Seizing the Military Power of Youzhou
Lu Jiang Imperial Residence.
After Li Chengdao received Li Yuan's invitation, he went to Li Yuan's manor for a banquet with Yue Fei and the other trusted generals.
It was obvious that Li Yuan had put in a lot of effort to welcome Li Chengdao. She had arranged a sumptuous banquet in the manor.
Even in prosperous capitals like Xingyang and Chang 'an, it was considered rich, not to mention a border place like Youzhou.
This banquet was especially for Li Chengdao. There were no other guests except musicians and dancers.
"Your Highness, the border is not as rich as Chang 'an. I've prepared a small banquet. Please don't mind it being simple.”
At the banquet, Li Yuan asked Li Chengdao to sit at the head of the table and raised her wine glass.
Li Chengdao smiled when he heard this." Imperial Uncle, you don't have to say that. There's no need to be so polite between uncle and nephew." Moreover, Imperial Uncle and my father have always been on good terms. Imperial Uncle can just call me nephew. Calling me Your Highness is too distant.”
"No, etiquette cannot be abandoned." Li Yuan shook her head and refused." Your Highness has been conferred the title of the emperor's grandson by His Majesty and is the heir to the throne. Why would you come to a remote place like Youzhou with a body of ten thousand gold?”
At the mention of this matter, Li Chengdao spun the wine glass in his hand and said indifferently,"The traitor Li Shimin forged an edict and used Imperial Grandfather's name to send me to Youzhou to guard against the Turks.”
"There's actually such a thing?"
Li Yuan was greatly surprised. Youzhou was far away from the capital, so news was limited. He only heard that Li Chengdao was coming to Youzhou, but he didn't know the secret.
"Humph!"
However, after thinking about it for a moment, he understood. He could not help but slap the table fiercely and gnash his teeth.
"Li Shi Min is truly audacious. Not only did he kill his brother and force his father, he even used such despicable methods to harm the Crown Prince!
Your Highness, why should you listen to such a false edict? Now that you are the grand grandson, as long as you raise your arm and call out, countless people will support you to eliminate the rebels!”
Li Yuan looked very excited, but Li Chengdao shook his head and said,""Li Shiming now holds the entire military and political power, his influence permeating the Great Tang. My current foundation is too shallow. Other than the title of great-grandson, I have nothing.”
Li Yuan couldn't refute after hearing this. She only felt very depressed. She gulped down a glass of wine and said,"How infuriating!"
Seeing this, Li Chengdao smiled." Imperial Uncle, don't be angry. Why don't you tell me about the current situation in Youzhou? I need to gain a foothold as soon as possible."”
"Yes, Your Highness."
Li Yuan nodded. After thinking for a moment and organizing her thoughts, she said,"The current situation in Youzhou City is very simple. Your Majesty, you must have known about it before coming to Youzhou Province.”
"Currently, the strongest force in Youzhou is Wang Junlang. As the general of Youzhou, he has tens of thousands of soldiers under his command. If he didn't personally welcome His Highness today, he was probably trying to put His Highness in his place.”
"Furthermore, Wang Junlang had followed Li Shimin to pacify Wang Shichong and Liu Heita in his early years, and was one of Li Shimin's most trusted subordinates. If Your Highness wants to develop in Youzhou, you must eliminate this Wang Junlang. Otherwise, there will be endless future troubles.”
What Li Yuan said was basically the same as what Li Chengdao knew. No matter what, Wang Junlang could not be avoided.
However, how to deal with Wang Junlang was a very troublesome problem.
Li Yuan saw Li Chengdao frowning and thought he was in a difficult position, so she stood up and went to the table. She said with determination,
"Don't worry, Your Highness. Although I'm not as powerful as Wang Junlang in Youzhou, I'm still the Governor.”
"This Prince is willing to serve Your Highness and help Your Highness develop his cultivation in peace. In the future, I will return to Chang 'an and kill the traitor Li Shimin!”
Li Yuan took the initiative to agree, which made Li Chengdao very moved.
He walked down from his seat and helped Li Yuan up. He held Li Yuan's hand and said seriously,""Imperial Uncle's heart is warm. I deeply understand that if there is any trouble, I will definitely ask for your help.”
"I'm willing to serve Your Highness!"
Li Yuan's expression was extremely firm, and her tone was filled with determination.
……
After the banquet, Li Yuan was so drunk that she was beyond recognition. Meanwhile, Li Chengdao and the others directly stayed in Prince Lujiang's residence.
Li Chengdao stood alone in the backyard of the Prince's mansion, looking up at the stars.
Although he reeked of alcohol, he did not look drunk at all. His eyes were bright and deep.
"Wang Junlang…"
In the darkness, Li Chengdao muttered to himself. A bold idea gradually formed in his mind.
The next morning, Li Chengdao gathered Yue Fei, Xue Wanche, Feng Li, Jia Xu and the others to discuss how to get rid of Wang Junlang, Li Shimin's trusted aide.
Yue Fei, Xue Wanche, and a few others had their own ideas, but they were all rejected by Li Chengdao.
The few of them looked at Jia Xu.
"Your Highness, may I ask if the Youzhou garrison is Wang Junlang's private army or the Tang army?" Jia Xu asked with a smile.”
"Naturally, it's the Great Tang's army." Li Chengdao replied without hesitation.”
"Your Majesty is the heir to the throne of the Great Tang. Can you command the tens of thousands of soldiers in Youzhou?" Jia Xu continued.”
Li Chengdao pondered for a moment and said,"I'm only the Crown Prince after all. If I don't have the Commander's Seal, I can't mobilize the Youzhou garrison."”
The smile on Jia Xu's face grew brighter." If Wang Junlang dies, will Your Highness be able to command the Youzhou garrison?”
When Li Chengdao heard this, his entire body trembled.
He instantly understood what Jia Xu meant.
"If Wang Junlang dies, the Youzhou garrison will naturally have to listen to Viceroy Li Yuan's orders.”
Yue Fei and Xue Wanche's eyes brightened.
"Your Highness, this general will take my spear and kill Wang Junlang.”
Feng Li stood up with his spear, his face full of killing intent.
Li Chengdao waved his hand and said,
"Sit down first and listen to what the military counselor has to say.”
After Feng Li sat down obediently, Jia Xu told him all the countermeasures in his mind.
After half an incense stick of time, Li Chengdao changed into a casual robe, with a titanium alloy horizontal knife at his waist, and brought Yue Fei to the General's Mansion where Wang Junlang was located.
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