[History of the Sui Dynasty Palace] [89]

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter 89 Recognizing the Demise of the Purple Smoke, Cursing the Traitors,
and the Noble Son's Death It is said that Yuwen Zhiji spoke some words, and Yuan Shu listened, pondered for a long time, and then said: "What you say is reasonable, but if you want to do great things, you must first choose a commander. Looking around at everyone, only you and your brother are suitable for this position. If you are willing, I am very willing to serve you." Zhiji nodded and said: "This matter must be discussed thoroughly with my brother before a plan is made." Yuan Shu then went out to meet Sima Dekan and said to him: "Recently, Yuwen Zhiji did not agree with our westward journey.
" Dekan was surprised and said: "He disagrees! If this is leaked, we will be in danger!" Yuan Shu smiled and said: "He has a brilliant plan, which is a hundred times better than going west." Dekan asked in surprise what it was, and Yuan Shu told him everything.
Dekan was overjoyed and said: "If we can succeed in this matter, it is better than being a fugitive." He then informed Pei Qiantong. Qian Tong had no reason to refuse. The rest of his associates also agreed.
A few days later, Yuan Shu, along with Zhi Ji, Sima Dekan, and Pei Qian Tong, went to Hua Ji's residence, where Hua Ji hosted a banquet. After several rounds of drinks, Zhi Ji gave Yuan Shu a wink, and Yuan Shu, understanding, said to Hua Ji, "I've come to see you today. Do you know why?" Hua Ji smiled and said, "We were just guessing, so I didn't dare ask." Yuan Shu said sternly, "The emperor is tyrannical and incompetent, and rebellions are rising up everywhere, each occupying a prefecture or city. I am known for my wisdom and talent, and I am favored by the people. Qian Tong and the others wish to serve you as our lord, to overthrow the incompetent and establish a wise ruler, and to subdue the rebels." Hua Ji was naturally timid, and upon hearing Qian Tong's words, he broke out in a cold sweat, turned pale with fright, and stammered, unable to utter a word.
Sima Dekan said, "We should obey the Heavenly Master to eliminate the tyrannical ruler. Why should Lord Yuwen be so cowardly?" Huaji shook his head and said, "Gentlemen, please stop. Who am I? How can I be entrusted with such a great task? You gentlemen can choose another hero to take on this difficult task, and I will follow you with my spear." Seeing Huaji's reluctance, Zhiji said seriously, "Lord Pei and the others admire your wisdom and wish to serve you as their lord. Why must you refuse? You have almost been killed in the market. Have you forgotten that? If such a tyrannical ruler is not deposed soon, the people will suffer even more. Are you thinking of your own safety, or of the people?" Huaji pondered for a long time before saying, "I am truly incompetent. If you gentlemen insist, I can only reluctantly comply.
But everything depends on my second brother and you gentlemen." Dekan happily said, "How dare I not serve!" They then parted in high spirits.
The next day, Dekan summoned the brave officers and explained the secret plan to them. Upon hearing this, the crowd rejoiced, saying, "As you command, General!" De Kan and the others, seeing the unity of the people, were overjoyed. They then prepared diligently and set a date for their mission. Emperor Yang, knowing the people's hearts were divided, had been wary, frequently rising at night to observe the stars, but ultimately felt the odds were against him, and became increasingly anxious. That night, seeing the nemesis star drawing ever closer to the imperial throne, the imperial star teetering on the verge of collapse, Emperor Yang was greatly alarmed. He hastily ordered the summons of Yuan Ziyan. Ziyan had already disappeared, leaving only a letter in her room. A palace maid presented the letter, and Emperor Yang was greatly surprised and suspicious. The Empress was also alarmed and urged Emperor Yang to open the letter immediately. Emperor Yang hastily opened the sealed letter and read it with Empress Xiao. The letter read: "Since being selected to serve you, I have been deeply favored by Your Majesty. Now, I have left without saying goodbye, deeply guilty. I only plead for forgiveness. The celestial signs indicate impending disaster; it will strike suddenly. I cannot die, and to live is to suffer humiliation." Recalling my teacher's words, "My death will not be in Jiangdu. A miraculous encounter followed; how can I refuse?" This is the first reason I could not serve Your Majesty to the end. I have an elderly mother, from whom I have been separated for a long time; my young brother is still young and alone, his fate uncertain amidst the daily chaos.
My dreams are filled with longing for my hometown, my heart is broken, and I secretly express my deepest longing. This is the second reason I could not serve Your Majesty to the end. Heaven is weary of Sui, and the situation is as precarious as a candle in the wind. Even if Your Majesty wishes to cultivate virtue to avert disaster, it is too late. Fate has already been decided; what good is futile grief? I only wish Your Majesty would accept your fate and find peace in whatever comes your way. If you could humble yourself, perhaps you could avoid disaster. I spoke frankly before my departure, without regard for taboos. I deeply hope Your Majesty will understand.
Emperor Yang and Empress Xiao, after reading this, looked at each other, their faces pale. Empress Xiao could only comfort Emperor Yang, saying, "Ziyan is timid and wants to find a way to escape, so she made these alarmist remarks. Your Majesty need not believe her." Emperor Yang said tearfully, "Ziyan's words are not an exaggeration. I myself have observed the celestial signs and know that my life is not yet over." Upon hearing this, Empress Xiao was overcome with fear and tears welled up in her eyes. Emperor Yang forced a smile and said, "Life and death are predestined. What's the use of grieving? Just live for the moment and don't be sad." Empress Xiao then stopped crying and smiled. Emperor Yang then said with a laugh, "What can relieve sorrow? Only wine!" Empress Xiao immediately ordered a banquet to be prepared and summoned all the ladies to drink with her.
When everyone heard that Yuan Ziyan had left, they all sighed again. Emperor Yang, however, did not show the letter Ziyan had left to everyone, fearing that they would be unhappy to see it. In the middle of the drinking session, suddenly, in the southeast corner, a fire blazed into the sky, accompanied by a commotion. Emperor Yang was greatly alarmed and hurriedly summoned the general on duty to inquire about the cause. That general was none other than Pei Qiantong, who had secretly plotted the rebellion.
Qiantong told Emperor Yang, "It was merely a fire in the thatched hut, and the soldiers and civilians outside rushed to put it out, hence the commotion." Emperor Yang was relieved upon hearing this. He still ordered Qiantong to go outside and be careful in guarding the area. Qiantong obediently withdrew.
Emperor Yang drank heavily until he was drunk, then ordered the banquet to end. He took Empress Xiao by the left hand and Zhu Gui'er by the right, and they went to bed together peacefully. Little did they know that disaster was imminent. In just one night, as the rooster crowed and dawn broke, the rebel army had already stormed into Xuanwu Gate. With large swords and heavy weapons, they stormed into the palace. Previously, there were five hundred palace servants at Xuanwu Gate, all strong and capable, specially selected by Emperor Yang, given generous pay, and ordered to be stationed at Xuanwu Gate for guard duty.
The Palace Attendant Wei, having received bribes from the rebels, forged an imperial edict that very evening, allowing them to rest. Sima Dekan was the first to enter the palace, as if it were empty. Pei Qiantong, an inside agent, had all the palace gates closed, except for the east gate, which was used to expel the palace guards and allow the rebels to enter.
Only General Dugu Sheng of the Right Guard and Dugu Kaiyuan of the Thousand Oxen Guard, who had not colluded with the rebels, saw this and knew something was wrong. They went outside and questioned Qiantong: "General, why have you closed all the gates and expelled the palace guards?" Qiantong hurriedly replied: "The matter has come to this point, it has nothing to do with you, General. You need not take action. If you can eliminate the wicked, we will both enjoy wealth and honor." Dugu Sheng angrily cursed: "You old thief, how dare you say such a thing! Don't run away, dog head, take my blade!" With that, he swung his blade at Qiantong, who quickly drew his sword to defend himself, and the two fought fiercely. Sima Dekan had already led the rebels. They rushed in shouting, immediately aiding Qian Tong in besieging Dugu Sheng. Dugu Sheng only had a few men under his command. How could they possibly withstand so many rebels! No matter how brave Dugu Sheng was, a single blade could not fight against so many. In an instant, he was stabbed to death, and his men scattered.
Dugu Kaiyuan hurriedly rushed to the palace gate, wanting to request Emperor Yang to personally oversee the battle. On the way, he gathered several hundred guards, shouting and yelling outside the palace gate until his throat was hoarse, but no one answered.
The rebels had already arrived, and Kaiyuan turned his horse to engage them, but he was also outnumbered and a rebel stabbed his horse in the head. The horse, in pain, leaped wildly, throwing Kaiyuan to the ground, whereupon he was captured by the rebels and taken away to be imprisoned. The palace was unguarded, and the rebels broke down the door and rushed into the bedchamber, searching for Emperor Yang. However, the brocade quilts were disheveled, the silk curtains hung empty, and there was no one in sight.
Sima Dekan said to Pei Qiantong, "The tyrant must have already hidden somewhere. Let's split up and search, don't let him escape!" Qiantong nodded in agreement and immediately withdrew. They split up to search in different places.
Qiantong's group, near the long alley, bumped into a palace maid who was carrying some valuables and trying to escape elsewhere. She encountered the rebels and tried to turn back, but Pei Qiantong grabbed her and immediately asked, "Where is the emperor now?" The palace maid stammered, "I don't know, General, please let me escape!" Seeing that she wouldn't tell the truth, Qiantong angrily shouted, "If you don't tell me quickly, I'll kill you!" The palace maid hurriedly pointed to the west pavilion and said, "The emperor is hiding in the pavilion." Having ascertained his location, Qiantong immediately released her and let her escape. He then led the rebels straight to the west pavilion. Commander Linghu Xingda, drawing his sword, charged forward. Emperor Yang, who had been in his bedchamber hearing the commotion, fled with Empress Xiao and Consort Zhu to the West Pavilion for refuge.
Suddenly hearing the commotion below, they were greatly alarmed. Empress Xiao was deathly pale, and Consort Zhu trembled with fear. Emperor Yang gently opened the pavilion window and looked down. He saw Linghu Xingda, holding a gleaming steel sword, approaching menacingly. Emperor Yang cried out in alarm, "Do you intend to kill me?" Xingda grinned maliciously, "Your Majesty, I dare not commit such a treasonous act; I only wish to escort Your Majesty westward!" With that, he strode into the pavilion, ascended the stairs, and forced Emperor Yang down. Then Qian Tong entered the palace. Emperor Yang glanced at Qian Tong and said, "Aren't you an old friend of mine?
How come you've joined them in rebelling against me!" Qian Tong replied, "How dare I rebel against Your Majesty? It's just that the soldiers are eager to return home and wish to escort Your Majesty back to the capital." Emperor Yang said, "It's not that I don't want to go west, but the rice boats on the upper river haven't arrived yet, so I've been delayed. Now I'll return with you all!" Qian Tong then left, ordering Hu Xingda and others to guard the palace gates, forbidding outsiders from entering or leaving. Once outside, Qian Tong immediately sent his associates to welcome Hua Ji. Hua Ji rushed into the court and was greeted by Si Dekan and others.
Hua Ji was still extremely bewildered, bowing his head on the saddle and repeatedly apologizing. De Kan approached the horse and whispered to Hua Ji, "The matter is largely settled; please rest assured." He then helped Hua Ji dismount, ushered him into the palace, appointed him Prime Minister, and summoned all the officials. Pei Qiantong then entered and said to Emperor Yang, "All the officials are in the court; Your Majesty, please go out immediately and offer your condolences." Emperor Yang still wanted to stay in the palace and was unwilling to go out, but Qiantong pressed him aggressively, and Emperor Yang had no choice but to comply. Qiantong forced him to mount his horse and dragged him out of the palace gate. Empress Xiao and Zhu Guier, both still in their morning makeup, with disheveled hair obscuring their beauty, followed behind Emperor Yang. As they approached the palace, Yuwen Huaji saw them and quickly waved to Qiantong, preventing Emperor Yang from entering. Qiantong then led Emperor Yang to the imperial bedchamber, where he and Sima De Kan, armed with knives, escorted him. Emperor Yang glanced at the rebels for a moment, then asked in a mournful voice, "Where is Yu Shiji?" Standing below was Ma Wenju, a member of the rebel party, who replied sharply, "He has been beheaded!" Emperor Yang sighed, "What crime have I committed to deserve this?" Wenju retorted angrily, "Your Majesty, even now, do you not know your own crimes? Your Majesty has abandoned the ancestral temples, incessantly on imperial tours. You are busy with external campaigns, yet indulge in extravagance and debauchery at home. Strong men are wounded in battle, and the old and weak perish in ditches. You have undertaken massive construction projects, exhausting the people and wasting resources, causing the four classes of people to lose their livelihoods, and bandits to rise up. You have appointed only flatterers, concealed wrongdoing, rejected honest advice, slaughtered loyal officials, and broken the trust of your soldiers. Such heinous crimes, how can they be called crimes?" Emperor Yang retorted angrily, "I have failed the people, but not you. You have enjoyed both honor and wealth, yet..." "What have you done to me?
If we rise up today, who will be the leader?" De Kan replied, "The whole world resents this; it's not just one person!
Why ask who the leader is? Anyone can plot against a traitorous ruler!"
Before he finished speaking, Zhu Gui'er's eyebrows shot up, her mouth widened, and she pointed a halberd, shouting, "You audacious madman! How dare you speak such nonsense! Do you know that even if the Emperor, the supreme ruler, makes a minor transgression, his subjects should only offer honest advice and guidance, remonstrating with him to correct his ways? How can you be so disrespectful! Furthermore, three days ago, an edict was issued ordering palace women to each make cotton robes and distribute them to you. The Emperor's consideration for you is not insignificant, yet you not only fail to repay this kindness but dare to betray it and threaten the Emperor!" Gui'er angrily denounced the traitors, and Emperor Yang hurriedly gestured for her to shut up, but Gui'er ignored him. Enraged by the insults, Sima Dekan pointed his sword at Gui'er, saying, "You shameless harlot, how dare you speak so much! The Emperor's debauchery and immorality are all due to the clever seduction of harlots like you, leading to this state. Yet
you still dare to slander and insult others; do you wish to die?" Gui'er retorted sharply, "Am I afraid of death? You traitors, deceiving the Emperor and committing rebellion, will be infamous for eternity. What face do you have to reprimand others!" Gui'er continued her tirade, further provoking Dekan, who raised his sword to strike at her. Emperor Yang hurriedly said, "General, please calm down and spare her!" Dekan's hand was slightly slow, and Zhu Gui'er, with a loud shout, "Traitor, I'll fight you to the death!" charged forward, and Dekan, unable to dodge, was struck in the chest, nearly falling. Enraged, Dekan raised his sword and killed Gui'er, her body lying on the ground, blood flowing freely. A beautiful soul had already entered the gates of hell, awaiting Emperor Yang's arrival.
Empress Xiao, seeing her beloved son killed, was terrified and dared not utter a word. Emperor Yang, seeing his son's death, covered his face and wept, but dared not rebuke De Kan. De Kan, having already lost all pretense of civility by killing his son, stormed back to Emperor Yang and said, "Our actions today have deeply offended Your Majesty, but the world is in chaos. Luoyang is besieged by Li Mi, Chang'an has fallen to Li Yuan, and Your Majesty's carriage has nowhere to return. We have no way to survive. Moreover, our virtue is already lost, and the matter cannot be stopped. We now wish to borrow Your Majesty's head to atone to the world." Emperor Yang, upon hearing this, was terrified. Indeed: The sharp sword has killed a beautiful woman, and the ruthless minister now demands the emperor's head.
To know what happens next, please read the next chapter.

URL 1:https://www.sexlove5.com/htmlBlog/216546.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=216546&aspx=1

Last access time:

Previous Page : If we don't move the mountain, wouldn't we have wasted our money on that phone?

Next Page : Five short jokes

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

[History of the Sui Dynasty Palace] [89]

comment Open a new window to view comments