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Chapter 101: The Hundred Plays
After chatting for a while about their recent circumstances, the two stepped outside to lean against the railing and gaze out. Li Jian Cheng said, "Since Yang Gong left, you have worked hard, brother."
Yang Xuangan felt a pang in his heart. After their father passed away, it was just him and Uncle Yang Yue struggling to maintain their position. He inherited the title of Duke of Chu and dismissed the former officials, but the emperor's oppression had never ceased.
He himself had been demoted to a remote area, while Uncle Yang Yue faced numerous demotions and was eventually expelled from the court. He became the Xiyang Governor and passed away six months ago due to illness. Only then was Yang Xuangan recalled to the capital as Minister of Rites.
Like their father, Uncle Yang Yue had refrained from seeking medical treatment during his illness for the sake of the family and for him. Who could understand such pain?
Yang Xuangan forced a smile. "With our family background, we are bound to experience ups and downs."
The Yang Family had not yet hit rock bottom; after all, in just a few years since Emperor's continued oppression following Yang Su's death, it was evident how significant a legacy Yang Su had left behind.
"In a few more years, brother, you will be able to stretch your ambitions."
"Thank you for your kind words." Yang Xuangan perked up. "Just yesterday, I met with the Prefects of Yuyang and Shanggu. They spoke highly of you."
With Zhuojun's affairs being burdensome and even more challenging after the war with Goguryeo, if you need assistance, you can seek help from them; they will not refuse."
Unexpectedly, Yang Xuangan was already consciously trying to win people over at this moment. Even more surprising was that both Prefects of Yuyang and Shanggu were members of the Yang Family.
Li Jian Cheng was quite taken aback but did not hesitate to respond, "Then I thank you, brother."
Accepting others' goodwill is also a virtue. After Li Jian Cheng expressed his gratitude, Yang Xuangan smiled and mentioned that he would host a banquet in a couple of days and invite him over.
In Luoyang City, any notable figure hosting a banquet seldom failed to invite him, so Li Jian Cheng naturally agreed.
After the banquet, they returned to their respective residences. Yang Xuangan's Duke of Chu's Residence was one of the most luxurious in Luoyang City, second only to the imperial palace, and it was more than twice the size of Li Family's Duke Tang's Residence in Luoyang.
Once back home, Yang Xuangan dismissed his servants and sat on the sofa in the Main Hall. It felt reminiscent of how Yang Su used to sit there. After a while, there came a voice announcing someone’s arrival.
Yang Xuangan's cousin Yang Shen entered and said, "Li Jian Cheng is the emperor's confidant; you should not try to win him over."
Yang Xuangan waved his hand irritably. "What can't be done? What should I do then? If you hadn’t stopped me during the Great Battle of Ba Gu, perhaps we could have assassinated Yang Guang and avenged our father and uncle!"
Yang Shen stepped forward and grabbed Yang Xuangan, trying to pull him down to wake him up. However, it was awkward because Yang Xuangan had an impressive physique, while Yang Shen was just a scholar and could not move him.
Yang Xuangan helplessly stood up on his own. Yang Shen, with a flushed face, scolded him, "The hearts of the court officials still lean towards the Sui Dynasty. The emperor indulges in luxury and mistreats the common people, yet he continues to expand his territory. Not to mention whether you can successfully assassinate him; even if you succeed in killing the emperor, what would that achieve?
It would only bring glory to King Qi while our Yang family would be exterminated and left with a stench for eternity. If this is the outcome you desire, why should your father and uncle willingly accept death? Wouldn't it be better to rebel earlier?"
After catching his breath, Yang Shen advised, "The emperor has summoned you back to the capital to serve as Minister of Rites, which indicates he is relaxing his vigilance against the Yang family. You should be more obedient at this time and wait for the right opportunity."
"What if the opportunity never comes?"
"Then just be at ease as a loyal minister of the Sui Dynasty. Do I really need to teach you this?"
...
From then until the festival season, Luoyang City was bustling with activity. By the time of the Lantern Festival, it was even more spectacular, with tens of thousands of extraordinary people from all over gathering in the capital, where everywhere was adorned with lanterns and vibrant decorations.
This was certainly not for their enjoyment but rather for the visiting emissaries from various kingdoms. The emperor loved to showcase the splendor of the Celestial Empire.
However, since it was winter and the trees were bare and flowers wilted, which looked rather unappealing, the emperor ordered colorful silk to be wrapped around all the street trees in Luoyang.
In the Duanmen Street area, there were lively songs and dances, showcasing various performances. There were groups performing acrobatics in the cold weather, some dancing bare-chested on wooden boards while others spun colorful balls. Performers with long poles reached high into the sky while soft ropes were used to toss balls along the path.
Additionally, he commanded the Imperial Guard to drive all beggars out of Luoyang City. If citizens wanted to go out, they had to dress elegantly; otherwise, they would be treated as beggars.
Outside Duanmen, within a five-thousand-step perimeter of the venue, countless colorful tents were erected alongside many embroidered pavilions. There were eighteen thousand musicians playing instruments; their melodies resonated throughout dozens of miles. From dusk till dawn, lights illuminated everything.
Many emissaries watched in awe and repeatedly exclaimed, "China is so magnificent; truly a Celestial Empire."
Not only had many outer domain emissaries never seen such prosperity before, but even dignitaries within Luoyang City gained new insights.
The most notable aspect of the Western Regions was trade routes. The emperor also decreed that all shops must undergo renovations. Small vendors without storefronts selling vegetables, meat, shrimp, or wine were required to lay down high-quality dragon beard grass mats.
Moreover, taverns had to proactively invite Hu Merchant emissaries inside for food and drink without charging any silver coins. They must also respond with "The Celestial Empire is bountiful; food and drink are provided free of charge."
For fifteen consecutive days like this, an outer envoy remarked: "There are also poor people outside the Celestial Empire city who are poorly clothed; why not share these goods with them instead of decorating trees?"
Hearing this, the official's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly tried to dissuade them, not daring to let such words reach the ears of the pleased Emperor.
Li Jian Cheng was also wandering around, enjoying the scenery. Such sights, apart from the present moment, would be something he could never bear to waste even if he were to successfully seize the world in the future; each viewing was one less opportunity.
He couldn't even imagine how much would be spent over the next half month. One could only say that while the Predecessor Emperor had become a bit muddled in his later years, he was indeed a very simple person throughout his life.
Even as Emperor, he had not enjoyed much; he simply liked to personally execute a few officials. Compared to the current Emperor, he could be considered a sage.
While Li Jian Cheng was leading his friends on their outing, they passed by the city gate and noticed a group of white-robed monks. Dressed in plain attire and holding incense while chanting Buddhist scriptures, they were about to enter the city. Since the Emperor respected monks, the gatekeepers bowed and stepped aside.
However, those monks suddenly seized weapons and killed the city guards, shouting loudly, "A new Buddha has emerged; eliminate all demons!"
The leading monk preached to the others, saying, "To kill one person is to become a Bodhisattva of one abode; to kill ten is to become a Bodhisattva of ten abodes. The first abode cuts off one part of ignorance and realizes one part of the Middle Way."
As the common people retreated in fear, King Qi and Yang Liang suddenly arrived with their men. The dozens of monks had no bows or crossbows; although they were not afraid of death, they were no match for the royal guards and quickly fell like hedgehogs.
Li Jian Cheng observed them thoughtfully; it all seemed too coincidental.
………
(End of Chapter)
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