PFC Chapter 27 The Emperor's Decisive Power
Chapter 27 The Emperor's Decisive Power
The desire to have more after getting what one wants is human nature.
Once the desires of an emperor are aroused to the point of overlooking the entire country, how can ordinary reason restrain them?
Yang Yan's heart sank deeper and deeper into an ice cellar.
He thought he had stirred up the game, but little did he know that he might have only shown the owner of the chessboard more and riskier ways to place his pieces.
a long time.
Yang Jian finally slowly withdrew his hand from the map.
He did not make a decision immediately, but turned around and walked steadily back to his desk to sit down.
He perfectly concealed that domineering aura that seemed to devour everything, replacing it with a calm and unquestionable majesty befitting a ruler.
"Gao Jiong's words," he began, his voice calm and unreadable, "are a wise and far-sighted strategy for governing the country, and indeed a perfect plan."
Su Wei and Niu Hong breathed a quiet sigh of relief. A barely perceptible shadow crossed Yang Su's eyes.
However, Yang Jian's next words made everyone's hearts hang in suspense again: "Yang Su's words are also a profound truth of military strategy. Speed is of the essence in war, and the orthodox and unorthodox tactics are interdependent and neither should be neglected."
His gaze, calm as a still well, slowly swept over the five high-ranking officials below the steps, finally settling on the void. He spoke each word slowly and deliberately, his voice like the clanging of metal:
"Tonight's audience is not for finalizing a strategy. My mind is made up: Goguryeo has insulted the prestige of my Great Sui Dynasty; this war is unavoidable!"
An invisible imperial pressure suddenly spread out. He didn't give anyone another chance to discuss "peace" and directly set the tone for "war".
"However, the most important matters of state are sacrifice and war! If we are to fight, we must win! I do not want a pyrrhic victory with mountains of corpses and seas of blood, nor do I want a hollow victory that exhausts the nation's strength!"
His voice suddenly rose, clearly reaching everyone's ears: "At the morning court in ten days, I want to see the detailed strategies presented by each of you! Troop recruitment, provisions, timelines, and responsibilities—these must be analyzed meticulously before any public discussion!"
Having said that, his gaze swept across them like a sharp sword, and he began assigning tasks, his tone crisp and decisive, brooking no argument:
"Gao Jiong".
"Your subject is here."
"Your policies of 'rotating garrison troops' and 'military settlements and grain storage' are the foundation for consolidating the nation's foundation. You are in charge of the overall situation, overseeing all matters related to rear-area war preparations, and formulating a three-year strategic outline to ensure the nation's security and stability."
Gao Jiong was startled and bowed to accept the order: "Your subject obeys the decree."
This task, seemingly an important mission, actually kept him firmly in the rear, far removed from frontline military achievements.
"Your subject obeys the decree." Gao Jiong bowed, his voice calm and even.
"Yang Su".
"Your subject is here!" Yang Su stepped forward, his voice booming like a bell.
"You have spent your life on the battlefield and are adept at making decisions on the spot. You are in charge of coordinating and strategizing all battle plans on the front lines! Whether it's a surprise attack, a strong offensive, luring the enemy, or holding the line, I need to see at least three detailed plans. When to fight, and how to fight—you will be the one to write the plan on the war table for me."
This order, while not granting him command authority, endowed him with the crucial functions of planning warfare and influencing decision-making. It was a tremendous show of trust and a brilliant move to maintain checks and balances.
A glint of light flashed in Yang Su's eyes, and he clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "Your subject obeys the decree!"
Although he did not gain the power of command, he gained the power to plan the war, which was also a great victory.
"Suwei".
"Your old minister is here."
"Maritime transport is a matter of life and death. From this moment forward, you will oversee the Ministry of Works and related departments to inventory the ships, calculate the repair costs and labor costs, and clarify all aspects of transshipment. I need a foolproof maritime supply route!"
"Niu Hong".
"Your subject is here."
"You shall immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the actual situation of people's livelihood and grain reserves in Hebei and Shandong, and provide me with an accurate estimate. Ensure that during the war, spring planting will not be delayed, taxes will be levied appropriately, and there will be no disturbances in the rear." — People's livelihood is the last line of defense, and entrusting it to this outspoken Minister of Personnel is just right.
"Yuwen Shu".
"Your subordinate is here!"
"You are familiar with the terrain of western Liaoning. Immediately retrieve all the maps of eastern Liaoning from the Imperial Cartography Office and devise at least three secret routes for the vanguard army to make rapid marches."
In a short time, Yang Jian transformed a fierce strategic struggle into a well-defined, yet mutually restraining, war preparation competition.
Gao Jiong's stability is the foundation.
Yang Su's sharpness is like a blade.
Suwei's fortune lies in his bloodline.
The three are mutually supportive and mutually restraining, but the final decision-making power still rests firmly in his own hands.
The five people in the hall, regardless of their previous stance, all felt a chill and bowed in unison.
"Your Majesty, we obey!"
Behind the screen, Yang Yan felt a chill creep up his spine and up to the top of his head. This was the true art of imperial strategy!
It appears to be inclusive, but in reality, it keeps everyone on its predetermined track, with no one able to dominate.
Why did he not mention a word about his "five strategies"?
Yang Yan's fingertips felt slightly cold.
Is it because they think it's naive and not worth mentioning, or... are they deliberately keeping quiet to test me?
Just as his thoughts were churning, a calm voice entered his ears.
"The person behind the screen, come out."
Yang Yan felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly composed himself, endured the excruciating pain in his buttocks and legs, and slowly stepped out from behind the huge sandalwood screen.
At this moment, the five ministers bowed and withdrew, leaving only Yang Jian and Dugu Jialuo in the vast hall, along with the eunuchs standing at attention in the distance.
"Grandson Yang Yan greets His Majesty and His Majesty." He bowed as if to pay his respects.
"That's enough." Yang Jian waved his hand.
Dugu Jialuo had risen from her phoenix throne and walked down the steps with ease, personally extending her hand to help her up.
She scrutinized Yang Yan's face closely, her eyes revealing genuine approval.
"I thought Yan'er was just a weak scholar buried in the classics and history," Dugu Jialuo said gently, her voice carrying the straightforwardness unique to women from Guanzhong.
"Having met you today, I can see that you remained calm and composed in the face of danger, displaying both courage and wisdom. You are quite like your grandfather back in the day. Once you have recovered, please visit your grandmother's palace more often."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I will remember it." Yang Yan's heart stirred slightly, knowing that tonight's adventure had earned him the precious initial approval of this iron-fisted empress.
Her words, "Come visit more often," carry immense weight.
At this moment, Yang Jian also walked over with his hands behind his back and stood in front of Yang Yan. His gaze was like an abyss, unfathomable, scrutinizing him from head to toe, as if trying to penetrate his skin and see into his soul.
"The argument that just took place in the hall," Yang Jian began, his voice calm and even, "did you understand everything?"
Alarm bells rang in Yang Yan's mind. This was a test, a warning, an attempt to find out just how much of the turbulent undercurrents beneath the surface he truly understood.
He quickly lowered his eyes, adopting a respectful yet appropriately tinged "confusion" and "awe" demeanor: "Your Majesty, I am foolish and dull. I only know that although you gentlemen have differing opinions, you are all working tirelessly for the sake of our Great Sui Dynasty."
Upon hearing this, Yang Jian suddenly laughed, a laugh that carried a profound meaning.
He didn't delve into it, but simply waved his hand casually, as if making a perfectly ordinary decision: "You will also come to the morning court in ten days and listen in from the side of the hall."
A surge of emotion welled up in Yang Yan's heart, a wave of wild joy washing over him, which he then forcefully suppressed beneath a calm expression.
Attending court discussions as an observer! This is no ordinary favor; it is formally bringing him into the court's purview, granting him a legitimate right to participate in the empire's core decision-making! It is an opportunity, but also an invisible shackle and test.
"Grandson... Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! I will be careful in my words and deeds and study diligently!" He bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, but he tried his best to remain calm.
"Go."
Dugu Jialuo gave gentle instructions.
"Have Yang Yue take you to the Imperial Pharmacy and have them apply your medicine properly before returning to the Eastern Palace."
"My grandson sends my royal grandfather and grandmother to you."
Yang Yan bowed deeply, and only after the figures of the two supreme beings disappeared from the inner hall did he, supported by a young eunuch, slowly walk out of the Daxing Hall.
The night wind outside the palace, carrying the chill of late autumn, blew against his burning face.
The wound on his back throbbed with pain, and everything reminded him that he had only just entered the game.
Protecting Gao Jiong was only the first step. Next, they had to conceal their talents and, with the help of Yang Jian's checks and balances, find a real way out for themselves and for the Eastern Palace.