Could it be that there was a commotion in the court before, and Li Gaoqian was blamed... It was not Erlang who was instigating it behind his back. Li Yuan was dubious. He did not speak, but looked at the prince.
After taking a deep look at Li Shimin, Li Jiancheng remained calm and said slowly: "Liu Shirang impeached Li Gaoqian and abandoned his army and fled first, causing more than ten thousand troops to die outside the Great Wall. However, neither the king's uncle of Xiangyi nor the acting magistrate Li Huairen mentioned it. The second brother What he said is absolutely true and should be investigated in detail.”
Pei Shiju, who was a little further away, pricked up his ears. When he heard this, the corners of his eyes twitched... The prince said that Li Shenfu and Li Shan did not mention that Li Gaoqian abandoned the army and fled first.
Any memorial must be sent to the provincial government. As a servant, I have seen several memorials by Li Shenfu, but I have not seen Li Shan's memorial... Although another servant, Jiang Guogong Chen Shuda, was close to Li Shan, But there was no reason to hide it from himself, Li Shan's recommender.
Then, there is only one possibility, Li Shan's private letter directly resists the case... Pei Shiju immediately thought of Princess Pingyang's line.
Pei Shiju was thinking about all this mess. Over there, Li Jiancheng was still excusing Li Gaoqian, glancing at Li Shimin from time to time.
After a while, Li Jiancheng shut his mouth, and then Li Shimin slowly said, "What the prince said makes sense."
"Erlang, tell me in detail."
"The defeat of this battle was first caused by Liu Shiyi's underestimation of the enemy. Although Li Huairen reported the news, he still easily sent Li Gaoqian to lead his army out to aid Mayi." Li Shimin said expressionlessly: "If Li Huairen hadn't rushed to Yanmen Pass at night, I'm afraid the Turks would have been defeated. Close in."
Li Jiancheng added: "The Turks arrived at Yanmen Pass, and Liu Shirang was still in Nao County. He did not come to help until the afternoon of the next day."
Gee, Liu Shirang can really offend people. No one in the whole court can say a good word for him. Such a person once served as the governor of Bingzhou, which is really rare.
However, the strange expressions on the faces of the prime ministers and ministers in the palace were not because of Liu Shirang, but because of the singing and answering of brothers Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, who cooperated so well that the blame was firmly placed on Liu Shirang's head.
It was rare for such a scene to occur. Li Yuan looked a little dazed. The brothers were united and powerful. This was what he expected to see the most, but he couldn't believe it. He looked at the eldest son suspiciously, then at the second son...
Li Jiancheng's eyes were equally suspicious... Last year he failed to save Shi Wanbao. This time he had to save Li Gaoqian. Even if it was impossible to escape guilt, he would try his best to save it. But what do you want to do, second brother?
Li Shimin's eyes were magnanimous, as if selfless, and he said loudly: "Li Gaoqian was defeated after all, and he should be punished. But now that heavy troops are gathered in Hedong, he can only sit back and watch the Turks attack Mayi. This is a major military and national event."
"There can be no chaos in Hedong at this time."
Li Yuan lost his suspicion a little. He knew his son very well and was proud of himself.
But Li Jiancheng was even more suspicious. He knew his younger brother very well, and he was not weak to others when using his secret methods... Moreover, the treatment of Li Gaoqian was not directly related to the ongoing war.
However, even if Li Shimin chose to give in, Li Yuan would go along with the situation. After all, Li Gaoqian was a hero of Yuanmou and a close general of the prince.
Li Jiancheng did not speak again after that, but Pei Ji proposed. In the end, Li Yuan was convicted, and Li Gaoqian lost more than ten thousand troops. He dismissed the general of Wuwei and was demoted to the rank of hussar general, commanding the county troops and performing meritorious service.
Demoting from General of the Twelve Guards to General of Hussars is a rather long demotion.
The General of the Twelve Guards is already at the pinnacle of his military position, a third-level official, while the Marching Commander and Marching Marshal are temporary dispatches and are not fixed.
In the late Tang Dynasty, there were twelve generals of the second rank, but in the early Tang Dynasty, there was only Li Shimin, the only general of Tiance.
The position of Hussar General was changed to Zhechong Duwei during the Zhenguan period. He was the chief of the Zhechong Prefecture set up by the military system in various places, ranging from approximately the fourth rank to the fifth rank.
It seems that the gap is not big, but if an ordinary officer of Zhechong Mansion wants to climb up to the rank of General of the Twelve Guards, even if he comes from a famous family and has many military exploits, there is basically no hope.
This treatment seemed a bit harsh, but it allowed Li Gaoqian to make meritorious deeds... The most important thing is that Li Gaoqian was not expelled or demoted.
In other words, as long as nothing happens to Li Gaoqian again, the worst he can do is resign as General of Hussars, survive for a few years, and rise as a hero of Yuanmou and Duke of Jiangxia. There is no hope for the General of the Twelve Guards, but he can just hang out in Shangzhou. It is not difficult to become a governor. You can even become a general in the imperial court, serving as the left and right Qianniu guards and the left and right prison guards.
Li Shimin suddenly leaned forward, with a hesitant look on his face, "Father, why not recall Liu Shirang and send another general to guard Yanmen Pass?"
Li Yuan was stunned for a moment, and Li Jiancheng next to him almost clapped his hands, "The one closest to Yanmen Pass... seems to be King Huaiyang's brother?"
Seeing that Li Shimin's face was not very good, Li Jiancheng added another sentence, "There are many famous generals in Tiance Mansion. Cheng Zhijie, Qin Qiong, and Yuchi Gong are all talented generals. If they are supplemented by counselors such as Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Xue Shou, they will surely be able to do so." Stick to Yanmen."
Li Shimin's face turned dark now. He had indeed been unkind before, but this time his proposal was completely out of public interest... As a result, Li Jiancheng dug a hole and buried himself in it!
Li Yuan suddenly felt at ease, okay, very good, this is a normal brotherly relationship!
Of course he knows that Liu Shirang is now hated by everyone, and his status in Hedong Road is not high. However, he has a grudge against Li Shenfu, the marching director of Hedong Road... No matter from which perspective, he should be transferred and replaced with someone to guard Yanmen Pass. is the right choice.
But the problem is that now that the Turks have joined forces with Yuan Junzhang to attack Shuozhou, Mayi is on the verge of collapse... Liu Shirang, who was ordered to manage Mayi, cannot bear this responsibility. Should he be transferred and let his successor take the blame?
Who is willing to take the blame?
It was also for this reason that Li Yuancai did not transfer Liu Shirang. Instead, he ordered for the second time that Liu Shirang would be solely responsible for the management of Mayi.
Pei Shiju glanced at Li Jiancheng. Cheng Zhijie, Qin Qiong, and Yuchi Gong were all powerful generals on the battlefield. If they went to Yanmen Pass, the blame would be placed on someone.
Pei Shiju also considered whether to find a way to throw the blame to Li Shan, but after thinking about it again, he gave up... On the one hand, Li Yuan was unlikely to nod, and there was Princess Pingyang. On the other hand, Li Shan had previously He has the military exploits of guarding Yanmen.
Li Shimin sat upright with an ugly face, and closed his eyes, just muttering in his stomach, "Just wait... Liu Shirang has been forced into a desperate situation, and if Ma Yi breaks through, he will probably be convicted."
Rabbits will bite when they are anxious!
Dogs will jump over the wall when they are anxious!
Liu Shirang did have the possibility of using Yanmen Pass to subjugate the Turks. Fortunately, Huairen had already taken precautions... Li Shimin was thinking about asking Ling Jing to find someone to bring a message to him tomorrow. There was no need to shrink back and simply ignore Liu Shirang completely. He had to make a decisive decision at the critical moment. , be sure to guard Yanmen Pass!
After the discussion was over, everyone was about to disperse when they heard a cough. Pei Shiju had already stood up, holding a memorial in his hand, and walked slowly to the front of the emperor.
"Hongdae?"
Pei Shiju sighed and said, "This is the impeachment memorial for Liu Shirang. Today we are discussing matters. I took the liberty to bring the memorial into the palace and invite your majesty to see it."
Li Yuan was a little confused. Pei Shiju didn't actually handle official affairs personally in Menxia Province. Similar matters were handled by another servant, Chen Shuda.
Chen Shuda on the side was even more confused. He and Pei Shiju had always gotten along well, why would he avoid him?
Li Yuan opened the memorial and took a few glances, his cheek twitched, "Uh..."
After talking for a long time, Li Yuan didn't say anything...because he knew that Liu Shirang's impeachment charges were all true.
The memorial was circulated in the palace.
Some people nodded in understanding... After all, it was Pei Shiju who recommended Li Shan to be appointed to Dai County. If Li Shan failed, then the recommender Pei Shiju would also have to bear the responsibility. People who thought this way included Shangshu's right servant She Xiao Yu and his servant Chen Shuda. .
However, handing over this memorial in person was just to clear the air, which was a bit unkind. Among those who thought so was Zhongshu Ling Yang Gongren... who was still angry outside Tai Chi Palace just now.
Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng looked at each other, feeling a little troubled... It would have been easier if it were anyone else, but this was Pei Shiju, a veteran of three dynasties, whose reputation spread throughout the country.
Princess Pingyang's previous guess has been confirmed... What should we do now?
Li Shimin closed his eyes again after reading the memorial, thinking that Huairen had done a great job in holding on to Yanmen, and Pei Shiju, the old fox, finally couldn't sit still... After all, he and Li Dewu are father and son, and this debt does not go to Pei Shiju. Who's to blame?
Although Pei Shiju's beard and hair were all white, he was energetic and full of energy. He said loudly: "Your Majesty issued an edict the year before last to prohibit mutual trade between Turks. However, Li Huairen had only been in Daixian for a few months, and he dared to form a caravan and leave the customs privately, in accordance with the imperial decree. Like nothing.”
"The old minister knew Li Huairen's talent and recommended him to Dai County. Unexpectedly..."
Pei Shiju sighed slightly, "I went to the grassland several times many years ago. Every tribe, big or small, is in dire need of tea, salt, and ironware. The merchants are selling them privately for huge profits, which is really collaborating with the enemy."
"Ahem." Chen Shuda, who had always admired Li Shan, advised tactfully: "Brother Hong, Huairen has done a great job in holding Yanmen Pass. How can we get through to the Turks... We have passed it, we have passed it."
"The laws of this dynasty have not yet been perfected, but they generally follow the "Kaihuang Code"." Pei Shiju shook his head and said: "When Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was in power, anyone who dared to have illicit affairs with foreigners would be imprisoned."
Yang Gongren snorted, "It's just Liu Shirang's impeachment. There is no evidence..."
"Six days ago, the caravan returned from the grassland." Pei Shiju said coldly: "Dozens of carriages, fully loaded with goods!"
"Liu Shirang did not allow the caravan to enter the customs, but Li Huairen actually shouted in public and let the caravan enter the customs without permission!"
“Thousands of people witnessed it up and down the Yanmen Gate!”
Li Shimin rolled his eyes and advised: "Prime Minister Pei, this matter... is of great importance. I'm afraid there are many parties involved, and it needs to be investigated in detail."
This sentence was said in a fog, but the palace was full of old, middle-aged and young foxes, so they couldn't understand the implication... Li Shan organized a caravan to leave the customs. Where did he get the salt, tea and ironware?
If you want to collect these in Hedong, it is impossible to bypass many prominent families in Hedong... Dealing with Li Shan may not be a good thing.
Li Shimin emphasized his tone, "Prime Minister Pei, as Gu Shicai said, there must be no more chaos on the Hedong Road."
"Your Highness has the desire to show off his power over the grassland and drive away the enemy in Mobei. How can he endure the Turks getting help from iron weapons?" Pei Shiju shook his head slowly but firmly, "All ethnic groups involved should be reprimanded!"
Li Shimin sighed and sat back, trying his best to hold back his laughter... He didn't expect Pei Shiju to be so obedient as to get into the hole Li Shan dug early.
This can't be blamed on Pei Shiju... In his opinion, Li Shan has a good relationship with the Xue family and the Liu family in Hedong. But because of himself and Li Dewu, how could Li Shan make a fortune with the Wenxi Pei family?
After defeating Chen Shuda, Yang Gongren, and Li Shimin one after another, Pei Shiju concluded: "Li Huairen stood firm at Yanmen Pass to resist the Turks. He had indeed made military achievements. However, he defied the sage's edict and violated the law, so he should be moved away."
We can't let this guy stay in Dai County and Yanmen any longer... This guy is so capable!
Pei Shiju felt that if he couldn't hold Li Shan down, he might never forget that day until his death... That day, when Li Shan ran to Yanmen Pass at night, and when the news came that he had defeated the Turkic pursuers, Li Dewu looked at him with that look.
Yes, I can't do it, come on!
The result is not the same!
In fact, when Pei Shiju took out the memorial from his sleeve, the most restless person in the palace was not Li Yuan who didn't know what to do, but Pei Ji, who was in the first place under Li Jiancheng.
At the beginning, Pei Ji thought... had Pei Huaiyi already written a letter to his third brother?
Pei Huaiyi came here just to drive Li Shan away from Dai County, and even considered grabbing Yuhuchun Winery.
But soon, when Pei Shiju said categorically that "all races involved should be reprimanded," Pei Ji knew... Pei Huaiyi had never contacted the third brother.
Third brother, you can't see that we ourselves are like crows... How could Li Huairen, who united with the prominent families in Hedong to do business, ignore the bipolar Wenxi Pei family? !
"Ahem, ahem."
Pei Ji came back to his senses and turned his head to see a look from Prince Li Jiancheng.
"Haha, young man is so good... Dongshan Restaurant is unique in the east and west cities of Chang'an." Pei Ji forced a smile, "But Li Huairen uses the lotus as a metaphor for himself and considers himself a gentleman, so he should not sell prohibited items."
"If there were no contraband, why would the caravan return to the customs with hundreds of good horses?" Pei Shiju sneered: "A good horse can be sold in Guanzhong for tens of thousands of dollars."
"Hundreds of good horses?" Li Yuan narrowed his eyes and repeated softly, then turned to look at Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin... The profits were so huge!
Li Yuan agreed to Li Shan's plan before, all he thought was that there would be some benefits... But to come back with hundreds of good horses at one time is no small benefit!
Now the racecourse on Longxi Road is being rebuilt, and they are worried about the lack of good horses for breeding. If this batch...
Li Yuan was a little excited. This was the basis for checking and balancing the Turks in the future, but at the same time he also had a headache. He was sure that there must be prohibited items, mostly tea and salt, but no iron... This was what he had promised in private.
After thinking about it for a while, Li Yuan winked at Li Jiancheng... Erlang is useless, how can you, the crown prince, not be worthy?
If he was still hesitant before, after hearing about hundreds of good horses, Li Yuan immediately made his choice.
Li Jiancheng was also speechless. He winked at Pei Ji, and his father winked at him...
"Prime Minister Pei." Li Jiancheng stood up, straightened his clothes, and saluted.
Pei Shiju sided to avoid him, feeling not good... It was okay for the ministers and ministers before. It was said that the King of Qin had admired Li Shan for a long time. It is easy to say that His Majesty favored Li Shan. It was easy to say... After all, Li Shan violated the law and the saint. edict.
But even the prince stood up and bowed solemnly... Could it be that Li Shan and the prince were also hooking up?
"Li Huairen is a good man. He formed a caravan and went out to sell goods privately. He should be held responsible for this!" Li Jiancheng said softly: "But after all, he rescued the third sister..."
This is a difficult reason to explain... Pei Shiju can be sure that there must be something inside.
Pei Ji on the side was giving Pei Shiju a hard wink... Stop making trouble, really, stop making trouble!
When Pei Shiju was hesitating, Li Jiancheng looked back at Li Yuan, whispered a few words, and then continued softly: "Li Huairen and Yuan Xiaozheng, the son of Yuan Junzhang, met in Dai County."
"What?"
"What?"
Chen Shuda and Yang Gongren couldn't help but get up and ask, if there is such a reason, it makes sense.
Pei Shiju felt his eyes go dark. With his mind, he quickly connected various things together... and he vaguely guessed that he was probably being ripped off!
