My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 194 Yuwen Huaji
Shi Shuhu's expression remained calm, even with the sharp sword pressed against his chest.

"Brother Yuwen, even if you kill me now, what problem will that solve?"

"Will I be able to leave, regain my freedom, or be given an important position again?"

The man's sword moved forward a little further, seemingly piercing Shi Shuhu's clothes. The man grinned maliciously and said, "I know you're eloquent, but I won't listen to you. I'll kill you! At least that will vent my anger!"

"No, no, what Brother Yuwen resents is being imprisoned in this small courtyard, unable to go out, and being humiliated. Even if I were stupid, I couldn't solve this situation, so how could I possibly vent my anger over it? If Brother Yuwen is willing to forgive me, I do have a way to let you vent your anger."

The man hesitated for a moment, "You?"

"You might as well listen to me finish. If you feel something is wrong, then it's not too late to kill me."

The man slowly sheathed his sword, and Shi Shuhu Xi then sat down with a smile. He looked at the burly man in front of him, a man named Yuwen Huaji.

These horses were intended as a gift for Yuwen Shu, the father of Yuwen Huaji.

Since Yuwen Shu is currently fighting in the Northwest, the actual person to receive the order is his eldest son, Yuwen Huaji.

As for Shi Shu Hu Xi, he was not a merchant from the Western Regions; that was just one of his many identities. His true identity was that of Ashina Duoji, the Great Protector of the Turks.

The reason why Yuwen Huaji hated Shi Shu Hu Xi so much was because he had been tricked by him before.

In the third year of the Daye era, the emperor led his ministers to Yulin. The Turkic Khan led most of the nobles of the country to pay their respects. At that time, Shi Shuhu found Yuwen Huaji, who had come with the emperor, and asked him about the sage. At the same time, he presented many gifts.

Yuwen Huaji was a man of little moral character, greedy for money, and naturally went through with the transaction.

Later, someone complained to the emperor that his men had accepted bribes from the Turks, which seemed to have leaked secrets.

The emperor was furious and prepared to send people to investigate thoroughly. However, Shi Shuhu, seeing that things were not going well, quickly sent someone to report that a Turkic nobleman had filed a lawsuit against Yuwen Huaji, claiming that the other party had done business with him but had not fulfilled his promises and had not delivered the goods after receiving the money.

In this way, Yuwen Huaji's crime was changed from treason to unauthorized trade with the Turks. Yang Guang naturally knew there was something wrong, but he did not execute him. Instead, he dismissed him from his post, turned him into a slave, and ordered Yuwen Shu to keep him at home and not release him!

The Turkic delegation was also changed from being accused of colluding with the emperor's important officials to being accused of engaging in private trade, and easily escaped punishment. Not only was Shi Shuhu Xi not punished, but the Khan even praised his quick wit.

But this really did cause great harm to the two brothers of the Yuwen family.

Yang Guang couldn't bring himself to punish the Turks, so he vented his anger on Yuwen Huaji and his brother. If it weren't for Yuwen Shu's sake, he would have almost killed him.

Therefore, Yuwen Huaji was so angry when he saw this familiar traitor again.

Yuwen Huaji sat opposite Shi Shuhu, his eyes still filled with resentment.

Shi Shu continued, "Yuwen Jun, you may not know this, but the horses that were to be presented to your father were robbed by bandits on the way, and not a single one has been recovered."

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Huaji was genuinely amused and exasperated.

"You schemed against us brothers first, and now you're playing tricks on my grandfather."

"well"

As Yuwen Huaji was about to make his move, Shi Shu Hu Xi calmly said, "However, I have another gift for you."

"Oh?"

"what gift?"

"One country."

"What??" Shi Shuhu stared intently at Yuwen Huaji and said very seriously, "My lord has had many interactions with your father and has developed a deep friendship that no one can replace."

"At present, the Khan's health is getting worse and worse. There are villains like Pei Shiju in the court. He originally wanted to sow discord among the princes and make them fight each other. If the Khan passes away, this villain will surely stir up trouble again."

"The Khan currently has five sons. The second and third sons are close to the Sui Dynasty's royal family, while the fourth and fifth sons are still young and cannot participate in politics. If the one who ascends the throne is not my lord but someone else, then General Yuwen will definitely lose a huge support. In order to thank the benefactor who helped them, these people will no longer have much trade with General Yuwen."

“But once my lord ascends the throne, the situation will be different. My lord is the most grateful and repaying of kindness. At present, the Holy Khan is extremely fond of General Yuwen. A single word from General Yuwen can make the people of the country grateful. In the future, will we still have to worry about horses and money?”

"With the strength of an entire nation, is my lord still unable to repay the general's kindness?"

Yuwen Huaji narrowed his eyes. "I believed your nonsense last time."

“Brother Yuwen! Last time, if I hadn’t sent someone to report it in time, I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to stay in this courtyard and talk to me today. You talked a lot back then, about the Emperor’s daily life, hobbies, eating habits, and travel routes. Tsk, if the Emperor had known about this, would you still be alive?”

Yuwen Huaji pursed his lips, unable to refute.

Shi Shuhu added, "Besides, although you have been dismissed and lost your official position, it doesn't mean you have no way out."

Yuwen Huaji was somewhat tempted. He stared intently at Shi Shuhu, "If you have a way to save me, I am willing to personally persuade my father to give me his full assistance! I can also forgive and forget what happened in the past."

Shi Shuhu said with a smile, "I've heard that you followed the Holy Khan for many years, how come you still haven't figured out the Holy Khan's personality?"

"Stop spouting nonsense! If you can't answer today, not only will my father not help you, but I will also leave you here so you can also know the suffering of slaves!"

Shi Shuhu gestured for the other person to come closer, then whispered, "I've heard that your younger brother, Yuwen Shiji, married a princess and has been staying by the Emperor's side for a long time. Is that true?"

Yuwen Huaji said helplessly, "That's true, but Shiji won't plead for me."

"I've also heard that your younger brother, Yuwen Shiji, has been somewhat disrespectful to you and Yuwen Zhiji because of his marriage to the princess. Is that true?"

Yuwen Huaji paused for a moment, then said, "Not entirely. He doesn't get along with Zhiji, but he's been good to me. After all, I watched him grow up, and he's never been too rude."

Shi Shuhu laughed, "Although the Emperor has dismissed you and made you a slave to General Yuwen, it doesn't mean he's restricting your movements. You can find an opportunity to go see Yuwen Shiji. Please remember to act extremely humble. Bow deeply to your younger brother at the door, and once inside, continue to act very humble. Ideally, do the same in front of the princess, bowing to them as you would to your master."

"what?!"

Yuwen Huaji was furious. He had been sentenced to be a slave to his father, and it was one thing for him to kowtow to his father—after all, he was his father, and it was his duty to kowtow—but to kowtow to his younger brother?! What kind of behavior is this?
Yuwen Huaji was about to get angry, but then he remembered something, "What do you mean?"

"Brother Yuwen, please do as I say. If things don't work out, you can do whatever you want with me. If things do work out, then please also take my lord's affairs into consideration."

Yuwen Huaji hesitated again. He looked at Shi Shuhu Xi in front of him. This fellow was indeed a merchant. When he was young, he came to the Central Plains to trade with his elders. Later, he learned the language and writing here and read many books. Later, he went to the Turkic lands. Because of his wisdom, proficiency in multiple languages, and ability to devise strategies, he was highly valued by Dujishi.

Upon hearing that this fellow had offered a solution to Dujishi, Dujishi was overjoyed and made him his favorite minister, listening to his advice in everything and entrusting him with important matters.

Perhaps what he said really works.

Yuwen Huaji hesitated for a moment and then nodded, "Okay, we'll do as you say."

"But what happened to your horse being robbed? Who would dare to rob your horses?"

“Chai Shao is the most likely suspect, and Li Jiancheng is also a suspect.”

"who??!"

"Loufan Yingyang Prefecture General Chai Shao, Prince Li Jiancheng of Tang State."

(End of this chapter)