Chapter 1205 Leading the Twelve Guards
Crown Prince Yuwen Qian finally spoke at this moment.
However, when Shang Ruyi turned her head and met his gaze, she suddenly felt that his originally clear eyes were somewhat unfamiliar.
Even though they were now bitter enemies, she couldn't deny that Yuwen Qian was exceptionally handsome, especially his translucent, clear eyes, which were as clear as a pool of blue water. When she first met him in Yanyue City, he was dressed in a snow-white monk's robe that covered him completely, leaving only his eyes exposed, and she was still amazed by them.
But now, those bright eyes were inexplicably empty.
Although his eyes used to be so shallow and clear that it seemed like there was nothing in them, Shang Ruyi understood that the "absence" was deliberate. He didn't want people to see clearly, so no one could see what was in his eyes.
And at this moment, that "absence" is real.
Not only his eyes, Shang Ruyi even felt that something had been taken away from him. Although he was tall and elegant, dressed in fine clothes, and stood behind Yu Dingxing like a huge god, casting a shadow that almost covered the entire Taiji Hall, the soul in his body... seemed empty.
Of course, it's not like they have nothing at all.
That gloomy look completely obscured the original lightness of his eyes.
As he slowly walked out, Yuwen Ye took a deep breath, looked up to meet his gaze, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty."
Yuwen Qian said, "If it weren't for the concerted efforts of my second and third brothers, we might not have been able to take Luoyang so quickly. Since Father has already appointed my third brother as the General Who Guards the North, I believe that my second brother should also be rewarded."
Shang Ruyi's brow furrowed slightly.
Yuwen Ye's eyes flickered, but his expression remained tense. He simply smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yuwen Yuan looked through the jade tassels at his two handsome and extraordinary sons in the main hall. He had already captured the most important city of Luoyang, and there was no longer any threat to the survival of the Great Sheng Dynasty. He could even foresee how he would make great strides on this land in the future. Despite such an unprecedented victory, his joy could not outweigh the trouble he felt when he saw his two sons standing in front of him.
There are two of them, unfortunately...
Sensing that his silence had lasted too long, and even the eunuch beside him glanced at him cautiously as a hint, Yuwen Yuan finally regained his composure and said, "The Crown Prince is right. Prince Qin—"
Yuwen Ye immediately stepped forward: "Your subject is here."
Yuwen Yuan asked, "What do you want?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Your subject wishes to establish his own residence."
It was initially thought that there would be some back and forth between the father and son, since the reward in the previous imperial edict was clearly aimed at the Princess Consort of Qin, and the Prince of Qin already held countless official positions, so there was no way to bestow any more titles upon him. That was why Yuwen Yuan did not directly give him a reward in the previous imperial edict. As for the reward, Yuwen Yuan had been thinking about it for a long time, and everyone thought that if the Prince of Qin were to speak, he would have to be cautious.
Unexpectedly, he asked for it right away.
However, it was the establishment of a government office.
Even Shang Ruyi glanced at him in surprise, but didn't say anything easily.
The establishment of a government office and military headquarters was something Yuwen Ye had promised her before the expedition to Luoyang. He had said this with great certainty, firstly because he was very confident about the battle of Luoyang—after all, his secret agent Pei Xingyuan had already infiltrated Luoyang with Liang Youying and Jiang Yan; secondly, even without the merits of the battle of Luoyang, as the General of the Heavenly Strategy Army, and holding official positions such as Grand Chancellor of the Shaanxi East Circuit, Governor of Yongzhou, and Chancellor, he still needed to establish his own government office to better handle affairs. Even if Yuwen Yuan approved it, it wouldn't be considered a reward.
Sure enough, the emperor hesitated for a moment: "That's natural."
"..."
"I have long considered allowing you to establish your own residence and yamen, but Yuangan is still young, and I am somewhat reluctant to part with him. But—well, the Ministry of Rites will immediately select a residence and establish a residence and yamen for the Prince of Qin."
The Minister of Rites hurriedly replied, "Yes."
After he finished speaking, there was a moment of silence in the hall.
Not only did Yuwen Yuan remain silent, but Yuwen Ye also kept quiet. The civil and military officials around them were also quiet. This silence was not because no one dared to speak, but rather because everyone seemed to be waiting for the emperor to speak.
Why would the King of Qin reward such a meritorious service with merely the establishment of a government office and a military headquarters?
Yuwen Yuan gripped the dragon throne slightly tighter.
Although he sat high above in the hall, at this moment, he felt as if he were being held up high. This was the first time he had felt that although the power was clearly in his own hands and he was the one using it, he suddenly felt as if it did not belong to him.
Facing the hundreds of eyes below the hall, he finally said, "I have read your military report. This time at Hulao Pass, you used three thousand cavalry to resist Xiao Yuansui's army of one hundred thousand and captured eighty thousand. This is an unprecedented victory since the establishment of our dynasty. However, establishing your own government and command post is not a reward."
Yuwen Ye lowered his head: "Father, you flatter me."
Yuwen Yuan continued, "However, after you establish your own residence, you will inevitably take Yuan Gan with you. But I miss him and always wish that you could bring him back to the palace to see me more often..."
He paused for a moment, then said, "King of Qin, please grant me the title."
Yuwen Ye immediately replied, "Your subject is here."
Yuwen Yuan said, "I hereby appoint you as the Grand General of the Twelve Guards, to guard the capital."
Upon hearing this, while others were fine, Yu Dingxing immediately widened his only remaining eye.
The Twelve Guards are military ranks inherited from the Daye Dynasty. They are divided into the Left and Right Imperial Guards, the Left and Right Valiant Guards, and the Left and Right Garrison Guards. Wang Shaoji was the General of the Left Garrison Guard, Lei Yu's father Lei Yi was the General of the Left Imperial Guard, and there was also Yu Dingxing, the General of the Left Imperial Guard who stayed in Chang'an and conspired with Yuwen Qian to take Chang'an. Even just commanding one of these guards was enough to make them powerful and influential. However, according to the emperor's arrangement, the responsibilities of the Twelve Guards were different. Some guarded the capital, while others went on expeditions to quell rebellions. They were almost all fighting independently, and there was never a single position that commanded all twelve guards.
But now, Yuwen Yuan has appointed him as the Grand General of the Twelve Guards, which means he has put him in command of these twelve armies!
No wonder Yu Dingxing's face darkened immediately.
However, Shang Ruyi's expression also turned somewhat grim. Although the title of General of the Twelve Guards sounded terrifying, when Chu Yang moved the capital to Luoyang, he took with him the Left and Right Guards, the Left and Right Imperial Guards, the Left and Right Feathered Forest Guards, the Left and Right Golden Guards, etc. Only Yu Dingxing's Left Valiant Guard, Su Changjing's Right Valiant Guard, and the Left and Right Mighty Guards remained to guard Daxing City.
Even after Yuwen Yuan expanded the Four Guards after ascending the throne, it was still less than half of the number of guards when Emperor Wen established the Twelve Guards.
Such a reward sounds impressive, but ultimately it's not very useful. After all, the Left Valiant Guard under Yu Dingxing and the Right Valiant Guard, which had been with him for a long time and was now handed over to his son-in-law, were almost all his confidants. Even though Yuwen Ye was above the Twelve Guards—which was what made Yu Dingxing unhappy—with them around, it would be difficult for Yuwen Ye to truly control the Left and Right Valiant Guards.
This is a half-empty position.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi turned to look at Yuwen Ye—if his request to establish his own government and military headquarters as a reward was a strategic retreat, then she was certain that this was definitely not the result Yuwen Ye wanted when he took that step back!
However, Yuwen Ye did not hesitate at all and immediately said, "Thank you, Father Emperor!"
"...!"
Shang Ruyi opened her eyes wide in shock.
Even Yuwen Yuan was somewhat surprised. He thought that giving Yuwen Ye this semi-empty title would definitely provoke his dissatisfaction, but he didn't expect him to accept it so readily.
At this moment, the emperor's scheming and ruthlessness unconsciously faded somewhat. Looking at his son who had just fought valiantly for him and survived a near-death experience at Hulao Pass, the feelings of a father welled up in Yuwen Yuan's heart again. His breathing gradually softened, and he even felt a little reluctant: "Do you want any more rewards?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Your subject has a small request."
Yuwen Yuan said, "You speak."
Yuwen Ye said, "Currently, the twelve guards in Chang'an City only include the Left and Right Valiant Guards and the Left and Right Mighty Guards, with a total strength of less than 20,000. When Xia Prefecture was besieged by the Western Turks, the court could hardly spare any troops to provide assistance. It was Ruyi who led a small force to rush to the aid. Although she relieved the crisis in Xia Prefecture, Xiao Yuansui later sent troops westward along Huai Prefecture and Heyang, intending to take Chang'an directly. In order to protect Chang'an, she led her troops to block the enemy's 80,000 troops in Huyang Valley. In three days, all the troops were wiped out."
Upon hearing this, many people in the hall let out a low sigh of astonishment.
Even Yuwen Yuan frowned: "Is it true?"
After learning that the crisis in Xia Prefecture had been resolved, he focused all his attention on Hulao Pass and Luoyang, never expecting that such an unexpected turn of events would occur.
Shang Ruyi hurriedly replied, "It is absolutely true. My men were indeed wiped out in Huyang Valley."
At this moment, the barely perceptible guilt and reluctance that Yuwen Yuan had felt earlier surged up like a tidal wave, almost engulfing him. He gripped the armrests of the dragon throne tightly, and even with his best efforts to control himself, his breathing became somewhat disordered, causing the jade tassels in front of him to sway slightly. Those below could vaguely see his face at that moment.
He said, "So, what you want is—"
Yuwen Ye said, "The Western Turks have always dominated the north and are eyeing us covetously. Although Chang'an is named Chang'an, it is really difficult to be at peace if this continues."
"..."
"Since I have commanded the Twelve Guards, I will naturally do my utmost to protect the capital. Therefore, I wish to expand the Left and Right Valiant Guards and the Left and Right Mighty Guards, and at the same time, restore the Twelve Guards."
Yuwen Yuan's heart skipped a beat.
He vaguely sensed something was wrong, but Yuwen Ye's repeated concessions had already put him, the father and the emperor, in this predicament. Even the relief of Xia Prefecture was handled by Shang Ruyi, the Princess Consort of Qin, who had risked her life in Huyang Valley to protect Chang'an.
In a situation like this, could he... refuse?
Yuwen Yuan hesitated for a moment and said, "It would be good to restore the Twelve Guards, but at present, the court does not have that many troops."
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