"Ha ha ha~"
In Great Prosperity, Yang Guang happily spread his arms, rose onto his toes, and hugged Wang Yan. He then vigorously patted Wang Yan on the back.
"Ziyan, I was right about you. Well done! Very well done!"
"It was all thanks to Your Majesty's trust and wholehearted support that we achieved what we have today. So long as we cull them every few years, the Central Plains will have no cause for concern."
Yang Guang burst into laughter again and rode into the city alongside Wang Yan. The others followed at a distance, unable to hear what the two were saying, each lost in their own thoughts.
Wang Yan continued, "Your Majesty also took an enormous risk this time. Had I failed to accomplish this, I would have been too ashamed even to come before you with my head in my hands."
"A trifling matter. What is there to mention? A pack of rats in the gutter, yet they dared call themselves nobles and climb onto my head?"
Yang Guang snorted coldly, then happily went on, "You have no idea, Ziyan. When the operation first began, the court was in an uproar. But once the army had surrounded them and the tide had turned, not a single dissenting voice remained in court. Every department began digging up old accounts, and officials from the Central Plains were subjected to relentless attacks. I protected them!
"I wanted them to understand whose realm this Sui Dynasty is, and whose word counts. If I want them dead, they die! If I want them alive, only then may they live!"
"Your Majesty is truly wise!" Wang Yan cupped his hands, his face full of admiration. "You have not only reassured the officials of the Central Plains, but also intimidated Guanlong and the