pappabearbooks Chapter 143 Let's start with the Zheng family!
Chapter 143 Let's start with the Zheng family!
"Your Majesty, I have a matter to discuss, but I am unsure whether I should speak it."
Lu Xiao suddenly spoke.
"Please feel free to speak."
With his mood slightly calmed, Yang Guang was also willing to listen more to his son-in-law's thoughts.
"Digging a canal is a massive project that will require conscripting laborers, which could easily damage the foundation of the nation and give others ammunition to incite public resentment."
"I suggest we transfer prisoners and war captives from Goguryeo and Eastern Turks to serve in place of our Sui Dynasty's people?"
He only mentioned prisoners of war.
But how could Yang Guang not understand the deeper meaning behind those words?
The term "prisoner" is merely a name.
As long as the Sui Dynasty's weapons are sharp enough, whoever is called a prisoner will be a prisoner.
The blood and sweat of foreign peoples were used to irrigate the Grand Canal of the Sui Dynasty.
It can both reduce the burden on its own people and eliminate some of the root causes of rebellion, and greatly deplete the strength of potential enemy countries.
Yang Guang's eyes flickered, clearly moved by this bold idea.
This is indeed a strategy that achieves multiple benefits.
But soon, deeper concerns emerged.
Such actions are tantamount to outright robbery and will inevitably provoke a strong backlash.
Although the Eastern Turks were defeated, their remaining power still lingered.
The Goguryeo kingdom has just been destroyed, but the hatred has not yet subsided.
The surrounding countries will also feel the same way, and if they unite to exert pressure, the Sui Dynasty may be plunged into a predicament of internal and external troubles in an instant.
At this moment, the Sui Dynasty, though outwardly still possessing a magnificent aura, was inwardly like a cauldron about to boil over, now further engulfed by this raging fire...
"Your Majesty," Lü Xiao seemed to see through his hesitation, stepped forward, his voice not loud, but full of confidence.
"Even if foreign powers unite and wolves surround us, I, along with the Crimson Valiant Army, will pave the way for Your Majesty!"
My halberd and my warhorse exist for this purpose.
As long as his halberd remains sharp, the Red Valiant Army's iron hooves can still gallop thousands of miles.
The number of enemies is just a number.
Yang Guang stared intently into Lü Xiao's eyes, and in them he saw only confidence.
After a long silence, he suddenly slammed his hand on the table:
"Very well! We will do as you say. We will first select men from among the prisoners and surrendered soldiers of Goguryeo and Eastern Turks to fill the river work quotas!"
If fewer of his own people are forced to rebel, Lü Xiao will face less pressure in quelling the rebellion in the future.
This move is risky, but worth a try!
"Your Majesty is wise."
Lü Xiao was once just an ordinary person among the masses.
Although he now holds a very high position in the government and wields the power of life and death, he has never forgotten his roots.
To be able to buy a moment of respite for all living beings under heaven, for people of the same origin.
Perhaps this is all he can do.
The remaining towering waves of blood and the endless smoke of war shall be left to the halberd in hand and the Crimson Valiant Army behind them to face.
"Now that the important business is over, let's talk about some family matters." Yang Guang's expression relaxed. "Have Ruyi bring Zhen'er into the palace. I haven't seen my grandson in a long time and I miss him dearly."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will inform Ruyi upon my return," Lü Xiao replied.
"And another thing," Yang Guang turned around, pulled out an inconspicuous book from the pile of documents, and casually tossed it to Lü Xiao.
"The Zheng family of Xingyang, and your old rival... what was it again?"
The emperor is extremely busy with state affairs, and in his eyes, so-called heroes of the martial arts world are no different from weeds; it is perfectly normal that he cannot remember their names.
"Wagang Village".
Lu Xiao took the register and added.
"Yes, Wagangzhai. The Zheng family secretly colluded with them, supplying them with money and provisions; their intentions are despicable."
"Does Your Majesty intend to issue a minor punishment as a warning, or...?"
Lu Xiao opened the book in his hand, his eyes swept over the first page, and his movements paused slightly.
This is not an ordinary directory, but an extremely detailed family genealogy.
The cover is simple, but the inner pages are filled with neat, small regular script, recording every branch and detail of a large family.
Who is the head of the family? How many branches are there? What are the legitimate and illegitimate bloodlines?
How old is he, how many wives and concubines does he have, where is his mansion, and how much land does he own?
Even the number of guard dogs kept in the mansion and their breeds were recorded.
Next to the latest batch of names, there are even faint markings in cinnabar indicating possible trends and connections.
Where is this family tree?
This is clearly a book that controls life and death and knows everything... the Book of the King of Hell!
"kill!"
Yang Guang's voice was completely calm.
Having completely severed ties with the powerful clans, there is no room for maneuver, and no need to hesitate.
Mercy is a leisurely embellishment reserved for the victors, not a burden during life-or-death battles.
"As you command."
Lü Xiao turned around and strode out of the study.
As he stepped out of the palace gates, the sky was still bright, and the hustle and bustle of the streets could be faintly heard, but Lu Xiao felt an indescribable surge of excitement in his heart.
We've been waiting so long, all to make an example of a top-tier family that has been entrenched for hundreds of years.
Upon returning to his residence, before he could even change out of his court robes, Yang Ruyi rushed up to him like a gust of wind.
She dismissed everyone around her, grabbed Lü Xiao's sleeve, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, her voice low and filled with barely concealed urgency:
"Your father summoned you to the palace urgently. Is it... is it to make arrangements for his affairs? Has he revealed who he intends to succeed him?"
"hiss."
Lu Xiao gasped, looking at his wife.
He knew that Yang Ruyi was always clever and even somewhat unconventional.
It's fortunate that she was born a girl; if she had been born a prince, she would probably have been at the center of the struggle for the throne long ago.
"Can't you hope for something better?" Lü Xiao said helplessly, flicking her forehead with his finger. "His Majesty's health is not good, but it's far from that point. He summoned me to the palace for other important matters."
"By the way, it would be best if you personally taught Zhen'er less in the future."
"What do you mean?" Yang Ruyi asked, hands on her hips, eyebrows raised, looking defiant.
"Do you think I'll corrupt my son? Lu Zilie, explain yourself clearly!"
"What do you think?" Lu Xiao asked back, his tone a mix of teasing and seriousness.
Given Yang Ruyi's fierce and unconventional nature, he didn't know if Lü Zhen would actually pull the plug on his father's pipe.
But if that child is influenced by her from a young age, it's hard to say what his character will be like or how ambitious he will be in the future.
"You're just too honest."
Yang Ruyi stomped her foot, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Loyalty to her father was her duty as a subject, and she had nothing to say about it.
But if Yang You were to take that position in the future, would he be able to tolerate his uncle-in-law Lü Xiao, whose achievements threatened his position?
Aren't there countless stories of palace intrigue and the killing of the hunted after the hunt?
She only asked Zhen'er to be more thoughtful because she wanted to leave a way out for the Lü family!
"You've entered your rebellious phase too. Oh, and I have to go out for a bit."
Lu Xiao touched the hot family genealogy book I was holding in my hand; I had to hurry and find more people.
He can't do this alone; he has to bring Yuwen Chenglong and Pei Yuanqing along.
That's what real work means when everyone does it.
He quickly changed into civilian clothes and headed straight for the Red Valiant Army camp outside the city.
They found Li Jing and asked about the whereabouts of Yuwen Chenglong and the others, only to learn that the goods had not arrived at the camp for roll call for many days.
"What?" Lü Xiao frowned. "These bastards, drawing salaries from the imperial court, don't even come to the military camp anymore?"
Although he himself was often away from the camp due to various matters, could the nature of the situation be the same?