Chapter 316: Three generations of investigation, the aristocratic family played themselves into trouble
The first day of August, the twenty-third year of Zhenguan.

Court meeting.

All officials in Beijing were present.

Today, they all knew that the matter of Dang Renhong had come to an end.

at the same time.

Outside Chengtian Gate, countless people gathered again, waiting for news from the court meeting.

Li Shimin was wearing the imperial crown and sitting in the Taiji Hall.

Li Chengqian also wore the crown and robes of the crown prince and sat facing the ministers.

The ministers frequently looked at the military officers’ train. Something was a little strange this time.

The leading dukes including Li Xiaogong, Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Zhijie, Li Jing, Tang Jian, etc., were not there at all.

This shouldn’t be the case.

His Majesty’s order requires that everyone be present.

If only one person was absent, it would be understandable, but several were absent.

This is a problem.

Li Jing didn’t dare to take sick leave at all. Even if he was sick, he would still be present.

His absence this time is intriguing.

“We will not discuss other matters at this court meeting today.”

Li Shimin said in a deep voice: “Let me announce one thing first.”

“The decision on the treatment of Dang Renhong.”

“The Imperial Censor!”

Ma Zhou stood up in response, came to the center of the Taiji Hall, and said, “I am here.”

“You announce it!”

“Yes!”

He unfolded the prepared notice of disposition.

For some unknown reason, Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji and others felt their hearts suddenly jump when they saw his action.

It seems like something big is about to happen.

The disposal announcement drafted by the Censorate was not known to the three provinces.

The three ministries were not informed of the matter; the decision was made jointly by the Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, and the Dali Temple.

Sun Fujia and Liu Dewei lowered their heads and said nothing. They knew how terrifying the contents of the announcement were.

It is enough to turn the Tang Dynasty upside down.

The aristocratic families of the entire Tang Dynasty, and even the court officials, will have trouble sleeping and eating and will not be able to sleep at night.

And the three of them will take the blame for this.

Li Chengqian glanced calmly at the ministers. Are you happy?
You won’t be happy later.

“According to the joint investigation by the Censorate, the Dali Temple, and the Ministry of Justice, Dang Renhong abused his power, was corrupt, bought and sold official positions, oppressed the people, and persecuted loyal officials while serving as the governor of Guangzhou.”

“He ordered his men to kill people and rob them, to abduct women, to bully people and dominate the market, and to bring disaster to the area.”

“They disregarded the laws of the imperial court, put the development interests of Guangzhou for their own benefit, and disregarded the lives of the people of Guangzhou.”

“As a founding hero and a duke of the current dynasty, he lost his ideals and beliefs of overthrowing the tyrannical Sui Dynasty and benefiting the people of the world, and betrayed his mission and responsibility to create an unprecedented prosperous Tang Dynasty.”

“After the great imperial meeting at the end of the 19th year of Zhenguan, corruption was strictly investigated, but Dang Renhong still did not stop and restrained himself. Instead, he became even worse.”

“His behavior is extremely evil and cannot be described in words. He has lost all conscience and is intolerable to heaven. Everyone has the right to punish him.”

“Dang Renhong’s behavior was serious and brought extremely bad influence.”

“After consultation among the three courts, Dang Renhong was sentenced to death according to the law, and his property was confiscated and all his family members were demoted to commoners and exiled to Huanzhou.”

When Ma Zhou read this, the officials in the hall were still quite surprised.

This is the first time I have heard of such a verdict.

Everyone was relieved about Dang Renhong’s fate. He won after all.

Your Majesty has not changed the will of the people.

How dare you disobey?

Everyone in the world knows that the Holy Emperor is partial and perverts the law. What do people in the world think of the Holy Emperor?

For the sake of the name of the Holy Emperor, Your Majesty can only execute him with great pain.

Ma Zhou looked up at his ministers, his hands trembling a little.

The ministers: “?”

What’s the meaning.

Anything else?
Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji and others’ expressions changed drastically.

This is the end. If there is anything else, then maybe…

“Anyone who has any connection with the Dang clan shall not be allowed to serve as an official or join the army for three generations.”

“Those who have served as officials or joined the military should be relieved of their official and military posts and no longer employed.”

Few words mean a lot.

Ma Zhou’s two short sentences instantly turned the Taiji Hall upside down.

“what?”

“what!”

All the officials had dazed expressions, with disbelief in their eyes. They opened their mouths slightly, not daring to believe what the Censor said.

Three generations are not allowed to serve as officials or join the army?
This…this.

“His Majesty!”

Cui Dunli stood up in surprise and shouted, “Is this decision still open to discussion?”

He panicked.

Extremely panicked.

This is what Yang Shidao, who was sitting in the court, said.

Cui Renshi’s face turned even paler.

“Your Majesty, the three courts have punished Dang Renhong and his family, and they have been demoted to commoners, and they are no longer able to serve as officials. Isn’t it unnecessary to ban the last three generations from serving as officials or joining the army?”

Lu Chengqing could not remain calm and could not sit still. He followed Cui Dunli and shouted, “Your Majesty, please understand.”

Cui Renshi hurriedly staggered and crawled to the center of the Taiji Hall with his hands.

“Your Majesty, the three judges are unfair in judging the crime.”

He shouted urgently.

But at this moment, Li Shimin looked cold.

Li Chengqian was also indifferent.

Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji and others came back to their senses from their shock and almost understood the whole story of the Dang Renhong case.

From the very beginning, Your Majesty wanted Dang Renhong to die.

But the death of Dang Renhong cannot be decided by Your Majesty.

We must let all civil and military officials, and the people of the world, work together to force Your Majesty to make a decision.

Why, even though the three departments had investigated so clearly, Your Majesty still had to send it back three times for re-investigation?

Just waiting.

It is to let the Dang Renhong case ferment.

Everyone in the world knows how conclusive the evidence is for Dang Renhong’s crimes.

Only in this way would Your Majesty plead for Dang Renhong many times.

It is because we know that the evidence is conclusive and it is too difficult to overturn it.

The people of the world know that Your Majesty wants to be partial to your own interests, and they are more determined to execute Dang Renhong. Unless Your Majesty is determined to act on his own and disregard the country.

But is that possible?
How could Your Majesty disregard the country and its people for the sake of Dang Renhong?

Therefore, everything is within your Majesty’s expectations.

It’s all for Ma Zhou’s last two sentences.

Since the Dang Renhong case, three generations have been forbidden from serving as officials or joining the military.

This is aimed at the aristocratic families.

Three generations.

If three generations have passed, they will not be allowed to hold official positions.

You don’t have to think about what that means to a family, how desperate it is.

There is no family without rivals or enemies.

Once three generations of a family are unable to serve as officials, the family will basically be declared extinct.

“Aristocratic family, they have completely messed themselves up this time.”

“It was you who forced His Majesty to execute Dang Renhong.”

“I didn’t expect that His Majesty would be waiting for you here.”

Changsun Wuji felt a little scared.

Fortunately, he didn’t get involved at all.

When he thought of the horrific story behind this, he felt cold all over.

He couldn’t help but look at his calm nephew.

He was very suspicious that his nephew must have been behind this.

The aristocratic families in the world have shot themselves in the foot this time.

Injuring His Majesty by eight hundred will damage the future of his own family.

Almost everyone was tricked into it.

In the end, no one can say that Your Majesty is wrong.

Who forced you to do this?
On the other hand, many of the aristocratic families that did not participate in the incident began to resent the aristocratic families that took action.

Fang Xuanling had similar thoughts as Changsun Wuji, but he first looked at the military officer.

Those are the few positions that are missing.

Your Majesty has already figured it out.

Someone has been ordered to take charge of the army to be ready to deal with any possible accidents at any time.

“What kind of fight?”

“Now, everyone will be implicated.”

“Hey!”

……

A large number of officials stood up one after another and strongly opposed the verdict of the three courts.

Mainly the last one.

Although this is aimed at Dang Renhong’s faction.

But all that is missing is a beginning.

The three-generation review started with Dang Renhong. If someone commits a crime in the future, how long will it take with this verdict added?
This is equivalent to one more verdict equivalent to confiscation of property and extermination of the clan.

To some extent, it is more difficult to accept than confiscating property and exterminating the clan.

“I dealt with Dang Renhong in accordance with the will of the people and to uphold the strict laws of the country.”

Li Shimin spoke.

“The three judges’ decisions further demonstrate the bottom line of the country’s law that cannot be touched.”

“Among the 21 plans discussed at the end of the 19th year of Zhenguan, the first one is to strengthen the overall capabilities of all officials of the Tang Dynasty, improve the level of governance, correct ideological cognition, and strictly investigate corruption.”

“The court has always been considering how to make officials control their own hands, work seriously, and benefit the people.”

Li Shimin’s tone seemed calm, he said calmly: “The idea of ​​the three judges’ judgment is very good.”

“To eliminate official corruption, find new ways to deal with it.”

“Even exterminating families and destroying their families cannot deter corrupt officials. Adding a three-generation review can also make corrupt officials more afraid of breaking the law and committing crimes.”

“Everyone hates Dang Renhong’s evil deeds, why are people suddenly speaking up for him?”

He almost said it.

Gentlemen, it’s your choice.

Why did you suddenly change your mind?
It’s not like I didn’t give you a chance.

You all collectively opposed the three attempts to use Party Renhong’s power for personal gain.

Now, come to me?

I got the wrong guy.

“Your Majesty, Dang Renhong’s evil deeds deserve confiscation of his family and extermination of his clan, but a three-generation investigation is completely unnecessary…”

Lu Chengqing said tremblingly.

Cui Renshi echoed: “Dang was exiled and it is impossible for him to serve as an official again…”

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “I have a question.”

“Am I the emperor, or can you take over the emperor’s power?”

“You are teaching me how to do things!”

A powerful force suddenly swept through the Tai Chi Hall.

There was a faint sound of a dragon’s roar.

Of course, this is just a feeling.

Li Shimin’s pent-up anger was completely vented at this moment.

“I am guilty!”

Li Chengqian immediately stood up and knelt on the ground, shouting loudly.

“I am guilty!”

Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, Wei Zheng and others followed closely behind.

Immediately.

In the Taiji Hall, all officials were prostrating themselves on the ground.

“The three judges have made the decision, and I have approved it.”

Li Shimin stood up and said, “Who objects?”

“Come to Liangyi Palace.”

“I’m waiting for him!”

Say it.

Li Shimin glanced at the kneeling ministers with contempt, especially at certain officials with disdain.

Finally, he could stay on the prince, with the corners of his mouth rising slightly.

The prince just knows how to have fun.

A three-generation review will involve all the aristocratic families.

Today is Dang Renhong.

tomorrow…….

who can that be?

(End of this chapter)