At the end of April, Yang Ming received another letter from his father, to the effect that he planned to visit Jiangdu southward after summer to ask Yang Ming how things were going.
It seems that dad is planning to solve the problem of He Ruobi before going to Jiangdu.
There has been no news about Yuwenshiji recently, and Yang Ming thought that the matter had not progressed. However, after summoning the other party for questioning, he found out that he had found out all the eighteen generations of He Ruobi's ancestors.
A thick pile of incriminating evidence was placed in front of Yang Ming. Yang Ming picked up some and flipped through it, which was already shocking.
After a while, Yang Ming frowned and said:
"I asked you to check, not to set you up. Have you confirmed all the contents above?"
"Your Highness, put it down. Your Majesty guarantees with the heads on your neck that none of it is fake," Yu Wenshi said solemnly: "Time is urgent, there are only omissions, there will be no false reports."
Yang Mingjiang put down the file and said, "I won't read it. Just give me a rough number."
Yu Wenshiji nodded: "In the first year of the founding of the Emperor, Emperor Gaozu appointed the thief as the general manager of Wuzhou, responsible for managing the south of the Yangtze River. During this period, the thief falsely reported military pay of up to 1.3 million guan. Where was the money spent? Unsearchable.”
"Wait a minute," Yang Ming raised his hand and said, "There is no way to investigate. How did you get this number? Can you find out what happened over twenty years ago?"
"Yes," Yuwenshi said, "Many of the generals who served under Thief back then were dismissed from their posts because they offended him over the years. I also investigated these people and came up with the answer."
"The words of a criminal cannot be used as a confession, don't you know?" Yang Ming frowned.
Yu Wenshiji was stunned for a moment, thinking that you also pay attention to this when working for your father? The Emperor's Law doesn't control you, does it?
"I'm afraid your Majesty won't care who the confession comes from, right?" Yu Wenshi asked tentatively.
Yang Ming vaguely felt that the pile of evidence compiled by the boy in front of him might be quite watery.
"Go on," Yang Ming said.
Yu Wenshiji was relieved and continued: "It was Han Qinhu who invaded Jiankang first, followed by He Ruobi, and they were also the ones who ransacked the Jiuchen Palace. I also have a confession here to verify that this thief indeed embezzled Jiuchen. Royal property.”
"Wait a minute," Yang Ming raised his hand again, frowning and said, "Don't mention the old eucalyptus again."
Yu Wenshi was stunned and said: "Why does Your Highness feel that there is no need to mention it again?"
"Do you really need me to explain?" Yang Ming asked, "Your father didn't get any money back then?"
Yu Wenshiji was stunned for a moment and lowered his head in thought.
Yes, his father Yu Wenshu also participated in the battle to destroy Chen. When everyone divided the money, they also took the lion's share.
Although many people know about this matter, it is still kept secret and no one will say it openly.
If He Ruobi is really investigated for embezzling old palace property, this matter will inevitably be implicated. Those who get the money will not blame He Ruobi, but will blame him for not doing things well.
Because the group of people who shared the money back then are now the eldest among the elders and cannot afford to offend.
It was such a risk, and I almost made an enemy for my grandfather. Yu Wenshiji hurriedly said: "Your Highness reminds me that I was negligent."
"Go on," Yang Ming waved his hand helplessly.
Next, how many fields He Ruobi occupied, how much money he swallowed, and how many things he said that should not be said were told by Yu Wenshiji in detail.
In one sentence, there are countless treasures in the Bi family, and there are countless maids and concubines dragging Qiluo.
Yuwen Shiji summed it up in four words: wealth can rival the country.
It is obviously inappropriate to punish He Ruobi with this crime, because there are many richer people than He Ruobi, and He Ruobi's method of making money is not his alone, many people make money this way.
When Dad was the King of Jin, didn’t he make money? I'm afraid Bihe Ruobi is more ruthless, right?
It is not certain whether He Ruobi's little family fortune is one-tenth of Yang Su's.
So Yang Ming asked: "So from Shiji's perspective, what crime is appropriate for Bi to be convicted of?"
Yu Wenshiji said directly: "Being greedy and perverting the law has no regard for the emperor."
"Remove the first four characters and use the last four characters to convict," Yang Ming said.
Yu Wenshi was confused again. Isn't the bigger the crime, the better?
"This thief's crime is obvious, why does Your Highness want to protect him?"
Yang Ming narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice: "The four words "corruption and perverting the law" also apply to your Majesty. Bi is punished with this crime today, and you can also be punished with this crime in the future. Think about it carefully."
Yu Wenshiji was stunned for a moment, and after thinking for a long time, he couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
It seems that from the reign of Emperor Kaihuang to the present, there are really only a few people who have been convicted of corruption and perverting the law and have been sentenced to death. In my impression, it seems to be Yan Rong.
Your Majesty has never had a minister die for this crime, so this precedent really cannot be set.
Because his father Yu Wenshu was indeed corrupt and perverted the law. Not only his father, there were many others who were corrupt and perverted the law.
He understood what Yang Ming meant. He could not use corruption and perversion of the law to kill people. In other words, corruption and perversion of the law would not lead to death. It would leave room for others and also leave a way out for himself.
Learned, learned...
Yu Wenshiji immediately changed his face to a respectful expression and said: "His Highness's words are enlightening, and I have been taught a lesson."
Yang Ming said: "Since you have collected all the criminal evidence, then you can report it. After the memorial is prepared, give it to me. I will sign and seal it."
This is what Yu Wenshiji was waiting for. You want me to take the blame. Hey, I am willing to take the blame. Didn't you expect that?
"I will prepare now."
In addition to powerful ministers and favored ministers, there is actually another type called lonely ministers.
What does it mean to be a lonely minister? It means that everyone except the emperor is unhappy with you. Yang Ming can see that this guy Sangou seems to be quite willing to claim credit from the emperor in his own name, so that's fine.
This will make Yu Wenshu go further and further down the path of Guchen, and Guchen is destined not to have much influence.
Aren’t you going to marry your second child? Then let's see how big a wave you two lonely kings and ministers can make.
Considering many aspects, Yang Jian could no longer pose a threat to him, and fawning over Yu Wenshu was just his last straw.
Now, at least on the surface, Yang Ming has gained the support of the clan, and behind him, there is also the full support of the Hongnong Yang family and the Hedong Pei family.
Because Yang Su and Pei Ju are the talkers within their respective families, their positions represent the family's position to a great extent.
And Li Yuan is an old fox. On the surface, he seems to be leaning towards Yang Ming, but actually leaves himself some room. He is the kind of person who can add insult to injury when Yang Jian is weak, but Yang Ming, who is weak, will not give him trouble when he is in trouble. people.
Chen Shuyi's family can provide great help to Yang Ming in the Jiangnan area in the future. It is still on the rise, and Yang Ming will try its best to help.
...
Yang Ming was still very doting on his children before they were three years old, and his second son Yang Jin was exactly at this stage.
He did not want his children to be distinguished as legitimate concubines. They were all biological flesh and blood, with no distinction between high and low. In this regard, Yang Yinjiang was very reasonable and treated Yang Jin as if he were his own.
Holding the child in his arms, Yang Ming smiled at Pei Shuying and said, "The child looks like you."
Pei Shuying suddenly frowned: "No, like you."
After saying that, she burst out laughing. Yes, the child looks like her, but a woman doesn't want others to say that the child looks like her mother. Although she knows that Yang Ming doesn't care about this, she does.
The good thing about being rich is that you don’t need to take care of the child yourself. Yang Ming just held him for a while, and then the wet nurse next to him took the child over.
Because Yang Ming held the child in the wrong posture, the child was very uncomfortable.
"There are so many things going on now. I really miss the days when I was alone with you. It was so carefree." After the wet nurse left, Pei Shuying snuggled into Yang Ming's arms and said, "You know, I don't like to stay at home. , If you want to go out in the future, you must take me with you."
Yang Ming smiled and said: "What if we go out to lead the army?"
"You have to take me with you," Pei Shuying said, "I've privately had someone tailor-make a suit of armor for me. You also know my riding skills, and I won't hold you back."
Yang Ming nodded: "Okay, it's up to you."
"One thing is very strange," Pei Shuying suddenly said sternly: "In my grandfather's letter to me years ago, he hoped that I would practice riding and shooting more, and preferably also learn some martial arts, and the tone was quite serious. You said, Ah Why do you tell me this?"
Yang Ming was stunned, frowning and saying nothing.
Perhaps, Pei Ju, like Gao Jiong, could already foresee the future of the Sui Dynasty.
People, as old as three years old, say, and what their father Yang Guang has done in the two years since he has been in power may, in the eyes of Pei Ju and Gao Jie, predict what will happen in the next few years.
As Gao Jiong said, if things continue like this, the country will be in chaos.
Over in Luoyang, Yang Yue sent a letter, saying that there were civil riots in Runan County, Yuzhou, Zhenyang, Xinxi, Shangcai, and Pingyu counties during the canal period.
A civil uprising would cause great harm, because once the common people rebelled, both the officials and the people would be killed.
This civil unrest was suppressed quickly because it was discovered early, but it also caused immeasurable damage to Runan County.
Although there were only more than 3,000 thieves who rebelled this time, they caused too much harm to the surrounding villages. As a result, more than 70,000 to 80,000 people suffered. As a result, the farmland in the four counties was abandoned, the cattle were gone, and the houses were in ruins. .
But this civil uprising was suppressed by Luoyang, and few people knew about it. Yang Yue believed that Yu Wenkai should report it to the emperor, but he would never tell anyone else.
It is best not to let people know about rebellion, for fear that others will follow suit.
After listening to Pei Shuying's words, Yang Ming deeply agreed with Pei Ju's point of view. If he went out to lead the army in battle in the future, if the capital was in danger, it would inevitably affect his family. He did not want this to happen.
Just like when Li Yuan rebelled in Taiyuan, he forgot to call his son Li Zhiyun away from Daxing, so he was chopped into pieces by Yin Shishi.
You must protect your family. Who knows what the world will be like in the future?
"In this case, you should learn from A'lou. She is good at riding, shooting and martial arts, and she is not an outsider," Yang Ming nodded and instructed.
Pei Shuying suddenly frowned: "So, you and I have the same idea. What are you two hiding from me?"
"How could it be?" Yang Ming hurriedly laughed and said, "I understand Mr. Pei's concerns. After all, I will most likely go out to fight often in the future. I am also very worried when you are not with me. After all, when I leave, It will take away the part of the palace, so that the defense of the palace will be empty, and your safety will also be affected."
Pei Shuying nodded: "I understand, especially now that the crown prince is unknown and we don't know what will happen. Yin Jiang often told me to guard against everyone. Now it seems that she is far-sighted."
Then, she added: "I am not familiar with Alou. After all, he is a person who serves the Holy Queen. I cannot treat him like a lowly person. You'd better say hello to him for me."
Yang Ming nodded: "This is very necessary. Not only you have to learn it, but Yin Jiang Shuyi and the others also have to learn it."
Pei Shuying hummed and leaned into Yang Ming's arms.
"Don't move. I want to fall asleep in your arms. When I fall asleep, you can carry me to the bed."
Yang Ming nodded, placed his cheek against the top of his wife's head, patted her back gently, and hummed a ballad that he had forgotten where he heard it from.
After a while, Pei Shuying's breathing gradually stabilized, but Yang Ming did not let go...
.......
According to Ah Lou, Feng'er is very skilled in martial arts and can be a master. Otherwise, it would be too tiring for her to teach by herself.
Princess Yin Jiang and concubine Shuying have some basic skills, but the others are complete beginners. Li Xiuning can't even ride a horse. This gives Alou a big headache. Isn't it good to be idle every day? Why am I being assigned such a chore?
What surprised Yan Xiaotang the most was that she was also included, which made her feel honored. Pei Shuying, in particular, was really easy to get along with. She did not regard her as a concubine as a servant, but treated her as an equal. .
Ever since, Yan Xiaotang subconsciously regarded Pei Shuying as his supporter.
As for Yang Ming, after these heavenly meetings, he would meet with Shi Wansui to discuss He Ruobi's affairs.
"Well, although I have always disliked him, I don't want to just watch him end up like this," Shi Wansui sighed as he took a few sips of wine.
Yang Ming also sighed and said: "There is nothing I can do. No one can stop my father from having his idea. He is ungrateful. Even if I try my best to protect him, others may not think well of me."
He Ruobi was of no use to Yang Ming, and Yang Ming couldn't control him at all.
Yang Guang would not be happy if he had to give up, and He Ruobi was ungrateful. Yang Ming would suffer both inside and outside, so he would not do it.
】
Shi Wansui nodded: "He is a person who succeeds in character and fails in character. In the past, Gao Jiao and Yang Su suppressed him, and he was relatively restrained. Now, look at how he bosses people around in court these days. His posture is as if he is responsible for the defense of the capital, and he dares to order me around?"
Then, Shi Wansui sighed again and again.
It's a bit sad that the rabbit is dead and the fox is dead, but also a bit sympathetic, and the hero values the hero.
Of the four people who ranked in the Martial Temple during the Great Sui Dynasty, only he and He Ruobi are left now. Apart from Gao Jiong, they are also the most outstanding warriors today.
Shi Wansui even felt that if He Ruobi died, would it be his turn next?
Yang Ming raised his glass and said: "It won't be long before there will be a decree from Luoyang. I don't want to kill people and confiscate homes, and you don't want to go either. It will offend people."
Shi Wansui said blankly: "You are the one who makes the decision in the capital now, and His Majesty's decree will definitely make you responsible. If you don't do it, who will?"
"It doesn't take many people to search the house. Just let Yuwen Shiji do it. Doesn't he really want to show his face? Five thousand people are enough for him," Yang Ming frowned and said:
"But if something happens to He Ruobi, there may be chaos in the right guard. I want to use Zhang Suncheng to lead the right guard and Qu Tutong to lead the left Wuwei to take over the various camps of the right guard in advance to avoid mutiny in the army."
Shi Wansui nodded and said: "It's necessary, but I'm afraid it's not easy. If you send someone to take over, they will definitely know that something happened. I'm afraid a dispute will be inevitable. Why don't you say hello to Zheng Yuanshou and Wei Baoluan in advance? It’s so convenient that the inside should be coordinated with the outside.”
Yang Ming shook his head and said: "No, these two people have been ignored by He Ruobi for a long time. They have no real power at all. Two people who have never been on the battlefield cannot suppress the elite soldiers in the army. Instead, they will scare the snake."
Shi Wansui sighed again: "Since they are two chicks, I really don't know why Your Majesty would put them in such an important position."
"Good family background, strong background, it's that simple," Yang Ming said with a smile: "We in the Sui Dynasty have many talented generals. There is no shortage of people to charge into battle, but when it comes to claiming credit and receiving rewards, you have to step aside."
Shi Wansui laughed at himself: "I have a deep understanding."
His words were an insinuation of Yang Su's attempt to steal credit from him back then.
.......
If you want to successfully deal with He Ruobi as soon as possible, you must achieve success in one fell swoop with lightning speed.
The longer it takes, the bigger the mess will be.
Yang Jian killed He Ruobi, and Yang Guang killed He Ruobi. These are two completely different concepts. The former is simple, the latter is difficult, because everything He Ruobi had was given by Yang Jian, so it would be easy to take it back.
Yang Guang left this difficult job to his son, but his son didn't want to take the blame, otherwise it would be recorded in future history books that Yang Ming killed the hero.
He Ruobi's merits are worth the corruption and perversion of the law, but they are not worth the power of the emperor.
To convict the Duke, Dali Temple, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Yushitai all had to recruit people. Yang Wang of Dali Temple and Wei Xuan of the Ministry of Punishment were all in the capital now and had nothing to do with He Ruobi.
The boss of the Yushitai was Zhang Heng, the Yushi doctor. There were two censors under him, one was named Lu Zhiming and the other was named Liu Ziyi. These three people all followed Yang Guang.
Further down, there are eight censors, four of whom are in Beijing, namely Huang Fenglin, Chen Xiaoyi, Pei Ji, and You Yuan.
There is no one in Yushitai who is not loyal to the emperor, so he is absolutely reliable. Of course, history has proved that Pei Ji is an exception.
But Yang Ming was still worried about leaking the news in advance, because this matter was too big for him to be careless. If He Ruobi received the news in advance, it would be a big deal.
So he used the pretext of adjusting the garrison and ordered Zuo Xiaowei General Shi Xiang to allocate 5,000 troops and horses from the military government and give them to Yu Wenshi and his command. Then he gave them to Changsun Cheng and Qu Tutong in the name of going to Longxi to resist Tuguhun. The troop movement warrant asked them to go out of the city to mobilize troops to take over the right guard.
When the Sui Dynasty mobilized troops, they also used the old system of Qin, Han, and Jin, that is, the tiger talisman, but it changed from a crouching tiger to a standing tiger. The sixteen guards all had 16 specific tiger talismans, but Yang Ming did not have them. , all at Yang Guang’s place.
Therefore, when he mobilizes troops, he can only use the orders of the King of Qin. Now he is guarding the capital, so his orders are recognized by the sixteen guards. The only flaw is that for each military mansion, his upper limit can only be 5,000 troops, which is more. No, this is Dad's way of guarding against him.
If there are special circumstances, such as the capital is in danger, Yang Ming can mobilize all troops and horses after discussing with the generals of the guards.
Military power needs to be controlled, and there are many rules and regulations. Yang Guang will not hand over military power unless absolutely necessary.
At the end of May, Yang Guang's edict arrived. He Ruobi's last crime was to slander the emperor, order his family to be confiscated, and his disciples to be exiled. Two brothers, He Ruolong, Duke of Wudu County, and He Ruodong, Duke of Wanrong County, reduced their titles to the people.
After receiving the imperial edict, Yang Mingcai urgently summoned officials from Dali Temple, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Yushitai to prepare for action.
