roccoschili Chapter 78 Lü Xiao: I heard you've been telling everyone I'm dead?
Chapter 78 Lü Xiao: I heard you've been telling everyone I'm dead?
His previous complaints about Yang Guang had long since vanished.
The late emperor's choice of Yang Guang as his successor was indeed correct!
The sheer courage and boldness of daring to venture deep into the northern grasslands is enough to demonstrate his extraordinary abilities!
After drinking three more bowls of porridge, Yang Lin felt full of energy.
He immediately ordered the summons of veteran officials, including Yang Yichen and Yuwen Shu, to the court for another meeting.
People from prominent families received Yang Lin's summons and set off for the palace.
Throughout the journey, they all wore confident smiles.
It must be because the Turkic army from the north was pressing in, and Yang Lin finally couldn't hold out any longer, so he had to gather everyone to discuss the matter of establishing a new emperor.
So it seems they won in the end!
But as soon as they entered the imperial court, the members of the aristocratic families sensed that something was amiss.
In the past, whenever Yang Lin summoned them, he always had a dark face and a solemn expression.
Today, however, he was acting out of character, with an undisguised smile on his face and bright eyes, showing no sign of being cornered.
"Gentlemen, are you ready to join me in welcoming His Majesty back to the capital?"
With concrete information in hand, Yang Lin decided to drop the pretense and lay his cards on the table.
"What?"
Zheng Ji was stunned for a moment, but quickly realized what was happening.
He understood; Yang Lin was bluffing.
"Lord Zheng, you'd better be careful from now on."
Yang Lin had heard plenty of rumors these days, with Zheng Ji saying everywhere that Lü Xiao was dead, with not even a bone left.
That Lü Xiao is a petty person, yet he has made such a tremendous contribution.
If he wasn't mistaken, Zheng Ji would die a very tragic death.
"Hmph, Brother Tiger Minister, what are you plotting now?"
Zheng Ji snorted coldly, completely ignoring Yang Lin's warning.
Who is he wary of?
Beware of Lu Xiao's ghost coming after you!
joke!
Lu Xiao's seven-day mourning period has already passed, what is he afraid of?
Before long, the other prominent families arrived a little later.
Unlike Zheng Ji and the others, these people looked solemn, completely losing their previous carefree demeanor.
Just now, they also learned of Yang Guang's return.
At the same time, they understood why Yang Lin had summoned them.
This time, they lost.
The reason for the defeat was that the attitude was not firm enough, and the obstacle of Yang Lin could not be overcome to forcibly establish a new ruler.
Now that Yang Guang is about to return, they have even less of a chance.
"What are you doing here?"
When Zheng Ji saw the solemn expressions of the people who came later, and recalled Yang Lin's words, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Could it be that Yang Guang is not dead?
Even that damned Lu Xiao is still alive?
"Lord Zheng, you should hide as soon as possible."
The visitor didn't say much, but like Yang Lin, he gave Zheng Ji some advice.
Lu Xiao was young and impetuous, and acted arrogantly and domineeringly.
Judging from his attitude towards foreigners, he would definitely not have held back if it were one of his own people.
"My Zheng family has been nobles and dukes for generations; how could we fear this country bumpkin!"
Zheng Ji was used to being arrogant and domineering, and relying on his status as a member of the Zheng family, he didn't take Lü Xiao seriously at all.
So what if I come back alive?
The Zheng family is deeply entrenched; can Lü Xiao shake their power?
"Duke Zheng should take good care of himself."
"Your Highness, we will take our leave now and await Your Majesty's return to greet you."
The crowd, unwilling to remain in the court, immediately departed.
Seeing the disheveled state of the aristocratic family members as they left, Yang Lin's smile widened.
In the blink of an eye, several days have passed.
North of the Eastern Capital, Yang Guang, Lü Xiao, and more than 600 others were the first to cross the Yellow River and return.
The remaining 50,000 troops were a step behind and were still on their way back.
Soon, the group arrived at the city gate.
All the civil and military officials of the imperial court gathered here.
Yang Lin, dressed in court attire, stood in the middle of the road with a group of senior officials.
Seeing that Yang Guang and Lü Xiao had returned unharmed, Yang Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But his eyes showed more relief than anything else.
This time, I finally didn't make a mistake.
Lu Xiao is truly remarkable. Not only did he overpower a hundred kingdoms, but he also led His Majesty deep into the northern grasslands and captured Shibi Khan.
Such extraordinary skill is truly awe-inspiring.
"Uncle, have you been waiting long?"
Yang Guang rode up to the front, dismounted, and quickly walked forward, saying with a smile.
"This old minister... has finally waited for His Majesty's safe return."
Yang Lin raised his slightly trembling hand, bowed deeply to Yang Guang, and his voice was choked with emotion.
All the worries and anxieties of the past few days turned into relief the moment Yang Guang was found safe and sound.
"It is my fault for causing the old imperial uncle so much worry."
With an apologetic expression, Yang Guang reached out and patted Yang Lin's hand.
He admitted that he had indeed acted somewhat recklessly this time, leaving the entire burden of the court to his elderly uncle.
And this royal uncle lived up to his name as the Prince of Kao Shan, managing to withstand all the pressure and stabilize the rear.
"Old sir, how was it? I didn't disappoint you this time, did I?"
Lu Xiao dismounted and casually tugged at the rope tied to Shibi Khan.
Like walking a dog, he dragged Shibi Khan and his two brothers together in front of Yang Lin.
The three men were dressed in rags and looked dejected, having long lost their former Khan's majesty.
"Is this Shibi Khan?"
Yang Lin turned his head and looked at the three disheveled Turks.
"That's right, we'll have them put on a show for you during the victory celebration."
Lü Xiao knew that these Turkic Khans were all very talented.
Those who excel in both singing and dancing are promising candidates for future dance kings.
"Hahaha, good job, lad."
Yang Lin shook off Yang Guang's hand and happily patted Lü Xiao's arm.
The Sui Dynasty was truly fortunate to have Lü Xiao.
From now on, he will no longer have to bear the burden of the Sui Dynasty alone.
The Yang family is very close and harmonious.
The other members of the aristocratic families, witnessing this scene, were as if they had lost their parents.
They looked at Shibi Khan, finding it utterly incomprehensible.
The emperor of a nation commanded over 300,000 archers.
How did he end up being captured by hundreds of people and brought back to Dongdu?
Absurd, utterly absurd.
Yang Guang was very pleased to see these people from powerful and influential families.
Yes, that's right, they all had long faces.
Okay, very good.
"My beloved ministers, I have returned safely today. Please come to the victory banquet later."
Yang Guang addressed his officials in a loud voice.
After saying that, he didn't even glance at the grim-faced members of the aristocratic families, and turned and strode away.
"Hahaha! Come on, come on! No one is allowed to miss today's victory celebration!"
Yang Lin also burst into laughter, leading Yang Yichen and other veteran officials, closely following behind Yang Guang.
The members of the aristocratic families, though filled with resentment and frustration upon witnessing this scene, dared not show it in the slightest.
I had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow at the back of the group.
Zheng Ji, who was hiding in the crowd, saw that everyone was heading towards the palace and wanted to follow them.
But as soon as I took a step, I felt someone gently pat my shoulder.
He was startled and turned around abruptly. What came into view was Lü Xiao's face, which had a half-smile on it.
"I heard you've been telling everyone I'm dead?"