newbobooks Chapter 210 Passing by the Tongji Canal, Casually Kicking to Death a Few Aristocratic Clan Members
Chapter 210 Passing by the Tongji Canal, Casually Kicking to Death a Few Aristocratic Clan Members
"Yes, Grandfather."
Yang You bowed respectfully and said in a manner that was neither humble nor arrogant:
"These two men, one a scholar and the other a warrior, are exactly the kind of talents my grandson needs to assist him. So I have dared to ask my grandfather for his permission."
"Fine, since that's the case, then I'll give these two to you."
Yang Guang waved his hand.
Although he was somewhat displeased by the fact that the man had acted first and informed him later, he couldn't refuse this bastard's request.
Both of them were ultimately subjects of the Sui Dynasty and would eventually have to serve the Sui Dynasty.
"Go and attend to state affairs. I'll take your cousins for a stroll."
As Yang Guang spoke, he stood up.
He picked up Lü Xiao's second son, Lü Yan, with one hand, and with the other hand, he led Lü Xiao's eldest son, Lü Zhen, away.
"Congratulations to my grandfather."
Yang You bowed respectfully until the group had gone far away.
Then, he slowly raised his head, looking in the direction Yang Guang had left, a barely perceptible sinister glint flashing in his eyes.
"Your Highness, the son of the Prince of Shuo is truly favored by His Majesty."
A courtier standing beside Yang You leaned over and whispered something.
Lu Xiao was an arrogant and domineering man who harbored a natural hatred for aristocratic families.
These court officials from aristocratic families were nothing short of thorns in Lü Xiao's side.
If we could sow discord between Yang You and the acting regent, making Yang You dislike Lü Xiao even more.
If Yang You were to ascend the throne and become emperor in the future, and then take down Lü Xiao and completely eliminate this hidden danger, that would be wonderful.
"Do you need to tell me that?"
"Your Highness, please calm down. I was only thinking of Your Highness's best interests," the courtier said with a forced smile, his eyes darting around.
"I heard that His Majesty has sent the Crown Prince Lü Zhen to study at the Imperial Academy. These children are playing around, and they don't know their own strength when they're roughing up..."
He paused meaningfully.
Those who could study at the Imperial Academy were either the sons or grandsons of officials of the third rank or above, or members of the imperial family; all of them were of extraordinary status.
Yang You has a large following among the royal family members. Finding a few people to suppress that brat Lü Zhen would be a piece of cake.
"Stop thinking about him, he's my cousin!"
Yang You suddenly turned around, staring sharply at the court official.
"Yes, yes, I misspoke." The courtier quickly bowed his head and admitted his mistake, but he was still muttering to himself.
"I am only afraid... I am afraid that Your Majesty will favor the Lü family too much, and that one day the Lü family will become even more domineering, emulating Huo Guang of the Eastern Han Dynasty..."
His voice grew softer and softer, and the last few words were almost muffled as he spoke.
Yang You's expression was uncertain. After a long silence, he finally flicked his sleeve and said, "Let's go."
He didn't say anything more and led his men away.
But the courtier knew that his words had planted a seed in the heart of the young Prince of Dai.
As for whether this seed will sprout or what it will grow into, only heaven knows.
On the other side, after traveling day and night for many days, Lü Xiao finally caught up with the main force that had already set off.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
Upon seeing Lü Xiao in front of the central command tent, the generals of the Red Valiant Army all saluted.
"Yes, get up, everyone."
Lü Xiao nodded, strode to the front of the army, and asked, "If we follow this canal, will we reach Jiangdu directly?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Li Jing stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and reported.
"However, bandits are rampant along this canal, and there are many rebels entrenched along the way, which may slow down the army's progress."
Li Jing's voice was calm and steady as he stated the facts.
This Tongji Canal was where Du Fuwei raised his army in rebellion, killing many officials and soldiers. To this day, it remains a heavily infested area with bandits.
Besides Du Fuwei's men, there were many other rebel forces roaming around the area, making it a very dangerous place.
"Good."
Lu Xiao nodded, his face showing no worry whatsoever, but rather excitement and anticipation.
It's good to have more rebel forces, the more the better.
When the time comes, the noble families around the canal will be robbed and killed, and that will all be the work of the rebels.
What does this have to do with Lü Xiao?
"Your Highness, I've been prepared for a long time!"
Yuwen Chenglong suddenly appeared out of nowhere and approached Lü Xiao with a fawning expression.
This guy is practically a mind reader for Lü Xiao; he knows exactly what Lü Xiao is going to do the moment he bends over.
He magically produced a thick stack of family genealogies from his pocket, neatly arranged.
He hasn't been idle these days; he's already sent people to thoroughly investigate the backgrounds of all the prominent families along the canal.
Everyone's home, how many people live there, and their relationships are all recorded in this booklet.
Once you get there, you can kill whoever you want, eliminate whoever you want—it's practically an essential tool for murder and robbery.
"You know me, kid!"
Lu Xiao raised his hand and pointed at Yuwen Chenglong with a smile.
It has to be this kid; he's quick-witted and thorough.
If it were that silly boy Pei Yuanqing, he'd probably still be pondering this, and wouldn't have thought of all these twists and turns.
"Of course!" Yuwen Chenglong said smugly.
"Your Highness and I are of one mind. If I were a woman, there would be no need for princesses and noblewomen! Your Highness, wouldn't you agree?"
"Get out of my way."
Lu Xiao had just praised Yuwen Chenglong a couple of times when this kid started spouting nonsense again.
"Your Highness, what's going on here...?"
Luo Cheng followed behind Lü Xiao, watching the two exchange words, feeling completely bewildered.
Was he too shallow, or were these two people too profound?
Why can't he understand a single word they're saying?
"Your Highness, we are about to do something big."
Yuwen Chenglong flipped through a family genealogy book, speaking without looking up.
"What's the big deal?"
Luo Cheng became even more curious.
"Hehe, you'll find out later tonight."
Yuwen Chenglong looked up, and Chongluo Cheng gave him a mysterious wink.
Looking at him like this, Luo Cheng's curiosity grew even stronger.
As night fell, the army set up camp on the spot.
Just past midnight, all was quiet.
Suddenly, a slight commotion arose in the camp.
Immediately afterwards, the camp gates swung open, and a troop of cavalry silently filed out.
The horse's hooves were wrapped in thick strips of cloth, making almost no sound when it stepped on the ground.
Under the moonlight, the flags fluttered in the night wind, the two characters "Chi Xiao" embroidered on them appearing and disappearing in the darkness.
Luo Cheng rode his horse alongside the group, and at that moment he finally understood what the "important matter" he was talking about was.
Watching the cavalry disappear into the night like ghosts, and looking at the densely marked map in his hand, Luo Cheng fell silent.
After a long while, he raised his head and looked at Lü Xiao's back in front of him, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
He suddenly realized that he had made his judgment about Lü Xiao too early.
This guy is indeed just as my cousin said—cunning and ruthless.
They wore the uniforms of government troops but engaged in the activities of bandits.
Under the guise of suppressing a rebellion, they slaughtered entire aristocratic families.
Do these two, Lü Xiao and Yuwen Chenglong, even have any humanity left?