xymnovel Chapter 105 Conquering the East: Li Yuanba Arrives to Assist in the Battle
Chapter 105 Conquering the East: Li Yuanba Arrives to Assist in the Battle
Yang Guang, looking languid, glanced at Yuwen Huaji and uttered three words: "Kill my ass."
"Actually, I also feel tired wearing armor."
Upon seeing this, Yuwen Huaji immediately took off his helmet.
He did this to please Yang Guang and to amuse him.
Actually, he didn't have much drive; it seemed that the drive he had for fighting on the battlefield in the latter half of his life had already been used up on the northern grasslands.
"What has become of the members of the aristocratic families?"
Although Yang Guang was unwilling to personally fight the enemy, he always kept an eye on the powerful clans.
"Your Majesty, many noble families have been killed or wounded," Yuwen Huaji replied, bowing and explaining the situation on the battlefield.
"Hehehe."
Upon hearing this, Yang Guang, who had been languidly sitting up abruptly, curled up a gloating smile on his lips.
He secretly cheered in his heart.
Good riddance!
It was good that he died!
When the army first arrived in Liaodong, although the powerful families brought their troops, they all passively avoided battle.
Fortunately, the scions of the lesser aristocratic families were eager to make a name for themselves and strived to be the first to succeed.
Instead, it forced those top families to send troops and resources, and now they have suffered such heavy casualties, which is exactly what he wanted.
With his frustration slightly relieved, Yang Guang suddenly thought of Lü Xiao, who was far away by water, and his tone carried a hint of concern and impatience:
"I wonder how Zi Lie is doing. We haven't even received a letter from him by water."
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Huaji frowned slightly.
He had always been at odds with Lü Xiao, but he had to give an objective evaluation, his tone tinged with reluctance as he praised him:
"The King of Shuo is unparalleled in martial prowess; the only thing that can withstand him is the wind and waves at sea."
"Oh? So you're saying good things about Zilie now?"
Yang Guang raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery.
In his memory, Yuwen Huaji and Lü Xiao had always been at odds, and rarely did he offer such a fair assessment.
"Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you," Yuwen Huaji said with a smile. "Last time I went to the northern grasslands, I did benefit from the favor of the Prince of Shuo. I will remember this kindness."
"It's a pity that Zi Lie isn't here this time, otherwise, we could have benefited from his fame even more."
Yang Guang sighed softly, his tone full of regret.
"Your Majesty is right."
Yuwen Huaji quickly echoed, not daring to say anything more.
Yang Guang got up and walked out of the main tent. Looking at the endless military tents outside the camp, he suddenly felt a sense of emotion.
I seem to have become too dependent on Lü Xiao.
But then he thought, this rascal married his own Ruyi, who was both the Prince of Shuo of the Sui Dynasty and his son-in-law.
If he doesn't rely on such a capable person, who else can he rely on?
Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats and shouts from the soldiers broke the tranquility of the camp.
"Yuwen Huaji, go and see what's going on." Yang Guang frowned, his tone turning somber, a hint of displeasure creeping into his voice.
"yes!"
Yuwen Huaji dared not delay, responded and quickly ran towards the camp gate.
Upon arriving at the camp gate, he realized that it was not the enemy army.
Instead, a cavalry force galloped in from the west, their banners prominently embroidered with the character "Li".
The cavalry unit was led by two men, one of whom was handsome and had an extraordinary bearing.
One of them had a rugged face and a somewhat non-Han Chinese air about him.
It was Li Shimin, the second son of Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, and Li Yuanji, the third son.
"So it's Young Master Li the Second and Young Master Li the Third."
Yuwen Huaji breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed to greet him. Although his tone was polite, it carried a hint of condescension.
"I have met Prime Minister Yuwen."
Li Shimin dismounted and returned the greeting respectfully.
Subsequently, Li Shimin, accompanied by his family retainers, followed Yuwen Huaji to the main tent to meet Yang Guang.
The Li family was initially unwilling to participate in this eastern expedition, but other powerful families responded to the call, and their own family was also named by His Majesty, so they had no choice but to send troops.
"Your Majesty, we, your subjects Li Shimin and Li Yuanji, are late. We beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Upon seeing Yang Guang, Li Shimin immediately knelt down on both knees and sincerely begged for forgiveness.
Although unwilling, Li Yuanji had no choice but to kneel down, head bowed, not daring to utter a sound.
Yang Guang looked at the two men, feeling extremely dissatisfied with the Li family's late arrival, and his face instantly darkened.
Just as he was about to speak and make a move, a commotion suddenly broke out.
A yellow ox charged wildly, startling the surrounding soldiers who quickly gave way.
"Your Majesty, be careful!" Upon seeing this, Yuwen Chengdu flashed and stood in front of Yang Guang.
But the next moment, everyone was stunned.
The yellow ox was walking backwards, which was unusual. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a young man who was not very tall but exuded brute strength.
He was dragging the ox by its tail with one hand, pulling it backward with all his might.
"Yuanba, how dare you be so rude! Quickly come and pay your respects to His Majesty!"
Li Shimin's expression changed, and he quickly turned around and scolded him.
"I...I know...this ox, the ox is not...disobedient." Li Yuanba muttered, dragging the yellow ox for another ten steps.
He had just arrived before Yang Guang when he awkwardly knelt down, his voice stammering yet carrying a hint of wildness.
Yang Guang watched this scene with a hint of surprise in his eyes, and exclaimed, "What strength! Shimin, which son is this?"
"Your Majesty, this is my father's fourth son, Li Yuanba."
Li Shimin said respectfully.
"Your Majesty, my son Yuwen Chengdu can also pull an ox backwards."
Upon seeing this, Yuwen Huaji felt a pang of anxiety and quickly stepped forward to speak.
He remembered the lesson Lü Xiao had taught him: Yang Guang had a great fondness for those who were skilled in martial arts.
Back then, Lü Xiao's appearance had already stolen a lot of limelight from Yuwen Chengdu.
We absolutely cannot allow a second Lü Xiao to emerge and threaten my son's position.
"I... I can pull ten heads!" Upon hearing this, Li Yuanba straightened up abruptly and shouted with pride.
"How dare this brat spout such nonsense before His Majesty!"
Yuwen Huaji flew into a rage and shouted angrily.
He could tolerate Lü Xiao's words, but this immature brat dared to be so arrogant.
"Hey, Minister Yuwen, why bother with a mere child?"
Yang Guang waved his hand, but a hint of interest appeared on his face. He found Li Yuanba quite interesting.
"Your Majesty is right. I was just momentarily annoyed by someone's boasting."
Although Yuwen Huaji was unwilling, he dared not disobey Yang Guang's wishes and could only retreat to the side in a huff.
"I...I didn't blow it!"
Li Yuanba stood up, and a startling aura suddenly emanated from his body.
Although he was much shorter than Yuwen Huaji, he frightened Yuwen Huaji so much that he involuntarily took two steps back.
"You, you're looking for Niu!" Li Yuanba was eager to prove himself, and disregarding his stutter, he simply got straight to the point.
"Why bother finding an ox?" Yuwen Huaji turned around, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, let General Tianbao teach this brat a lesson!"
"I'm bored too, so I'll let them have their fun."
Yang Guang didn't bother looking for an open space, so he simply ordered someone to bring a chair and sat down outside the tent.
"Tianbao?"
Upon hearing these two words, Li Yuanba kept looking around.
"Yuanba," Yang Guang called out, pointing to the golden-armored general beside him, "This is General Tianbao. What are you looking for?"
"Oh, it's him?"
Li Yuanba breathed a sigh of relief; it turned out it wasn't the man with two whiskers on his head.
If it were that person, he would really have to think twice.