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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 185: Shared Joy in Drinking
The status of the Li Family in Chang'an was gradually becoming transcendent. Even the collateral branches were rising at an unreasonable speed, beginning to take control of key positions throughout the city.
As the regent of Chang'an, Dai Wang Yang You naturally noticed this, but he felt powerless. Now, there were hardly any officials attending court meetings. If it weren't for the support of his maternal family, he would likely be worrying about his basic needs.
"Uncle, what should we do now?"
Minister of Justice Wei Yijie was also troubled. It was one thing for Li Jian Cheng to escape from the Turkic territories, but it was another entirely that he managed to seize Taiyuan with just a thousand troops, prompting the various noble families to heavily invest against the Li Family.
Though he held a prominent position in Jingzhao, he could not contend with so many families. Keeping Yang You safe and sound until now had already exhausted all his efforts.
There were no familial ties between the Wei Family and the main line of the Li Family. If given a choice, they would certainly prefer a ruler from the Wei bloodline to ascend to the throne.
Unfortunately, there was no choice now. Wei Yijie still had some feelings for the regent and quietly advised, "Your Highness, do not think of anything else right now. It is crucial to stay low-key and protect your own life."
Yang You's expression grew increasingly grim. Wei Yijie stepped forward and grasped his shoulder: "It is not that the Li Family seeks to usurp power; it is that His Majesty has lost the nation. So do not hate the Li Family or anyone else; only then can you survive."
Yang You wept, "Whether I hate or not, I cannot survive. Uncle, there is no need to deceive me."
Wei Yijie whispered, "Everything must be justified. The power in Chang'an has already fallen into Li Yan's hands, yet Your Highness remains unharmed. This suggests that he wishes for you to abdicate."
"But my grandfather is still alive; how can I have the right to abdicate our national treasure? Moreover, even if I did abdicate, I would most likely perish soon after. If so, I do not wish to live a few more years only to be a disgrace to my family. I only ask that you grant me a swift end."
At just twelve years old, Yang You had already resolved himself to death. Wei Yijie sighed: "I will do my utmost to protect you so that you may marry and have children and live a prosperous life."
Naturally, no one wished for death if they could live. Yang You quietly listened to his uncle's instructions and then watched him leave the palace, heading straight for Duke Tang's Residence.
In Duke Tang's Residence, an elder from the Dugu Clan was speaking passionately, "The world was built by our ancestors together. Since the Founding Emperor pacified Kanto, it has been the duty of the emperor and the noble families to share the realm. The safety and stability of the world are responsibilities that cannot be neglected after achieving such merit.
If the emperor is unworthy and the court is in chaos, then the descendants of Wuchuan must stand up to rectify the wrongs for the sake of the world!"
Wei Yijie entered and responded, "When the Sui lost their deer, it is only natural for the old followers of Wuchuan to pursue it together; this is the way of heaven."
The others were not surprised by Wei Yijie's arrival; in fact, they thought it rather foolish that he had come so late.
How could a mere nephew compare to an entire family?
Wei Yijie respectfully greeted Li Yan, which also represented the attitude of all Capital Wei of Jingzhao, thus solidifying Changan's position.
…………
In Jinyang City, within the former Han Wangfu, Li Jian Cheng was handling various matters. Qin Shubao and Wang Xuba were taking the head of Wei Daoren to reclaim the county cities under Taiyuan County, and things were going quite smoothly.
Most surrendered without a fight. However, following Li Jian Cheng's orders, Qin Shubao did not show any leniency towards the leaders of those who surrendered. Upon entering the city, he ensured that any who had committed serious crimes were executed publicly.
He did not need a rabble to bolster his ranks; over ten thousand captured bandits were mostly arranged for farming. Only those with exceptional bravery were selected to join Zhang Hutan and Pan Changwen for training.
They were then dispatched to various locations to eliminate bandits while simultaneously relieving the common people from taxes and labor. They even lent seeds and plowing oxen to the farmers. After abolishing the harsh laws and taxes of the Sui Dynasty, Taiyuan County began to show signs of life.
Li Jian Cheng currently lacked for neither food nor supplies; both Changan and Zhuojun had vast reserves that could be mobilized at any time.
With over ten thousand rebels focusing on farming, a significant amount of pressure would be alleviated, especially by the end of next year.
“Your Excellency, a decree has arrived from Jiangdu.”
Li Jian Cheng was not surprised; no matter how isolated the news might be, the Emperor must have known he had returned.
Li Jian Cheng sat upright as the eunuch entered, hesitating to speak. Finally, he cleared his throat and began to read the decree.
First, it praised Li Jian Cheng's past achievements, promoting him to Governor of Yongzhou and Grand Minister of Ceremonies, and finally commanding him to hurry to Jiangdu to meet the Emperor.
Li Jian Cheng couldn't help but chuckle. At this point, the Emperor was still stingy with the title of Minister of Rites.
The eunuch held the decree with trembling hands, eager to hear Li Jian Cheng's response, but there was none. Just as he felt his arms growing weary, the decree was lightly taken from him.
“I accept the decree.”
Li Jian Cheng casually tossed the document onto the table. The eunuch smiled ingratiatingly and asked, “Minister Li, when will you head to Jiangdu to meet His Majesty? You may not know this, but His Majesty has been missing you.”
Li Jian Cheng replied with a smile, “Taiyuan is stable now, and there are still many affairs that need my attention. I will go to Jiangdu to pay my respects to His Majesty next year.”
“But... Your Excellency, His Majesty wishes for you to go to Jiangdu immediately.”
“But I don’t want to go. I fear that His Majesty will send me back to Turkic again.”
The eunuch knelt and bowed his head, stammering, “His Majesty asked me to remind you that Noble Second Young Master is still in Jiangdu.”
Li Jian Cheng remained silent. The eunuch was dragged away, and Zhang Hutan stepped forward from the side. “My Lord, if General goes to Jiangdu, he will surely bring Er Lang Jun back.”
Li Jian Cheng shook his head. "Er Lang will be fine. Jiangdu is no longer the Jiangdu of the emperor. Even if he were to order something in a fit of rage, no one would dare to carry it out. Besides, my family’s Er Lang is not someone who can't even protect himself."
Since last year, over a hundred luxurious villas had been built in Jiangdu Palace, each housing a beautiful woman. Every day, one of these women was appointed as the main host, while the emperor entertained the Queen and Consort as guests. The emperor and empress drank without pause, and the palace filled with over a thousand concubines often found themselves intoxicated.
Zhao Yuankai, the Jiangdu County Magistrate, and Shen Guang, General of the Xiong Kingdom, stood in front of the palace watching the drunken emperor. He had removed his Dragon Robe and Crown, using a branch he broke off from a tree as a walking stick. Dressed in a short robe, he wandered about the halls.
Everyone had grown accustomed to this situation; the emperor greedily enjoyed each day, whether it was fine wine, exquisite food, or beautiful scenery, all deeply etched in his heart.
Even late into the night, the emperor continued to roam around the halls. A cold wind finally roused him from his stupor as he stared blankly at the stars above. Wang Yi attempted to drape an outer robe over him but was kicked away.
When the Queen arrived with tears in her beautiful eyes, the emperor mysteriously pulled her close. "There are many plotting against me outside, but you are still the Great Wall Duke and I am still Shen Hou. Let us enjoy our drinks together!"
There are many people outside scheming against me, but let them plot all they want. At worst, I will be the Great Wall Duke and you will be Shen Hou; we can still live in wealth and comfort.
(End of Chapter)
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