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The death of Yan Rong was not due to his cruelty; the saying "frozen three feet is not a day's cold" applies here. The emperor was not unaware of Yan Rong's tyranny. Over the years, he had favored ruthless officials, allowing wolves to govern, and turning a blind eye to their excesses had long ceased to be a novelty.
The main reason for Yan Rong's downfall was his defiance of the emperor's orders. The year before, Yuan Hongzi had been dispatched to serve under Yan Rong but had refused out of fear. After learning the reason, the emperor decreed that any punishment exceeding ten strikes against Yuan Hongzi must be reported for imperial review.
This meant that any offense resulting in more than ten strikes against Yuan Hongzi had to be reported to the emperor for handling, and private punishment was prohibited.
Yuan Hongzi thought he had protection and happily took up his post, only to find himself assigned by the furious Yan Rong to oversee grain collection. For every grain or ear of grain lost to the wind, he would face lashes.
Each time he was punished, it was usually fewer than ten strikes, but enduring three or four punishments a day added up to dozens of lashes over time.
As resentment built up, Yan Rong feared that Yuan Hongzi would return to the capital to complain, so he simply imprisoned him without food, intending to starve him to death. Yuan Hongzi's wife went to the capital to report this, leading to the current situation.
The emperor's anger stemmed not from anything else but from the crime of defying imperial orders. Discussions among officials and the public revolved around how His Majesty did not punish officials who oppressed the people but instead executed those who disobeyed.
Interestingly, Yuan Hongzi replaced Yan Rong in his position, but he proved to be even more brutal. He took pleasure in torturing officials and commoners alike and had a penchant for pouring vinegar into people's noses.
In the spring of the fourth year of Ren Shou, the emperor fell ill and requested Venerable Monks to perform rituals for blessings before issuing a decree for a general amnesty.
However, the effects of the blessings were not very good; it was clear that the emperor did not have much time left. Any civil or military official who could attend court could see this.
At the same time, the emperor wished to visit Ren Shou Palace, which Yang Su had constructed using the lives of tens of thousands of commoners over two years as a summer retreat.
The court officials were unwilling for the emperor to leave the capital. Given his current health condition, it was crucial for him to remain safely within the palace and ensure the continuation of the Sui Dynasty's state and dynasty.
But at this moment, the Emperor was hardly concerned about the so-called grand scheme. He summoned Zhang Qiu Taiyi and Xiao Ji to divine good and bad omens.
Xiao Ji was the diviner chosen by the Queen to select a favorable location, while Zhang Qiu Taiyi held a higher reputation in the realm, having been a prodigy endowed with heavenly wisdom since childhood.
Xiao Ji naturally divined an excellent omen, but Zhang Qiu Taiyi predicted a dire misfortune. The Emperor was dissatisfied and ordered him to divine again. After re-examining, Zhang Qiu Taiyi humbly advised, "Your servant dares not embellish words; I fear it is a sign that the imperial carriage may not return."
The Emperor was furious and imprisoned him, declaring, "When I return from my visit to Ren Shou Palace, I will execute you, ensuring you die with complete conviction."
The Emperor led his confidant to Ren Shou Palace, leaving the Crown Prince in charge of state affairs. He issued rewards and provisions for every detail, entrusting them to the Crown Prince.
Yang Guang initially handled state matters diligently, showing no difference from the past. However, within less than half a month, he began to show signs of laxity and increasing extravagance, even taking in several beautiful concubines.
The court officials said nothing, and the confidant from the Eastern Palace showed no surprise either; they were well aware of what kind of person the Crown Prince was over these years.
Within the Eastern Palace, Li Jian Cheng visited Consort Crown Prince. The Xiao Family advised him, "Jian Cheng, you should persuade His Highness; how can he be so negligent at this critical moment?"
Li Jian Cheng sighed and replied, "I shall obey your command; however, I believe that neither I nor the Left Minister can sway His Highness at this time. Only you still hold some hope."
After speaking, Li Jian Cheng prepared to meet Yang Guang, demonstrating through action that he did not intend to shirk the Xiao Family's instructions.
Ultimately, the Xiao Family stopped Li Jian Cheng and decided to persuade Yang Guang themselves. Li Jian Cheng felt relieved; Yang Guang had never been one to welcome advice. He might not hold a grudge against the Xiao Family, but others would surely remember any slight and could settle scores at any moment.
He did not know how the Xiao Family had persuaded him, but Yang Guang had indeed restrained himself considerably. However, it was not difficult to see that he could not hold out for too long.
Before long, the emperor urgently summoned the Crown Prince and various ministers to Ren Shou Palace, reportedly because the Dragon Body was in poor condition.
On the way there, Li Jian Cheng said to Yang Guang, "Uncle, do not forget about Liu Shu and the others."
Yang Guang appeared to want to feign a look of sorrow, but the corners of his eyes and brows revealed his delight.
He paid little heed to Li Jian Cheng's reminder; in his view, Liu Shu and the others were merely waiting for death. It was just a matter of whether he would be willing to display the Imperial Favor at that time.
Seeing this, Li Jian Cheng said nothing more. The group arrived at the Summer Palace, where the emperor indeed looked weak and frail, while Chen and Cai were both in high spirits.
Clearly, His Majesty had not wasted his final moments.
The crowd wept and bowed in greeting. Yang Jian also perked up and spoke to each one. This time, even Li Jian Cheng was not overlooked. For reasons unknown, he even specially awarded Li Jian Cheng with a golden plate presented by the Outer Domain nation, encrusted with various gemstones—a true treasure of the ages.
This was a precious item that even Yang Su had failed to obtain when he sought it from His Majesty.
The emperor lay among his officials bidding farewell, shaking hands with emotion. This scene moved many, causing them to reminisce about the majestic emperor from the Kaihuang era.
Finally, he held Yang Guang's hand and instructed, "It seems Zhang Qiu Taiyi was right; my son should pardon him when you return."
Yang Guang accepted with tears in his eyes. After giving his final instructions, the emperor's strength gave out and he fell into a deep sleep. The crowd initially thought that His Majesty had passed away, but upon closer inspection, they found he was still breathing and could only call for the imperial physician to attend to him.
Under the leadership of Yang Su, everyone solemnly bowed to the Crown Prince and inquired about the arrangements.
The Crown Prince was about to become the ruler of the Nation and Land, and there was no room for negligence.
Yang Guang ordered the returning Duke of Bao, Yuwen Shu, to take charge of the military camp in the outskirts of the capital. Minister of Justice Yang Yue was assigned to oversee palace defenses, while Duke of Tang Li Yan was put in charge of city defenses. Left Guard General Xiao…
More than ten officials received their orders and left. Yang Guang's gaze fell on Li Jian Cheng as he said, "Crown Prince Stable Supervisor Li Jian Cheng is promoted to General Cheqi Yan Pi, leading the Garrison at Ren Shou Palace. Deputy General Li Jing will assist him along with Yuwen Huaji."
"Left Minister Yang Su will accompany me to attend to my illness, while Right Minister Suwei returns to the capital to handle state affairs. If there are any urgent military matters, send a swift horse to report to Ren Shou Palace."
Yang Guang clearly had made prior arrangements; confidants from the Eastern Palace occupied key positions and kept each other in check.
The remaining court officials remained relatively calm, though Minister of Personnel Duke Liu Shu and others looked somewhat displeased. The Crown Prince did not rush to address them, as it was just commanded by His Majesty that they accompany him during his illness.
After receiving his orders, Li Jian Cheng took Li Jingyu Culture and went to take over the Garrison and accompany the Imperial Guards. Although they had not received explicit instructions, the Crown Prince surely hoped they would smoothly assume control.
If they could secure it at this moment, it would undoubtedly be a significant achievement.
As expected, the commander of the Garrison easily handed over military authority and obediently followed behind Li Jian Cheng. However, the Commander of the Imperial Guards refused to relinquish command, citing that they were directly under His Majesty's orders.
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