"Why......"
"well......"
It was a deep cold night, and the back hall of Yang's house was brightly lit with candles. Yang Fang was wandering around the hall with his hands behind his back, his expression was solemn, and he was sighing. The candlelight swaying in the cool breeze seemed to reflect his mood at the moment.
Looking at the decoration of the hall, it is simple and simple, without any luxury. There is a saying that among the current ministers of the Han Dynasty, in terms of thrift and thrift, no one can compare with Yang Bin.
"Father, why are you so worried?" His eldest son Yang Tingkan couldn't help but ask.
As mentioned before, none of the courtiers of the Han Dynasty were truly clean. Like Su Fengji, who was fond of amassing money, took corruption and bribes, and dared to sell his official position unscrupulously in his previous administration. Although he has restrained himself a lot, his corrupt behavior has never stopped.
Although Yang Bin is not good at buying property, he is also selfish. Of the three sons, the eldest son Tingkan was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel and had a job in the examination department; the second son Tingwei was the direct commander of the inner palace; the third son Tingyi worked as a prison officer in Dali Temple.
He didn't hold back much when seeking positions for his three sons. This was considered "human nature". Even if others criticized him, it was not a big deal. Everyone worked hard to protect their descendants. However, Yang Bin installed more than three sons in the court. Their relatives, friends, old friends, and hometown people were either working in Beijing or serving as state and county officials. The "Yang family" power, at least on the surface, , very huge.
Someone has counted that in less than a year after the founding of the Han Dynasty, there were more than 30 relatives of the Yang family who were personally promoted by Yang Bingshou... Such behavior, no matter how capable they are, will not be successful. How could Liu Chengyou not be jealous and disgusted by his merits? Of course, it is undeniable that Yang Bin is standing opposite Liu Chengyou, which is what Liu Chengyou hates most about him.
Yang Bin was obviously in a depressed mood. Hearing the eldest son's question, he only glanced sideways at him, made a disgusting face, snorted coldly, and did not answer.
Yang Bin's tutoring was very strict, and his sons were very afraid of him. Seeing his father's cold face, Yang Tingkan couldn't help but shrink his neck, shut up for a while, and still couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Are you worried about the official's health?"
Hearing this, Yang Bin's face turned a little ugly, but he didn't answer.
Since the beginning of the new year, Liu Zhiyuan has not shown up to manage politics for several days. He only sends edicts from the inner court from time to time and occasionally meets with the prime ministers. The life of the prince overseeing the country and then Yang Bin may be described as difficult, but it was not smooth after all. Liu Chengyou felt that many of the decisions made by him in government affairs were inappropriate. As time goes by, the contradiction becomes deeper. To this day, in front of several ministers, Yang Fan angrily said to Liu Chengyou: "National affairs are handled by ministers by themselves. Your Highness does not need to say anything!"
Liu Chengyou was so angry that he turned the table over after the meeting.
"I'm still worried about His Royal Highness..." Yang Tingkan's voice became even softer.
This time Yang Bin's reaction was a little louder. He slammed the table and vented his resentment coldly: "I have only been in charge of the country for a few days, but I have already issued orders and don't pay attention to me and other ministers. This is just a prince." , if he becomes the emperor, will my Yang family still have a way to survive?"
Yang Bin's words clearly startled Yang Tingkan. He subconsciously looked around cautiously, and then relaxed a little when he thought that this was his own inner hall. But seeing Yang Fang's angry expression, he said cautiously: "Don't think it's like this. Is father too nervous?"
"My father is the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty. He is responsible for military affairs and is a minister of the country. He has worked hard and made great achievements. His Highness the Prince will only rely on him more."
Almost pointing at the eldest son's nose, Yang Bin cursed: "Stupid! If you follow your ignorant ideas, my Yang family will be wiped out one day, and it won't be unjust!"
"Father, calm down." Probably because he was used to being trained, Yang Tingkan didn't dare to show the slightest displeasure on his face. He stepped forward to help Yang Bin sit down and said, "Although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is serious, he is not an unreasonable person. Be respectful. Filial piety is also praised by the government and the public..."
"Humph." Hearing his words, Yang Bin snorted, with a trace of sarcasm emerging from the corner of his mouth: "Before Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty came to the throne, wasn't he pretentious and pretentious to gain a false reputation? You don't know, but I know that this prince is a man of nature. You cold man! Just wait, if he becomes the emperor in the future, let alone us foreign ministers, even his relatives, brothers, uncles, uncles, look at how many of them will die a good death!"
Glancing at Yang Bin, Yang Tingkan hesitated to speak, always feeling that his father was a bit extreme. After thinking for a while, he reminded: "Now, there are rumors even in the community that His Royal Highness has the style of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and the battle of Luancheng——"
Before Yang Tingkan could finish speaking, Yang Bin interrupted him impatiently and scolded: "How did Emperor Taizong ascend to the throne? Kill his brothers and force his father! The prince has his own vicious methods, but I believe it! As for Luan In the battle of the city, if Zhang Yanwei and other generals did not fight with their lives, would he have such luck and become famous all over the world?"
Yang Tingkan shut up, unable to convince him at all. At the same time, a sense of fear filled his whole body. If Yang Bin had such thoughts and attitudes, the Yang family would really be in danger of annihilating his family.
"It's a pity that the sky has no eyes, so His Royal Highness King Wei died young. King Wei was kind. If he were still here, I would risk my life to help him ascend the throne. How could I let King Zhou get the crown prince in vain!" Yang Tingkan was worried! Suddenly, Yang Bin let out a long sigh, his tone full of unwillingness and resentment.
From the bottom of his heart, does Yang Fu really dislike Liu Chengyou and like Liu Chengxun? This is not the case. Liu Chengyou is strong, thoughtful, thoughtful, and obviously difficult to control. On the contrary, Liu Chengxun is kind and gentle. For ministers like them who hold power, he is the most suitable monarch, and because the two are familiar with each other...
Seeing Yang Bin's stubborn look, Yang Tingkan was completely frightened. He could be described as shaken and took two steps back.
There was a heavy look of worry on his pale face. The weather was still cold that night, but it was not as cold as his heart. After being stunned for a while, Yang Tingkan seemed to understand something and suddenly asked: "Isn't my father worried that because he supported King Wei before, he was afraid that the prince would be suspicious in the past?"
Yang Bin did not answer this question.
Seeing this, Yang Tingkan followed up with a suggestion: "If this is the case, why don't father have a frank discussion with His Highness the Crown Prince to eliminate the misunderstanding? With His Highness's judgment, will he still care about you, Father?"
"Are you asking me to bow my head in submission?" It's okay not to say anything. As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Bin turned his head and spoke harshly.
"If my father can't clear his face, my son is willing to go on his behalf!"
Yang Tingkan couldn't help but laugh at Yang Tingkan's naivety: "You think too highly of yourself. Are you going to bring shame on the Yang family?"
But seeing Yang Bin's stubbornness, Yang Tingkan became anxious for the first time and advised: "Father, now that the status of monarch and ministers has been determined, His Highness the Crown Prince must not be lightly insulted. Since ancient times, how many ministers have resisted the emperor and achieved a good ending?"
If his son dared to speak to him like this in normal times, Yang Bin would have slapped him away. But now, seeing the worry on Yang Tingkan's expression, Yang Fan couldn't help but sigh and waved his hand: "As a father, you have your own worries, so you don't have to worry about it. It's getting late, so go down and rest first."
After Yang Tingkan stepped back, Yang Fang was alone in the hall, his face even more bitter. In fact, he was very uneasy in his heart. If he really had the confidence, why would he be lamenting here late at night.
"The officials are already paving the way for the prince, and I'm afraid time is running out!" After pondering for a long time, Yang Bin murmured: "I have to make preparations early!"
In the past few days, Liu Zhiyuan's most important edicts were to adjust the imperial army again. In addition to Shi Hongzhao and Tongping Zhangshi, who are still the commanders of the guards and horse infantry, Liu Xin is appointed as the deputy commander of the guards and horse infantry, Li Hongxin is appointed as the deputy commander of the guards and infantry, and Li Hongwei is appointed as the commander of the guards and horsemen. Li Hongjian was deployed for the inner capital, his adopted son Liu Chengyun was appointed as the commander of the Zuoxiang capital to protect the saints, and his consort Song Yanwo patrolled the capital.
Let’s not mention the abilities of the following people, but they are either members of the clan or royal relatives, and they seem to be protecting Liu Chengyou’s succession. Liu Zhiyuan even wanted Murong Yanchao to come to Beijing and serve as a senior general in the Bodyguard Department...
Of course, from Liu Chengyou's point of view, Liu Zhiyuan's arrangement was not very "stable", mainly because his uncles and uncles were really not people who could be entrusted with the funeral affairs. They either lacked abilities or had limited personalities. According to Liu Chengyou's wishes, Yang Bin and Shi Hongzhao, especially Shi Hongzhao, would only need to be dismissed from their posts. They would not even have to be dismissed from their posts. They would just be sent to the town and transferred out of Tokyo. (Shi Hongzhao returned to the German Army Jiedushi and Tongping Zhangshi)
However, Liu Chengyou also understood Liu Zhiyuan's kindness. Feeling that a storm was coming, Liu Chengyou arranged everything step by step, very calmly, and secretly. Although he was distracted by state affairs during this period, he never relaxed about the army. His mind was clear. No matter how fierce the competition in the court, it was not as practical as military power.
In the Tokyo Forbidden Army, Liu Chengyou's influence is already considerable. He has Ma Quanyi, Xiang Xun, Han Tong and other confidant generals to promote and support him. Veteran generals will not oppose him normally, and there is also the support of some generals represented by Guo Wei. The only unstable factor was Shi Hongzhao, but this man really had no morale in the military. Although his followers controlled a group of forbidden troops, Liu Chengyou had no confidence in him whether he could start a rebellion.
It can be said that even if Liu Zhiyuan died suddenly, as long as the situation develops normally and there are no accidents, Liu Chengyou will successfully succeed to the throne as the prince, and there will basically be no problems.
However, Yang Bin obviously didn't think so. After pondering for a long time, Yang Ping could not help but show a little hesitation on his face: "Do I have to find that bastard to work with?"
