Volume One, Chapter Five: Clear Winds Across Ten Thousand Miles (Part One)
“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor, forever and ever!” Within the grand halls of Daxing Palace, the courtiers knelt in reverence. Yang Jian sat atop the throne, towering above all, gazing down upon his empire and subjects. From this moment on, the world would be his, and he would freely pursue his political ambitions.
...
The year 581 AD was destined to be extraordinary. From this year onward, the world would undergo earth-shattering transformations.
In February, in Chang’an.
All changes began on this very day.
A father and daughter confronted each other within the palace.
The daughter’s eyes burned with resentment as she fixed her gaze on her father, whose brows furrowed yet showed no reaction.
On this day, Yang Jian accepted the abdication from Yuwen Chan and became emperor.
In such turbulent times, this was not necessarily a misfortune. The chaotic world urgently needed a strong and wise sovereign to end the disorder and usher in a new era.
And Yang Jian was undoubtedly up to the task.
Thus, in 581 AD, the Sui Dynasty was founded. Emperor Wen of Sui proclaimed the era name “Kaihuang.” From that moment, standing atop the throne, he set forth to realize his political dreams. History entered a new chapter.
In the same year, deeply aware of the harsh and convoluted laws of Northern Zhou, Yang Jian ordered a comprehensive revision of the legal code. The new laws were concise yet thorough, embodying benevolence in governance—this became the “Kaihuang Code.”
Following this, he constructed the city of Daxing, pacified the Turkic tribes, conquered the Later Liang, and brought about a flourishing era marked by peace and prosperity.
The unification of the realm became inevitable, and the Sui army’s momentum surged.
“Father, Chen Shubao, ruler of the Chen Kingdom, is lost in debauchery and neglects state affairs. The people of the Jiangnan region are boiling with resentment. If our great Sui mobilizes now to attack, aligning with Heaven’s will and the people’s heart, we can surely bring him down in a single stroke! The realm will be unified!” On the golden throne in Daxing Palace, the young and impetuous Yang Guang spoke confidently.
Yang Jian sat on the dragon throne, looking at his son with eyes full of approval. He nodded solemnly and declared, “Prince of Jin, Yang Guang, accept my decree. I now grant you command over all military forces. Prepare for battle and lead the campaign against Chen!”
“I, your servant, accept the decree!” Yang Guang respectfully received the imperial edict, bowed to Yang Jian, and then went to prepare.
The campaign against Chen was no trivial matter.
Though unification was the general trend, this battle held extraordinary significance for Yang Guang. He could not afford a single mistake.
...
“Actually, Your Highness need not worry.” In the study of the Prince of Jin’s mansion, Yang Guang examined terrain maps while Yuwen Huaji comforted him.
“You know well that His Majesty has prepared for years. This order is surely foolproof. Over these years, our great Sui reformed the system, strengthened northern defenses, conquered the Later Liang, and devised numerous strategies. Moreover, we have circulated Chen Shubao’s misdeeds throughout Jiangnan. A large-scale offensive against Chen now is bound to succeed.” Yuwen Huaji’s analysis was astute, and Yang Guang nodded in agreement.
Yet, the more confident he was, the more unavoidable his nerves became.
The unification of the Sui realm was Yang Jian’s paramount concern. With Yang Guang’s consistent desire to prove himself, nervousness was natural.
Still, Yuwen Huaji’s reassurances were timely.
Yang Guang scrutinized the maps again, struck the table, and his gaze grew even firmer.
This would be a moment to etch his name in history, an opportunity to establish his prestige throughout the court and the realm. As Yang Jian’s second son, lacking the inherent advantages of Yang Yong, he had to exert himself fully and excel in every way.
The campaign to extinguish Chen was not merely about destroying a kingdom; it was about unifying the entire realm.
Ending over two centuries of division and inaugurating a new era of great unity—this would be a historic moment.
Yang Guang had prepared thoroughly; success was the only acceptable outcome.
In October of the same year, the Sui established the Huainan Provincial Administration in Shouchun, appointing Prince Yang Guang as Minister of State, commanding all military forces. Gao Jiong served as the chief of staff, responsible for military strategy. Leading eighty generals and 518,000 soldiers, they marched south to commence the grand campaign to annihilate Chen.
Opposite the unstoppable momentum of the Sui army was the Chen kingdom, already fraught with crisis...
Within the vast palace, the sounds of music and dance echoed everywhere.
Chen Shubao lay in the arms of numerous beauties, savoring exotic fruits and drinking the finest royal wine.
“Excellent! Such fine wine!” he exclaimed in delight.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened!”
Chen Shubao detested hearing anxious voices disturbing his enjoyment of the music and dance.
“Don’t panic. What is it?” His lazy voice barely glanced at the minister reporting to him.
“Your Majesty! The Sui army is attacking! Tens of thousands of troops! What should we do...?” The minister was nearly in tears.
Yet Chen Shubao calmly embraced his favorite concubine Zhang Lihua, smiling as he kissed her, then leisurely replied, “Why panic? I have the mighty Yangtze River as a natural barrier. What fear is there? Dear one, do not fret—come, enjoy the music and dance with me.”
“Your Majesty!” The minister was nearly frantic, but Chen Shubao no longer listened.
“Beloved, would you sing and dance for me?” Chen Shubao turned to another favored consort, Kong Guipin.
The woman, enchanting and graceful, rose slowly, offered a slight bow, then moved to the center of the hall and began to dance elegantly.
“Brother! Brother! The Sui army is attacking! Brother!” Another burst of anxious shouting. Chen Shubao grew somewhat displeased.
He simply ignored Chen Xuanhua, who stood outside, frantically calling for “Brother! Brother!”
Inside the palace, the music and dance gradually drowned out Chen Xuanhua’s cries. Many beauties plucked zithers, Kong Guipin danced, Zhang Lihua nestled in Chen Shubao’s arms. His days were utterly carefree, with no sense of impending doom.
At that moment, a sudden mood seized him. Rising slowly, holding a wine cup in one hand and gesturing to the music with the other, he composed another poem in one breath.
Accompanying the melody, he sang:
“Jade trees and fragrant forests face the lofty pavilion...
New makeup, radiant beauty that can topple a city.
Reflecting on the door, a tender gaze hesitates to advance,
Emerging from the curtains, a smiling welcome.
The bewitching face like flowers laden with dew...
Jade trees sparkle, illuminating the rear courtyard!
Flowers bloom and wither, never lasting long,
Fallen petals cover the ground in silent solitude.”
The song was rich with emotion, vivid and exquisite.
The concubines in the hall were moved and impressed to varying degrees. Zhang Lihua rose, approached Chen Shubao, poured wine for him, and softly spoke, “Such a fine poem, Your Majesty... May I ask its title?”
Chen Shubao sipped his wine, took Zhang Lihua’s hand, caressed it for a moment, then resolutely replied, “Let it be called ‘Jade Trees and Rear Courtyard Flowers,’ how about that?”
“Wonderful, Your Majesty, truly gifted and heroic...” Zhang Lihua nestled closer into his embrace, and both smiled more brightly.
The music and dance inside the hall grew even livelier.
Meanwhile, Chen Xuanhua and the ministers outside were like ants on a hot pan, frantic and anxious, but Chen Shubao remained unmoved.
“Perhaps the world is truly about to change...” someone sighed regretfully.
Chen Xuanhua, at the forefront, eyes red with tears, felt a chill in her heart witnessing this scene. Chen Shubao still had the leisure to compose poetry while the kingdom faced destruction. The title “Jade Trees and Rear Courtyard Flowers” was etched deeply into her memory...