A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

Yang Yong felt that he was having some difficulty breathing. The air around him seemed to have changed from invisible to tangible, making it hard for him to breathe, even though he already knew the weight of the Wei family.

"The new dynasty has contributed its efforts, and the official system of the court is naturally determined by the new emperor, especially since it is something that an ordinary person like me can discuss."

Wei Hao looked terrified, as if he wanted to avoid important matters of the court.

"Why does the teacher have to act like this?"

Gao Ying said helplessly.

"I have come here on His Majesty's behalf to invite you, Master, to serve as the Grand Minister of Agriculture."

"The world has endured ten years of war and has only recently been unified. The people's livelihood has been greatly damaged during these ten years. If you, Teacher, are unwilling to enter the court, the world will surely be shaken and war will break out again. At that time, countless people will suffer from the ravages of war once more."

"The teacher is kind-hearted, with the heart of a god, and surely cannot bear to see the people suffer from this war."

Faced with Gao Ying's flattery, Wei Hao didn't respond at all, and just looked at Gao Ying with a smile.

"What would it take for a teacher to be willing to serve as an official in the imperial court?"

The situation was too passive, and even Gao Ying's deep cunning was useless; she had no choice but to retreat again and again.

Wei Hao shook his head, having seen that he had amused his disciple enough, before finally speaking frankly.

"The Sui Dynasty was established to replace the Qian Dynasty, and unlike the Qian Dynasty, which replaced the Han Dynasty, it was impossible for the direct descendants of the Wei family to enter officialdom in either of these two dynasties."

Gao Ying's face darkened; the situation he least wanted to see had occurred.

If the Wei family was unwilling to enter the court, could the Sui Dynasty have lasted for two dynasties?

He had absolutely no confidence.

More importantly, he could hear the firmness in Wei Hao's tone; the matter was settled and could not be changed.

Since this is the worst-case scenario, he can't let this trip be in vain.

"Teacher, if you refuse to serve in the court, what can Your Majesty do to ensure peace and stability for the people?"

Since he couldn't handle it, he simply passed the problem on to Wei Hao.

Wei Hao laughed and pointed at Gao Ying, "Are you passing the buck to me?"

Gao Ying nodded, spread her hands, and said resignedly, "Anyway, I have no choice. Teacher, you don't want future historical records to say that your prized disciple assisted His Majesty in unifying the world, only to see the country fall in just a few years, do you?"

"Is this a slap in my face? No, it's a slap in your face!"

"History records show that every disciple taught by the Yan Kings of the Wei family was an outstanding individual. Only you taught a prime minister who destroyed such a vast country in just a few years."

"This disciple is doing this for your reputation, Master!"

"You've presented the teacher with such a difficult problem; shouldn't the teacher thank you?"

Wei Hao laughed and scolded.

"Hehe, this disciple dares not ask for thanks, but only asks for your advice, Master."

Gao Ying said with a shameless grin.

"Oh, you, never mind, I just can't do anything with you."

After Gao Ying said that, Wei Hao was genuinely a little worried.

He didn't care how it was recorded in history books; he was just afraid that when he was with his ancestors and descendants in the future, they would tease him about this, which would be too embarrassing.

"Then I will make a gentleman's agreement with His Highness the Crown Prince."

Wei Hao looked at Yang Yong, which surprised Yang Yong. Wasn't he just here to be a mere accessory? Why was he involved?

He looked helplessly at Gao Ying, who nodded at him.

He knew that Wei Hao meant it for Yang Yong's identity, that is, the crown prince of the Sui Dynasty, who could represent the Sui Dynasty in making a gentleman's agreement with Wei Hao.

Yang Yong had absolutely no idea why Gao Ying was nodding at him, or what she wanted him to understand!

He doesn't know?

Yang Yong was in tears.

"Please speak, Prince of Yan."

"If you can accomplish a great thing that benefits the country and its people, I will agree to allow the direct descendants of the Wei family to enter the court."

"With this agreement in place, the forces of the world will have something to worry about, and the rest should not be able to cause any trouble."

Yang Yong looked at Gao Ying again, and Gao Ying nodded, indicating that Yang Yong agreed.

"As the Crown Prince of the Sui Dynasty, I hereby agree to this agreement on behalf of the Sui Dynasty."

With Gao Ying's permission, Yang Yong nodded in agreement to this gentleman's agreement.

"Does the teacher not know what the standard is for such a serious matter?"

Seeing that both sides had reached a gentleman's agreement, Gao Ying finally asked a question.

"There is no specific standard for what constitutes a world-shaking event; the bigger, the better."

Wei Hao's words made Gao Ying fall into deep thought: "What about connecting the east-west and north-south railways?"

"After these two railways were completed, although they indirectly improved people's livelihoods, their main benefit was facilitating troop transport. But that alone is not enough."

"I've already told you the method; whether you can accomplish it or not is up to you."

Wei Hao served tea to see off the guests.

Seeing that Wei Hao had already picked up his teacup, Gao Ying had no choice but to leave with Yang Yong.

As he was about to leave the Wei family's house, he stopped, adjusted his expression, and pretended to be very happy.

Yang Yong tried to imitate Gao Ying, pretending to be very happy that the negotiation was successful, but his acting skills were not up to par.

"Recall the joy you felt when you were made crown prince."

Gao Ying turned her head and said to Yang Yong.

Yang Yong recalled the day he was made crown prince, feeling triumphant and full of glory, even daring to challenge the heavens.

Gao Ying nodded slightly; her acting was a little lacking, but it was good enough.

"Your Highness, there must be spies everywhere outside the Prince Zhongwu's residence. Once we go out, you and I should do this and that."

After giving the instructions, Gao Ying led Yang Yong out of the gate of the Prince Zhongwu's Mansion.

Yang Yong's face was beaming with smiles, but his palms were sweating with nervousness.

"Your Highness, we must return to Luoyang as soon as possible."

"Although this trip to Yanzhou did not achieve the best results, it was still worthwhile."

"Your Highness, I never imagined you could have such a pleasant conversation with the Prince of Yan. To be able to make a gentleman's pact with him, you will surely become an emperor even greater than Your Majesty in the future."

Gao Ying deliberately had Yang Yong walk in front and loudly complimented him.

Upon hearing this, the various spies lying in ambush nearby were all shocked. They naturally recognized Yang Yong and his group; he was a mediocre nobody, how could he be worthy of making a gentleman's agreement with the Prince of Yan?!

Could it be that this crown prince has been hiding his true abilities all along?

What does Gao Ying mean by "not achieving the best outcome"? And what is the gentleman's agreement between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Yan?

"Master Gao, you're too kind. I'm honored by the Prince of Yan's high regard. I will definitely work harder and live up to the Prince of Yan's expectations."

Yang Yong shouted back loudly, as if afraid that others wouldn't hear him.

That's all the two said. What people fear most is overthinking. The less you say, the more the other person overthinks, and the safer the Sui Dynasty will be.

……

In Luoyang, Yang Jian was reviewing memorials while thinking about the outcome in Yanzhou.

If it weren't for his unwavering will, he would probably be preoccupied with waiting for news rather than attending to state affairs.

When he woke up that morning, his eyelids kept twitching. A eunuch came running in, clutching a letter.

"Your Majesty, a letter from the Prime Minister!"