Chapter 134: A Change in the Imperial Court, Yang Jian Passes Away (Begging for Monthly Tickets)

Gu Yi had been silently watching all of this the entire time.

He was quite surprised by everything that was happening at present.

"Li Shimin."

Gu Yi also murmured the name softly, looking at the swaddled infant with a faint smile: "A dragon among men, bearing the sun and the day."

He did not interfere.

Gu Yu had a path that belonged to himself.

It could be said that the burden on his shoulders, for the Gu clan, might be second only to that of Gu Chen in years past.

The Gu clan's division and decline.

As well as the changes in the times, the overall renewal.

All of this required him to turn around, and this was also the main reason Gu Yi had used the "Sudden Inspiration Card" on him back then.

Gu Yi could not possibly keep stepping in himself; doing so would only cause his achievement points to fall short of his expenditures.

To achieve true glory for ten thousand generations.

The existence of the clan's younger generation was likewise crucial.

Moreover, Gu Yu's temperament was equally suited to this; traveling ten thousand li and observing the world's warmth and cold was, for him, also a process of learning.

Gu Yu did not stay long in Wu Gong.

His future had always been out there, in the distance.

Time hurried on.

Under a series of measures by Yang Jian, the national strength of the entire Great Sui could be said to be growing day by day.

The speed of population recovery was even more exaggerated.

It had already reached over seventy million.

Compared to the original history, this was an extremely exaggerated figure.

In the original history.

After the chaos of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, it was not until the peak of the Kaihuang era that the population of the Nine Provinces had barely recovered to forty million.

The difference could now be seen at a glance.

This was naturally related to the Nine Provinces' original population and the moral restraint of these past years.

It was precisely because of the appearance of the Gu clan that a series of even more cruel chaos was avoided, leaving far too many living beings for the Nine Provinces and allowing the age of prosperity to arrive sooner.

In fact, even Gu Yi was looking forward to it.

Now that things had already reached this state in the Kaihuang era, when the even more brilliant ages of prosperity came in later generations, just how far would the Nine Provinces develop?

Some things simply could not be fully revealed through words alone.

But the years were ultimately heartless, and valor would eventually wane.

As time continued to shift.

Yang Jian's body also gradually began to show problems.

Most critically — the internal struggles within the Sui dynasty likewise grew increasingly fierce as he aged.

The Prince of Jin, Yang Guang, wielded an ever greater influence in court.

Especially after he used his methods to win over the important minister Yang Su, his influence had already completely surpassed that of the Crown Prince Yang Yong,

Daxing City.

The rear palace.

"Mother!" Yang Guang, dressed entirely in plain white, knelt on the ground weeping bitterly, "Son does not know where he has offended the Crown Prince; in recent days son has actually heard—"

"That after drinking, elder brother once said that when he became sovereign he would certainly put son to death."

"Son—"

He cried all the more movingly, throwing himself straight into Dugu Qieluo's embrace: "Son fears his life is not long for this world!"

Wave after wave of mournful weeping echoed throughout the entire rear palace.

Looking at this most obedient of her sons before her, the anger on Dugu Qieluo's face grew ever thicker.

She had never liked Yang Yong in the first place.

In truth, this was also related to Yang Yong's temperament.

Especially in contrast with Yang Guang, every one of Yang Yong's shortcomings was displayed in the most vivid fashion.

Dugu Qieluo had always advocated thrift, but Yang Yong had always been arrogant, extravagant, and dissolute.

She had already criticized Yang Yong many times for it, yet Yang Yong still refused to mend his ways.

Most critically—

Yang Yong had cold-shouldered the legitimate wife Yuan she had chosen for him, and instead favored his concubines; not long ago, for no apparent reason, Lady Yuan had suddenly died within the Donggong.

This had thoroughly roused Dugu Qieluo's wrath against Yang Yong.

Not to mention that now Yang Guang had even spoken such words.

She hurriedly embraced the son weeping before her and said coldly: "How can the Crown Prince be so heartless? You are his brother!"

As ill luck would have it, the moment she held him, she caught sight of Yang Guang's mended inner garment.

In an instant, Dugu Qieluo gave a sudden start: "My son, what is this?"

"Mother."

Yang Guang hurriedly stepped back, using his plain clothes to cover the patched spot, and said between sobs: "Son is fine."

"Hmph!"

The more Dugu Qieluo looked, the angrier she grew.

Looking at the Yang Guang before her, her disgust for Yang Yong instantly reached its absolute limit.

Even so—

Yang Yong was his eldest son!

"I must see Your Majesty! The realm of Great Sui absolutely cannot be handed to this unfilial son!" She rose at once and headed straight out of the hall.

Watching Dugu Jialuo's retreating back, Yang Guang immediately pressed his forehead to the ground.

But the sound of sobbing on his face abruptly cut off.

Instead, a sinister smile appeared.

—A bolt from the blue!

Yang Jian actually had grievances with Yang Yong as well, not only because of Yang Yong's temperament but also because of the assessments of those around him.

Whether it was Dugu Jialuo, or ministers like Yang Su.

Almost every time they would denigrate Yang Yong before him.

Anything Yang Yong did would be infinitely magnified by them.

Yang Jian already somewhat disliked Yang Yong—how much more so under this kind of influence?

Within the Zhonghua Hall.

In his fury, Yang Jian immediately summoned several of the current court's important ministers.

"I shall depose the Crown Prince!"

Facing these confidants, Yang Jian directly vented all his anger: "The realm of Great Sui absolutely cannot be handed to this unfilial son!"

Hearing these words, the expressions of all present changed, and a flash of delight passed through their eyes.

As the current Crown Prince.

In court, especially before Yang Jian, not a single important minister could be relied upon—this was Yang Yong's greatest failure.

But in truth, one could not blame him for it.

Yang Yong's character was somewhat similar to that of Cao Zhi of old.

He was skilled in the way of ci and fu, his nature was generous, gentle, and candid, and he was a person without affectation.

These traits ordinarily seemed to be nothing.

But under Yang Guang's deliberate contrivance, once there was a comparison, they became a different matter.

And the ministers likewise would only choose the better-performing Yang Guang.

The edict was issued in an instant.

—Depose the Crown Prince!

This matter, no matter in any dynasty, was like a bolt from the blue.

In a feudal dynasty, the heir-apparent had always been called the foundation of the state.

The replacement of the foundation of the state, at any time, would shake both court and countryside.

Court ministers submitted memorial after memorial.

Even members of the Gu clan came forward, wanting to urge Yang Jian to reconsider.

Gu Zhe currently held the post of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in court, and was presently the most illustrious presence of the Gu clan at court.

Although the Gu clan was no longer what it once was.

But regarding the conduct of Gu clan members, Yang Jian was still quite at ease; after a period of observation, he promoted Gu Zhe to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Regarding the struggles within the court and countryside, Gu Zhe actually knew perfectly well.

Including Yang Guang, who had tried to win him over more than once.

Only, Gu Zhe had always upheld the principles of a Gu clan member, never willing to involve himself in the struggles of imperial power.

And the most crucial point was—

Perhaps it was precisely because of Gu Shizi's earlier assessment of Yang Guang.

He was extremely sensitive to all of Yang Guang's various displays.

At the beginning he did not pay it much heed, but as matters grew ever more intense, he gradually came to sense the depth of Yang Guang's scheming.

Yang Guang was entirely catering to Yang Jian and Dugu Jialuo!

How could he then remain silent?

But for a man like Yang Jian, once his mind was set, it could no longer be easily reversed.

Let alone—

Nearly all the important ministers in court were now supporting Yang Guang!

The matter was thoroughly settled.

The twentieth year of Kaihuang;

Yang Jian formally issued an edict, deposing Yang Yong from the position of Crown Prince, demoting him to a commoner, and establishing the Prince of Jin, Yang Guang, as Crown Prince in his place.

The news spread, and court and countryside boiled over!

Daxing Hall.

Yang Yong came staggering in from outside the palace, his face full of disbelief, and made straight to force his way into the hall.

"Big Brother!"

At this moment, Yang Guang, all smiles, blocked his path: "What is Big Brother doing?"

Seeing no one around.

A shadowed smile appeared on Yang Guang's face as he looked disdainfully at the stunned Yang Yong: "A mere commoner—where do you get the nerve to dare force your way into Daxing Hall?"

"You—!"

Yang Yong's expression changed drastically, and rage immediately surged across his face.

His body trembled uncontrollably as he stared fixedly at Yang Guang before him: "You villain! I must see Father Emperor! This prince must see Father Emperor!"

Yang Yong let out an excited roar and, as he spoke, charged straight at Yang Guang.

But in the end, he was no match for Yang Guang.

Neither in scheming nor in physical condition.

He was inferior to Yang Guang in every way.

Yang Guang merely exerted a casual force and blocked him, the contempt on his face growing ever thicker.

"A mere commoner, daring to trespass into Daxing Hall."

"Today this Crown Prince will spare you once, for the sake of our brotherhood."

He waved his hand, signaling the surrounding guards to step forward, a flash of killing intent passing through his eyes: "If you do not leave, seize him at once!"

Having said that, he no longer paid Yang Yong any attention.

He headed straight into the hall.

Beneath the sunlight.

His bright crimson Crown Prince robes were dazzling, utterly out of place against the plain garments he had worn earlier.

Yang Yong's whole body trembled uncontrollably.

His eyes were bloodshot, and an endless tide of regret and grievance surged within him.

He could not understand.

So many had said his crimes did not warrant such a fate — why had Yang Jian been so heartless as to strip him to a commoner on the spot?

The more he thought about it, the more aggrieved he became.

The next instant, heedless of how the onlookers might judge him, he actually climbed up a nearby tree, weeping as he shouted aloud: "Father! Father!!!"

He had to see Yang Jian.

Even though his deposition was already a foregone conclusion, in his heart he still had to smooth out this grievance.

Those cries, one after another, finally reached within the palace.

Yang Jian, clad in a dragon robe, stepped out of the hall in response, and happened to see Yang Guang's stiff expression.

Yang Jian swept his gaze over the area outside the hall, frowning: "What has happened out here? What is this unfilial son trying to do?"

"Father!"

Yang Guang reacted swiftly; sorrow instantly appeared on his face, and he dropped to his knees at once: "Elder Brother… Elder Brother seems to have gone mad."

"He tried to force his way into Daxing Hall, and even climbed up a tree."

He covertly shot a look at Yang Su, who stood beside Yang Jian.

Yang Su caught the hint at once and immediately spoke up: "Your Majesty, Yang Yong has lost his mind — possessed by demons, his very soul cannot be called back."

"If not, how could he have done something so absurd?"

Hearing this, Yang Jian could not help but sigh, thinking that since they were father and son, if he wished an audience, a memorial would suffice — why go to such lengths — and he shook his head helplessly as well.

Then he simply waved his hand: "Guang'er, have people drive this unfilial son out of the palace."

"I obey the command."

Yang Guang lowered his head and answered at once.

The matter was completely settled.

No matter how unwilling Yang Yong was, he had lost every means of counterattack.

He could not see Yang Jian, nor could he see Dugu Qieluo.

Every path had been sealed off against him by Yang Guang.

The most crucial point was—

Yang Yong, as a person, truly was unsuited to be Crown Prince.

After he was driven out of the imperial palace, Gu Zhe had once sent someone to secretly meet him, intending to draw him into Julu.

But regrettably, Yang Yong actually refused.

In his heart he still clung to a trace of naive hope, hoping that one day Yang Jian would change his mind and summon him back to the palace.

As if it were destined.

In fact, Gu Zhe's move had already exceeded Gu Yi's expectations.

This counted as one of the few variables.

But Yang Yong's character, in turn, invisibly sealed his own fate.

It seemed, as if to settle the people's hearts.

Just after this.

Yang Jian proclaimed a change of era name to "Renshou" — its meaning was not only to stabilize the people's hearts, but also to pray for the health of himself and Dugu Qieluo.

That was right — neither of them was young anymore.

Especially Yang Jian—

He was a most diligent ruler, particularly during the earlier reforms, when he had been busy from dawn till dusk.

The years had brought every hidden ailment in his body to the surface.

The time left to him was no longer much.

But such so-called prayers for blessing were, in the end, useless.

In the second year of Renshou.

Dugu Qieluo passed away peacefully in Yong'an Palace — a tremendous blow to Yang Jian.

He had already reached his twilight years.

From then on, his physical condition worsened day by day.

He held a grand funeral for Dugu Qieluo, and built the Chanding Temple and others to pray for her.

The most crucial point was—

Perhaps it was truly because of death's constant approach, but he had finally begun to lose the sharpness of former days, gradually setting aside the affairs of state.

He even grew distant from the important ministers he had once relied upon, and began to draw close to ministers skilled at flattery and sycophancy.

This seemed to be a signal.

It also signified that the great prosperity since the founding of the Kaihuang era was gradually fading with the passage of time.

Yang Guang's power had become increasingly terrifying.

Unlike the earlier period, the current Crown Prince of the Sui dynasty already held a certain degree of power in his own hands.

The Donggong's subordinate officials possessed a complete system, and their ranks were not low.

They also held real authority within the court.

These men were originally the Crown Prince's most core confidants.

And Yang Guang was different from Yang Yong—Yang Guang also held a certain influence within the military.

As Yang Jian gradually set aside the affairs of state,

Yang Guang naturally took up the great banner of the entire court.

The depth of his scheming was fully revealed at such a moment—even having reached this point, he still had his worries.

He exhausted every method to win over Yang Jian's inner attendants.

Yang Jian's every action within the inner palace, he knew almost like the back of his hand.

But people had always been this way.

As Yang Guang's position grew increasingly secure, the flaws within his character also gradually revealed themselves.

Pride, extravagance, lewdness, and idleness.

Although everything had not yet shown itself openly.

But within the entire Donggong, compared to before, the atmosphere had completely changed.

Yang Guang was waiting!

He was waiting precisely for the moment when Yang Jian would finally pass from the stage!

The fourth year of Renshou.

Daxing, Renshou Palace.

"This beast!"

Yang Jian looked at the letter in his hand, his breathing extremely rapid, his entire face filled with fury.

This was a letter that a palace servant had mistakenly delivered.

The contents above were also very simple.

It was precisely the Crown Prince Yang Guang reminding Yang Su that if Yang Jian should suddenly die, they must make thorough preparations, and so on.

In truth, regarding such matters, everyone understood without needing to speak.

Yang Jian, an Emperor who had fought his way out of mountains of corpses, could also easily see this point clearly.

But he still could not help his fury.

Because this was completely different from the filial piety Yang Guang usually displayed; the contents of the letter even seemed to be looking forward to his early death.

As an Emperor, this made Yang Jian feel a sense of humiliation.

But in the end he did not erupt.

Only with such means could one be a good Emperor.

No matter how angry he was, having reached his current state, he would not choose to depose Yang Guang from his position as Crown Prince.

But just at this moment, a graceful figure slowly walked into the hall.

This was Lady Chen, whom Yang Jian had most doted upon in recent days!

Beneath the flickering candlelight.

Lady Chen's expression was somewhat strange; Yang Jian instantly noticed the abnormality in her complexion, and could not help frowning as he asked: "What has happened?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, this concubine is unharmed." Lady Chen said with her head lowered, her voice trembling.

Hearing this, Yang Jian's expression could not help growing uglier.

He was no fool.

How could he fail to see it, fail to hear it?

In an instant, Yang Jian directly seized Lady Chen's arm and rebuked: "I order you to speak!"

Although he had already reached his twilight years, the killing intent that erupted in his fury still diminished not one whit.

Lady Chen's body trembled.

The next moment, surging tears once again rolled down from her eyes.

She directly knelt before Yang Jian, sobbing: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince was rude—the Crown Prince—he had just now tried to force himself upon this concubine!"

"."

She directly recounted how she had just returned to her sleeping quarters to change clothes, when Yang Guang had suddenly burst in.

—Boom!

These words exploded within Yang Jian's mind like thunder.

He was completely stunned!

Only after being dazed for a moment did he finally react.

"Unfilial son!"

"Unfilial son!!!"

"This beast! How could the affairs of the state be entrusted to him! The Dugu clan has ruined me!"

He could not help but curse out loud, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.

"Guards!"

Yang Jian did not know where the strength came from, and suddenly stood up, ordering: "Summon my son!"

"Does Your Majesty wish to summon the Crown Prince?"

Liu Shu, Yuan Yan, and the others instinctively assumed he meant Yang Guang.

They were just about to leave.

Unexpectedly, Yang Jian at this moment roared once more: "It's Yong'er! I want to see Yong'er!"

The two were stunned for a moment, then realized Yang Jian wanted to see Yang Yong, their expressions involuntarily changing, and they hurriedly departed.

But Yang Jian's fury still had not dissipated.

He seemed somewhat uneasy.

Unable to sit still, he could not help but think of his trusted confidants.

"Summon the Vice President of the Department of State Affairs—"

He was just about to summon Yang Su.

But before the words were finished, he caught himself, and his tone suddenly shifted: "Summon the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel!"

Minister of the Ministry of Personnel—Gu Zhe!

At this moment, Yang Jian had finally sobered up.

Among all his so-called confidants in the court today, which one did not support Yang Guang?

If he summoned them—

Would they sit idly by and watch Yang Yong return to the palace?

Absolutely impossible!

Power struggles have never been games, but life-and-death battles!

At this moment, the only people he could trust were the Gu clan!

Although over the years he had never heavily relied on the Gu clan, and had instead sought to weaken their influence.

But precisely because of this—

He had never placed any members of the Gu clan into the Donggong.

But given the current situation, Yang Jian's awakening had come far too late.

The news that Yang Jian intended to summon Yang Yong reached Yang Guang's ears almost instantly.

At this moment—

Yang Guang's methods were finally fully exposed.

He first forged an imperial edict, ordering men to directly arrest Yang Jian's few remaining confidants, Liu Shu and Yuan Yan, and seized the edict recalling Yang Yong.

Afterwards, he immediately led the Donggong guards to surround the entire imperial palace.

And he himself led men toward the Renshou Palace.

What happened inside the imperial palace, no one knew.

But Gu Zhe had already been blocked outside the palace.

"Your Majesty summoned me—are you lot planning a rebellion? How dare you block me?"

Facing the armored soldiers blocking his path, Gu Zhe grew increasingly uneasy and questioned them angrily.

"His Majesty has ordered that no one may enter the palace!"

The leading soldier was not flustered in the slightest, yielding not an inch.

Gu Zhe frowned tightly, the unease in his heart having reached its absolute peak, but he still could not enter the palace.

Inside the entire imperial palace, it was utterly silent.

So silent it felt terrifying.

No one knew what exactly had happened within.

And Gu Zhe never left, waiting outside the palace the entire time.

Gusts of breeze kept brushing past.

As time passed, the sky gradually brightened.

At this moment, some movement finally came from within the palace.

A contingent of men was seen quickly walking out from the palace; upon reaching the palace gate they first looked at Gu Zhe, then could not help but rebuke the gate-guarding soldiers: "How bold, to dare block the Minister?"

"Make way at once!"

Once he spoke, the soldiers at the palace gate finally parted to open a path.

"Please, Minister."

The leader even made a gesture of invitation.

Gu Zhe's expression was ice-cold; he seemed to have already sensed something, and without a word slowly headed into the palace.

This road he walked felt exceedingly long.

Gu Yu's past assessment of Yang Guang kept surfacing in his mind—words he had often recalled in recent years.

Not only him.

The Gu clan scions of the past had not believed any of it, because Yang Guang's performance back then had truly been too perfect.

But now he had to admit as well, he had long since, without realizing it, come to believe Gu Yu's judgment.

"Brother…"

Gu Zhe could not help but murmur inwardly.

Amidst this turmoil of thoughts, he finally arrived before Renshou Palace.

From a great distance, he saw the crowd kneeling before Renshou Palace, and the one at their head was none other than Crown Prince Yang Guang.

Gu Zhe's expression instantly darkened, and he slowly walked forward.

Before he could speak.

Yang Guang at the head looked toward him, his face full of grief, and said: "Minister, His Majesty has just departed the world."

"The heavens of our Great Sui—"

His voice suddenly rose; he gave Gu Zhe a deep look, then bowed once more toward Renshou Palace:

"Have fallen!"

——————

"In the fourth year of Renshou, on the yimao day of the fourth month of summer, the Emperor was unwell.

On the gengshen day of the sixth month, a general pardon was granted throughout the realm. On the yiwei day of the seventh month of autumn, the sun turned blue and lost its light, and only after eight days did it return.

On the jihai day, Grand General Duan Wenzhen was appointed as Commander of Yunzhou. On the jiachen day, the Emperor, his illness having grown severe, lay in Renshou Palace and took leave of all his officials, clasping their hands and weeping with them.

On the dingwei day, he passed away in the Hall of Great Treasure, at the age of sixty-four."

—Book of Sui, Annals of Gao Zu

(End of this chapter)