Chapter 49: Unification of the World

  The imperial edict's meaning is clear, which is to have Yang Biao openly repair the plank road, secretly cross Chen Cang, pretend to join hands with Cao Cao, and privately recruit soldiers and scholars for Emperor Xian. Yang Biao couldn't help but say: "Recruiting troops requires money and grain, even if we risk our own lives, we can't recruit many! Your Majesty, you just need to move your lips, but do you know how difficult this is for me?"

  Yang's family was a four-generation, three-public family. The emperors of the past dynasties had bestowed numerous rewards on the Yang family, and during Emperor Ling's reign alone, they were given more than twenty pieces of ancient jade artifacts, all of which were treasures. It would be painful for Yang Bian to take them out. Moreover, building an army was indeed not something he could afford at present.

  Yang Xiu saw his father's concern for those treasures and hastily comforted him, "Father, don't worry. Judging from the current situation, His Majesty's strategic thinking is so deep that even compared to Guo Fengxiao by Cao Cao's side, he won't be inferior. He definitely won't do things unreasonably. In my opinion, recently, the Emperor will surely take action and won't let our Yang family fight alone. After all, what needs to be protected is his Liu family's empire."

  Yang Biao certainly understood this truth, but some things were indeed worth more than a city. He was also fond of antiques and jade, so it would be harder for him to give them up than to kill him.

  Yang Xiu saw that his father was still hesitant and said, "Father, you might as well look further ahead. If Liu Xie really stabilizes the throne, then our Yang family will be the first to be rewarded as meritorious ministers. The emperor's rewards will not be few, besides, from our ancestors on, we have always been ministers of revival. If we help the emperor pacify the world at this time, how is it different from the merits of founding the country?"

  Yang Biao's eyes narrowed smaller and smaller, but finally shone with light. The Yang family's prestige in the imperial court was all due to their ancestors' merits. Although each generation had some achievements, as the peaceful era arrived, it became less and less impressive. Now, amidst the chaos, if the Yang family were to lend a helping hand to the emperor, when the four seas are pacified, they would undoubtedly be at the top of the list of meritorious subjects, their merits surpassing those of their ancestors. The glory of the family would be elevated in his own hands, and this was an irresistible temptation for anyone.

  Yang Biao made up his mind: "I understand what you mean, tomorrow morning, I will send you out of the city, and leave the recruitment of soldiers to you. As for me, I'll stay behind to deal with Cao Cao!"

  "Son will definitely not let father down!"

  In the year 196 AD, Emperor Xian moved the capital to Xuchang. This was destined to be an extraordinary night, with some families rejoicing and others worrying. After seeing off Yang Biao, Liu Xie felt relieved because of his excellent acting skills when he had scolded Yang Biao and handed him a secret edict. He knew that Yang Biao was a clever person. Empress Fu could not attend to her duties tonight, but Liu Xie did not feel depressed. Humming a tune, he returned to his own palace and began to think about his next move.