Chapter 1366

After four years of construction, Luoyang had long since taken on the appearance of a massive city.

Under the direction of Yuwen Kai, it was completed on schedule according to the three-year construction plan. Because time was abundant, manpower was plentiful, the workers were highly enthusiastic, and there was an abundance of prepared materials, the construction was carried out very well.

At the very least, it was three times better than the Luoyang originally built by Yang Guang.

However, this massive city still lacked an outer city wall; currently, there were only the walls of the inner city and the imperial city. The outer city wall was still under construction and was only half finished.

The parts not yet built were the east and north sides, which looked as if they had opened a bloody maw to welcome Wang Yan, the great hero.

"Hahaha..."

Yang Guang laughed heartily and trotted forward to greet him. "Ziyan, Ziyan, you have finally returned, haha..."

"Your subject has not failed his mission."

Wang Yan bowed respectfully with cupped hands.

After a display of mutual affection between monarch and subject, having performed the full ritual, a large group of people rode their horses back into the city, with Wang Yan and Yang Guang still riding side-by-side in the lead, chatting amongst themselves.

It was just that this time, the two of them did not discuss any official business; Yang Guang merely asked about the detailed situation in the northeast and Goguryeo, wanting to understand what it looked like over there now, and so the journey passed.

Yang Guang did not mention any future arrangements for Wang Yan, only telling him to bathe and rest once they reached his doorstep, and to come to the palace in the evening to attend a banquet...

Wang Yan's return threw the household into a flurry of activity; everyone was busy packing things and adapting to their new home. After all, they had moved to Luoyang, and it was an entirely new environment.

While he was drying his hair on a lounge chair after his bath, Xiao Mei leaned in close.

Glancing at the little girl sleeping in Wang Yan's arms, she asked in a low voice, "What are the arrangements?"

"No arrangements."

"Do we still need to wait?"

"Let's wait and see."

Xiao Mei knitted her beautiful brows. "Husband, you are not a hesitant person."

"Let's wait and see," Wang Yan repeated. "It's safe for now, anyway; it's never too late."

Seeing him wave his hand, Xiao Mei let out a long sigh before turning and leaving.

Wang Yan smiled happily, patting his own daughter, who was sleeping soundly in his arms, one tap at a time...

In the afternoon, Wang Yan went to the palace to attend the banquet, and there was still nothing special going on.

It was nothing more than everyone praising his merits, followed by strenuous efforts to praise Yang Guang as the greatest emperor of all time for his civil and military achievements.

Today, the Great Sui was peaceful and prosperous, wealthy and strong, with no internal troubles or external threats, presenting the scene of a flourishing golden age. Including Yang Guang, the entire lot of monarchs and ministers no longer knew what to do; they had lost their goals.

Although there were vast lands overseas, they were also very clear that manpower was insufficient to occupy so much territory. As long as the wealth from overseas could be continuously transported back, everyone was satisfied.

So, looking at it this way, there really was nothing to do.

But was that the truth?

Of course, it was a denial.

None of these meat-eating vested interests ever thought of changing. Although the taxes that should have been collected over the past two years had been reduced quite a bit, and the lives of the common people had improved significantly, that was as far as it went.

They believed that reaching this status made them sage rulers and virtuous ministers, and they had no desire to let the common people live any better.

How could the commoners live any better?

If they lived well, would they still be obedient?

Moreover, the problems had not really been solved. Was it a victory just because the great clans of the Central Plains were gone? Obviously not. Previously, in the imperial court, there were many people from the Central Plains clans; now, in the imperial court, there were many people from the Guanlong clans, and few from the south. It was just a change of people; there was no difference...

Wang Yan smiled happily as he ate and drank his fill. Although many people flattered him and spoke of his achievements, there was no doubt that it was all "killing with praise." They wanted to make Yang Guang suspicious and kill him, Wang Mou. Without a doubt, at this time, his death was worth far more than his life.

Yuwen Huaji said his martial arts were peerless and he was invincible in the world. Pei Ju said the soldiers in the army all loved him and listened to him. Zhangsun Sheng said the Turks still remembered his kindness to this day, and the Turkic soldiers all listened to his instructions, and so on...

These people had malicious intentions.

However, Wang Yan showed no reaction, only smiling and coping with them. It seemed as if he had integrated with the court officials, but in reality, he remained detached from this bustle.

Yang Guang sat high on the imperial steps, always looking happy and laughing, listening to everyone's flattery of Wang Yan, without any special reaction, instead affirming everyone's flattery of Wang Yan...

This bustle continued until nightfall, when the joyous banquet finally dispersed, and Wang Yan was called to the study by Yang Guang.

Drinking hot tea, Yang Guang asked with concern, "Ziyan, you've drunk a lot of wine, are you still sober?"

"Your subject can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk."

"Sometimes, it's better to be a little drunk."

"Then your subject is drunk."

Yang Guang shook his head with amusement, then turned to ask, "My Great Sui has today's prosperity, and I have today's authority, and you, Wang Ziyan, have contributed the most. Tell me, what are your arrangements for the future? What do you want to do?"

"It is naturally for Your Majesty to decide."

"I want to hear you say it."

Looking at Yang Guang, who had changed his face again and was staring at him, Wang Yan couldn't help but smile. Don't say it, he really did have a bit of imperial majesty.

Taking a sip of tea, Wang Yan said, "Your Majesty, to tell you the truth, ever since the first attempt to plot against the great households of the Central Plains failed, people have constantly been telling me stories. Stories about discarding the bow once the birds are gone and cooking the hounds once the rabbits are caught."

"Oh?" Yang Guang looked very interested, smiling, but what he revealed was a chill.

"Your subject has no intention of rebellion. Now that my wealth and status are at their peak, I am content. Why create more trouble and ruin the friendship between Your Majesty and your subject? However, public opinion is a powerful force; Your Majesty saw it at the banquet today. A group of old thieves in the court are all killing me with praise. Even if Your Majesty is not suspicious today, you will be suspicious in the future.

Your subject is speaking clearly to Your Majesty today for this very reason. Your subject has long said that I am content to be a wealthy idler. I have followed Your Majesty for more than ten years, never once engaging in power struggles, and have been dutiful. It is those court officials who are all seizing power one by one. Now that the great clans of the Central Plains are gone, they are the ones who have grown fat.

Your Majesty, you say, what is the difference between the current court officials and the previous ones? Now that Your Majesty is no longer held back by the Central Plains clans, are the Guanlong and Southern clans obedient to Your Majesty's every command? There are many unfinished tasks, and it is not yet time to enjoy the prosperity of the golden age. I hope Your Majesty will think thrice."

Yang Guang was silent, staring at Wang Yan, with contemplation flashing in his eyes.

After a long while, he laughed, "You, you just can't hide things. What you said has put me on the spot."

"Your subject is speaking the truth, saying whatever there is to say."

"Alright, it's been so many years, don't you know what kind of temperament I have? I value feelings the most!"

Yang Guang said it with certainty, as if it were really true.

Wang Yan showed a look of gratitude, all loyalty.

"I asked you what you want to do, and you've gone too far."

"Your subject certainly cannot remain in the army, there is no place for your subject in the Secretariat, and I'm afraid no one would agree to let your subject sit in the position of Prime Minister. Your subject has acted ruthlessly over the years and made too many enemies; no place welcomes your subject, and no one likes your subject."

Wang Yan paused, then said, "It's better to go to the Ministry of Agriculture. Your subject is more familiar with that, and farming is quite good too. I heard that the seeds brought back from across the ocean in the early years have been improved several times, and now the yield per mu has exceeded five shi. If we improve them for a few more years and reach a yield of ten shi per mu, the people of our Great Sui will no longer have to worry about famine. If their lives improve significantly, Your Majesty will truly become the greatest emperor of all time."

"You are already the Duke of Wu, yet you are still so small-minded, only thinking about farming."

"Your subject dares not forget my roots."

Yang Guang laughed in spite of himself: "I grant it. Just go to the Ministry of Agriculture, study your grain well, and let me become that greatest emperor of all time."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"It's getting late, go back."

"Yes, your subject takes his leave."

Wang Yan finished his tea, bowed, and walked away decisively.

Yang Guang narrowed his eyes, staring at Wang Yan's back, deep in thought...

Xiao Mei was not yet asleep. After Wang Yan washed up and lay on the bed, she chased away the serving maid, and while caressing and flirting, she asked eagerly, "How did it go?"

"At the banquet today, the court officials were all killing me with praise. His Majesty will not let me remain in the army, nor will he let me govern the world, so I requested to go to the Ministry of Agriculture."

"Heh~"

Xiao Mei laughed mockingly. "I'm afraid Yang Guang is already suspicious, he just hasn't decided whether to kill you yet. Does my husband still want to wait?"

"It's not waiting, it's looking again. We've already reached this point, why is my wife so impatient? It's the same for me to work at the Ministry of Agriculture; after all, who would dare not listen to what I say? It's all the same. Let's see Yang Guang's attitude."

"Your concubine really doesn't understand what there is to see. My husband also said we've reached this point, it's nothing more than success or failure, what's there to nag about? If we keep waiting like this, I don't know if your concubine will still be alive to see the day I become Empress."

Wang Yan seemed not to have heard the resentment in Xiao Mei's words, but instead began to exert himself, and in the blink of an eye, Xiao Mei's resentment turned into pleasure...

A few days later, at the first-day court session, after a flurry of talk about the country being peaceful and the people being safe, in front of all the civil and military officials, it was announced that Wang Yan had been appointed Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture. At that moment, the entire hall was extremely quiet, and everyone was looking at Wang Yan, who already had the absolute qualifications to stand in the first row, watching his reaction.

But unfortunately, Wang Yan happily accepted the Emperor's latest appointment, and that very day he went happily to the Ministry of Agriculture to work, where he executed three people and threw six others into prison for strict investigation and severe punishment.

In his early years, when Wang Yan served in the Ministry of Agriculture, he had already rectified it once, but he had been away from the Ministry of Agriculture for several years, and the atmosphere had deteriorated again. The officials were divided into three groups: Guanlong, Southern, and commoners. The three Wang Yan executed were one from each family; he did not favor one over the other. He dealt with the matter, not the person. The aristocratic children not only failed to do their jobs well, but also dared to provoke him, and the commoner children who had risen to power acted as dogs for the aristocratic children and opposed him; all of them were asking for death.

That very day, someone submitted a memorial impeaching Wang Yan for being arrogant and domineering, because he had killed people directly in the government office, without any dignity as an official.

Without a doubt, Yang Guang didn't care and did not target Wang Yan because of this.

This conveyed an attitude, a very bad attitude.

Normally, even if Wang Yan had a point, killing someone directly in the government office would at least require a light or heavy reprimand, a symbolic deduction of salary, and the matter would be over. But there was none.

Among the top figures of imperial power, there are only bad people, no stupid people. Many people noticed this, and it was a very bad signal...

"Brother, you are too reckless." Shi Your Majesty looked heartbroken.

Wang Yan smiled happily as he poured wine for Shi Your Majesty: "Brother, you are the one who is more reckless. I killed people during the day, and you come to drink with me at night? Since you know the key to this, it's not appropriate to be too close at this time."

"Pah, don't you look down on me? You and I have been brothers for many years, and I know you are dedicated to the country and the people, never having any selfish motives. You have made so many great achievements, you are the only one in history, and no famous general is stronger than you. Now that you have returned with great achievements, not even half a month has passed, and you are being suspected and framed. It is truly extremely hateful! I can't stand it!"

"Brother, be careful with your words. I have told you long ago that as long as I can be a wealthy idler in peace, I am willing."

"Brother, this is not the time for you to be a wealthy idler. Looking at the current situation, they want your life..."

Shi Your Majesty drank a large gulp of wine by himself and let out a long, depressed breath. "I told you long ago to think about yourself and leave yourself a way out. I don't believe that there is no one in Liaodong, Bingzhou, or the Navy who hasn't told you? In this city of Luoyang, no one has told you? You shouldn't have come back!"

"If I don't come back, it's rebellion."

"You are not a pedantic and foolishly loyal person. I remember you once said..."

"Brother, let's talk about drinking when we drink." Wang Yan raised his wine glass, interrupting Shi Your Majesty's words. "Cheers!"

"Sigh..."

Shi Your Majesty didn't say anything more in the end, only let out a long sigh, feeling that it was not worth it for Wang Yan, this good brother...

Wang Yan really didn't make any moves; he just went to work with peace of mind every day, occasionally skipping work to play with the children for a while, or taking the whole family out to the outskirts of the city to stroll around and enjoy the scenery.

However, the attacks and framing surrounding him never stopped. Some people in the army asked him to transfer jobs, and he helped; this was interfering in military affairs, being reluctant to let go of power, and harboring ulterior motives. Some of the common soldiers who used to hang out with him were now still common soldiers, transferred to Luoyang for garrison duty, and a group of people came to visit him; he received them and drank with them, which was buying military hearts, not to mention those disabled veterans he received.

The fleet his family developed and his private armed forces were labeled as private soldiers, accusing him of secretly harboring armored men to plot rebellion. He did business, and was accused of hoarding money and grain. He built farms, improved the living standards of the villagers, and built schools and clinics in various places, saying he was buying the hearts of the people.

In short, everything he did was wrong, and there were people accusing him of everything he did. A huge force suppressed him.

Wang Yan knew that this was the power of feudal centralization, the power of the great clans.

They were blatantly suppressing Wang Yan, dismantling the forces Wang Yan controlled, and carving up everything Wang Yan possessed.

Wang Yan just smiled at this. As long as no one was jumping around in front of him, he pretended not to know. He did his own things steadily and lived a regular life.

It was just that he hadn't seen Yang Guang alone for a long time, and Yang Guang hadn't asked for his opinion on some matters for a long time.

He just farmed at the Ministry of Agriculture, he couldn't leave Luoyang, he had to report his travels, and there were many pairs of eyes staring at him.

Even, as time passed, his affairs had spread to the grassroots officers and soldiers. This wind didn't know how it started, but countless people had heard of his encounter and knew his situation. And there were various legends that were passed on by word of mouth.

Anyone with a little bit of knowledge understood that the Emperor wanted to kill Wang Yan!

?? Daily thanks to the good brothers who tipped, voted with monthly tickets, and recommended tickets, and who read silently for their strong support!

? (End of chapter)