Yang Ming entered the palace as soon as he left Chu Gong's Mansion, and Yang Guang was still waiting for his report.
"Time is running out. He is basically about to die. How long he can survive depends on fate," Yang Ming said honestly.
Yang Guang nodded and said with a dark look on his face: "It's a pity. If there is no problem with Yang Su's health, I would be most at ease if I leave the canal affairs to him."
After that, Yang Guang looked directly at his son and said: "After Yang Su dies, let Xuangan ascend the throne. In your opinion, what kind of position should be given to Xuangan?"
It was obviously a test, Yang Ming knew in his heart that he should not support Xuangan, but due to emotions and reasons, if he did not support it, it would make Yang Guang feel that there was something wrong.
So he also tried to ask: "Father, do you think a book of ministers is feasible?"
Yang Guang smiled......
He was satisfied with Yang Ming's answer. If Yang Ming didn't even care about his father-in-law, then it would be too difficult to guess what he was thinking.
Yang Guang said with a smile: "Xuangan is famous all over the world because he has been honored and distinguished for many generations, but his talents are useless. A book of ministers really praises him."
Yes, he refused, and Yang Ming continued to pretend: "Most of the courtiers are generals under Yang Su. They have little mystical ability, but their prestige is not shallow, so they are still worthy of use."
"Haha..." Yang Guang couldn't help laughing and said: "It's difficult to defend you everywhere, I will consider it as appropriate."
As he spoke, Yang Guang suddenly said: "That day when you were called into the East Palace by the boss, what did you say?"
"I just visited my eldest brother, and recommended Su Kui to be the crown prince, but nothing else." Yang Ming did not intend to tell the truth this time.
Because he felt that the secret discussion with Yang Zhao in the East Palace that day would never reach Yang Guang's ears.
As for Su Kui's matter, I'm afraid I can't hide it, because Duan Wenzhen should be my father's man.
Although it is just Yang Ming's guess, it is probably close to ten.
"Didn't you mention the canal?" Yang Guang asked again.
Yang Ming nodded and said, "I mentioned a few things, but I didn't say much at that time."
"Haha..." Yang Guang smiled:
"It's actually right for you to make your own decisions about some things without being induced by others. Yang Xiong asked you to bring the matter to court, but you didn't agree. It shows that you still know the situation. Remember, this world belongs to us.
Family, whatever you do, you have to make your own decision, don't trust those people, they are just a bunch of spectators."
"I understand, kid," Yang Mingyang said with a look of fear.
Yang Guang said again: "I will grant you the title of King of Qin. The second brother is the King of Qi. He has already suffered a loss. Please stop arguing with him about some things. The boss, the second child, and you are the same family. Don't worry about it."
Do not believe the slanders of outsiders and your own brothers. When you are really in crisis, they are the only ones who can help you, do you understand?"
"I understand..." Yang Ming could tell that his father wanted to make peace and resolve the conflict between him and his second son.
After all, no father wants to see his son fighting among himself. Although a bowl of water is not equal, everyone has something to drink from. If anyone dares to drop the bowl, the father will be ruthless.
It is nothing new for an emperor to kill his son.
It seems that regarding the canal matter, Yang Guang will fully support Yang Jian, because Yang Jian figured out Yang Guang's thoughts correctly.
Finally, Yang Guang began to immerse himself in handling government affairs and said the next sentence:
"As long as you don't cause trouble this time, I will give Xuangan a minister. You can figure it out yourself."
Yang Ming quickly clasped his hands and said, "My child will never cause trouble to my second brother. Father, please rest assured."
Yang Guang said no more, so Yang Ming quietly retreated.
Today's warning may seem gentle, but it is actually quite severe. If Yang Ming does not listen, Yang Guang will not have this attitude next time.
Now it depends on whether Yang Zhao's warning to the second child is effective. If it has no effect, Yang Ming will not dare to intervene casually in the short term.
If Yang Guang is angered and demoted to a commoner, he will be unable to do anything.
Go ahead, wait for another month, it depends on your choice.
...
The letter written by Prince Yang Zhao to Yang Xian was like a stone sinking into the sea, without even a ripple.
Yang Jian didn't even reply to the letter. Yang Zhao was so angry that he suddenly collapsed.
Now, not only Yang Guang was panicked, but the entire Sui Dynasty was also panicked...
The daily court meeting was also held in the East Palace, just outside Prince Yang Zhao's bedroom.
Yang Guang has not left the East Palace during this period of time, because he has realized that things are developing in a terrible direction, and the Sui Dynasty will face the terrifying situation of the successor dying midway.
The courtiers all knelt outside, as if waiting for the final bell to ring.
Only one month later, Yang Zhao suddenly became skinny and bones, and his skin color turned dark yellow and black. Anyone who saw it would know that the prince's end was approaching.
Which is more important, the canal or the prince? There is no doubt that Yang Guang chose his eldest son.
The king of Qi, Yang Jian, was urgently recalled to Beijing.
Empress Xiao had completely collapsed. A white-haired person sending a black-haired person was a tragic thing in the world. She never expected that it would happen to her.
In the dormitory, everyone except Yang Guang was kicked out.
Yang Guang was shaking all over, holding his son's bony palm tightly, tears filling his eyes.
At this time, he could no longer bear to blame his son, blame him for being drunk, blame him for not caring about his body.
The emperor may be able to bear the pain of losing a son, but if the son is a prince, he will never be able to bear it.
"My son has let his father down..." Yang Zhao's godless eyes looked at his father dully.
Yang Guang was already crying and shook his head: "No, I have never been disappointed in you. You have always done well."
Yang Zhao's mouth was parched and he said word by word:
"The second child has a bad nature, is close to villains, does many illegal things, and should not be entrusted with big things. The third child is stable and tolerant. After the son leaves, let him enter the East Palace."
Yang Guangdao: "Why don't you think about your children?"
Yang Zhao's lips trembled and he said slowly: "The third son is still young. If we are entrusted with big things, the country will be in chaos."
"I'm here, but they don't dare," Yang Guang gritted his teeth.
What Yang Zhao means is that the three sons are too young. If Yang Guang chooses a prince among them, the second and third sons will definitely find ways to deal with his sons.
After all, there have been too many such things in history, so in order to save his son, the best way is to let him go.
The second child is ruthless. Even if he succeeds to the throne in the future, he will probably not let his son go. Only by entrusting the third child to the throne can his lineage be preserved.
Because his three sons are also the legitimate heirs to the throne.
Of course Yang Guang understood what his son meant. If he wanted to make Yang Zhao his son, he would have to take care of the second and third sons in advance, but Yang Guang couldn't do this.
Because he has three sons in total.
"I will not establish a throne in the short term," Yang Guang said.
Yang Zhao had no energy to persuade anymore and slowly closed his eyes.
.......
On July 22, Yang Zhao died of illness and was given the posthumous title "Yuan De". Yang Guang issued an edict to suspend court for a hundred days and the whole country mourned him.
On July 23rd, Yang Su died of illness, and Yang Guang issued an edict posthumously to the officials of Guanglu, Taiweigong and Hongnong, Hedong, Jiangjun, Linfen, Wencheng, Hanoi, Jijun, Changping, Shangdang, and Xihe
The prefect of ten counties, posthumously named "Jingwu".
After Yang Xian returned to Beijing, Yu Wenkai was given full authority to handle the canal affairs. He immediately adopted Yang Ming's sixteen strategies, adjusted the working hours of the people, and changed the river channel plan, which greatly reduced the casualties of the people.
What Yang Zhao and Yang Ming couldn't do, they were able to do because of Yang Zhao's death.
Although there were no court meetings, Yang Guang often summoned a few officials to the Liangyi Palace to discuss matters. However, Yang Ming was not able to go to the Liangyi Palace for three months after Yang Zhao's death.
So he didn't know what Yang Guang was discussing with the ministers.
In contrast, Yang Jian was even worse. Every day when he went out, people from the Yushitai were watching him. Whatever he had done and who he had met, the Yushitai would report it to Yang Guang.
Now Yang Jian is like a frightened bird, hiding at home all day long and not daring to go out.
Because he was afraid, afraid that his father would kill him.
A hundred days after Yang Zhao's death, the court meeting resumed, and someone came forward to express the hope that the emperor would establish a heir apparent as soon as possible.
Some recommended Yang Ming, some recommended Yang Jian, and some recommended Yang Zhao's three sons. Anyway, there were only five of them.
But there was no movement from Yang Guang, so the whole world was speculating on the emperor's true thoughts.
At the court meeting that day, Yang Guang dismissed Li Yuantong, Minister of War.
The post of Minister of the Ministry of War was taken over by Duan Wenzhen, and the post of Minister of the Ministry of War vacated by Duan Wenzhen was taken over by Hu Sizheng.
Li Yuantong's dismissal offended others, offending the emperor's favorite Yu Wenshu.
Niu Hong also came out of the Ministry of Rites and took over the Taichang Temple left by Gao Zong after he dismissed his official position. He also served as a subordinate of Nayan.
Yang Xuangan took office as the Minister of Rites and succeeded him as Duke of Chu.
As for Yang Ming, nothing has changed and he still has no military power. Therefore, many people believe that the emperor actually preferred the position of crown prince to Yan Wang Yang Tan and Dai Wang Yang You.
During the entire court meeting, Yang Guang didn't even look at Yang Jian, and Yang Jian didn't even dare to raise his head from beginning to end.
After the court meeting ended, Yang Ming was going to Yong'an Palace, and Yang Jian followed him in a hurry.
"Third brother, there was a misunderstanding between our brothers in the past. Brother, I will also apologize to you. You have a lot of money, so don't blame me."
The reason why Yang Jian was so depressed was because he felt that he was probably destined to be the crown prince, and Yang Ming was also in trouble, so at the moment, the two of them were inseparable.
If you want to fight for the throne, you have to form an alliance with Yang Ming, first deal with the three brats in the East Palace, and then in turn deal with the third child.
Of course Yang Ming knew how to make excuses, so he smiled and said: "The apology must be sincere. If you want my brother to forgive me, you have to show some sincerity."
"I understand," Yang Xun said with a chuckle, "We are brothers from the same mother. Now that the eldest brother has passed away, you and I should support each other. Otherwise, the queen mother will not be happy either."
After Yang Zhao died, Yang Jian had already entered Yong'an Palace. After all, no matter how angry Empress Xiao was with him, she was still his biological son.
Of the three sons, one was gone and two were left. Naturally, Empress Xiao felt even more distressed, fearing that something would happen to them too.
Yang Ming nodded and said with a smile: "You'd better show your sincerity first, and then let's talk about feelings."
In Yang Ming's view, nothing can happen to the second child now. After all, the situation is unclear. If the second child goes down, who will be his shield in the future?
He is only safe if there is someone in front of him.