SEC Chapter 121: The Sui King Fights Again
Chapter 121: The Sui King Fights Again
"King Sok has arrived, and Goguryeo has been pacified!"
"The Prince of Shuo is here! Gao Yuan is doomed!"
Yuwen Huaji shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice booming.
He even deliberately moved closer to Yang Guang, his face full of flattery.
The only hope is that this festive atmosphere will make Yang Guang completely forget the absurd rebellion he had just dreamt about.
"Finally, I can eat a bite in peace."
Lu Xiao completely ignored the noise inside the tent and focused only on picking at the mutton in the basin.
Eating meat and drinking soup heartily dispelled the chill and fatigue, leaving me feeling completely comfortable.
Yang Guang was still immersed in the ecstasy of Lü Xiao's return. The gloom that had accumulated from the previous failure to conquer Liaodong City was swept away by this sudden reunion.
He had even dared to dream of Yuwen Huaji's rebellion, but he had never dared to hope that Lü Xiao could brave the wind and snow and appear on this Liaodong battlefield.
Just when he was in his most difficult situation and needed help the most, Lü Xiao arrived.
It's truly a blessing that the Yang family was able to have such a son-in-law and for Ruyi to marry him; they must have accumulated great virtue in their past lives.
Upon seeing Yang Guang's beaming face, Yuwen Huaji immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; this saying is absolutely true.
The fright he just experienced almost scared him to death.
"Your Majesty, please don't be so happy yet. The matter of Prime Minister Yuwen's treason has not been dealt with yet!"
Yuwen Chenglong's untimely voice rang out, and with a single sentence, he dragged Yuwen Huaji, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, back to the brink of life and death.
Yang Guang, who was immersed in joy, was startled by these words and instantly came to his senses.
His gaze unconsciously fell on Yuwen Huaji, and the thrilling scene of the coup in his dream vaguely resurfaced in his mind.
Lu Xiao's chopsticks clattered into the mutton soup bowl, splashing soup everywhere.
The gazes of him, Yang Guang, and Yuwen Huaji all turned to Yuwen Chenglong, their expressions varying.
Yuwen Huaji trembled with rage, raised his hand at Yuwen Chenglong, and spat out through gritted teeth, "You son of a bitch!"
He finally understood: this rebellious son truly wished for his own death!
Yang Guang stared at Yuwen Huaji for a moment, pondered for a while, then waved his hand and said in a calm tone:
"How can one take a dream seriously?"
Although he harbored reservations about the dream, he also knew that he could not execute the veteran minister who had served as regent for many years based solely on a dream.
A little scare is enough. This old man is not young. If he gets sick from being frightened, it would be a loss.
"Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is sagacious!" Yuwen Huaji hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
This trouble, which started because of a dream, is finally over.
"Dad, have you missed your son? I've come back especially to see you!"
Upon seeing that Yuwen Huaji had been exonerated, Yuwen Chenglong immediately put on a carefree and jovial expression.
He opened his arms and was about to rush over to give Yuwen Huaji a loving hug.
No matter what, blood is thicker than water, and this blood ties can never be severed.
"Go to hell!"
Upon seeing this, Yuwen Huaji's anger surged again.
He grabbed his trouser leg, raised his foot, and kicked Yuwen Chenglong hard in the stomach.
Just now, this unfilial son kept calling me an old thief, wishing he would be beheaded.
Now look at him, he's suddenly calling me "Dad" all warmly. His change of heart is faster than turning the pages of a book!
"Sigh, how heartless and ungrateful."
Yuwen Chenglong was kicked back two steps, but he was not angry at all. Instead, he put on a worldly look of having seen through the vicissitudes of human relationships.
Lu Xiao withdrew his gaze, silently picked up his chopsticks, and made up his mind.
I must find Yuwen Huaji another day to learn his parenting skills and see how he raised Yuwen Chenglong into such a heartless and fickle person.
He must remember this lesson and never follow in the footsteps of the Yuwen family if he has children in the future.
"Zilie, now that you're back, I can finally rest easy."
Yang Guang casually draped a heavy cloak over his shoulders, and the biting chill he had felt earlier seemed to be dispelled by the joy brought by Lü Xiao.
"Your Majesty, the Li family members are also in the camp, right? Li Yuanba didn't participate in the battle?"
Lu Xiao put down his chopsticks and asked calmly.
Although he was unaware of the specifics of the battle, he was well aware of Li Yuanba's fighting prowess.
With such a fierce general, the Sui army should not have been unable to conquer the city for so long; there must be something fishy going on.
"The Goguryeo army and people fought to the death, and the city's defenses were strong. Even though Yuanba was brave, he could not break through the city by himself."
Yang Guang's joy faded slightly, and his tone carried a hint of worry.
Even if Lü Xiao returns, he will inevitably have concerns.
Even Li Yuanba was helpless; could Lü Xiao really take Liaodong City smoothly?
"Your subject understands." Lü Xiao nodded slightly, already understanding.
Li Shimin deliberately held back his troops, never intending to actually capture the city.
Yang Guang's failed expedition and the ensuing chaos were exactly the outcome Li Shimin desired.
Only in this way could the Li family accumulate strength in the chaotic world and seize the opportunity to rise up.
However, now that he has returned, Li Shimin's plans are destined to fail.
"Your Majesty, please rest early."
Lu Xiao stood up, reached out and lifted a corner of the tent flap. Outside, the wind and snow were still howling, but the sky was already beginning to lighten.
"Leave the rest of the battle to me."
After saying this, he turned and walked out of the tent alone, leaving Yang Guang with a tall and determined back view.
"Zilie..." Yang Guang looked at Lü Xiao's back and a warm feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.
Since the death of the late Crown Prince Yang Zhao, he had never felt so completely dependent on others.
All these years I've persevered alone, sticking to my own opinions, and gradually made it to where I am today.
The saying "a son-in-law is half a son" is absolutely true.
To him, Lü Xiao was already as reliable as his own son.
Outside the tent, in the snow, Pei Yuanqing, Li Jing, Zuo Xiong, Ao Yu, and others were already fully prepared to set off.
The elite soldiers of the Red Valiant Army also stood in formation. Seeing Lü Xiao emerge, they all shouted in unison, "Your Highness!"
Lu Xiao stopped in the snow, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and asked in a deep voice, "Have you eaten and drunk your fill?"
"We are fully prepared and await Your Highness's command to immediately engage in battle!"
Li Jing stepped forward, his tone firm and resolute.
The soldiers had been holding back and rushing for days, and they were eager to break through the city in one fell swoop under Lü Xiao's leadership.
"Then fight me again!"
As soon as Lü Xiao finished speaking, he strode forward, his cloak fluttering in the cold wind behind him.
Without a word, the generals of the Red Falcon Army followed in Lü Xiao's footsteps.
Upon seeing this, the imperial soldiers in the camp gripped their weapons tightly and spontaneously followed behind the Red Fierce Army, their morale soaring.
The previous stalemate vanished the moment Lü Xiao appeared.
In their hearts, Lü Xiao was an invincible symbol; with him around, the city would surely be breached.
The resounding bugle call pierced the wind and snow, echoing throughout the heavens and earth.
The Sui soldiers followed closely behind Lü Xiao, marching out of the camp in a grand procession, and soon arrived at the front lines beneath Liaodong City.