Chapter 148 Proclaiming Emperor
Of course Li Jiancheng did not answer, but asked the two men to go out and not to say such outrageous words again.

Not answering is also a kind of answer. Besides, there is no benefit in saying some things to them. If you really want to, you will naturally know how to do things.

Shan Xiongxin was a little puzzled after coming out, but Qin Shubao was really relieved. He was worried that Li Jiancheng was also a person like Yang Xuangan. It was not so easy to change the dynasty, so he had to be cautious at every step.

Qin Shubao comforted Shan Xiongxin and said, "If a king does not keep secrets, he will lose his country, and if a minister does not keep secrets, he will lose his life. It is a good thing that you have great ambitions but can still keep them to yourself."

The two armies fought again the next day. Facing Yang Xuangan's main elite forces, Li Jiancheng's troops were naturally defeated step by step. However, they were quite resilient and tried hard to implement the sixteen-character policy of: if the enemy advances, we retreat; if the enemy stays, we harass; if the enemy is tired, we attack; if the enemy retreats, we pursue.

It was not until the emperor personally led an army of more than 100,000 soldiers to arrive that changes occurred in the counties and prefectures that Yang Xuangan had recovered during this period. The aristocratic families and officials in the counties and prefectures began to spontaneously organize local soldiers and militia to expel Yang Xuangan's garrison.

This is the power of orthodoxy. Yang Xuangan had to give up on his own initiative and prepare to defeat the emperor head-on with his soldiers. In this way, the situation will change drastically again.

Li Jiancheng led his subordinates to pay a visit. Although they had not seen each other for half a year, the emperor had indeed lost a lot of weight, and the aura that he originally exuded now seemed a little weak.

His handsome face seemed less perfect because of his excessive thinness and the stern look on his face.

"Your Majesty, long live the emperor!"

Yuwen Shu immediately pointed at Li Jiancheng and said, "Your Majesty ordered you to be a general to rush to Luoyang, but you watched Luoyang fall and spared the troops. Then, in order to seize military power, you deliberately framed Wei Wensheng and Zhou Fashang. Li Jiancheng, do you know your crime?"

Li Jiancheng raised his head and looked up at the emperor calmly: "I am loyal to your majesty, and I care about the troops of the court. Without them, how can we hold back the main force of the rebels?

And the so-called conspiracy to seize military power and frame Tong Liao is even more ridiculous. As the Right Guard General appointed by Your Majesty, Wei Wensheng and Zhou Fashang are both left with only remnants of soldiers and defeated generals. It is only natural for me to be in charge of the military power. Why should I frame them?

But since Duke Xu has said this today, in order to prove my innocence, I am willing to hand over the military power to Your Majesty, pending the investigation of my crimes."

Yuwen Shu wanted to say more, but the emperor interrupted him: "Well, Jiancheng is my dearest nephew. He was forced to wear armor during the mourning period. He fought against the rebels for a long time and made great contributions. No one can say anything else!"

All rewards and punishments were decided by the emperor. Li Jiancheng was accustomed to the emperor's way of showing off his rewards and punishments. He thanked him solemnly, but still repeatedly stated that since Your Majesty had arrived, he did not have the ability to command thousands of troops, and he must return the military power.

The emperor refused several times, but seeing that Li Jiancheng still insisted, Yang Guang felt relieved and dispelled his doubts about Wei Wensheng's matter.

After all, the children I have watched grow up are loyal and reliable.

The emperor left 20,000 soldiers and horses to Li Jiancheng and took the rest back, but he also gave Li Jiancheng many rewards. Because he had no children, the emperor conferred titles on his three younger brothers, Shimin, Xuanba, and Yuanji, as fifth-rank imperial doctors.

Such a reward made the civil and military officials jealous, but they could not help but look at Li Yuan, who was silent, with sarcasm. As a father who could not enfeoff his sons and had to rely on the eldest son, the Duke of Tang was really blessed.

Then they discussed the battle with the rebels. Li Jiancheng didn't say anything more. He only answered truthfully when people asked him about it.

Li Jiancheng also discovered that many people in the tent were in an awkward situation. Either their sons or their nephews had surrendered to Yang Xuangan.

Although the emperor didn't say anything now, this was their last chance to prove their loyalty, so they actively offered suggestions, and Rulai Huer even volunteered to fight.

The surrounding government soldiers also came to support, such as Yang Zhiji, the governor of Hongnong, who was a member of the royal family, but the emperor obviously trusted the royal family the least. ………

In Luoyang, facing Yang Guang who led the army in person, the people in the city were not discussing how to resist the enemy, but whether they should become emperor.

If they did not declare themselves emperors, they would not even have to fight as rebels facing the emperor, and their morale would naturally be low, so even Li Mi did not give them much advice this time.

Only Wei Fusi was still trying his best to persuade him, but Yang Xuangan could not care about him at this time. He immediately ordered people to make preparations. He wanted to offer sacrifices to the Heaven and Earth and his ancestors, then proclaim himself emperor and establish an institution!

Thus, a very hasty founding ceremony began. In the Luoyang Imperial Palace, Yang Xuangan established the State of Chu, based on the legal system of the Kaihuang period, and conferred titles on civil and military officials.

Yang Jishan and other members of the royal family were all princes, Li Zixiong and Li Mi were princes, and the rest of his confidants were all dukes and marquises. They were all promoted and given higher titles and became extremely prominent.

Since those at the top have been promoted, those below naturally have room for advancement as well, and morale is really boosted for a while.

The news soon spread outside the city. The emperor was furious and immediately ordered his men to attack the city. However, of course they failed to capture it. This was Luoyang City, and no one could easily break into it.

But after the armies were united, the emperor had an army of more than 200,000 soldiers under his command, and a steady stream of palace soldiers to reinforce them, so they were able to besiege Luoyang. If Yang Xuangan could not break the deadlock, he would sooner or later end up like Fan Zigai.

Therefore, after becoming emperor, Yang Xuangan was never able to enjoy the honor of an emperor for a single day, and he and his subordinates continued to rack their brains every day to seek a way to survive.

Yang Xuangan could not sleep well at night, but it was not the same for his ministers and generals. Having suddenly risen to high positions, they naturally hoped to enjoy corresponding treatment.

Gold, silver, beautiful women, mansions and cars, all these are available in Luoyang City. They also hold great power, so naturally they can get whatever they want.

He led his troops into the homes of nobles of the previous dynasty, looted them at will, or even drove them all away, and then began to enjoy his life.

Seeing this, Li Mi hurried to stop them, but he had no troops directly under his command, and could not stop the people who were already furious, so he could only go to see Yang Xuangan.

"Your Majesty, if you don't stop it, something terrible will happen!"

After listening to this, Yang Xuangan said, "As long as they serve as officials in the court, I will protect their family property."

Li Mi was dumbfounded: "This kind of thing can only be dealt with slowly. If we are so brutal and offend the nobles, how can we defend Luoyang?"

Yang Xuangan could not help but roar, "If they don't obey, they will die! Yang Guang's army is at the gates of the city, but they don't even want to see me. What do they mean? Do you want me to tell you?"

Li Mi could understand Yang Xuangan's difficulties. Many people actually still had options, but Yang Xuangan had no room for maneuver at this point. But if he gave up on himself, it meant he was not even wanting to grasp the last glimmer of hope.

………………

(End of this chapter)