Chapter 530: Such Disloyal and Unfilial Words

"Since the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the position of Crown Prince has always been determined by the eldest son! When have I ever heard of deposing the eldest to establish the worthy?"

"Your Majesty captured two kings in one battle, destroyed the Turks, and pacified the world. You are indeed a born sage, but even so, this world could not have been unified by Your Majesty alone!"

"Li Jing, Li Yaoshi, destroyed a country in one battle. His merit may not be as great as Your Majesty’s, but his ability is in no way inferior to Your Majesty’s."

"Not to mention that the unification of the world was achieved by thousands upon thousands of soldiers risking their own lives."

"The world would not cease to function without Your Majesty!"

Wei Zheng was now completely uninhibited.

Therefore, he did not care at all about Tang Emperor Li Shimin’s feelings.

"Shut up!"

Qin Shubao, who was kneeling to the side, only wished he had never come to this palace today.

After all, these words were heart-piercing to Tang Emperor Li Shimin, and as his minister, having heard these words,

if he did not show some reaction, would that not imply he agreed with Wei Zheng?

Qin Shubao did not have the conditions Wei Zheng had, possessing immortal status, which allowed him to speak freely.

So, Qin Shubao had to stand up and interrupt Wei Zheng’s words.

"Wei Zheng, which sage’s book did you study that told you you could say such disloyal and unfilial words?"

Wei Zheng just glanced at Qin Shubao and continued:

"Your Majesty, I am just stating a fact; it has nothing to do with sages!"

Wei Zheng knew that Qin Shubao’s opinion was not the key; Tang Emperor Li Shimin’s attitude was. So he did not waste any time on Qin Shubao.

"Heh, according to what you say, Wei Zheng, could anyone have achieved the prosperity of my Great Tang today?"

Tang Emperor Li Shimin’s gaze toward Wei Zheng grew increasingly cold.

"Your Majesty, this prosperous age is not the merit of Your Majesty alone, but was created together by thousands of soldiers, tens of thousands of officials, and countless ordinary people—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants."

"And as Your Majesty said: 'Use copper as a mirror to straighten your clothes; use history as a mirror to understand the rise and fall; use people as a mirror to understand gains and losses.'"

"In the early years of the Great Han, after the chaotic end of the Qin, the people were impoverished and the Xiongnu were watching like tigers. But in the end, did it not usher in the Reign of Wen and Jing?"

Wei Zheng, using Tang Emperor Li Shimin’s own words and combining them with the situation in the early Han Dynasty, refuted the Emperor’s words.

"Wei Zheng, you are truly my minister of straight counsel; these words are pearls of wisdom!"

The last shred of monarch-minister affection Tang Emperor Li Shimin had for Wei Zheng was now completely extinguished by Wei Zheng’s words.

Tang Emperor Li Shimin had never imagined that in Wei Zheng’s heart, he was such a person!

Although, since Tang Emperor Li Shimin ascended the throne, Wei Zheng had often offered suggestions to improve and correct the mistakes of the Great Tang.

Originally, Tang Emperor Li Shimin thought Wei Zheng had submitted to him, but now it seemed that the one Wei Zheng served was not him, the Emperor of the Great Tang, but the people of the Great Tang.

That was why Wei Zheng did not flatter him like other ministers, and even pointed out his mistakes as Emperor to his face whenever he erred.

Because in Wei Zheng’s eyes, there were only the people of the world, not him, Li Shimin, the noble Emperor of the Great Tang!

Originally, given Tang Emperor Li Shimin’s magnanimity, he might not have been unable to tolerate this fault of Wei Zheng’s.

But that would have been before, when Tang Emperor Li Shimin did not know about the Jinghe Dragon King.

After all, in that case, contrasted with Wei Zheng, Tang Emperor Li Shimin would be a benevolent ruler comparable to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.

Unfortunately, the Jinghe Dragon King had just died, and his head was now placed before Tang Emperor Li Shimin.

One must know that it was the Jinghe Dragon King who informed Tang Emperor Li Shimin that a mastermind was plotting against him.

Now, even if Wei Zheng’s act of beheading the Jinghe Dragon King did not stem from a desire to harm Tang Emperor Li Shimin, in the Emperor’s eyes, Wei Zheng was no longer reliable.

Furthermore, once Wei Zheng’s current position was utilized by the mastermind, Li Shimin, as the Emperor of the Great Tang, felt not a shred of security.

Therefore, for whatever reason, Tang Emperor Li Shimin could not allow Wei Zheng to continue in the position of Prime Minister.

Tang Emperor Li Shimin took a deep breath, suppressed the fear in his heart, and looked at Wei Zheng, saying coldly: "The Prime Minister has lost his virtue, causing the people to be displaced. Today, I dismiss Wei Zheng from the position of Prime Minister, and Zhangsun Wuji shall take his place! As for Wei Zheng, strip him of his titles, reclaim his fief and households, and demote him to a commoner!"

"This commoner thanks Your Majesty for the grace of not killing me!"

Hearing Tang Emperor Li Shimin’s words, Wei Zheng felt a trace of regret.

After all, without the position of Prime Minister, even if he ascended to the Heavenly Court and became an immortal official, he would only end up with a minor, low-ranking post.

"Wei Zheng, I remember that we were once monarch and minister, so I will leave you a final shred of dignity. Walk out of the palace yourself."

Tang Emperor Li Shimin finished speaking and left without looking back, not even paying attention to the head of the Jinghe Dragon King on the ground.

After all, the Jinghe Dragon King was now dead, and for Tang Emperor Li Shimin, he had no value, so there was no need to pay him any attention.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Wei Zheng stood up and bowed again.

Wei Zheng did not lack monarch-minister affection for Tang Emperor Li Shimin, so at this final moment, as he was about to leave the temple, he offered one last word of advice:

"Your Majesty, if the country is prosperous and the people are at peace, even the Jade Emperor will not dare to do anything to you!"

Having said this, Wei Zheng left the palace of the Great Tang with large strides, showing no attachment.

Tang Emperor Li Shimin had already moved away from the side hall, but upon hearing Wei Zheng’s final words,

he was suddenly startled, knowing this was a warning from Wei Zheng.

At this moment, Tang Emperor Li Shimin wanted to ask Wei Zheng how he should resolve the situation.

However, his previous words had been too absolute, and he could not bring himself to lower his face.

Otherwise, would that not imply that he, Li Shimin, the Emperor, was wrong?

No, in this feudal era, he, as the Emperor, could not be wrong; only the ministers could be wrong.

Therefore, in the end, Tang Emperor Li Shimin let Wei Zheng leave, but he secretly kept Wei Zheng’s final words in his heart.

"Your Majesty, this servant swears to protect Your Majesty’s safety with my life."

Qin Shubao stood up, expressing his loyalty.

After all, having heard Wei Zheng’s rebellious words, if he did not show some indication before Tang Emperor Li Shimin, what if the Emperor thought he was part of Wei Zheng’s faction? That would be a huge loss!