Emperor Sui Yang

Chapter 288
Yang Ming entered the palace as soon as he left Duke Chu's mansion, and Yang Guang was still waiting for his report.

"There is not much time left, and he is basically considered a dying person. How long he can last depends on good fortune," Yang Ming said honestly.

Yang Guang nodded, and said sadly: "Unfortunately, if there is no problem with Yang Su's health, I will be most at ease in entrusting the matter of the canal to him."

After all, Yang Guang looked directly at his son and said: "After Yang Su died of illness, let Xuangan take over the title. In your opinion, what kind of position should be given to Xuangan is better."

It was obvious that he was probing, and Yang Ming knew that he should not support Xuangan, but because of emotion and reason, if he did not support it, it would make Yang Guang feel that there was a problem.

So he also tentatively asked: "Father thinks that a Shangshu is feasible?"

Yang Guang smiled
He was satisfied with Yang Ming's answer. If Yang Ming didn't even care about his father-in-law, then it would be too hard to guess what he was thinking.

Yang Guang said with a smile: "Xuangan's name is famous all over the world because of the noble and prominent generations. He is unusable. A book of ministers is really flattering him."

Yes, I refused, Yang Ming continued to put on a show and said: "Most of the courtiers are generals under Yang Su's subordinates. They have little sense of mystery, but their prestige is not low, and they are still usable."

"Haha." Yang Guang couldn't help laughing and said, "It's hard for you to defend everywhere, I will consider it as appropriate."

As he said that, Yang Guang suddenly said: "That day when you were called into the East Palace by the boss, what exactly did you say?"

"It's just a visit to elder brother, and recommending Su Kui to be the crown prince, nothing else," Yang Ming didn't intend to tell the truth this time.

Because he felt that the secret discussion with Yang Zhao in the East Palace that day would never reach Yang Guang's ears.

As for Su Kui's matter, I'm afraid I can't hide it, because Duan Wenzhen should belong to my father.

Although it was just Yang Ming's guess, it was probably close to ten.

"Didn't you mention the canal?" Yang Guang asked again.

Yang Ming nodded and said, "I mentioned something, but Erchen didn't say much at that time."

"Hehe." Yang Guang smiled:

"Some things, you can decide for yourself without being induced by others. In fact, it is right. Yang Xiong asked you to stab the matter to the court. You didn't agree. It shows that you still know the situation. Remember, this world belongs to us. My dear, you have to make up your own mind about everything you do, don't trust those people, they are just a bunch of spectators."

"My child understands," Yang Ming said with a look of panic.

Yang Guang said again: "I named you the king of Qin, and the second child is the king of Qi. He has already suffered a loss. If there are some things, you should stop worrying about him. The boss, the second child, and you, you are a family. The slander from outsiders makes you not trust your own brothers, and when you are really in danger, the only ones who can help you are them, understand?"

"Understood." Yang Ming could tell that the old man wanted to be a peacemaker to resolve the conflict between him and the second child.

After all, no father would want to see his son fight among himself. Although the bowl of water is uneven, everyone has something to drink. If anyone dares to drop the bowl, the father will be cruel.

It is nothing new for the emperor to kill his son.

It seems that regarding the matter of the canal, Yang Guang will fully support Yang Hao, because Yang Hao figured out what Yang Guang was thinking.

Finally, Yang Guang began to immerse himself in government affairs, and said:
"As long as you don't make trouble for the second child this time, I will give Xuangan a Shangshu, and you can figure it out for yourself."

Yang Ming hurriedly bowed his hands: "My child will never trouble my second brother, please rest assured, Father."

Yang Guang didn't speak any more, so Yang Ming quietly backed out.

Today's warning seemed gentle, but it was actually quite severe. If Yang Ming didn't listen, Yang Guang would not have the same attitude next time.

Now it depends on whether Yang Zhao's warning to the second child is effective. If it is not effective, Yang Ming will not dare to intervene in a short time.

If Yang Guang is angered and demoted to a commoner, then he can't do anything.

Go on, go on for another month, see how you choose.

The letter written by Prince Yang Zhao to Yang Wei was like a stone sinking into the sea, without any ripples.

Yang Hao didn't even reply to the letter, Yang Zhao was so angry that he lost his temper all of a sudden.

This time, not only Yang Guang panicked, but the entire Sui Dynasty panicked.
The daily court meeting was also changed to the East Palace, just outside Prince Yang Zhao's bedroom,

During this period of time, Yang Guang never left the East Palace, because he had already realized that things were moving in a terrible direction, and Da Sui would face the terrible situation that his successor would die halfway.

The courtiers were all kneeling outside, as if waiting for the final knell to strike.

However, after only one month, Yang Zhao suddenly became skinny and skinny, and his complexion was already dark yellow and black. Anyone who saw it would know that the crown prince's death was approaching.

The canal is more important than the prince. There is no doubt that Yang Guang chose his eldest son.

Qi Wang Yang Hao was urgently recalled to Beijing.

Empress Xiao's whole body has collapsed. It is a tragedy in the world for a white-haired person to send a black-haired person. She didn't expect it to happen to her.

In the sleeping hall, except for Yang Guang, everyone else was kicked out.

Yang Guang trembled all over, holding his son's bony palm tightly, tears welling up in his eyes.

At this time, he couldn't bear to blame his son anymore, blamed him for drinking, blamed him for not cherishing his body.

The emperor may be able to bear the pain of losing a son, but if the son is the prince, he will never be able to bear it.

"My son has let my father down." Yang Zhao looked at his father dully with dull eyes.

Yang Guang was already sobbing, he shook his head and said, "No, Grandpa has never been disappointed with you, you have always done well."

Yang Zhao's mouth was cracked, and he said word by word:

"The second child has a bad nature, is close to villains, does many crimes, and cannot be entrusted with important matters. The third child is stable and has the capacity to tolerate others. After the son leaves, let him enter the East Palace."

Yang Guangdao: "Why don't you think about your own children?"

Yang Zhao's lips trembled, and he said slowly: "Third son is still young, if he entrusts important matters, the country will be in chaos."

"I am here, they dare not," Yang Guang gritted his teeth.

What Yang Zhao meant was that the three sons were too young. If Yang Guang chose the crown prince from among them, the second and third sons would definitely find a way to deal with his sons.

After all, there have been too many such things in history, so in order to protect his son, the best way is to let him out.

The second child is ruthless, even if he succeeds to the throne in the future, I am afraid he will not let his son go. Only by entrusting the third child can his lineage survive.

Because his three sons are also the orthodox heirs to the throne.

Of course Yang Guang understood what his son meant. If he wanted to establish Yang Zhao's son, he would have to deal with the second and third children one step earlier, but Yang Guang couldn't do it.

Because he has only three sons in total.

"In a short time, I will not establish a reserve," Yang Guang said.

Yang Zhao had no strength to persuade him any more, and slowly closed his eyes.

On July 22, Yang Zhao died of illness, with the posthumous title of "Yuande". Yang Guang issued an edict to stop the imperial court for a hundred days, and the whole country mourned.

On July 23, Yang Su died of illness, and Yang Guang issued an imperial edict to posthumously present the ten counties of Doctor Guanglu, Duke Taiwei and Hongnong, Hedong, Jiangjun, Linfen, Wencheng, Hanoi, Jijun, Changping, Shangdang and Xihe Prefect, posthumous title "Jingwu".

After Yang Hao returned to Beijing, Yu Wenkai had full authority over the affairs of the canal. He immediately implemented Yang Ming's Sixteen Strategies, adjusted the working time of the peasants, and changed the river channel plan, which greatly reduced the casualties of the peasants.

What Yang Zhao and Yang Ming couldn't do, because of Yang Zhao's death, it can be done.

Although there was no court meeting, Yang Guang often summoned a few officials to discuss matters in the Liangyi Hall, but Yang Ming did not enter the Liangyi Hall in the three months after Yang Zhao's death.

So he didn't know what Yang Guang was discussing with the ministers.

In contrast, Yang Hao was even worse. Every day he went out, people from Yushitai were watching him. Yushitai would report to Yang Guang what he had done and who he had met.

Now Yang Hao is like a frightened bird, hiding at home all day, not daring to go out.

Because he was afraid, afraid that his father would kill him.

A hundred days after Yang Zhao's death, the court meeting was resumed, and some people played it, hoping that the emperor would establish a reserve as soon as possible.

Some recommended Yang Ming, some recommended Yang Wei, and some recommended Yang Zhao's three sons. Anyway, there were only five of them.

But Yang Guang didn't make any movement, so that the whole world was guessing the emperor's true thoughts.

At the court meeting on this day, Yang Guang dismissed Li Yuantong, Shangshu of the Ministry of War.

Duan Wenzhen took over the post of Minister of the Ministry of War, and Hu Sizheng took over the post of minister of the Ministry of War that Duan Wenzhen vacated.

Li Yuantong's dismissal was an offense to someone, including Yu Wenshu, the emperor's favorite minister.

And Niu Hong also came out from the Ministry of Rites, took over the Taichang Temple left by Gao Jiong's dismissal, and also served as a disciple of Sheng Nayan.

Yang Xuangan became Minister of the Ministry of Rites and succeeded the Duke of Chu.

As for Yang Ming, nothing has changed, and he still has no military power in his hands, so many people think that the emperor actually prefers Yan Wang Yang Tan and acting king Yang You for the position of crown prince.

During the whole court meeting, Yang Guang didn't even look at Yang Hao, and Yang Hao didn't even dare to raise his head from the beginning to the end.

After the court meeting was over, Yang Ming was going to Yong'an Palace, and Yang Hao also hurriedly followed.

"Third brother, there was a misunderstanding between us brothers in the past, and my brother will pay you for it. Your lord has a lot, so don't blame me,"

The reason why Yang Hao was so low-pitched was because he felt that he and the crown prince were probably out of luck, and Yang Ming was also terrified, so at the moment, the two of them were troubled brothers.

If he wanted to compete for the position, he had to form an alliance with Yang Ming, first deal with the three little boys in the East Palace, and then deal with the third child in turn.

Of course, Yang Ming knows how to make false claims, so he said with a smile, "You have to be sincere in your apology. If you want my brother to forgive you, you have to show some sincerity."

"I understand, I understand," Yang Yan said with a chuckle, "We are brothers from the same mother. Now that the eldest brother has passed away, you and I should support each other, otherwise the queen mother will be unhappy."

After Yang Zhao's death, Yang Hao had already entered Yong'an Palace. After all, no matter how angry Empress Xiao was with him, she was her own son after all.

Of the three sons, one had already left, and the remaining two, Empress Xiao naturally felt even more distressed, for fear that something might happen to the two of them.

Yang Ming nodded and said with a smile, "You should show your sincerity first, and let's talk about feelings."

From Yang Ming's point of view, the second child can't be in trouble now, after all, the situation is not clear, if the second child goes down, who will serve as a shield for him in the future?
He is safe only if someone is supporting him in front of him.

And Yang Hao thought so too.
(End of this chapter)