Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

Should Yang Zhengdao be sent to India to serve as the provincial governor?

When the officials in the court learned of this, almost everyone's first thought was that only someone like His Highness the Crown Prince could make such a decision.

However, all the officials in the court, including veteran ministers and generals from the previous dynasty such as Wen Yanbo, Yu Shinan, and Qu Tutong, were deeply moved and eager to see this, and none of them had any idea of ​​restoring the Sui Dynasty.

"The Sui Dynasty is over. Since His Highness the Crown Prince is willing to set aside the past and reinstate and give you important responsibilities, you should truly regard yourself as a subject of the Tang Dynasty from now on and must not have any disloyal thoughts. Do you understand?"

The Duke of Song's mansion, formerly Empress Xiao of the previous dynasty, has now been granted the title of "Empress Dowager Yide of the Sui Dynasty" by the Tang Dynasty, and is permitted to move freely as "the wife of the Southern Liang branch of the Xiao clan," just like any other noble of the Tang Dynasty.

At this moment, she looked at Yang Zhengdao kneeling on the ground in front of her and gave him earnest advice.

As he spoke, he sighed to himself: "You know the pain of suffering with me in the Turkic lands, living under someone else's roof. The Tang imperial family has neither humiliated you nor mistreated or imprisoned us. Do you understand how much tolerance this shows?"

Yang Zhengdao looked respectful.

“Grandson understands, Mother, do not worry. Grandson has never had any disloyal thoughts, and never will.”

Empress Xiao nodded, feeling relieved.

After a moment of deliberation, she suddenly looked at Yang Zhengdao in front of her and asked a question.

“I will continue to live in the Duke of Song’s mansion from now on, since my younger brother is here. But now that the royal family has given you and me respect, we should be obedient and do our best. I have heard that the lineage of the Yang family of Hongnong, Danyang branch, has been cut off. You were born into that lineage. I will petition Empress Zhangsun to help you go back and inherit the family business.”

"From now on, you will address me as Great Mother, but you are the head of the Danyang branch of the Hongnong Yang family. Do you understand?"

Yang Zhengdao took a deep breath, his eyes reddening.

He bowed respectfully to Empress Xiao before him once more.

"Grandson understands. Grandmother has planned far ahead for me. From now on, I will be careful in my words and deeds and be loyal to the emperor and serve the country."

.......

Empress Xiao acted swiftly.

After all, the time for the Royal First Fleet to return from Arabia is fast approaching. In two or three months at most, the fleet will return to the Tang Dynasty. When it sets sail again, Yang Zhengdao will also be on his way to take up his post.

She personally brought gifts to the palace to discuss the matter with Empress Zhangsun.

Empress Zhangsun was naturally pleased. Empress Xiao's return to the Southern Liang Xiao clan and Yang Zhengdao's return to the Hongnong Yang clan could be considered a complete relinquishment of the old imperial power in front of the world.

From now on, there will be no more Empress Xiao, only the Old Lady Xiao of the Southern Liang Dynasty.

From now on, there will be no more Emperor Yang of Sui's grandson, Emperor Houzhu of Sui, only Yang Zhengdao, the head of the Hongnong Yang family.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian never mentioned this matter, but when he appointed Yang Zhengdao as the governor of India, Empress Xiao and the others had already made the wisest response.

In the spring of the seventh year of the Zhenguan era, on the nineteenth day of the first month.

When the heavens and earth are in harmony, it is beneficial to resolve old grievances.

Danyang County, Runzhou, Jiangnan Circuit.

A ceremony to recognize one's ancestors and return to one's clan, personally assisted by officials dispatched by the Ministry of Rites of the Tang Dynasty and even attended by representatives sent by the imperial family, was being held in Danyang branch of the Hongnong Yang clan, a family with few descendants and in decline.

Music and ceremonial instruments were played, and a banquet was held throughout the city.

The Yang family's Danyang branch in Hongnong is located on the shore of Lianhu Lake in Danyang County. Originally, the surrounding scenery was picturesque, and the guests who came and went were all scholars and gentlemen. Even in the early years of the Wude era, there were many Yang family members visiting this place.

Today, however, on the shores of Lianhu Lake, thousands of acres of lake fields and bamboo groves stretch endlessly. The homes of ordinary people who were once exploited and humiliated are now filled with laughter and joy. The abundance of rice and the aroma of fish everywhere reveal the vibrant vitality brought about by the new policies implemented by the Tang Dynasty.

On the contrary, the Yang family's Danyang branch in Hongnong, which used to be bustling with visitors, is now in a state of disrepair.

Yang Chongli, who was serving at the Taifu Temple in Chang'an, and Yang Deyi, who was transferred to Guangzhou Prefecture in Lingnan Circuit just two years ago, served as representatives of the Yang family at the ceremony, greeting guests on the left and right sides of the gate.

"The stars divide into the Purple Pole, corresponding to the Red Symbol, thus ushering in the Tang Dynasty;

The dragon emblem changed color, and he donned a black crown to restore the ancestral lineage.

The Yang family, whose origins lie in China, have brought prosperity to the Guanzhong Plain.

The Grand Commandant imparted the teachings of the Four Knowledges, and the Qi and Sui dynasties inherited the pivot of the Five Elements.

Today, there is a descendant named Zhengdao.

This is a descendant of the Sui dynasty.

Truly the essence of the people of Haidai.

He abandoned his fur-lined tent and donned a ceremonial cap.

They tore apart the wolf banner and presented the phoenix pennant.

Returning to the old land of Danyang

Continuing the legacy of the pure and upright officials of Hongnong...

Yang Zhengdao's recognition of his ancestral lineage did not cause much of a stir among the common people; at most, it caused some commotion in Runzhou, Jiangnan Province.

The focus was more on the imperial court.

Over the years since the new policies were implemented, the former officials of the Sui Dynasty, who had long since put aside the affairs of the previous dynasty, now saw the Sui Dynasty come to a dignified end. They were all sincerely convinced of the merits of Crown Prince Li Chengqian and Emperor Zhenguan.

Throughout history, with the changing of dynasties, it was already extremely rare for the royal family and even the officials of the previous dynasty to have a dignified end.

Not to mention, His Highness the Crown Prince also granted Yang Zhengdao the official position of Governor of India.

The prince's strategies and ideas in India and Arabia are evident to all, and this position of Indian Governor is by no means a powerless or idle post.

On the contrary, given the prince's magnanimity and courage, the Indian governor would most likely grant him a certain degree of military power.

Less than half a month after Yang Zhengdao was recognized as a member of the imperial family, Crown Prince Li Chengqian personally summoned him after he returned to the capital.

Also included was Zheng De, the second head of the Zheng family of Xingyang, who had previously served as an envoy to the Kingdom of Nipo and was instrumental in the Tang Dynasty's alliances and collaborations on the plateau.

"I promised King Puroksha II of the Chalukya Kingdom that I would assist him in gradually conquering the Panava Kingdom in southeastern India. Therefore, they will fully assist in the work of the Indian governor. In addition, as for the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, I have never spoken about the legitimacy of the lands they occupied in the Harsha Dynasty. Whatever you do, he will support you."

In Xiande Hall, Yang Zhengdao and Zheng De stared intently at the blackboard in front of them.

On the blackboard, Crown Prince Li Chengqian had already systematically established the official system under the Indian Governor.

It was presented to the two of them in a tree-like diagram.

The topmost one reads "Indian Governor, Rank 3".

Below that is "Left Provincial Administration Counselor of India, Senior Fourth Rank," in charge of military affairs, pacification, and relations with Tibet, and wearing a "Tibetan Control Talisman."

"Right Provincial Administration Counselor of India, Rank 4, Lower Grade," in charge of civil administration and trilateral trade coordination, holding the "Ganges Trade Jade Decree and Golden Seal."

Further down the ranks, there was the "Commander of the Southern Garrison, Rank 5," who commanded the Tang-Tibet mixed "Kamalupa Army" and was equipped with the "Elephant Armor Supervisor" who was in charge of improving the armor of war elephants.

"Zhelouqi Zhenfu Shi, a sixth-rank official," was stationed in Badami, the capital of Zhelouqi.

"Snow Mountain Road Inspector, Rank Six," inspected the Himalayan trade route, monitored the Tibetan garrison, and carried a "Map of the Ice Ridge."

Other positions included "Ganges River Colonization Commissioner", "Makataka Maritime Trade Commissioner", and "Kasyapa Academy Supervisor".

Both Yang Zhengdao and Zheng De couldn't help but gasp in shock.

Your Highness, are you trying to build a giant Five Elements Mountain on the Indian subcontinent?