My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 228 Loyal Minister
The steward of the manor saw Yang Xuanzong off, and then returned to Yang Wang's side with some worry.

"Master, these people are not behaving properly. If we help them, we might be implicated later."

There was also some sorrow in Yang Wang's eyes, "I am a former subordinate of the Duke of Chu. Even if I don't help them, I'm afraid I won't be able to get away either."

Yang Xuangan's unusual behavior was noticed by many of Yang Su's former subordinates, which made them very uneasy. If Yang Xuangan did something he shouldn't have, they, as former subordinates of the Duke of Chu, would definitely be implicated.

Even if you take the initiative to report it, you're unlikely to get any good results.

Not long ago, Yang Xuangan found Yang Wang and asked him to help him promote a few of his clansmen.

Promotion is the job of the Ministry of Personnel. There are two people in charge of the Ministry of Personnel now. The Minister of Personnel is Niu Hong, who is an unyielding person who lives a simple life and spends his days reading books. He does not participate in court struggles, does not advise the emperor, and just does his own thing. He is an unapproachable person.

Fortunately, when the Ministry of Personnel promotes officials, it will convene all the scholars for a 'collective decision'. For example, Liu Xuan, who was a scholar in the past, participated in the process, and then the results were reported to higher authorities. Yang Wang is now the chief minister, so he still has some influence in this regard.

If it were just a regular promotion, it would not be a difficult thing at all. At their level, recommending a few talented people to the imperial court and promoting them to official positions would be no big deal. However, Yang Xuangan's promotions were not ordinary promotions.

Yang Xuangan recommended many people, all of whom were his brothers, clansmen, and even his father's old subordinates. The positions he wanted to appoint these people to were all important posts in the Eagle Banner Prefecture, such as Langjiang (a military officer).

If you separate these people and put them in the memorials, you can't see anything wrong with them. But if you put them together like this, it's really quite frightening. You're stuffing your clansmen, confidants, and friends into the Eagle Banner Prefecture and making them command armies in various Eagle Banner Prefectures. What are you trying to do?

When Yang Wang first received the list, he was so frightened that he almost threw the letter in Yang Xuangan's face.

Yang Xuangan explained repeatedly that he only wanted his clansmen to gain military merits because of the many battles that had recently taken place. He cited other nobles as examples, saying that everyone was scheming for military merits, and he had absolutely no other intentions.

Despite his words, Yang Wang was still unwilling and asked Yang Xuangan to reduce his men, eventually leaving only six trusted confidants before Yang Wang finally agreed.

Even now, Yang Wang still feels scared.

If this guy really did something, wouldn't I be considered an accomplice?
With the character of a saint, could he forgive himself?
A sage!
Yanzhi Mountain.

On the high platform, Yang Guang sat majestically.

There were many guards on both sides, stretching into the distance.

Ministers such as Su Wei, Yuwen Shu, Yang Xiong, Li Yuan, Pei Shiju, and Yu Shiji stood on both sides, looking solemn.

Then they saw a large group of people walking up the steps, respectfully heading towards the platform.

There were more than thirty people in total. They were dressed in beautiful brocade robes and adorned with gold and jewels. Musicians played music along the way, and dancers danced gracefully in the distance. These people were the minor kings of the Western Regions who had come to pay homage to Yang Guang.

From below the high platform, one can see many ordinary people.

These people, dressed in luxurious clothes, knelt and worshiped in the distance. Their numbers were so great that they stretched for more than ten miles, completely blocking the road.

After these princes paid their respects and presented their gifts, Yang Guang could no longer contain his fervor.

He looked at Pei Shiju, who was in charge of all of this.

"Pei Qing!"

"I hereby promote you to the rank of Grand Master of the Silver Seal!"

"You did an excellent job this time!"

Pei Shiju quickly knelt down to express his gratitude.

Yang Guang then turned to the minor kings of the Western Regions, pointed to the people in the distance, and asked, "What do you all think? Can the Central Plains become strong?"

Looking at the countless people stretching to the horizon, the young kings' faces showed fear, and they all exclaimed, "Powerful!"

Yang Guang then ordered that they be rewarded with gifts and that they be required to resume paying tribute and to be loyal to him.

After completing his audience with the emperor, Yang Guang was in no hurry to return. He wanted to continue to inspect the territory he had expanded, and his ministers dared not advise him against it.

It was probably because Pei Shiju had done an exceptionally good job this time that Yang Guang was very pleased, so he ordered Pei Shiju to walk beside him and ride in the same carriage.

Sitting in the carriage, Pei Shiju saw that the emperor was in a great mood and suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I have another piece of great joy."

"Oh?"

"Is there more good news?"

"Your Majesty, I have learned that the Turkic Khan is seriously ill, and I fear he will request to come to court again."

"Oh? Ran Gan is utterly loyal to me. How can his serious illness be considered a joyous occasion?"

"It is precisely because Ran Gan is so loyal to Your Majesty that this is a joyous occasion." Pei Shiju did not spell out the truth, giving His Majesty ample opportunity to demonstrate his wisdom.

Yang Guang laughed as expected, "Is Minister Pei trying to sow discord again?"

"Your Majesty is wise! We supported Ran Gan in the beginning because he was weak, but in the years since, he has followed us on expeditions, first recovering more than ten Tiele tribes, and then leading the Xi, Xi, and Shiwei tribes in the east. His people have become stronger and his strength has greatly increased!"

"No matter which of his sons succeeds to the throne, they will likely become a threat to the Sui Dynasty. It would be better to take this opportunity to sow discord among them and make them fight amongst themselves. Then, we can support the weaker side and bring decades of peace to the border!"

Yang Guang nodded slightly.

“What you said makes some sense, but how can we interfere in the succession process within the Turkic Khaganate?”

“Rangan will surely come again. This time he will come to pay homage to Your Majesty to bestow titles upon his son. I ask Your Majesty not to agree, but to send someone to tell Ranan that you have learned of his illness and feel sorry for him. You hope that he can stay in the border region to rest and recover before setting off again.”

"I will send someone to contact his second son and tell him to prepare so that once Ran Gan is dead, His Majesty will order that his second son be appointed as the Turkic Khan. At that time, I am certain that the Turkic Khaganate will be in turmoil!"

Yang Guang narrowed his eyes and nodded slightly.

"Okay, I understand."

"And one more thing"

"Pei Qing, please speak frankly!"

Pei Shiju said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I heard that a confidant of Ran Gan's eldest son, Duji, is currently in Luoyang, seemingly to pay his respects to someone. There may be someone in the court colluding with this Duji, with ulterior motives!"

"I have left people in various places in Luoyang to investigate this person's movements, but so far I have not found his location."

Yang Guang's expression instantly turned cold.

He said, "Before the matter is fully investigated, do not discuss these things further. I will make my own decision."

Pei Shiju bowed his head and agreed. Yang Guang then dismissed Pei Shiju and, after a short while, summoned Yuwen Shu in.

Yuwen Shu removed his armor and came to pay his respects to the emperor.

Seeing him covered in sweat, Yang Guang was somewhat moved. Yuwen Shu had personally led the cavalry to patrol the surrounding area to ensure safety, which showed that he was a trustworthy minister!
Yang Guang asked him to sit down and had someone bring him some wine.

Yuwen Shu was tall, but when he sat in front of Yang Guang, he was exceptionally obedient and respectful.

Judging from his appearance alone, Yuwen Shu looked rather honest and simple, the typical image of a fierce general.

After he sat down, Yang Guang asked about the situation in the vicinity. Yuwen Shu naturally assured him that the thieves in the area had all been dealt with and there was absolutely no threat.

Yang Guang remained silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up at the other person.

"My lord, there are traitors in the country."

Yuwen Shu raised his head blankly.

"A trusted minister of mine secretly contacted the Turks for some horses, disregarding the safety of the country. Tell me, shouldn't such a person be executed?"

At that moment, Yuwen Shu's legs went weak.

He looked at the wine cup in his hand in fear.

"Yang Xuangan, that treacherous villain!! I trusted him so much! Yet he dared to collude with the Turks!"

Yang Guang's next words pulled Yuwen Shu back from the brink of despair.

Yuwen Shu let out a breath, his face flushed red. He looked at Yang Guang in disbelief, "Such a thing could happen?!"

"The evidence is irrefutable!"

Yuwen Shu was furious. "Your Majesty! A subject who does not think of serving the country but instead colludes with a traitor, how can this crime be forgiven?! How can he be allowed to live?! I am willing to rid Your Majesty of this traitor!"

Yang Guang's anger subsided considerably, and he looked at Yuwen Shu.

"If all the ministers in the country were like the Duke, how wonderful that would be!"

P.S.: Twenty-seven Western Barbarian and Hu kingdoms came to pay homage at the roadside, all adorned with gold and jade, draped in brocade, burning incense, playing music, singing, dancing, and making a great commotion. Furthermore, men and women from Wuwei and Zhangye were ordered to dress in their finest attire and watch, their carriages filling the streets, stretching for dozens of miles, to demonstrate the grandeur of China. The Emperor was greatly pleased upon seeing this. —From *The Book of Sui*, Biography of Pei Ju

(End of this chapter)