Hunjun actually talked about "national law" with Gu Qing, which was a bit ridiculous for no reason.

In fact, the person who violated the country's laws the most was Li Longji. The will of the king has always been above the law. The emperor's art is to balance the situation of the government, and the word "balance" never concerns black and white, good and evil, and is absolutely consistent with the law.

conflicting.

In this era when the power of the monarch is absolutely greater than the power of ministers, the only thing that can check and balance the power of the emperor is the public opinion of the government and the opposition.

This is also the reason why Gu Qing hurried back to Chang'an to plead guilty to Li Longji before the government and the opposition started talking. If the assassination case was fully known to the government and the opposition, when the civil and military public opinion in the court said that Gu Qing was to be killed, Li Longji would not be able to save his life.

He did.

But if Li Longji makes a decision before public opinion, it doesn't matter how loud the discussion is. He has already punished Gu Qing, and Li Longji cannot punish him a second time. The emperor's face and authority are very important.

"I am guilty, and I am willing to be punished." Gu Qing knelt in front of Li Longji, and his attitude of pleading guilty was particularly upright.

Li Longji stared at Gu Qing, really wanting to kick this guy into the dragon pond to feed the fish.

The reason may be just, but the way it is done is treacherous. If it is used to exaggerate it by someone with intentions, the court will be in trouble again.

After all, Gu Qing saved Li Longji's life, and he was a talented man with an uncontested temperament. No matter how cold-blooded and ungrateful Li Longji was, he couldn't bear to impose heavy punishment on Gu Qing.

Besides, since the death of Li Linfu, the court has been in a sensitive period of transition between old and new forces. Li Longji has been suffering from the lack of easy-to-use ministers. It was at this time that Gu Qing saved his life. In terms of origin and adversity experience, Gu Qing was

Li Longji's position in his heart became more and more important. He originally planned to reuse Gu Qing, but who knew that Gu Qing would cause such a big disaster.

"Gu Qing, you are not usually an impulsive person, why did you commit such a heinous crime? I don't know how to excuse you for killing the fourth-rank governor. If this matter is known to the imperial censor, I am afraid that there will be a pile of memorials to impeach you.

Rushan, tell me, what should I do to you?" Li Longji shook his head and sighed.

Gu Qing lowered his head and said, "I know that I am guilty. No matter how Your Majesty criticizes me, I have no complaints."

Concubine Yang stepped forward to hold Li Longji's arm and begged softly: "Your Majesty, although Gu Qing's move was a little impulsive, he had reason after all. That Shangzhou governor was so bad that Gu Qing insisted on regardless of his own future and life.

Revenge for the personal guards just proves that Gu Qing is a person who values ​​​​love and justice. He is a kind and benevolent child. Such a minister can be used by Your Majesty, and all the concubines are happy for Your Majesty. If you punish Gu Qing too harshly, it will hurt the good people in the world.

heart of……"

The white jade-like arm shook Li Longji's arm, and Concubine Yang said coquettishly: "Sanlang, I have been away from home for many years. There is only a little fellow like Gu Qing in Chang'an City. If you punish him severely, I will be sad..."

After speaking, Concubine Yang sobbed a few times, her eyes turned red, and she suddenly felt like crying.

Li Longji couldn't laugh or cry: "Madam, the laws of the country are ruthless and have nothing to do with personal relationships. Even though I am the emperor, I still have to worry about the world. Gu Qing has committed such a serious crime. If I just expose it lightly, how can I face the many ministers in the court? Their eyes

But they are all staring at me."

Concubine Yang lost her temper and cried: "That governor should have died. If Gu Qing did not kill him, but presented the evidence of his crime to His Majesty, Your Majesty would have ordered his death. Gu Qing just did it in advance."

It's just this matter, what's wrong with him? He just killed a bad guy, why bother to mobilize troops?"

Li Longji shook his head and smiled bitterly, but did not argue with her. It seemed that Li Longji's age was not in vain. He had learned not to reason with women, otherwise even if he defeated her logically, he would be completely defeated emotionally.

"Madam, I am very embarrassed about this matter..." Li Longji helplessly tried to appease Concubine Yang.

Concubine Yang snorted and turned away to ignore him.

Princess Wanchun, who had been silent for a long time next to her, finally spoke: "My father governs the country with benevolence and filial piety, and the principles of sages are spread all over the world in order to educate the people to be kind. Gu Qing is wrong because he has lost the legal principles, but his bravery is right.

Yes, if my father severely punishes Gu Qing, then if the people of the world know the cause and consequences of this matter, they will ignore the good in the future and fail to do what is right. The kindness and morality of the people will be lost. What is the use of retaining the legal principles of the Tang Dynasty?"

"My daughter believes that the prosperous age of the Tang Dynasty under the rule of her father, the so-called 'prosperous age' is not about wealth or military power, but about the support of the people and the conduct of benevolence and righteousness. The emperor, the saints, the ministers, the virtuous people, and the people are kind. This is called a 'prosperous age'." Gu Qing

What you did was wrong, but you should not be punished severely. Otherwise, my father has upheld the legal principles, but lost his benevolence and righteousness, causing more harm than good. My father must not ignore it."

Gu Qing glanced at her in surprise, his eyes filled with gratitude.

He didn't expect that this seemingly unruly and rude princess would say such a great truth, let alone that she would intercede for him.

At this moment, the image of Wanchun suddenly became tall and majestic in Gu Qing's heart. She was a typical image of a white, rich and beautiful goddess. The three words "Bai Fumei" are well deserved. Her appearance is indeed beautiful. The appearance of the mixed-race beauty is second only to Yang Guifei, the royal family.

Due to her background, theoretically her father's money belongs to her, and she is truly rich in the world.

As for "white", well, Gu Qing has the most say, he is really white.

After Wan Chun finished speaking, she stopped talking. Facing Gu Qing's grateful gaze, she didn't look at him coldly, as if she had just said a few fair words.

Both women spoke for Gu Qing. Li Longji's originally angry expression gradually softened. He glanced at Gu Qing calmly and hummed: "You are smart. Before you apologize, you did not forget to bring the imperial concubine and my daughter to be your lobbyists.

Do you think I can’t see it?”

Gu Qing did not feel embarrassed about having his thoughts revealed, and simply admitted: "I don't have the courage to die generously. In fact, I am very afraid of death. I plead guilty to Your Majesty out of sincerity, and I asked the concubine and the princess to be lobbyists.

sincere."

Li Longji laughed angrily, waved his robe sleeves fiercely, and said: "Let's keep your life for now. Someone, come here, strip off Gu Qing's official uniform and hat, and take it to Dali Temple."

Yu Linwei stepped forward and quickly stripped off Gu Qing's official uniform and hat.

Concubine Yang was anxious: "Does Your Majesty still want to punish Gu Qing severely?"

Li Longji said angrily: "I can't give him a reward for doing such a big thing, right? Go to Dali Temple and squat for a while, and then come out after the news has passed."

Gu Qing bowed his head and said, "I thank Your Majesty for your kindness."

…………

As expected, Gu Qing was imprisoned in Dali Temple.

Yu Linwei escorted Gu Qing into the prison. When the guards saw Gu Qing, they felt that he looked very familiar. Looking back carefully, wasn't this an old acquaintance who led someone to rob Wannian County Prison last time and was imprisoned for three days? Why did he come again?

coming?

Moreover, this old acquaintance was the only strange person who had been promoted while serving in prison since the opening of Dali Temple. After Gu Qing was released from prison, his legend spread widely in Dali Temple, and everyone was envious of him.

The jailers inquired again and found out that this old acquaintance had been sent to Dali Temple by His Majesty's personal order. No one knew what crime he had committed. Moreover, this acquaintance had been promoted to the rank of General of the Left Guard, Zhonglang General, and Marquis of Qingcheng County.

.

I don’t know whether Li Longji intentionally or unintentionally ordered Gu Qing to be imprisoned in Dali Temple, but he never mentioned what to do with Gu Qing’s official title. Therefore, Gu Qing was neither dismissed nor deranked. His identity was still Zuowei Zhonglang General and Qingcheng General.

County Marquis.

This is interesting. Another strange thing happened since the opening of Dali Temple. People were thrown into prison, but their official titles were not removed. It was like being gilded at the grassroots level, and they just left after squatting for a few days.

The jailers spent all day in Dali Temple dealing with officials who had committed crimes, and had learned about 40% to 50% of the rules of the officialdom. Seeing Gu Qing's status, the jailers suddenly felt that it was not easy, so they did not dare to be disrespectful to Gu Qing.

, and politely invited him to jail.

Just over an hour after entering the prison, Han Jie came in to visit him with large and small bags.

Kneeling outside the cell door, Han Jie looked guilty and blamed himself, tearfully scolding himself and his guards for their poor protection, which had put Mr. Hou in jail.

Seeing that Han Jie was getting more and more outrageous, Gu Qing saw that he blamed himself so much that he was about to pull out a knife and wipe his neck in front of his face. Gu Qing had no choice but to comfort Han Jie with a few gentle words, and finally persuaded Han Jie to leave. Gu Qing finally calmed down.

When the environment is quiet, your thoughts become particularly sensitive.

Gu Qing sat cross-legged on the clean mattress brought by Han Jie, recalling every word Li Longji said today in his mind, and then speculated on how Li Longji would deal with him.

With a high probability, he should not be executed.

Li Longji definitely made a clear distinction between advantages and disadvantages, lightness and weight. Killing an insignificant governor was nothing, and the important thing was that Gu Qing was right. Xing Shen should be killed. What was wrong was only the order and method.

The life-saving favor given to Li Longji is not a bargaining chip. Gu Qing's real bargaining chip is his own value in Li Longji's heart.

So, what is his position in Li Longji's heart? A sensible boy, a boy who is occasionally a little impulsive and most of the time very calm. For a utilitarian like Li Longji, Gu Qing's occasionally impulsive character is just in line with

The emperor's requirements for his ministers.

A minister cannot behave perfectly. A minister must have shortcomings, and the shortcomings must be obvious. Only ministers with shortcomings can be grasped by the emperor. For Li Longji, who is so confident that he is arrogant, being too loyal is Gu Qing's shortcoming.

In order to avenge a mere bodyguard, he dared to kill the governor. To Li Longji, this was foolishness and an obvious shortcoming. This shortcoming made Gu Qing's image imperfect, but it was this imperfect image that made Li Longji

For Longi, it is the most perfect.

For such a perfect minister, especially one who had saved his life and whose loyalty was unquestionable, how could Li Longji be willing to kill Gu Qing?

I don’t know whether it is lucky or sad to be born in this era. The advantage of the rule of man over the rule of law is that the emperor’s will is above the law. In other words, no matter how big the crime is, if the emperor feels that the person is not

If he deserves to die, then he will definitely not die. Therefore, the foolish king is the truly lawless person.

This is not Gu Qing's wild guess, but there is precedent.

An Lushan once sent dead men to assassinate Zhang Jiuling, but Zhang Jiuling survived. After returning to Chang'an, he wrote numerous memorials to impeach An Lushan, but Li Longji turned a blind eye and did not even admit that this happened.

Compared with An Lushan's status in Li Longji's heart, Gu Qing is naturally inferior, but not too far behind. Now Gu Qing has also killed officials, and he has legitimate reasons for killing officials, whether from the standpoint of interests or emotions.
Chapter completed!