Thousand-year-old family: its rise began with Shang Yang’s reforms

Chapter 455 The trapped beast still fights
Yang Jian's opinion on Dugu Xin was well-founded, after all, Sima Yi felt the same way back then.

Old but energetic, he outlasted three generations of people, Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Rui, until his true colors were finally revealed. He then prepared to steal the imperial power of the Wei Dynasty and ascend to the supreme position.

Although Sima Yi did not succeed in the end, it does not mean that Dugu Xin would not succeed.

Because one's own family knows one's own business. The reason why the Wei Dynasty was not usurped was because of the help of the Chen family. But can the Sui Dynasty, or the Yang family, get help from the Chen family now?

Yang Jian felt that this was something that could not be gambled on because the probability of success was too low.

He felt that he had nothing that would make Chen appreciate him and help him.

So Yang Jian decided to be self-reliant and deal with these matters before he died - otherwise, an heir with Dugu blood, an old but energetic member of the Dugu clan who held great power, and an extremely intelligent queen who was in the harem.

With such a configuration, it is hard to say whether the future Sui Dynasty will still be named "Yang".

Taiwei Mansion

Dugu Xin sat there like a withered old tree.

The roots are deep and the leaves are lush, but they are about to die of illness.

At this time, many of Dugu's "helpers" were sitting beside him.

His grandson - Li Yuan.

Several important disciples of the Dugu family - some of whom occupied the positions of Thirty-Six Ministers, as well as the descendants and family members of those who served as county magistrates, provincial governors and other officials.

There is nothing else.

He laid everything out in the open because Dugu Xin was going to do something big today.

An event that will have a major impact on the future development of the Dugu family.

Dugu Jian sat next to Dugu Xin with tears in his eyes. He was surrounded by a sad atmosphere because he knew what his father wanted to do.

He couldn't stop it, he couldn't stop it. Of course, there was also a part of him that didn't want to stop it.

Dugu Xin lived for too long, to the point where it was frightening and terrifying.

As the next head of the Dugu family, he also wants to hold on to "power" instead of staying at home and obeying other people's orders like a grandson.

The sound of the imperial carriage was heard in the distance, and Dugu Xin stood up tremblingly. He took a deep look at Dugu Jian and others standing beside him, and then sighed softly.

After letting out a long sigh, he walked towards the door of Dugu Mansion to greet the "Your Majesty".

"Your Majesty, long live your Majesty—"

Ever since Emperor Wansui changed the words of praise, Yang Jian also thought that the words of praise were good, so he simply used them.

Seeing his father-in-law kneeling on the ground and shouting "Long live my father-in-law", Yang Jian hurried forward with a amiable look on his face: "Father-in-law, why do you have to do this? Isn't this embarrassing for me?"

This time when he came to Dugu's mansion, what Yang Jian wanted to do was to avoid future troubles.

It is for this reason that he will definitely demonstrate his benevolence in small matters.

Dugu Xin's heart sank, realizing that Yang Jian had already made a decision in his heart. He couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had made the decision that belonged to the Dugu family before Yang Jian took any action.

In this way, Yang Jian might leave Dugu a "way out".

In the courtyard

Ever since Dugu Xin began to consciously live in seclusion at home, part of the decoration in Dugu's mansion has become like a "hermit" in the mountains and forests. At this time, Yang Jian, Li Yuan, Dugu Xin and others were all sitting in Dugu Xin's favorite courtyard.

Dugu Xin said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty has come to visit me personally, and I am terrified."

"It just so happens that I have some family matters that I would like to ask Your Majesty to witness. Is that possible?"

Housework?
Yang Jian looked at Dugu Xin with some curiosity: "I wonder what it is?"

Dugu Xin sighed and slowly told the story of the "struggles" in his family in recent years.

"My eldest son Dugu Jian and my second son Dugu Zhi have been fighting endlessly for this share of the family business that I have earned, and even killed each other."

"Over the years, I was not unaware of many things going on in my family. I just turned a blind eye to them."

"I really don't want to see these disputes when I get older."

Dugu Xin closed his eyes, a feeling of sadness emanated from him, and he sighed softly.

This emotion infected Yang Jian, and he was also troubled by this matter.

He patted Dugu Xin's arm with a sad look on his face: "Since ancient times, such things have often happened."

"How is my father-in-law going to deal with this?"

Dugu Xin smiled. He understood what Yang Jian was thinking, but this time Yang Jian was wrong. He did not want to get involved in the fight between Prince of Jin and the Crown Prince, and did not even intend to give Yang Jian some "reference".

He just said: "Your Majesty, my family business is not that big. After thinking about it, it is better to follow the way that King Jing of Zhongshan handled it and follow the original plan of the "Enfeoffment Order". "

"Let's separate the families."

Dugu Jian became anxious when he heard this. After all, if the family was not divided, all the property would be his. But if the family was divided, no matter how much Dugu Xin was prepared to give to Dugu Zhi, it would all be divided from his "property"!

"Father!"

Before he could say anything, Dugu Xin waved his hand, looked at Yang Jian and said, "It's a coincidence that your Majesty has come this time. How about your Majesty be a witness?"

Yang Jian was sitting there stunned when he heard this, and then he realized what Dugu Xin was trying to do.

He sighed silently, and the "murderous intention" towards Dugu in his heart disappeared a lot: "Why is father-in-law doing this?"

Dugu Xin waved his hand: "I just want to take care of this family affair while I am still alive."

Yang Jian nodded, with some agreement in his words: "Then I will bear witness to this for the Grand Commandant."

His meaning was very clear, he agreed to Dugu's request.

Decided to give Dugu a way out.

Dugu Xin breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, he was not sure whether doing so could find a way out for the Dugu family. He just found some inspiration from Yang Jian's previous behavior of splitting the Li family, and then wanted to take a gamble, betting that Yang Jian still cared about a little friendship.

What he was betting on was not Yang Jian's friendship with Dugu, but Yang Jian's friendship with his two children.

In the current Sui Dynasty, although the other concubines have princes left, they are still young, and Yang Jian's health is getting worse day by day. In this situation, even if Yang Jian ignores his friendship with Dugu, he has to consider his successor.

The new emperor’s maternal family is a criminal clan. Is such behavior appropriate?

Dugu Xin doesn't like gambling. Most of the time he only gambles when he is very sure of his success.

Just like this time.

He turned around and ignored Dugu Jian's changed expression. He explained his "divide" decision in a normal manner and explained all the things that were "divided".

As he explained, Dugu Jian's expression became even uglier.

In this decision, most of the property and power were divided into one part, and the other part was the old house and the books in the old house. And those who chose the other part of these books could also copy them.

The old house of Dugu family is in the Kanto region. Compared with the prosperity of Kyoto, the old house and the library are more like a symbol of significance.

In terms of symbolic meaning and actual prosperity, Dugu Jian actually prefers actual prosperity and power.

He couldn't judge which share of the "family property" his father gave to him, because according to his previous judgment, his father loved his younger brother more than him.

Dugu Jian remained silent.

Yang Jian sat aside, with a hint of interest in his eyes. He looked at the two people in front of him, then turned his head to look at Dugu Xin.

At this moment, he really believed that this was just a means for Dugu Xin to find a retreat for the Dugu family.

Dugu Xin coughed lightly, his expression unchanged.

"Just choose one for each of you two brothers."

"As the eldest son, you should choose first."

He turned his head and looked at Yang Jian beside him: "Your Majesty is here to witness that if the two of you make the same choice, then that thing will be divided into two, and you two will each inherit it, and the other thing will be handed over to Your Majesty for management."

"And then it will be added to the national treasury."

Dugu Jian and Dugu Zhi stood there, both with considered and pondered looks on their faces. Dugu Zhi finished his thoughts first, and as he stood there, it was obvious that he already had the answer.

The same is true for Dugu Jian.

He spoke first, and said hypocritically: "My second brother doesn't like the prosperity of the capital. Instead, he has always liked the affairs of Kanto and always wanted to leave Kyoto and return to his hometown."

"In that case, it's not easy for me, as the eldest brother, to compete with my younger brother."

Dugu Jian also understood the significance of the second family property. He looked at Dugu Zhi and said, "From today on, my second brother will be the heir of the Guandong Dugu family. I will open another Dugu family in Kyoto."

"Of course."

He pretended to be magnanimous and said, "If my second brother also likes the prosperity of the capital, I will divide the first part of the family property into two."

Dugu Zhi did not hesitate at all and said directly: "Father, I choose the second inheritance."

"I don't like the hustle and bustle of the capital. I prefer the tranquility and peace of Kanto. The second property also has some assets, which is enough for my family to live on."

After both of them made their own decisions, Dugu Xin slowly breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Yang Jian and said, "If that's the case, then this is how we divide it."

He laughed and said, "With your Majesty as witness, this matter cannot be changed."

After he finished speaking, he coughed rapidly again, and this time, there was a little blood at the corner of his mouth.

Dugu Xin covered his chest with a helpless look on his face.

"Your Majesty, my tuberculosis has reached a stage where it cannot be cured. I originally wanted to see Your Majesty today and ask Your Majesty to allow me to retire. I did not expect that Your Majesty would have to witness the division of the family property for me, an old minister."

The blood from the corner of his mouth slowly dripped onto the ground, and his eyes were filled with a bit of pain.

Dugu Xin forced himself to endure the pain, making himself look more like a "natural death". He held Yang Jian's hand with a bit of sadness in his brow: "It's not easy for me to hold on until today."

"After this old minister passes away, I hope Your Majesty will treat the Dugu family well."

There was shock in Yang Jian's eyes. He really didn't expect Dugu Xin to make such a choice.

There was shock and confusion on his face, and deep in the confusion was a hint of "surprise". Yang Jian had not expected that one of the two major issues that he had been worried about day and night had been resolved just like that.

"Don't worry, father-in-law."

Yang Jian held Dugu Xin's hand tightly, with pure solemnity in his eyes: "Don't worry, father-in-law. I promise you in the name of the Emperor of Sui Dynasty."

He didn't say anything to promise, and Dugu Xin didn't ask any further questions. The two of them looked at each other quietly, as if they understood each other tacitly.

They all understood the final outcome of this matter.

The eighteenth year of Kaihuang, spring and summer.

Dugu Xin, the Grand Commandant of the Sui Dynasty, died of tuberculosis in the Grand Commandant's Mansion.

imperial study room

Yang Jian pressed his forehead, while the black-clad guards under his command had already prepared important "information" for today.

He flipped through the memorial in front of him with a slightly frowned expression: "Have you found out why Zhong Changsun intended to rebel?"

Yang Jian always felt a little uneasy, as he suspected that the situation in Liaodong was not that good.

He couldn't understand why Zhong Zhangsun didn't want to be a county magistrate or a frontier official, but instead wanted to be a rebel. However, the news of his movements in the Liaodong counties in recent days was discovered by the Black Guards.

The leader of the black guards half-knelt on the ground, speaking in a serious tone, "Your Majesty, the matter of Zhong Changsun has not yet been investigated, but he went to see Li Shimin, the governor of Liaodong County, a few days ago. After the two talked in the mansion for half a quarter of an hour, Zhong Changsun left."

Li Shimin?
Yang Jian was slightly stunned, then frowned.

Will Li Shimin betray me?
he does not know.

But everything must be prepared in advance. Only by preparing in advance can we deal with any sudden events.

And it was at this moment that a servant who had always served Yang Jian came over with a serious expression.

"Your Majesty, someone is holding the "token" you gave him and begging to enter the palace. He is disheveled and claims to be a subordinate of Li Shimin, the governor of Liaodong County. He has something important to discuss with Your Majesty."

Li Shimin?
Yang Jian raised his eyebrows, some things seemed to be just so coincidental.

Just now when we mentioned this Li Erlang, his men arrived and said, "Go and let them in."

Li San, Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong knelt on the ground with respectful looks on their faces.

"Your Majesty, long live your Majesty—"

Yang Jian waved his hand slightly: "What does Erlang want you to come for?"

"This kid is the type who never comes to visit me for no reason. Now that he has sent you to find me, it must be something important."

Li San then took out a clean oilcloth bag from his arms and held it above his head.

"Your Majesty, everything that the young master said is included in it. Please take a look."

The attendant at the side quickly took the oilcloth bag, checked it, and handed a book and a letter to Yang Jian.

Yang Jian recognized at a glance that the four big characters on the book were written by Zhang Annian.

He put the book down, picked up the letter, and read it carefully for a few seconds. He suddenly laughed out loud, and the depression in his heart dissipated.

“Hahahahaha good!”

"Erlang has made a great contribution!"

(End of this chapter)