Chapter 2059: A Plan to Deal with An Yaluoshan! (1/2)

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.

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!