Keeping any secrets in the secret prison of the Imperial Guard was extremely difficult. Fang Jie was constantly watched, seemingly wanting to record even his bodily functions. Having never lived in such an environment before, Fang Jie frankly wasn't very confident he could escape.
Changchun Garden.
By the Lotus Pond.
After listening to the report from Minister of War Mou Liangbi on war preparations and carefully reviewing it, the Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't summon any other high-ranking officials, but instead sat on a stone bench by the lotus pond, lost in thought for a long time. The Emperor rarely showed such behavior; he always appeared very busy. It could be said that Emperor Tianyou, Yang Yi, was the most low-key emperor in the history of the Sui Dynasty, but also the most diligent.
He was always dealing with state affairs, sometimes sitting motionless for half a day on the earthen bed in the yurt. He slept for a maximum of two hours a day, never waking up even a minute late.
Previous emperors rarely reviewed all the memorials. The Sui Dynasty was vast, encompassing twenty-four circuits and thousands of cities. The sheer volume of memorials delivered to Changchun Garden daily was overwhelming, requiring more than an oxcart to carry them all. Therefore, long ago, the Sui emperors established the position of Grand Secretary, a position held by a select few of the emperor's most trusted eunuchs. They would filter and categorize all memorials, selecting the most important ones to present to the emperor.
Most memorials lacking substance were simply reviewed and commented on by the Grand Secretary on behalf of the emperor. This system had been in place for decades. The Grand Secretary wielded power surpassed even that of high-ranking officials.
However, Emperor Tianyou (Yang Yi) abolished this system. He was like a tireless machine, showing no aversion to the mundane and complex affairs of state. After his ascension, the Grand Secretary's immense power was gradually diminished. Eventually, the Grand Secretary reverted to simply being a eunuch.
But even with the emperor's admirable diligence, he was still overwhelmed with work. Therefore, someone needed to share some of his burdens, and thus, the position of Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat (Huangmen Shilang) became increasingly important. Relatively speaking, Emperor Tianyou clearly trusted his court officials more than eunuchs in handling state affairs.
The position of Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat was created by him; the Sui Dynasty had no such official. The duties of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat were essentially to share some of the tasks that should have been handled by the Grand Secretary (Bingbi).
However, in other matters, the emperor's trust in the eunuchs seemed no less. For example, the eunuch Su Buwei, who always stood closest to him, appeared honest and taciturn.
The emperor was always very busy, so seeing him sitting by the lotus pond lost in thought was a novel sight.
People had become accustomed to it; when they thought of the emperor, they immediately guessed he was handling state affairs.
"Su Buwei… how many years have you been in the palace?"
The emperor asked after a long silence.
Standing not far from the emperor with her head bowed, Su Buwei replied, "It's been twenty-six years. I entered the palace at fifteen, first as an apprentice in the imperial kitchen. Later, because I was quite clever, I was transferred to work for Wu Peisheng, who was then a eunuch in the Imperial Clan Court. I worked there for about ten years, and then Wu Peisheng was promoted to Grand Secretary, and I was transferred to the Imperial Study. So, I've been in the Imperial Study for fourteen years now."
"Your memory has always been excellent," the emperor nodded.
"Wu Peisheng was promoted by Father Emperor. Back then, even high-ranking officials of the second or third rank in the court had to curry favor with the Grand Secretary... I have abolished most of the Grand Secretary's powers, and Wu Peisheng must have felt a lot of resentment and anger. I have never asked him, but you have served him for over twenty years; no one knows him better than you. I heard... before Wu Peisheng left Chang'an for the Northwest, he sought you out alone?"
"Yes."
Su Buwei lowered her head and said, "He did indeed see me."
"What did he say?"
The Emperor asked. "Wu Peisheng said…this trip to the Northwest is likely a one-way trip. He said that after his death, I should succeed him as the Grand Eunuch. He warned me never to show the slightest disrespect to His Majesty. When the late Emperor was on the throne, the Grand Eunuch's duty was to share the burden of state affairs. His Majesty doesn't want that; he wants a dutiful eunuch. He told me to do what a eunuch should do and not to touch what is forbidden."
Hearing this, the Emperor was silent for a moment before sighing, "He still harbors resentment."
Su Buwei remained silent.
The Emperor said, "He guessed wrong."
Su Buwei was taken aback, not understanding what the Emperor meant by "guessed wrong." The Emperor stood up, gazing sadly at the breathtakingly beautiful flowers in the lotus pond, and said, "I sent him to the Northwest not to get rid of him. I know that weakening the power of the Grand Eunuch will surely displease Wu Peisheng, and he will be angry. But I know he is loyal, so I never thought of killing him. Sending him to the Northwest was simply to purge the corruption in the army before the great war. It was to prepare for the war against the Mongols, to investigate the state of the garrisons in the various northwestern regions."
"He thinks I want to kill him because he once complained; he's wrong."
The Emperor said, "I've even prepared a home for him. I've bought him a large mansion in the Jianghuai region, and specifically ordered the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds to purchase land and servants. I plan to let him leave the palace to enjoy his old age once he returns from the Northwest. He's already very old… He did so much for the late Emperor, his contributions are invaluable, how could I kill him?"
The Emperor's tone was tinged with sadness and anger. He was angry at Wu Peisheng's lack of understanding of him.
"Perhaps... Wu Peisheng's statement that he is doomed is not because he thinks His Majesty intends to do anything."
Su Buwei's expression shifted repeatedly. After a moment's hesitation, he continued, "He is acting on His Majesty's orders to thoroughly investigate the corruption cases within the Northwest military, which will inevitably affect the interests of many. His statement that he will not return is perhaps because he fears he might uncover something that will surely cost him his life."
"Su Buwei."
The Emperor turned and glanced at him, saying, "It's rare for you to say something like this today. You never participate in state affairs. Even when I ask..." "You, you'll also find a way to refuse."
"This servant doesn't want to displease Your Majesty, nor does she want Your Majesty to misunderstand Wu Peisheng… He's greedy for money and power; a eunuch with those two traits is doomed. But he's loyal enough to Your Majesty; even if he has grievances, he wouldn't do anything detrimental to Your Majesty. And precisely because this servant understands him, she knows that given his nature, he'll definitely investigate very thoroughly and find many shady things."
The Emperor paused slightly, then a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"Bring Hou Wenji here… no, bring Luo Weiran here instead."
The Emperor ordered, "Let him investigate who killed Wu Peisheng."
…
…
Wu Peisheng was killed by Emperor Li Xiaozong.
Where is Emperor Li Xiaozong?
Still in the Northwest, but he has been dismissed from his post. He no longer wears the battle robe of a fifth-rank general of the Sui Dynasty, but he hasn't been imprisoned. It seems the emperor believed the Ministry of War's report on the truth of the Battle of Fangu, only punishing him for concealing the truth. Of course, such a crime could be minor or major. To put it more severely, it would be the crime of deceiving the emperor. And the crime of deceiving the emperor… the appropriate punishment depended entirely on His Majesty's will.
Clearly, His Majesty didn't want to kill him.
Therefore, although he had fallen from a high position, he hadn't been completely crushed. Several court officials had initially discussed adding a clause to his punishment: permanent disqualification from official service. However, when the report was submitted for His Majesty's approval, he crossed out that clause with his vermilion pen. This was a very clear signal, so many in the court guessed that this young man named Li Xiaozong would definitely have a chance to rise again.
As the empire's upcoming expedition to the northwest became clearer, everyone understood why the emperor hadn't executed Li Xiaozong. Li Xiaozong had served as a military commander in Fangu for several years; no one knew the situation in the Fangu region better than him. He was also a very shrewd man. While dispatching troops to eliminate the bandits and brigands around Fan Gu, he also scouted the terrain of Langru Mountain several times. He understood the principle that success requires thorough preparation.
He wasn't sure if the Empire would go to war with the Mongols, but he knew from the beginning that he had to prepare accordingly.
How could His Majesty possibly abandon such a man? Once war broke out, he would be quickly reinstated. And after a major battle, this young man might even rise to prominence. Thinking further back, when His Majesty appointed him as the garrison commander of Fan Gu, could it be that he intended to use him in a major battle?
This wasn't impossible. Although Li Xiaozong wasn't among the top three in the military academy, he was always ranked fourth. The top three were assigned to the Sui army, while he was transferred to Fan Gu—wasn't that a sign of importance? The three more capable men were sent to familiarize themselves with the army, in order to quickly train an elite and combat-ready force. Emperor Xiaozong was sent to familiarize himself with the Northwest, and his role should not be underestimated.
At the same time as Emperor Xiaozong, General Li Yuanshan of the Right Valiant Guard was also punished by the Emperor. This man, who had held the position of Grand General for over a decade, was demoted three ranks, from a third-rank Grand General to a fifth-rank Assistant General. However, contrary to regulations, he remained in command of the Right Valiant Guard.
The Right Valiant Guard had at least several dozen generals of the fifth rank or higher.
Therefore, Li Yuanshan was in a very awkward position. As the commander of the Right Valiant Guard, according to regulations, he was required to salute his dozens of subordinates before raising his banner each day. What was most surprising was that he strictly adhered to this rule without the slightest negligence. From the moment the decree of his demotion reached the army, he acted entirely according to the rules. He gave orders decisively when required and never refused to salute his subordinates.
Of course, someone would inform His Majesty the Emperor, far away in the capital, of this.
Li Yuanshan was accustomed to living in the main tent and the military camp. But since his demotion, whenever he finished dealing with military affairs, he would ride back to his mansion in the city to stay with his wife and children. He no longer enjoyed the special privileges of a Grand General, even cutting off the special supply of Western Region wine for the Grand General.
Of course, this was also reported to His Majesty the Emperor in the capital.
Sitting in his study, Li Yuanshan wore a cotton robe instead of brocade, always finding soft cotton more comfortable. Casually glancing through the court gazette, he turned his gaze to the young man standing quietly to one side.
"How many days has Prince Xu been here?"
He asked.
The young man standing so respectfully was none other than Li Xiaozong. He held no official position, but Li Yuanshan had appointed him as an advisor, a position that did not contradict the court's decree. An advisor was his personal consultant, not a court official. Of course, this was also a weakness, but who would offend a Grand General who would soon be reinstated over such a trivial matter? "Ten days have passed."
Li Xiaozong replied.
"Any unusual behavior?"
Li Xiaozong thought for a moment and replied, "The day before yesterday, he seemed to casually ask about Wu Peisheng's death."
"Let him ask."
Li Yuanshan shook his head slightly and said, "Now, who can prove that you killed Wu Peisheng? That old eunuch... knowing there were many things he shouldn't touch, yet he still insisted on coming in. In the Northwest, he was just a passerby, but because of his curiosity, even his grave is here. Prince Xu is smarter than Wu Peisheng; he knows what's most important right now."
"His Majesty wants to fight the Mongols. Whoever ruins His Majesty's grand plan will not be spared."
He looked at Li Xiaozong and said, "Prepare yourself; perhaps it won't be long before the decree to reinstate you arrives."
"Thank you, Uncle!"
Li Xiaozong bowed deeply, his tone sincere. "You should be grateful for your fate. If you hadn't been born into the Li family... you would be dead long ago. The Li family isn't a family that anyone can just mess with."
Li Yuanshan smiled faintly, looking incredibly proud.