Chapter 86 Killing Inten (1/2)
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Li Ye's meaning was very clear, which was to plant Kang Chengxun's assassination on Li Guochang.
For the Lulong Commissioner, it was difficult for them to fight against the Zhenwu Army, because the imperial court didn't like their arrogance and they didn't have high-ranking officials as their allies. If Li Ye was willing to help, Youzhou's odds of success would be much bigger.
”There's some... evidence, but not much hard evidence...” After his excitement, Zhang He thought calmly and then hesitated to say.
When Kang Chengxun went to Hedong to take office, Li Guochang always regarded him as a thorn in his side, especially after Li Guanshu's death. In order to drive Kang Chengxun out of Hedong, Li Guochang secretly took some actions. It was possible for the Lulong Army, who paid close attention to the Zhenwu Army, to dig out some clues from his secret moves, if they tried their best.
However, these clues could only indicate that Li Guochang had evil thoughts about Kang Chengxun, but they couldn't prove that the Zhenwu Army had assassinated Kang Chengxun.
Li Ye said, ”There is no need for hard evidence. As long as there's some evidence to make Li Guochang become the prime suspect of assassinating Kang Chengxun, it would be regarded as successful.”
It was very difficult to prove Li Guochang's crime of assassinating Kang Chengxun because it was hard to falsify evidence. However, it would be easy to find evidence to prove that Li Guochang had ever dealt with Kang Chengxun. In this case, by using Wang Duo and Lu Yan's henchmen to publicize that Kang Chengxun was killed by Li Guochang's men, most people would believe it.
Once it was heard by Li Cui, the emperor, what would he think?
Even if he wouldn't punish the Zhenwu Army, he wouldn't allow Duchess of Li to marry to the Zhenwu vassal state so that the Zhenwu Army couldn't have an opportunity to gain power.
In the final analysis, Li Ye's plan was to slander Li Guochang.
Zhang He quickly understood Li Ye's meaning and could not help but marvel. ”Your Highness, your plan... could solve the problem fundamentally!”
Li Ye looked at Zhang He and said solemnly, ”What is 'your plan'? Does it have to do with me? I do nothing at all. I just want to ask for justice for the dead Mr. Kang.”
He said his words without blushing, so Song Jiao could not help but glance at him.
Zhang He immediately understood and nodded. ”Yes. You're virtuous and concerned about the country. I admire you!”
The man in a Confucian robe behind Zhang He was also shocked by Li Ye's effrontery.
Zhang He continued, ”Kang Chengxun was Wei Baoheng's right-hand man and he was forced to leave the vassal state by Li Guochang, so the two of them should have a deep feud. But Wei Baoheng intends to put down his personal grievances and resolve contradictions with Li Guochang. If he succeeds, it will be a miracle... However, he takes it for granted.”
Li Ye said, ”Whether Wei Baoheng is taking it for granted or not, it depends on the result of you and the Lulong Army's counterattack. If you succeed, we will be happy, but if you fail, Wei Baoheng will become a true hero in the world.”
Zhang He said immediately, ”You may rest assured that all people in the Lulong Army will definitely do their best!”
Li Ye nodded. ”That's good!”
Zhang He immediately got up and bowed low to Li Ye. ”I will never forget your help for the Lulong Army!”
Li Ye smiled. ”You're welcome.”
...
After sending away Zhang He and the others, Song Jiao returned to Li Ye's room. Li Ye was lost in thought sitting in a chair.
Song Jiao suddenly smiled and said, ”Wei Baoheng wants to resolve contradictions with the Zhenwu Army through Duchess of Li's marriage in order to make the Zhenwu Army turn to his side. But if your strategy works, Wei Baoheng will lose the achievement of 'taming' the Zhenwu Army and the Lulong Army will also be grateful to you. Therefore, the achievement of 'taming' the arrogant vassal state will be yours and your followers will increase in the future.”
Li Ye glanced at Song Jiao. ”Whether it will work or not is anyone's guess.”
Song Jiao sat down beside Li Ye with a big smile and stared at him for a long time, which made Li Ye feel uncomfortable. He gathered up his thoughts and said, ”Aunt Song, what are you looking at?”
Song Jiao said slowly, ”Anyway, I shall look at you with new eyes for you have such a strategy!”
Li Ye spread his hands. ”Aunt Song, are you trying to say that I am different from my father.”
Song Jiao was absentminded for a while, maybe she had recalled the past. ”You're really different.”
Li Ye paused and suddenly said, ”That's because the situation is different now.”
Instead of gossiping, the two people discussed some details in their plan.
Three days later, Li Ye went to the Chang'an Office on duty. As soon as he entered the door, he found that all the officials were in a hurry and looked anxious. It seemed that something big had happened.
Not long after Li Ye had sat down in the office, Wang Li rushed over and said to Li Ye, ”Vice magistrate, something wrong has happened!”
”What has happened?”
”Yesterday, an official came to report late at night that a group of river bandits appeared along the banks of the Wei River in Huangli County. Autumn Gifts from the vassal states, stored in the dock warehouse with a worth of 50,000 taels of silver, were ransacked. They haven't made it to Chang'an City yet...”
”The warehouse was heavily guarded by soldiers and cultivators of Qi-refining. How could it be easily robbed?”
”According to the official, there were also masters of practitioners among the river bandits and there were traces of technique fighting on the spot!”
”There are river bandits appearing at the foot of the emperor. How could the world become so terrible?”
”Alas! Over the years, the warlords in the vassal states have made insurrection from time to time, causing border trouble rampant. Moreover, horse bandits, river bandits, and mountain bandits are widespread!”
Li Ye kept silent, and after a while, he chuckled and thought. ”Is it really coming?”
Chang'an Office was also known as Jingzhao Office, which governed the land of the capital. Its jurisdiction was not limited to Chang'an City, but also including the surrounding counties. In other words, the matter was also within Li Ye's duties.
Before long, a message came, and Xu Shaomu gathered everyone together for a discussion.
When he came to the meeting hall, Li Ye found that all the important officials of the Chang'an Office were there. Xu Shaomu stood up with his hands behind his back and looked solemn. When everyone had arrived, he briefed the matter of the river bandits and expressed his feelings of indignation and his determination to bring the river bandits to justice. And then, he arranged people to Huangli County to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Li Ye was in charge of the matter of cultivators in the Chang'an Office, so he definitely needed to come forward. Therefore, Xu Shaomu ordered Li Ye to lead the case and hurry to Huangli County with other people. Li Ye was duty-bound to take the job.
After the discussion, Xu Shaomu asked Li Ye to stay and worked out some details of the case with him alone.
In the end, Xu Shaomu sighed. ”There is something fishy about the matter and I'm afraid that there must be a dirty dog in the way.”