"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
The morning bell that signaled the start of the morning court rang in the Imperial City. It was also known as the Imperial Bell by the people of Chang 'an. When the bell rang, the sky had just turned bright, which was equivalent to five to six o' clock in the morning in modern times.
The bell also became the bell that signaled the merchants in Chang 'an City to get up and open for business. When the bell rang, the officials had already crossed the Vermilion Bird Bridge and walked into the main hall of the Political Announcement Hall.
Today was no different from the past.
All the officials held the white jade tablets in their arms and walked without saying a word. But today was different.
This feeling was a warning in everyone's heart.
Yesterday, everything that happened in Chang 'an, Luozhou, Liangzhou, and other important trading places of the Tang Dynasty was still known to all the officials.
And today's morning court was destined to be a difficult battle!
At this time, Wei Zheng, Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Cheng Yaojin walked side by side in the front. But when they felt something strange behind them, they acted as if nothing had happened.
Although Cheng Yaojin was illiterate, his lifetime of military experience had made him see a clue from the patrolling Imperial Guards and the actions of the Jinwu Guards.
All the generals present knew this, but they all kept their heads down and didn't say a word.
Cheng Yaojin glanced at Zhangsun Wuji and the others. Finally, he sighed, lowered his head silently, and followed the crowd to the 99 steps of the Political Announcement Hall.
It seemed that the Emperor had made up his mind last night. Today's Political Announcement Hall …
Cheng Yaojin could only silently mourn for the decadent Diehards in his heart.
Entering the Political Announcement Hall, there were 18 big pillars in the hall with relief sculptures of coiling dragons on them. Oil lamps had already lit up the magnificent hall, but it looked a little dilapidated.
Even the red sandalwood on the Nine Steps to Heaven Stairs under the Emperor's dragon throne was obviously damaged.
There was no money!
This was all because of money.
Cheng Yaojin glanced at the ministers who were staring at them with unfriendly expressions and snorted coldly in response.
Not long after, when everyone was in position, Xiao Guizi's croaky voice rang out from behind the dragon throne at the entrance of the back hall.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
"Officials, kneel and welcome!"
Everyone fell to their knees in unison, hugging the White Jade Tablet and shouting, "Long live the Emperor!"
"Rise!"
Li Shimin clasped his hands behind his back. No one could tell if he was happy or angry.
After he sat down on the dragon throne, an official stepped forward and announced.
"Your Majesty! This subject has something to report! "
Li Shimin waved his hand.
"Approved!"
"Your Majesty, there was a large-scale riot in Chang 'an City yesterday, and there were even faint signs of people rioting. Under the feet of the Emperor, such a thing is a great crime of disrespect! This subject requests Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly, give the people an explanation, and prove the dignity of the Tang Dynasty! "
Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Then, how do you think this matter should be dealt with? Who does the Ministry of Works think is behind this? Is it an outsider? "
"No!"
"Your Majesty, this subject has investigated this matter. It is not an outsider, but a member of our court!"
"Oh?"
Li Shimin calmly glanced at Zhangsun Wuji, who was frowning, and said, "Tell me, who is behind this, and what is their purpose?"
"Your Majesty!"
The official of the Ministry of Works hurriedly knelt on the ground, and then several other officials knelt and said.
"This subject has been investigating this matter since yesterday, and found that this person has illegally expropriated the tax revenue of the Tang Dynasty and used the Imperial Plantation to make money, which forced the Imperial Plantation to close down!"
"Yesterday, this subject found out from the Chang 'an county government, officials at all levels, and merchants who benefited from this matter, which has caused dissatisfaction among the merchants in Chang' an City. Most of the merchants are waiting for this matter to make a fortune!"
Li Shimin waved his hand and interrupted the man's words. He asked, "Zhen just heard that someone was using the Imperial Plantation to wantonly amass wealth. Why are there merchants waiting here to make a fortune? If you don't tell me what's good or bad, Zhen will definitely punish you for deceiving the Emperor!"
When the crowd heard this, they were shocked.
They hurriedly said one sentence after another.
In the end, they really told the whole story. It seemed that this group of people was really fast in the face of benefits!
Usually, when they were asked to investigate the tax revenue, they would delay it for a month or so. Unexpectedly, they were so concerned about this matter!
Li Shimin smiled slightly.
No one knew what he was planning to do.
After waiting for a while, most of the Confucian officials were filled with righteous indignation.
"Your Majesty, this person's intention is to be punished!"
"Now that all the clans are gathered in Chang 'an, if this scandal is exposed, the Tang Dynasty will lose face!"
"Your Majesty, stealing tax revenue is a serious crime, which is punishable by nine exterminations. Your Majesty, please punish this person to correct the law of our country!"
"Your Majesty …"
Li Shimin's face gradually darkened.
He shouted, "Then, the person you are talking about, is it me? Or someone else? "
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