Wu Meiniang had caused quite a stir in Chang 'an. After Wu Meiniang hid in the cotton spinning workshop, the news soon faded away and was soon overshadowed by the triumphant return of the northern expedition army.
"The Tang Dynasty won!"
The people of Chang 'an were not surprised by the news of the army's triumphant return. Since the Tang Dynasty defeated the Turks, Tuyuhun, and Gao Chang, no one thought that the Tang Dynasty would be defeated by Xue Yantuo. Therefore, the victory of the Tang Dynasty was not a big news. On the contrary, the defeat of the Tang Dynasty was big news.
However, in this war, the Tang Dynasty was defeated in one battle. Victory and defeat were common in military affairs. As long as it was the final victory of the war, the twists and turns of the battle were naturally needless to mention. However, this battle caused a great uproar in the Tang Dynasty because the defeated army was the famous Firearm Army.
"The Firearm Army was defeated!" When countless people heard the news, they were suddenly in an uproar.
One had to realize that the Firearm Army was renowned for its ability to destroy a city in a single strike. It had become the world's number one army, but now, this number one army had been defeated on the plains. How could the proud people of the Great Tang accept this?
Back in the day, when the Mo School led the Firearm Army, they had been so awe-inspiring that not a single enemy was left in fear. But now, Zhangsun Chong had been defeated by the puny Xue Yantuo. The other armies of the Great Tang could be defeated, but not the Firearm Army, because the Firearm Army was the face of the Great Tang army.
"Zhangsun Chong is like Zhao Kuo in the world. He is an armchair strategist. He was just a civil official and had no combat experience. How could he lead the strongest army?"
"Fortunately, General Li Ji arrived in time. Otherwise, the Firearm Army would have been completely annihilated. Back then, the Mo Family's son led the Firearm Army to roam the Western Regions with great prestige. Now, the Firearm Army is being bullied by dogs."
"Zhangsun Chong is just a playboy. He is just relying on his good family background. How can he compare with Mo Jiazi?"
"How can he compare with Mo Jiazi? He can't even compare with Hua Mulan."
…
The people of Chang 'an were filled with righteous indignation. Moreover, they were dissatisfied with Zhangsun Chong's high position at such a young age. They all angrily denounced Zhangsun Chong as an idiot.
Just as the people of Chang 'an were denouncing them, the generals of the northern expedition returned in triumph. They were summoned by Li Shimin to the Taiji Palace.
The generals of the northern expedition were all excited as they walked in the palace. They would definitely be rewarded according to their merits and achievements. Among the generals, there was only one person who was the most special. That was Zhangsun Chong, who had been stripped of his official position. While the others were going to receive rewards, he was going to receive punishment.
Zhangsun Chong's face was ashen. He did not expect that he would be so unlucky. In a moment of desperation, he made one mistake after another and was caught. Before he could enjoy the military exploits, the position of general of the firearm army was taken away by the imperial court. This made him disheartened. His great future was ruined because of his mistake.
Fortunately, his father had mediated for him in the court and made a detailed plan for him, thus minimizing his responsibility. Even so, he still needed to pass the trial of Taiji Palace.
"I am the legitimate son of the Zhangsun family. I am a relative of the emperor. Who can do anything to me?" Zhangsun Chong said viciously in his heart. Thinking of the empress's aunt, Princess Gao Yang, he couldn't help but feel more confident. He didn't believe that the Emperor would bear to see the empress sad and Gao Yang cry.
"I kowtow to Your Majesty!"
"Generals, thank you for your hard work. This battle was thousands of miles away. To be able to defeat Xue Yantuo in one battle, it is because you generals fought bravely for the country that we can protect the stability of the border." Li Shimin said happily.
Defeating Xue Yantuo in this battle shocked the grassland and allowed the legend of the Tang dynasty to continue. Perhaps after this battle, there would be no threat to the border of the Tang dynasty.
"I dare not claim credit. Your Majesty had already made the battle plan before the Mount Tai pilgrimage. We were just following orders." Li Ji said modestly.
"Your Majesty is wise!" The generals of the Northern expedition echoed.
"As the saying goes, a general dies in a hundred battles, but a hero returns in ten years. If it were not for you soldiers fighting in the front line, how could the people of the Tang dynasty live a stable and prosperous life?" Li Shimin was so excited that he blurted out the classic poem of Mulan.
"A general dies in a hundred battles, but a hero returns in ten years!" When the generals heard this sentence for the first time, they could not help but sigh. Although generals were the fastest to be promoted, they had to fight desperately for their military achievements. It could be said that it was the most dangerous profession in the world.
However, some people's eyes flashed. Li Shimin blurted out the poem of Mulan, which showed that he approved of Hua Mulan very much. Some people's thoughts of using the prophecy of the heroine to deal with the Mo family suddenly disappeared without a trace.
"Today, you have returned in triumph. The Ministry of War will immediately reward you according to your merits. All soldiers who have contributed will be rewarded." Li Shimin waved his hand and said. It was as if he was imitating the scene of returning to see the Emperor in Mulan. The Emperor sat in the Ming Hall and rewarded hundreds and thousands of soldiers.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The generals were immediately overjoyed. After all, military achievements were the most valuable reward and punishment in the Tang dynasty. A soldier's military achievements were enough to change the fate of his family.
"A general dies in a hundred battles, but a hero returns in ten years. This is the duty of a general. However, a general deserted the army and abandoned 3,000 soldiers. The Minister impeached Zhangsun Chong, the general of the Firearm Army, for deserting the army and deserting. His crime is unforgivable," a censor said angrily.
In an instant, all the officials in the court fell silent. Zhangsun Chong's identity and status were enough to make everyone realize that the case was tricky.
Li Shimin's face suddenly became cold. He stared at Zhangsun Chong and said, "Zhangsun Chong, what do you have to say?"
Zhangsun Chong's face was pale and he said with shame, "Your Majesty, I have nothing to say. I did separate from the Firearm Army in the war. No matter what the reason is, it can't cover up the crime of the Minister."
Unexpectedly, Zhangsun Chong did not defend himself and directly admitted his guilt, which made all the civil and military officials in the court go into an uproar.
"Unfilial son! You are simply too daring. Your Majesty, my unfilial son deserted before the battle and almost made the Tang dynasty's plan go to waste. Your Majesty, please punish my unfilial son severely, "Zhangsun Wuji said angrily as he pointed at Zhangsun Chong's nose and scolded.
"Since Zhangsun Chong has admitted his guilt, men, lock him in the prison and investigate his crimes," Li Shimin said angrily.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider! General Zhangsun Chong was forced to leave the Firearm Army! "
"If it wasn't for General Zhangsun Chong leaving the Firearm Army and watching over the Turks, it would be hard to say who would win this battle!"
… … …
The moment Li Shimin finished his words, many of the officials started to plead for leniency.
Zhangsun Wuji put on a righteous look and said, "I appreciate your kind intentions, but my unfilial son violated the military law, and the law is merciless. If we don't punish him severely, we won't be able to enforce military discipline."
"Lord Zhangsun's action of placing righteousness before family is truly admirable. However, Lord Zhangsun has wrongly accused your son. There must be more to this matter. Please allow this general to report in detail." The northern expedition general, Zhang Shigui, suddenly stepped forward and said.
"There is another story behind this!" All the officials were stunned and looked at Zhang Shigui in confusion.
"General Zhang, quickly report it!" Li Shimin frowned and said.
Zhang Shigui said solemnly, "Your Majesty, when the Firearm Army was trapped, the main force of the Tang Dynasty army had already arrived. However, for the sake of the overall situation, General Li personally ordered the Firearm Army to be used as bait to lure Xue Yantuo into the trap. The Firearm Army fired the distress signal gun several times, but General Li didn't do anything. Only when the opportunity was right did he order to attack and finally defeated Xue Yantuo."
"Using the Firearm Army as bait."
After Zhang Shigui finished speaking, the entire court was in an uproar. No one expected there to be such an inside story.
Li Ji frowned and turned to look at Zhang Shigui. This was a military secret and Zhang Shigui actually took the initiative to say it.
However, Zhang Shigui lowered his head guiltily and didn't dare to look at Li Ji. Compared to Li Ji, he was more inclined to side with Zhangsun Wuji. After all, he and Zhangsun Wuji were both old people in the Black Tortoise Gate and had a closer relationship.
Li Shimin frowned and said, "Is there such a thing?"
Li Ji bowed and said, "Your Majesty, at that time, I did use the Firearm Army as bait to surround and attack Xue Yantuo."
When Li Shimin heard this, he nodded slightly. He knew that with Li Ji's position, he wouldn't lie. Since he admitted to using the Firearm Army as bait, it meant that this matter was true. As such, Zhangsun Chong's actions were really hard to determine.
"Being on the battlefield, one must have the awareness of dying on the battlefield. Regardless if it was bait or not, it isn't a reason for the unfilial son to abandon the army and escape." Zhangsun Wuji didn't seem to appreciate Zhang Shigui's favor and retorted.
Zhang Shigui shook his head and said, "Lord Zhangsun doesn't know this. At that time, the military situation was urgent and Zhangsun Chong didn't know that he was bait. With Zhangsun Chong's situation, he was able to leave the Firearm Army and head to the Turks' army to stabilize the situation. This was already a prompt decision."
The court was in an uproar. According to Zhang Shigui's words, not only was Zhangsun Chong not guilty, he even made a contribution.
However, they couldn't refute it. After all, the current situation was too urgent. Whether it was abandoning the army and escaping or taking advantage of the situation, it was all specious. In addition, with the power of the Zhangsun family, no one wanted to offend them. Thus, the court officials all fell silent.
"This means that I have wronged Chong-er." Zhangsun Wuji said with a face full of regret.
Zhangsun Chong said with a face full of righteousness, "As the general of the Firearm Army, no matter what the reason is, I shouldn't have abandoned the army. When I abandoned the army to chase after Simo Khan's cavalry, I had already thought of the consequences. No matter how others look at me, I will only do what I think is right, even if I have to pay a price for it."
Zhangsun Chong was emotional. He couldn't help but think about the message that his father sent to him, telling him to just admit that he abandoned the army and escape and not to care about anything else. Now that he saw his father overturn the case for him, he was shocked. However, among all of them, no one lied to cover up for him and used the truth to interpret the lie.
"Your subject pleads for Your Majesty to punish Chong-er's crime to appease the people of the world." Zhangsun Chong knelt on the ground and begged for forgiveness from Li Shimin.
Zhangsun Chong was not an ordinary person. He was the nephew of Empress Zhangsun, the husband of Princess Gaoyang, and the legitimate son of Li Shimin's most trusted right-hand man, Zhangsun Wuji. If the evidence of Zhangsun Chong's crime was conclusive, others would have nothing to say. But now, Zhangsun Chong's crime was already in doubt. If he forcibly convicted him, he was afraid that the gains would not make up for the losses.
"As the general of the Firearm Army, Zhangsun Chong abandoned the army. Although it's pardonable, he has already committed dereliction of duty. Therefore, Zhangsun Chong is relieved of his position as the general of the Firearm Army. His merits offset his faults and serve as a warning to others," Li Shimin said coldly.
Thinking back to when Meton led the army to Jade Gate Pass and abandoned the army to return to Chang 'an, he was relieved of his position as the supervisor of firearms. Zhangsun Chong's responsibility was much greater than that of Meton. If he wasn't relieved of his position as the general of the Firearm Army, the public wouldn't be convinced.
"Your subject accepts the punishment!" Zhangsun Chong knelt on the ground as if he had just survived a disaster. Although he felt regretful about being relieved of his position as the general of the Firearm Army, he didn't care too much. Thinking back to when Meton was also relieved of his position, with his status, it wouldn't take long for his father to run a few more errands and there would be another lucrative job waiting for him.
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