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墨書 Inktalez
In Chang'an City, Li Jiancheng's prestige soared after repelling the Turkic forces. He understood that this was the perfect opportunity to consolidate his power and weaken Li Shimin's influence. Thus, in the court, he began to impeach Li Shimin's trusted officials.
Li Jiancheng meticulously gathered evidence, accusing several high-ranking officials under Li Shimin of forming cliques and engaging in corruption during their tenure. These impeachments detonated like heavy bombs, creating a significant uproar in the court. Upon receiving the impeachment memorial, Li Yuan was furious and immediately ordered a thorough investigation. In an instant, Li Shimin's confidants were filled with trepidation, and anxiety spread throughout the court.
"Hmph, Li Shimin, while you are busy dealing with anti-Tang forces in Jiangnan, I will not let you have it easy here in Chang'an," Li Jiancheng thought to himself as he sat in the Eastern Palace study, his eyes gleaming with determination. "By the time you return, you will face a power that I have already weakened."
At the same time, Li Jiancheng did not overlook the influence of the imperial harem. He frequently interacted with Yin De Fei and Zhang Jieyu, showering them with precious gifts and showing them great care in his words. These two consorts already had a deep-seated grudge against Li Shimin, and now, under Li Jiancheng's persuasion, they stood even more firmly by his side. Their whispers to Li Yuan were undoubtedly a powerful boost for Li Jiancheng.
"Your Majesty, you cannot afford to underestimate Prince Qin any longer. He is amassing troops outside, and now there are reports of his confidants being involved in so many illegal activities; he may very well harbor treasonous intentions," Yin De Fei said coyly as she nestled beside Li Yuan.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. The Crown Prince has been benevolent and dedicated to assisting you, but Prince Qin is always ambitious. You must carefully consider the future of the Tang Dynasty," Zhang Jieyu echoed.
Upon hearing these words, doubts began to stir within Li Yuan. He had always been wary of Li Shimin's power, and these developments only added to his concerns.
In the training grounds of the Eastern Palace, Li Jiancheng intensified the training of the Changlin Army. He personally supervised the sessions to boost morale and often practiced alongside the soldiers, demonstrating his commitment to sharing their hardships. The soldiers of the Changlin Army grew increasingly fond of Li Jiancheng; their enthusiasm for training surged, and their combat effectiveness improved steadily.
"Soldiers! We are the Changlin Army of the Eastern Palace, tasked with protecting the Crown Prince and safeguarding the Tang Dynasty. We must train diligently so that those with ulterior motives know our strength cannot be underestimated!" Li Jiancheng shouted loudly, his voice echoing across the training grounds.
"Willing to serve His Royal Highness!" The soldiers of the Changlin Army shouted in unison, their voices deafening.
Moreover, Li Jiancheng instructed Hua Ying and Yu Minjie to enhance tactical training for the soldiers, teaching them unique formations and practical combat techniques. At the same time, Dan Bingbing leveraged her connections in the martial world to recruit skilled fighters from among the common folk. She traveled far and wide under Li Jiancheng's name to gather hidden martial heroes from society, promising them generous rewards and bright futures.
"Heroes! His Royal Highness has a heart for the world and aims to ensure peace and prosperity for Tang's citizens. Now is an opportune time for talent; joining us at the Eastern Palace will not only allow you to realize your ambitions but also contribute significantly to our nation and its people," Dan Bingbing spoke passionately to those who came seeking employment.
Many heroes were moved by her words. Thanks to Dan Bingbing's efforts, numerous skilled individuals gradually joined the Eastern Palace, injecting new vitality into Li Jiancheng's faction.
In his dealings with Yuwen Shiji, Li Jiancheng also made some progress. Niu Fu met with Yuwen Shiji multiple times at Li Jiancheng's behest; they enjoyed pleasant conversations together. Yuwen Shiji's attitude towards Li Jiancheng gradually shifted as he began to share some internal news about Prince Qin's mansion—albeit trivial matters—but this gave Li Jiancheng hope for winning him over.
"Your Highness, General Yuwen has yet to clearly express support for us; however, from his words, it is evident that he does not agree with some of Prince Qin's actions," Niu Fu reported to Li Jiancheng.
"Very well. Continue maintaining contact with him but do not push too hard; slowly win him over. As long as he can remain neutral at critical moments, it will be a significant advantage for us," instructed Li Jiancheng.
However, these maneuvers caught the attention of Li Shimin’s spies in Chang'an. They closely monitored every move of the Eastern Palace and continuously relayed information back to Jiangnan. Upon learning about Li Jiancheng’s actions in Chang'an, Li Shimin was infuriated.
"Li Jiancheng! You dare strike against my people while I'm away! When I return to Chang'an, you will learn just how formidable I am!" he slammed his hand on the table in anger at his residence in Jiangnan.
At this moment, both Li Shimin and Li Yuanji had temporarily escaped from Hao Tian Men’s pursuit with assistance from court troops; however, their investigative mission in Jiangnan remained unfinished. They understood that the anti-Tang forces behind Hao Tian Men were deeply entrenched and needed to be uprooted entirely to eliminate any hidden dangers. Yet after this incident, Hao Tian Men had fortified its defenses even further; delving deeper into investigations became increasingly difficult.
"Second Brother, now that Hao Tian Men has surely strengthened its defenses, how should we continue our investigation?" asked Li Yuanji anxiously.
"No matter how difficult it gets, we cannot give up. This concerns the safety of the Tang Dynasty as well as our future," replied Li Shimin resolutely. "We will start from the periphery and look for small-time individuals connected with Hao Tian Men; perhaps we can find a breakthrough through them."
Thus began their secret visits across Jiangnan as they engaged with various martial artists and local officials cautiously seeking information about Hao Tian Men without missing any potential leads. However, given Hao Tian Men’s extensive network built over many years in Jiangnan, their investigative progress was painfully slow.
Meanwhile, back in Chang'an, Li Jiancheng continued his strategic maneuvers. He frequently interacted with several ministers in court to form tighter alliances. These ministers strongly supported him during court discussions and collaborated on various matters further expanding his influence within the court.
"Your Highness, your prestige in the court is rising day by day. If you continue like this, the throne will surely be yours," a minister flattered Li Jiancheng.
"Do not speak so recklessly; everything must still heed Father Emperor's will. I am merely doing my utmost to contribute to the prosperity of the Tang dynasty," Li Jiancheng replied humbly on the surface, yet his heart was filled with confidence about the future.
However, Li Jiancheng was also aware that Li Shimin would not sit idly by. He knew that a greater storm was about to arrive, and he must be fully prepared to face Li Shimin's counterattack. At this critical moment, every decision was crucial; a slight misstep could lead to total defeat. In the secret chamber of the Eastern Palace, Li Jiancheng repeatedly contemplated his strategies, his eyes revealing determination and resolve. He firmly believed that with his wisdom and cunning, he would ultimately achieve victory in this struggle for power.
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