Chapter 72 Great Cause
Wang Long had not expected this to be the reason and could only sigh, "Fate is so unpredictable."

"But no matter what you think, you saved my father and I. If you have any orders, I will repay you even if I die."

Wang Long had been here for some time, so he naturally noticed that the people here were not ordinary servants of aristocratic families, so he didn't believe that the other party would let him go like this.

Of course Li Jiancheng would not let him go. He could not let him go alive, and his face would be disfigured after death. Only when he actually raised the flag of rebellion in the future would he be appointed to a position.

But Li Jiancheng still advised sincerely: "It's not that Jiancheng wants to blackmail you for a favor, it's just that the crime you committed is too great, and it's hard to save your life but get your freedom."

"Wang is naturally aware of this. No matter where my husband lets me go, I will be cautious and live a life that will not harm others or myself."

After talking, both of them felt much more at ease. They talked about the previous battle, especially the various choices made by the King of Han, and concluded that even if Zhuge Wuhou was resurrected, he would not be able to lead Yang Liang to victory.

After chatting for a few cups of tea, Li Jiancheng stood up to say goodbye and agreed to talk again tomorrow. Wang Long respectfully saw him off to the door and treated Li Jiancheng like a servant serving his master.

After he left, Wang Long's son asked, "Father, will we ever see the light of day again?"

"I don't know. This is not up to you or me, or even Mr. Li. It depends on His Majesty."

Wang Xi's son hesitated for a moment and then said doubtfully: "Even if the emperor grants amnesty to the whole world, he will not pardon us."

Wang Xu was speechless. He found it hard to understand. He was not a stupid man. His wife was the daughter of Chen Baxian, the Emperor Wu of Chen. So how could he have a son who was so unsatisfactory?

But after all, he is his biological son, so Wang Long could only say frankly: "It depends on whether the emperor can maintain his throne. If he can continue the prosperity of the previous emperor, then we father and son may never have a chance to succeed."

If the emperor really had a secure seat on the throne, then there would be no need for them to come forward, and Li Jiancheng would kill them to eliminate future troubles. However, there was no need to tell this to his son. He could live one day at a time with hope.

In the next few days, Li Jiancheng often came to chat with him. When they talked about the policies recently issued by the emperor, they felt that they were a bit too eager for quick success. Just a few days ago, the emperor, who was still on the road, sent back his edict.

Hundreds of thousands of men were conscripted to dig a ditch from Longmen in the east to Changping and Jijun, to Linqing Pass, across the Yellow River to Junyi and Xiangcheng, and to Shangluo for the purpose of setting up defenses.

Obviously, this was to guard against a large-scale cavalry invasion, but the Turks had just been defeated, and Qimin Khan now had to rely on the Sui Dynasty, so it was impossible for him to launch a large-scale invasion. Moreover, the imperial court was fully armed, so what was there to fear even if it went to war with the Turks?

It's not that we shouldn't set up checkpoints, but we shouldn't conscript hundreds of thousands of young and strong men at once. This could obviously be done in batches over the years.

However, there was no objection in the court. Firstly, they did not dare to advise the emperor. Secondly, repairing the pass was always a good thing. Thirdly, the court had money and food, and now was not the season for spring planting and autumn harvest.

So hundreds of thousands of people began to dig the canals in a massive manner. The court had just finished arranging this matter when the emperor's next decree arrived, ordering the construction of Tokyo in Yiluo and asking the court to start preparations and officially start construction next year.

No one had any objection to the arrangement of the border defenses, but many people in the court could not help but remonstrate on the construction of the Eastern Capital. Most of them were prominent families in Guanlong, and the emperor's intentions were a little too obvious.

But there were also many people who applauded, such as officials from Shandong and Jiangzuo gentry. They had been suppressed for too long and had long been looking forward to moving the capital.

Memorials flew to Yang Guang's desk like snowflakes. At that time, he was feasting with officials and celebrities from the prefectures and counties he passed through along the way. He let them speak freely, and naturally, each of them would have their own reasons.

Finally, Yang Guang's eyes fell on Zhang Chou Taiyi: "Please tell me the fortune." Zhang Chou Taiyi stood up solemnly and agreed, then spent more than two hours to come to the conclusion: "Your Majesty is born in the Year of the Wood. Yongzhou is a place that destroys the wood. You cannot stay here for long!"

Then, as if possessed by a ghost, he danced for a while and said, "Restore Luoyang and return it to the Jin family!"

Everyone was shocked. After Zhang Chou Taiyi predicted the future of the previous emperor, his reputation spread throughout the world, and ordinary people believed what he said.

At present, the capital is in the west, and the west belongs to metal, which overcomes wood. This is related to your majesty's dragon body destiny. Who dares to say anything else? You can only bow down and say: "Your Majesty, we respectfully request your majesty to build the eastern capital and repair Luoyang."

"allow!"

The news was reported back to Chang'an, and the emperor's will was implemented, and the court began to prepare.

.........

In November, the emperor returned to Beijing and Li Yuan's family returned to Chang'an. A few days later, Chen Shubao, who had ruled the country for sixteen years, died of illness. His funeral was quite glorious, after all, he had more than a dozen sons to take care of it.

After careful selection, the emperor finally chose the posthumous title for him. He was called Yang for being fond of domestic affairs and alienating from etiquette; he was called Yang for being aloof from etiquette and alienating from the people; he was called Yang for being against the will of heaven and cruel to the people; he was called Yang for being fond of big and dangerous politics; he was called Yang for being unkind and ungrateful; and he was called Yang for being aloof from virtue and ruining the country.

He put the final verdict on Chen Shubao, and then, to show his tolerance, he posthumously awarded Chen Shubao the title of general and buried him in Mangshan, Luoyang, and also gave his descendants official positions.

Then the court began to get busy with various grand ceremonies, including preparations for the enthronement ceremony of the empress and the prince, and the emperor also had to formally worship his ancestors.

Along with the New Year's Festival, the Sui Dynasty ushered in a new era name, which means great virtue and great cause. Wealth is the great cause.

In the first year of Daye, on the first day of the first lunar month, the new emperor issued a general amnesty, made Xiao the empress, held a banquet for his ministers, and offered sacrifices to the ancestral temple.

Li Jiancheng, wearing an official robe, stood among the ministers and participated in the grand ceremony. He bowed solemnly and moved according to the instructions of the officials of the Ministry of Rites.

The emperor was handsome and majestic. He ascended to the highest position when his mind and body were at their strongest. Naturally, he wanted to accomplish great things.

Bingchen, the Crown Prince was granted the imperial seal. As the Crown Prince's royal guard, Li Jiancheng had more things to do, but he was fine. However, the Crown Prince, who had gained weight, felt a little uncomfortable, his face flushed and he was sweating.

After enthroning the empress and the crown prince, the emperor would show favor to his ministers and order officials to manufacture gold treasures, utensils, brocades, and carriages on a large scale, in order to reward old ministers in the palace and those who had participated in suppressing the rebellion.

Yang Su stood in the front without any dispute, while Yuwen Shu, Xiao Cong, Lai Huer, Li Zixiong, Li Yuan, Li Jiancheng and others followed behind. They were rewarded for their merits, and Li Jiancheng received several jade articles and a carriage.

Then the emperor promoted Yang Su to be the Minister of the Chancellery. This was the first time someone had held this position since the establishment of the Sui Dynasty. Yang Su was so moved that he danced for the emperor in public to express his gratitude.

But just as the late emperor had asked Yang Su to attend court every three to five days and not to do trivial matters personally, Yang Guang had the same idea. So the newly promoted Shangshu Lingnian began to live at home claiming to be sick.

...............

(End of this chapter)