secretly plotting against them!"

"You impeached me to get revenge on Changsun Wuji. I am completely innocent, yet you still want me to issue an edict of self-reproach?"

Cheng Jun retorted, "If Your Majesty does not issue an edict of self-reproach, how can you reassure the people? How can you let the world know that Your Majesty has repented? Emperor Wu of Han was able to reflect on his mistakes and issue an edict of self-reproach. Your Majesty is touted as a wise ruler, so why can't you?"

Li Shimin angrily said, "Aren't you going to tell me? Your motives are impure!"

"Your Majesty, I have clearly been wholeheartedly devoted to the Tang Dynasty and have never implicated Minister Changsun. Yet Your Majesty insists that I am doing this to retaliate against Minister Changsun. If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext!"

"How can he be so talkative..." Li Shimin trembled with anger, feeling like he was about to faint. Cheng Jun refused to admit that this matter was related to Changsun Wuji, and there was nothing he could do.

Especially the phrase "If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext," which is practically an insult calling him a tyrant.

Li Shimin couldn't swallow his anger any longer, but he couldn't do anything about Cheng Jun. He turned to glare at Changsun Wuji and said excitedly, "What are you standing here for? Did I call you here to watch a show? Quickly refute him!"

He's right, and I can't refute him... Changsun Wuji's throat tightened, and he looked at Cheng Jun with a forced smile, his tone softening as he said:

“Imperial Censor Cheng, this system was already in place during the reign of Emperor Wude. His Majesty simply didn’t think of it. If there is any fault, it is the fault of the retired emperor. His Majesty would not issue an edict of self-reproach.”

Cheng Jun stared at him, now he knew to back down, what was he doing before? He hadn't given him any face at all, and angrily rebuked him:

"Minister Changsun, you keep saying that the fault lies with the Emperor Emeritus. Do you mean that His Majesty should punish the Emperor Emeritus? The Emperor Emeritus is a father, and His Majesty is a son. To punish the father as a son is the most unfilial thing in the world. Your heart is despicable!"

What am I supposed to say...? Changsun Wuji's face turned purple. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have come. No, not coming wouldn't have been an option. Not coming would have meant disobeying the imperial decree, which would have been an even greater crime. He was stuck on both ends.

Seeing that Changsun Wuji was stammering and unable to speak, Li Shimin knew that he could not refute the argument, so he had no choice but to step in himself.

He forced himself to calm down, looked at Cheng Jun, a gentle smile on his face, and whispered:

“Cheng Jun, my dear Cheng, what do you think of this? I will pretend that you never came today, and you will pretend that you never came to impeach me.”

"Tomorrow at the morning court, I will issue an edict to all my ministers, immediately abolishing the public office capital system and abolishing the position of the money-collecting clerk. I will say that I have suddenly realized my mistake. What do you think?"

If what he said is true, then what does Changsun Wuji have to do with this...? Cheng Jun stared at him. He came here specifically to deal with Changsun Wuji, but Li Shimin's words not only cleared Changsun Wuji of any involvement but also made him appear to be a wise ruler. So why did I come here?

"I believe this is unacceptable!"

Cheng Jun resolutely refused.

"Why not? Is it so hard for you to nod your head?"

Li Shimin grabbed Cheng Jun's shoulders and shook him violently, saying excitedly, "This is the best solution, do you understand?"

Cheng Jun let him shake him and said seriously, "I have no selfish motives. I am Your Majesty's eyes and ears, and I only care about Your Majesty's interests. That's why I said no!"

"Your Majesty, you must know that the public office capital system and the money-collecting clerks are related to the interests of all officials. If Your Majesty abolishes them without a word, what will they think?"

"His Majesty has set up monthly salaries, firstly to let them feel His Majesty's benevolence, and secondly to consider the situation of those officials in the capital with low ranks, since many of them now live on their monthly salaries."

"What will they do to make a living when their monthly salary suddenly stops?"

"Moreover, the office expenses of the various departments in the capital are also funded by the government. If Your Majesty abolishes this system, the departments will immediately be strapped for cash. Who will they blame then? Naturally, they will blame Your Majesty for suddenly realizing the error of his ways!"

“In this way, all the hard work Your Majesty has put into building up your fortune and the goodwill that the officials have shown you will be wasted in an instant. I have heard that it takes several generations for ordinary people to accumulate wealth, but only one person can destroy it. As Your Majesty’s eyes and ears, how can I watch Your Majesty be resented by the officials?”

Cheng Jun, his eyes red-rimmed, said, "This is also why I have come to impeach Your Majesty. Your Majesty must not tell the officials that you abolished the public office capital and the money-collecting clerk because you suddenly repented. You should tell them that it was I who impeached Your Majesty that led to their abolition!"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to be hated by all the officials. My heart is only for Your Majesty!"

Inside the Ganlu Hall, Cheng Jun's earnest, choked voice echoed.

"..."

Li Shimin was stunned.

Changsun Wuji was also stunned. Was this even human...?

Your intentions are obvious to everyone, yet you still keep saying it's for His Majesty's sake.

…………

There will be an extra chapter later.