Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 128 Returning to Court (Part 1)

Dugu Jialuo covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes full of satisfaction, and said, "Your Majesty has a discerning eye, and Lü Shang is indeed an outstanding child. It is Ah Wu's good fortune to have such a good husband."

Seeing that even the Empress had praised him, Yang Jian laughed heartily, his laughter echoing throughout the palace, and said, "This lad is truly promising!"

"My maternal clan is mostly composed of mediocre people, so it's rare to find such a talented individual. I should reward him handsomely. Jialuo, what do you think of appointing him as a Grand General and Duke of Lu?"

"General, Duke of Lu," Dugu Jialuo's smile faltered slightly. After careful consideration, she said slowly, "Your Majesty's move, though showing appreciation for talent, is not without its challenges. Lu Shang is too young. Suddenly being granted the title of General and the rank of Duke of Lu may invite criticism from others."

Yang Jian frowned and snorted, "Criticism? What is there to criticize? Lü Shang, as a relative of the emperor, personally braved arrows and stones to fight against overwhelming odds, and that's how he earned his military merit. What's there to criticize about that? Since Lü Shang has this ability, I will naturally give him a reward commensurate with it."

"If not in this way, how can we inspire the civil and military officials and soldiers from all directions? I want the whole world to see that in my Great Sui Dynasty, as long as someone has the ability and is willing to serve the country to the death, I will let him rise to the top and enjoy all the glory. A true man should take fame and fortune on horseback."

Seeing that Yang Jian had made up his mind, Dugu Jialuo nodded slightly, a gentle smile returning to her phoenix eyes, and said, "Since Luo Yan has already made a holy decision, then let him be rewarded accordingly."

With just a few words, the emperor and empress decided on Lü Shang's rewards upon his return to the court.

Yang Jian raised his hand and stroked his beard, saying, "Jialuo, after Lü Shang is granted his title, we should start considering his marriage to A Wu."

"I'm thinking of giving them that mansion in Xuanyangfang as their wedding home. The mansion is spacious and bright, and the location is good. It's a token of our affection for the children."

Dugu Jialuo nodded slightly, her eyes full of affection, and said, "Your Majesty has considered everything very well. I also plan to select a few capable maids and nannies to accompany A-Wu so that we can take care of them in their daily lives."

Just as Yang Jian was speaking with Dugu Jialuo, the eunuch Chen Dexin hurried through the palace corridor and entered the hall. His expression was solemn, and he prostrated himself in greeting, saying, "Your Majesty, Empress, a report has come from the Anfeng County Duke's residence that Anfeng County Duke Dou Rongding is critically ill."

"Rongding,"

Upon hearing this, Yang Jian's smile vanished instantly.

"When did this happen? Didn't the imperial physician say that the patient's condition had improved when he went to treat him?" Emperor Yang Jian's voice grew increasingly low, filled with barely suppressed anger.

Dugu Jialuo frowned slightly, a worried look on her face, and said softly, "Rongding followed His Majesty in his early years, fighting in the south and north, and suffered many injuries and illnesses. Although he has been recuperating over the years, his health is not as good as before."

Yang Jian slowly rose and paced back and forth in the hall, his boots making a dull sound on the blue bricks. He said, "I will go to the Duke's mansion to visit him now. Jialuo, you come with me."

Dugu Jialuo nodded in agreement, then turned her gaze to the eunuch Chen Dexin and instructed, "Quickly summon the Imperial Medical Bureau and have them immediately select the most capable imperial physicians, bring the best medicines from the palace, and rush to the Duke of Anfeng's residence to do everything in their power to save him."

After receiving the order, Chen Dexin hurriedly withdrew. Yang Jian stopped, gazing at the gloomy sky outside the hall. A complex mix of emotions welled up within him, and for a moment, he felt a fear of death. He sighed deeply, "So many old friends have passed away."

Dugu Jialuo stood up, walked to Yang Jian's side, gently patted his arm, and said softly, "Your Majesty, do not worry too much. Rongding is blessed with good fortune and will surely get through this."

"I hope so,"

Yang Jian was lost in thought and muttered to himself.

------

After resting for several days at Yanmen Pass and in Shuozhou City, Yang Lin stood before the city gate of Shuozhou, the morning sun shining down on his gleaming fish-scale armor. Hundreds of thousands of troops from the Northern Expeditionary Army were arrayed neatly outside the city, their banners fluttering and their horses' hooves thundering.

"set off!"

At Yang Lin's command, the army surged forward like a tide, stretching for miles. As they marched, the dust they raised swirled in the north wind.

"well,"

On the city wall of Shuozhou, Guo Yan, the governor of Shuozhou, silently watched Yang Lin's departing figure. The morning breeze ruffled his hair, and his robes rustled. Only when the dust in the distance gradually dissipated did he turn and walk down the city wall, his boots tapping on the bluestone slabs.

Back at the government office, Guo Yan dismissed his attendants and unfolded the secret letter. The candlelight cast distorted shadows on the desk, revealing an urgent secret order from the powerful figure behind him. The vermilion handwriting was startling.

"Lu Shang is a man who achieved success at a young age and has a powerful background. He is highly trusted by the Prince of Kao Shan. It is no easy task to persuade him to join the prince's faction and support his bid for the throne!"

Guo Yan stared at the vermilion characters on the secret letter. The candlelight cast flickering shadows on his face, reflecting the sinister look in his eyes.

After a long while, he suddenly brought the secret letter close to the candlelight, watching the letter curl up in the flames and then turn to ashes.

As a supporter of the Prince of Jin, Guo Yan naturally hoped to bring Lü Shang into the Prince's camp. Guo Yan knew very well that, based on Lü Shang's military achievements, even if he didn't govern a region after returning to court, he would still be entrusted with important responsibilities and given a key position.

Therefore, during the few days that the Northern Expeditionary Army was resting and reorganizing in Shuozhou, Guo Yan repeatedly tried to win over Lü Shang, attempting to persuade him to join the Prince of Jin's ranks. However, Lü Shang possessed a cunning beyond his years, and despite all the overtures, he remained unmoved.

Neither explicitly refusing nor readily agreeing, Guo Yan felt like he had a fishbone stuck in his throat, yet he was helpless.

After thinking for a moment, Guo Yan picked up the brush and ink from the side, and the Xuan paper trembled slightly on the table.

tread!tread!tread!
On the wide official road, the sounds of the vanguard's horses' hooves and footsteps mingled together. At the front of the column, three scouts rode back and forth at high speed, the dust kicked up by their hooves resembling golden smoke in the sunlight.

Yang Guang,

Astride the Purple Lightning Frost, thinking about Guo Yan's efforts to win him over these past few days, Lü Shang gently stroked the Purple Lightning Frost's mane, his gaze deep as he watched the dust rise into the air.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he should now have completely caught Yang Guang's eye.

After all, without Yang Guang's approval, Guo Yan, as Yang Guang's confidant, would not have dared to recruit Lü Shang.

Lü Shang's identity was far too sensitive; he was both the emperor's nephew and the future emperor's son-in-law, with the powerful Prince Kao protecting him. Even if Guo Yan had immense courage, he would never have approached Lü Shang without Yang Guang's authorization.

"The struggle between Yang Yong and Yang Guang is already beginning to unfold,"

"Both of them were eager to recruit followers. At this time, Crown Prince Yang Yong could still suppress the still-developing Yang Guang by virtue of his status as the heir apparent. However, Yang Guang had Bingzhou as his fiefdom and controlled the finances of Taiyuan. Although Crown Prince Yang Yong could suppress Yang Guang, Yang Guang's power continued to grow."

"After the destruction of Chen, the conflict between Yang Yong and Yang Guang will become more apparent."

(End of this chapter)