Chapter 168: Stubborn Delusion

"Ah..."

"Sigh..."

The cold night was deep, and in the rear hall of the Yang residence, lamps and candles burned brightly. Yang Bin paced back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression heavy, sighing repeatedly. The candle flames swaying in the cold wind seemed to mirror his mood at this moment.

Looking at the hall's furnishings, they were plain and simple, with not a trace of extravagance. To be fair, among the chancellors of the Great Han, no one could surpass Yang Bin in frugality and integrity.

"Father, why are you so troubled?" His eldest son, Yang Tingkan, could not help but ask from the side.

As mentioned before, none of the Great Han's court officials were truly clean. Take Su Fengji, for example—he loved amassing wealth, took bribes, and when he previously held the reins of government, he even dared to brazenly sell offices and titles. Though he had restrained himself considerably since, his corrupt practices had never truly ceased.

Yang Bin was not fond of accumulating wealth and property, but his private ambitions were not shallow either. Of his three sons, the eldest, Tingkan, served as a clerk in the Ministry of Personnel with duties in the Merit Evaluation Bureau; the second son, Tingwei, was a Commander of the Inner Palace Guard; the third son, Tingyi, served as a prison official at the Court of Judicial Review.

Securing positions for his three sons, however, he had not been particularly restrained about—this could be considered "only human nature." Even if others criticized it, it was hardly a major matter; had they not all followed the dragon and rendered meritorious service precisely to shelter their descendants? But Yang Bin had placed far more than just his three sons in the court. His relatives, friends, old acquaintances, and fellow townsmen either held posts in the capital or served as officials in the prefectures and counties. The "Yang faction's" influence, at least on the surface, was very extensive.

Someone had calculated that in less than a year since the founding of the Great Han, more than thirty of Yang's relatives and associates had been personally promoted by Yang Bin's hand... With such behavior, no matter how capable or meritorious he was, how could Liu Chengyou not be wary and disgusted? Of course, it could not be denied that Yang Bin standing in opposition to Liu Chengyou was what Liu Chengyou hated most about him.

Yang Bin was clearly vexed. Hearing his eldest son's question, he only glanced at him sideways, put on a sour face, gave a cold snort, and did not reply.

Yang Bin's household discipline was strict, and his sons were quite afraid of him. Seeing their old father's cold face, Yang Tingkan could not help shrinking his neck. After being silent for a moment, he still could not resist asking in a low voice: "Are you worried about His Majesty's health?"

Hearing this, Yang Bin's expression turned even more unpleasant, but he did not respond.

Since the new year began, for several days now, Liu Zhiyuan had not appeared to govern affairs, only occasionally issuing edicts from the Inner Palace and occasionally receiving the chancellors. With the Crown Prince overseeing the state, Yang Bin's days—perhaps "difficult" was too strong a word—were nonetheless not smooth. Many of the administrative decisions he handled were deemed improper by Liu Chengyou. Back and forth, the conflict deepened. Until today, in front of several chancellors, Yang Bin angrily said to Liu Chengyou: "Matters of state are for us ministers to handle; Your Highness need not speak further!"

This so enraged Liu Chengyou that after the meeting, he directly overturned the table.

"Or is it that you're worried about the Crown Prince's side..." Yang Tingkan's voice grew even softer.

This time Yang Bin reacted more strongly. He slapped the table and vented his resentment coldly: "He's only been overseeing the state for a few days, and already he's throwing his weight around, not putting us chancellors in his eyes at all. And this is only the Crown Prince—if he becomes Emperor, will there be any way for our Yang family to survive?"

Yang Bin's words clearly startled Yang Tingkan. He instinctively looked around warily, and only after remembering this was his own family's inner hall did he relax slightly. Seeing Yang Bin's furious expression, he said cautiously: "Surely it won't come to that. Father, aren't you being too tense?"

"Father is the Great Han's Chancellor of the Privy Council, wielding military and political power. You are a founding minister of the state, with great toil and merit. The Crown Prince should only rely on you all the more."

Almost pointing at his eldest son's nose, Yang Bin cursed: "Foolish! If you follow such ignorant thinking, when our Yang family is exterminated in the future, it won't be unjust!"

"Father, calm your anger." Having likely grown accustomed to being scolded, Yang Tingkan dared not show the slightest displeasure on his face. He stepped forward to help Yang Bin sit down and said: "Your son observes that although the Crown Prince is stern, he is not an unreasonable person. His humility, respect, filial piety, and obedience are also praised throughout the court and the realm..."

"Hmph." Hearing this, Yang Bin snorted, a trace of sarcasm appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Before Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, wasn't he also putting on a false front and fishing for empty fame? You wouldn't know, but I know full well—this Crown Prince is by nature a cold and heartless man! Just wait. If he becomes Emperor in the future, never mind us outside ministers—even his own relatives, brothers, uncles, and maternal uncles—see how many of them will come to a good end!"

Glancing at Yang Bin, Yang Tingkan seemed to want to speak but held back, feeling his old father was somewhat extreme. After thinking it over, he reminded him: "Right now, even in the streets, people are saying the Crown Prince has the bearing of Emperor Taizong of Tang. The Battle of Luancheng—"

Before Yang Tingkan could finish, Yang Bin impatiently cut him off and rebuked: "How did Emperor Taizong of Tang ascend the throne? He killed his brothers and pressured his imperial father! That the Crown Prince has such ruthless methods, I do believe! As for the Battle of Luancheng—if not for generals like Zhang Yanwei fighting desperately, could he have had such luck and become famous throughout the realm?"

Yang Tingkan fell silent—he simply could not convince him. At the same time, a wave of fear washed over his entire body. If Yang Bin continued with such thoughts and attitudes, the Yang family truly faced the danger of extermination.

"What a pity heaven has no eyes, causing Prince Wei to die young in his prime. Prince Wei was benevolent and kind—if he were still alive, this old man would stake his very life to support his ascension. How could I let Prince Zhou gain the position of Crown Prince for nothing!" While Yang Tingkan was lost in worry, Yang Bin let out a long sigh, his tone full of unwillingness and indignation.

From the bottom of his heart, did Yang Bin truly particularly detest Liu Chengyou and favor Liu Chengxun? In truth, no. Liu Chengyou was strong-willed, had his own ideas, and was deeply calculating—clearly not easy to control. Liu Chengxun, by contrast, was kind and gentle in temperament. For chancellors like them who held power in their hands, that was the most suitable kind of sovereign, especially given their familiarity with each other...

Seeing Yang Bin's obstinate and unrepentant manner, Yang Tingkan was thoroughly frightened—one could say his mind and spirit were shaken. He stepped back two paces.

On his pale face, worry was thick. The night was still cold, but not as cold as the chill spreading through his heart. After a moment of shock, Yang Tingkan seemed to understand something and suddenly asked: "Father, could it be that you're worried that because you previously supported Prince Wei, the Crown Prince might harbor suspicions over past matters?"

To this question, Yang Bin made no answer.

Seeing this, Yang Tingkan quickly followed up with a suggestion: "If that's the case, Father, why not have an open and honest discussion with the Crown Prince to eliminate misunderstandings? With His Highness's magnanimity, would he really hold a grudge against you?"

"Are you asking me to bow my head and yield?" It was fine before he spoke, but the moment the words left his mouth, Yang Bin turned his head and launched into a fierce tirade.

"If Father cannot swallow his pride, your son is willing to go in your place!"

At Yang Tingkan's naivety, Yang Bin could not help but sneer: "You overestimate yourself. If you go, will you bring shame upon the Yang family?"

Seeing Yang Bin's stubbornness, Yang Tingkan grew anxious for the first time and urged: "Father, the relationship between sovereign and minister is already fixed. The Crown Prince must not be lightly insulted. Since ancient times, how many who opposed their sovereign as ministers came to a good end?"

Had it been any other time, if his son dared speak to him like that, Yang Bin would have slapped him long ago. But now, seeing the worry on Yang Tingkan's face, Yang Bin could not help but sigh and wave his hand: "Your father has his own plans. You need not worry too much. It's getting late—go rest."

After dismissing Yang Tingkan, Yang Bin sat alone in the hall, his face even more bitter. In truth, his heart was also full of trepidation. If he truly had confidence, why would he be sighing here in the dead of night?

"His Majesty is already paving the way for the Crown Prince—his time is probably running out!" After pondering for a long time, Yang Bin muttered to himself: "This old man must make preparations early!"

In these past few days, Liu Zhiyuan's most critical edicts concerned yet another reorganization of the imperial army. Besides Shi Hongzhao remaining as Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry and Infantry and Chief Minister, Liu Xin was promoted to Deputy Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry and Infantry, Li Hongxin was made Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard Infantry, Li Hongwei was made Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry, Li Hongjian was made Commander-in-Chief of the Inner Palace, his adopted son Liu Chengyun was advanced to Chief Commander of the Left Wing of the Imperial Guard, and Imperial Son-in-law Song Yanwo was made Patrol Inspector of the capital.

As for the latter several men, setting aside their abilities for the moment, they were either of the imperial clan or imperial relatives—clearly meant to safeguard Liu Chengyou's succession. Liu Zhiyuan even had the intention of transferring Murong Yanchao to the capital to serve as a senior general of the Imperial Guard Command...

Of course, in Liu Chengyou's view, Liu Zhiyuan's arrangements were not exactly "secure," mainly because these uncles and maternal uncles of his were truly not people who could be entrusted with affairs after his death—either lacking in ability or limited by temperament. If it were up to Liu Chengyou, he would simply have Yang Bin and Shi Hongzhao—especially Shi Hongzhao—removed from office. In fact, they didn't even need to be dismissed; just sending them to their garrisons and transferring them away from the Eastern Capital would suffice. (Shi Hongzhao still concurrently held the posts of Military Governor of Guide Army and Chief Minister)

Still, Liu Chengyou appreciated Liu Zhiyuan's good intentions. Sensing the coming storm, Liu Chengyou methodically and calmly made his secret arrangements. Though he had been distracted by state affairs during this period, he had never relaxed his grip on the military. His mind was clear—no matter how fiercely one fought in the court, nothing was more real than military power.

Within the imperial army of the Eastern Capital, Liu Chengyou's influence was already considerable. With trusted generals like Ma Quanyi, Xiang Xun, and Han Tong spreading his reputation and building his prestige, the old and veteran generals would normally not oppose him. Add to that the support of a faction of generals represented by Guo Wei. The only unstable factor was Shi Hongzhao—but this man truly did not command the loyalty of the troops. Though his partisans controlled a portion of the imperial army, Liu Chengyou had no confidence that he could even raise a rebellion.

In short, even if Liu Zhiyuan suddenly passed away, as long as the situation developed normally without unexpected incidents, Liu Chengyou's smooth succession to the throne by virtue of his position as Crown Prince would basically pose no problem.

But Yang Bin clearly did not see it that way. After sinking into deep thought for a long time, a trace of hesitation appeared on Yang Bin's aged face: "Could it be that I must go and work with that vulgar fellow?"