When Yu Zhining saw Meton admit it without hesitation, he was overjoyed and continued, "Your Majesty, please investigate this matter. Everything that belongs to Gao Chang should be the spoils of war of the Tang dynasty, but Mo Jiazi took two secret techniques that are worth thousands of gold coins without permission. Your Majesty, please punish him according to military law."
"Bullshit!" Qin Qiong said angrily, "Since ancient times, spoils of war have always been cattle, sheep, gold, and gems. I have never heard of anyone taking secret techniques as spoils of war. This kind of punishment has never happened since ancient times."
Many courtiers nodded. Secret techniques can be said to be a kind of knowledge. To useful people, they are worth thousands of gold coins, but to useless people, they are worthless. Since ancient times, knowledge has never been listed as a spoil of war.
"Anything that is valuable can be a spoil of war. The value of the secret technique of wine is more than thousands of gold coins. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is worth thousands of gold coins. Mo Jiazi's actions are more serious than taking some gold and silver." Yu Zhining did not give up.
Many of the ministers agreed with Yu Zhining. The main reason was that the value of the secret technique of grape wine had skyrocketed after the ban on alcohol. How could they not be jealous that such a treasure had fallen into the hands of a member of the Mo family?
Li Shimin could not help but frown. He did not expect that Mo Jiazi would be caught by others again. This made him unable to help but be in a dilemma.
Modun stepped forward, his expression calm as he said, "Lord Yu's words are wrong. This one did indeed obtain the secret technique of grape wine from Gaochang, but this one did not take the spoils for himself. It was an exchange. The raisin that has been all the rage in Great Tang recently was a secret technique that this one invented specifically for Gaochang. I used this to exchange for the secret technique of grape wine.
"Exchange!" The courtiers could not help but be stunned. Mo Jiazi taking the spoils of war was a big taboo. If he used his ink technique to exchange for Gao Chang's secret technique of wine, it would be an equivalent exchange. Naturally, he would not be guilty.
"Nonsense. How can a little raisins be compared to the secret technique of wine that is worth thousands of gold coins?" Yu Zhining laughed angrily.
Meton shook his head and said, "Whether it's worth something or not doesn't depend on whether others think it's worth it or not, but whether it's worth it for both parties. Take the secret technique of grape wine as an example. Although Gao Chang is famous all over the world, due to the long journey, very few grapes are shipped to the Tang dynasty every year. Although the price is expensive, they can't make much money. However, raisins are different. They are durable, easy to store, and easy to transport. What's more, the production method is simple, so everyone can make it. With the huge market of the Tang dynasty behind them, everyone can make a fortune. Tell me, in the eyes of the people of Gao Chang, which is the secret technique of raisins or the secret technique of grape wine more valuable? "
Qu Zhisheng bowed respectfully to Meton and said, "The secret technique of raisins is much better than the secret technique of wine. Although I am no longer the King of Gao Chang, I would like to thank Merton on behalf of the 100,000 citizens of Gao Chang."
The secret technique of grape wine could only make a small number of people rich, but the secret technique of raisins could make everyone in Gao Chang rich. It was clear which was more important at a glance.
All the ministers nodded. From Gao Chang's point of view, the secret technique of raisins was much better than the secret technique of grape wine. This exchange was not a loss for Gao Chang, although Meton made more money with the secret technique of grape wine in the Tang dynasty.
"The secret technique of grape wine can only have the widest market in the Tang dynasty, and the secret technique of raisins can only be used in Gao Chang. There is no loser in this exchange. It's a win-win situation," Meton said solemnly.
"What about the secret technique of weaving? How do you explain that?" An old imperial censor who was over 50 years old blurted out.
Meton stretched out his hand and said, "I didn't want the secret technique of weaving. I gave it to Ma Village."
The old imperial censor was suddenly speechless. Why was he taking the spoils of war? That was because the spoils of war were valuable. If it was something that he did not want, it would not be called a spoil of war. Naturally, it would not be considered a spoil of war. Not to mention, the secret technique of weaving in the Tang dynasty was not inferior to Gao Chang's.
Yu Zhining took a deep breath. He did not expect Mo Jiazi to break his attacks one after another. However, in his view, these moves of Mo Jiazi were futile. Mo Jiazi could not avoid his third move anyway.
Yu Zhining took a deep breath and said, "As far as the Old Man knows, the task of Mo Jiu's triumphant return was to escort Commandery Duke Jincheng to Chang 'an. However, outside the Jade Gate Pass, Mo Jiu abandoned Commandery Duke Jincheng and went to the Immensity Sea to chase the remnants of Tubo's army. After returning from the Immensity Sea, he once again abandoned the officers and soldiers of the Firearms Supervisor and used the men of the Mo Family's village to rush back to Chang' an from the Jade Gate Pass overnight and waited for the Firearms Supervisor outside Chang 'an. Mo Jiu first ignored the military order of Minister Hou and abandoned Commandery Duke Jincheng. Then, he ignored the military order of the Tang dynasty and abandoned his officers and soldiers. The Minister impeached Mo Jiu for repeatedly ignoring the military law and immediately removed him from his post for investigation."
As soon as Yu Zhining finished speaking, all the civil and military officials fell silent.
Mo Jiazi abandoning Commandery Duke Jincheng was not a big deal at all. The real threat was that Mo Jiazi took the initiative to return to Chang 'an. Everyone knew that the main reason Mo Jiazi abandoned the officers and soldiers of the Firearms Supervisor and returned alone was because Princess Changle was about to give birth. However, the separation of Meton and the officers and soldiers of the Firearms Supervisor was an irrefutable fact.
However, Zhangsun Wuji suddenly spoke up to defend Meton, "Lord Yu's words are nitpicking. According to the military order, the Firearms Supervisor should have returned on time. However, he was ambushed by Tubo midway, which was why he did not return on time. Furthermore, Mo Jiazu returned for Princess Changle. Otherwise, the weak Princess Changle would have fallen ill from longing for him and would not have been able to endure the pain of giving birth."
Li Shimin nodded slowly. He knew this matter better than anyone else. Compared to sticking to the rules, he was more willing to see Mo Jiazi's deviant actions. Although he abandoned the officers and soldiers, he rushed back to the Tang dynasty in time to save Changle and Mo Tan. As an emperor, Meton's actions were naturally wrong. However, as a father, Meton's actions made him feel gratified.
"Which officer doesn't have a wife and children? If everyone can abandon the army and return, then where is the military law? How can the Iron Cavalry of the Tang dynasty intimidate everyone?" Yu Zhining said firmly.
Upon hearing this, Zhangsun Wuji sighed and said, "Although Changle is the Old Man's niece and the Old Man is gratified by Mo Jiazu's actions, the military law is merciless. Mo Jiazu has indeed violated the military law. I hope that Your Majesty will reconsider."
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Mo Jiazu didn't abandon the officers and soldiers because of the war. Instead, the army has already returned victorious. The officers and soldiers have already arrived at Jade Gate Pass. The safety of the firearms department is no longer a concern. I hope that Your Majesty can consider Merton's deep love for Princess Changle and punish him leniently." A civil official stepped forward and said.
On the side of the generals, there were also people who stood out from the crowd and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Mo Jiazu defeated Gao Chang and Tubo consecutively. His military exploits are the highest in the western expedition. I hope that Your Majesty can consider Merton's efforts in fighting for the country and offset his faults."
Soon, the officials expressed their opinions one after another. The strange thing was that although they all pleaded for Meton, they all confirmed Meton's crimes.
Li Shimin couldn't help but frown when he saw this. He looked at Merton and said, "Meton, do you have any excuses?"
Meton had perfectly evaded the first two accusations. In Li Shimin's opinion, Meton would surely be able to deal with the third accusation with a glib tongue. Thus, he went with the flow and let the matter pass.
However, he didn't expect that Meton wouldn't try to defend himself at all. Instead, he nodded and said, "The Minister has nothing to say."
Immediately, all the officials looked at Meton with complicated gazes. They naturally knew that Li Shimin wouldn't blame Meton for this matter, but Meton didn't hesitate to shoulder all the blame.
"Your Majesty, please act impartially!" Yu Zhining took the opportunity to admonish.
The other officials all fell silent. However, this also represented their attitude. After all, Meton's mistake this time was irrefutable.
"Good, Firearms Supervisor Chancellor Meton, for his own selfishness, abandoned the entire army thousands of li away from the Jade Gate Pass and returned to the capital alone. As a general, Meton is hereby relieved of his position as Chancellor of the Imperial College. His merits and demerits will be decided after the western expedition is over." Li Shimin waved his hand and said.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Yu Zhining prostrated. He couldn't help but snort coldly in his heart. Mo Jiazi, you think the Firearms Supervisor is already in your pocket. You don't know how many powers in the court are eyeing this number one army in the world. The Firearms Supervisor is now an ownerless object. Do you still think you can keep it? "
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