Chapter 274 Begging for mercy
In Nanxun Palace.

Li Longji was half leaning on the dragon throne, and Zhang Lingzhi was standing below with his head down.

"How is Shibalang's health?" Li Longji asked.

Zhang Lingzhi said: "Your Majesty, it is still the same. Over the years, I have searched all medical books and tried every possible way, but I can only ensure that His Royal Highness Prince Shou's condition does not get worse. I have not found a cure yet."

Li Longji looked at Zhang Lingzhi and deliberately sighed: "Shiba Lang is much more capable than the crown prince. If he is healthy, I would like to make him the crown prince."

Zhang Lingzhi's expression did not change at all, and he said, "Even if His Royal Highness Prince Shou is in good health, he cannot be the crown prince."

"Why is this?" Li Longji asked.

Zhang Lingzhi said: "Whether in terms of seniority or talent and virtue, the current crown prince is the most suitable candidate. Moreover, His Royal Highness Prince Shou has told me more than once that his lifelong wish is to defend the border for the Tang Dynasty. If he can conquer Tibet, he would be willing to die."

Li Longji was slightly startled and said, "Shibalang is a good boy. You have taken great pains to take care of him over the years. You are a hero!"

Zhang Lingzhi said: "I am a humble official with little talent and moral integrity. I did not cure His Royal Highness the Prince of Shou, so I dare not claim any credit."

Li Longji nodded and waved his hand to let Zhang Lingzhi leave first.

Zhang Lingzhi bowed and walked out. After a while, Xin Yunjing came in to pay his respects.

Li Longji first asked Xin Yunjing about his official duties over the years, and Xin Yunjing answered truthfully.

In recent years, Xin Yunjing has been either fighting in wars or farming and guarding the land, and he has basically behaved himself.

Li Longji listened patiently, asking for details from time to time. After Xin Yunjing finished speaking, Li Longji said quietly, "Shiba Lang has been very fond of you over the years. I believe he trusts you very much."

Xin Yunjing said: "I fought bravely, so I was appreciated by His Royal Highness Prince Shou."

Li Longji asked: "Did he arrange for you to do something beyond the rules?"

"Never." Xin Yunjing replied firmly.

Li Longji said: "According to you, Shiba Lang has been serving the public wholeheartedly and has never sought personal gain during his years in Qixi?"

Xin Yunjing said: "This is what I saw."

Li Longji said: "I want to depose the crown prince and appoint Shiba Lang as the new crown prince. What do you think?"

Xin Yunjing was shocked when he heard this, and hurriedly bowed and said, "This matter is of great importance, I dare not speak rashly."

"I let you speak." Li Longji said.

"This..." Xin Yunjing was stunned for a moment, and said: "Your Highness the Crown Prince has done nothing wrong. If the Saint deposes the Crown Prince, it may cause unrest in the court. Please think twice."

"Well." Li Longji pondered for a moment, "You are a loyal minister. I will seriously consider your words. You can leave first."

"Yes." Xin Yunjing stepped back.

After a while, Bian Lingcheng hurried in.

Li Longji asked bluntly, "Is there anything suspicious about Prince Shou being in Qixi?"

Bian Lingcheng accepted a lot of money from Li Heng, and then he replied according to what he saw: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Shou is dedicated to his duties and has never done anything beyond the rules. Not only that, other military governors have more or less staff and retainers, but His Royal Highness Prince Shou has never kept any privately."

Li Longji nodded, waved his hand to let Bian Lingcheng leave, pondered for a while, and asked Gao Lishi beside him: "Is Shibalang too clean?"

"That's right." Gao Lishi agreed with Li Longji's words, paused, and then changed his words: "The saint's achievements are unparalleled throughout the ages. He is the most wise and holy ruler in history. Your Highness Prince Shou is deeply favored by the saint and has inherited the saint's virtues. Moreover, Your Highness Prince Shou is now the most powerful prince. If Your Highness Prince Shou does not... have the intention to ascend to the throne, then there is really no need for him to seek personal gain."

Li Longji benefited greatly from Gao Lishi's words.

Li Longji smiled knowingly and said, "You have praised me too much. Now the Tang Dynasty is surrounded by powerful enemies, and Tubo has repeatedly invaded the border. If Shiba Lang can really carry out my will, I will let him fight Tubo."

Gao Lishi asked, "Does the Saint want His Royal Highness Prince Shou to take charge of the Helong area for a long time?"

"That's right." Li Longji nodded. "The war with Tubo cannot be completed overnight. Only by letting Shibalang take charge of Helong can we completely conquer Tubo."

Gao Lishi said: "But if this happens, His Royal Highness Prince Shou will have more than half of the troops. If there is a conflict between His Royal Highness Prince Shou and the Crown Prince, I'm afraid..."

Li Longji said: "I know my limits."

"Yes." Gao Lishi said nothing more.

……

A few days later, Wang Zhongsi returned to Chang'an.

As soon as Wang Zhongsi arrived in Chang'an, he was sent to prison and tried by officials from the three courts.

The court had just arrested Yang Shenjin, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and then imprisoned Wang Zhongsi, the former governor of the four towns. For a time, people inside and outside the court were in panic.

In Li Ying's mansion.

Li Heng asked Hong Yue, "Is there any movement from the Crown Prince's side?"

"No." Hong Yue shook her head. "I thought that given the friendship between the Crown Prince and General Wang, he would at least write a letter to protect General Wang." Li Heng said, "General Wang's crime is that he intended to support the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince wants to protect him, there is only one way."

"What road?" Zhang Guangsheng asked.

Li Heng said, "If you give up the crown prince position, only then can my third brother plead for General Wang. Otherwise, it will only confirm General Wang's guilt."

"How could the prince be willing to do that?" Zhang Guangsheng said.

"Good fortunes are closely related to misfortunes, and misfortunes are closely related to good fortunes. It is not a good thing to place too much importance on one's position." Li Heng said, standing up, "If the prince is reluctant, then I will do it. I have to go to the palace."

Zhang Guangsheng hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, do you want to plead for General Wang?"

"Yes." Li Heng nodded.

Zhang Guangsheng said: "General Wang is now the target of public criticism. If Your Highness rashly pleads for General Wang, you may be implicated."

"I know." Li Heng sighed.

What Wang Zhongsi had done was beyond the reach of ordinary people, and Li Heng was not sure if he could escape unscathed this time.

However, he had to take a gamble no matter what, because only if the gamble was right could he maintain his image and manage Helong for a long time.

Li Heng stood there for a moment, then resolutely went to Xingqing Palace and went to Chenxiang Pavilion.

At this time, Concubine Mei was dancing in the Chenxiang Pavilion. Li Longji was watching Concubine Mei's dance, as if he was thinking about something.

After Gao Lishi informed Li Longji, he invited Li Heng into the pavilion.

Li Longji took a look at Li Heng and said bluntly, "Are you here to plead for Wang Zhongsi?"

Li Ying was startled and said, "That's why I came here."

Li Longji gave Gao Lishi a look, and Gao Lishi went to get a document and handed it to Li Heng.

Li Longji said, "Take a look first, and then decide whether to plead for him."

"Here." Li Heng took the document.

The content of the document is about the trial of Wang Zhongsi.

Among them, officials from the three divisions cited multiple pieces of evidence.

For example, Wang Zhongsi had a good relationship with Li Heng since childhood, and he had the motive to support Li Heng. Li Heng had given Wang Zhongsi gifts several times, and they had exchanges in the past. Moreover, Wang Zhongsi was one of the main figures who supported Li Heng to be the crown prince.

Although all these facts cannot be considered as empirical evidence, the officials of the three courts all agreed that they confirmed the accusation of Wei Lin, the Beijia of Jiyang.

Li Heng quickly read through it and said, "Father, if we talk about close relationships, General Wang has been raised by you in the palace since he was a child, so you are the person closest to him. As for the exchange of gifts, General Wang and the Crown Prince are as close as brothers, so it is reasonable for them to give each other gifts..."

"Are you still determined to plead for him?" Li Longji interrupted Li Heng.

Li Ying said: "I just reported the truth."

Li Longji looked at Li Heng and asked, "Can you prove that he has no intention of rebelling?"

If we abandon the principle of presumption of innocence, then it is basically impossible to prove a person's innocence.

Li Heng understood what Li Longji meant. He stopped arguing, knelt down, and said, "I am willing to use my title and official position to atone for General Wang's sins."

"Oh?" Li Longji was startled and stood up.

When Mei Fei, who was dancing, heard this, she paused.

Gao Lishi, who was standing by, said hurriedly, "Your Highness, the thunder and rain are the grace of heaven. Your title and official position are all gifts from the saints. How can you use them to atone for the sins of others?"

After hearing what Gao Lishi said, Li Longji walked up to Li Heng, leaned over and asked, "Can you tell me why you insist on protecting him?"

"I am quite familiar with General Wang, and I believe he will not do anything rebellious." Li Heng expressed his trust first, and then continued: "General Wang has fought in many battles and made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty. If he really wanted to rebel, why would he resign from his posts in Hedong and Shuofang? Besides, the border is in serious trouble now, and the court needs people. General Wang is proficient in military strategy and is a rare talent."

"Is that so?" Li Longji said calmly, "I thought you protected him in order to win people's hearts and use him for your own benefit."

"I absolutely do not have such intentions!" Li Ying kowtowed, "Rewarding merits and punishing crimes are all the grace of my father. How can the light of a firefly influence people's hearts under the brilliance of my father, the sun and the moon?"

"I was joking with you." Li Longji smiled and helped Li Heng up. "You used your title and official position to atone for Wang Zhongsi's crime. If you lose your title and official position, what's the point of winning people's hearts? Well, go to the prison to see Wang Zhongsi. If he admits his guilt and repents, I am willing to give him a chance to live."

"Thank you, father." Li Heng bowed to Li Longji and stepped back.

Li Longji looked at Li Heng's back as he left, and said to Gao Lishi beside him, "Do you think Shiba Lang said this because he is sure that I will not strip him of his title and official position, or is he really willing to give it up?"

Gao Lishi said, "If it were someone else, I would doubt his intentions, but His Royal Highness Prince Shou always acts this way. If he didn't have this kind of courage, I would find it strange."

"That's right." Li Longji agreed.

(End of this chapter)