Chapter 58: Hou Junji's 9 Sins
Chapter 58: Hou Junji's Nine Sins
When large-scale military operations are carried out, military discipline must be strict.
The ministers were filled with awe.
It would have been fine if the prince hadn't spoken, but once he opened his mouth, just nine words were enough to completely define the incident.
Li Er paused in stroking the ring, then continued stroking it without saying a word, waiting for the next words.
"This is especially true in a war to annihilate a nation."
Li Chengqian said calmly: "Gaochang colluded with the Turks and acted perversely, which was an act that offended God."
"I heard that the king and the army had a legitimate reason to fight."
"The Tang Dynasty sent troops to Gaochang to punish Gaochang and to make foreign vassal states understand that improper behavior will be punished by heaven."
"Our Tang Army's Heavenly Soldiers are the actions of a king and a just act. In the eyes of foreign vassal states, we are a benevolent and righteous army that upholds justice and represents truth."
His tone was neither fast nor slow, as if he was describing a simple and clear fact, without even any unnecessary ups and downs.
Li Er nodded, "Prince is right."
"The Tang Dynasty sent troops, and Gaochang did something wrong."
“If you do something wrong, you should be punished, but the person who carries out the punishment must not make the same mistake.”
"If they all made mistakes, what reason does the Tang have to punish Gaochang?"
All the ministers nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Cheng Zhijie glanced at Hou Junji and couldn't help but sneer.
You are in trouble now.
With just a few words, the prince turned the war, which should have been started with a legitimate reason, into something that was not a benevolent act because of your actions.
Even His Majesty agrees with this statement.
You are guilty of framing the Tang Dynasty as unkind. Can you bear the charge?
Li Chengqian ignored Li Er's words and continued, "When a large army is fighting, military discipline must be strict. When a country is fighting, the generals should set an example, take warning, set an example, repeat orders repeatedly, and restrain the soldiers."
"The prestige of the Tang Dynasty is the most important thing, and maintaining the dignity of the emperor is the most important thing."
"You must not do anything that violates military discipline or undermines the king's benevolence."
He looked at Hou Junji who was kneeling on the ground with calm eyes.
Hou Junji at this moment has nothing to do with him.
Nor are they rebellious shareholders who have sworn brotherhood with blood and given him the power to do whatever he wants.
The two of them were merely a monarch and his subject, and they did not have a close relationship.
"Your Majesty has not yet convicted you, so I will continue to call you Duke of Chen for now."
Li Chengqian adjusted his sitting position and tried to make himself comfortable. He said softly, "Duke Chen, you indulged the soldiers and robbed money. This is the first crime."
"Being greedy and stealing treasures is the second sin."
"Not strictly controlling subordinates and lax military discipline are the third crime."
"Abuse of power and tyranny, exiling good people, this is the fourth crime."
"As a commander, if you are not upright, this is the fifth crime."
As Li Chengqian listed the charges one by one, everyone began to think it was normal.
This is most likely the mistake Hou Junji made.
With five charges against him, it would be difficult for Hou Junji to get away with it.
who knows.
After the prince finished saying the five points, there was more.
"Winning over the army and building up power is the sixth crime."
When this news came out, all the ministers suddenly opened their eyes wide, dumbfounded and unable to believe it.
Win over the military and build up power.
Anyone who hears such a charge would be terrified.
It's just a matter of clearly accusing you of having ulterior motives and plotting something bad.
"Mom."
"The prince is going to beat Hou Junji to death."
Cheng Zhijie was a little scared.
Although this is what the prince said verbally, we cannot believe it completely.
But does it matter whether you believe it or not?
Your Majesty doesn't believe it, but you, Hou Junji, did just that.
Then there must be a thorn in your Majesty's heart.
"Hide the truth from your superiors and protect your subordinates, and hope for the best, this is the seventh sin."
Li Chengqian spoke again.
Hou Junji was charged with as many as seven crimes.
He himself couldn't believe that he had committed so many crimes?
"Destroying the prestige of the Tang Dynasty and treating the emperor as unkind is the eighth crime."
Article 8 comes out.
The ministers looked at Hou Junji with eyes filled with pity and sympathy.
This is another serious sin.
The emperor is unkind.
Who doesn't know that His Majesty cares most about reputation? You, Hou Junji, probably don't know how you have ruined the emperor's reputation for benevolence and righteousness.
Is there any Article 9?
There are nine words.
Hou Junji is going to suffer a big setback this time.
Those who were watching the show were feeling a little excited.
The civil officials suffered during the grand court meeting, and now it is your turn as a military official to feel uneasy during this prisoner presentation ceremony. We are here to watch the fun.
Fang Xuanling's eyelids were twitching.
The prince really holds a grudge.
As long as you give us a chance and catch us, we will take revenge on the spot without any delay.
Li Chengqian didn't even look at the reactions of the ministers, but he could guess what their reactions would be after he named the eight charges.
But he doesn't plan to stop there.
We need to increase the intensity.
"Not knowing the emperor, not knowing the imperial court, this is the ninth sin."
Li Chengqian listed nine major charges. From beginning to end, his tone was calm and straightforward.
But the calmer the tone, the more frightened the ministers.
Calm sea, nine deadly sins.
The Duke of the current dynasty became a notorious villain in almost an instant.
The historian in the corner flew with joy.
At the grand court meeting, I exceeded my performance targets.
Unexpectedly, after such a short period of time, the performance at the prisoner presentation ceremony was doubled.
Prince, please feel free to express yourself. I, the historian, will not miss a single word.
Hou Junji himself was stunned.
Am I such a person with unforgivable sins and numerous evil deeds?
He reacted and immediately shouted excitedly and violently: "Slander!"
"The prince is framing me."
"Just because I said I didn't see His Majesty at first sight at Jinguang Gate."
"Yes, that must be the case. The prince is holding a grudge and is seeking revenge."
"Your Majesty, please understand. I admit what I should admit, but I have never done anything I shouldn't admit."
"The prince is just seeking revenge. He wants to..."
"Your Majesty, I will never tolerate such humiliation."
Wow!
The ministers exclaimed.
There was some noise in the hall.
No one could believe that such a thing happened in Jinguanmen.
Not only did he refuse to meet the Crown Prince in the palace, he also offended the Crown Prince at the Jinguan Gate.
No wonder.
No wonder the prince would point to nine charges.
It turns out that you, Hou Junji, have hit a wall.
Only Fang Xuanling remained calm.
Are you shocked?
If you were all at Jinguan Gate, and saw Hou Junji not bowing, you would open your mouth with a sad complaint: The first person I saw was not Your Majesty.
This is an act of trampling on the prince's dignity and treating it as nothing.
I'm afraid you can also conclude that Hou Junji will not have a good ending.
"Be bold!"
Zhang Sun Wuji jumped out and shouted angrily, "Duke Chen, let's not worry about whether what the prince said is true or not."
"Were you rude to the prince in front of the Golden Light Gate?"
"Yes or no?"
Hou Junji recalled that he did not seem to take the prince seriously, "I..."
Fang Xuanling stepped forward and said, "In front of the Jinguang Gate, Hou Junji was rude..."
In a few words, he explained what had happened in front of the Jinguan Gate.
Everyone looked shocked and incredulous.
It is understandable that you, Hou Junji, said those words when you met the prince.
From beginning to end, he didn't even show the proper etiquette for meeting the prince.
How arrogant you are.
Just because of your achievement in destroying Gaochang?
Li Jing, Yuchi Jingde, who is not better than you?
When they saw the prince, they were all polite and did not dare to be disrespectful or offend him.
Who do you think you are to be so arrogant?
(End of this chapter)