Sui and Tang Dynasties: You were driven out of Wagang, but you surrendered to Yang Guang and were ma

Chapter 115 Yang Guang's Illness: A Mixed Bag

Li Yuanji was so frightened that his face turned pale, his legs went weak, and he staggered back two steps before hurriedly shrinking into the depths of the crowd.

He felt a chill run down his spine. If Yang Guang really coughed to death in this tent, would he be held responsible?

"The imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician immediately!"

Yuwen Huaji reacted extremely quickly. Without thinking twice, he took off running. In his haste, he tripped and fell flat on his face.

He didn't bother to brush the dust off his clothes and continued running outside, tumbling and crawling.

"His Majesty!"

Seeing this, the members of the aristocratic families also rushed forward to find out what was going on.

They secretly wished for Yang Guang's immediate death, but at this moment they genuinely hoped he would be alright.

If Yang Guang were to die in the army, the war in Liaodong would inevitably descend into chaos, and the losses suffered by these men would be irreparable.

"Cough...cough cough..."

Yang Guang remained slumped over the table, coughing intermittently, his body trembling slightly, too weak even to lift his head.

"The imperial physician has arrived! Colleagues, make way immediately!"

A moment later, Yuwen Huaji, carrying the imperial physician's medicine chest, pushed aside the crowd gathered around the table, his voice filled with urgency.

"My lords, His Majesty needs to rest. Please wait outside the main tent."

Yuwen Chengdu stood like an iron tower, blocking the inside of the tent entrance. His face was solemn, and his imposing aura made people dare not cross him.

Although the members of the noble families were unwilling, they knew that it was not the right time to disturb them, so they could only retreat outside the main tent and anxiously wait for news.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn passes in the blink of an eye, and the imperial physician bows as he walks out of the tent.

Faced with the eager gazes of the crowd, he simply shook his head slowly and remained silent, his expression solemn.

This made everyone even more uneasy and confused.

He wanted to go back into the tent to check, but Yuwen Chengdu blocked him firmly, preventing him from getting any closer.

"His Majesty is fine, you can rest assured." Yuwen Huaji emerged from the tent and said with a smile, "However, I will not be able to see you all for the time being."

"It's good that Your Majesty is alright, it's good that you're alright."

The members of the aristocratic families breathed a sigh of relief. Since Yang Guang was alright, there was still room for maneuver in the subsequent battles and power struggles.

"Since Your Majesty needs to rest, we will take our leave now and request an audience with Your Majesty another day."

After exchanging a few polite words, everyone turned and left, and the oppressive atmosphere outside the tent dissipated somewhat.

Li Shimin stood still, his gaze fixed on the direction of the main tent, his brows slightly furrowed.

Is Yang Guang's appearance a genuine relapse of his old illness, or is he deliberately feigning illness?

Throughout the years, Emperor Yang Guang was constantly engaged in military campaigns and tours of the country, and there was never any news of him suffering from any chronic illness.

The way things are going today is too much of a coincidence.

"Second brother, what are you looking at? Let's go!"

Li Yuanji urged Li Shimin on; he dared not stay there any longer.

Li Shimin turned his head, lifted his leg and walked away, ignoring Li Yuanji.

"Your Majesty, they've all left."

Yuwen Huaji returned to the main tent and said with a smile.

"Hmm, how was my performance?"

Yang Guang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and threw the handkerchief into the stove.

"His Majesty is acting so naturally."

Yuwen Huaji said with immense admiration.

"I am tired." Yang Guang nodded in satisfaction, then said, "Quickly arrange for people to go to the vicinity of Pyongyang to inquire about the whereabouts of the Prince of Shuo."

"Yes."

Yuwen Huaji slowly took his leave.

In the blink of an eye, only Yang Guang and the commander of the Golden Gourd Warriors remained in the tent.

Yang Guang walked to the desk, picked up his brush, and wrote quickly. With swift strokes, a letter was completed.

He sealed the letter and handed it to the commander: "Send it to Luoyang immediately and personally deliver it to Yang You. Do not make any mistakes."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

The commander accepted the letter, bowed respectfully, and then vanished into the night like a ghost, without a sound.

Yang Guang stood up, walked to the bronze mirror, and looked at his slightly haggard face in the mirror with a complicated expression.

To outsiders, his feigned illness today is seen as a shameless tactic.

But only he knew that his violent coughing was not entirely a pretense.

These years of hard work on national affairs and war have already taken a toll on my health.

The attack just now was half real and half fake.

We must accelerate the progress of the Liaodong campaign and end this protracted war as soon as possible.

Lü Xiao, you must not disappoint me.

Meanwhile, in the palace of King Gowon in Pyongyang.

Lu Xiao was lounging lazily beside the cushioned throne, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, mixed with the crisp sound of armor clashing and the soft hum of swords rubbing together.

He sat up abruptly, grabbed the Zhenyue Sword beside him with lightning speed, and stared sharply at the palace gate.

Could it be that the Goguryeo people in the city have launched a rebellion?

"Your Highness, reinforcements have arrived!"

Yuwen Chenglong's voice came from outside the hall first, and then he knocked on the hall door, his tone full of excitement.

How many people?

Lu Xiao had initially thought it was a sudden change of events, but it turned out to be imperial troops that had come from Donglai, heading towards the sea and along the Pae River.

"An additional 10,000 troops have been added to the Pae River camp, and 30,000 have come to the city to support us!" Yuwen Chenglong pushed open the door and entered, his face beaming with joy.

"Now we have a strong and well-equipped army, and we no longer need to spend our days guarding this palace!"

"It's finally here."

Lu Xiao let out a long sigh of relief, his tone full of understanding.

It wasn't that he feared the remnants of Goguryeo, nor that he couldn't hold Pyongyang; it was simply that staying there was too boring.

Several days ago, he had wanted to go to Liaodong, but he had limited troops and needed to stay in Pyongyang to stabilize the situation.

Now that reinforcements have arrived, we can finally get what we wanted.

Paesoo Camp is heavily guarded, and there is no need to worry about food supplies. The newly arrived general is capable of taking over the defense of Pyongyang.

He could then lead the Red Fierce Army to Liaodong and stir up the war.

"Go and inform the pharmacist to make preparations. We will set off from Pyongyang early tomorrow morning and head to Liaodong."

"Okay!"

Yuwen Chenglong readily agreed and turned to run outside.

These days, trapped in Pyongyang, he hasn't even had a chance to use his combination techniques with the giant turtle. He can't wait to rush to the battlefield.

The next day.

After exchanging duties with the newly arrived general, Lü Xiao led the Chixiao Army out of Pyongyang and headed towards Liaodong.

In addition to Li Jing and other key members of the original group, Zuo Xiong also brought his men along.

After all, this guy is from Goguryeo. If we encounter a checkpoint on the way, he can either persuade them to surrender or take advantage of the chaos.

Bored on the march, Yuwen Chenglong went to Zuo Xiong's side.

"Zuo Xiong, how did you figure out that we were going to sneak into the city that day?"

To this day, Yuwen Chenglong remains puzzled.

Could it be that he was too valiant and extraordinary, revealing some flaws?

"Of course, it's because of the Prince."

Zuo Xiong recalled the scene from that day and blurted out.

"Your Highness?"

Yuwen Chenglong was somewhat surprised. Wasn't it because of him?

"Your Highness is truly magnificent; I could tell at a glance that he is not a Goguryeo person!"

Zuo Xiong, with his thick eyebrows and large eyes, was quite adept at flattery.