Chapter 230: Execution
After hearing what Wang An and others said, Li Yuanji was slightly relieved. With their help, most of these things could be covered up. The remaining miscellaneous personal moral issues could not affect him as a prince.

In his opinion, since Wang An and others took the initiative to come and tell him about this matter, they were trying to please him. With a little promise, they could both get what they wanted, and there was nothing wrong with that.

So he told them some things without any hesitation and told them to deal with them. At this juncture, ordinary people would be fine, but some officials who had been bullied by him should not be threatened too much.

Even though the court officials were not as noble as the prince, he could not kill them at will.

Wang An and his men took the order and left. Li Yuanji, enduring a headache, ordered his men: "Use coercion, bribery, or anything else to make the people shut up and leave Bingzhou before Wei Zheng arrives.

If there are any who don't know what's best for them, you can handle them on your own. If you can't even handle this, I will kill you first!"

"promise."

In fact, there is no need to threaten the King of Qi. They are all involved in these things, and if the court investigates, there is no way they will be let off.

So they dispersed in a hurry. Li Yuanji, who was standing outside the hall, watched the servants carefully removing the funeral ceremonies. What he hated most was the ominous news, especially at this time!
For the next few days, the King of Qi did not go out of the city to hunt, which surprised those in the city who were unaware of the situation, while those who knew about it were waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

No one thought that anything would happen to the King of Qi. After all, he was of such a noble status. Throughout the dynasties, people of such status, as long as they did not commit treason, would only receive a minor punishment or a serious warning for any crime they committed.

Soon, Wei Zheng and the Prince of Chu arrived. Li Yuanji went out of the city to greet them out of respect, and respectfully accepted the imperial edict summoning him back to the capital.

After Wei Zheng announced the decree, he bluntly said to the King of Qi: "Since the decree has been made clear, Your Highness may return to Chang'an."

Li Yuanji smiled and said, "I have heard of Duke Wei's great name for a long time. He is indeed a strong commander, but I must arrange guards for you before you can set off."

After saying that, he looked at the tall and handsome young man beside him. Every time he saw him, Li Yuanji couldn't help but feel angry. Why do I have such a look? I am not even as good as a bastard's son!
"Zhiyun, I haven't seen you for a long time."

Li Zhiyun was only a few months younger than Li Yuanji, and was very elegant, but when he saw him, he couldn't help but feel fear in his eyes. He bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, brother."

The three of them entered the city together accompanied by their entourage. Li Yuanji said that he had prepared a welcoming banquet, but Wei Zheng directly refused. After entering the city, he went straight to the government office without giving Li Yuanji any face.

Li Yuanji looked at his back with murderous intent. As long as he could survive this time, he would take revenge.

After returning to the Prince of Qi's mansion, Li Yuanji immediately pulled Li Zhiyun aside and asked, "What did my brother and father say?"

Li Zhiyun asked in a low voice: "Did you really do those things, Fourth Brother?"

Li Yuanji frowned and said decisively: "Pei Ji exaggerated and slandered me."

Li Zhiyun knew his brother too well, so he just nodded in conviction: "That's good, Doctor Wei has a bad temper, but he is fair and will definitely clear your name."

Li Yuanji didn't care whether Li Zhiyun believed it or not and continued to ask.

Li Zhiyun waved his hand and said, "I don't know what your majesty and father meant. I haven't been appointed yet, so I can't attend the court. After receiving the order in the palace, I immediately followed Doctor Wei and rushed here. I didn't see your majesty and father."

Trash! Li Yuanji cursed inwardly, but fortunately he didn't count on him. He just arranged a few people to eat and drink with him, and he immediately sent someone to find out who Wei Zheng was meeting.

...............

In the Qin Palace in Chang'an, Li Shimin, whose injuries had almost healed, was talking to his brother-in-law, Changsun Wuji, the head of the Dali Temple.

Changsun Wuji was less than 30 years old, but he had already reached the fifth-rank official position, which meant he had a bright future.

After all, his father is an old friend of the current emperor, and his sister is the Princess of Qin.

"The Prince of Qi will probably not be able to end this time. I just don't know how Your Majesty will deal with it." Li Shimin had no brotherly affection for the fourth brother and snorted, "Royal brother severely punished Li Youliang, who is an elder of the royal family. Yuanji was at least dismissed from office and stripped of his title."

Zhang Sun Wuji thought for a moment and suddenly said, "Your Highness, you still owe me one hundred imperial staffs."

Li Shimin was a little surprised. You can’t just target your brother-in-law for promotion.

The atmosphere in the court is not good now, and impeachment is prevalent. Many people have set their sights on members of the royal family because they stand to gain the most. For example, the official who impeached Li Youliang has been promoted several levels and is almost becoming a vice minister of the Ministry of Justice.

"This... General Shan and General Qin are both fine, and my brother never mentioned it again..."

One hundred blows with the imperial stick, even if he knew it was impossible to kill him, the pain of torn flesh was inevitable. Li Shimin was not afraid of knife wounds and arrow wounds from charging into battle, but he was really afraid of being held down and spanked by a few petty officials.

Chang Sun Wuji said: "No one should have mentioned this matter, after all, you have made great contributions in driving the Turks north, but when the King of Qi is really about to suffer, he will definitely bring up this matter.

Your Highness will be in a passive position by then. Rather than losing face together, it is better to contribute to the complete defeat of the King of Qi."

Having said that, Li Shimin was a little moved, but he still touched his butt subconsciously.

"Okay, I will go to my brother tomorrow to accept the punishment."

"The decree has already been issued. Your Highness, go directly to the Ministry of Justice. This may be what His Majesty wants to see.

Otherwise, it would be inappropriate for Your Majesty to order the execution of a close relative, but it would also be inappropriate to exempt him from punishment."

Li Shimin readily accepted the advice and ordered his servants to prepare medicine for the wound.

"Brother, please help me draft a memorial. Now that I am sentenced, Yuanji cannot use this as an excuse."

"it is good."

The next morning, the King of Qin went directly to the Ministry of Justice. There was no court meeting that day, but the Shangshu and Shilang were all there. They were shocked that the King of Qin had voluntarily asked to be punished.

The King of Qin was just a little too careless and acted rashly, but after all, no serious losses were caused, and everyone conceded that the incident was over.

The decree also stated that the King of Qin could only be punished after his injuries were healed, but whether his injuries were healed or not was not up to the King of Qin himself.

But since he had come, there was no reason to push him out, as that would be against the imperial decree. Therefore, the Minister of Justice could only order people to quickly arrange for the executioner and ordered the Vice Minister to report to the emperor immediately.

Li Shimin was a little hesitant before he came, but after arriving he became very open and walked around the Ministry of Justice.

"Your Highness, why do you have to do this?"

Li Shimin said with a smile: "The law does not favor the rich, and the rope does not bend. Although I am a prince, I should be punished if I make mistakes. How can I avoid the law because of my birth?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Li Shimin with admiration. The Prince of Qin was truly extraordinary and worthy of being the brother that His Majesty relied on the most.

So everyone did not hesitate any longer and directly invited the King of Qin to be executed. Li Shimin stamped his feet and strode away, and soon cries of pain were heard.

…………

(End of this chapter)