Chapter 34 Gathering
Li Yuan also served as a Qianniu Beishen for many years, so he had a deep relationship with the emperor, although it did not affect Yang Jian's suppression of the Li family.

After the audience with the emperor, Li Yuan first politely reviewed to his uncle his mistakes such as neglecting government affairs when he was a prefect outside the capital. Yang Jian also criticized him mercilessly.

But after criticizing him, he still said: "Now is a time of trouble. It is good for you to return to the capital. You can first be the captain of the city gate.
The title of City Gate Captain does not sound impressive, but it is actually a fourth-rank official position, in charge of stationing troops at the city gates of the capital. This position has always been held by the emperor's favored relatives.

Yang Jian placed Li Yuan here at this time, obviously because he felt that the government was somewhat chaotic after the crown prince was deposed, and a trusted person was needed to be responsible for city defense.

If Li Yuan was just a relative of the royal family without a title, you would certainly be happy, but he is the patriarch of the Li family and the Duke of Tang of the Sui Dynasty. It would be fine for his eldest son to serve as your Qianniu Beishen because he is still young.

I am old now, and I am serving as the governor of a lower-ranking state for you. Now you call me back and scold me, and I still want me to guard the city gate for you. Isn't this a bit too much?

But Li Yuan still thanked him respectfully and expressed his loyalty again and again, which made Yang Jian quite satisfied. He couldn't help but chat with his nephew about family matters.

Li Yuan praised Yang Jian and talked for a while before turning the topic to Qin Wang Yang Jun. After a while, he said, "Your Highness Qin Wang is kind, forgiving and filial. He has believed in Buddhism since he was a child. It's just that he was seduced by villains outside and indulged in luxury. It's not a big sin and shouldn't be like this. I hope Your Majesty will take a closer look."

Yang Jian looked at Li Yuan with some surprise and said in a deep voice: "Someone in the court has recently advised me to make the King of Qin the crown prince. Do you think so too? Or did the King of Qin invite you to be his lobbyist?"

Li Yuan hurriedly explained: "I also grew up with you, Your Highnesses. After the King of Qin fell ill, he was punished by the Emperor and Empress and became depressed. I couldn't bear it, so I asked for mercy."

Yang Jian didn't believe it at all. He just snorted coldly and said, "I have five sons. The deposed crown prince was extravagant and lustful, so he was deposed as a commoner. Yang Jun's faults are no different from Yang Yong's. He is still able to retain his title of prince because of my love for him. If I pardon him, reinstate him, or even make him the crown prince, how can I restrain the other princes and relatives!"

After saying this, he was still not satisfied, so he asked Li Yuan to go to the Prince of Qin's Palace in person to deliver the oral order. Li Yuan looked embarrassed after hearing it, but left as Yang Jian's eyes became increasingly cold.

The Prince of Qin's Palace is located in Taipingfang, just outside the Hanguang Gate. Many officials gather in the Prince of Qin's Palace, but their ranks are not very high, and many of them are former officials of the Chen Dynasty.

Li Yuan arrived in response to the imperial edict, and Yang Jun came out to receive the order accompanied by concubine Chen, who was Princess Lincheng, the fifth daughter of Chen Shubao.

Yang Jun was tall but had a very pale complexion. Although he was lucky enough not to die from the poisoning, his health had not been good.

Li Yuan stood facing south and read the emperor's oral order: "I have worked hard to build this great cause and set an example for my subjects to follow. You are my son, but you want to defeat me. I don't know how to blame you!"

Yang Jun's already weak body began to shake immediately. He opened his mouth to say something, but his eyes went dark and he passed out. The servants rushed forward to support him.

The officials who had also heard the imperial edict all left the Prince of Qin's mansion at the same time. At this critical moment, His Majesty's ruthless rebuke showed that the Prince of Qin had no hope at all.

Li Yuan looked at Chen, who was crying with tears in her eyes, with pity. She was so beautiful, but he couldn't stay for long. He could only apologize and leave.

But unexpectedly, the King of Qin became seriously ill. After he submitted a memorial to plead guilty, he also said that he was afraid that he would not live long and hoped that his parents would have mercy on him and see him before he died. However, Yang Jian thought that he was just pretending to be pitiful and issued another oral order to reprimand him...

Li Yuan held his youngest son in his arms and sighed, "It is true that there is no father and son in the royal family. I remember that your majesty was not like this in the past. You loved all your sons very much. Now, I am afraid that you only have some preference for the Prince of Han. The other princes are already ministers." Dou said, "Your majesty's temper is getting more extreme. I am afraid that even if the Prince of Jin sits on the throne of the crown prince, it will not be easy for him."

Li Jiancheng was talking to the parrot with Li Xiuning. Li Yuan said to his son, "Jiancheng, the King of Han invites you to a banquet. Even if you don't want to go, it's not a good idea to refuse so harshly."

"He has bad intentions to begin with, so why should we show him mercy? I am not afraid that the King of Han will be unhappy, but it is enough for His Royal Highness the King of Jin to be happy when he hears it."

Just now, King of Han Yang Liang sent someone to invite Li Jiancheng to a banquet and also sent two carts of gifts, but Li Jiancheng ordered to drive the person out and dump the two carts of gifts directly on the street.

However, Li Jiancheng also knew that the King of Han was not a broad-minded person, and the Li family might not be able to do any business in his fiefdom. This was why Li Yuan felt that there was no need to be so tough. It was better to leave some mercy to each other than to have a falling out and have no room for negotiation.

But temporary gains and losses are nothing, especially when it is only a loss of money. The purpose of accumulating so much wealth in the family treasury is to avoid being constrained by worldly interests at this critical moment.

Yang Liang was not a broad-minded person, and Yang Guang was even less so. After he ascended the throne, how could he allow such an opponent to continue to abuse his power? In just a few years, the King of Han would be deposed and imprisoned at best, or even killed at worst.

…………

Following Yang Su's move, King of Shu Yang Xiu was forcibly recalled to the capital. The emperor's five sons now gathered in the capital, and the fight for the crown prince's position caused much discussion in the court and the country, but in the end, King of Jin had the highest voice.

With the news that the King of Qin was bedridden, the King of Qin was completely out of the game. No one dared to bet on a man who was in danger of losing his life.

Since the King of Shu came to the capital, his popularity gradually overshadowed that of the King of Han. After all, the King of Han was too young, and he had only been a vassal for two years, so he had not made any achievements to speak of.

King Yang Xiu of Shu was stationed in Yizhou and commanded the military affairs of 24 states for more than ten years, and had made considerable contributions.

The King of Shu was courageous, had a majestic appearance, a beautiful beard, and was skilled in martial arts. He was the one who was most like his father among all the princes, and many court officials were in awe of him.

However, Yang Jian did not like this son who was most like him. He sent him to a fiefdom when he was eight or nine years old. He also said to the queen: "Xiu will surely have a bad end. I don't have to worry about it. But my brothers will surely rebel."

It was based on these words that Yang Su privately persuaded the emperor to recall Yang Xiu. Yang Jian was also worried that if he made someone else the crown prince, his son with a violent temper would immediately rebel in Shu and bring disaster to the country, so he took the opportunity to recall him.

Naturally, Yang Xiu did not dare to rebel directly and could only return to the capital obediently. However, he had some beautiful ideas and thought that his father summoned him back to the capital at this time probably to make him the crown prince.

So, under the persuasion of several servants, he actually made some utensils that only the prince or even the emperor could use for his own enjoyment on the way to Beijing, which was far beyond the rules.

………………

(End of this chapter)