Chapter 69: Share good fortune together, share adversity together

  "Heh heh, you take charge then. These past few years, our Great Tang has really been suffering too much. Sometimes I also think, if I didn't become this emperor, would my situation be a bit better?" Li Er whispered to himself in a soft voice. Although on the surface he didn't believe in ghosts or gods, every time he felt helpless, he couldn't help but silently pray, asking for the people under his rule to have a slightly better life.

  If Zhangsun Chong heard Li Er's words, he could quote a sentence from Cao Xueqin's "Dream of the Red Chamber": "After death there is no regret for not having shrunk back one's hand; when facing a dead end, it is useless to think of turning back."

  Empress Changsun held Li Er behind her back and said, "Second brother, an arrow shot from a bow has no turning back. We can only move forward. Second brother still has many loyal ministers to assist him, and I also believe in second brother's ability to become a good emperor and establish a foundation for all eternity!"

  "By the way, how is Father Emperor now?" Li Er collected his emotions and thought of his father who was confined in the palace. Every time he went there, Father Emperor would be expressionless, not looking at him straight, Li Er knew that Father Emperor hated him and was angry with him.

  Empress Zhangsun visited Emperor Gaozu of Tang every day to pay her respects. Although the emperor was not very fond of his sons, he had a soft spot for his daughter-in-law. Even though he initially gave her the cold shoulder, she would bring their children with her to visit him morning and evening without fail. No matter how much resentment Emperor Gaozu held, it would melt away in front of his younger relatives by blood.

  "The Emperor is doing well today, and he even played a game of chess with Chengqian. He praised Chengqian for his progress and rewarded him with the jade pendant he wears on his person." Empress Changsun said softly.

  Li Er smiled and said, "That's great! Father Emperor dislikes me, but if he likes the kids, that's fine too. From now on, you can often bring your son and daughter to accompany Father Emperor. Oh, and select some of the best crystal decorations and mirrors to give to Father Emperor."

  Li Er is now like a child who needs to be praised, hoping to get the recognition of his father. Because Li Er knows in his heart that only if his father forgives him can he escape from the shadow of the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Otherwise, the shadow of usurping the throne by killing his brother and forcing his father to abdicate will always surround him, making it hard for him to breathe.

  No one knew Li Er better than Empress Changsun, who persuaded him, saying: "The Emperor is not a person who does not understand emotions and reason. As long as the Second Brother can make the Tang Dynasty prosperous and the people rich, I believe the Emperor will also be happy."

  Li Er's eyes regained their determination, he had always been his parents' pride, in the past, now and in the future, he must achieve something to let the Emperor know that only he was worthy of this throne.

  All the officials were holding two treasures, and everyone's attention was focused on these two treasures. As a result, the matter of defeating the Turks was neglected, and many people paid less attention to it.

  On the second day, Changsun Wuji, Li Yifu, Duan Hui, and Cheng Pumu were tied up in front of the Long'an Prefecture government office. The Turkic general Laqieban was eager to show off his achievement and would not let this opportunity pass him by. This time, he saw that the ones being beaten were high-ranking officials of the Tang Dynasty. Those old men who used to be so arrogant now could only watch as their children were beaten, and they must have felt very humiliated! However, their humiliation made me happy.

  That day was Zhang Sun Chong who made the first move, and he always felt uneasy in his heart, letting other brothers follow him to get beaten.

  "Sorry, brothers, I've dragged you into this." Chang Sun said with a hint of apology.

  Li Ye said carelessly: "It's just twenty slaps, why is Long Sun Chong acting like a little girl, so petty."

  "It's nothing, besides everyone has already started, getting punished is what we deserve!" Duan Zan was even less concerned, if his father had hit him, it would have been worse than this, he might as well get beaten up here.

  "Old Cheng can't protect his brothers, and I hope you won't blame Old Cheng!" Cheng Chumou not only had physical strength but also a sense of justice, which was also the reason why Zhangsun Long liked to be with him.

  Chang Sun Chong grasped his fist and said, "Don't worry, after the fight, I'll have someone send over some good wound medicine. We'll be back to our old selves in no time, drinking together and fighting together!"

  Four men crouched on a long bench, waiting for the execution. The executioner was a skilled hand from the government office, who had already received the notice to raise his hands high and strike heavily, but he couldn't really hurt these young masters. This required technique.

  Just as they were about to start fighting, Du He squeezed through the crowd and said: "I was also involved in that fight the other day, brothers, I'll join you!"

  "Nothing to do with you, hurry back!" Chang Sun Chong gave Du He a signal with his eyes, letting him know to leave quickly. At this time, whoever acknowledged would be beaten! There was no need to let everyone get beaten!

  Chai Lingwu also squeezed in, with his neck stiff, and said: "That day we left first, but we are not cowards, can't afford to make a scene, fighting is also done by Master!"

  Looking further back, Xiao Rui, Wei Shu Yu, and Wei Chi Bao Qing stepped forward to accept punishment along with Chang Sun Chong.

  "You fools, what's the point of coming now? More people will just get beaten up!" Chang Sun exclaimed angrily. What's wrong with these brothers, all they do is rush in blindly, sacrificing themselves for nothing, it makes no sense!

  Cheng Chu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "My dad once told us brothers that no matter what, we must abandon our own brothers. If you abandon them for the first time, there will be a second time. On the battlefield, if you don't trust your brothers and abandon them, you won't have a good outcome. That day, we were all fighting together, so naturally, we should all accept punishment together. The Cheng family doesn't watch their own brothers get punished while standing by and doing nothing."

  Turkic envoy Rakuban burst out laughing and said: "This brother is great, you people of the Great Tang aren't supposed to say 'share fortune together, share hardship together'? I heard that at that time there were more than twenty of you!"

  Several others stepped forward and said: "If you want to fight, let's fight! I'm not afraid!"

  "Alright, since you've delivered yourselves to me, if I were to let you off, it would be unfair to others. Let's begin now!" Rakuban said with a self-satisfied smile and a cold hum.

  It was a chilly day, but Liu Zheng, the prefect of Chang'an, had beads of sweat on his forehead. If he took off his official hat, steam would probably rise from it. He had personally received the emperor's instructions and prayed for a speedy execution so that these four meritorious officials could be sent back quickly. However, he never expected that many more meritorious officials who confessed to their crimes would arrive in droves.

  None of them are people he can afford to offend. Changsun Chong is the nephew of Empress Changsun; Duan Zhen is the second son of General Duan, a household name, and since General Duan's eldest son has been married for many years without an heir, all hopes are pinned on this second son to carry on the family line, not a single misstep can be allowed; Li Ye is the grandson of the God of War of the Great Tang, even more so cannot be offended...

  Surrounded by the Turks and the meritorious officials below, Liu Zheng, the governor of Chang'an Prefecture, was at a loss for what to do, so he looked to one side at Li Ji, who was also watching Xing.

  Li Ji glanced at the young nobleman below, but couldn't scold him openly. However, His Majesty had entrusted that the matter must be settled today. After some deliberation, he nodded to Liu Zheng.

  Liu Zhenghe nodded at Li Ji and said: "Carry out the punishment!"

  Eighteen people were lying on eighteen wooden benches, and a long stick was hitting their buttocks. Except for the initial inability to bear it, someone shouted a few times, but after hearing the Turkic people's arrogant mockery, they gritted their teeth, even if they were beaten to death, they would not make another sound. From childhood, aristocratic education had this much backbone, no matter what, they were people with heads and faces, losing face could be regained, but losing dignity was irretrievable.

  These people are all carefully nurtured in the family, can be spoiled, can be reckless, can be ruthless, but cannot be irresponsible. Irresponsible men will be despised by everyone.