When Yang Hong heard about the shenanigans of Yang Jian and Dugu Jialuo from Yang Zhong, he just wanted to complain.
"Petty! Effeminate!"
Yang Hong saw no merit in such methods; they didn't strike at the vital points of those aristocratic families.
If it were Yang Hong's doing, he would have chosen two or three weaker families and wiped them out with his army!
A stark warning to others!
Then, using the bloody might of his actions, he would have appeased some while attacking others, thus dividing the great families.
Next, he would have employed stratagems of alienation and counter-espionage to further divide them and sow discord.
Then, a 'two peaches killing three warriors' scenario to eliminate a few families.
Finally, tax reforms, like commercial tax reform and the simplification of taxes, would be implemented one by one,
Slowly digging up the foundations of these aristocratic families.
After such a series of operations, who would dare to defy him?
If they still dared to defy him?
They would be killed!
However, this Great Sui was not under his command.
He merely casually mentioned '攤丁入畝' (a tax reform) to Yang Zhong.
As for how much of it the largest landlord of the Great Sui dynasty would heed, that was no longer his concern.
He didn't elaborate on other methods and stratagems, merely hinting at them. He didn't believe these old foxes, who had lived for decades, wouldn't know how to scheme.
On August 29th, Yang Zixuan, who could only visit once a month for a meal, appeared on time.
Her cultivation was still at the intermediate stage of the first-rate, but Yang Hong could sense that her internal energy was stronger and more stable.
As per Yang Zhong's instructions, Yang Zixuan had been training her physical body for the past three months.
Because her spirit root test in the Upper Sect revealed a seventh-grade five-element spirit root, no sect was willing to accept her.
To avoid wasting her talent, Yang Zhong thought of having Yang Zixuan cultivate the legendary body cultivator.
That is, cultivators who specialize in refining their physical bodies.
However, Great Sui was merely a mortal kingdom, lacking immortal cultivation techniques.
Yang Zhong took a different approach, having Yang Zixuan practice all the mortal external martial arts techniques.
Therefore, Yang Zixuan's cultivation over the past three months had been truly arduous.
To nourish Yang Zixuan's body, Yang Hong had to prepare spiritual plant dishes and spirit wine for her every time she visited.
"Imperial Brother, I finally cultivated the Golden Bell Shield to the seventh level this month. It's already Grand Completion of the Golden Bell Shield."
At the dinner table, Yang Zixuan couldn't help but boast proudly.
"Mm~ Zixuan is truly amazing. At only 16, you've reached Grand Completion of the Golden Bell Shield. It's likely unprecedented."
"Hehe~"
Yang Hong ladled some chicken soup for Yang Zixuan and patted her little head.
This little girl, after cultivating body-refining techniques, still didn't seem to gain weight and remained a thin and weak little loli.
So Yang Hong prepared a nourishing soup for her.
Ginseng and black-bone chicken soup.
The black-bone chicken was ordinary, but the ginseng was the Xuan Yang Ginseng that mutated the big black dog. Additionally, Yang Hong had specifically cultivated a spiritual plant, [Cold Moon Grass], and a spiritual plant, Huang Jing.
These two herbs, with their Yin attributes, were used to temper the Yang and heat of the Xuan Yang Ginseng.
"Imperial Brother, Grandpa Emperor wants me to cultivate the 'Indestructible Diamond Skill', but I heard that cultivating this martial art turns one into a big brute. I don't want to. Imperial Brother, can you talk to Grandpa Emperor for me? I don't want to become a brute; it will make me ugly."
Drinking the chicken soup, she pursed her lips and said.
"Don't worry, Zixuan. With the good food I prepare for you, as long as you eat less meat, it will be fine."
The 'Indestructible Diamond Skill' was merely an intermediate-level external force cultivation technique, which Yang Hong had already mastered to the highest level and had many insights from.
One of them was that consuming more meat could increase muscle and enhance defense.
If meat were lacking, although cultivation was still possible, the body would become gaunt and the defense weaker.
However, with spiritual plants and spirit wine, this was not an issue.
"Alright then, Imperial Brother, remember to send me more delicious food."
Upon hearing Yang Hong's words, Yang Zixuan accepted the arrangement to cultivate the 'Indestructible Diamond Skill', but a hint of reluctance remained on her face.
"Don't worry, I will have Imperial Grandfather send you the vegetables I grow. I guarantee you won't go hungry. Drink your soup quickly."
He flicked Yang Zixuan's nose and urged her to eat.
However, Yang Zixuan's matter also reminded Yang Hong of the need to learn medical skills.
After bidding farewell to the well-fed Yang Zixuan, Yang Hong immediately asked Old Wang to find him some medical books.
However, what Old Wang brought him the next day were books on culinary arts and medicinal cuisine.
"Why no medical books?"
Yang Hong's expression turned somewhat displeased. Was he not even allowed to study medicine if he wasn't allowed to practice martial arts?
"Replying to Your Highness, the Retired Emperor and the Emperor are worried that you might impulsively pursue martial arts, so they sent you these books."
Old Wang smiled obsequiously, afraid that Yang Hong would be unhappy. Having been here for so long, he had come to understand Yang Hong's capabilities and status,
And he also knew some taboos that must be observed.
One of them was that Yang Hong must not be allowed to practice martial arts.
"What do you mean by 'impulsively pursue martial arts'? Practicing martial arts is a good thing!"
Yang Hong complained with dissatisfaction.
"Your Highness, the Retired Emperor knows that you were frightened by the seed breeding base incident and might impulsively act.
Therefore, he has specially sent some seeds."
"What sort of 'impulsive act' is that?"
Yang Hong was exasperated by the old man's peculiar thought process.
"Your Highness, to facilitate your planting of new seeds, the two adjacent palaces will soon be connected to the 'Ignored Pavilion' to be dedicated to planting trees."
Old Wang continued to report on the arrangements of Yang Zhong and the two emperors.
"Planting trees? Those degenerate spiritual plants, I presume? I understand."
Upon thinking of those degenerate spiritual plants, Yang Hong's mood improved slightly.
Seeing Yang Hong's mood improve, Old Wang finally felt at ease.
The emperor's command had been fulfilled.
He also took the opportunity to withdraw from Yang Hong's small building.
"Husband, don't worry. I will protect you from now on. I am also a Grandmaster now."
While Yang Hong was frowning, contemplating how to plant those degenerate spiritual plants, Song Yuzhi walked over and gently held his hand.
Although they had not yet consummated their marriage, Song Yuzhi had already acknowledged Yang Hong as her husband.
"Good, from now on, my wife will protect me."
Yang Hong patted Song Yuzhi's jade-like hand, feeling a warmth in his heart.
This woman truly had his best interests at heart.
Feudal society was indeed good. After marriage, women truly lived for their husbands and genuinely considered their husbands' welfare.
In modern times, such a wife would be extremely rare.
"Husband~ I, I think we can~ can consummate our marriage."
After saying this, Song Yuzhi's face turned as red as a ripe apple.
"Hahaha~ Your husband couldn't ask for more. Tonight we..."
"Husband~"
Song Yuzhi stomped her foot and shyly ran off.
She had gone to learn bedroom techniques from Concubine Zhou and the others.
That evening, loud singing emanated from Yang Hong's small building,
Singing for a long time.
Below the building, seven women formed a group to eavesdrop, wishing they could take her place.
Yang Hong was unaware of these happenings, but Song Yuzhi knew. However, she lacked the strength to speak.
After a night of exertion, Song Yuzhi's cultivation, which had just broken through to the early stage of Grandmaster, advanced further, reaching the intermediate stage of Grandmaster.
This also sparked some interest in Song Yuzhi, and it gave the seven women other desires.
Yang Hong was temporarily unaware of all this. He descended the stairs, refreshed, to make lean meat congee for Song Yuzhi.