In the Cheng'en Hall of the East Palace, which is quite a study room for ordinary people, Yang Guang, who is taking a break from his busy schedule, is reading "Historical Records".

Yang Guang is only thirty-four years old this year. He is at the peak of his physical and mental strength as a man. His piercing eyes are shining. His body sitting cross-legged on the cushions is tall and strong. His robe is stretched to have sharp edges and corners, giving him a very powerful beauty.

.

Previously, Yang Guang had been running the South in Yangzhou for nearly ten years. He had stabilized the old areas of the South that were constantly resisting and the people were disaffected. His civil and military skills were obvious to all, and he also believed that he had the ability to control the entire Sui Dynasty.

However, his father had entrusted him with military and state affairs during this period, which also revealed many core secrets that he had not been able to access before.

At this moment, Yang Guang discovered that the Great Sui Dynasty was not as simple as he thought. The situation in the north was a hundred or a thousand times more complicated than that in the south.

There are many things that he needs to do. On the one hand, he has to handle military and state affairs on behalf of his father; on the other hand, he has to weigh, analyze, and figure out the situation of various factions.

His father told him not to be afraid of his ministers forming cliques. It would be unimaginable if there were no factions in the court. The role of the emperor is to balance. The value of the emperor also lies in balancing the interests of all parties. Only by balancing the forces of all parties, can he

All parties who need power and interests can rely on the emperor and obey the emperor, and then the emperor can give orders. Otherwise, the ministers will be obedient at best, preventing the emperor's sunshine and rain from reaching the poor people, and at worst it will be serious.

Affects the throne and rule.

Yang Guang did the same thing in Yangzhou. As long as he sorted out the composition of each faction and found the contradictions within each faction, he could target them.

It was just his father's arrangement for his fifth brother Yang Liang that made him confused.

The father was previously worried that he would not be able to control the fourth son Yang Xiu. He was afraid that when he took over the Sui Dynasty, the fourth son would secede Yizhou and become independent, so he dismissed Yang Xiu as the general manager of Yizhou and recalled him from the post of Shangshu Ling of Southwest Daoxingtai.

In the capital, he became an idle king of Shu. This is Mr. Yu.

Privately, his father was worried that once he was gone, the Yang family would have a human tragedy involving brothers fighting each other. Because Yang Xiu had a large number of troops, he, Yang Guang, would inevitably become suspicious. Even if he firmly believed that his brother would not rebel, there would still be people trying to figure out his intentions.

And taking the opportunity to cause trouble. Similarly, if Yang Xiu does not idle away, even if he himself has no intention of fighting for anything, how can his subordinates give up? His father now leaves Yang Xiu in Daxing, not only to help Yang Guang eliminate unnecessary suspicion. Likewise,

It also eliminates Yang Xiu's wings and allows him to peacefully become the idle king of Shu.

Yang Guang can understand this arrangement, and it can be said that it kills multiple birds with one stone. But regarding the issue of the youngest Yang Liang, his father had also considered it this way before. A few days ago, he also said that he would transfer the youngest Yang Liang back to the capital. However, yesterday

Suddenly he changed his mind and not only did he not recall him, but instead gave him some generals. Wasn't this just a way to help the elders become more powerful and encourage him to rebel against him?

His father just smiled and said that when he became emperor, he would understand what he meant. Yang Guang did not dare to ask any more questions. There is already a rebellious force making trouble in Daxing City now. If his father thinks that he has no tolerance for this,

A brother's magnanimity means that he may not be the one who laughs last.

Not far away from Yang Guang, sat his official wife Xiao. Xiao's real name was Xiao Wan and her nickname was Meiniang. She was the daughter of Xiao Kui, Emperor Xiaoming of the Western Liang Dynasty. She was graceful, graceful, dignified and quiet.

A noble temperament.

As her name suggests, Xiao Wan has a gentle and gentle personality.

She and Yang Guang have been living together for nearly twenty years. They have two sons and one daughter. They have a deep relationship with each other. Yang Guang dotes on Xiao Wan very much. He hardly gets close to other women. On the contrary, Xiao Wan is the son of her husband who is already the prince.

If it is too small, it is not good for inheritance, so I feel sorry for him and persuade him to take a concubine.

However, Yang Guang took his parents as an example, and he had the merit of vindicating Chen Shubao. Chen Shubao's begging for mercy at that time left a deep impression on him. While he despised Chen Shubao, he also had a strong sense of worry, and regarded Chen Shubao as his

quit.

Especially now that we are facing complicated military and national affairs, we feel that time is very precious. The old ladies Chen Liangdi and Wang Liangdi who were brought home before were only for political needs. After arriving at home, they almost became decorations. Now they are even more reluctant to waste time.

In the midst of enjoyment.

Xiao Wan was using a small roller to skillfully grind cardamom, salt cubes, peppercorns, spices, and tea balls into gray powder. After boiling them with boiling water, she added a small spoonful of mutton oil and a small spoonful of goat milk. Stir well.

It became a bowl of tea soup. After the foam had dissipated, I handed the tea bowl to my husband.

Yang Guang picked up the tea bowl, took a sip, and said with admiration: "The tea you made is the best for me..."

Xiao Wan smiled and said: "It's you and Zhao'er too. Qie'er thinks it's good. I remember the first time King Kong Slave drank it, he sprayed it all over your face. He only used boiling water to make tea, and no other condiments were used. This way

The tea soup also has a unique flavor."

Yang Guang said disdainfully: "That guy also washed it for me once. The clear soup was watery and tasted terrible. I also sprayed him in the face."

"Erlang did it on purpose, right?" Xiao Wan said with a half-smile.

"Am I so stingy? It's because his tea soup has no oil or salt and is very tasteless." Yang Guang put down the tea bowl and asked with a smile: "Is your brother still unwilling to betroth Xiao Ying to the Vajra slave?"

Xiao Wan nodded: "Eldest brother said that Vajra slave and little sister are not compatible."

When Yang Guang heard this, he snorted: "Idiot."

Xiao Wan suddenly froze on the spot and looked at Yang Guang in disbelief.

"I'm not scolding you, I'm talking about your brother Xiao Cong." Yang Guang explained with a slight embarrassment, and then said: "I don't want to be angry if you don't mention this incompatibility. When you mention this, I want to scold you."

Those stupid brothers of yours almost ruined a good marriage just because they were stupid."

Xiao Wan glared at Yang Guang and said angrily: "Is what the Prime Minister said wrong?"

"Of course there is a mistake, and it is a big mistake! In order to destroy this marriage, someone bribed the fortune tellers in the city. Whenever the Vajra slave's name and birth date appeared, they would tell lies. Not only that, but they also secretly smeared the people.

King Kong Slave, let your Xiao family believe it is true that King Kong Slave is a heinous bastard." Yang Guang said angrily and funny: "It is these people who are causing trouble that have caused my aunt to still not be able to find her daughter-in-law. She is so anxious that she almost goes crazy.

Already."

"How is that possible?" Xiao Wan looked at her husband in surprise.

Yang Guang snorted coldly and said, "What's impossible?"

Xiao Wan murmured: "Is there someone plotting against my little sister?"

"Come on!" Yang Guang sneered and said quite proudly: "No matter how good the reputation of the Lanling Xiao family is, it is just yesterday's yellow flower. What's the point? If someone wants to take advantage of your little sister, the promises of the two governors of the state

If you can get it, why go to such trouble? What they want is our Yang family’s vajra slaves.”

The historical background is a flaw of the Yang family. Although Yang Jian regards himself as the Hongnong Yang family, Yang Zhong, Yang Jian's father, is actually just a poor scholar among the Han people in Shandong. Because Yuwentai was ordered to return to Guanzhong, he attached himself to the Hongnong Yang family. At the same time, he also

Li Hu attached himself to the Li family in Longxi, Li Bi attached himself to the Li family in Zhaojun, and Pei Bofeng attached himself to the Pei family... Seeing these high-ranking and powerful people coming to their doorsteps, all the powerful people were happy to recognize this relative.

Genealogy is just a fabrication. In a wealthy family, this is no secret.

Compared with the Yang family, the Xiao family of Lanling, where Xiao Wan was born, is truly a thousand-year-old family and a top family. Although the Xiao family was born in the Southern Dynasties and was not listed among the top families in the world by Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, no matter in terms of heritage or nobility, Xiao family

None of them are inferior to the Five Surnames and Seven Sects. The current head of the family is Xiao Wan, the eldest brother, Xiao Cong, the last emperor of the Western Liang Dynasty.

Although Yang Guang is not so boring as to compare his family background with his beloved wife, when he talks about "our Yang family's Vajra slaves", he is confident, as if he has won once.

"So what do you say?" Xiao Wan is a smart woman, so naturally she will not expose her husband's complacency, but will ask the question in a matter-of-fact manner.

"In my Sui Dynasty, there were only six princes: Shu, Han, Cai, Teng, Wei, and Dao. All of them were extremely noble. The first four were already married, and the brothers of Prince Dao were also engaged, but Prince Wei was the most favored by Aye.

There is no engagement. If it weren't for other noble girls of the same generation who are of high rank and suitable age, those Guanlong nobles might have gone to the palace to rob someone." Yang Guang said: "My aunt is looking for the Xiao family because she looks down on the fallen Xiao family.

But your eldest brother foolishly believed the lies of the stranger and pushed him away, what else is he to be a fool?"

"Who has such a great ability? He can actually make everyone in the city lie."

As Yang Guang said, the status of the Xiao family in the Sui Dynasty was indeed rather embarrassing. The reason was that the Xiao family was not as detached as the five northern surnames during the war period, but directly participated in the world's disputes. When the Western Liang Kingdom was destroyed, the famous families in the world were worried

When the Sui Emperor would liquidate the "remnants" of the Western Liang Dynasty, he did not want to have a close relationship with the Xiao family. Although the Xiao family's current situation is not as embarrassing as the Nanchen royal family, it is not much better.

In order to help her mother's family get out of trouble and return to the world's famous family, Xiao Wan not only fully agreed with the marriage, but also helped to connect Dugu Min and her sister-in-law; if the Yang Xiao family accomplishes good things again, it will not only tie Yang Guang and Yang Ji firmly together

, can also deepen the relationship between the Yang and Xiao families. However, the final "incompatibility" has become an insurmountable obstacle.

"I don't have conclusive evidence, so I can't tell you nonsense, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble!" Yang Guang pondered for a moment, and then said: "But it is very abnormal for so many ladies from famous families to be different from Vajra slaves.

Now. We will wait and see what happens. As long as we see someone taking the initiative to propose marriage to King Wei, and the girl from that family matches the horoscope of King Kong Nu, then this person is the one who is trying to ruin the good things of the Yang and Xiao families."

"I know who it is!" Xiao Wan suddenly said.

Yang Guang asked warily: "Who?"

"The Duke of Qi is Gao Jiong!" Xiao Wan saw her husband looking over and explained quickly: "The eldest sister told me about this matter the day before yesterday. She said that Duke Gao came to the door in person and hoped that she could talk to her and facilitate this marriage."

"Sure enough, it's him." Yang Guang stood up suddenly and said with a gloomy face: "Does he have to force our Yang family to kill each other?"

Xiao Wan advised softly: "Things may not be as you think. The most important thing is to do what the prince should do."

Yang Guang sighed: "Having said that, the power of these Xiaoxiao is beyond your knowledge."

Xiao Wan didn't want to get too involved in the disputes between men. After a long silence, she changed the topic back to the original: "Erlang, since someone sabotaged the marriage of King Kong Slave, then the little sister should be his good match, right?"

She knew that her husband's biggest disadvantage was that he became the prince too late. His power in the court was far inferior to that of Yang Yong, who had been the prince for nearly twenty years. Although Yang Yong was banned from the palace, others could use Yang Yong's name to

He can do many things without his intervention. Without the full support of his father, it would be difficult for a husband with a weak foundation to secure the position of prince.

Now that I heard that this marriage had turned around, I immediately wanted to help my husband stabilize Yang Ji.

"Look!" Yang Guang took out four neatly folded papers from his arms and handed them to Xiao Wan.

"What is this?" Xiao Wan took the paper in confusion.

Yang Guang said: "In order to verify my guess, I sent someone to give the birth dates of Vajra Nu and your little sister to Zhangqiu Taiyi, Qi Hui, Xie Hong, and Seng Can. These are the birth dates they approved."

Hearing this, Xiao Wan quickly opened the first piece of paper. On it were the birth dates of Yang Ji and Xiao Ying, as well as the judgment given by Zhang Qiu Taiyi. Although there were no words such as "a match made in heaven" or "a good match", there were no "horoscopes" that would harm each other.

Family is full of unfortunate words. Some of them are just ordinary notes that the marriage between the two is a very normal good relationship.

The judgments written by Qi Hui, Xie Hong, and Seng Can are also very similar.

"This is really..." Xiao Wan looked at her husband with a bitter smile, not knowing what to say.

"Zhangqiu Taiyi, Qi Hui, Xie Hong are Taoists, and Seng Can is a monk. These four are Taoist and Buddhist masters respectively. Not only do they have clear names, but they also have their own territory. The four of them did not expect that I would go to them at the same time.

, so their judgment comes completely from the heart. In other words, the words criticized by the Daxing city ministers are simply nonsense." Yang Guang said lightly: "And Gao Jiong just has the ability to make the whole city talk nonsense."
To be continued...