Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 150: Zhang Shigui is removed from office and Xue Wanche takes sole control of Liaodong's military and political affairs
"promise!"

The generals had no choice but to obey orders, as Li Chengqian was now at the peak of his power.

He destroyed Baekje and Goguryeo, and was revered as a military god in the army.

"In addition, the household registration of Liaodong Road will be sorted out. All farmland will be nationalized. The land of the clans and big families will be confiscated and redistributed according to population. Taxes will be paid according to the amount of land, not the number of people. Farmers are not allowed to buy or sell their land. Once discovered, both the buyer and the seller will be executed."

This is a way to avoid land annexation. It changed the land leasing from aristocratic families to the state, but it reduced the intensity of exploitation to a great extent.

"General Zhang and General Xue, you will be in charge of this matter, and I will be in charge of the military affairs."

Before anyone could react, Li Chengqian made the decision.

After Li Ji and Li Daozon left, military affairs fell on Zhang Shigui and Xue Wanche.

In doing this, Li Chengqian seemed to trust the two men, but in fact he was isolating them and concentrating military affairs in his own hands.

After a long while, there was still silence in the hall.

None of the generals who have climbed to their current positions are simple-minded. Everyone can sense the subtlety of such an operation.

The rest of the generals turned their eyes to Zhang Shigui and Xue Wanche.

The two of them looked at each other, not knowing how to answer.

"Do you have any different opinions, generals? I am the general commander of the Eastern Expedition and I am in charge of military affairs. This should be a natural thing for me, right? Or do you think I am not capable enough to lead the entire army?"

Li Chengqian spoke in a low voice, and everyone could hear that he was unhappy.

"I dare not. I will just follow your highness's orders."

The generals said in unison that their battle records and status were there.

"If you don't understand the details of the land tax, please come and discuss it with me. I have been traveling for a long time and I am also tired. If there is nothing else, you generals can withdraw."

Li Chengqian said tiredly that he came here to declare sovereignty.

"I'll take my leave!"

Zhang Shigui and his generals bowed and left the City Lord's Mansion with heavy hearts.

"Duke Guo, is the wind direction wrong?"

Not long after they walked, Xue Wanche quickened his pace and caught up with Zhang Shigui.

Duke of Guo was the title given to Zhang Shigui. He had made great contributions and was awarded the hereditary title of Duke.

In addition, he was also highly valued by Li Shimin and had always been leading troops outside to guard the border. Ordinary people or those with weak abilities could not be considered good by Li Shimin.

In terms of military affairs, the only ones who could compare with him in the same period were Li Shimin, Li Ji and Li Jing.

He is loyal, brave and resourceful, and is a valuable asset to the empire.

At the end of the Sui Dynasty, Zhang Shigui was a rebel king. He was not forced into the Li family, but instead led his troops to join the rebels. He was not like Cheng Zhijie and Li Ji who were recruited to surrender.

He is not like those people in the novels who are insidious, cunning and opportunistic.

"No, what can we do?"

Zhang Shigui slowed down his pace, his face also full of worry.

Li Ji and Li Daozon have not returned yet, and now it seems that they have been imprisoned.

The prince has big plans.

"We can't just sit there and wait for death, right? If that's really the case, how do we deal with it?"

Xue Wanche was a little impulsive, but he was not a fool and was extremely shrewd.

Li Chengqian had overstepped his bounds. Zhang Shigui burst out laughing.

"We don't need to do anything now. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already found a way out for us. We only need to govern Goguryeo and not get involved in any military affairs. Whether the sky falls or the earth collapses, it has nothing to do with us."

So what if they rebelled? They did not participate in it, but governed the local areas for the Tang Dynasty. No matter who was in power, they were meritorious and had no faults.

Zhang Shigui had obviously seen through Li Chengqian's intention behind this arrangement.

Li Chengqian must not offend these founding heroes, otherwise the backlash would be extremely severe.

"If my guess is correct, Duke Ying and King Jiangxia were only stripped of their military power like us. This way, we will not be implicated. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has deep intentions, but I can't guess why he did this."

Zhang Shigui fell into deep thought. He had conquered a country and was the eldest son, so his succession to the throne was certain. Why should he take such a risk?
Is it possible that you can't wait any longer?
"The affairs of the royal family are really hard to figure out. They are a thousand times more difficult than fighting the enemy in battle."

Xue Wanche had already experienced a failure. If it weren't for Li Shimin's wise thinking, he would have lost his head long ago.

This happening at this time can easily break people's defense.

People of their generation have already achieved success and fame, and they don't want to lose their integrity in their old age. If they can keep themselves out of trouble, that would definitely be the best.

"Your Highness said that we should immediately arrange for the matters he has instructed us to do and quickly get away from military affairs."

Zhang Shigui and Xue Wanche both knew that if Li Chengqian wanted to rebel, in order to protect or guard against them, he would definitely not use them in military operations, but he would not let them leave either.

Smart people, that is to follow the path given by Li Chengqian, in order to be safe.

"Yes, it is said that Baekje and Pyongyang have already implemented the policy of allocating taxes on land, so we should speed up the process."

Xue Wanche also understood that he couldn't get involved in this muddy water.

Soon, under the organization of Li Chengqian and the cooperation of Zhang Shigui and Xue Wanche, the land reform in the entire Liaodong Road also got on track. With one order, drastic reforms were carried out on this land even though there were no existing interests among the Tang army.

As for those aristocratic families who resisted, they were all suppressed forcefully, and those who stood out had their property confiscated and their families exterminated.

Li Chengqian was very determined and forceful in his reforms. He took control of all military power, suppressed all opposition voices, and radiated outward from Liaodong City as the center.

"Wu Xing, how is the investigation of the positions of the children of the aristocratic clans in the Eastern Expedition Army going?"

The power of the naval aristocrats was suppressed by Li Chengqian. Before setting out, he had killed more than half of them, and all the vacant military positions were filled by his own people.

However, this was not entirely the case with the army led by Li Ji.

"Your Highness, the Bad People have already investigated thoroughly and the list will be sent to you later."

Wu Xing replied respectfully.

"No need, just you and Lin Zhi know what's going on."

If he has to handle everything, how can he handle it all?

Centralization does not mean autocracy.

"Your Highness, how can we pacify Goguryeo? These aristocratic generals have more or less military merits. I'm afraid it will be difficult to deal with them at this rate."

Although Li Chengqian was the crown prince and the commander-in-chief of the army, he could not kill people at will.

As a royal family, the most important thing is to have a legitimate reason and to have evidence to prove the crime.

"Let the bad guys keep a close eye on us, they will reveal their true colors."

The aristocratic families were waiting for an opportunity, and so was Li Chengqian.

The game between the two sides has already begun.

However, it is still unknown who will win.

(End of this chapter)