Chapter 477 Li Yun’s Evil Plan

Originally, Li Yun could accept the issue of paying taxes to the court.

After all, they still had to make a living under the Wu Zhou Dynasty, so it seemed reasonable to give some share to their employer.

However, after the Battle of Jiangbei, Li Yun became more confident. After that, he was no longer interested in paying taxes to the court.

However, it was obvious that Pei Zhang Pei Liulang’s visit to Jiangnan this time was not simply to collect taxes for the court. From his tone, he clearly told Li Yun that it was the three military governors who wanted to collect taxes from Jiangnan, not the real court.

These words seemed to be provocative, trying to sow discord between Li Yun and the three Jiedushis. At the same time, they seemed to be trying to win over Li Yun for the Emperor.

After thinking for a while, Li Yun turned slightly and said with a smile: “Master Pei, let’s talk inside. Qiantang County has recently sent some tea. Master Pei comes from a famous family, so he should be an expert. Please taste it for me to see if the people below are trying to trick me with inferior tea.”

Pei Zhang looked back at the two eunuchs behind him. Li put his hands in his sleeves and said calmly, “Zhou Bi, take these two angels outside for tea. They are entertained.”

Zhou Bi, who had been with Li Yun at this time, had gained a lot of experience and was no longer in a hurry to do things as before. After hearing what Li Yun said, he walked calmly to the two eunuchs, slightly turned sideways and said, “Two angels, please.”

The two eunuchs looked at Pei Zhang. Li Yun just frowned slightly when he saw this. The two eunuchs dared not say anything anymore and followed Zhou Bi obediently.

Pei Zhang couldn’t help but admire when he saw this: “The Lord is so majestic.”

Mr. Li put his hands under his wide sleeves and said with a smile, “Please come in, Mr. Pei.”

He didn’t even turn his head and walked in front. Pei Zhang looked at his tall back and followed him obediently.

When Li Yun was a captain in Qingyang, he met Pei Huang and other young men from aristocratic families. He found that they were far inferior to Pei Huang in terms of momentum and aura.

And now, facing the other Pei family member in front of him, Li’s aura has completely reached the level of crushing.

This is the momentum gained from fighting on the battlefield, and also the momentum gained from power.

Pei Zhang is naturally far from being able to catch up.

The two walked one after the other and soon arrived at the main hall of Li Garden. Mr. Li sat in the main seat and Pei Zhang sat in the second seat. Soon, a servant brought tea. After Pei Zhang took a sip, he praised, “Good tea.”

Li Yun smiled but said nothing.

This was not the tea sent from Qiantang County. It was just ordinary tea, very common. It was impossible for a young man from an aristocratic family like Pei Zhang not to be able to tell the difference.

And now, this young man from the Pei family had to say some words against his will in front of him.

After taking a sip of tea, Mr. Li looked at Pei Zhang and asked, “Are those two eunuchs the men of the three generals?”

Pei Zhang thought about it, shook his head and said, “I don’t know either. I only know that the two of them were staring at me all the way.”

Li Yun nodded and continued to ask, “Who are Master Pei and Minister Pei?”

Pei Zhang quickly said, “That’s my uncle.”

Li Yun said “Oh”, put down the teacup, and said with a smile: “It seems that this branch of your family has taken root in the capital.”

In this era, the routines of every family are actually similar.

For example, the Jingzhao Du family split off a branch to follow Li Yun.

At the same time, the Jingzhao Du family had other branches in other places, or simply sought places to escape from the world and avoid disaster.

The same is true for the Pei family.

The Pei family’s ancestral home is in Hedong County. It is impossible for the entire family to be determined to follow the emperor and the Wu Zhou court, who are obviously on the decline.

Only a part of Pei family followed the court.

Li Yun originally thought that it should be the Pei family members descended from Minister Pei Qi. Now, when he saw Pei Zhang, he realized that it should be the Pei family members descended from Minister Pei’s father, that is, the Pei family members descended from the grandfather of Pei Huang and Pei Zhang, who chose to be tied to the court.

The other members of the Pei family had to distance themselves from each other.

In this era, there was no such thing as implicated aristocratic families. Even if there was a change of dynasty, at most only the Pei family in the capital would be affected. Normally, the new dynasty would still treat the Hedong Pei family well and make use of them.

Pei Zhang’s expression changed slightly. He looked up at Li Yun and was secretly surprised.

He didn’t even express his opinion, but just said a few bad words about the three governors. The young military leader in front of him had already keenly seen his political stance!

Pei Zhang sorted out his thoughts, then put down his teacup and said to Li Yun: “Lord Li, I am indeed loyal to the court and to Your Majesty, but every word I said to you is true.”

“When I came here, I attended a grand court meeting. The three generals all said that Jiangnan must pay the taxes and grain for the second year of Zhaoding on time, and also make up for the taxes and grain for the first year of Zhaoding. Otherwise, they will send troops to collect the taxes.”

Li Yun looked at him and smiled dumbly: “Then where will the court come from to ask for me?”

After obtaining the six states of Jiangdong, Li Yun is no longer afraid of external forces.

To his north, that is, Jiangbei, there is the Huai River as a defense line. To his west, Zhao Cheng and Chen Da also have troops stationed there. To his east, there is the East China Sea.

If the imperial court wanted to send troops against him, it could either storm Luzhou City or break into Jiangdong Road from the west.

Otherwise, they could only go around to the south, from the southernmost part of Jiangnan East Road, or even from Lingnan Road, to appear to the south of Li Yun and attack Li Yun from the south.

So did the imperial court have the ability to accomplish these two things? Probably.

The prerequisite is that the three Jiedushi can really unite and gather an army of 100,000 to break through the Jiangnan defense line currently built by Li Yun.

It’s just a possibility.

After all, Li Yun had not seen the strength of the elite troops of the three vassal states. If a real fight broke out, relying on the advantages of the terrain to defend with all their strength, the outcome was still unknown. Moreover… he also had gunpowder, which was quite useful when defending the city.

As far as the current situation is concerned, if one wants to defeat Li Yun in one fell swoop and eliminate his power in Jiangdong, there is only one sure way, and that is for the Pinglu Army to lead all its forces southward to entangle all of Li Yun’s forces in the six states in Jiangbei.

At the same time, the imperial court had to send another 70,000 to 80,000 people to attack Jiangnan from the southwest in order to destroy Li Yun’s troops.

And this situation is almost impossible to happen.

First of all, the Pinglu Jiedushi was not a fool. He would not do such a thing that would risk his life and get no thanks. Even his stupid son Zhou Chang would probably not do such a thing.

Furthermore, even if the three Jiedushi could really unite and gather a hundred thousand troops to attack Jiangnan, once these hundred thousand troops were mobilized, the food and supplies would be countless. Who would provide these food and supplies?
After taking over the six states of Jiangdong, Li Yun’s work focus in recent times has shifted to internal affairs and system shaping. This is because, at his current stage, it would be difficult for him to die as long as he does not commit suicide.

Pei Zhang was almost speechless after hearing his words. After hesitating for a long time, he sighed and stood up, bowed to Li Yun and said, “My Lord, those three did say at the court meeting that they wanted to attack Jiangnan. If I am talking nonsense, I will be struck by lightning!”

Li Yun smiled but said nothing.

Pei Zhang sighed, bowed to Li Yun and said, “My Lord, there are treacherous officials in power in the capital right now. Those three people used their own strength and almost kidnapped the emperor.”

“If there were no loyal ministers and righteous men, the Great Zhou’s divine weapon would fall in a matter of days!”

He bowed deeply and said, “My Lord, you are a disciple of General Su, and have been promoted by the court many times. Now that you are in power in Jiangnan, you should contribute to the court and be loyal to the country.”

Li Yun smiled dumbly: “Let’s be practical. I can’t beat the three of them.”

He paused and added: “I may not even be able to defeat one family now.”

Defending is one thing, attacking is another. At present, Li Yun needs to at least double his military strength before he can face those three head-on.

However, it is foreseeable that after Li Yun has digested the six states in northern Jiangnan, he will then take over the entire eastern part of Jiangnan, and then look for an opportunity to take over the western part of Jiangnan.

By that time, these territories could easily support him to raise an army of 100,000.

It’s just that Mr. Li has just eaten a lot and has a big belly, so it will take some time to digest it.

“Of course it’s not just the Fugong family who contributed.”

Pei Zhang said sternly, “Your Excellency may not know that the governors of various places have jointly written a letter to request those three to withdraw from Guanzhong. Who knows when the governors of various places will rise up and attack them. When that happens, you only need to contribute your efforts.”

“He is the pillar of the Great Zhou Dynasty and his name will be remembered for eternity in the future!”

Li Yun looked at the imperial edict that he had just put down in his hand, smiled and said nothing.

Pei Zhang said quickly: “Don’t worry, sir.”

“If this is accomplished, the Duke of Fu will at least be a Duke of the State, and he may even be granted the title of a Prince of a County!”

Li Yun shook his head in disappointment and said, “Mr. Pei, you are not as good as your brother.”

Pei Zhang was startled and frowned, “What does the Lord mean by this?”

“It’s nothing, just tell the truth.”

Li Yun said calmly, “Pei Sanlang is pragmatic. I don’t believe he sent you all the way here just to tell me this.”

Pei Zhang’s face flushed red all of a sudden. He hesitated for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said, “Third brother asked me to tell the Lord.”

“If the situation changes again, I hope the Duke of Fu will support the court.”

Li Yun smiled and said, “That’s right, you are so smart.”

After saying this, Li Yun’s smile faded and he said calmly, “When the time comes, I want the title of Jiangnan Jiedushi.”

Pei Zhang lowered his head and smiled bitterly: “Your humble servant…will remember this.”

“Did Pei Sanlang tell me when the change will happen in Guanzhong?”

Pei Zhang shook his head and said, “Third brother just said, just said there is a chance…”

“If you don’t want to go back to Hedong and plan to go back to the capital, go and tell Pei Sanlang.”

“If a few people die in the capital, the court will naturally be in chaos. Once the court is in chaos, not only will public opinion be overwhelming, but the government orders will also be useless. Only then will those three be likely to withdraw from the capital.”

Pei Zhang was stunned: “Who’s going to die?”

“imperial clan.”

Li Yun touched his chin and continued, “Or some other important people.”

Pei Zhang still didn’t understand. He lowered his head and thought for a long time before muttering, “How could these people…”

At this point, he suddenly reacted, looked up at Li Yun, and couldn’t help shuddering, muttering: “The Duke of the Mansion means that His Majesty should kill the royal family and then put the blame on those three…”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Li Yun frowned: “How could the emperor kill a member of the royal family?”

He lowered his head to drink tea and added calmly: “It’s all because the people below don’t know better.”

(End of this chapter)