Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 130 Success (Part 1)

"If our family line ends in my hands, I will die with my eyes open in disgrace. I will cover my face with my hair after death, and I will have no face to meet my ancestors!"

Lu Shang's throat tightened, and he said in a low voice, "I'm back now, aren't I?"

Lu Yongji's eyes reddened, and he raised his hand to pat Lu Shang's shoulder hard, saying, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

The father and son walked side by side into the inner hall. As they passed under the corridor, Lü Shang noticed the newly added carvings on the pillars.

Lu Quan, who was standing to the side, explained in a low voice, "Every half month, the master would carve a line here to mark the date of your return."

Lu Shang remained silent and stepped into the inner hall, where a maidservant brought him a bowl of steaming ginseng soup.

Lu Yongji took it personally and handed it to Lu Shang, saying, "I've asked the kitchen to stew your favorite sea bass, it will be ready to serve soon."

"Hmm," Lü Shang lowered his head, took a sip of ginseng soup, and nodded slightly.

Watching Lü Shang drink the ginseng soup, Lü Yongji sighed and said, "This time you're back, don't leave again. Your father is getting old and can't bear this kind of anxiety."

"Even if you absolutely have to leave, we'll wait until you're married and the family line continues before we talk about it."

"They say one should not travel far while one's parents are alive, but you haven't even left any descendants. I'm really afraid!"

Lu Shang paused, holding the ginseng soup in his hand, and looked up at Lu Yongji, saying, "Princess Lanling will not be out of mourning for more than a year. During this time, I will stay at home and keep you company. Father, with the princess's arrival, our family must also make preparations early and start organizing the wedding ceremony, including the betrothal, the auspicious date selection, and the gift presentation. We cannot afford to make a fool of ourselves."

Upon hearing this, Lü Yongji's cloudy eyes instantly lit up, and his withered hand slammed heavily on the table, making the teacups clink.

"Good, it's good that you have this intention. We should indeed make some arrangements for the wedding in advance. I will ask someone to go to the Ministry of Rites to find the wedding ceremony regulations from the palace. Our Lü family must not make any mistakes in etiquette."

"The Empress has always looked down on our Lü family, thinking that we are from a humble family and not worthy of the princess's noble birth. We must not let her look down on us."

"Our wedding preparations must be flawless, so that the Empress understands that although the Lü family is not a high-ranking family, we still know the rules and value etiquette."

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Daxing Palace,
Inside the Daxing Hall, candlelight flickered and incense smoke curled upwards.

Yang Jian sat high on the dragon throne, with two rows of civil and military officials below him dressed in court robes, their expressions respectful.

The emperor slowly surveyed the assembled officials below. The hall was silent, save for the crackling of the candlelight and the faint, wafting scent of incense from the burner.

Prince Yang Lin strode into the hall, bowed deeply, and said, "Your Majesty, in this northern expedition, I have fortunately fulfilled my mission, and Ashina Dianjue has ultimately sued for peace."

"Not only will they cede three cities, but they will also be willing to contribute 10,000 fine horses and a million catties of refined iron every year thereafter,"

After saying this, the attendants behind Yang Lin presented the documents recording the details of the cession of territory and tribute, as well as the seals symbolizing the sovereignty of the three cities, to the eunuchs, who then handed them over to the Grand Attendant.

Emperor Yang Jian was overjoyed. He took the document, glanced at it, and his smile deepened. He placed the document on his desk and said loudly, "Prince Kao Shan's expedition has greatly enhanced the prestige of our Great Sui Dynasty, and his contributions are indispensable!"

Secretary Niu Hong stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, this great victory is truly a glorious event for our Great Sui Dynasty. It should be announced to the world and a celebration should be held. Firstly, to demonstrate the might and virtue of the Holy Dynasty, and secondly, to inspire the people to unite as one and ensure the long-term peace and stability of our Great Sui Dynasty.” Yang Jian gently stroked the armrest of the dragon throne, his gaze slowly sweeping over Niu Hong. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “What you say, Minister Niu, is exactly what I intend.”

"This great victory in the northern campaign is not only a demonstration of the military strength of our Great Sui Dynasty, but also a testament to the will of the people. By imperial decree, the Ministry of Rites, in conjunction with the Court of State Ceremonial, shall organize a celebration. I want all the people of the world to know that our Great Sui Dynasty is in accordance with the Mandate of Heaven and the will of the people, and is the rightful ruler of the world."

Yang Jian slightly raised his eyes, his gaze piercing through the swirling incense smoke in the hall, as if he were looking across the entire world, and said, "I want the rulers and ministers of the false Chen dynasty to understand that a life of partial peace cannot last long."

The northern tribes of Shabolue and Datou had already suffered heavy losses. At this time, the Turks were divided into eastern and western parts, which checked and balanced each other and were no longer able to invade the Sui Dynasty.

Having eliminated the northern threat, Yang Jian's next target became the Jiangnan region occupied by the Southern Chen dynasty.

He wanted to unify the world and end the three hundred years of chaos.

Thinking of this, Yang Jian said loudly, "Gentlemen, since the Jin dynasty moved east, the world has been plunged into strife, with the north and south locked in a standoff for three hundred years, and the people have suffered greatly from the chaos. Now that the Turks have sued for peace and the north has been pacified, it is time for the Great Sui to lead its army south, wipe out the false Chen dynasty, and rebuild the land."

Before he finished speaking, He Ruobi stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, my navy is already ready for battle. We await Your Majesty’s command and will lead the navy to break through the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, storm Jiankang, and capture the false Chen emperor before Your Majesty.”

When Yang Jian saw He Ruobi requesting to fight, he nodded slightly. Before he could speak, Gao Jiong, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, stepped forward from the crowd.

Gao Jiong bowed and advised, "Your Majesty, the puppet Chen dynasty has been entrenched in Jiangnan for many years, with deep roots, and the Yangtze River is a natural barrier that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. I believe that now is not the best time to seize Jiangnan. At present, the war in the north has just ended, and the soldiers have fought hard and are in dire need of rest."

"Furthermore, preparing the provisions and equipment needed for the southern expedition will require a great deal of time and manpower. In my opinion, rather than spending money and provisions to launch an attack on Chen now, it would be better to adopt a more comprehensive and long-term strategy."

Gao Jiong's words resonated deeply. Yang Jian stroked his chin, lost in thought. A deathly silence fell over the hall; everyone held their breath, awaiting the emperor's decision.

"Now is definitely not the time to send troops,"

Finally, Yang Jian spoke slowly, his voice low yet clear, breaking the tense silence in the hall.

“What Zhao Xuan said makes sense. Our Great Sui has just finished the northern expedition. Our soldiers urgently need to rest and recuperate. The reserves of food and weapons in the rear also need time to be replenished. At this time, the chances of winning are too small.”

Gao Jiong, courtesy name Zhaoxuan, was appointed Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Yang Jian said, "For now, we should focus on recuperation and rebuilding. However, the great cause of unifying the country must not be put on hold."

He then looked at Gao Jiong and said, "Zhaoxuan, I entrust you with the important task of preparing for the southern expedition. Take stock of the losses from the northern expedition, arrange for the soldiers to take turns resting, and ensure that there are sufficient provisions and equipment."

Gao Jiong accepted the order and said, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail in your trust."

Yang Jian then turned his gaze to He Ruobi and said, "Fu Bo, your navy must not slacken. You must set up more sentries along the Yangtze River to detect the enemy's movements, and at the same time strengthen training to familiarize them with naval warfare."

"Three years, at most three years, and I will conquer Jiangnan."

He Ruobi knelt on one knee and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the navy is ready at any time."

With everything arranged, Yang Jian laughed loudly and said, "My lords, the unification of the Sui Dynasty is just around the corner. I hope you will all work together to make this a great undertaking. Let us create a peaceful and prosperous era and leave our mark on history."

"Your Majesty, we will certainly do our utmost to live up to Your Majesty's grace!"

(End of this chapter)