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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 81: Division
Finding other items was manageable, but acquiring the splendid feathers needed for the ceremonial robes proved to be quite a challenge. For a moment, it seemed impossible to gather such a large quantity, so orders were sent out to the provinces, requesting contributions of feathers from all over.
As a result, along with the influx of feathers came auspicious signs. It was said that the Emperor was creating feathered garments, and birds and beasts were offering their feathers.
Upon inquiry, Li Jian Cheng discovered that there was a magnificent bird nesting high in the trees of a nearby forest. The local villagers, eager to obtain its feathers, attempted to capture it but found it too high to reach.
They could only devise a way to saw down the trees. The great bird could easily fly away, but its chicks had not yet matured. Thus, the parent bird plucked its own feathers in hopes of avoiding disaster, leading the villagers to believe it was an auspicious sign.
However, in response to the court's strict orders, they ultimately felled the trees to trap the great bird and took its feathers and meat…
Yang Guang, oblivious to the situation, expressed his delight to everyone: “How can birds offer omens if I do not possess divine virtue?”
The ministers could only present congratulatory messages. The Emperor then hosted a banquet and commanded them to compose poetry on this occasion. The officials reluctantly produced some nonsensical verses praising him.
The Emperor took center stage and recited eight pieces in succession. The ministers bowed down: “Your Majesty’s literary talent is as brilliant as gold and jade; truly a mark of an exceptional ruler.”
Yang Guang laughed heartily: “Do not think I rely solely on my predecessor’s legacy to be Emperor. If I am to be called upon by scholars and officials to compose poetry and compete for excellence, then surely this throne is rightfully mine.”
With that, his gaze fell upon Li Jian Cheng and Xue Daoheng. Xue Daoheng was still puzzled, while Li Jian Cheng bowed: “Your Majesty’s talents are heaven-sent; how could a mere subject dare to aspire?”
Yang Guang finally withdrew his gaze with satisfaction, and Xue Daoheng then reacted, frowning: “The dignity of the Emperor cannot be determined by trivial poetry.”
Li Jian Cheng pulled at the old scholar: “Let us drink!”
…………
Over twenty thousand laborers were employed in total, with expenditures of gold and silver amounting to millions.
Finally, the Emperor and the Queen's ceremonial attire, the officials' uniforms worn on various occasions, and the regalia of the thirty-six thousand imperial guards were all prepared.
The Emperor set out joyfully, with a splendid procession stretching over twenty miles, grand and exquisitely beautiful, drawing admiration from the people of Jiangnan for the Emperor's majestic presence.
The Sui Dynasty no longer needed to prove its military might; no matter how strong it was, Jiangnan would not be convinced by force alone. The pride of the people lay in their culture, while the North was merely a land of roughness. When it came to Han etiquette, it was still the Southern People who excelled.
Thus, Yang Guang's reestablishment of ceremonial protocols proved to be quite effective.
Having successfully toured Jiangnan, the Emperor decided to inspect the Eastern Capital next. He traveled by land, departing from Yique with a grand entourage of thousands of chariots and horses heading towards Tokyo.
Li Jian Cheng rode alongside the Imperial Decree. Beside him, Shen Guangdou's Birth could not help but say, "With all this noise day and night along the way—whether it's moving bricks or timber or carrying corpses—how can Your Majesty bear to see your subjects in such conditions?"
Li Jian Cheng chuckled softly and replied, "If you don't look or think about it, you won't feel it. Do you think His Majesty is truly unaware? I mentioned this during my last return to the capital, yet His Majesty still issued decrees rewarding Yang Su and Yuwen Kai."
Perhaps knowing that the deadline was approaching and that His Majesty would soon arrive for inspection, those laboring along the route were not limited to young men; there were men and women of all ages. These individuals could not compare to the young in terms of endurance.
From Chenggao in the east to Heyang in the north, those carrying corpses walked alongside those transporting timber and stones.
Thus, before the Emperor entered Luoyang, everything was finally completed. The Emperor appointed Yang Su as Minister of Works and Chief Architect Yuwen Kai as Chief of Staff Equivalent to the Three Departments, bestowing upon them great honor.
Upon entering the new palace and celebrating his relocation, the Emperor generously granted some estates in Eastern Capital to his accompanying ministers, with Li Jian Cheng receiving a particularly favorable position.
Yang Su fell ill suddenly, whether from joy or exhaustion from recent labors; the Emperor ordered the imperial physician to attend to him.
While the Emperor was enjoying himself in the Western Garden, the Grand Historian submitted a report stating, "There has been a great mourning in Sui territory."
The so-called division of fields refers to how the celestial equator is divided into twelve parts known as star periods—such as Xingji and Xuanxiao—and these correspond with locations on earth like states and nations; this is called division of fields.
A high-ranking individual must die for it to be considered a great mourning in the Sui Dynasty.
Yang Guang was startled; there were not many members left in the royal family. If things went awry, the great mourning could fall upon him or one of his two sons, which was unacceptable. He immediately asked the Grand Historian for a solution.
The Grand Historian had come prepared and, after explaining his plan, Yang Guang eagerly issued an edict: "Bestow the title of Duke of Chu upon Duke of Yue, Yang Su, with a fief of two thousand five hundred households."
Sui and Chu were in the same region, and Yang Su should not be considered a rascal. Coincidentally, he was ill, so it seemed fitting for him to respond to this celestial omen.
Li Jian Cheng was sent to convey the edict. When he arrived at Yang Su's residence with the imperial physician and medicine, he found that the sign had already been changed to Duke of Chu's Residence.
Yang Su was supported by Yang Jishan as he came out to receive the edict. Exhausted from the effort, he lay back down after accepting it. Yang Jishan, with a serious expression, asked, "What is going on? Why has there been a sudden change in title?"
Li Jian Cheng had learned about the situation through Wang Yi and quietly explained it to Yang Jishan. Seeing him fuming, he quickly grabbed his arm: "Don't be impulsive. Do you want to ruin the Yang Family?"
Yang Su opened his eyes and said, "Jian Cheng, thank you for your hard work. Go back and report. In the future, do keep an eye on our family's good deeds."
Li Jian Cheng patted Yang Jishan on the shoulder and said to Yang Su, "Those who hold high positions often face such fates. Yang Gong should not be too distressed."
"I understand that well; I just need to wait for my brother to handle the aftermath. I fear I may trouble you to run a few more errands."
"Not a problem."
Li Jian Cheng returned to the palace to report. Suddenly, Yang Guang asked, "When will Yang Su die?"
Li Jian Cheng felt a chill run down his spine. Regardless of how others viewed Yang Su, he had been utterly devoted to Yang Guang. During the struggle for succession years ago, he played a crucial role in deposing the former crown prince Shu Wang and helped secure Yang Guang's position as crown prince by leading campaigns against the Turkic tribes.
Not to mention that after ascending the throne, Yang Guang had quelled Han Wang's rebellion—he had truly supported him every step of the way. It could be said that no reward would be too great for what Yang Su had done. Yet here was Yang Guang, coldly asking when he would die.
Li Jian Cheng answered without any expression on his face, "It should not be far off."
Yang Guang felt somewhat disappointed; he had hoped that Yang Su would understand and immediately relieve him of his worries about the division.
"Let's visit again tomorrow."
"Understood."
In the following days, Li Jian Cheng visited daily, like a mourning bird, unable to squeeze even a hint of a smile onto his own face.
However, before Yang Yue could arrive, Yang Zhao rushed in from Chang'an. After reporting on court matters, he wanted to spend more time with his father, the Empress. Yang Guang did not appreciate the Crown Prince's childish demeanor and directly refused.
The Crown Prince then knelt and rose repeatedly, persistently pleading. After several rounds of this, the already plump Yang Zhao was left panting heavily and suddenly collapsed to the ground.
Yang Guang hurriedly called for the imperial physician to provide treatment, but they could not awaken the Crown Prince. In a fit of panic, Yang Guang's face twisted in anger as he turned to Li Jian Cheng and exclaimed, "When will Yang Su finally die?"
Before Li Jian Cheng could respond, he calmly said, "If Su does not die, annihilate his entire clan."
…………
(End of Chapter)
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