Yang Guang snorted coldly, dismissively saying: “They’re nothing but unruly commoners who can’t amount to anything. Besides, I have a million elite troops. Whoever dares to rebel will immediately have their head taken, leaving them without even a burial place!” In his view, the lives of those unruly commoners were utterly worthless. If this batch died, naturally another would replace them. There was no need to care whether those commoners were happy or sad, joyful or sorrowful!
Seeing that Yang Guang still wouldn’t listen to her advice, Yunyi grew anxious and blurted out: “What if even the million soldiers under Father Emperor rebelled? Who would you send to cut off their heads then?”
Yang Guang’s expression changed, and he raised his palm as if to strike. Yunyi also knew she had spoken too harshly just now, but… the third campaign against Goguryeo would bring nothing but harm to both the people of Great Sui and Father Emperor, with no benefits whatsoever. Even if Father Emperor blamed her, she must prevent it. She steeled her heart and spoke again: “The previous two campaigns have already cost our Great Sui hundreds of thousands of soldiers’ lives. Goguryeo lacks resources – even if Father Emperor conquers it, it would be of no use to our Great Sui. While the campaign against Goguryeo has not yet begun, your subject humbly begs Father Emperor to withdraw the order!”
Yang Guang’s eyes twitched incessantly. This damned bastard – if not for Xiao Shi, he would have already ordered her death long ago. How could he have allowed her to live until now?
She was doing well indeed – not only was she ungrateful, but after one trip to Honghua Commandery, she returned criticizing him at every turn, even telling him to treat those unruly commoners well. As the emperor of a dynasty, must he lower himself to care about the joys and sorrows of those commoners? It was utterly ridiculous!
A bastard – always remains a bastard!
This palm ultimately was not brought down. He withdrew his hand and said coldly: “Goguryeo is a vassal state of our Great Sui, yet they do not provide tribute and show no courtesy due to a subject. Moreover, they have harbored the rebel Hu Sizheng. If we don’t campaign against them, how can we display that our Great Sui’s might cannot be violated? Furthermore, if we don’t campaign, it would be tantamount to accepting their behavior. When other vassal states follow suit and establish their own rule, what then?”
Yunyi quickly considered his words, saying: “Actually, Father Emperor’s previous two campaigns have already left Goguryeo trembling with fear. At least… this past year, your subject has not heard of Goguryeo committing any improper acts against our Great Sui.”
Her mentioning the previous two campaigns was fine when she didn’t bring it up, but once she did, Yang Guang’s expression grew even uglier. The first campaign was in the eighth year of the Daye era, when he personally led a million troops to campaign against Goguryeo with great ambition, believing he could annihilate Goguryeo in one stroke. However, he was ambushed by Goguryeo at the Battle of Pyongyang, suffered a great defeat and fled, retreating to defend Liaodong City. At this time, casualties, desertions, and dispersals among the various armies were extremely severe, morale plummeted greatly. With autumn approaching and grain transport becoming difficult, Yang Guang had no choice but to withdraw his troops.
As for the second time, it was last year when he again personally campaigned against Goguryeo. However, Yang Xuangan, who was responsible for transporting supplies, suddenly rebelled. Fearing attack from two fronts, he was forced to retreat to suppress Yang Xuangan’s rebellion.
These two campaigns were undoubtedly disgraceful marks for Yang Guang. The third campaign against Goguryeo was meant to wash away the previous shame. This battle must be won!
Seeing Yang Guang remain silent, Yunyi thought she had moved his heart and quickly added: “After a few years, when our Great Sui’s national strength has recovered, it won’t be too late for Father Emperor to campaign again.”
“Absurd!” Yang Guang shouted: “Our Great Sui’s national strength is at its peak. Where does this talk of ‘recovery’ come from?” Before Yunyi could speak, he continued: “My mind is made up on this matter – say no more. As for you, as a princess you left the palace without permission and even attempted assassination – utterly outrageous behavior. You are confined to Changsheng Palace for one month and may not step outside!”
Yunyi said urgently: “Your subject has done wrong and should rightfully be punished, but regarding Goguryeo…”
Before she could continue, Yang Guang had already turned away with a flourish of his sleeves, facing away from her: “Zheng Ying, escort Princess Jinyang back!”
“Yes.” Zheng Ying respectfully acknowledged and walked before Yunyi, quietly advising: “Princess, please don’t anger His Majesty any further. Please return quickly!” Seeing Yunyi say nothing, he took advantage of Yang Guang not looking and leaned close to Yunyi’s ear, using a voice only they could hear: “If you truly want to persuade His Majesty, why not speak with Her Majesty the Empress? If she intervenes, His Majesty might just listen.”
Yunyi nodded helplessly, rose and bowed toward Yang Guang’s back, saying quietly: “Your subject takes her leave.”
Although Yunyi had withdrawn as instructed, the irritation in Yang Guang’s heart only increased. He swept the wine cups from the imperial table to the floor and shouted: “Prepare a banquet! Summon the musicians!”
That night, Qianyuan Palace was filled with music all night long. The sound of strings and pipes was endless, and the scent of burning incense spread throughout the entire Ziwei Palace. Even Changsheng Palace, quite distant from Qianyuan Palace, could smell it.
Yunyi stood supporting herself against the railing, silently gazing toward Qianyuan Palace. She had spoken to that extent, yet Father Emperor still wouldn’t listen, continuing to believe that rebellion was just unruly commoners causing trouble that could be suppressed by sending troops. He never considered that soldiers were also people. When the day came that those soldiers faced people they knew, even close relatives, in rebellion, could the steel blades in their hands still strike down?
Though a ruler sits high above, without the support of those seemingly insignificant common people, he is nothing at all. Any dynasty that wishes to achieve lasting peace and stability must take the people as its foundation. Unfortunately, Father Emperor’s ears only heard the music of evening banquets but never the wailing and screaming of the people. Sigh…
In this regard, Father Emperor truly lost to Li Yuan by more than just a little. Could it be… that the Great Sui empire was about to be replaced by someone from the Li clan?
No, it couldn’t be. No matter how wise and benevolent Li Yuan was, no matter how beloved he was by the people of Honghua Commandery, he remained merely a subject of Great Sui. What he should do was assist Father Emperor in governing the empire, not commit treason.
Yunyi secretly clenched her fist and swore in her heart that since she was Father Emperor’s daughter, she would certainly guard this picturesque empire for Father Emperor and absolutely not allow anyone outside the Yang clan to touch even a fraction of it!
Thinking this way, a tall and slender figure emerged from the depths of her mind. Li Shimin… Thinking of this name, Yunyi felt both bitterness and sweetness in her heart. She wondered if his secret release of her had been discovered by anyone. She hoped not, for otherwise, even though he was Li Yuan’s son, he would probably find it hard to escape punishment!
They… probably would never have the chance to meet again, would they?
However, Yunyi knew that no matter how many years passed, she would remember that man who was as gentle as fine jade, remember… She lowered her head. In her palm was a small pearl – the very one Li Shimin had used to clear her of suspicion in Chunxiu’s murder. She had kept it with her ever since. Even when she escaped from Honghua Commandery and was so destitute she went hungry, she never sold it. To her, this was the only keepsake Li Shimin had left her.
A palace maid noticed the pearl in her hand and asked curiously: “Eh, why doesn’t this servant remember the palace having such a small pearl?”
Although Yang Guang was cold toward Yunyi, he never shortchanged her. The things bestowed upon Changsheng Palace were always the finest – even the several princes couldn’t compare.
Hearing this, Ruyi also came over to take a look: “It is very small. By its appearance, it seems like decoration from the Princess’s dress. Did it fall from there?”