Chapter 661 Important Secrets
Chapter 661 Important Secrets
Empress Xiao took her daughter and grandson to visit the imperial aunt under the leadership of Princess Cui Yu. Without mentioning how sad the women were, Xiao Xia and Xiao Zhurong were sitting in the outer study and talking.
Xiao Zhurong sighed and said, "The court has been in decline for the past few years, with officials constantly resigning and the Western Sui Dynasty suddenly appearing. People are unsettled and officials from top to bottom are desperately trying to make money. Many things have been arranged, but in the end, they are all done in a mess. They clearly received 1,000 strings of cash, but only spent 50 strings on the work, and the other 950 strings went into their own pockets. How can things be done well?
Or it will just be left unfinished, money will be spent but nothing will be accomplished, and the emperor will call me in and scold me at any time. I really can’t continue to work as the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.”
"When did it start?" Xiao Xia asked.
"It started after the disastrous defeat in the first Liaodong Campaign. Everyone said that the emperor's reputation had been ruined and that the aristocratic families and the gentry were extremely disappointed in him. I actually think so, too. You see, in just a few short years, the Sui Dynasty had declined beyond recognition. It felt like the end of the dynasty."
Xiao Xia nodded, "The Sui Dynasty was not established legitimately, and many people wanted to replace it. Those with resources and connections can take advantage of the success of others' rebellion, but those without resources and capital can only roll up their sleeves and do it themselves.
Now there are more and more powerful people rebelling. Originally, there was a big powerful person rebelling in each county, but now there are small powerful people rebelling in each county. It can only be said that the military power of the Sui Dynasty is too abundant. There is more military power than virtue, which leads to everyone wanting to rebel and not being afraid of rebellion. "
I just withdrew from the Shandong Peninsula, and now rebels are rising up everywhere. Pei Changcai and Shi Zihe are rebelling in Qi County, Guo Fangyu and Qin Junhong are rebelling in Beihai County, Zuo Xiaoyou is rebelling in Gaomi County, and there are also rebels such as Jie Xiang, Wang Liang, Zheng Dabiao, Li Wan, etc., all of whom have thousands or tens of thousands of people.
There are also many rebels in Hebei, including Dou Jiande, Song Jingang, Liu Heita, Zhang Jincheng, Lu Mingyue, Wei Daoer, Lu Mingxing, Shuai Rentai, Huo Xiaohan and so on.
These people are all powerful people in each county. In the past, they kept warriors, but now they have captured the county town. When they raise their banners, the people in the villages of the county who cannot survive flock to join them. "
"But there don't seem to be many rebellions in the South?" Xiao Zhurong said after a moment of hesitation.
Xiao Xia smiled and said, "There were many in the past, but I suppressed them all. Now there is also a rebellion in Lingnan, but that area is not under my jurisdiction. I plan to let Zhou Fashang and Lai Huer lead their troops to quell the rebellions in Lingnan."
While Xiao Xia and Xiao Zhurong were chatting, Yang Lihua sent Yang Feiyan and others away, leaving only her and Empress Xiao in the room.
Yang Lihua sighed and said, "Sister-in-law, I may not have much time left, but there are some things from the bottom of my heart that I must tell you."
Empress Xiao held her skinny hand and asked, "What do you want to tell me, elder sister?"
"Let me show you something."
Yang Lihua took out a small box from the bedside and opened it. Inside was an imperial edict. Yang Lihua took out the imperial edict and handed it to Empress Xiao, "Take a look for yourself!"
Empress Xiao slowly unfolded the imperial edict and was immediately shocked. It turned out to be the edict of the late emperor. The edict clearly designated the concubine's grandson Yang Xia as the crown prince. This Yang Xia was naturally Xiao Xia's legal name.
"Is this true?"
Yang Lihua nodded, "It's true. Father said that although Zhao'er is virtuous, he is not destined to live long and cannot shoulder the imperial cause. Liang'er is too impulsive and violent, and is not suitable for governing the world. Only the third child, Yang Xia, is brave, wise, and humble, and can shoulder the cause of the Sui Dynasty. That's why he wants to make Xia'er the empress. You are the queen, so tell the emperor about this!"
Empress Xiao hesitated and said, "But the emperor wants to establish the crown prince. He is very stubborn and will not listen to others' advice. If he wanted to establish Xia'er, he would have done it long ago." Yang Lihua shook her head and said, "The three grandchildren are too weak. Now there are many powerful men in the Sui Dynasty. The three grandchildren are no match for them. If you entrust the throne to them, not only will they fail to protect the Sui Dynasty, but they will also lose their lives. And you, you are the queen of the Sui Dynasty, and you have always been the target of powerful men in troubled times. Once the emperor has any accident, Xia'er can protect you, but can you still count on the protection of the three grandchildren?"
Empress Xiao's face changed. Yang Lihua's last words hit her biggest concern. If something happened to her husband, who could protect herself and her family?
Empress Xiao nodded gently, "Give me this decree! I will pass it on to the emperor and try my best to persuade him."
Yang Lihua handed the imperial edict to her solemnly and said, "Xia'er doesn't need this. He has enough strength. All he needs is to be justified. You are the queen and his mother. I will leave this matter to you."
In Luoyang, Yuan Wendu came to visit Wang Long on behalf of the Yuan family. Wang Long's original surname was Zhi. His father was the leader of the Qiang and Hu in Jiaohe County, and his mother was Han Chinese, so he changed his Han surname to Wang.
After Wang Long clung to the Yuan family, he was recommended by the Yuan family many times and eventually became the governor of Jiaohe County.
However, Wang Long was rebellious by nature and never knew what loyalty was. After he clung to the Yuan family and gained rich benefits, he offered his daughter to Qin Wang Yang Jun. With his daughter's charm, he successively served Qin Wang, Han Wang, and then followed the young Qi Wang Yang Jun. His daughter was always loved by him, and Wang Long's career was also prosperous. Because he betrayed Qi Wang in time, he was appreciated by Emperor Yang Guang, and finally became the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Punishment step by step.
In the study, Wang Long finished reading the letter written to him by Yuan Xiaoju, and after a while he said, "You actually named me the King of Henan. Can I trust you?"
Yuan Wendu smiled faintly and said, "The Yuan family has been hiding it for you. Back then, you sent someone to shoot Crown Prince Yang Zhao with a poisoned arrow, causing his brain to be poisoned and become demented. It's been almost ten years! The Yuan family has kept your secret for ten years, and you still don't trust us?"
Wang Long's face changed, and he said coldly: "Is the Yuan family threatening me?"
"It's not a threat. I'm just reminding you that wealth and honor come from risk. If the Wang family wants to go further, they must take risks, and the King of Henan is the reward you deserve for taking risks."
Wang Long pondered for a long time and said, "The whereabouts of the assassin who assassinated Crown Prince Yang Zhao remain unknown. Could it be that he is in the hands of the Yuan family?"
Yuan Wendu nodded, "That's right, it also includes his poison crossbow and poison arrows, but we definitely don't want to take it out."
The direct threat from the Yuan family really made Wang Long extremely annoyed, but he was helpless. He was well aware of the emperor and the queen's grief over Yang Zhao. Once they knew that he was the one who sent people to assassinate him, the queen would never let him go even if the emperor did not pursue it. This could be said to be his biggest weakness, which was actually grasped by the Yuan family.
However, he was quite tempted by the Yuan family's suggestion. He pondered for a moment and said, "I can agree to it, but I still need to consider the details!"
Yuan Wendu stood up, clasped his fists and said, "I'll take my leave first. I'll come back to discuss this with the Prime Minister in three days!"
Wang Long sent Yuan Wendu away, and then told the housekeeper, "Let Xuanji and Laowu come to my study!"
(End of this chapter)