Volume One, Chapter Six: Clear Skies Across Ten Thousand Miles (Part Two)

Chen Xuanhua stood at the forefront, her eyes already reddened. Faced with such a scene, it was unfathomable that Uncle Chen Shubao still had the heart to compose poetry and prose. A chill ran through her... she would never forget the decadent revelries of the Jade Tree and the Back Courtyard Flowers.

Outside the palace, thunder rumbled relentlessly, signaling the coming storm. The sky darkened gradually; flowers, plants, and trees swayed in the wind. In that moment, an involuntary shiver ran through one's body.

Inside and outside the palace seemed like two entirely different worlds.

Outside was reality; inside was an illusion—a fantasy into which Chen Shubao should never have fallen.

Thus, the demise of the Chen Kingdom was inevitable.

While Chen Shubao remained lost in his indulgences, unable to extricate himself, Yang Guang had already led the Sui army to press upon Jiangnan. This battle would end over two centuries of division and would shape Yang Guang’s life and the course of history itself.

First, generals Yang Su, Liu Ren'en, Zhou Fashang, and others united in purpose, cooperating to overcome their enemies. They launched a fierce assault with combined land and naval forces, breaking through Chen’s defenses in the ninth year of the Kaihuang era, in the first month, capturing the western gorge at Xiling.

Then the main force advanced down the Yangtze, capturing Chen’s ruler in Yueyang, Chen Shushen. With that, the middle reaches of the Yangtze no longer belonged to Chen.

At this critical and fierce moment, Chen Shubao remained lost in pleasures, making no response.

Within Jiankang city, there was no reaction to the Sui army’s gradual occupation of the upper Yangtze, and the city was left largely undefended.

Since the first day of the first month that year, the Sui forces launched a massive offensive. During this process, Chen finally showed some resistance—but its military power was weak to begin with, and even Chen Shubao’s belated awakening was useless.

The fall of the Chen Kingdom was inevitable: its rule was corrupt and decayed, Chen Shubao was feeble and incompetent, indulging in debauchery, neglecting state affairs, incapable of benefiting the people, and even endangering the nation and harming its citizens. He had long since lost the people's hearts.

For the common people nationwide, the arrival of the Sui troops was not unwelcome. They only desired a wise ruler, an end to war and division, and a peaceful, harmonious life. Clearly, in that era, the Sui dynasty, from emperor to ministers, met the expectations of the people.

Moreover, Chen’s military strength was no match for the Sui. The Sui generals and soldiers were united and well-prepared, having won the hearts of the people in Jiangnan. Like a newborn sun, in the hearts of the nation, this was the dawn of a new and splendid era.

The unification under the Sui was not only an irresistible trend of the times but also the will of the people.

Finally, on January 20, 589 AD, the Chen forces were routed along the entire front. Under Yang Guang’s unified command, Sui general He Ruobi breached the northern Yamen Gate and entered the Tai City (the Jiankang Palace City). Meanwhile, Han Qinhu led troops to seize the southern bank of the Qinhuai River at Shizigang. Chen general Ren Zhong then surrendered, opening the northern Zhuque Gate to admit Han Qinhu into the city.

From that moment, Jiankang fell, and the Chen regime came to an end.

The Sui army marched on triumphantly, strong and vigorous. Yang Guang treated the local populace with respect along the way, demonstrating the grandeur and benevolence of the Sui dynasty, winning the love of his subjects.

At that time, the Sui dynasty possessed all the splendor and might that inspired awe and admiration, truly worthy of unifying the realm.

Chen Shubao, however, found himself utterly cornered. When the troops entered the palace, the great hall descended into chaos. The women who had been playing the zither and dancing scattered in panic. Chen Shubao was so terrified he could barely stand.

“What shall we do... what can be done...” he trembled, holding the hands of Zhang Lihua and Concubine Kong, both of whom clung behind him in fear.

The three fled through the back door into the palace grounds. As the soldiers’ voices drew closer, Chen Shubao spotted a well in the garden.

“Come, my beloved, hide with me in the well!” he declared, believing this might save them.

Together, the three quickly slid down the rope hanging beside the well.

They had barely hidden when the sounds of the Sui soldiers grew close—too close.

“General! We searched everywhere but found no sign of Chen Shubao!” Han Qinhu listened to the report with growing urgency. Though the city was taken, failing to capture Chen Shubao meant the victory was not yet complete.

“Keep searching!” he ordered.

At that moment, Yuwen Huaji hurriedly arrived with troops. Hearing the conversation, he scanned the area and asked the soldiers, “Has the well been searched?”

Yuwen Huaji’s sharpness and wisdom were unmatched.

“No...” a soldier quickly moved to inspect the well and indeed found shadows within.

“I surrender! I surrender!” Chen Shubao cried out desperately upon seeing them.

The soldiers pulled the three out of the well. Han Qinhu captured Chen Shubao, and with that, the Chen Kingdom perished.

Chen Shubao then issued orders to surrender to the various Chen troops. The generals holding the cities gradually capitulated. Yet, in the Sanwu region, the cities of Wuzhou and Kuaiji stubbornly resisted, unwilling to submit to the Sui.

Thus, Yang Guang led forces southward into Sanwu, Lingnan, and other regions. Eventually, all Chen forces either obeyed Chen Shubao’s summons and surrendered or were defeated by the Sui.

After several twists and turns, all regions ultimately heeded the call and came under Sui control.

With this, the Sui dynasty achieved great unification, successfully ending over two centuries of turmoil.

History entered a brand-new chapter.

The campaign that destroyed Chen lasted just over two months, wiping out the southern Chen dynasty that had lasted more than thirty years, absorbing its lands and people. This ended the era of division and endless warfare, restoring the unity of China under a central authority.

Furthermore, the Sui transported Chen Shubao along with his civil and military officials, aristocratic families, artisans, performers, official robes, documents, and legal instruments over five hundred kilometers to Daxing City. This was chiefly to reunite the orthodox cultural relics, preserved in Jiangnan since the Jin dynasty’s southward migration, with the north.

Later, out of mercy and careful consideration, Yang Jian bestowed the title of Marquis of the Great Wall upon Chen Shubao, allowing him to live a quiet and carefree life. As for the concubines who had once plunged the state into chaos, they had already been executed on the day Jiankang fell by order of Gao Jiong. For the sake of the Sui realm, these women had to be dealt with on Chen soil—none were to be brought back to Daxing.

With all settled, the territories of Chen were reorganized. Some troops remained stationed, while the main army returned to the capital.

On the journey back, for the first time in two months, a smile touched Yang Guang’s face as the tension finally eased. Following behind him, Yuwen Huaji likewise felt the weight of momentous affairs lift, his expression calm and composed.

“Your Highness, now that we return victorious, your achievements are truly great!” Yuwen Huaji praised with a beaming smile.

Yang Guang shook his head and spoke plainly, “This is not the work of one alone. Our triumph is thanks to the generals, officers, and soldiers who have fought alongside me!” He lifted his head, gazing ahead. Though night had fallen, the scene was still splendid: the moon shone brilliantly, the sky was clear and star-studded. The era of great unification was beginning—an end to chaos and division, and the dawn of a beautiful, unified age.