Chapter 480

Yuwen Ze stepped forward first, bowing and cupping his hands as his brocade robe fluttered, his voice cold but resonant: "I ask Your Majesty to punish the Prince of Qiao severely and return justice to the people of Chang'an!"

Houmochen Yi then straightened his body and kowtowed, his aged voice carrying the determination of burning the boats: "This subject seconds the motion! The Prince of Qiao's crimes are heinous. If he is not punished severely, it will not be enough to appease the public anger. I beg Your Majesty to deal with him with thunderous force!"

Yuwen Yi followed closely behind, cupping his hands to his chest, his tone as resonant as iron: "This subject seconds the motion! Use the laws of the country to rectify his crimes, use the hearts of the people to stabilize the situation, return clarity to the court, and return peace to the people!"

Yuwen Yong raised his hand, and the shouting in the hall stopped abruptly. His gaze swept over the ministers kowtowing below the steps and landed on Yuwen Ang, nodding slowly, his voice steady but carrying an unquestionable majesty: "What you ministers request is reasonable!"

"The Prince of Qiao practiced usury to harm the people, causing countless families to be broken and destroyed; the public grievance is deep. He insulted the regent Grand Tutor, showed contempt for the court, and shook the foundation of the country."

"If he is not punished severely today, it is condoning evil, chilling the hearts of the people of Chang'an, and even more chilling the sincere heart of the Grand Tutor who has given his heart and blood to assist Great Zhou!"

He paused, his fingertips tapping lightly on the imperial desk.

Taking a deep breath, Yuwen Yong raised his voice abruptly, his dragon majesty spreading throughout the hall: "Transmit this Emperor's decree—"

"First, strip Yuwen Ang of his title as Prince of Qiao, demote him to a commoner, remove him from the imperial genealogy, and he shall never be enfeoffed again!"

"Second, the assets and land of the Prince of Qiao's mansion shall be inventoried under the leadership of the Jingzhao Yin and used entirely to compensate the exploited people. Each affected farming household shall be additionally rewarded with three piculs of millet and two bolts of cloth to ensure the hearts of the people are pacified!"

"Third, throw Yuwen Ang into the Imperial Clan Mansion for ten years of confinement, supervised personally by the clan master, to teach him to study the 'Rites of Zhou' and the 'Book of Rites,' to understand honor and inferiority, to know shame, and to know awe!"

"Within ten years, he shall not step out of the Imperial Clan Mansion for half a step. If there is any disobedience, the punishment will be increased!"

Yuwen Yong on the throne had a solemn expression, but a trace of imperceptible calculation flashed in his eyes...

Using Old Seven to win the trust of Yuwen Hu and his son—this deal is very worthwhile!

Yuwen Ang's whole body was as soft as a puddle of mud. Yuwen Yong's decree hit his heart like a heavy hammer. He opened his mouth in a daze, his lips trembling, and muttered repeatedly: "Strip the princely title? Ten years of confinement?"

His voice was so weak it was almost inaudible, the despair in his eyes turning into dead ash. He stared fixedly at Chen Yan, who was standing solemnly in the hall, and a bitter murmur spilled from his throat: "Completely... planted in Chen Yan's hands..."

Before his voice fell, a sharp pain hit his chest, and his blood surged backward to his throat. He let out a muffled "Ugh!"

A mouthful of dark red blood gushed from the corners of his mouth, splashing onto the cold golden bricks and blooming into eye-catching blood flowers.

His eyes rolled back, and his body slumped softly.

Chen Yan bowed first, the hem of his robe brushing against the golden bricks, his voice as resonant as a bell, and he was the first to shout loudly: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Before his voice fell, Yuwen Ze, Houmochen Yi, and Yuwen Yi all bowed together, following closely behind and shouting: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Chen Yan stood straight, deliberately piling a look of genuine reverence on his face, and said loudly: "Your Majesty's handling of this matter not only punishes evil to rectify the laws of the country but also shows compassion for the people to pacify their hearts, taking into account both discipline and benevolence. You are truly a wise monarch!"

Immediately, he raised his eyes to look at the throne, his gaze full of admiration, his tone becoming more and more resonant: "This subject admires you to the extreme!"

Flattery was originally this man Chen's old profession.

Anyway, flattery doesn't cost anything, and it can also coax this little Emperor to be happy...

Yuwen Yong raised his hand and pressed it down, the smile on his face fading, returning to steadiness and solemnity, his voice thick and powerful: "As the master of Great Zhou and the master of all people, rectifying the court and pacifying the people is originally my duty!"

As his voice fell, he turned his head and shouted sternly toward the outside of the hall: "Someone, come here!"

"Here!" The imperial guards on duty outside the hall heard the sound and entered, their iron armor clanking. They knelt in the hall in unison and responded respectfully, their voices shaking the four walls.

"Drag Yuwen Ang down!" Yuwen Yong swept his gaze over Yuwen Ang on the ground and said in a deep voice:

"As you command!" The imperial guards responded in unison. When they stood up, their movements were uniform, and they walked quickly toward Yuwen Ang, who was slumped on the ground, two of them supporting his arms.

"Imperial brother!"

Yuwen Ang was dragged away by the imperial guards, weak whimpers spilling from his throat. His turbid eyeballs turned with difficulty, staring fixedly at Yuwen Yong on the throne, his voice as thin as a thread but carrying heart-rending pleading: "Imperial brother, are you going to abandon this younger brother too?"

He struggled to lift his body, but was pressed down tightly by the iron-pincer-like arms of the imperial guards. He could only twist his neck in vain, tears mixing with the blood at the corners of his mouth: "This younger brother knows he was wrong... please give me one more chance..."

The pleading was mournful and desperate, but it only exchanged for the silence of the hall.

Yuwen Yong sat on the throne, his eyelids lowered, and never looked at him again.

The imperial guards did not hesitate, dragging Yuwen Ang forward as he stumbled. His dragged robes brushed over the pool of dark red blood, leaving a winding trail, and they dragged him straight out of the hall.

Yuwen Yong swept his gaze over the people standing solemnly below the steps, his voice as steady as a rock: "Do you ministers have anything else to report?"

Chen Yan bowed first, Yuwen Ze and the others followed closely behind, responding in unison: "This subject has nothing else!"

Yuwen Yong raised his hand and waved it: "Since there is nothing else, then return to your respective offices and continue to handle official business. Do not be slack!"

"This subject takes his leave!" Everyone bowed in unison, their movements uniform, and slowly exited the Wude Hall along both sides of the hall.

Outside the hall.

Yuwen Yi quickly caught up with Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze, bowed and cupped his hands, his face full of respect, his voice lowered but clear: "Duke, Prince, since the court matter is over, this subordinate will take his leave first!"

As an old hand who had been an official for more than ten years, Yuwen Yi knew very well that one should not be too utilitarian or too hasty in everything...

One must first leave a good impression, and then visit with gifts in a few days.

Chen Yan nodded slowly to show his acknowledgment.

Seeing this, Yuwen Yi bowed again, said no more, turned around, and walked away quickly, soon disappearing around the corner of the palace path.

Houmochen Yi walked side by side with Chen Yan on the palace path. His gaze swept over Chen Yan's steady profile, and he suddenly grinned, his tone carrying a bit of probing and familiarity: "Duke, has my dog of a son been causing you any trouble at the mansion recently?"

Hearing this, the corners of his mouth hooked into a calm smile, his fingertips still rubbing the jade pendant at his waist, his gaze looking toward the distant palace towers, his tone meaningful: "Axiao and Axu are exceptionally talented and down-to-earth. This mansion thinks highly of them..."

"Given time, they will surely achieve great things!"

Houmochen Yi nodded heavily, the smile on his face becoming more genuine. He stroked his graying beard and said in a deep voice: "With your words, Duke, this old man can rest assured!"

He paused, changed the subject, his gaze stayed on Yuwen Xian's face for a moment, and he lowered his voice: "These two children are young and still lack tempering. If you have any errands for them, Duke, feel free to use them more!"

After saying this, he glanced at Chen Yan meaningfully again, cupped his hands, and added: "This old man believes that your vision and training, Duke, will surely allow them to grow faster."

The words were full of hints.

The so-called "errands" actually meant that the next time Chen Yan went on an expedition or had a major case, he should take the two brothers, Houmochen Xiao and Houmochen Xu, with him...

He didn't ask for them to make great contributions; just being able to polish their resumes and get some gold plating was excellent, which would make it convenient for the operations and scheduling of people like Wang Xiong.

Chen Yan raised his hand, patted Houmochen Yi's arm, his tone firm and promising: "Rest assured, Pillar of State, this mansion will definitely provide a stage for the two young masters to shine!"

Immediately, their gazes met. Both were people with clear minds and instantly understood each other's deep meaning.

Chen Yan hooked his lips first, and Houmochen Yi also stroked his beard and laughed loudly, adding a bit of tacit understanding.

The smile on Houmochen Yi's face became even thicker. He stroked his beard, his tone full of satisfaction: "Then this old man will return to the Autumn Office first!"

After saying this, he cupped his hands to Chen Yan again, turned around, and walked away with steady steps.

His robes fluttered slowly in the wind, and his back became more and more straight. Obviously, after achieving his goal, he was in an exceptionally happy mood.

When he reached the fork in the palace path, he didn't forget to look back and nod at Chen Yan from afar.

Yuwen Ze turned to look at Chen Yan, a playful smile on his lips, and whispered: "Brother, this Yuwen Yi is quite sensible..."

He also didn't expect that this clan brother, the Junior Chancellor, would choose a side so decisively...

"Hmm!"

Chen Yan's eyes were calm, and he nodded slowly in response: "He is someone who knows the times..."

Just as Yuwen Ze was about to continue saying something, a burst of hurried footsteps came from the end of the palace path.

An inner court attendant dressed in green palace clothes, with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, trotted over and shouted loudly: "Duke of Wei, please stay!"

Chen Yan paused his steps, turned his head, and asked: "Does the attendant have something to say?"

The attendant ran up to him, caught his breath, hurriedly bowed, his tone respectful but unable to hide his urgency: "Reporting to the Duke, His Majesty has an oral order to summon you alone at the Linshui Pavilion in the Forbidden Garden. I ask the Duke to follow this servant immediately!"

Yuwen Yong wants to see me alone?............ Chen Yan muttered in his heart, exchanged a look with Yuwen Ze, and looked at the attendant, his tone steady and waveless: "Then please lead the way, attendant."

The attendant hurriedly responded: "Duke, please follow this servant!"

After saying this, he turned around and led the way with light steps, the hem of his green palace clothes drawing fine arcs on the palace path.

Yuwen Ze looked at the receding silhouette, his brows furrowing slightly involuntarily, and he muttered secretly in his heart: "His Majesty wants to summon brother alone?"

"What is he going to do?"

Vaguely, he smelled an unusual scent...

Yuwen Ze stood still for a moment, looking toward the depths of the palace garden, his expression becoming more and more solemn.

The Linshui Pavilion in the depths of the Forbidden Garden was situated above the clear waves.

The vermilion pavilion pillars reflected in the clear lake water, and the copper bells hanging from the eaves rang lightly with the wind, shattering into clear and pleasant sounds.

A few withered lotus leaves floated on the lake surface, the edges of the dark green leaves tinged with pale yellow.

Occasionally, koi fish would flick their tails, stirring up the reflections of the pavilion in the water and rippling out layers of ripples.

The pavilion was covered with dark-patterned brocade cushions, and Yuwen Yong was already sitting at the desk by the water.

A warm teacup was placed on the desk, steam rising in curls, blurring his deep eyes.

The attendant led Chen Yan along the curved bridge, the sound of his boots stepping on the bluestone covered by the wind on the lake.

When he reached the pavilion, Chen Yan bowed and cupped his hands, his voice respectful and steady: "This subject Chen Yan pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Yuwen Yong withdrew his gaze from the lake and raised his hand lightly: "No need for formalities!"

His fingertips pointed to the stone stool covered with dark-patterned brocade cushions beside him, "Come, Duke, sit!"

"Yes." Chen Yan did not decline, responded, and sat down.

The moment he sat down, his gaze lowered slightly, but he used his peripheral vision to size up Yuwen Yong...

Thinking about what this guy was planning...

"Duke, come and taste the good tea this Emperor has treasured!"

Yuwen Yong stood up slowly and raised his hand to pick up the purple clay teapot on the desk.

The pot body was warm and moist, and the tea fragrance drifted out with the movement, carrying a bit of mellowness in its clarity.

His wrist tilted slightly, and the amber tea soup slowly poured into the celadon teacup along the spout. The tea soup was clear, the foam scattered lightly, and the heat steamed upward.

Is he planning to set up a persona of being respectful to the virtuous?.............. Chen Yan witnessed this scene, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he muttered in his heart, but his attitude was completely different from Feng Qi's. He did not decline, accepted it very calmly, raised the celadon teacup, and smiled: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Immediately, he nodded slightly, brought the teacup to his lips, and took a shallow sip.

Yuwen Yong sat down again, picked up his own teacup but did not drink, his fingertips rubbing the rim of the cup, admiration gradually rising in his eyes, and he began to talk eloquently: "Since this Emperor was still in the residence, the Duke's name has been like thunder to my ears!"

"Fighting against Wang and Xie while drunk, pacifying the chaos in Qinzhou, suppressing bandits in Jingzhou, breaking three thousand with a hundred cavalry, capturing the Turkic Teqin alive, establishing an alliance between the two countries, later assisting the Grand Tutor in destroying the rebels in the court, stabilizing the foundation of the court, and then the recent suppression of the rebellion in Hezhou, leading the army to raid thousands of miles, winning a great victory over Tuyuhun, and expanding the territory by thousands of miles..."

He counted them one by one as if they were his own treasures, every achievement explained clearly and concisely, the light in his eyes becoming more and more fiery.

It was deliberate and also from the heart.

After all, the clearer he was about the ability of the minister in front of him, the more he cherished talent...

"Your Majesty praises me too much!"

Chen Yan listened to this commercial flattery, his heart calm, but his expression became more and more respectful, his tone carrying a bit of flustered humility: "This subject has only made minor contributions; it is all part of my duty and not worth mentioning!"

Yuwen Yong raised his teacup, his fingertips exerting slight force, the admiration in his eyes not diminishing in the slightest, his tone becoming more earnest: "Duke, you are too humble!"

He looked at Chen Yan with burning eyes, his voice resonant and powerful: "Literary talent can pacify the country, and martial talent can stabilize the country. You are truly a minister of the state for our Great Zhou!"

The teacup turned lightly in his palm, his tone full of emotion: "Great Zhou having a pillar like the Duke is truly the fortune of Great Zhou and the fortune of all people!"

As his voice fell, Yuwen Yong drank a sip of tea slowly. When he put down the teacup, a trace of genuine admiration flashed in his eyes, and he sighed: "This Emperor truly admires the Duke to the extreme!"

This guy Yuwen Yong, he wouldn't be trying to win me over, would he?.............. A trace of complexity flashed quickly in Chen Yan's eyes—speculation, doubt, and even more of an unspeakable caution—but it was covered up by respect in an instant. He immediately cupped his hands, lowered his head slightly, his voice low and earnest: "This subject is ashamed and dare not accept!"

Yuwen Yong raised his hand, patted Chen Yan's shoulder heavily, and exhorted: "Duke, you must work hard for this Emperor and for Great Zhou under the Grand Tutor!"

He bit the words "Grand Tutor" with extra emphasis.

Although this young Emperor admired Chen Yan extremely, he knew deeply that he could not be too hasty...

For Yuwen Hu's loyal dog, he had to wait until Yuwen Hu was no longer in the world and he urgently needed a new backer before throwing out an olive branch to harvest 100% loyalty...

At this time, it was just showing favor to get closer.

Chen Yan straightened his spine, raised his eyes to meet Yuwen Yong's gaze, and said with conviction: "Your Majesty, rest assured! This subject will definitely be dutiful and loyal under the Grand Tutor's command, giving my all for Great Zhou!"

He was completely the image of a loyal minister willing to go through fire and water for the monarch.

A satisfied smile appeared on Yuwen Yong's face, his eyes full of expectation, and he said loudly: "This Emperor awaits the Duke to make new contributions!"

He paused, the subject changed abruptly, his tone added a bit of mystery, and a meaningful smile hooked the corners of his lips: "By the way, this Emperor summoned the Duke alone because there is a good thing to share with you..."

A good thing? Share? What the hell?............ Chen Yan muttered in his heart, his brows full of confusion, and asked: "Your Majesty, I wonder what it is?"

"Clap clap!"

Yuwen Yong raised his hand and clapped twice, saying: "Bring it up!"

As soon as his voice fell, an attendant holding a gold-traced purple sandalwood brocade box walked over quickly. The surface of the brocade box was embroidered with complex cloud patterns, and the corners were inlaid with fine pearls. It was clear at a glance that it was worth a lot.

Placing the brocade box gently on the desk, the attendant bowed and retreated silently to outside the pavilion, standing far away.

Yuwen Yong pointed to the brocade box on the desk and said mysteriously: "Duke, please look!"

After saying this, he personally reached out to uncover the gilded buckle of the brocade box, and the lid opened slowly.

In an instant, a clear and strange fragrance rushed toward them.

Only to see two pills the size of pigeon eggs lying quietly in the center, lined with dark red velvet. They were entirely translucent white, glowing with a warm luster, and faint flowing light circulated on the surface. It was clear at a glance that they were not ordinary objects.

"This... this... this is a pill?!"

Chen Yan's gaze was nailed to the two translucent white pills in the brocade box. His pupils shrank suddenly, his lips trembled, and his voice carried irrepressible panic and disbelief.

The point of this man Chen's shock was not that he hadn't seen pills, but that this thing was very familiar—too familiar...

This motherfucker was clearly refined by Yun Xi!

What does Yuwen Yong mean by this? Could it be that he has detected my intentions?............ Chen Yan immediately became vigilant, still maintaining the appearance of being shocked by the pills, and tentatively asked: "What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

【"During the reign of the Spirit Emperor, he was mediocre and weak, and the court discipline was not upheld. At that time, the Prince of Qiao was immoral, harming the common people, and public grievances were boiling.

The Founding Emperor and wise ministers like the Duke of Liang, Yi, were heartbroken, repeatedly submitting memorials to remonstrate, earnestly persuading, and clarifying the pros and cons.

The Spirit Emperor accepted their loyal advice and rectified the laws: stripping the Prince of Qiao of his title and land, confiscating the assets of the Prince of Qiao's mansion to compensate the people; confining Ang for ten years, ordering the clan master to teach him strictly, making him understand the order of honor and inferiority and the etiquette of monarch and subject.

The Founding Emperor worked tirelessly day and night, forcefully turning the tide, and the people of Chang'an finally received justice, their grievances redressed.

Ang reaped what he sowed, finally eating the fruit of his own actions, to pay for his crimes.

The heart of the Founding Emperor was deeply concerned for the people, and his sincerity in worrying about the country and the people is enough to be recorded in history and admired by all generations!"】

【— "History of Wei" · Annals of Emperor Wen, the Founding Emperor】