"Your Majesty, please immediately issue an imperial edict."
"Your Majesty, there is no need to hesitate."
The officials spoke up one after another, but there was not the slightest bit of respect in their words. Because in their view, Li Erlang had already lost his virtue. Only with the hearts of the people could he become a wise ruler. Right now, they spoke up only from the standpoint of themselves and the people.
This included Zhangsun Wuji. Even though he was related to the imperial household and had only been friends with Li Erlang, he still had to make his stance clear on this matter. He had also planned the coup at Xuanwu Gate. If His Majesty refused to admit his mistake, the vengeful spirits would come for his life, and the Zhangsun Clan would be the first to suffer. He could not bear the consequences.
Of course, he was not the only one with such thoughts. Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Gao Shilian, Hou Junji, and Cheng Yaojin all had similar thoughts. All of them had participated in the coup at Xuanwu Gate, and if the vengeful spirits came for their lives, none of them would be able to escape. Thus, they hoped that Li Erlang would admit his mistake. But Li Erlang clearly had no intention of doing so.
Li Shimin felt powerless as he listened to the advice of the officials, and a chill ran down his spine. But he still had a sliver of hope: Zhang Feng. As long as Zhang Feng had a plan, the crisis before him could be resolved.
Yes, it could definitely be resolved.
He constantly comforted himself.
His lonely eyes would occasionally glance at the door, hoping that this person who carried his hopes would bring good news.
But the advice of the officials was getting more and more intense, and he had no choice but to reply. He could only raise his trembling right hand and wave it. "Everyone, withdraw for now. Allow … allow Us to reconsider …"
"Reconsider?"
Wei Zheng glanced at Li Shimin and coldly chuckled. "Does Your Majesty not want to face the reality of Mars?"
After he finished speaking, he glanced at the officials behind him with a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "In the past, all of you followed His Majesty to conquer the world, quelling the chaos and cleaning up the mess of the former Sui Dynasty. It can be said that you have turned the tide and helped the building to collapse. Within the four regions, the Tang Dynasty was ruled by Emperor Yang of Sui."
At this point, he looked at Li Shimin and said coldly, "However, the incident at the Xuanwu Gate, Your Majesty killed your brothers, usurped the throne, and bullied other people's wives and daughters. This is a crime that cannot be reversed. Does Your Majesty want to be slandered by the world? How could the officials face each other in the court? Are palace maids disloyal? "
"You …"
Li Shimin pointed at Wei Zheng, his right hand trembling. His face turned green and white, but he could not say a word. Because he knew that Wei Zheng was not wrong at all. But, every word that he said hit him where it hurt. The incident at the Xuanwu Gate.
The incident at the Xuanwu Gate was something that he did not want to talk about. He had killed his brothers there, and used this method to usurp the throne. It could be said that it was a dark part of the imperial family's history. After the incident, he did not want to talk about this sad incident, and also to prevent the world from talking about it.
But …
But today, Wei Zheng brought this incident up again.
His hands trembled and the veins on his forehead popped. He wanted to tear Wei Zheng apart.
However, he couldn't because what the other party said was right. He had indeed done such a thing. Furthermore, there were many scholars in the world who had scolded him. Now, whether there was one more Wei Zheng or one less Wei Zheng, what did it matter? It was just one more person scolding him.
Thinking of this, his eyes slowly dimmed, as if he had aged dozens of years. "Minister Wei, let me think for a moment, okay?"
This was the first time he spoke to an official like this. He almost used a pleading tone because he knew that all the fault was on him. He could not blame anyone else. Even if Wei Zheng's tone was cold, it was also for the sake of the Tang Dynasty.
"Think?"
Du Ruhui stood up. His stooped body showed that he was worried about the country and the people. "Your Majesty, do you want the lives of the people in the world? Well, if Your Majesty is not willing to give an edict, then I will kneel in the imperial study until I die. "
After that, he glanced at the officials with tears in his eyes. "Everyone, Your Majesty is hesitating now. I will kneel in the imperial study and wait for Your Majesty to listen."
As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his sleeves and walked out of the door with a righteous face.
Seeing Du Ruhui like this, the other officials could not help but feel grief and indignation in their hearts and spoke one after another.
"Master Du, wait, I am also willing to kneel at the door of the imperial study with you."
"Yes, as the saying goes, establish a heart for heaven and earth and establish a life for the people. I will also go."
Everyone followed Du Ruhui's footsteps and walked out of the door with a look of indignation.
Soon, only Wei Zheng was left in the hall. He looked at Li Shimin with a complicated expression and turned to leave. In an instant, there was only one person in the imperial study. It was unusually quiet.
Li Shimin looked at the silent hall and sat down on the dragon throne. His heart was full of grief, but he had no one to talk to. He slowly took out a cigarette from his waist with his trembling right hand, trying to numb himself with the cigarette. He took it out with a backhand, but there was no lighter. A wave of powerlessness came over him.
Usually, for safety, Little Guizi always carried the lighter with him. Now that Little Guizi was not here, he could not even smoke. As the emperor, it was really ridiculous.
Just as he was feeling sad, footsteps came from the door.
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