lovenovelstory Chapter 54 The Greatest Sin
Chapter 54 The Greatest Sin
Yang Yan ignored Yang Yong's shocked expression, as if he had seen a ghost, and simply used the knife called "reality" to slowly and thoroughly remove the remaining tenderness in Yang Yong's heart.
"At the beginning of the founding of the dynasty, the country was not yet settled and the people's hearts were not yet won over. At that time, the former officials of the previous dynasty harbored ulterior motives, and the powerful clans of Guanzhong were eyeing the country covetously. What my grandfather needed was an ally, someone to help him stabilize the court and fight against those arrogant and fierce generals."
Yang Yan's voice echoed in the study, not loud, but carrying a suffocating sense of oppression.
"Therefore, he needs you, the Crown Prince, to treat scholars with respect and to unite the civil officials whom he cannot fully trust or personally win over for the time being."
"At that time, the closer you got to the civil officials and the more humble you were, the more you pleased them. What you did was absolutely right."
Yang Yong nodded repeatedly, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes: "Yes, yes! That's exactly what I think. Since I was right before, then now..."
"But what about now?"
Yang Yan abruptly interrupted him, his tone suddenly turning icy cold, as if the cold wind outside the window had blown directly into the room.
"Now, the Southern Chen Dynasty has been destroyed, and the Great Sui Dynasty has unified the world. Although the Turks cause some disturbances, they are insignificant. There are occasional rebellions in Lingnan and the Cuan region in the southwest, but they are like a minor ailment. It is no exaggeration to say that the whole country is at peace. My grandfather's imperial power is as stable as Mount Tai and there are no more obstacles."
He took a step closer, his dark eyes staring directly at Yang Yong: "At this moment, what my grandfather needs most is no longer allies, nor does he need anyone to help him share power."
"He's a 'tyrant' now! What he fears most is someone forming a force under his nose that's beyond his control and could even rival him!"
"Especially... this force is closely united around the Crown Prince, ready to take over his power at any time."
"What do you call this? This is called 'their intentions are despicable'!"
boom--!
Every word Yang Yan uttered was like a heavy iron hammer, slamming into Yang Yong's already fragile and vulnerable heart.
Yang Yong's face instantly turned deathly pale, devoid of any color.
He opened his mouth, making a gurgling sound in his throat, but couldn't utter a single word.
He wasn't stupid; it's just that in the past twenty years, no one had ever dared to dissect the deepest changes in the emperor's heart for him in such a naked, cold, and unfilial way.
"Father, think carefully. Who are the people around you who serve in the Eastern Palace?"
Yang Yan gave him no chance to catch his breath and continued to press him for answers.
"Gao Jiong, Su Wei, Yuan Xie... weren't they all prime ministers of the time? Were they all important officials with their students and former subordinates all over the country?"
"You believe that you are sharing the burdens of your grandfather, balancing the court, and being a virtuous crown prince."
"What do you think you're doing right now, Grandfather?"
Yang Yan abruptly flicked his sleeve, pointing to the layers of palaces of the Eastern Palace, and said sternly, "To put it bluntly, you are forming a faction! You are establishing a political group centered on the Eastern Palace, one that is too powerful to control!"
Historical records frequently document that monarchs become most suspicious in their later years. For the crown prince to form factions is a grave taboo!
"Your greatest achievement in the past has now become your greatest sin in today's highly centralized imperial system!"
"The more widely your reputation spreads, the more the civil officials support you, and the more sleepless Grandfather becomes! That's why that scoundrel Second Uncle, who only knows how to flatter Grandmother, was able to rise to power—because he appeared 'isolated and helpless,' because he appeared 'harmless,' because he wasn't legitimate!"
"Haven't you noticed that all the military forces that were originally gathered around you have been transferred? The sheer number of troops the Crown Prince can still muster is irrefutable proof!"
"I see... I see..."
Yang Yong was trembling all over.
"Since that's the case..." Yang Yong made a last-ditch effort, his eyes darting around, "Then I, your father, will lead the troops into battle, just like your second uncle did when he pacified the Southern Chen dynasty. If I achieve great military exploits, that will surely prove my loyalty, won't it? I'm doing this for the Great Sui!"
"Oh."
Yang Yan gave a cold laugh, a laugh filled with helplessness and sarcasm.
"Since we've come up with the topic of leading troops, let's talk about that crazy idea of yours that could send the entire Crown Prince's palace to the guillotine—to personally lead troops to conquer Liaodong."
Yang Yan took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
He knew that talking to Yang Yong about historical trends or future directions was like casting pearls before swine; he had to use the most straightforward wartime analysis to give this father, who was still dreaming, a good wake-up call.
He strode to one side of the study, where a huge sheepskin map hung.
"Father, you only saw that Goguryeo was a small place, and you only saw the glory of Second Uncle's conquest of Chen, but you did not see the war in Liaodong clearly."
Yang Yan raised his hand and slammed his finger heavily on the map.
"Winter is just around the corner. After the court meeting, the army will assemble and supplies will be mobilized. By the time the army actually sets off and arrives in Liaodong, the mountains will probably be blocked by heavy snow."
"At that time, the roads will be muddy, and the wheels will get stuck in the mud and won't be able to pull them out. Our supply lines will definitely be cut off! So the number of troops mobilized this time cannot be large. I estimate that there will be no more than 100,000."
Yang Yan turned to look at Yang Yong, his tone chilling: "I've already said you have no experience leading troops. Let me ask you, what will you do about the supplies? Are you planning to seek a decisive battle as soon as possible or retreat and hold your ground?"
"In a decisive battle, our soldiers are ill-suited to the northern climate, lack supplies, and their morale is low. How can we fight? If we retreat and hold our ground, in your account, it will be portrayed as a defeat. Then, the charge of losing the army and disgracing the country will be pinned on us. How will you explain that?"
Yang Yong stared at the map, a fine layer of cold sweat beading on his forehead.
He had never led troops before, so he had no idea that the climate in Liaodong was so treacherous.
"Secondly, and most importantly."
Yang Yan turned around, leaning against the map, his eyes blazing as he stared intently at Yang Yong. His voice was low, yet every word was thunderous: "Father, you are the Crown Prince, the foundation of the nation. Leading troops into battle is a matter of generals in the field, and there are times when you cannot obey the emperor's orders."
"If you were to lead an army of 100,000 elite troops, far from the capital, stationed on the frontier, what would your grandfather think?"
"As the crown prince, wielding considerable military power, what are you planning to do?"
"To expand territory and establish unparalleled achievements!"
Yang Yan suddenly leaned forward: "Are you guarding against your grandfather, or are you trying to establish merit and ascend the throne ahead of time?"
"In my grandfather's eyes, your actions are tantamount to forcing the emperor to abdicate!"
A coup!
Upon hearing those two words, Yang Yong shuddered violently, as if all the bones in his body had been removed, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.
He could no longer hold the teacup in his hand.
"Clang—!"
The exquisite jade cup was smashed on the ground, shattering into pieces. The crisp sound of the shattering was particularly jarring in the deathly silent study.
Yang Yong collapsed onto the couch, his chest heaving violently, his eyes filled with unprecedented fear.