plumnovel Chapter 25 Yang Guang is the acknowledged scapegoat, Yuwen Chenglong
Chapter 25 Yang Guang is the acknowledged scapegoat, Yuwen Chenglong
"Your Majesty, the Eastern Turks are nothing but clowns; there's really no need to get so angry at them."
Yuwen Chenglong cleared his throat and uttered this opening remark.
Upon hearing this first sentence, Yuwen Huaji's heart sank.
That stupid son of mine is completely brainless!
What kind of arrogant and vindictive person was Yang Guang?
I was so angry at being humiliated by the East Turks.
It would be worse than killing him than not thoroughly crushing the Eastern Turks!
As expected, Yang Guang, who had been watching the show with an air of detachment, suddenly darkened his expression, a clear hint of displeasure flashing across his brows.
"Get to the point! Stop beating around the bush!" Lu Xiao stood up and gave Yuwen Chenglong a light kick, sounding annoyed.
With the situation so dire, why are you still taking your time laying the groundwork?
"Yes, yes, yes!" Yuwen Chenglong, having been kicked, quickly cut into the core.
"Your Majesty," I say, "in my humble opinion, "rather than wasting our military strength on conquering those barbarians of the northern deserts, we should turn our attention back to Goguryeo!"
These words struck Yang Guang right where it hurt the most!
Compared to the Eastern Turks, Goguryeo was his true humiliation!
A million-strong army, personally led by the emperor, suffered a crushing defeat, repeating the mistakes of the previous emperor.
This was his biggest defeat since he ascended the throne, apart from his early western expeditions.
It not only tarnishes one's reputation but also leaves an indelible stain.
"Your Majesty! These are the ignorant and reckless words of my son; they must not be believed!"
Yuwen Huaji broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly tried to stop him.
During the last eastern expedition against Goguryeo, all the major aristocratic families and clans participated, their interests were deeply intertwined with the court, and they suffered considerable losses.
Now that we have finally extricated ourselves from the quagmire of Liaodong, if this rebellious son's nonsense were to reignite His Majesty's desire for a second expedition.
If those powerful clans found out the reason, wouldn't they want to tear the Yuwen family apart alive?
"I think..." Yang Guang slowly began, interrupting Yuwen Huaji, his gaze deep and unfathomable, "what he said makes a lot of sense."
Finished!
Yuwen Huaji felt a jolt in his heart, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
Your Majesty actually has this intention!
Although these words were spoken by Yuwen Chenglong, if they were to spread, the blame would surely fall on him, the father!
Lu Xiao squatted to the side, silently shaking his head.
If I have a son in the future, I absolutely cannot raise him to be like Yuwen Chenglong.
This isn't just a disaster; it's dragging the entire clan into a fire pit.
Yang Guang's determination to launch another campaign against Goguryeo was probably already secretly brewing, but the time was not yet right to announce it.
Yuwen Chenglong, on the other hand, directly helped His Majesty break through this barrier and even provided a ladder for him.
"You unfilial son! His Majesty wants to vent his anger! He wants to take it out on the Eastern Turks immediately!"
Yuwen Huaji was so enraged that he rushed forward.
He grabbed Yuwen Chenglong's shoulder and punched him twice, trying to forcefully steer the conversation back on track.
"Vent your anger? That's even easier!" Yuwen Chenglong, despite being hit, stubbornly straightened his neck and his mind became even clearer.
"Goguryeo only won one battle by luck. Do you think those Tom, Dick, and Harry around here can come and trample on my Great Sui? Dream on!"
He broke free from his father's hand, turned to Yang Guang, and spoke faster:
"Your Majesty could hold a grand martial arts competition while you recuperate! Gather all those restless little kingdoms in the Eastern Capital!"
His eyes gleamed, and he became more and more excited as he spoke:
"The real test will be in the ring then!"
Send up the bravest generals of my Great Sui Dynasty and slaughter all those so-called warriors they sent!
Let them open their eyes and see clearly who the real father is in this world, and who the son who should kneel before him is!
Yuwen Chenglong spoke eloquently, revealing all his plans.
He knew His Majesty all too well; he wanted to save face, he wanted substance, and he wanted to conserve energy.
Another immediate eastward expedition would be too costly and would face significant resistance.
But a martial arts contest is different; it doesn't cost a single soldier or much food.
Sending just a few top generals is enough to deter the villains and restore national prestige!
When that time comes, his elder brother Yuwen Chengdu will emerge out of nowhere and sweep away the fierce warriors of all the countries. How glorious will that be?
"Good! Well said!"
Upon hearing this, Yang Guang clapped his hands and chuckled, his face beaming with satisfaction.
The Sui Dynasty had no shortage of fierce generals who were good at fighting!
Yuwen Chengdu is widely recognized as the bravest warrior in the world, and Lü Xiao is also a fierce general capable of charging into battle alone.
With other valiant warriors added to the mix, wouldn't it be an easy task to sweep away the so-called warriors of a hundred nations?
"Yuwen Huaji," Yang Guang turned his gaze to the pale-faced prime minister, his tone carrying a deeper meaning, "your son is smarter than you."
Yuwen Huaji's lips twitched violently, forcing out a smile that was more like a grimace:
"Thank you so much for praising my son, Your Majesty."
Yes, she is smarter than him.
Clever enough to step forward and take the blame for the most feared problem among all the powerful families in the world, and even happily prepare to pin it on their own family.
He'd rather not have that kind of intelligence!
"Zilie! Stand up!" Yang Guang was in a good mood. He glanced around the hall, but found Lü Xiao squatting there again. His face hardened.
"Standing so improperly, what kind of behavior is this?"
"Yes, yes, yes..."
Lu Xiao slowly stood up, muttering to himself.
Just now, I don't know who was lying on the couch with their hands in their sleeves, watching with great interest.
"Zilie, Chengdu," Yang Guang said, his hands behind his back, his expression turning solemn, "tell me, does my Great Sui Dynasty, with the heroes of one nation, have any chance of defeating those so-called warriors from a hundred nations?"
"Even if blood splatters on the arena and we are shattered to pieces, we will still uphold the might of our Great Sui Dynasty!"
Yuwen Chengdu responded in a deep voice, like muffled thunder.
"Fighting against overwhelming odds?" Lu Xiao's eyes lit up, and he became alert.
"That's my specialty! Your Majesty, declare war! Declare war on those damned Hundred Kingdoms! I guarantee they won't be able to leave alive!"
He was worried that the tiger's ability to become stronger when facing stronger opponents and turn the tide in desperate situations had not yet had a chance to be displayed.
A hundred nations' arena, a place of life-or-death battles—is this not the perfect stage?
"Hahaha! Good! Good! Then let's declare war on a hundred nations!"
Yang Guang laughed loudly. What he liked most were his ministers who were sharp-minded and confident to the skies.
Lü Xiao is just to his liking!
Although Yuwen Chengdu was brave, he was ultimately too cautious and lacked that unrestrained and flamboyant spirit.
"At tomorrow's grand court assembly, I will personally announce in court that I will hold a martial arts contest with the hundred nations!"
As Yang Guang spoke, he got up and led his eunuchs out of the palace.
Upon reaching the door, he suddenly stopped, turned his head, and said, "Yuwen Chenglong, from now on you may attend court and participate in government affairs."
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you for your great kindness!"
Yuwen Chenglong was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly, completely unaware of his father's face beside him, which was as black as the bottom of a pot and about to emit smoke.
"You unfilial son! Come back to the manor with me! I'll skin you alive!"
Yuwen Huaji grabbed the still excited Yuwen Chenglong and growled fiercely.
This silly boy is actually happy!
From this day forward, you will be His Majesty's weapon, the one that is used to strike down powerful families and draw fire, and the number one scapegoat!
However, as his anger subsided, a glint of shrewdness flashed in Yuwen Huaji's eyes.
Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise; the Yuwen family has now offended all the prominent families in the land because of this incident.
However, this martial arts competition among a hundred nations may also be an excellent opportunity for the Yuwen family to advance further!
After all, when it comes to one-on-one combat, how many people in the world today can rival his son Chengdu?
Even the aging King Yang Lin would probably find it difficult to withstand its power.
If this battle is won, the Yuwen family's fame will resound throughout the world!
"Your Highness, well... I shall take my leave now."
Taking advantage of Yang Ruyi's momentary lapse in attention, Lü Xiao finally managed to snatch his pheasant feather back from her hand.
Why does this girl have such a problem with those feathers?
"Alright, I'll come find you again after court tomorrow!"
Yang Ruyi watched Lü Xiao's tall figure and waved with a smile.
Lu Xiao secretly decided that when he got back, he would remove the flamboyant pheasant feathers and only wear the golden crown.
Otherwise, this little princess might never stop causing trouble.
As night fell, Lü Xiao returned to his residence, gave a brief explanation, and then went to bed.
Before dawn, there was a loud knocking on the door.
Lu Xiao opened his eyes groggily, his heart filled with resentment.
In my past life, I never got enough sleep working a 9-to-5 job. Now that I've transmigrated into a landlord, I actually have to get up early!
This wicked feudal society!
"Master, this is your first time attending court. His Majesty has specially sent a palace envoy to remind you not to be late."
The manager's voice cautiously sounded from outside the door.
"I understand..." Lu Xiao replied weakly.
The door was then gently pushed open, and two maids filed in carrying copper basins filled with warm water, while another person carried court robes and hats.
After washing and changing his clothes, and being served like a puppet, Lü Xiao finally understood what it meant to be waited on hand and foot.
Despite his best efforts, Lü Xiao was still a step too late.
When he stepped into the solemn and majestic hall, the court assembly had already begun.
On both sides of the main hall, civil and military officials stood solemnly according to their rank, completely silent.
In the center of the hall stood several men dressed in fur coats, with hairstyles and clothing quite different from those of the Central Plains; they were clearly nomadic people from beyond the Great Wall.
"Since you wish to reclaim the title of Holy Khan," Yang Guang's voice slowly rang out from the throne, carrying a hint of deliberately suppressed sorrow and reluctance.
"I will return it to you."
The title "Holy Khan" reflects the supreme recognition and respect that the northern tribes have for the emperor of the Central Plains.
Throughout history, very few emperors have received this title.
"However," Yang Guang's tone suddenly shifted, becoming icy and chilling, "you have shown contempt for the imperial majesty and disgraced me; how can you be so easily forgiven?"
His gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over the Eastern Turkic envoys:
"Where are the Golden Gourd Warriors? Gouge out the eyes of these madmen and drive them out of the Sui Dynasty!"