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墨書 Inktalez
As the Dugu Clan was explaining the rules of the audience to the Grandson, a maid rushed in to report, "Old Matriarch, Madam is about to give birth!"
"What's the hurry? It was expected within these few days. Has the Midwife been summoned?"
In noble families, women rarely sought outside medical help, so they trained Midwives from a young age, specializing in obstetrics and particularly skilled in childbirth.
"Replying to Old Matriarch, Madam Chen has been in the inner courtyard these past few days."
After nodding, the Dugu Clan prepared to leave. Among her four daughters-in-law, the Dou Family served her with utmost dedication, so even though she felt unwell, she insisted on going to accompany them.
"Bishamon, go pray for your mother in front of the Buddha statue in the inner chamber."
Li Jian Cheng helped the Empress rise and responded. Bishamon was his childhood name. Since the Wei-Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties period, Buddhism had flourished, and it was common for people to give their children Buddhist names for peace. The current Your Majesty's childhood name was Narayana.
Once the Dugu Clan had left with her maids, Li Jian Cheng did not rush to pray but stepped out of the room and looked up at the sky, murmuring, "There aren't even two dragons playing with pearls."
Li Jian Cheng shook his head and returned to the inner chamber but did not immediately bow down to pray. Instead, he furrowed his brow in contemplation. After a moment, he sighed deeply and sincerely knelt on the Meditation Cushion: "May we as a family work together to create a Great Undertaking; as for what comes next, let each rely on their own abilities."
The Dou Family had given birth before, so it wasn't long before joyful news arrived. Li Jian Cheng was able to rush over to see his younger brother, who evidently showed no signs of being extraordinary.
At that moment, Dugu Clan was happily holding her little Grandson. She and her husband, Duke of Tang Li Bing, had three sons and one illegitimate son; however, only their youngest son Li Yan grew up to inherit the family business while the others either perished on the battlefield or succumbed to illness.
Now their family had finally branched out again.
The wet nurse who had been prepared long ago took Li Erlang away for feeding. After checking on her daughter-in-law, Dugu Clan sent a Servant to Qiao Prefecture to inform Li Yan of this good news.
Having inherited the title of Duke of Tang at just seven years old, Li Yan currently served as Prefect in Qiao Prefecture. While it sounded prestigious, he only governed four counties: Linhuan County, Yongcheng County, Shansang County, and Qicheng County.
It is worth noting that there were one hundred ninety prefectures and over twelve hundred counties across the land; thus, prefectures were ranked accordingly. A high-ranking prefecture could govern over twenty counties, with its Prefect being a third-rank official appointed by the court.
The Prefect of the Medium State oversees more than ten counties, holding a rank of Fourth Grade. In contrast, those in lower states are Second Grade officials, managing only a few counties.
From this, it can be inferred that due to the early death of Li Jian Cheng's grandfather, Li Bing, who passed away in his thirties, and the fact that Li Yan inherited the family business at a young age, he was unable to fully take over the Li Family's connections in the military. As a result, the Li Family has lost some of its former glory.
In the past, when Li Hu was one of the Eight Pillars of State in Western Wei, the young Li Bing was granted the title of Ruyang County Earl by Dazai Zuka Yuwen Tai of Northern Zhou, with a fief of five hundred households and appointed as Charioteer General.
After Li Hu's death, fifteen-year-old Li Bing inherited the title of Longxi Duke and was promoted to Piaoji General and Chief of Staff Equivalent to the Three Departments.
When Northern Zhou was established, at the age of twenty-eight, Li Bing inherited the title of Duke of Tang and became an Imperial Counselor, serving as Anzhou Governor. He was later promoted to Grand General of the Pillar State and appointed Vice Protector and Governor Tonghua among other military positions across eight states.
Now, Lord Li Yan is over thirty years old. Besides still holding the title of Duke of Tang, he is merely a Prefect in a remote lower state. While this may seem like a high official position for an ordinary family, it signifies a decline for the Li Family.
A title represents honor and status but holds no real power; thus, it becomes meaningless.
According to his last family letter, Li Yan had inquired about news from an old acquaintance working in the Ministry of Personnel. He would be transferred to Longdong County after the New Year but would still be just a minor Prefect overseeing Qianyin, Changshe, Nanyou, and Qianyang counties.
The servant who delivered the message also mentioned that the disheartened Duke had lost interest in governing Qiao Prefecture. Instead, he spent his days either riding out for hunts or hosting banquets filled with drinking and merriment, resembling the lifestyle of Wei-Jin scholars.
This situation appears to be one of transition; however, it is evident that His Majesty is deliberately suppressing the Guanlong Aristocrats. Having gained power through certain means, he fears losing it just as easily. Anyone in such a position would act similarly; it is not surprising.
Compared to other families that are still thriving like the Guanlong Aristocrats, the Li Family has become an easy target. If not for their original shares in Guanlong Group and the current Empress's support, their situation might be even worse.
Thus, Li Jian Cheng understood whom he needed to approach to accumulate more resources for himself and his family. The letter from his grandmother was something he had managed to obtain through persistent persuasion over these past few months.
This letter indeed came at an opportune time; it had little use in previous years but could now provide some leverage within Sui Dynasty's power structure, even if it wasn't particularly glamorous.
As they say, no achievement surpasses saving a ruler; no merit exceeds riding with a dragon. Although it may be late, having something is better than having nothing.
Li Jian Cheng did not rush back to the capital; he knew that the right moment had yet to arrive, but he could feel that change was in the air.
He did not read the Four Books and Five Classics in the afternoon, nor did he read the popular poetry and prose of the time. Instead, he turned to the Buddhist Scriptures, hoping to please that most important person. When an opportunity arises, one must be prepared; otherwise, it is no different from having no opportunity at all.
Early in the morning, it was the day of the court assembly. The emperor and empress of the Sui Dynasty rose at the same time to groom themselves. After a simple and modest breakfast, they walked together until they reached the back gate of the main hall, where they parted ways.
Empress Dugu looked at her husband, who was robustly built, wearing a heavenly crown and wide-sleeved robe, with cloud-patterned high boots. Sui Emperor Yang Jian gazed back at his beloved wife with tender eyes.
They were too familiar with each other to exchange many words. Yang Jian strode into the court while Empress Dugu took her seat in a nearby small hall. From time to time, eunuchs would come to report in detail about the court assembly and the officials' discussions.
Sometimes, if Empress Dugu sensed something was amiss, she would immediately instruct a eunuch to convey her opinion to the emperor. The court ministers were accustomed to seeing eunuchs whispering behind the emperor's imperial throne; after all, this had been the norm for nearly twenty years.
Over these years, it had become difficult to distinguish which decisions were made by the emperor and which by the queen. The two were regarded as one entity by both court and society, collectively referred to as the Two Saints.
This time, Empress Dugu conveyed only one message to the emperor: "Jealous Rodents, do not pay them any mind."
After hearing this, Sui Emperor remained silent. Meanwhile, Duke Yang County's Right Guard General Pang Huang continued to chatter incessantly: "The Turkic Dulan Khan has already fled in defeat. Duke of Chu Minister of Rites Yang Su has submitted a petition for our troops to return home. However, Duke of Qi Minister of Rites Left Chancellor Gao Shan insists on increasing troops and supplies despite our nation's difficulties. In my humble opinion, he clearly harbors treasonous intentions!"
The officials saw that the emperor did not respond and immediately expressed their views that Gao Shan was a pillar of the court who had loyally followed His Majesty for many years. Pang Huang, a mere rascal, dared to sow discord between the emperor and his ministers; this was truly malicious intent that deserved immediate execution!
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