(Another year had passed. Before we knew it, four years had gone by. Thank you, brothers, for your continued support.
I wish all of you and your families good health, prosperous fortunes, and every wish fulfilled.
As is tradition, this is a free New Year's chapter—a red envelope for my good brothers. May you all eat well, drink well, and stay in high spirits.
Temperatures have dropped sharply across a wide area lately. Brothers, take care to stay warm and look after your health.
I bow to you all!)
After wiping out the bandits, Wang Yan returned to having nothing to do.
After the Jiangnan rebellion had been crushed, nothing much happened in the Sui Dynasty. In the south, Southern Yue was kept in check; in the north, the Turkic Khaganate was deterred; in the west, there were routine skirmishes with Tuyuhun; and in Northeast China, Goguryeo occasionally stirred up trouble.
None of the Sui Dynasty's external foes made any major moves. Though military clashes occurred every day and people died every day, that was the norm. It could still be considered peace.
Thus, the realm was quite tranquil. Beneath that tranquility, Yang Jian governed diligently and continued targeting the northern aristocratic clans. All sides contended with one another, pushing the Sui Dynasty forward.
As a result, in this very year, 592, the relevant officials reported: "The treasuries are all full, with nowhere left to store anything. Goods are piled beneath the corridors and eaves." The Emperor asked, "I have already lightened the people's taxes and made great expenditures in rewards. How can this be?" They replied, "What comes in consistently exceeds what goes out. Even though annual rewards and expenditures amount to several million bolts of cloth, the stores have never diminished." Thus, the Left Treasury was expanded to