LFHYB -Chapter 159 Jiangdu Cries as the Funeral Bell Rings

The areas around the Tongji Canal had originally been the most prosperous districts in the south, developed as far back as the pre-Qin era. Now the houses lay in ruins, fertile fields overgrown with weeds, the messy, obstructive houses and ragged commoners were gone, and the natural scenery along the Tongji Canal appeared even purer and more beautiful.

Yang Guang sat at the high prow of the dragon boat, gently swirling the wine in his hand.

The singing girls’ voices were like the warble of orioles; the dancing girls swayed their supple waists; silk and bamboo instruments played the notes of gong, shang, jiao, zhi, yu; wisps of white smoke rose from the incense burners.

Gentle songs and graceful dances, celestial music drifting in the air, smoke curling everywhere—it was as if a fairyland had appeared.

Yang Guang half-closed his eyes, savoring the pleasant melodies.

The lyrics the singers sang had been written by Li Xuanba in his early years for Yang Guang.

The lyrics went:

“Jade trees behind the courtyard,
Jade grass by the mirror.
Last year the flowers did not fade,
This year the moon is full again.
Let neither moon nor flower wane,
Heaven grants eternal youth.”

When Yang Guang first heard Li Xuanba write these words, he laughed at the boy, still in his hair-braided youth, and sighed at the passing of time.

Now he had set these words to a new melody, having the singing girls perform them daily, the dancing girls dance every day.

The wine in Yang Guang’s right hand rippled with the rhythm, while his left fingers lightly tapped his knee.

“Let neither moon nor flower wane,
Heaven grants eternal youth…”

Scenes from the past floated before his half-closed, half-open eyes.

Back when he wasn’t even crown prince, he had stayed in Jiangdu for a full ten years. That was a decade of prime youth, full of pride and ambition.

When he led troops against the Chen state, Jiangdu served as the rear command post.

Since childhood, whatever Yang Guang wished to do seemed destined to succeed. No matter the difficulty, it could be handled as easily as soft clay. Whether attacking Chen, seizing the throne, subduing the Tuyuhun, or building the Grand Canal and Great Wall, all was the same.

Why had he fallen to such a state now?

Thinking of Goguryeo, Yang Guang’s anger surged. If he could still muster the nationwide army, he would have crushed Goguryeo again.

He had offered the King of Goguryeo repeated chances to submit, but each time, the king mocked him. This was his first failure in life, and in his mind, the only failure.

To achieve genuine submission from the King of Goguryeo had become an obsession for Yang Guang.

Thinking of Goguryeo, of the wretched people who had prevented him from fulfilling his obsession, made his mind crawl with unease as if ants were biting.

Fortunately, the music was so pleasant that it slightly eased his inner turmoil.

He opened his eyes and gazed at the scenery along the route.

The Grand Canal’s waters were nearly still. A dragon boat of such size could not move by paddling alone, so along the way, people were needed on both sides to haul ropes.

Closest to the river were the haulers, behind them the Sui soldiers guarding the boat, and behind them the officials who were not allowed on board. So although it seemed Yang Guang was traveling by boat in Jiangnan, most of the entourage actually moved along the banks, which required enormous manpower and resources.

In the second month of the seventh year of the Daye era, when Yang Guang led an expedition to Goguryeo, he himself rode a boat, selecting over three thousand mid- and lower-ranking officials to walk along the banks from Jiangdu all the way to Zhuojun.

He considered this a great favor for the selected officials. Yet of the over three thousand, one-tenth to one-eighth perished from cold, hunger, or disease.

If even accompanying officials suffered such losses, the haulers were even more vulnerable.

Fallen haulers were swiftly thrown aside by the Sui soldiers—such was their efficiency.

This scene would have certainly marred the scenery for anyone looking closely, but Yang Guang, sitting high above and gazing into the distance, could not see the situation along the shore.

All he saw were areas beyond the Sui guards where, despite it being autumn, the vegetation remained lush and the scenery serene and beautiful.

He recalled that a few years earlier, during his trip to Jiangnan, the banks had been crowded with people, a bustling scene that had irritated him. Now, the scenery was far more pleasant.

Before leaving Luoyang, Yang Guang had observed the city, remarking, “There are still too many people in Luoyang.”

These words followed his sentiments from years before.

When Yang Xuangan first rebelled, Yang Guang thought there were too many people in the world, which was why Xuangan could gain support for his rebellion.

The world did not need so many commoners.

When Yang Guang returned to Luoyang from Yanmen, he looked down from the palace tower at the bustling streets and once again felt that there were simply too many people.

He recalled his earlier sighs and now felt that the scenery along the Tongji Canal was just right.

Just as Yang Guang reflected that there were too many lowly people, a sudden flare of fire shot up from the riverbank.

Before he could react, many bursts of fire flew from the banks, like a meteor shower falling from the shore.

When the first burst struck the towering dragon boat, the shrill screams of palace attendants snapped Yang Guang to attention.

“Protect the emperor! Assassins! Protect the emperor!”

Some fled, some tried to put out the fire, some dragged Yang Guang toward the cabin, and others screamed that he could not enter the cabin…

Yang Guang was bewildered, his mind blank.

The Xiao Guo troops guarding both banks also noticed the enemy attack and immediately searched in the direction of the fire, only to be ambushed by the rebel forces lying in wait.

Fierce fighting erupted in the surrounding woods as fire continued to leap from both banks onto the dragon boat.

The dragon boat had been coated with fire-resistant materials, and stones wrapped in oil-soaked cloth thrown onto the deck ignited, but the flames were quickly extinguished, leaving only thick, choking smoke rising.

Many of Yang Guang’s close aides had been on battlefields before and had seen or used fire attacks; they prevented him from hiding in the cabin to avoid being suffocated by smoke.

The dragon boat was now the most conspicuous target. The attackers tried to bring it to shore, hoping to escape the vessel.

At this moment, the haulers dropped their ropes. Some scattered immediately, while others, after fumbling along the shore, surprisingly pulled out clubs, spears, and swords, charging toward the officials and Sui soldiers along the banks.

Yuwen Huaji was shielding Yang Guang, his voice trembling: “There are bandits among the boatmen!”

Yang Guang’s legs went weak from fright, his lips pale, his ears only hearing the pounding of his own heart—he could barely even catch Yuwen Huaji’s exclamation.

Another small boat rowed downstream and, just as it was about to crash into the dragon boat, it was set aflame. The fire boat slammed violently into the dragon boat.

Pei Shiju and the others directed the dragon boat to lower a small escape boat, escorting Yang Guang off.

Yang Guang looked at the fire boats on the Grand Canal and the chaotic bandits on both shores, and he absolutely refused to disembark.

The Grand Canal’s banks had already been cleared in advance by the Sui army, so there weren’t many hidden fire boats. The number of rebellious boatmen along the shores was also small; most were just fleeing. The dragon boat was large, leaving little room in the canal. Getting ashore really was the safest option.

But Yang Guang was already scared out of his wits—seeing the bandits, he would not step off the boat.

If the emperor didn’t disembark, which court official would dare to?

They covered their mouths and noses with their sleeves and urged him desperately.

Yuwen Huaji almost cursed under his breath: “Your Majesty! If we don’t get ashore now, we’ll burn alive on the boat!”

Yang Guang replied, “We’re on the river; there’s plenty of water to put out fires. How could we burn to death?”

He insisted on staying on the boat, ordering palace attendants and ministers to fetch water and fight the flames.

Seeing this, Pei Shiju came up with a compromise: he placed an escape boat at the front of the dragon boat, using it to block the upstream fire boats while also extinguishing flames at the dragon boat’s bow.

Without the fire boats, the fire from flaming stones hurled by catapults could be easily put out, though the smoke was choking.

Once the flames died down a bit, Pei Shiju lowered the small boat again, allowing Yang Guang to escape to a ship behind.

It seemed there were scouts along the shore: wherever Yang Guang fled, flaming stones from catapults targeted that boat.

However, the main boat in the middle wasn’t attacked by fire boats, and it was difficult to adjust the catapult trajectory on the fly, so the large boat only had scattered flames, which were quickly extinguished, with barely any smoke.

Yang Guang and the other court officials finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Xuanba, watching from a tree, lowered his head and said to Xue Shou: “Let Wang Bo focus only on burning the lead dragon boat, ignore where Yang Guang is. The point of this attack is to scare Yang Guang, it’s never meant to harm him. Burning the dragon boat he’s on will put more psychological pressure on him.”

Xue Shou, chewing on a piece of venison, rode out personally to inform Wang Bo.

Their hiding spot was close to Wang Bo’s location. Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were disguised as Xue Shou’s servants, hiding there.

Wang Bo followed Xue Shou’s advice, and the catapults re-aimed at the lead dragon boat, now only carrying palace attendants.

After learning Yang Guang had left the lead dragon boat, Yuwen Huaji and the others blocking the fire boats had retreated to the second large boat. Wang Bo didn’t dare send out more fire boats.

Now he decided to shift the target from Yang Guang himself to Yang Guang’s beloved boat, sending out fire boats again.

This time, the men on the fire boats didn’t jump into the water; they climbed onto the dragon boat and set it ablaze directly.

When the emperor and ministers escaped, the palace attendants fled in panic. A few hid trembling in the cabins, but most jumped into the water, swimming to the banks. Few rebel soldiers climbed onto the boat, and none of them stopped the arson.

The dragon boat was quickly engulfed in flames. The rebel soldiers who set it on fire jumped into the water and swam to the banks, shouting, “The dog emperor is dead by fire!”

Most of the Sui troops on shore couldn’t see what was happening on the dragon boat. Seeing it burn, some actually believed it.

A small number still had the capacity for independent thought; they knew the emperor could probably escape to shore or another boat, but they were uncertain and didn’t dare speak.

When Yang Guang had been attacked by rebels returning from Yanmen Commandery to the Eastern Capital Luoyang, he blamed the Xiaoguo Army for inadequate protection and punished many.

Previously, the Xiaoguo Army had lost many mid- and lower-level officers when they opposed the abolished Crown Prince Yang Zhao. Now, punishing additional mid- and lower-level officers caused frequent changes in command, making officers timid, thinking it better to avoid trouble than take responsibility.

If Yang Guang had raised the imperial banner on his boat, it could have quickly ended the chaos on shore.

But Yang Guang didn’t dare.

If he raised the banner, wouldn’t the bandits know which boat he was on? For his own safety, he had the guards tie up and silence the officials who suggested hoisting the banner, scolding them as trying to get him killed.

Yang Guang’s prior clearing of rebels along the banks had been effective. There weren’t many rebels, far outmatched by the Sui army.

So even with the chaos, the Sui army could suppress and drive away the rebels, though with heavier casualties.

Did Yang Guang care about those lives?

“Of course he doesn’t,” Li Xuanba said. “Second brother, if the Xiaoguo Army doesn’t rebel now, it just shows how lenient they’ve been.”

Li Shimin shook his leg, smiling: “All this trouble, just to force the Xiaoguo Army to rebel?”

Li Xuanba shook his head: “I didn’t force them to rebel. Did I kill most of the Xiaoguo junior officers when second cousin remonstrated? Did I withhold their battle merits at Yanmen Commandery? Or punish them after they risked their lives to escort Yang Guang back to the Eastern Capital? No, it’s Yang Guang who forced the Xiaoguo Army into resentment.”

Li Shimin raised both hands: “I’m just casually asking… why do you talk so much?”

Li Xuanba: “I’m not done yet. Most of the Xiaoguo Army are from Guanzhong. Guanzhong people are deeply tied to their hometowns. Did I make Yang Guang fear fleeing to Jiangdu, abandoning Guanzhong, preventing Xiaoguo soldiers from returning home? Their parents and wives are all in Guanzhong and the Central Plains.”

Li Shimin: “…Your temper is really bad. Or maybe you just want someone to listen to you ramble?”

Li Xuanba: “Anyway, this is Yang Guang’s own fault.”

Li Shimin sighed: “I know, of course it’s his fault.”

He smiled a little wryly this time: “One can use others as a mirror to correct oneself—not only by looking at wise rulers and virtuous ministers, but also by observing foolish emperors and treacherous ministers. From watching Yang Guang’s deeds, I’ve learned a lot.”

Li Xuanba nodded: “Of course. If it weren’t for Yang Guang, a pampered noble like you, who grew up in silk and satin, would never have had contact with commoners—how could you understand that water can carry a boat as well as overturn it?”

Li Shimin (Tang Taizong) said irritably, “You speak as if you aren’t a prince at all.”

Li Xuanba replied, “Fine, I’m one too.”

Qin Qiong sat under a tree and sighed. What are these young lords talking about? He couldn’t follow at all.

Were they talking about rebellion? Well, that wasn’t surprising—he already knew their lord certainly intended to become emperor.

Qin Qiong said, “The deer will get burnt if we keep roasting it.”

Li Shimin replied, “Set it aside for now. We’ll heat it up when we want to eat.”

Qin Qiong sighed again: “Fine.”

Li Shimin asked, “A-Xuan, when do you think this battle will end?”

Li Xuanba responded, “You’re asking me? Shouldn’t it be me asking you?”

Li Shimin stroked the stubble on his chin that hadn’t been shaved for days and said, “At most, Wang Bo and Zhai Rang will retreat in a quarter of an hour. The county commanders along the route should be coming with reinforcements.”

Li Xuanba said, “Not necessarily. If Shan Xiongxin, Xu Shiji, and the others are involved, the Sui army might not be able to hold.”

Li Shimin, curious, asked, “Are they that strong?”

Li Xuanba said, “They are. I heard Zhai Rang has recruited a fierce general named Cheng Yaojin. Not sure if he’s brought him out yet.”

Back when he was at Wagang Village, Cheng Yaojin hadn’t joined yet. Li Xuanba regretted missing the chance to see the famous “Three Axes” Cheng Yaojin in action.

Now, according to Xue Shou, Cheng Yaojin has joined Wagang Village. Finally, the village had another famed general.

Unfortunately, Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin were already serving under the second brother, so they could no longer be called “Wagang Village famous generals.”

Li Shimin asked, “How strong? Stronger than Qin Shubao?”

Qin Qiong’s ears perked up.

Li Xuanba said, “Don’t know. They haven’t fought yet. But Qin Shubao should still be stronger.”

In later history, the top general under Li Shimin was considered Yuchi Gong, but on the battlefield, Qin Qiong had once defeated Yuchi Gong. So, in terms of pure martial ability, Qin Qiong was slightly stronger than Yuchi Gong. By this logic, Qin Qiong might have been the top fighter at the end of the Sui Dynasty.

Qin Qiong couldn’t help but grin, feeling as if he were flying.

Li Shimin asked, “I see. And compared to me?”

Li Xuanba put down the telescope and glared at his second brother: “Can you stop thinking of yourself as a fighter? Which lord fights personally?”

Li Shimin said, “Xiang Yu and Liu Bang both led the vanguard themselves!”

Li Xuanba cursed: “Why are you copying them?”

Li Shimin laughed: “I don’t have to copy Xiang Yu, but I want to copy Liu Bang. Emperor Gaozu of Han personally conquered the empire—so cool!”

Li Xuanba said, “But you look down on Liu Bang.”

Li Shimin sighed: “After I manage land and a large group of subordinates, I realize just how hard it was for Emperor Gaozu of Han.”

Li Xuanba chuckled.

Historically, Tang Taizong initially shared Li Yuan’s biased view of Liu Bang, saying, “The former Han Gaozu was but a country gentleman. Wielding a three-foot sword, he established the empire. Yet his grand plan and the blessing of posterity were all thanks to capable ministers.”

After becoming emperor for several years, Tang Taizong revised his view: “Observing Gaozu and Yin Tang, their virtue is like yin and yang in harmony; seasons flow, laws are fair, people rejoice, and the qilin shows its omen. Gaozu and Yin Tang, are they not like qilin themselves?” He greatly admired Liu Bang.

Great men, including Zhu Yuanzhang, also highly praised Liu Bang. Only after leading a country could one truly appreciate Emperor Gaozu’s skill. Judging a ruler’s ability to govern is not only a “historical literacy test,” but also a “wise ruler test.”

If that’s the case, second brother already possesses qualities of a wise ruler.

Li Xuanba handed the telescope to Li Shimin: “I’m hungry. I’ll go eat some meat first.”

Li Shimin eagerly took the telescope, wiped it carefully, and then cautiously raised it to his eyes.

The lens was an extremely rare crystal, completely free of impurities. Li Xuanba didn’t know the exact specifications either; the craftsman wasted many precious crystals before finally making a telescope.

Li Shimin hadn’t yet fought siege battles; his experience was just clashing armies head-on against the Turks. Always in the middle of the battlefield, he had no use for the telescope and might have broken it, so Li Xuanba refused to give him the only one.

All future research and telescope production depended on this prototype—it couldn’t be damaged by his clumsy second brother.

Li Shimin could only randomly look through the telescope when not at war.

“Wow, a fierce general really came out! I wonder who it is, A-Xuan?” Li Shimin exclaimed. “Amazing! Maybe he could even spar a few rounds with Shubao!”

Qin Qiong smiled, both modestly and proudly. The lord is right—he can only spar with me a few rounds!

Li Xuanba, holding a deer leg in one hand and a dagger in the other, looked up at his second brother in disbelief.

Why him? I’ve been watching all this time and no general appeared, yet the moment he gets the telescope, there’s action? My luck is terrible!

Li Xuanba frowned, troubled by the deer leg in his hand, and decided to eat first before watching.

Sigh, nothing exciting—completely boring. Li Xuanba gnawed at the deer leg viciously.

On the dragon boat battlefield, when Shan Xiongxin and Cheng Yaojin struck out, the situation immediately reversed for the Sui army and the rebels.

In the era of melee weapons, a “ten-thousand-enemy” fierce general was extremely threatening. Most soldiers would flee when their commander was killed. As soon as Shan Xiongxin and Cheng Yaojin appeared, they cut down the Sui army’s most heavily armored generals, throwing the formation into chaos.

Zhai Rang often hesitated when making decisions, but once he decided, he committed fully and never wavered.

Just like in the original timeline, after Zhai Rang relinquished his position to Li Mi, he never considered reclaiming it. Determined to pursue Yang Guang, he brought his bravest generals and personally fought.

When Wang Bo saw Zhai Rang striking out, he led his elite soldiers from the forest to join in.

Both Zhai Rang and Wang Bo knew that reinforcements from the counties would arrive soon—they couldn’t kill Yang Guang. Their goal was simply to inflict as much damage as possible before the Sui reinforcements arrived.

Wei Zheng kept watch from a high vantage point, and as soon as he saw the reinforcements arrive, he quickly set off fireworks to signal the others to retreat.

The chaotic fighting had lasted for two quarters of an hour—twice the time Li Shimin had anticipated.

Wei Zheng lit the signal fires, and Zhai Rang and Wang Bo led their men to withdraw, leaving a field of corpses along both riverbanks.

By the time the reinforcements arrived, the dragon boat Yang Guang had been riding was already reduced to a charred wreck, unrecognizable.

In the original history, Wang Shichong, the governor of Jiangdu, assisted Luoyang and then stayed there indefinitely.

In this timeline, Li Yuan and Yang Xuan quickly defeated Yang Xuangan, and before Wang Shichong could even raise an army to aid Luoyang, the battle had already ended, so he remained as Jiangdu’s governor.

Hearing that Yang Guang was coming to Jiangdu, Wang Shichong prepared early, personally leading his troops to greet Yang Guang—astonishingly arriving at the battlefield ahead of the local officials and being the first to reach it.

Wang Shichong was thrilled. This was a merit of rescuing the emperor; it could make him prosperous! Surely he could become a general now.

Unfortunately, the moment Yang Guang relaxed, he fainted. Wang Shichong had failed to demonstrate his loyalty to Yang Guang first, and he was deeply disappointed.

Under Wang Shichong’s escort, Yang Guang entered Jiangdu city without incident.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba had infiltrated Jiangdu first, spreading rumors that were not mere fabrications—the emperor’s journey south was not a simple tour; he intended to abandon Daxing (Luoyang) and make Jiangnan his permanent capital.

The emperor had no plans to return to the Central Plains or Guanzhong!

Many of Yang Guang’s clever advisers had guessed his intentions, but they kept silent.

The Xiaoguo Army and most ministers and generals, however, had no idea.

Since ascending the throne, Yang Guang had often toured the north and south, never remaining idle. So even though a southern tour in the midst of nationwide chaos seemed foolish, most soldiers and ministers just assumed Yang Guang was a frivolous, ordinary tyrant. They did not realize that this time, he would not return.

The Xiaoguo Army consisted of men from Guanzhong or the Central Plains. People from the Huaxia heartland have always been reluctant to leave their native lands. Even relocating entire families was difficult, let alone these men, who had traveled south alone while their families remained in the north.

The emperor wasn’t coming back? Then what would become of us? What about our families?

Exhausted, the Xiaoguo Army arrived in Jiangdu. Just as Yang Guang had woken and scolded them without giving them any relief or compensation for their injuries, they received this dreadful news.

The entire army erupted in unrest.

At this point, Wang Shichong proposed what in history had been Pei Shiju’s policy of pacification: ordering all marriageable women in Jiangdu to cease discussing marriages and instead be assigned to the accompanying soldiers and officials.

Historically, Pei Shiju suggested marrying widows and unmarried women of Jiangdu to Xiaoguo soldiers, following proper marital customs. Though forced, it did not cause widespread resentment.

After all, the Xiaoguo soldiers were of respectable status; for Jiangdu widows and unmarried women, they were considered suitable matches. Many soldiers had already established families in the north, but most women did not mind. In times of war, multiple wives were common across regions. The unions were officially sanctioned and issued by imperial decree; the status of the inner court was not contested.

Thus, Pei Shiju gained the soldiers’ gratitude, avoided being killed during the Xiaoguo rebellion, and was not hated by the citizens of Jiangdu, surviving safely until the Tang dynasty was established.

Wang Shichong, however, did not share Pei Shiju’s benevolence; he was far rougher in his actions.

Being the local governor of Jiangdu, Wang Shichong went door to door, forcibly assigning marriageable women to Xiaoguo soldiers. There was no ceremonial wedding—what occurred was less a marriage than a brutal act of sexual exploitation. Along the way, already married women were sometimes seized, and soldiers took advantage of the chaos to loot.

Historically, Pei Shiju had decorated Jiangdu with festive lanterns and sent brides off with drums and celebration. Whether the brides consented or not, it appeared as if the whole city were participating in weddings.

Wang Shichong, however, turned Jiangdu into a scene of constant grief. The cries of women echoed everywhere; many families raised white flags in mourning.

The women assigned to the soldiers naturally cried. Marriage became coercion, and the Xiaoguo soldiers felt no sense of belonging; it was purely an act of indulgence.

Under Pei Shiju, the soldiers’ morale had been stabilized after being allowed to remarry, with young unmarried soldiers feeling less homesick. Wang Shichong’s actions, however, deepened unrest among the soldiers and increased their resentment.

Even Pei Shiju and other ministers could no longer tolerate this human tragedy; even the notorious ministers Yu Shiji and Pei Yun were appalled by Wang Shichong’s cruelty and petitioned against it.

Yang Guang did not care for the common people, but he did care about his living environment. How could he enjoy himself while Jiangdu was full of mourning and white flags?

Thus, Yang Guang issued an order to stop forcibly marrying Jiangdu women to the Xiaoguo soldiers, returning those already assigned.

Conscientious ministers pooled some money to compensate these women.

Fortunately, at this time, concepts of chastity were not rigid. Women who fled home retained only a humiliating memory, which would not greatly affect their future lives.

Yet the Xiaoguo Army’s resentment grew even stronger.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba observed this human tragedy coldly.

In times of war, such events often occurred when cities were captured. When Li Shimin led troops against the Turks, he did not treat the tribes as humans either.

In chaotic times, women were not regarded as people—they were “property.”

Yet seeing it so often did not mean one could remain unmoved, nor did it imply approval.

Li Shimin said, “Wang Shichong deserves death.”

Li Xuanba said, “I’ve already asked Xue Shou to propose to Wang Bo that they hand Wang Shichong over to the people of Jiangdu, so that each victimized citizen can stab him once.”

Li Shimin: “…”

He quietly turned to his younger brother.

Li Xuanba asked, “What?”

Li Shimin withdrew his gaze. “Nothing.” He was merely reaffirming that his brother’s empathy for the people was even stronger than his own, and that sometimes his anger ran deeper as well.

Li Shimin changed the subject. “Is this grand drama coming to an end?”

Li Xuanba said, “We should write to Lord Pei and Teacher Yu, giving them an excuse to leave Jiangdu. The ministers are pressing Yang Guang to return to Daxing; to silence them, he will likely send someone back to take charge there.”

Li Shimin said, “Let Xue Shou go. Once he reveals his identity, Lord Pei and Teacher Yu will leave… Ah, though, Teacher Yu may not leave. Even though Yu Shiji is a treacherous minister, he is still his elder brother.”

Li Xuanba said, “Let Teacher Yu choose for himself. Yu Shiji deserves death. Even if he falls into our hands, Teacher Yu’s pleading won’t help him.”

Li Shimin nodded. “So it’s better for him to die in Jiangdu.”

The twin brothers were like detached observers, watching the people of Jiangdu wail, seeing their fear, and… secretly guiding the righteous army into the city.

From time to time, Li Shimin would glance at Li Xuanba, quickly looking away whenever his brother met his gaze.

They say mercy should not command armies. A top strategist might need to abandon conscience even more than a general.

Quite good—this way, his younger brother could protect himself properly.

In the twelfth year of the Daye era of Sui, Yang Guang arrived in Jiangdu.

Upon reaching Jiangdu, Yang Guang indulged in daily feasts and music, ignoring state affairs. All the urgent documents sent from across the empire piled up on his desk, forming a small mountain.

Empress Xiao delicately advised him, but Yang Guang replied, “The joys and sufferings of the noble and the lowly alternate; what harm is there in that?” He then gazed at himself in the mirror, saying, “Fine head and neck, who dares to cut it?”

Empress Xiao, hearing him compare himself to the last emperor of Chen and likening her to Chen’s Empress Shen, felt deep worry and unease.

The Xiaoguo Army harbored extreme resentment toward Yang Guang. They even openly discussed rebellion in public, making what should have been secret plots anything but secret.

Empress Xiao hurriedly sent palace maids to inform Yang Guang, only for him to kill the maid.

Empress Xiao quietly sought help from the court. Pei Shiju repeatedly submitted memorials to Yang Guang, much like Su Wei once did—breaking with his usual style and speaking frankly.

Yang Guang flew into a rage and expelled Pei Shiju from Jiangdu without giving him a single soldier, forcing the 68-year-old to traverse the war-torn land alone and return to Daxing to host non-existent Western envoys.

Pei Shiju had become extremely thin, his posture hunched even while on horseback.

All the ministers knew he had angered Yang Guang. Courtiers who had been friendly with him dared not see him off; only Yu Shinan came to bid farewell.

Pei Shiju said, “Come with me.”

Yu Shinan shook his head. After seeing Pei Shiju off, he returned to Jiangdu.

When Yang Guang learned Yu Shinan had dared to see Pei Shiju off, he threw him into prison.

Yu Shiji wanted to rescue Yu Shinan, but Yu Shinan refused.

Yu Shinan coldly said, “You’d better think about saving yourself.”

Yu Shiji left angrily, swishing his sleeves.

Yu Shinan watched him go, tears quietly falling.

…

“Lord Pei, please get into the carriage,” Xue Shou said respectfully.

Pei Shiju, weary, asked, “Where are Li Erlang and Li Sanlang?”

Xue Shou replied, “Naturally, Li Erlang and Li Sanlang are stationed at Longyou, defending against the Turks.”

Pei Shiju was silent for a while, then gave a bitter smile. “Of course, it should be so. They are loyal ministers of the Sui.”