Chapter 689: Necessary to Kill
What followed was both logical and profoundly unsettling.
Before the court session ended, everyone returned to the Taihe Hall to continue.
Then there were only Li Chen and Zhao Xuanji, speaking to each other.
Li Chen smoothly passed the commendation for Su Pingbei and his subordinates. Those who were to be promoted were promoted, and those who were to be awarded money were awarded. There was no hindrance whatsoever.
But Zhao Xuanji didn't seem to intend to compromise so thoroughly. On several other issues Li Chen proposed, he expressed clear opposition.
Li Chen did not insist.
Throughout the entire morning court session, three out of five proposals put forward by Li Chen were approved. The remaining two mainly concerned personnel adjustments, which Zhao Xuanji rejected.
As midday approached, Li Chen, with an impassive face, brought up the last topic.
"Prince Li Junze, son of King Wen, broke into the Taihe Hall with his men. Though he has been dealt with according to law, there must be a shadow of King Wen's instigation behind this."
This sentence caused the ministers, who had just calmed down a bit, to become tense again.
Wen Wang commanded a powerful army and had decades of experience. Among the vassal kings, he was considered one of the strongest.
Logically, Li Chen should be unsteady at this time, especially since he is only the prince and has not yet ascended the throne. He should avoid direct confrontation with powerful vassal kings like Wen Wang.
Normal people would think that way.
This was also the biggest reason why Li Junze had been so confident before.
But Li Chen never seems to play by others' rules.
Not only did he force Li Junze to his death, but he is still not going to let Wenwang go.
Isn't the prince afraid of pushing King Wen too far, leading to a civil war that would shatter the Li dynasty?
Regardless of what the ministers thought, Li Chen's words continued.
Even if this matter has nothing to do with Wenwang, the blame for failing to discipline his son cannot be escaped. This palace decrees that the cabinet shall issue a proclamation on behalf of the imperial court, rebuking Wenwang and ordering him to return to the capital immediately. Firstly, he is to explain this matter face-to-face with the court, and secondly...

Li Chen's gaze fell on Zhao Xuanji, and he said calmly, "It can also be considered as collecting the body for his son."
No one dared to speak, and everyone followed the crown prince's gaze to Zhao Xuanji.
Zhaoxuanji's expression was calm, he didn't know what he was thinking.
At this time, Zhao Qinglan spoke: "Your Highness, according to tradition, vassal kings are not allowed to enter the capital without an imperial edict. This is a..."
"Isn't my imperial decree enough?"
Li Chen said coldly, "If that's not enough, this palace will use the power of regency and add the imperial seal. That is what Father Emperor means. What does Empress Dowager think?"
Zha Qinglan pursed her lips, not quite knowing how to answer.
Li Junze was killed by Li Chen, there is no doubt about that.
But it was Zhao Xuanji who actually did it.
As for the purpose, it's clear to see.
Zhao Xuanji was afraid that Li Junze, in a bid to survive, would say everything he shouldn't.
Many things, if you don't break through that layer of window paper, even if everyone in the world knows it, don't need to be brought to the surface and rip up your face.
Once it is said in broad daylight, this matter must be resolved.
This is also why Li Chen would publicly interrogate Li Junze, making him speak out, and Zhao Xuanji, a thousand-year fox like that, couldn't help but take action to kill Li Junze himself.
If Zhao Xuanji hadn't stabbed Li Junze in the throat, then the following words from Li Junze would have become a sharper knife, falling into Li Chen's hands and killing Zhao Xuanji.
Faced with a difficult choice, Zhao Xuanji had to choose the lesser of two evils.
But this result is not a bad thing for Li Chen.

(Editor in charge：james novel)