Fantasy/Heroic: Heaven-Burning Divine Fire, Earthly Sovereign!

Yang Guang captured Chen Shubao and his concubines.

Yang Su then killed all of Emperor Chen Houzhu's sons, wiping out the descendants of the Southern Chen royal family.

The vast army escorted the emperor to Chang'an.

Outside Chang'an City, a long, drawn-out horn sounded.

The city of Chang'an was shaken.

The army returned, and the sky was filled with malevolent energy, causing the clouds to vanish.

From afar, a black dragon snaked across the land, its menacing light soaring into the sky, making it impossible to look directly at it!

This was the army that had conquered the Southern Chen dynasty returning to the capital to present the prisoners.

Several miles outside the South Gate, the roadsides are lined with the people of Chang'an.

After several years of governance, the people gradually came to trust and support the Sui Dynasty.

For them, it's just a matter of changing the emperor.

As long as you don't go too far, what difference does it make who you serve as an ordinary citizen?

The people were overjoyed to see that the Sui Dynasty had managed to conquer and destroy the Southern Chen Dynasty.

They came to the roadside to check on the army's return, and some came to pick up their children.

The army arrived, led by a man clad in golden armor, exuding an air of arrogance and confidence.

It was none other than Prince Yang Guang of Jin.

After a year or two of military experience, he has become more resolute than before.

He possessed an unstoppable aura, like a sun, exceptionally dazzling.

Seeing the large number of people lining both sides of the road, Yang Guang felt a strong sense of ambition.

What a magnificent sight it would be if one day he could see the people of the world, his ministers and officials, bowing down before him day and night.

Having performed such a great service, I believe my father should be able to see my strengths.

I know I'm not comparable to that useless older brother.

Yang Guang was full of ambition.

He felt that he had done a great service this time, and that his father should be able to see the difference between him and his older brother.

In one battle, they attacked and destroyed the southern Chen state.

Such achievements in expanding territory far surpass those of his useless older brother.

Yang Su, standing to the side, also looked expectant.

After two years of hard work, I have finally made a great contribution.

Let's see how the others compete with him.

However, he was far from Chang'an, and his previous power may have been completely divided up.

But that's nothing.

I believe His Majesty will reward him handsomely.

Everything lost then will return many times over.

In front of the city gate, there was a man under a yellow flag.

He was dressed in gold, but his face showed a somewhat frail appearance, and behind him were civil and military officials.

They all looked up at the army ahead, their eyes shining brightly.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is just ahead. Please dismount, Prince Jin!"

As Yang Guang rode forward, a guard ran up and bowed to Prince Yang Guang.

Yang Guang saw a flag standing not far away, and under the dragon flag was his elder brother Yang Yong.

But he looks rather thin.

Although he was wearing the dragon prince's python robe, it paled in comparison to his golden armor.

But since his rank had already been decided, even though he was somewhat unhappy, he could only dismount and walk forward.

"Second brother, you must have had a hard time on this expedition."

Yang Yong stepped forward to comfort him.

Seeing his brother return brought him some joy.

"Why is it my elder brother who came to pick me up? Anyone else would have been fine."

Yang Guang laughed and joked, though he seemed a little disappointed.

He thought that after making such a great contribution, his father, the emperor, should come to greet him personally.

Unexpectedly, only the Crown Prince and civil and military officials came.

"My second brother has performed such a great service; how can we treat it so casually?"

Yang Yong shook his head hurriedly.

"Brother..."

Before Yang Guang could finish speaking, a man stepped out from behind the Crown Prince.

"His Highness Prince Jin should be addressed as Crown Prince."

Upon hearing this, Yang Guang's expression changed drastically.

Yang Yong glanced back at the man, and seeing the man's determined look, he gave an awkward smile and dared not argue.

"Yes, it was my rudeness."

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

After Yang Guang finished his prayers, he looked at the man intently again.

This man is Li Gang, the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince.

He was once a minister of the Northern Zhou Dynasty.

Yang Jian specially appointed Yang Yong as the Crown Prince's tutor to bolster his power.

"We're all family, why be so formal? There's no need to be so particular."

The Crown Prince knew that Li Gang was acting in his best interests and thus played the role of peacemaker.

My brother has just returned from a distant expedition, so it's not appropriate to be too overly enthusiastic.

After his explanation, the atmosphere improved considerably.

"Father is hosting a welcome banquet for you at the Linde Hall. Please come with me!"

As soon as Yang Guang finished speaking, the carriage was already close by.

Yang Yong invited Yang Guang to get into the carriage together.

The two brothers followed Luan Jia into the palace.

Yang Su and others followed closely behind.

Chen Shubao and others who had come with the army were also caught up in it.

Upon entering the palace, we arrived inside the hall.

The officials and ministers stood on both sides.

Yang Yong walked down the golden steps and bowed to the emperor. "Father, the Prince of Jin has returned in triumph. The ruler of Southern Chen and his court officials and concubines have all been captured. Please give your instructions, Father."

These words make it sound as if he's the one waging war.

Yang Guang was displeased.

They also knew that in the imperial court, there was only the distinction between the emperor and his subjects.

Since Yang Yong, as the crown prince, was reporting on his behalf, he had no reason to say anything more.

"Yes, Prince Jin's campaign has been a great success, conquering Southern Chen. His contribution is indispensable!"

Yang Jian turned his gaze to Prince Yang Guang of Jin and showered him with praise.

"It is all thanks to His Majesty's great fortune, the soldiers' bravery, and the assistance of Lord Yang and the other generals. I am merely the commander-in-chief sitting on the banner; what merit have I made?"

Yang Guang's answer surprised the court officials quite a bit.

Yang Guang was very flamboyant in the past, and quite indifferent in his dealings with others.

Unlike now, his speech and behavior are very proper.

"It is truly rare to find such humility in my son."

Yang Jian smiled and nodded.

This son went to the military for training, and so far it seems to be doing very well.

The Crown Prince's position in the court has been completely secured over the past two years.

With one internal and one external force, the world can be at peace.

"Where is Chen Shubao? Bring him here."

Yang Jian gave an order.

Immediately, soldiers brought up a disheveled man dressed in a dragon robe.

This was none other than Chen Shubao, the ruler of the Southern Chen Dynasty.

He was originally a monarch, but upon seeing the officials of the Sui Dynasty and Yang Jian, he suddenly knelt down on the ground.

"Chen Shubao pays his respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Sui Dynasty."

He dared not address himself as "Your Majesty".

They wanted to find a way to survive.

He considered many methods along the way, but none of them led him to this final step.

In the end, I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

"What a cowardly Chen Shubao! I will spare your life."

"Guards, destroy his mind, castrate him, and send him to the Crown Prince as a personal eunuch."

Yang Jian had originally intended to ridicule the man, but seeing how cowardly and incompetent he was, he lost interest.

It was immediately sent to the Crown Prince.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shubao's expression changed drastically.

"Your Majesty, spare me!"

"Your Majesty, spare me!"

It's better to die immediately than to be a fool.

What's more, he was to be a foolish eunuch.

"shut up."

Yang Jian shouted.

Chen Shubao was struck dumb, unable to utter a word.

Yang Guang was very unhappy.

This person was the emperor of the Southern Chen dynasty, and still retained a trace of the aura of an emperor.

The intention behind sending it to the Crown Prince is quite obvious.

Crown Prince Yang Yong's eyes lit up when he heard about this arrangement.

Although he was mediocre, he was not the kind of person who was ignorant and incompetent.

I understand the meaning behind my father's actions.

"Your Majesty, I thank you!"

Yang Yong stepped out of the class and bowed.

Yang Jian nodded.