"Minister Yang... your family is renowned for its integrity, yet your younger brother lived extravagantly and behaved without restraint, stirring up trouble and bringing shame upon your entire clan... as his elder brother, however reluctant I may be, I must punish you!"
Cao Mao frowned as he reprimanded Yang Jin before him.
Yang Jin was Yang Xiu's elder brother, and he also served at Cao Mao's side. Unlike his younger brother, he was a man of considerable courage who could handle government affairs, and Cao Mao was very fond of him.
In truth, Yang Xiu was not without talent either, and Cao Mao liked him quite a bit too. Unfortunately, the fellow had committed the crime Cao Mao could least tolerate. Had it merely been extravagance and unrestrained behavior, Cao Mao could have let him off. However you wanted to squander your own family's money, Cao Mao could not be bothered to interfere.
But you had taken the imperial court's money to fund your extravagance, and had even done things detrimental to Cao Mao.
That was something Cao Mao could not forgive.
Had Yang Hu, Yang Jin, and the others not performed well, and had Yang Xiu not usually gotten along so well with Cao Mao, the imperial court would probably have executed Yang Xiu for treason long ago.
Yang Jin looked deeply ashamed now. He lowered his head and said helplessly, "Your Majesty, I have failed your great expectations..."
"Minister Yang, I am stripping you of your title and your office. But ultimately, you had no involvement in this matter, so I will give you a chance. Go to Jingnan. Earn merit and build a career there to make amends for your fault!"
"If you are unwilling and wish to live in seclusion in Luoyang instead, I will not