Chapter Seventy: Broken Off
Li Shimin said, “This matter is for the Ministry of Justice to handle; there’s no need for the Chang’an County Office… much less you! Zhi’er, you may step down now!”
But Li Zhi did not retreat. Instead, he argued his case, “Father, please allow me to speak. Chang’an has a population of over a million—how can such a small county office guarantee there are no assassins? Even the imperial palace, watched over by the sixteen southern guards and the six northern armies, has seen assassins breach its walls. You do not punish them, yet single out Chang’an County—is that not unjust?”
“As for vying for the right to investigate, it is not for selfish reasons. Frankly, I do not trust the officials at court!” At this, Li Zhi turned sharply to the Minister of Justice, Wei Zheng. “Last time, during the investigation of Changsun Chong in Chang’an County, the Ministry of Justice repeatedly sided with him. They acted this way even in my presence; if left to their own devices, would they not bend the law for private gain?”
“Moreover, this case concerns your son directly—how can I stand idly by?”
“I beg you, Father, let this case be transferred to Chang’an County. Allow Magistrate Sun to atone for his crimes by merit. I am willing to oversee the process myself and ensure you receive a satisfactory answer!”
Li Zhi’s words reduced the Ministry of Justice under Wei Zheng’s command to worthlessness, even suggesting they might pervert the law for personal reasons.
The ever-forceful Wei Zheng could not let such a slander pass.
He hurried forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, this old minister has something to say!”
“What would you say?” Li Shimin snorted. “I know that case very well—the Ministry of Justice was indeed partial! The fact that I did not punish them is already exceptional mercy!”
“Uh…”
Wei Zheng was left speechless.
Li Zhi quickly added, “Father is wise!”
“This case cannot reliably be left to the Ministry of Justice. If we are to capture all the assassins, please allow me to handle the investigation. I may lack experience, but I will never pervert justice, nor align myself with assassins or show partiality to anyone! The outcome will be fair and just!”
Li Zhi’s battle for the right to investigate met with much opposition from the officials at court.
Most objected purely because of his youth, judging him unfit for the task.
Yet Li Zhi argued tirelessly, debating each point with the civil and military officials. Each time an objection arose, he rebutted it firmly. If his opponent was from the Ministry of Justice, he found ways to cast aspersions. Even those without fault were not immune to his insinuations, further muddying the waters.
Li Shimin, watching his son’s formidable eloquence—reminiscent of Zhuge Liang’s legendary debates—was delighted, and his attitude began to soften.
“Though Zhi’er is young, his intelligence surpasses most. It is time he be tested,” Li Shimin said, overriding the opposition. “I agree to let you take charge of this case. Do not disappoint your father!”
“Yes, Father!”
“Please rest assured; I will give you a satisfactory answer!” Li Zhi replied, overjoyed.
At last, he had secured the right to handle the investigation!
“Sun Jiali, in consideration of Zhi’er, I will spare your life for now. You must atone for your crime with merit!”
“Yes, yes…” Sun Jiali, wiping the cold sweat from his brow, knelt and kowtowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing me. I will conduct a fair investigation and uncover the true culprit behind the case!”
The morning court session concluded.
Sun Jiali clung to Li Zhi, pouring out his gratitude.
“Your Highness, you are truly remarkable… I owe you everything! If you hadn’t spoken up for me, my head would already be lost!”
He now realized how much he had underestimated Li Zhi. He had thought him a mere child, incapable of changing anyone’s fate, let alone his own. But after today, he understood—Li Zhi’s abilities were on par with Changsun Wuji, and his standing in Li Shimin’s heart was without equal.
So long as he stood firmly by Li Zhi’s side, his own future would be secure.
At that moment, he nearly wanted to kneel in gratitude, to curry favor as best as he could.
“I’ve already had the assassins sent to the county office. Hurry back and keep watch—make sure nothing goes wrong. Don’t let them commit suicide; calm them for now. Tomorrow, I’ll come to preside over the hearing.”
“Yes!” Sun Jiali promised repeatedly there would be no mishaps.
Returning to Lizheng Palace, Empress Zhangsun, having heard of the previous night’s events, took Li Zhi aside to question him.
“Mother, am I not standing here before you, perfectly safe? How could those petty assassins possibly harm me?” Li Zhi spun in place to show her.
“That is not enough! You mustn’t leave the palace again!” Empress Zhangsun’s face was pale, clearly still shaken by news of the assassination attempt.
“Luo Tong!”
“How could you take His Highness out of the palace? If anything had happened, how would you bear the responsibility?” She quickly turned her ire on Luo Tong.
As Li Zhi’s close attendant and the son of a loyal general, Luo Tong should have advised against the risk. Yet he had repeatedly accompanied Li Zhi into danger. If not for his father, Luo Cheng, Empress Zhangsun would not have let him off so lightly.
“I… I…” Luo Tong stammered, unable to explain.
“That boy will be the death of me!” Luo Tong cast a furtive glance at Li Zhi.
He had always acted cautiously and had tried many times to dissuade Li Zhi from leaving the palace, but every time he was dragged along regardless.
Li Zhi waved him off. “You may go. I have something to discuss with my mother.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” Luo Tong bowed and left at once.
“Wait!” Empress Zhangsun was taken aback. “Who told him to leave? We haven’t finished talking!”
“Mother, Luo Tong only went because I insisted. Is there any need to give him trouble? If I survived, it was thanks to his protection. You should reward him instead!”
“Reward him?” Empress Zhangsun thought to herself, “It’s enough that I’m not punishing him, let alone rewarding him…”
“Remember the merits of others and overlook their minor faults—surely you understand that, Mother! This experience taught me much: a trustworthy guard can be more valuable than an army.”
“Indeed.” Empress Zhangsun was gratified that her son understood this point.
“In the future, you mustn’t leave the palace without permission…”
“That won’t do!”
“What, you won’t even listen to your mother?” She put on a stern face. “If you don’t believe me, I’ll have you locked up for a month. Then we’ll see if you dare leave the palace again!”
Li Zhi shook her arm, feigning childishness. “It’s not that I don’t want to listen, Mother, but Father has assigned me a task—I have to leave the palace!”
“What task? Why must you go out to do it?”
Empress Zhangsun was skeptical. With such a grave incident, Li Shimin should be more concerned than she was—surely he wouldn’t let Li Zhi go out again.
“Father has ordered me to investigate last night’s assassination attempt—I must go to Chang’an County Office. This is urgent. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Father yourself. I must go now…”
With that, Li Zhi hurried off, not giving her a chance to object.
He knew well the influence Empress Zhangsun held over Li Shimin; if she disagreed, even an imperial edict might be overturned. If he delayed, he’d lose his chance to preside over the case.