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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 127: Rebellion
Yang Xuangan was stationed in Liang, where supplies from all over the world were piled up. From here, they were transported through the Canal to Zhuojun and then delivered to the front lines by Commoners.
Now, the warehouses in Liang were overflowing with supplies, yet only a few boats of grain were dispatched each day. Not only was the Emperor at the front urging for more, but even Zhuojun had sent people to inquire multiple times.
However, Yang Xuangan brushed them off with claims of blocked waterways. It was evident that the waterways were not blocked; even if there were some obstructions, arrangements should have been made to clear them immediately. Yet, Yang Xuangan did nothing.
When the Emperor sent people again to press for supplies, Yang Xuangan explained that there were many Bandits on the waterways, making it easy for ships carrying grain to be robbed. He planned to gather a large fleet and arrange for escorts before transporting the grain all at once.
The Emperor accepted this reasoning but still urged him to expedite the supply transport. Yang Xuangan knew he had pushed things to the limit; if he delayed any longer, the Emperor would surely notice. Thus, he began to openly eliminate uncooperative officials and placed his trusted allies in key positions throughout Liang.
This caused unease among the officials in Liang. The Registrar of the Imperial History, You Yuan, immediately led others to question Yang Xuangan's intentions.
Having reached his breaking point, Yang Xuangan met them clad in armor and declared dramatically: "The Tyrant ravages the land and is trapped in a dire situation; this is the time of Heaven's demise. I shall lead righteous soldiers to punish the unjust. What do you all think? Are you willing to join me in establishing Peace?"
"You... you want to rebel?"
Yang Xuangan did not respond. With a wave of his hand, armored soldiers rushed in, brandishing gleaming long knives. The dangerous atmosphere made everyone feel a chill at their necks; clearly, if their answers did not satisfy Yang Xuangan, blood would be shed here.
"I am willing to follow your intentions!"
Most of the officials knelt down. Those who did not kneel were either loyal ministers of the court or members of noble families who did not support Yang Xuangan and were willing to die for their wives and children.
Yang Xuangan addressed them: "The Tyrant acts for his own selfish desires, impoverishing the world while elevating himself. The prosperous era left by my Predecessor Emperor has turned into one where all people rebel within less than ten years. This shows he is not a wise ruler. You talented individuals should not only consider your own fame and fortune but also think of the welfare of all people."
You Yuan replied: "You are favored by the nation and unmatched in recent history. Your brothers are prominent figures; they should serve with utmost loyalty and gratitude. How could it be that before the graves are even cold, you seek to turn against us?"
Yang Xuangan defended himself: "Xuan Gan does not seek personal wealth..."
You Yuan interrupted him: "Since you have made your decision, I can only die; I dare not hear your orders!"
Yang Xuangan sighed deeply as a strong soldier stepped forward without hesitation and struck You Yuan down with one blow. His head rolled beneath the kneeling officials, eyes wide open in shock.
"Ah!"
The remaining individuals stood pale-faced and silent, trembling yet refusing to kneel.
Li Mi stepped out from behind the screen, saying, "We are all relatives here. Please, my lord, temper your anger for now. Allow me to persuade them slowly, and we will detain them to prevent any leaks."
Yang Xuangan readily agreed. There were still a few members of the Guanlong family present; although they were from a collateral branch, it would not be wise to offend any family if they aimed to change the dynasty.
Once everyone had dispersed, Li Mi suggested, "No matter how tightly we guard ourselves, news cannot be hidden for long. We must take the initiative."
Yang Xuangan replied, "I have already instructed someone to forge news of the Come to Protect the Child rebellion to report to Yang Guang. This should buy us some time."
Li Mi immediately proposed, "We need not only to create chaos on Yang Guang's side but also use the Come to Protect the Child rebellion as an excuse to gather troops under the pretense of Suppression of Rebellion. We should seize several surrounding counties first and consolidate our forces."
"Good, let it be so!"
Soon after, the naval general Come to Protect the Child, fearing repercussions from His Majesty for failing to attack Goguryeo on schedule, decided to rebel instead. Consequently, the emperor ordered Duke of Chu to gather forces and head out to suppress the uprising.
Thus, Yang Xuangan began a grand operation to seal off all of Liang's territory and publicly issued proclamations urging officials in Border County to expedite their recruitment efforts and send all newly enlisted soldiers to Liang.
As for those within Liang City and its subordinate counties, it was even more straightforward; every able-bodied male, regardless of age, was conscripted into military service. Thousands of transport boatmen and polemen in the Canal were treated similarly.
Yang Xuangan rapidly assembled an army of thirty thousand troops, with eight thousand elite soldiers—his entire foundation—comprising battle-hardened warriors left by Yang Su.
Lacking civil officials, Yang Xuangan offered promotions to any willing subordinates. Those who were once county lieutenants or clerks could now directly become Prefects. This coercive yet enticing strategy successfully won over most officials in these counties.
…………
As Yang Xuangan took action, Li Jian Cheng received word of it but chose not to intervene. Without Yang Xuangan's rebellion, the fall of the Sui Dynasty would at least be delayed by several years; there was even a chance that things could turn around.
The emperor's strategy for dealing with Goguryeo was sound; he did not meddle further. Goguryeo was merely a small nation facing a Million-Strong Army and could not withstand such pressure.
Meanwhile, domestic uprisings had been largely quelled by Zhang Suduo. The notorious bandit leaders like Wang Bo, Sun Xuanya, Hao Xiaode, Pei Changcai, and Guo Fangyu—who claimed to command tens of thousands—had all been dealt with by Zhang Suduo using only two or three thousand elite troops.
Roshan and Qin Shubao were also gaining fame across the land. With the Emperor returning triumphantly after quelling Goguryeo, peace would surely follow. However, as long as the Emperor continued his extravagant lifestyle, indulging in pleasures at the expense of the common people, and as long as he held tight to the Million-Strong Army, the nobles would not dare to rebel, and the commoners' uprisings would struggle to gain momentum. What could be done?
There was always a need for a fierce warrior to take the lead, to stir the tides of chaos and pave the way for the king!
Li Jian Cheng had already received rewards from the Emperor. He was busy writing a letter of thanks, pointing out in his correspondence the recent strange and urgent movements of the Duke of Chu's Residence, urging His Majesty to investigate.
Calculating the time, this letter should reach the Emperor around the same time as news of Yang Xuangan's official rebellion.
The Li Family would not rebel so soon; in fact, they would not rebel at all. It was only that with the world turned upside down and no one from the Yang Clan able to stabilize the Nation and Land, they reluctantly accepted the throne.
Li Jian Cheng's heart raced like a drum. In a blink of an eye, over ten years had passed. Finally, it was time for him to stretch his ambitions without living in constant fear while scheming with tigers for sustenance.
Although he could not leave his residence yet, from this day forward, Li Jian Cheng resumed some social activities, inviting old friends and acquaintances over for tea and heartfelt conversations.
Most importantly, he prepared a fine horse and some delicate gifts to present to Dai Wang Yang You, who was stationed in Chang'an.
Yang You was the son of Crown Prince Yuan De and Yang Zhao, making him a distant cousin of Li Jian Cheng. However, due to his young age and upbringing in the depths of the palace, they were not very familiar with each other.
………
(End of Chapter)
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