Thousand-year-old family: its rise began with Shang Yang’s reforms
Chapter 448 The Emperor Agrees, the Ministers Acquiesce, and Chen Opposes
Chapter 448 The Emperor Agrees, the Ministers Acquiesce, and Chen Opposes
Yang Jian's reaction did not surprise everyone. After all, Yang Jian himself was such a hypocritical and vain person. Whether it was against the Western Regions or the new barbarians on the grassland, as long as they were willing to praise his "benevolence", he would give them unlimited opportunities.
This may be why people often say, "If you lack something, you will emphasize what you have."
Those who started out their careers by "killing the king" and "plotting treason" naturally want to publicize themselves as benevolent and amiable monarchs, naturally want to show their generosity, and naturally want to emphasize their own character, because they are afraid that history books will reveal their true faces.
This can be seen from what Yang Jian did in the past.
In addition to the Western Regions and grassland ethnic groups, he visited the "fiefdom" posthumously conferred on "Zhang Annian of the Zhang family" many times, and had a former residence of Zhang Annian built. Then he praised Zhang Annian in front of the former residence. However, while praising him, he also made some "dialectical" criticisms.
Let's talk about Zhang Annian. Although he made great contributions, such as establishing the rules of the imperial examination system, he also made some mistakes in his later years, such as reusing people like the Grand Historian and the Minister of the Central Secretariat.
Then he shamelessly ran to Zhang Jue's former residence and criticized and praised Zhang Jue, as if he was already the greatest figure in the world at that time - although logically speaking, he was indeed the greatest figure in the world at that moment.
All in all, all in all.
The hypocritical Yang Jian mentioned this matter in the court and expressed his attitude.
That is, "No one is without fault, except saints and sages."
If you can correct your mistakes, you are still a hero.
The emperor's attitude influenced the attitudes of his ministers to some extent. Some ministers expressed their agreement, while others fell into silence.
They could not resist the emperor because they knew how petty the emperor was. If they openly opposed him, they would end up in a ridiculous situation in the future.
Few of those who opposed Yang Jian in the past are still alive and well today.
In the Jinluan Palace
Yang Jian looked down at the ministers in the hall, who were either expressing their support passionately or acquiescing silently, with a smug smile on his face. This time, he could show his "benevolence" again.
Even if it means sacrificing the interests of the nine provinces of China to demonstrate his benevolence and wisdom.
Just when Yang Jian was about to announce this matter, a "wolf" who was not silent stood out from the silent flock of sheep. His expression was firm and solemn, and his face was as peaceful as ever.
Such situations have occurred countless times in this Golden Palace.
In the past, it was always the ancestor of this person, but now the one who came forward is Chen Ruohan.
Chen Ruohan stood in the Golden Throne Hall and said softly, "Your Majesty."
"I object."
Yes.
Chen Ruohan opposed this.
This sentence was like a signal. When the bullets from the signal gun were shot into the sky, countless fireworks bloomed.
The silent majority - groups of Chen's disciples and friends of Chen, all stood up. When the silent majority are no longer silent, the voices they make will surely be deafening.
Chen Ruohan looked into Yang Jian's eyes. One of them was standing in the hall, and the other was sitting on the dragon throne, as if their status were completely different.
But it was this seemingly tiny speck of dust that launched an attack on the grandeur sitting high on the throne.
Yang Jian looked confused at first, then silent.
He looked at Chen Ruohan, his voice was as gentle as usual: "Ruohan."
"Why do you object?"
Yang Jian tried to dismantle the incident as Chen Ruohan's opposition in order to protect the credit for his brother. He wanted to make Chen look less "tall".
"If it's because of Lin'an, then there's no need to worry."
He smiled and said, "I just found out that Lin'an and Erfeng, that kid, actually traveled thousands of miles to Liaodong County to join the army."
"They also made great contributions to the victory over Goguryeo this time."
"Ruohan can rest assured that even if this war ends, their contributions will not be erased."
"If we reward them according to their merits, they should be made marquises and prime ministers. I want to make Lin'an and Erfeng "Dukes". What do Ruohan think?"
Yang Jian was hypocritical, but also smart.
He did not simply take Chen Linan out, but instead tied up Li Shimin.
Yang Jian wanted to create a crack in the unbreakable Chen-Li alliance and at the same time provoke the relationship between Li Shimin and Chen Linan.
If Li Shimin lost his title of Duke because of Chen's opposition, would he still stand by Chen's side? If Li Shimin lost his title of Duke because of Chen Lin'an, would he still be so friendly with Chen Lin'an?
Yang Jian sat there, thinking about countless calculations in his mind.
He watches everything happening from a high position and condones everything that happens, but at critical moments he will choose to "point it out" and use "open conspiracy" to prevent some things from happening.
For example, he did not stop Chen Zhan from accepting Li Yuan as his disciple. However, shortly after Li Yuan gave birth to his second child, he ordered Li Yuan to be transferred to Taiyuan for garrison, and he was not allowed to leave easily without an imperial decree.
As a result, the relationship between Li Yuan's other descendants and the Chen family was severed.
A hundred years after Li Yuan's death, when his descendants started fighting with each other, would the relationship between the Li and Chen families still be so good?
Not anymore.
Because if it was Li Jiancheng who came to power in the end, he would wonder, "Why didn't Chen help me back then?"
If it was another heir who took the throne in the end, they would wonder, "Will Chen avenge my eldest brother?"
Why did Yang Jian spend so much effort to do something that could be done with a small transfer order?
Just like now, with just a few simple words and a title without real power, why should we fall out with the Chen and Li families?
Yang Jian thought that Chen Ruohan would not be able to see what he was thinking.
But unfortunately, although Chen Ruohan was young, he was a genius. He saw through everything Yang Jian was thinking and saw through Yang Jian's plans.
He didn't intend to fall into Yang Jian's trap.
"Your Majesty, what I did was not to my seventh brother."
Chen Ruohan raised his head, his brows filled with coldness and indifference. His voice gradually grew louder and louder, becoming more and more determined and majestic.
"What I have done is for the people of the world."
"Goguryeo was arrogant at first but respectful later. Could it be that, as they said in their memorial, they knew they were wrong?"
"Do not."
"It's not that they know they are wrong, they just know they are going to die."
"That's why they wag their tails and beg for peace."
"Your Majesty, do you think that it is because of your kindness that Goguryeo chose to submit a petition at this time?"
"Do not."
"What really 'touched' Goguryeo were the dozen cities they had already lost, the Sui army that had already reached the capital of Goguryeo, the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives in a foreign land, and the soldiers who are still fighting on the front lines." "This attack on Goguryeo cost countless gold and silver, and almost half of the grain in the twelve warehouses was consumed. Can't Your Majesty see these consumptions?"
"Goguryeo is close to the sea and occupies the harbor. It has convenient geographical advantages. If we can occupy it, it will naturally provide countless benefits to the Sui Dynasty. Can't your majesty see this?"
He looked at Yang Jian and said, "Is it possible that your Majesty can only see the four characters in the letter from Goguryeo praising your Majesty as a 'benevolent monarch'?"
Chen Ruohan said decisively: "But true benevolence is not to be kind to the enemy, but to be kind to your own people and your own subjects. Doesn't your majesty know this?"
"Your Majesty was a man of great talent and vision in the past. Why is it that all you have done in recent years is just empty talk?"
He didn't finish his words, but his meaning was clear.
Yang Jian's face was a little "red and warm", his eyes could no longer control the "murderous intent" and "evil spirit" in them, his heart was filled with rage, but he couldn't help but restrain himself.
He could hear what Chen Ruohan was not saying.
"Is it because of the Bloody Night Incident that year that made Your Majesty feel too guilty?"
This unasked question is hidden in every question just asked.
Yang Jian barely suppressed his anger, and his smile became a little forced: "Haha, Ruohan is right, I am indeed a little short-sighted."
He decided to hold his breath for now and then take things step by step.
The character that has been created and built over the years must not be destroyed at this time because of a few questions.
Wait until - it will still be too late to deal with him later.
He looked at Chen Ruohan: "So according to Ruohan, what does that mean——?"
Chen Ruohan stood there with an upright posture and a gentle temperament, but the words he spoke were not so "gentle".
He uttered two words softly.
"Destroy the country."
Destroy the country!
Chen Ruohan's voice was full of generosity: "It has been a long time since China threatened or destroyed other barbarians. The most recent one was the war of annihilation of the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty."
"This is too far away, so far away that those barbarians have forgotten why they submitted to the land of China."
His eyes were sharp: "It has been so long that those barbarians think that Hua Xia is a good and honest person, a good person who will not fight back when beaten, and will calm down after a few nice words!"
"Your subject, Chen Ruohan, submits this report."
"I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict to use military force against Goguryeo and destroy the country! All the sons and daughters of the Goguryeo royal family will be killed, all the Goguryeo officials above the third rank will be exterminated, and all the soldiers from Goguryeo who have participated in the war against China will be demoted to slavery and forced labor, and they will not be allowed to be civilians for three generations."
Chen Ruohan stood there, making one "plea" after another, but these policies were different from Yang Jian's "hypocritical" benevolence in the past.
War doesn't believe in tears, and struggle never believes in tears!
The so-called benevolence is just a hypocritical person who wants a good reputation, thus sacrificing the interests of countless ordinary people and casting a golden statue for those who are high above.
Yang Jian's expression became somewhat reluctant.
But at this time, the court officials were already passionate and excited by Chen Ruohan's words. Everyone remembered the majesty of the Han Dynasty. How dare these barbarians declare war on the Han Dynasty at that time?
At most they could launch some sneak attacks on the big man!
The benevolence of the Chinese over the years has spoiled their temperaments.
The Minister of Honglu Temple was one of the thirty-six ministers who first stood up to support Chen Ruohan. He was not a disciple of Chen, but what Chen Ruohan said touched his heart.
If we were to say who has felt the most aggrieved over the years, it would definitely be the Minister of the Honglu Temple.
He was one of the thirty-six nobles of Kyushu and was considered a high-ranking official, but he had to treat envoys from some barbaric and small countries with courtesy - this was simply outrageous.
Do they deserve them?
But the emperor's orders were still ringing in his ears, and he had no choice but to do these things. Every day he wondered whether he would be recorded in history books, saying that he had lost the Honglu Temple and that he was the worst Honglu Temple Minister.
And now.
He cheered loudly for Chen Ruohan.
When more and more people joined in supporting Chen, everything became clear.
The outcome is set.
In the fourteenth year of Kaihuang, it was autumn and winter.
The emperor's imperial edict.
Goguryeo was arrogant at first but became respectful later, and did not respect the superior country. Its crime is unforgivable.
Your Majesty is benevolent and only destroyed the country, killed the descendants of the Goguryeo royal family, and killed the three clans of Goguryeo officials above the third rank. The soldiers who participated in the war against China were enslaved and forced to do corvée.
The rest of the Goguryeo people were forgiven.
When the imperial edict was issued, the whole world was shocked.
It is not uncommon for China to launch wars of annihilation against other countries. The Han Dynasty often did this in the past. If they disliked a country, they would send an envoy to it. If the envoy died, they would destroy the country.
This was the case with the Marquis of Bowang back then.
After the Han Dynasty sent envoys to Loulan, the people of Loulan dared to attack them, so the Han Dynasty destroyed Loulan.
There are many more examples.
Therefore, people were not surprised by the war to annihilate the country, but were surprised that this imperial edict came from the current leader who has always been hypocritical.
Later, after Chen Ruohan's impassioned speech in the hall was spread, people suddenly realized that, oh, it turned out that His Majesty really didn't want to do it, but it was Chen who wanted to do it.
That's normal.
People from the Chen family never swallow their anger or hold it in.
Liaodongnan County
Guan Shan's mouth almost stretched to the corners of his eyes. He chuckled and looked at Chen Ruohan and Li Shimin who had been promoted to "lieutenant generals" and sighed: "I thought this time it would just be an apology and that would be the end of it."
"Who knew that the court would be so determined this time."
"I heard that it was your brother who argued at the court meeting, which led to the war that destroyed the country."
“That’s really good news.”
Chen Linan curled his lips. He didn’t like his brother very much - after all, who would like a brother who was excellent in every aspect, better than himself, and made him look like nothing in comparison?
Looking at Chen Linan's expression, Li Shimin nodded angrily. He also understood the situation.
His elder brother is just pretending to be dead.
Only at this moment, even greater excitement swept over him.
"So this means that we can launch a general attack on Goguryeo?"
(End of this chapter)
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