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Chapter 30: Stealing a chicken but losing the rice

"Royal brother, you have to make the decision for me. Li Xiang is really too much. He chopped off the hands of my men in front of me, and even sent my friends to Luoyang to serve as eunuchs..."

Kneeling in the main hall, Li Yuanchang cried loudly. Although he had gone back to change his clothes, the eunuchs around him already knew what had just happened. They always felt that there was a special smell in the main hall.

When Li Yuanchang saw the expressions of these people, he wanted to go over and beat them to death. Of course, he didn't have the time to care about this now. The most important thing was that he had to get Li Shimin to issue an edict, at least to reprimand Li Xiang. Otherwise, how would he live after dawn tomorrow?

Li Shimin looked at the book at this moment, but he was actually very happy in his heart. For what Li Xiang had done, he wanted to reward him greatly. How could he possibly blame him?

This kid Li Yuanchang has been making trouble over the years by taking advantage of his special status. He has caused Li Shimin a lot of trouble secretly. Even in Li Shimin's heart, if it weren't for your instigation, Li Chengqian would never have become like this.

So when Li Yuanchang suffered a loss, Li Shimin would not only not help him get back at his feet, but if the situation allowed, Li Shimin would even want to kick him twice and rub salt into his wounds.

After listening to Li Yuanchang's words, which were similar to the news Li Shimin had received, he felt even more fond of this grandson.

But I still feel that this grandson is a little indecisive. Take his cousin Chengxin for example. After he was drowned, he was sent to Luoyang to be a eunuch. Isn’t that person still alive?

So before Li Yuanchang arrived, Li Shimin had already ordered his men to go out and kill the man in the uninhabited area between Chang'an and Luoyang. This is what a superior should do.

Although Li Shimin preached benevolent governance every day, it was not enough for an emperor to be benevolent. In certain necessary situations, he had to be ruthless. Even if it meant killing ten people, as long as it could stabilize the rule of the Li Dynasty, then he had to do it.

"Are you done?"

Li Yuanchang finally stopped talking, and Li Shimin put the book aside.

When Li Yuanchang heard this, he immediately felt something was wrong. Normally, he knew that Li Shimin hated him, so he didn't often come to the hall. But with such a big thing happening, Li Shimin was extremely concerned about his reputation.

A junior insulting his elders like this, even if not at the national level, at the level of our Li family, you have to punish this kid, but he didn't hear this meaning from these three words.

"I beg Your Majesty to make the decision for this minister."

Li Yuanchang quickly knelt on the ground, saying that the emperor was involving the court and that his brother was involving the family, putting pressure on Li Shimin from both sides.

"Make the decision for you? Do you still need me to make the decision for you after all the things you've done over the years?"

Li Shimin said sternly that it was difficult to find such an opportunity under normal circumstances, and there was no one else to come now. Li Shimin's face was at least three feet of frost, without a smile at all.

Li Yuanchang's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that he came to the wrong place today?

"Your Majesty, that Li Xiang..."

"He did the right thing. If it were me, I would have killed you with one blow. If he kills you, I will give him a more generous reward."

Li Shimin interrupted Li Yuanchang directly.

The two of them were half-brothers. Although Li Shimin had to maintain his brotherly love in front of outsiders, when they were alone, Li Shimin did not hide his dislike for Li Yuanchang.

Honestly, who would be nice to their half-brother? Moreover, this half-brother is thinking of seizing the throne. Moreover, this half-brother has corrupted his most promising son. Ten times of death is not enough for his multiple crimes.

Li Yuanchang looked at Li Shimin's stern face and felt really regretful at this moment. It would have been better if he had not come here to cry. At least it would have been embarrassing. But now Li Shimin might still punish him. Could it be that he knew everything he had done over the years?

"emperor……"

Li Yuanchang said with some fear, not knowing what to say. This is what bad guys do when they feel guilty.

"For the Emperor's sake, go back to your Han Palace. It's best if nothing unexpected happens. You can still enjoy your wealth and splendor. But if you do anything excessive again, don't blame me for not remembering our past friendship. Remember what happened to Cheng Qian. I haven't settled the score with you yet. You must deliver the six farms outside the city and the three shops inside the city owned by the Han Palace to the Eastern Palace tomorrow."

Li Shimin said without turning his head. His voice hit Li Yuanchang's heart like a hammer, especially the last few words, which were substantial punishment.

The princes and ministers of the Tang Dynasty all had their own farms and shops, which were also their main source of income. If they relied on the small salary issued by the court, they would not be able to make a living.

Li Shimin's punishment was equivalent to confiscating one-third of the income of the Prince of Han's Palace.

The most important thing is humiliation. Li Xiang humiliated me at the gate of the Eastern Palace, and I ran here to complain. Instead of punishing Li Xiang, the Emperor ordered me to pay him one-third of my assets. What does this mean? It means that you have completely lost your status in the eyes of the Emperor. You have been humiliated by your grandson, and you must bear the consequences yourself. Afterwards, I have to apologize to him.

The people of Chang'an were all shrewd. How could they not ponder this? Once they figured it out, they would know what the status of Han Wang Li Yuanchang was. Apart from the empty title of a prince, he probably had nothing. In the past, he had the emperor's favor, but now it was all zero.

Although the retired emperor Li Yuan was still alive, he had not left the house for many years and had no business in the court. Moreover, apart from Li Yuanchang, the retired emperor had many sons.

Even if the emperor punishes you, the emperor emeritus will never fall out with the emperor because of you.

"Your Highness, we should move. The palace gates will be closed soon! I, your servant, have been ordered by the Emperor to help you with some complicated paperwork. Shall we leave now?"

Li Yuanchang didn't know how long he had been kneeling here. Suddenly he heard the voice of the eunuch chief Wang De. Although this guy had a smile on his face, there was no trace of sympathy in his words.

Li Yuanchang looked at the throne in the hall angrily and said, Li Shimin, you are so cruel!

Not only did you punish me like this, but you also let the dog beside you watch me. As the chief eunuch, Wang De has people watching his every move. Are you afraid that I will embarrass myself too little?!

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