The Demonic Crown Prince

Li Yuan stared intently, listening carefully. At the same time, he had a vague feeling that this matter might really be inextricably linked to his upcoming trip to Yanbei, and might even determine the success or failure of the trip.

"Your Highness, do you know who truly holds the reins of power in Yanbei Circuit?"

Zhang Yue asked.

Li Yuan knew perfectly well that he wasn't testing him, but rather gently guiding him.

After a moment's thought, he said, "To be precise, what Zhang Xiang really wants to ask is which forces are in Yanbei Circuit, right?"

Li Yuan asked.

"Indeed." Zhang Yue nodded with a smile.

"It should be the Lan family of Heihe, the Jing family of Baishan, and the Tong family of Yangzhou. These three powerful families are said to be able to turn the tide in Yanbei Road. Even the governor of Yanbei Road sent by the capital has to obey them, otherwise he will be replaced for various reasons and in various ways."

Even a regional commander-in-chief who controlled a local army dared not raise his voice at these three powerful families.

Li Yuan said.

"Yes, these three powerful families control the economy, politics, culture, gentry, and people of the entire Yanbei region. They even maintain an unknown number of private soldiers. In addition, the region is far away, cold, and has a harsh environment, so the capital city's control over Yanbei region is insufficient, and its influence cannot reach there at all."

Therefore, Yanbei Road is actually controlled by these three major families.

Having said that, Your Highness should have some guesses about this matter by now, right?

Zhang Yue asked with a solemn expression.

"Could it be that this popular uprising was instigated by these three powerful families?"

"Even the governor and general of Yanbei Circuit were defeated and killed; were they behind that too?"

Li Yuan narrowed his eyes and asked slowly.

"If Prime Minister Liu's analysis is correct, and combined with the clues I've obtained, the overall conclusion is as follows!"

Zhang Yue nodded.

"They've already taken control of Yanbei Road and are living like carefree local tyrants, so why are they doing this? Isn't this tantamount to rebellion? Is it really necessary?"

Li Yuan frowned and asked.

"That's the crux of the problem." Zhang Yue took a deep breath, looking at Li Yuan with an even more solemn expression. "Why did they rebel? Did they want to carve out their own territory and establish an independent country?"

I also asked Liu Xiang these questions.

But Liu Xiang replied that it wasn't so. They had other intentions.

"What are they planning?" Li Yuan asked, but for a moment he couldn't think of any better reason than secession and nation-building to motivate them to do such a thing.

"Their goal is to move south, truly enter the imperial court, and eventually have the three major families control Daye. This is more attractive than their idea of ​​establishing a separate kingdom."

"Do they want to change dynasties and become emperors?" Li Yuan narrowed his eyes.

"No, changing dynasties and becoming emperor is too conspicuous. For these centuries-old families who have planned carefully, it would not be of any benefit. On the contrary, it would cause them to tear each other apart and start fighting over which family would become the royal family and who would be the royal family. Compared to their more ambitious goals for the future, it would be a loss."

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Therefore, they wanted to remain in the background and still elect someone from the royal family to be the emperor.

"No matter who becomes emperor, this Great Ye will still be under their control, and they will have the final say. Isn't that more carefree and comfortable than being emperor?"

Zhang Yue smiled coldly.

"I see... So, who are they planning to choose?"

Li Yuan asked slowly, his eyes gleaming with a sharp, needle-like light.

"They're hiding too well; even Zhang Xiang couldn't figure them out, and neither can I fully determine their identities!"

Zhang Xiang shook his head and said.

Why did my grandfather predict that Yanbei would descend into chaos after his death?

Li Yuan pondered for a moment, then asked again.

"Because when Liu Xiang was in office, he overcame all opposition and always insisted on providing support to the border troops in Yanbei, allowing Yanbei to support its soldiers and transport money and grain to Yanbei, and always being prepared for war."

Therefore, with border troops stationed there, Yanbei Road dared not make any unusual moves, fearing that a defeat would be difficult to resolve.

However, after Liu Xiang passed away, the emperor, who already hated him, overturned all his policies. Especially under the instigation of the second prince, he believed that Yanbei Road was well-established and that it was a harsh and cold place, so it was unnecessary to spend so much money there. He directly cut off the lifeblood of Yanbei Road.

My foundation is unstable, and the officials in the court will not support me as much as they support Prime Minister Liu. If I insist on Prime Minister Liu's policies, I will only end up in obscurity, and I will not even be able to protect you in secret.

Therefore, I could only obey His Majesty's arrangements and could not change the situation.

As it turned out, everything unfolded exactly as Liu Xiang had predicted.

Since the Yanbei Road was cut off from supplies, the northern border troops have been without food and pay, and even internal rebellions have broken out. In addition, the three powerful families have been secretly causing trouble, and the disaster in the Yanbei Road has officially begun.

Alas, Your Majesty, driven by personal grievances, you have brought ruin upon the court and the nation!

Zhang Yue sighed deeply, feeling utterly wistful.

"If that's the case, I can understand my grandfather's guess and the true thoughts of the three great families."

Originally, I was wondering what the connection was between the chaos in Yanbei and the three great families' desire to move south, and even their plan to install a puppet emperor to secretly control Daye.

It now appears that they intend to create chaos in Yanbei, then spread the turmoil, even disrupting half of Daye, creating an extremely critical situation.

Subsequently, a prince suddenly appeared, outwardly righteous but inwardly cowardly, and quelled the so-called Yanbei Rebellion.

At that very moment, I was deposed from my position as heir apparent, so this prince who had made unparalleled contributions would naturally be made crown prince.

Once my father passes away, or is forced to abdicate, that prince will become their puppet emperor, and they will be able to truly control Daye.

Is that so?

Li Yuan asked slowly.

"Your Highness, your wisdom astounds this old minister."

Zhang Yue looked at Li Yuan with great amazement. To be honest, he really didn't expect that this prince was now both brave and resourceful, and seemed to be a completely different person from the former Crown Prince.

"It just came to mind on a whim. So, which prince did they choose? Who do you think it would be, Prime Minister Zhang?"

Li Yuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he continued to speculate about the matter.

"It's really hard to say about this matter. Anyone could be involved, but I personally think it might be the Third Prince, Li Feng."

Because Li Feng's mother was born into the Heihe Lan family, the most remote of the aristocratic families, whose territory bordered the Hanyang Empire.

But the affairs of this world are like water, formless and ever-changing; I dare not make such a assertion, lest I mislead Your Highness.”

Zhang Yue said.

"Li Feng, that's certainly a possibility. After all, when it comes to choosing an emperor, wouldn't one prioritize the person related to them by blood?"

Li Yuan nodded, and comparing the sickly man before and after, he suddenly had his own judgment.

"Therefore, Your Highness, whether you succeed in taking up your fiefdom in Yanbei or not, the first thing you will face is the joint attack from the three great families."

Because, of course, they wouldn't allow all their hard work and planning to benefit you.

"Going here is probably much more dangerous than staying in the capital!"

Zhang Yue sighed softly as he finished speaking, looking at him with worried eyes.

"It's okay, let's have a go. Then we'll see if their schemes are more effective or my fists are stronger."

"I'm determined to take this Yanbei Road!"

Li Yuan clenched his fist and said slowly.

"Your Highness, once I leave the capital, there's not much I can do to help you. However, both Prime Minister Liu and I have some loyal disciples and old friends. If you need them at a crucial moment, you can find them; perhaps they can help you in some way."

These are some people I consider completely trustworthy; the list is here. These people cover the four provinces and nineteen states you will be passing through.

Zhang Yue took out a thin booklet and handed it to Li Yuan.

This made Li Yuan's expression freeze instantly!

Holding that booklet, I suddenly felt how heavy it was.