"How about we take a step back and not arrest this guy for now? I'll send a young eunuch over and have him write down the whole thing. I'll also promise him that as long as he can explain everything in detail, he won't be held responsible for this matter for the time being."
Li Shimin hesitated again and again, and finally said this. Li Xiang's eyes flickered, and it was obvious that he could not agree to this matter. Although there were other people behind him, he was the King of Song in name only. Merchants all over the country knew it. If you want to cover up for him, you may offend merchants all over the country. They are the main source of our taxes. In other words, they are the boss, and only the rich are the boss.
"Grandfather, you don't really want to forgive him, do you? If you do, we won't be able to explain ourselves to the people. I don't need to explain the situation to you. You should know what's going on outside..."
Li Xiang looked out the window. He had been watching outside for the past few days. Although the situation had temporarily stabilized, everyone was watching the court's actions. If the court continued to investigate King Song, everyone could still endure it, but if the court forgave that guy, I'm afraid the storm would not stop.
Actually, this matter is very simple. We do business in a fair and just environment. The Tang Dynasty court has promised us many times that there will be no problems in our area. But now the situation has completely changed. Can the emperor's brother really change the business environment? If so, what is the point of all our efforts over the years?
So in this situation, these people must be given a result. What they are betting on is this matter. If you don't give them an explanation, then more people may change such an environment in the future. After all, after they change, they will not be guilty at all. They can hide with the emperor for two days, and the matter will be over. The cost of crime is too low, and anyone would be willing to continue doing it.
"Who do you take me for? This kid is definitely going to die, but there's nothing we can do about it. Do you think he's a good person? He's been eating, drinking, and having fun every day in the palace. What's there to do with the retired emperor? It's been seven or eight days. I think this kid is almost dead. Let's find the person behind him first and let him stay with the retired emperor. As long as he gets out of the palace, we can find a way to kill him. What can we do about it?"
After hearing what Li Shimin said, Li Xiang finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was normal to think about it. Li Shimin had never been very satisfied with the sons born to his father. In Li Shimin's heart, the people who could truly be called brothers should be Li Yuanji and Li Jiancheng, whom he killed.
Apart from these two, the rest are all illegitimate sons. They are just tools for the family to reproduce offspring. If Li Shimin really treats them as brothers, he will feel ashamed.
If you look at what these people did, you will probably understand why Li Shimin thought so. These people have never done anything serious. They either caused trouble for Li Shimin or indulged in drinking, whoring and gambling. In short, none of them was positive, so there was no psychological feeling at all about killing them.
"If that's the case, then we should find someone to talk to. According to what Grandfather said, this guy can only last half a month at most. I'll arrange for people to keep an eye on him. If he dies, it's best if he dies in front of the people of Chang'an City. I'll arrange for someone to kill him."
Li Xiang thought about it and said, public beheading is definitely not an option, but if it is replaced by assassination, assassination in broad daylight, as long as the guy is dead, it doesn’t matter. At that time, Li Shimin will continue to publicize his crimes, and the people under the world will keep silent. It can not only intimidate the royal children in Chang'an City, but also give an explanation to the merchants all over the world. If they are still not satisfied, then it must be a premeditated trouble. Our knives can be used internally and externally, but I don’t know if your necks are hard enough.
"That's it. I'll send a clever eunuch there immediately. You go back and wait for news. But there's one thing you need to do first. The Five Surnames and Seven Families have many spies in the palace. It's impossible for us to kick them all out, so we must keep an eye on their lair. Once we get evidence, arrest them immediately."
Li Shimin felt very painful when talking about this matter. The palace itself is his home. It should be the safest place, but the actual situation is far from this. Just look at the situation outside. Eunuchs and palace maids walking around, do you know who is standing behind them? These people see too many people every day, and there are opportunities to leave the palace. Unless you don't need their service, otherwise it is impossible to prevent this.
"Please rest assured, Grandfather. I will arrange this matter as soon as I return. Imperial uncles..."
Li Xiang quietly raised his head and glanced at them, just like a child who had done something bad. The Five Surnames and Seven Families were not that important now. He could control them if he wanted to, and kill them if he wanted to if he had evidence. Anyway, it would come with real guns and swords. Now they no longer have the ability they had in the past, but what should you do if these sons of yours, especially the King of Wei and the King of Jin, also get involved?
"If they get involved, everything will be left to you."
Li Shimin also said very proudly that although he was reluctant to give such an order, this time the entire Tang Empire was almost pushed to the edge of the cliff. If these sons made trouble, Li Shimin could give them chances again and again, but if you play with the entire Tang Dynasty's national destiny, you will have to chop off your heads. Although you are important, you are far behind the entire Tang Dynasty.
Having said this, Li Xiang stopped drinking and went back to mobilize his personal guards. Many people from the Five Surnames and Seven Families were out of town, especially their old nests, and people had to be sent there now. If these people were allowed to run away, it would not be easy to find them next time. The world is so big that they can always find a place to stay. In addition, they have huge wealth, so they can find a place to hide, and they may even cause trouble for us in secret. This is the most difficult thing.
