Yang Guang Employs Slander To Seize The Succession; Empress Dugu's Jealousy Leads To A Palace Consort's Death (2)

The following day, Yuwen Shu learned that a favored attendant of the Eastern Palace named Ji Wei was close to his friend Duan Da.

He entrusted Duan Da with gold and jewels to bribe Ji Wei and have him observe the Crown Prince’s movements.

He also gave Duan Da secret instructions concerning what he should do when the time came, promising him future wealth and honor.

Duan Da agreed and began watching for an opportunity.

When the Prince of Jin was about to return to his post in Yangzhou, he followed Yuwen Shu’s advice and went to bid farewell to the empress.

Prostrating himself before her, he wept.

“Your son is foolish by nature and knows little of what may give offense. Remembering how difficult it is to repay a parent’s kindness, I have frequently sent people to inquire after Your Majesty’s health.”

“But the Eastern Palace accuses me of coveting the throne. The Crown Prince constantly harbors bitter anger and wishes to destroy me.”

“I live in fear that slander may cause my death, or that poison may be placed in my cup.”

“I am therefore so distressed and frightened that I do not know whether I shall ever again be able to attend upon Your Majesty.”

Having spoken, he broke into uncontrollable sobs.

The empress said:

“That villain has become intolerable! I arranged his marriage to a daughter of the Yuan family, yet he does not even treat her as his wife. Instead, he devotes all his affection to that Yun woman!”

“To have raised such a worthless creature! Even while I am alive, he dares to bully you. Once I am gone, you will surely become meat for his jaws.”

“Would I have you kneel before that woman’s son, call yourself his subject, and beg him for your livelihood?”

Hearing this, the Prince of Jin knocked his head against the ground and wept bitterly.

The empress comforted him and told him to return without worry. He was not to enter the capital unless summoned by a secret edict, nor was he to pass casually through the Eastern Palace.

“Wait a few months. I shall make arrangements myself.”

The Prince of Jin withdrew in tears.

Yuwen Shu told him:

“All three parts of the plan have now succeeded!”

Willows greet the departing riders beside the Han Canal;
The sun sinks over the distant imperial capital.
The young bird has already grown its six flight feathers;
With one flight, it would soar straight into the clouds!

The fall of one heir and the rise of another were matters of Heaven’s decree.

Having accepted the Prince of Jin’s bribes, Yang Yue intended to persuade Yang Su on his behalf. Whenever they met, he deliberately wore a troubled expression.

One day, Yang Su asked:

“Why do you look so unhappy?”

Yang Yue replied:

“When you were transferred from the capital the other day, Su Xiaoci, a guard commander of the Eastern Palace, behaved rather arrogantly. I heard that the Crown Prince said, ‘One day I must kill that old villain!’

“Who could that old villain be but you, elder brother? I fear that, in your old age, you stand upon dangerous ground.”

Yang Su laughed.

“The Crown Prince can do nothing to me!”

“That is not so,” Yang Yue replied. “The Crown Prince will become the future sovereign. If His Majesty should one day depart this world and the Crown Prince ascend the throne, the lives of our entire family will be in his hands. How can we fail to consider the danger carefully?”

Yang Su asked:

“What would you have me do? Resign my office and avoid him, or change my attitude and submit to him?”

Yang Yue replied:

“To resign would be to lose our power. Even if we submitted, he would not abandon his resentment. Only by deposing him and establishing another heir can we escape disaster and gain great merit besides.”

Yang Su clapped his hands.

“I never imagined you possessed such wisdom! It exceeds my expectations!”

Yang Yue said:

“We must act quickly. If we hesitate until the Crown Prince takes power, calamity may strike at any moment.”

Yang Su replied:

“I understand. We must also secure the empress’s support within the palace.”

Yang Su knew that the Sui ruler feared his wife above all and readily listened to women’s words.

Whenever an opportunity arose during palace banquets, he praised the Prince of Jin’s virtue and filial devotion, stirring Empress Dugu’s feelings.

The empress, being narrow-minded and quick to reveal her thoughts, poured out everything she believed concerning the Prince of Jin’s goodness and the Crown Prince’s wickedness.

Yang Su reinforced her complaints with remarks both subtle and forceful.

Knowing that he was the emperor’s most trusted minister, the empress asked him to support the change of heir and secretly sent him gold and jewels to secure his assistance.

Initially, Yang Su had hoped to obtain the empress’s help. Now that she was seeking his, he knew the scheme would succeed.

Thereafter, he repeatedly sowed discord before the Sui ruler.

He also instructed eunuchs and palace women to seize opportunities to slander the Crown Prince, making disparaging remarks whenever possible.

As the saying goes, accumulated accusations form a mountain, and three men can turn a tiger into reality through rumor.

In the tenth month of the twentieth year of Kaihuang, the Sui ruler took his seat in Wude Hall and proclaimed an edict deposing Yang Yong and reducing him to commoner status.

Yang Yong’s son, Yang Yan, Prince of Changning, submitted a memorial requesting permission to serve among the palace guards.

The Sui ruler was moved to pity, but Yang Su obstructed the request.

Yuan Min, Duke of Wuyuan, also remonstrated frankly, while Yang Xiaozheng, a Court Gentleman for Literary Service, submitted a written appeal.

The Sui ruler trusted Yang Su, and both men were executed.

Yang Su rejoiced, believing that his wealth and honor would now endure.

In the eleventh month, he urged the Sui ruler to appoint the Prince of Jin as Crown Prince.

Yuwen Shu was made Left Guard Commander of the Eastern Palace.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, the Prince of Jin first submitted a memorial of thanks. Then, choosing an auspicious day, he and Consort Xiao paid their respects to the emperor and empress.

He moved into the imperial gardens to attend to his parents and displayed the utmost filial devotion.

The Sui ruler was pleased by his conduct.

But let us leave this matter aside for the moment.