eurekapd Chapter 23 Eastern Turkic Provocation, Yang Guang's Furious Outburst
Chapter 23 Eastern Turkic Provocation, Yang Guang's Furious Outburst
"Big one?"
In Lü Xiao's opinion, Yuwen Chenglong's mind was indeed a bit unusual.
However, his curiosity still made him want to hear what other shocking things this kid could say.
"Yes!" Yuwen Chenglong puffed out his thin, bony chest.
"Don't let my being kicked down fool you; my actual skills might not be any worse than yours!"
"Is that so?" Lu Xiao smiled faintly, too lazy to expose him.
With that build, if he really used his full strength, he could probably break it on the spot.
To say someone is no worse than me is like someone who's still half asleep, spouting whatever comes to mind.
"Of course! But that's not the point." Yuwen Chenglong walked to the bluestone threshold in front of the Lü residence and sat down casually.
"We need to discuss how to scale up and strengthen this important project!"
His eyes gleamed, as if he possessed a vast and profound inner world.
If His Majesty were to launch another eastern expedition, with his meticulous planning and accumulated merits, he could surely earn the title of Marquis.
Of course, we can't be too ambitious right now; we have to start by doing the practical work of being the vanguard of the expedition to the east.
Then, Yuwen Chenglong began to talk incessantly, explaining his grand plan in detail.
How it works, how to make requests, and how to obtain rewards.
"You mean, all that effort, all that recruiting, was for this?"
Lu Xiao's gaze held a hint of detachment, and even a touch of sympathy for the fool.
Good heavens, Yuwen Chenglong is not only planning to have himself cheer him on.
He also included his elder brother Yuwen Chengdu, and others, in his grand scheme.
After all that effort, the ultimate goal turned out to be just being a vanguard?
This is the kind of contestant who wouldn't even dare to dream of being an emperor.
"Yes! Once I become a vanguard, you, as my confidant, will naturally rise in rank as well!"
Yuwen Chenglong spoke as if it were perfectly reasonable, but Lü Xiao couldn't just listen to this guy's nonsense for nothing; he had to find something to add to the argument.
"I'm hungry, can we eat and talk?"
"Let's go to Yipinlou next door! They have all kinds of delicacies, it's on me!"
Yuwen Chenglong rubbed his hands together, feeling that this matter had potential.
Judging from his judgment of people, Lü Xiao was definitely a formidable general and qualified to be his number one follower.
Before long, the two were sitting in a private room at Yipinlou.
"Eat whatever you want, order whatever you want, come on top of it, put it on my dad's tab."
Yuwen Chenglong was very generous and pushed the heavy menu in front of Lü Xiao.
"I never stand on ceremony with anyone." Lu Xiao took the menu and ordered all the dishes that looked appealing from top to bottom.
Soon, a variety of delicacies were served in a continuous stream, filling the entire table.
Its color is enticing, and its aroma is irresistible.
This restaurant not only serves food quickly and in generous portions, but more importantly, you don't have to pay for it yourself.
During the meal, Yuwen Chenglong continued his long-winded speech, while Lü Xiao focused solely on the delicacies before him.
They might say a few words or nod occasionally, which is considered a perfunctory response.
In short, the attitude is clear.
Yes, yes, you're absolutely right.
"A kindred spirit! You are my kindred spirit!" Yuwen Chenglong was deeply moved by his recognition and almost considered him his greatest friend in life.
"Brother Long, thank you for the treat." Lu Xiao finally put down his chopsticks, wiped his hands, and let out a satisfied burp.
He felt that his appetite had increased; perhaps this was the talent of a fierce general.
"Don't be so polite! Come whenever you want, it's all on my father's tab." Yuwen Chenglong stood up and waved his hand dismissively.
Anyway, the restaurant would settle accounts with the mansion at the end of each month.
It's not like I'm spending his money, and I can even do him a favor, so why not?
"That's great!" Upon hearing this, Lü Xiao enthusiastically grasped Yuwen Chenglong's hand and shook it vigorously. "I'll come again next time!"
What a kind person!
After Yang Lin, the Prince of Kao Shan, and his many bodyguards, he encountered another generous and kind man.
"Alright! It's a deal then! When it comes time to select leaders from the younger generation, you must recommend me!"
Yuwen Chenglong struck while the iron was hot.
"Although you've been very good to me," as they walked out of the restaurant, Lü Xiao patted Yuwen Chenglong on the shoulder, a rare sincerity on his face, and said, "but, there's always a but."
He paused, then spoke earnestly:
"The Eastern Expedition is no child's play; swords and spears have no eyes, and the slightest mistake could lead to death."
If I recommend you, it won't help you, it will harm you!
His expression suggested he wanted to tear his heart out and show the other person what heartfelt words truly meant.
"you."
Yuwen Chenglong's expression changed. He slowly clenched his right hand into a fist, and placed his left hand on the back of his fist, making a soft cracking sound as he pressed his knuckles.
"Could it be that they're trying to renege on their debt after they've eaten their fill?"
Yuwen Chenglong is no pushover!
He is the younger brother of General Yuwen Chengdu of the Tianbao era!
"You wouldn't... want to hit me, would you?" Lu Xiao raised an eyebrow.
They say a rabbit will bite when cornered, but he thinks Yuwen Chenglong is even worse than a rabbit.
If the other party truly doesn't understand kind words, he doesn't mind showing off his fighting skills.
Recalling the power of that kick earlier, Yuwen Chenglong felt a chill, and the courage that had just begun to emerge withdrew.
He stiffened his neck, his voice trembling with fear, and said, "You—you just wait! I'll tell my brother you tricked me! I'll have him deal with you!"
After uttering these harsh words, he didn't dare look at Lü Xiao again, and turned and disappeared in a flash.
"I really want to have a match with your brother." Lu Xiao stretched lazily, looking in the direction he disappeared.
Since acquiring the power of those two elephants, he hasn't encountered a worthy opponent.
It is said that Yuwen Chengdu is the greatest warrior of the Sui Dynasty, with superhuman strength in his arms exceeding ten thousand jin. Fighting against such a person is truly exhilarating.
After his meal, Lü Xiao strolled leisurely back to the front of his mansion.
But then they saw Yuwen Chenglong return from under the opposite pillar, leaning half his body out to look in their direction.
Upon seeing Lü Xiao's leisurely demeanor, he became so angry that his cheeks puffed up, making him look like a hamster hiding food.
At the gate of the mansion, the steward had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing the master of the house return, he hurried forward, bowed, and whispered:
"Master, Her Highness the Princess has arrived and has been waiting in the manor for quite some time."
"Um."
Lü Xiao nodded.
Although the mansion bestowed by His Majesty is not as grand as the Prince of Kao Shan's mansion, it is still quite spacious and imposing, complete with all the necessary servants.
In the blink of an eye, he was living the life of a landlord, with servants at his beck and call.
Before even stepping into the main hall, one could see several female guards standing solemnly outside the door, dressed in soft armor and with short blades at their waists, exuding a commanding presence.
Hearing footsteps, the slender figure in the hall turned around and immediately noticed the pair of very conspicuous pheasant feathers on Lü Xiao's head.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Lü Xiao bowed respectfully.
"Little General, you're finally back! It wasn't for nothing that I sneaked out to find you."
Yang Ruyi smiled and stepped forward, reaching out to grab the pheasant feathers on both sides of Lü Xiao's helmet, playing with them with great interest between her fingers.
Lu Xiao felt helpless, wondering if his feathers were too conspicuous.
"Since the princess has run away from the palace, to prevent His Majesty from worrying and becoming angry, I believe... it would be best for the princess to return to the palace as soon as possible."
Having just arrived in Dongdu, Lü Xiao didn't want to incur his boss's wrath for the crime of seducing the princess.
"Oh dear, no need to be on guard!" Yang Ruyi waved her hand, letting out a series of strange, snickering laughs that seemed out of place with her beautiful face.
"My father is furious right now, so angry he's about to kill someone!"
The way she looked showed no sense of being a caring daughter, but rather resembled a gloating onlooker.
In modern terms, this cotton-padded coat not only let in the wind, but also deliberately let the cold wind blow into the old man's heart.
Lü Xiao has made another new discovery.
In this Eastern Capital, both Yuwen Chenglong and the princess before them possess a unique quality of filial piety and parental love.
Why don't you ask my father why he's angry?
Yang Ruyi tilted her head to look at him.
"How dare a subject presume to speculate or inquire about matters of the royal family?" Lü Xiao replied cautiously.
Although he was paid by the emperor and had to bear his worries, he had only known Yang Guang and his daughter for a short time, so he had to be careful about how he acted.
"Then I, the princess, will tell you," Yang Ruyi said in a low voice, but she couldn't hide the excitement in her words.
"They are Eastern Turks! How dare they say that my father... is unworthy to inherit the title of Holy Khan from my grandfather!"
At this point, she seemed to recall Yang Guang's furious appearance at the time, and her delicate body trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.
She had never seen a father like that before; it was truly terrifying.
"Eastern Turks..." Lü Xiao repeated in a low voice, already having a general understanding in his mind.
Yang Guang personally led a million-strong army to conquer Goguryeo, which on the surface appeared to be a military defeat.
However, for the surrounding foreign tribes and other states that were eyeing the country with covetous intent, this was undoubtedly a sign that the prestige of the Sui Dynasty was being damaged and its military strength was showing signs of decline.
The ever-restless Eastern Turks would never let go of this good opportunity to kick someone when they're down and test their bottom line.
However, Yang Guang was a man who valued his reputation highly. The words "unworthy" struck a chord with him and were enough to break his defenses completely.