Chapter 123 Entering the Internet
Li Jiancheng did not go, but Li Hun, Li Min and others still met with him. They just thought that if they did not go, they would not be pushed out to take the blame.

With such an idea in mind, naturally they could not make an agreement to help each other, but they also reached a tacit understanding that when it was really necessary, the Li family of Duke Tang would be pushed out. Li Yuan's Yuan Ke was also related to the flood that submerged Your Majesty's bedroom.

But Yuwen Shu had already started to exert his strength. Although it was a pity that he failed to drag Li Jiancheng into the water, his main enemy was still Li Hun.

Although Yuwen Shu was dismissed from office and became a commoner last year because of his failure in conquering Goguryeo, just last month, the emperor, who had already been deceived, issued an edict that "Yuwen Shu was unable to supply the army with food and supplies, and thus defeated the royal army. It was the military officials who failed to provide supplies, and it was not Yuwen Shu's fault. His official title should be restored, and he should be promoted to the rank of Kaifu Yitong Sansi."

That’s right, the person who lost the battle was promoted, which shows Yuwen Shu’s influence on the emperor.

After he had reported to the palace, he entered the palace and the emperor allowed him to sit. After thanking him, Yuwen Shu started talking about the second expedition. First, he said that food and fodder had been prepared, and then he talked about the soldiers.

The emperor now looks down on the palace soldiers. After all, most of them are forcibly conscripted civilians. Not only can they not be considered elite, but they also waste food and fodder and are a drag.

The emperor then set up the Xiaoguo Army and recruited soldiers from various armies and civilians. As the saying goes, those who know it are not as good as those who enjoy it, and those who enjoy it are not as good as those who like it. Those who take the initiative to join the army are naturally those who seek merit and are not afraid of life and death. Their fighting power is naturally stronger than that of the conscripted civilians.

"How many people are there in the Xiaoguo Army?"

Yuwen Shu said: "Reporting to your majesty, we have recruited 80,000 brave soldiers, most of whom are from Guanzhong. They are all brave and good at fighting, and they are all willing to die for your majesty!"

Yang Guang was very happy, because it also showed that the young people in Guanzhong still recognized him as their king and father.

"Okay, the family that makes the fruit will be exempted from taxes and labor service."

Yuwen Shu hesitated and asked, "Eighty thousand households are exempted from corvée and taxes, is that right?"

Yang Guang waved his hand nonchalantly: "I am rich in the world, why should I be stingy in rewarding loyal people!"

"Your Majesty is holy."

After Yuwen talked for a while, he took the initiative to mention the matter of Taoli Zhang. Yang Guang said: "I remember that you and Li Hun are uncles, so I did not call you to discuss it. Moreover, I think this matter is mainly due to Li Min."

Yuwen Shu said sternly, "I have always said whatever I want to Your Majesty. Although I have a long-standing relationship with Li Hun, I have recently heard that his personalities are very different. He often talks with Li Min, Shan Heng and others day and night or stays awake all night."

I personally think this is inappropriate. Li Hun is a minister of the state, and his family has been prosperous for generations. It is not appropriate for him to capture the imperial guards. I hope Your Majesty will consider this!"

Yang Guang's face turned cold: "He has any dealings with Li Min?"

"I dare not lie to your majesty. They were still together in a guest house outside the city yesterday. I don't know what they talked about."

Li Hun is the general of the Right Guard and is in charge of the palace guards. If he joins forces with the other Li clans, he will be in danger.

"Then Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng also went there."

Yuwen Shu really wanted to say that he had gone, but Li Yuan and his son were in mourning at home and had never left the house, so there was no way he could frame them.

“I haven’t heard of it.”

Just because he hadn't heard of it doesn't mean it didn't exist. Sure enough, the emperor frowned even more tightly. He could no longer suppress his murderous intent and ordered Yuwen Shu to lead people to capture them and put them in prison.

…………

Li Jiancheng was looking at the list at this time. How could he not get involved in such a major event as the establishment of the Xiaoguo Army? On the surface, Shen Guang and a dozen Li family members joined, and there were many more in secret.

Sima Dezai, Gongsun Wuda, Yuwen Sa, these Guanzhong heroes, and the illegitimate sons of many families such as the Dou family and the Dugu family, all these connections he had cultivated for many years, were all scattered into the Xiaoguo Army. There will be no such opportunity in the future, and the Xiaoguo Army is directly under the emperor. The newly established Left and Right Xiaowei Mansion was originally called the Left and Right Beishen Mansion. How difficult it was to join the Beishen Mansion in the past.

In the evening, Li Jiancheng received news that Li Hun, Li Min and others were arrested and imprisoned, and even their families were not spared. The dignitaries in the capital were watching the excitement while others were worried.

Those who were watching the fun were all fools, but those who were worried knew very well that if the emperor punished people just for things like nursery rhymes and prophecies, then the butcher knife that fell on the heads of the Li family today might fall on their own heads one day.

At the court meeting the next day, all the officials pleaded for them at the same time. The more the emperor saw this, the more he was convinced that Li Min and Li Hun were indeed popular, as so many dignitaries had pleaded for them.

Although the emperor wanted to kill them directly, Li Hun and Li Min's ancestors had made great contributions to the Sui Dynasty, and the emperor could not execute them without guilt.

Yang Guang's murderous intention became more and more determined, so he ordered Pei Yun, the Imperial Censor who had always been the best at relieving his worries, to try the case. As long as it was found that they had the intention of rebellion, they would be killed.

Pei Yun accepted the task with a bitter face, and felt a chill on his back. It was easy to be a knife for His Majesty, but it was difficult to have a good end.

It was reasonable for officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple to request a joint trial, and the emperor could not refuse.

After the court session, many officials pointed out to Pei Yun: "This matter involves many people. I hope Pei Gong can handle it impartially!"

"Li Hun and Li Min are not the kind of people who would dare to plot rebellion. Your Majesty should not trust the words of the Taoist priest so easily."

"Mr. Pei, can you please listen to me? The first person to make clay figures out of clay will have no descendants!"

Pei Ju could only bow and smile, promising that he would handle the matter impartially.

The emperor could kill him, but he would offend many aristocratic families and it would be difficult for him to survive. It was the so-called dilemma.

When the news reached the Duke of Tang's Mansion, Li Yuan and his son discussed it and decided to report it to Chen Wen. In such a situation, it would not work to just hide and protect oneself, but one had to show one's attitude, especially when other families and surnames were also making efforts.

Pei Yun interrogated the case for three consecutive days, and he was exhausted, but he still couldn't find any real evidence, because Li Min and Li Hun really had no intention of rebelling.

They both don't have the courage or the ability to do that. Besides, they both hold titles, and according to the system of nobility, they cannot be given severe punishment.

But the emperor was not satisfied and Pei Yun refused to continue the trial. He had reached this position and was the emperor's favorite, but that did not mean he was willing to be a lone minister, and his family would not allow him to make so many enemies.

.........

"What a pity that Duke Tang's Mansion did not join in."

Yang Xuangan said with regret: "Li Yuan has arrived. Li Jiancheng is indeed a rare talent. More importantly, with him, we can connect more families."

Li Mi shook his head: "Li Jiancheng is not so easy to be tricked, there is no need to feel too sorry, as long as things go well, he will be ours sooner or later."

"Yes, with you here, I don't need a mere Li Jiancheng."

Yang Xuangan is now in a proud state, with extraordinary bearing. The secret room is filled with his confidants, who are impressed by seeing this and believe that great achievements can be expected.

…………

(End of this chapter)