The Human Emperor

Under Zhang Shougui, the Youzhou army might have ignored the laws and minted its own currency, but it still felt some apprehension and kept its head down. Moreover, there was always the means of imperial censure to restrain it.

But under An Yaluoshan, it seemed to cast aside all apprehensions.

Not only that, the Imperial Guard said that the Youzhou army was recruiting soldiers on a large scale in the northeast, not just from Youzhou, but also from the Hu on the borders, the Turks, Khitans, and Xi.

An Yaluoshan had already gathered four hundred thousand soldiers in Youzhou, but he continued to report the same number of several tens of thousands to the Imperial Court.

In addition, An Yaluoshan was also producing his own weapons. At this time, twelve large armories had already been discovered, and each one was heavily guarded, with outsiders forbidden from approaching.

Many Imperial Guards had sacrificed their lives to gather this information.

In addition, An Yaluoshan was going on a spending spree to acquire steel from both the interior and the neighboring countries, buying up several dozen times more than was usually required.

These various signs added together equaled clear signs of rebellion!

“Your Majesty, is An Yaluoshan still not willing to enter the capital?” the Grand Preceptor suddenly asked.

His brow was slightly furrowed in thought. An Yaluoshan was the Protector-General of the northeast, an important official of the empire who had rendered two great achievements. Until the matter was settled and they had more evidence, the Grand Preceptor was still in favor of an extremely cautious approach.

“Mm!”

Li Heng’s expression chilled, a dark cloud appearing on his brow.

“This treasonous scoundrel has used the excuse of Goguryeo to refuse to visit the capital. And with his ‘major achievement’ from before, We can do nothing about it!”

Li Heng’s eyes flashed with anger.

On the day of Li Heng’s coronation, almost all the important officials of the empire had gathered in the capital to congratulate him. Only An Yaluoshan, after much beating around the bush, refused to enter the capital, citing the necessity of defending against Goguryeo to the east.

Even if Li Heng knew that An Yaluoshan was plotting rebellion and had framed Zhang Shougui, so long as An Yaluoshan remained in Youzhou and used the excuse of Yeon Gaesomun and Goguryeo, Li Heng could do nothing about him.

“Your Majesty, this lowly subject believes that there is no need to be polite with An Yaluoshan.” Speaking in a vigorous voice, Minister of War Zhangchou Jianqiong stepped forward, first bowing to Li Heng before scanning the crowd.

“His post as Andong Protector-General was not obtained through honest means, and rather than let him get stronger in Youzhou until he threatens the empire, it would be far better to strike now while his wings have yet to fully grow in. We must strike and destroy him now to prevent us from nurturing a tiger in our home!”

Zhangchou Jianqiong was known as the Tiger of the Empire. Although he was now a member of the court and was always cautious when it came to political and court affairs, never daring to say too much so as to avoid disputes, when it came to military affairs, the Tiger of the Empire always advocated for going on the offensive and crushing the enemy in a direct confrontation.

Offense was the best defense!

This was the conviction held by all the generals of the Sage Emperor’s era!

And it was even more true for Zhangchou Jianqiong!

“No! An Yaluoshan needs to be removed, but not through this method!” At this moment, an elderly and mellow voice, bursting with knowledge, came from nearby. The graying Grand Tutor’s brow was furrowed as he spoke.

“An Yaluoshan is a treasonous scoundrel who harbors evil intentions, so he can act so recklessly. But His Majesty is a kind sovereign, a sage sovereign, so he cannot act this way. As they say, an army must have a reason for setting out. Even if His Majesty wishes to deal with An Yaluoshan, we must not make some reckless assault.

“Regardless of what sort of person An Yaluoshan is, do not forget that to the people of the realm, he is a rising Great General of the Great Tang, the guardian of the northeast who has rendered great service. Moreover, his title of Andong Protector-General was granted personally by the previous Emperor. To carelessly attack Youzhou and kill this ‘meritorious subject of the empire’ will chill the hearts of the people!

“We must have a farsighted approach to this!”

The Grand Tutor’s words instantly silenced the hall.

Both the Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor were virtuous and prestigious individuals who wielded great influence amongst the officials. More importantly, these words were just and sound, not simply speaking up for An Yaluoshan.

Zhangchou Jianqiong couldn’t help but freeze at the Grand Tutor’s last words, a hint of hesitation on his face.

An Yaluoshan was sinister and crafty, but it was the Sage Emperor who had granted him the post of Andong Protector-General. This was a fact that everyone in the realm knew!

Li Heng had just taken the throne. If he acted against a Great General appointed by the Sage Emperor, the entire realm would probably criticize him as being unfilial and disrespecting the Sage Emperor.

The Great Tang was a country founded on martial might, but it was also one founded on benevolence and filial piety. If benevolence and filial piety were lost, one lost the legitimacy to take the throne!

Li Heng was forced to take this factor into account.

As everyone pensively considered this matter, Li Heng suddenly turned to Wang Chong.

“King of Foreign Lands, what is your view?”

This immediately drew everyone else’s attention, including the Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor.

Wang Chong was a meritorious official of the Great Tang and the number one military figure in the empire. Besides that, he had been favored by the previous Emperor and was good friends with the current one.

His opinion unquestionably wielded great influence in the court and beyond it. There was a high chance that he could directly set the tone of the response to Youzhou and An Yaluoshan!

Not even the Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor could ignore this!

“The Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor are not without reason.”

To their surprise, Wang Chong’s first words were in support of the Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor’s side.

“But there is also no need to frame His Majesty for injustice while dealing with An Yaluoshan!”

The Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor initially believed that Wang Chong was standing on their side, but they were startled by Wang Chong’s additional comment. They were left wondering what Wang Chong was planning to say.

Wang Chong seemed to understand what everyone was thinking, and he confidently continued, “Since An Yaluoshan is using Yeon Gaesomun and Goguryeo as a shield to play with Your Majesty, Your Majesty should exploit this point and announce that Yeon Gaesomun and Goguryeo have disrespected the Great Tang, and the Great Tang is preparing to invade the Goguryeo Empire. When the time comes, you can simply have the army set out from Youzhou, using the resources of the enemy!”

Everyone was taken aback, except King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong, who faintly smiled.

They knew that Wang Chong would have a way!

Yes!

If they didn’t have a way of directly dealing with An Yaluoshan, they would have the Youzhou army move out, also using Goguryeo as an excuse!

Wang Chong continued to speak.

“When Your Majesty orders that the army sets out from Youzhou, An Yaluoshan will have only two choices. The first is to obey Your Majesty, submitting a memorial to the court saying that the soldiers of Youzhou will do everything in their power to cooperate with Your Majesty. He will think of every way to deceive Your Majesty, and so long as Your Majesty does not have firm evidence, nothing can be done to him.”

Wang Chong’s eyes shone with a wise light, and it seemed like he could see through everything.

“But An Yaluoshan is minting his own currency and recruiting many soldiers, and has created many armories full of weapons. He can hide one or two people, but can he hide an army of thousands? And where will he hide the hundreds of thousands of weapons he has produced?

“Your Majesty only needs to find one or two locations to pin An Yaluoshan with the death penalty!”

The room was quiet as everyone stared at Wang Chong.

They could tell from his expression that Wang Chong had already comprehended the entire situation.

This was a farsighted strategist who could decide victory from a thousand li away! It was not for no reason that Wang Chong was known as the War God of the new generation!

“Your Majesty, if you dispatch an army of several hundred thousand to Youzhou, there will be no place left to hide. No matter what secrets An Yaluoshan has, he cannot possibly hide them. Moreover, the Eastern Turks, Xi, Khitans, and Goguryeons could never permit him to station so many soldiers near their borders. An Yaluoshan cannot take such a risk, so he will rebel!”

Wang Chong’s eyes flashed with a sharp and chilling light.

“And if An Yaluoshan rebels, Your Majesty no longer needs to treat him courteously!”

Everyone silently pondered Wang Chong’s words. Even the Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor had to admit that Wang Chong’s method was both simple and extremely effective.

Whether An Yaluoshan advanced or yielded, in the end, he would be forced into a dead end.

“Grand Tutor, what do you think?” Li Heng asked.

“This… Although this old man still feels it somewhat inappropriate, if it really is as Your Majesty says and An Yaluoshan is intent on rebellion, the King of Foreign Lands’ plan is a plausible method.” After some thought, the Grand Tutor gave a rare approval for Wang Chong’s plan.

The Grand Preceptor also nodded.

The Grand Preceptor had served under four different governments. Moreover, with the Sage Emperor’s passing and recognition of his own increasing age, the Grand Preceptor had broadened his mind, and he was no longer as opposed to Wang Chong.

“What about the rest of you?”

Li Heng looked toward the others.

“An Yaluoshan’s audacity in stealing the Great Tang’s Dragon Qi is an unpardonable crime. This lowly subject agrees with the King of Foreign Lands’ plan and is willing to serve in the vanguard!”

“This lowly subject has no objection. With Your Majesty’s order, this lowly subject is willing to lead the army!”

“The Tongluo Cavalry are willing to follow Your Majesty!”

“This lowly subject is willing to assist Your Majesty in pacifying the discord in Youzhou!”

The people in the hall each voiced their opinions.

“Very good!”

Li Heng nodded, his eyes shining with an intimidating light.

“Grand Tutor, immediately gather some men to draft a decree for Us declaring war against Yeon Gaesomun and the Goguryeo Empire!”

In a flash, Li Heng made a decision, showing the swift and unwavering demeanor of a wise sovereign.