"Alright, since things have come to this, Wei Zheng, how do you think this matter should be handled?" Seeing that Zheng Min and her group were speechless, Li Shimin directly called on Wei Zheng.
At this moment, the words of Wei Zheng, the top debater of the Tang Dynasty, were extremely important.
Wei Zheng, who had been standing in the front row with his eyes fixed on his nose and his nose on his heart, saying nothing, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, what Prince Wu and Princess Chengyang said is quite reasonable. Coal can be sold. For the common people, buying and burning coal does not necessarily mean they will die from coal poisoning. But if they have no coal for heating, they will surely freeze to death in the cold winter."
In his view, this was just the Yang and Zheng families being unreasonable. Since their charcoal business had been impacted, they had come up with pretexts to prevent the two highnesses from selling coal.
Putting the heating problems of the poor underfoot for their own self - interest was absolutely unacceptable.
Now that Wei Zheng had spoken like this, the anxiety in Li Shimin's heart was relieved.
"Fujji, what's your opinion?" Li Shimin turned to ask Chang Sun Wuji, wondering what this prime minister, who was like his own confidant, would say.
"Your Majesty, I support the sale of coal. What Censor Zheng and Doctor Yang said is unacceptable." Chang Sun Wuji's words were concise and to the point.
The other prime ministers had similar opinions. Basically, no one stood on the side of the Hongnong Yang Family and the Xingyang Zheng Family.
Everyone was no fool. Couldn't they understand what the emperor meant?
"Moreover, Censor Zheng also tried to stop the sale of sweaters. He sneered at the sweaters and repeatedly obstructed the matter. Censor Zheng, what on earth is your intention?" Chang Sun Wuji continued, pointing the finger directly at Zheng Min.
Zheng Min thought to himself, "Don't tell me they still want to convict me?"
"I, as a censor, have the right to report matters upon hearing rumors. Whether it's sweaters or coal, they all concern the people's food and clothing. I have to ask a few more questions. Your Majesty, please see clearly."
Zheng Min was also an old hand in the officialdom. He immediately retorted indifferently, at least theoretically explaining that his starting point was right.
Li Shimin's attitude was also very clear. The starting point might be good, but you'd better not start for now.
He didn't want to deal with Zheng Min for the time being. Otherwise, Zheng Min would have been dismissed from office on the spot.
"Yang Shidao, what do you think? In Chang'an and its surrounding areas, your family and your nephews sell the most charcoal." Li Shimin finally asked Yang Shidao for his opinion.
Yang Shidao, who had been as steady as a mountain, stepped forward. "It's my fault for not disciplining them well. Those brats arbitrarily raised the price of charcoal during the coldest days of winter. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
"Your Excellency Yang, you're being too serious. Punishment is not necessary. Go back and reflect on this matter. Then the sale of coal is settled."
With Li Shimin's final decision, Li Jingyun tilted her head to look at the expressions of Zheng Min, Yang Sizhi and the others. They were all dejected, as if they had lost their parents. At this moment, Li Jingyun seemed to hear the sound of their hearts breaking.
Then, the corners of Li Jingyun's mouth couldn't help but curl up.
The result was about the same as she had imagined!
These people lacked knowledge and ability. Just because they thought her and her third brother were young and easy to bully, they thought they had them under control.
In fact, they had been thoroughly defeated by her and her third brother!
Li Ke felt a bit regretful. He had only heard that the Turkic envoy Zhenzhu Tongsi Jijin had been greatly frightened by the strange beast created by Taoist Priest Gong Wenlin's magic and had even spat out blood and collapsed when he heard the news of the Turkic snow disaster.
It was a pity that he hadn't seen that old guy Zheng Min spitting blood today.
Behind the screen, Li Tai's obese figure was particularly conspicuous. His gaze through the screen at Li Jingyun became unfathomable.
Hong Xuan was really hiding her capabilities well. She could hold her own against people like Zheng Min. He couldn't treat her as an ordinary five - year - old girl anymore.
Father had allowed her to build a mansion and enjoy the same treatment as the princes. The younger brother of the Crown Princess and the daughter of the Duke of Fan were part of her team. Coupled with the court officials who had close contacts with her, this was a force not to be underestimated.
And today, Father had openly allowed her to participate in politics and even let her go to the Political Affairs Hall. He had to be on guard, really on guard! Otherwise, when she grew older and her ambition grew, it would be too late!
After the court session ended, Li Jingyun skipped along behind her father and elder brothers, excitedly planning what to eat later. Yulu Tuan, Jusheng Nu, and a cup of warm, fragrant rose and red - date milk tea. So many delicious foods were rushing towards her.
"Hong Xuan, you were really amazing today. You were as majestic as a female general in the court session! Those people like Zheng Min and Yang Sizhi were all your defeated opponents!"
Li Zhen suddenly rushed out and praised Li Jingyun a lot.
Li Jingyun proudly lifted her chin, as proud as a little cat. "Of course. I'm so amazing!"
"Yes, yes, yes. Our Hong Xuan is the most amazing!"
Hearing this, several of her elder brothers and sisters around laughed and echoed.
Only Li Tai stood the farthest away, looking the most indifferent and saying nothing. He seemed to be thinking about some difficult problem, out of tune with the cheering brothers and sisters.
Li Shimin and Empress Chang Sun came hand in hand. Empress Chang Sun's gaze swept over the group of princes and princesses. Seeing Li You standing among his brothers, the smile on her lips became even broader.
"Just now, your mother heard about what happened in the court session. She highly praised Ke'er and Hong Xuan. The children did a great job!"
"Thank you, Mother."
Li Ke bowed respectfully and properly.
Li Jingyun didn't have so many constraints. She directly threw herself into Empress Chang Sun's arms, looking up at her mother with a beaming smile. "Mother, since Hong Xuan did so well, is there any reward?"
"What do you want?"
Empress Chang Sun bent down and affectionately rubbed Li Jingyun's chubby little face. She had been worried about various things during this period and had lost a lot of weight compared to before, but she looked more energetic.
"Hong Xuan wants to learn horse - riding and archery from her elder brothers!"
These words stunned her mother.
She was only five years old! Why was she in such a hurry to learn horse - riding and archery! This was what the princes should learn!
Was it because Li Shimin had always told Hong Xuan that she should be like her third aunt, fighting the enemy and making contributions, that made Hong Xuan think about this?
Li Shimin, who didn't know what he had done wrong, was once again blamed by Empress Chang Sun.
"Then we'll have to wait until next spring, when the weather gets warm and the ice and snow melt. Let your elder brothers take you. How about that?" Li Shimin said.
"Thank you, Father."
Li Jingyun said, looking at her elder brothers. "Who is willing to take me?"
"I will! I'm not interested in reading, but I'm okay at horse - riding and archery!" Li Yin raised his hand first, afraid that someone would snatch the opportunity.
"I'll be leaving for my post next spring. I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you." Li Ke's words were filled with a bit of regret.
With Li Tai's build, he didn't have the ability for horse - riding and archery, and the others weren't very good at it either.
Li Chengqian said, "I'll go too and watch over them."
"Good!"
His eldest son was still reliable. Li Shimin was satisfied to hand this matter over.
Actually, it was also a delaying tactic. By next spring, it would be the imperial examination. Who knew if they would have the time.
The family slowly walked towards the Lizheng Palace.
The topic turned back to Li Jingyun and Li Ke's performance just now.
Princess Gaoyang: "Did you notice? After being retorted by Hong Xuan, that censor Zheng Min's face turned green!"
Li Mingda: "Hong Xuan, how did you do it? Did you prepare your speech in advance?"
Li You: "Third brother, did someone throw vegetables at you on your way to the imperial city today? Have you found out who it was?"
Li Ke: "The two sons of Wu Shiyue. Their step - mother is from the Hongnong Yang Family. They probably took a lot of money from Yang Yuzhi and the others before they dared to do this for them."