Chapter 5357 The Supremacy of Imperial Power

Chapter 5357 The Supremacy of Imperial Power
In front of Chengtian Gate, Fang Jun stood with his hands behind his back, waiting for the eunuch to come in and announce his arrival. The imperial guards on his left and right held long halberds, standing tall and proud, but their admiring and worshipful gazes occasionally swept across Fang Jun's face.

Although this "Battle of Central and Southern China" took place outside the territory of the Tang Dynasty and was initiated and participated in only by the Royal Navy, it attracted widespread attention from the court and the public because it involved the fiefdoms of the princes. As a series of victories were reported back to Chang'an, the whole country was greatly encouraged.

For a long time, the "Southern Barbarians" caused great trouble for the Central Plains dynasties. Even at the height of their power, the Central Plains dynasties never had real control over the land south of Annam. But now the Tang Dynasty was able to sweep across the entire Indochina Peninsula, including Annam, and later incorporate it into the Tang Dynasty's territory, granting it the status of a prince and establishing a fiefdom for permanent governance. This achievement alone can be described as "unprecedented".

Whether it was the navy sweeping across the Indochina Peninsula or the Anxi army advancing deep into the Abbasid Caliphate, the strategic planning and actual command both came from the Grand Commandant in front of him.

As soldiers, how could we not pay homage?

I dream of following such a figure to conquer battlefields, expand territory, and achieve great deeds...

Shortly after, Wang De, the chief eunuch, personally came to the palace gate to greet them.

"This old servant greets the Grand Commandant."

Wang De was extremely respectful in his etiquette.

Fang Jun smiled and clasped his hands in response: "No need for such formalities, Steward."

Wang De led Fang Jun into the palace, heading straight for the Wude Hall.

Li Chengqian was also strange. He didn't live in Ganlu Hall or Shenlong Hall. Since the day he ascended the throne, he had always lived in Wude Hall, which was located in a remote corner. It is likely that he still harbored resentment towards Emperor Taizong for bestowing Wude Hall to Prince Wei, Li Tai, and for having intended to make Li Tai the crown prince...

After passing through Taiji Gate and Jiaming Gate, and turning right through Zuoyanming Gate, Wang De walked north past the Office of the Provincial Government and the History Museum. As he walked, he whispered, "About an incense stick's time ago, Minister Dugu came to the palace to pay his respects. He spoke quite vehemently about your visit to the Office of the Imperial Guard."

Fang Jun gave a soft "hmm" and didn't say anything more.

After causing such a scene at the Imperial Guard's office, Dugu Lan must have heard about it, yet instead of rushing to the office immediately, he went to the palace to file a complaint. This old man is planning to avoid any karmic consequences...

But how could I let him have his way?

The instigator of this matter is His Majesty. His Majesty is the ruler, and there is nothing I can do about him.

Then we can only use that old man Dugu Lan as a raft to remind His Majesty to restrain himself.

In any case, the storage position cannot be changed.

What's more, they want to establish a new prince who is neither the eldest nor the legitimate heir.

Even demonstrating imperial power cannot be done in this way.

……

Fang Jun entered the Imperial Study and, as expected, saw Dugu Lan sitting there.

He stepped forward two steps, bowed deeply, and said respectfully, "Your humble servant pays homage to Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian smiled and nodded: "Second Master, you have made great contributions by commanding the battle from Huating. No need for formalities, please take a seat."

However, Fang Jun remained in the bowing posture and did not get up.

"Your Majesty, I hereby report to you the crimes of the Imperial Guards in abusing their power and framing loyal and virtuous officials. They have shamelessly and wantonly framed and persecuted several virtuous generals who have rendered outstanding service in protecting the Emperor, exploiting loopholes in the military that are difficult to avoid. This has not only disrupted the normal order of the army, making everyone feel insecure, but has also caused a great uproar in public opinion, with even the saying 'when the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away' circulating in the marketplace, seriously damaging Your Majesty's prestige. I humbly request Your Majesty to order the Three Judicial Offices to investigate and screen all officials in the Imperial Guards, remove the bad apples, hold all those responsible accountable, and restore order to the world!"

Li Chengqian stared wide-eyed at Fang Jun in disbelief.

Dugu Lan was startled and quickly rose from his seat, bowing deeply to the ground opposite Li Chengqian: "Your Majesty, please understand. The Grand Commandant's words are far too alarmist. Moreover, the Imperial Guard's investigation of Li Siwen, Cheng Chubi, and Qu Tuquan was entirely legal, and there was absolutely no framing or slander involved!"

He bowed deeply to the ground, but Fang Jun stood up straight.

"In that case, may I ask Minister Dugu, what crimes did these three commit, and what punishments were ultimately imposed upon them?"

Dugu Lan said, "Because the matter is complicated, it will take time to verify and clarify it. There is no conclusion yet."

Fang Junqi said, "Are you senile, or do you disregard the laws of the Tang Dynasty? You've been arresting people for months and haven't even investigated them properly. Do you think you can keep investigating forever? If I suspect you, this senile old man, of committing incest, can't I arrest you first and take you to the Ministry of Justice, and then slowly look for evidence until I find it?"

"You bastard!"

Dugu Lan's face turned red, his blood pressure soared, and his beard trembled with anger: "How dare you insult me ​​like this?"

Fang Jun scoffed: "I only have a suspicion. I didn't say you definitely did it. Isn't it your logic to arrest and investigate anyone who reports you?"

Dugu Lan angrily said, "But the armies under those three men did indeed have some discrepancies in their weaponry losses that didn't match the accounts. What's wrong with the Imperial Guard investigating them?"

Fang Jun said, "Since that's the case, then you should convict me!"

"How can a conviction be made before the investigation is complete?"

"You old bastard, you not only disregard the law, but you're also unreasonable. You can't even tell if someone has been locked up for ten or eight years, yet you can lock someone up for ten or eight years?"

"You have no right to interfere with the regulations of the Imperial Guard!"

"very good!"

Fang Jun nodded, expressionless: "Later I will go to the Jingzhao Prefecture to report you, you old bastard, for having an affair with your daughter-in-law. Then I will personally lead people to your residence to arrest you and your daughter-in-law. We will then investigate slowly. We will release you when we find conclusive evidence. If we cannot find any evidence, then you and your daughter-in-law will spend your days in the Jingzhao Prefecture prison together."

"Mom!"

Dugu Lan was both shocked and furious: "How dare you, you brat!"

Fang Jun smiled slightly: "Let's see if I dare!"

Dugu Lan: "..."

He finally understood that this idiot was just being unreasonable.

The reason for detaining and interrogating Li Siwen and the other two was at His Majesty's behest. The purpose was to make them relinquish their positions as officials in the Six Guards of the Eastern Palace so that His Majesty could place his own people, control the Six Guards, and ultimately take control of the Eastern Palace.

This fool knows exactly what's going on, but he's unwilling to break ties with His Majesty, so he just keeps targeting his own old dog.

It's fine if it takes a bite, but the problem is if it bites and won't let go.

If he really instigated someone to report him to the Jingzhao Prefecture for "incest," wouldn't he have no face left?
You might as well give up on living.

He could only look up at His Majesty and say in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty..."

I've been following your advice, so you can't just abandon me now!
Li Chengqian was also troubled. He had never expected Fang Jun to be so unreasonable and argumentative...

But we cannot ignore Dugu Lan.

"Minister Dugu previously reported to me that you broke into the Imperial Guard Temple and took away Li Siwen and the other two without authorization, but I don't know if this is true?"

Fang Jun nodded: "That's true."

Li Chengqian said, "You keep talking about law and reason, but where do you place the court's laws when you act so arbitrarily?"

Fang Jun explained, “I went to the Imperial Guard to inquire about the crimes of Li Bi and the other two officials. They could either be convicted or released. Since Li Bi could not be convicted, he could only be released. My actions were all within the bounds of the law.”

Li Chengqian then asked Dugu Lan: "Those three are all meritorious officials, and they should naturally be punished if they are guilty. However, if their crimes cannot be confirmed, they cannot be imprisoned for a long time. So, are they guilty or not?"

Dugu Lan said, "The preliminary investigation revealed numerous irregularities."

Violating a rule does not equate to being guilty.

However, since there were violations, it is only reasonable to detain and investigate them.

It's just that the review process took a little longer...

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Since we cannot determine that he is guilty, let's release him."

Dugu Lan accepted the order: "Yes, sir!"

Whether he is released or not is irrelevant, because Fang Jun has already taken him away...

But at least an explanation was given, and Fang Jun's forced entry into the Weiwei Temple was not pursued further.

Li Chengqian looked at Fang Jun: "What does Erlang think?"

Fang Jun paused for a moment, looked at Li Chengqian, and asked, "Can the laws of the imperial court truly be treated as mere formalities and trampled upon at will?"

Li Chengqian's face suddenly darkened, and he stared at Fang Jun, neither willing to yield.

This is precisely the root of the conflict between him and Fang Jun.

In Li Chengqian's view, since he was the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he naturally ruled the world, his words carried the imperial law, and all laws could not supersede imperial power. Everything in the world had to be based on his will as the emperor.

Imperial power is supreme.

Fang Jun's philosophy, however, was that everyone in the empire should abide by the law, all rules should be bound by the law, and everyone should act in accordance with the law and the law. The emperor should be punished the same as the common people if he broke the law.

No one can disregard the provisions of the law, not even the emperor.

How could he possibly accept this?

The two locked eyes, neither willing to back down.

Beside him, Dugu Lan hung his head and trembled.

He couldn't help but feel resentful. If everything were done in accordance with the law and rules, why would he be afraid of Fang Jun's threats?
But now, by obeying His Majesty's wishes, we have violated the law and rules, arbitrarily imprisoning Li Siwen and the other two. This is unreasonable, and we can't help but feel guilty.

Unfortunately, His Majesty is unable to demonstrate the majesty of imperial power, leaving this loyal subject in a precarious position...

After a while, Fang Jun was the first to withdraw his gaze and lower his head slightly.

His tone was very calm: "The purpose of laws is to provide people with a code of conduct, what they should and should not do, what will bring good results and what will lead to a worse situation... Your Majesty is naturally the ruler of the world, but you must also be careful in your words and deeds, learn from history, and avoid repeating the mistakes of some emperors."

The phrase "some emperors" almost specifically refers to Emperor Yang of Sui.

Throughout history, there have been numerous examples of emperors who, relying on their imperial power, trampled on laws and rules, and thus recklessly caused disastrous consequences.

The closest one is Emperor Yang of Sui.

If Emperor Yang of Sui's imperial power had been restrained, why would the once-powerful Sui Dynasty have perished after only two generations?

Ultimately, he met a tragic end, with his own death, the fall of his country, and the people suffering immensely.

Beside him, Dugu Lan, who still had his head down, swallowed hard, thinking to himself, "Isn't this just pointing at His Majesty's nose and calling him the next Emperor Yang of Sui?"

Fang Er, you really are a fool, you really dare to say such things...