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

Chapter 153: Counterattack from the Clan

"I believe you have all received the letter from Chang'an, right?"

At night, many military generals gathered in a military camp in Anshi City.

"I have received all of this. It seems that Crown Prince Li Chengqian has rebellious intentions. He has arranged his own personnel throughout the army and is gradually excluding us. He is obviously on guard against us. We must be extremely careful in our actions."

A Lieutenant General spoke up. He had a great identity. He was from the Jingzhao Wei family and his name was Wei Xuanzhen.

Wei Du was five feet away from the sky, which had a great influence on him. He was the father of Empress Wei. During Li Xian's reign, he wanted to entrust the world to him.

His power once reached its peak, comparable to that of Changsun Wuji at his peak.

During this eastern expedition, he was given a lucrative job, responsible for the transportation of food and fodder for the army. After the defeat of Goguryeo, he stayed in the army.

"I don't know whether this is the intention of the prince or the intention of that person in Chang'an City."

Pei Yan also spoke, and everyone fell silent after hearing his words.

Pei Yan was a member of the Pei clan, and belonged to the same Hedong Pei clan as Pei Xingjian. His political career was also smooth sailing, and he achieved astonishing heights. He once served as prime minister of the Tang Dynasty.

Now, the two of them have shown their prowess and become leaders among the children of aristocratic families.

"General Pei's words are not without reason. Now that Crown Prince Li Chengqian has placed his own people in the position and excluded our noble families, it is possible that this was instructed by that person. In this case, it is not a rebellion, but a conspiracy against our entire noble family."

Wei Xuanzhen was so frightened that he broke out in a sweat. If this was done by Li Shimin, it could have been even more fatal.

The land reform in Baekje had just gotten on track and it reaped rich rewards, eliminating the nobles and winning the support of the people.

And Liaodong is definitely not the last one, and more will be unfolded in the Tang Dynasty.

The direction of action should be the same as that of Goguryeo, controlling the army and carrying out forced suppression. Now, the important military positions of these aristocratic families have begun to be marginalized. This is the beginning.

If Li Chengqian's plan succeeds, it will be the end of the clan.

"Write back to your families immediately and tell them to be on guard. It is very likely that His Majesty is targeting us. Otherwise, how could the Crown Prince not be punished when he has so many transgressions?"

Pei Yan continued, becoming more certain of this conjecture.

"It's too late to be on guard. Most of the military power has been taken away. If we don't do something, the situation will become irreversible and we will end up like the noble families of Goguryeo one day."

Wei Xuanzhen felt that he could not sit idly by and wait for death, and he had to take back the military and political power that had been eroded.

"General Wei, do you have any plans?"

Everyone looked at Wei Xuanzhen, waiting for his next words.

"Since the prince wants to implement the land tax system in a stable manner, we must not let him do so."

Wei Xuanzhen said gloomily, still having a plan in his mind.

"I'm afraid that Crown Prince Li Chengqian has no reason to deal with us now. When we transported grain, the navy suffered heavy casualties. He will not be merciful to us."

Pei Yan reminded worriedly that the overall situation was now in Li Chengqian's hands and they could not make any mistakes.

"Why do we have to take action? Those oppressed nobles in Goguryeo must be dissatisfied. Isn't it natural for them to rebel?"

Wei Xuanzhen wanted to kill someone with a borrowed knife and tried every means to cause civil strife in Goguryeo.

"This is feasible. In addition, it will also put pressure on the court. Moreover, the crown prince values ​​Pei Xingjian of our clan very much. This is also a good plan."

Pei Yan also came up with a plan, and with three approaches at the same time, he was sure to make it difficult for Li Chengqian to cope with all the demands.

"However, how many people can be controlled in the army at this time?"

If the situation really turns out to be like that, military action will definitely be necessary.

"It should be more than half, which is enough to accomplish the task." Wei Xuanzhen was confident that all the major clans and families were deeply rooted in the army.

There is no need to worry about not uniting, but once the major clans join forces, it will be a force that completely shakes the foundation.

That is why monarchs of all dynasties have been cautious in taking action.

"Then let's end the meeting here today. Everyone should be careful when you go back and not let the prince catch you."

Pei Yan gave them some final instructions before they hurriedly dispersed. They did not dare to stay any longer, as it was a big taboo for military generals to gather privately.

"Your Highness, the Right Lieutenant General Pei Yanyan wants to see you for something important."

A few days later, Pei Yan rushed to Liaocheng on the pretext of military affairs.

"Pei Yan?"

Some information about this person emerged in Li Chengqian's mind.

This man, like Xu Jingzong, was a meritorious official during Empress Wu's reign and was also a minister of state favored by Li Zhi. When Li Zhi was dying, he asked him to assist Li Xian in governing the country.

However, when Li Xian was in power, he made some mistakes in government affairs. So Pei Yan advised the Empress Dowager Wu Zetian to depose Li Xian and establish a new emperor. This also marked the beginning of Wu Zetian's personal administration of government.

He had the guts to depose and enthrone emperors. That showed how powerful he was.

During that period, the Pei family had become the representative of the aristocratic family.

Pei Xingjian was in control of military and political affairs, while Pei Yan handled state affairs, so there is a saying that there would be no Tang Dynasty without Pei, which is extremely perverted.

Since the death of Li Shimin, it has been difficult for the new emperors to have sufficient deterrent power over the aristocratic families.

"Let him in!"

After thinking for a while, Li Chengqian spoke.

During such a period, the Tang Dynasty was full of talented people, and anyone who came out was a military or political leader.

Not long after, a fair-faced young general about the same age as Li Chengqian came in and bowed to Li Chengqian.

"General Pei Yan pays respect to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Pei Yan seemed very respectful.

"Pei Yan, right? You are also from the Hedong Pei family, and you are a brother of Pei Xingjian?"

Li Chengqian said calmly that although Pei Yan and Pei Xingjian were from the same clan, they had different political views. Pei Xingjian opposed Wu Zetian's rule, while in the early days, Pei Yan supported Wu Zetian.

It was also because of Pei Yan's design that Pei Xingjian was demoted for a time and finally sent to the Western Regions. Because of this, Pei Xingjian embarked on his legendary journey - destroying all countries by himself.

But now, Li Chengqian couldn't say for sure. Pei Yan must be capable, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to climb so high and make Pei Xingjian suffer losses time and time again.

If you can use it for your own benefit, it will definitely be a great help.

So, as soon as Li Chengqian opened his mouth, he mentioned Pei Xingjian.

Now everyone in the army knows that Pei Xingjian is the one most valued by Li Chengqian. He comes from Chongwenguan in the Prince's Mansion and studied under Li Jing. This is the rhythm of creating another military god Li Jing.

"Yes, I am from the same clan as General Pei Xingjian. We have a decent relationship privately. My coming here this time is also related to General Pei Xingjian."

Pei Yanchu was not surprised and answered immediately.

"Oh, what kind of military matter is it that requires you to meet me in person to tell me?"

Li Chengqian asked, he couldn't figure out what Pei Yan was trying to do. In Li Chengqian's opinion, Pei Yan was not very reliable. If he was used, he could only be like Xu Jingzong and Daochen.

(End of this chapter)