NCCnovel Chapter 243: Confrontation
Chapter 243: Confrontation
The atmosphere in the meeting room of the Tang Dynasty Heroes' Sanatorium was so depressing that it was hard to breathe.
All the old ministers sat upright, but their eyes were wandering.
They could only watch silently as Li Shimin and Wei Zheng, two key figures of the Tang Dynasty, had a fierce argument.
Anyway, it's not just the first or second time, everyone is used to it.
"Alright! Wei Zheng! What on earth do you mean? Are you trying to commit insubordination?"
Li Shimin was furious and veins bulged on his forehead.
He could never have imagined that even though he had already abdicated and wanted to rest for a while in this sanatorium and enjoy some peace, he would still have to endure such ruthless criticism from Wei Zheng.
"What's wrong with this old minister?"
Wei Zheng remained calm and spoke in a firm voice.
"I am no longer the emperor. The emperor is now Cheng Qian."
"But after toiling my entire life and devoting myself to the Tang Dynasty, is it possible that even a moment of relaxation and enjoyment is now a luxury?"
Li Shimin's words were full of grievances, and his voice gradually became choked with sobs.
He was filled with resentment, and his thoughts drifted back to the time when he was emperor.
When he was in power, Wei Zheng was like a sharp sword hanging over his head, always monitoring his every move and giving him frank advice if there was any mistake.
He thought he could escape this tight control after abdicating, but Wei Zheng still follows him like a shadow, holding on to him tightly.
He can't figure it out!
He really can't figure it out!
When he was the emperor, Wei Zheng chased him and scolded him, but now he has become the emperor emeritus.
Wei Zheng continued to scold him.
Then wouldn't it be in vain for him to be the emperor and general of Tiance?
"Your Majesty, please look at me!"
Wei Zheng's voice suddenly rose a few degrees, echoing throughout the conference room.
"Once you are His Majesty, you will always be His Majesty!"
"Even if you are now the Emperor, you cannot go beyond the rules of etiquette!"
"You must know that under the sun, moon and stars, only the Son of Heaven is supreme. How can you casually abandon the word 'I' and use me?"
"The Tang Dynasty may appear peaceful, but in reality, the greatest danger does not come from external enemies or disasters, but from within your Majesty's heart."
"Your Majesty's previous actions, what difference is there between abdicating and abandoning the people of the world?"
"Your Majesty, do you truly care about the officials and people of the Tang Dynasty?"
Wei Zheng roared at Li Shimin with almost all his strength.
Li Shimin was shocked by Wei Zheng's sudden roar.
The anger that had been suppressed in my heart for a long time suddenly erupted.
"Wei Zheng! You are so brave!"
"I want……"
He was about to continue questioning when Wei Zheng interrupted him ruthlessly and forcefully.
"Your Majesty, please address me as 'I'!"
Wei Zheng stared at Li Shimin. In his eyes, Li Shimin was still the monarch who sat on the throne and ruled the world, and there could be no slack in the etiquette.
Li Shimin laughed out of anger, and his laughter was full of anger.
"Okay, okay! You're a good one, Wei Zheng. I'm going to ask you some questions today."
"Are you going to blame me for all the sufferings that the people of this world have endured?"
"Look at the present situation. Has the Tang Dynasty collapsed?"
Wei Zheng sneered.
"The reason the Tang Dynasty hasn't collapsed yet is entirely due to the wisdom of His Majesty!"
"His wisdom and decisiveness far surpass yours, the Supreme Emperor!"
Hearing Wei Zheng's heart-wrenching words, Li Shimin felt his blood boiling and his heart was burning with anxiety.
He looked around angrily, trying to find an outlet to vent his anger, but the conference room was decorated in a simple and elegant manner, and he didn't see anything for him to smash for a long time.
Li Ji was quick-witted and quickly found a teacup from the side and handed it to Li Shimin.
Li Shimin took it and smashed the teacup to the ground without hesitation.
With the clear and loud sound of breaking, he angrily pointed his finger at Wei Zheng and said, "You are talking nonsense!"
"What do you mean His Majesty is wise?"
"If I had not handed over the military power and stabilized the situation, the Tang Dynasty would have been plunged into an irretrievable situation long ago!"
"And then there's the risky move of eradicating the aristocratic families. Where does this risky move put the Tang Dynasty?"
"I was ready to conquer the world again!"
"How can he compare to me! This Tang Dynasty was conquered inch by inch by me, not Cheng Qian!"
"I ask myself, what have I done wrong during my time in office? Why do I have to be hounded and scolded by you, Wei Zheng?"
"I've been scolding you for years. Isn't that enough? Now that I've abdicated, you still won't let me go!"
"Let me ask you, why don't you blame Cheng Qian? How come I've never heard you say a word against him?"
"As an emperor, hasn't he done enough things that go beyond the rules of etiquette?"
"Why did you, a minister known for your outspokenness, turn a blind eye to this? How did I offend you?"
"Wei Zheng? I just want to enjoy myself after abdicating. Is that wrong? Why should I be insulted by you like this?"
Wei Zheng listened quietly to Li Shimin's series of questions full of anger and grievance, but his expression remained as calm as water, without any ripples.
He saluted slowly and respectfully, his posture upright, like a pine tree, tough and unyielding.
"This old minister did not intend to target Your Majesty."
"I have not advised Your Majesty because Your Majesty has a clear mind and a long-term and comprehensive plan."
"Your Majesty's policies are innovative and unique, and with the assistance of a virtuous figure like Grand Tutor Qi, and the support of capable officials from Xianyang, everything is proceeding smoothly."
"I, as an old minister, will not recklessly accuse Your Majesty without knowing the truth."
"I, your old minister, only speak with facts!"
"Every decision your majesty has made in the past has enabled the country to prosper and the people to live and work in peace and contentment."
"But if one day Your Majesty makes a decision that I, an old minister, cannot understand, and causes the Tang Dynasty's national strength to decline, I, an old minister, will certainly stand up and advise Your Majesty without hesitation!"
"This is my duty as an old minister. I have absolutely no intention of targeting Your Majesty!"
Wei Zheng's words were sincere and powerful, and he refused to give in even a little.