AWB Chapter 88 You, Yuwen Chenglong, have a chance to become the number one bastard of the Sui Dynasty.
Chapter 88 You, Yuwen Chenglong, have a chance to become the number one bastard of the Sui Dynasty.
When the clan decree was issued, all the noble families in the land gritted their teeth and regarded Lü Xiao as the culprit.
Especially those once high-ranking aristocratic families who didn't even respect the royal family, they wished they could devour Lü Xiao alive.
To inexplicably fall from a first-class prestigious family to a third-class one is a disparity that no one can accept.
But Lü Xiao didn't take it seriously at all and continued to leisurely stay in the Prince of Shuo's mansion.
Anyway, with Yang Guang taking the lead, the things that aristocratic families said about Yang Guang in private were much harsher than the things they said about him.
Besides, who ever gets killed by being verbally abused?
Instead of getting bogged down in these arguments, why not just enjoy the bliss of newlywed life?
"Your Highness! You have no idea how much the Yuwen family has been cursed these past few days!"
Yuwen Chenglong rushed into the Shuowang Mansion and kept complaining to Lü Xiao.
Ever since the father and son volunteered to lead the expedition to the east at the victory banquet, the Yuwen family has become the target of the aristocratic families' anger.
Since the powerful families dared not openly criticize Yang Guang, they vented all their resentment on the Yuwen family, constantly mocking and insulting them, both openly and secretly.
"I've heard about it," Lü Xiao said calmly, sipping his tea.
His palace was across the street from the Yuwen family's, and these days he would sit at the door watching plays whenever he had nothing to do.
The area in front of the Yuwen family's house was almost flooded with phlegm spat out by passing scions of noble families.
It's slippery to walk on, and you'll fall if you're not careful.
"These cowardly bullies!" Yuwen Chenglong clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, and said viciously.
"When I gain power in the future, I'll make them pay!"
"It's alright, your family can shoulder the burden for His Majesty for now. This debt will be repaid to them with interest sooner or later."
Lu Xiao patted Yuwen Chenglong on the shoulder and comforted him in a relaxed tone.
Of course, he knew in his heart that the Yuwen family was not only helping Yang Guang suffer, but also taking the bullet for him.
After all, it was his idea to compile the clan history, so the aristocratic families' hatred for him would only intensify.
However, mindful of Zheng Ji's example, they dared not confront him directly, and could only vent their anger on the easily manipulated Yuwen family.
"I'll dig up their ancestral graves sooner or later!"
Yuwen Chenglong remembers it all; it's all written down in the book who has ever insulted the Yuwen family.
When the opportunity arises, I must take revenge severely.
"To be honest, you'd be perfect to be the number one scoundrel of my Great Sui Dynasty."
When it came to digging up graves, Lü Xiao immediately thought of another person.
"What do you mean?"
Yuwen Chenglong didn't quite understand.
"You know, digging graves is an art; if you do it well, you can be remembered for generations."
Although digging up graves is immoral, Lü Xiao also thought so.
However, it depends on who you're targeting.
Lu Xiao felt that poaching from powerful and influential families was a great act of merit.
"This can really be remembered for generations?"
Yuwen Chenglong had only heard that digging up graves was immoral, and that he was lucky if he wasn't cursed.
"Of course, there's a lot to learn about this."
"Then I'll have to look into it."
Yuwen Chenglong seemed to be deep in thought.
When it came to digging up graves, it wasn't just a sudden idea; he genuinely wanted to dig up his enemy's grave to vent his anger.
However, he seems to have quite a few enemies. If we dig them up, none of the five surnames and seven clans can escape.
"This is a skill; you should study it carefully."
Lu Xiao was very satisfied to see that Yuwen Chenglong had taken his advice to heart.
This kid is destined for great things; he might actually be able to uncover some secrets.
"Fourteenth Brother." Xue Liang's voice arrived before he did.
He was carrying a bundle on his back, clearly indicating that he was about to leave the Eastern Capital.
"Are you going back to Dengzhou?"
Lu Xiao stood up. Since Yang Lin was leaving, he naturally had to see him off.
"It's time to go back, even though your eldest brother and thirteenth brother are in Dengzhou."
But they're definitely not as reliable as your second brother, so I have to go back and keep things in order."
Xue Liang said with a smile.
"Come on, I'll see you off."
As they spoke, Lü Xiao and Xue Liang arrived outside the Eastern Capital.
At this time, Yang Guang's carriage was also there, and they came together to see Yang Lin off.
"Your Majesty, the second expedition to the east is a matter of great importance, and I hope you will be very cautious."
Before leaving, Yang Lin did not forget to persuade Yang Guang once again.
He himself did not agree with the expedition to the east. Given Yang Guang's style, he would definitely have launched a large-scale campaign that would have drained the people's and the nation's resources.
"I have my own considerations."
Yang Guang glanced at Lü Xiao; this was his trump card.
He originally planned to mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops to conquer the Eastern Turks.
Because of Lü Xiao's presence, in the end only about eight hundred people were mobilized.
Those 50,000 elite troops never even drew their swords.
Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Yang Lin simply gave up.
He turned to his adopted daughter beside him and said, "Yu'er, you can stay in Dongdu and manage the Prince Kao Shan's mansion."
"Father, I'll stay by your side and take care of you for now."
Yang Yu'er glanced at Lü Xiao, then lowered her head and said.
She had already discussed it with Lü Xiao; Yang Lin was getting old and needed someone to take care of him.
It wouldn't be too late for her to enter the family after a year or two, once Yang Ruyi has given birth to the eldest son of the Lü family.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, conquering Goguryeo is not a difficult task."
Lu Xiao said with absolute confidence.
"Yes, I believe in your abilities."
Yang Lin trusted Lü Xiao quite a bit.
Yang Lin then mounted his horse and led the group eastward.
Yang Guang withdrew his gaze and let out a long sigh of relief.
Finally, the old man is gone. He's been berating me relentlessly these past few days, and now there's finally peace and quiet.
"Zilie, I have something to discuss with you."
"Does Your Majesty mean the Eastern Expedition?"
Lü Xiao could see that Yang Guang was obsessed with the Eastern Expedition.
On the way to fight the Eastern Turks, he heard Yang Guang mention this matter quite often.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. Goguryeo was a small country, yet they couldn't conquer it even with a million-strong army.
Anyone would be extremely unwilling to accept this situation.
In particular, Yang Guang's ambition to surpass the achievements of the Three Sovereigns was a stain on his imperial record.
If it's not washed away, it's the kind of feeling that makes you unable to close your eyes until you die.
"Conquer the East!"
Yang Guang's tone was tinged with certainty.
Goguryeo had become a thorn in his side, and he had to remove it.
"Your Majesty, I will obey your orders. I will fight as Your Majesty commands."
Lu Xiao didn't want to get involved in troop deployment; he didn't want to use his brain for it.
"If only all members of noble families were as obedient as you."
"His Majesty uses the rank of officials as the standard for classifying clans, making it difficult for them to disobey."
It's true that the idea for the clan genealogy came from Lü Xiao, but he only gave a general outline.
The key was for Yang Guang to learn from this experience and reshuffle the deck.
This eastern expedition was a rare and precious opportunity for the lower-ranking aristocratic families.
They would rush to contribute money and effort to the country.
"Hahaha, I'd like to see if they'll still outwardly comply while inwardly defying me this time."
Yang Guang laughed loudly.
The eastward expedition against Goguryeo was fraught with difficulties and dangers, making it hard to conquer.
In the previous campaign, he did indeed intend to deplete the wealth and manpower of the aristocratic families.