My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 204 Pleasing to the Eye
Meanwhile, inside the palace, Li Yuan was kneeling before the emperor, his eyes bright.

"You previously gifted me a horse, and now you've solved such a major case for me!"

"With such a virtuous and capable minister as my advisor, what do I have to worry about?"

Upon seeing Li Yuan, Yang Guang was in a very good mood. These days, Li Yuan had become more and more like a loyal minister, especially after learning about the outrageous things his subordinates had done. At Li Yuan's suggestion, Yang Guang sent people to thoroughly investigate the situation in Guanzhong, and the results surprised him greatly.

He had known for a long time that these people were no good, and that they often occupied farmland, but he really didn't expect that these people could eat so much that they had almost eaten Guanzhong dry! If Guanzhong was like this, how bad must the situation be in the other places?

This made Yang Guang extremely resentful, while Li Yuan became more pleasing to his eyes.

Li Yuan also appeared extremely grateful, bowing repeatedly to the emperor in thanks.

Yang Guang helped him up and then had him sit beside him, showing him the utmost favoritism.

He exchanged a few pleasantries with Li Yuan, and even inquired about Li Xuanba's situation, before slowly saying, "I already know who the traitor who colluded with the Turks is."

"what?"

Li Yuan frowned and asked angrily, "Which thief did such a thing?!"

"Heh, this matter cannot be discussed at the moment. The battle at the front is at its most critical juncture. I summoned you here for the same reason. I need you to immediately accompany Minister Pei to Jincheng to oversee the delivery of provisions and supplies."

When the topic of provisions came up, Yang Guang became even angrier. "The provisions sent to the front lines are mostly lost within just a few miles of leaving the city. How greedy these treacherous villains are!"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured! Your subject will never tolerate these treacherous villains' embezzlement again!"

Li Yuan expressed his loyalty, which was Yang Guang's purpose in sending him here.

Yang Guang liked the horse Li Yuan gave him, but liking it didn't necessarily mean he would give it a big job. However, since Li Yuan was willing to cut ties with the other nobles and use them as a "pledge of allegiance," Yang Guang was willing to use him.

This is the same principle as with Zhao Yuanshu. Many people think that Yang Guang promoted Zhao Yuanshu because he flattered the emperor. In reality, it was only because he was the only one who chose to support the emperor when all the other officials opposed him that Yang Guang decided to use him. Otherwise, if it was just flattery, Yang Guang would not have been in a hurry to promote and give him important responsibilities.

Li Yuan was well aware of this. The matter of military provisions was always the most difficult to investigate. However, if he could handle it well, the merit would be considerable. This matter could also be seen as a test from Yang Guang. If he could pass the test smoothly, he would be able to gain a foothold in the imperial court. If he failed, he would probably be sent to the provinces again.
Yang Guang's mind is now almost entirely focused on the war at the front. He can't stop talking about the war, and he even wants to go there in person to see it for himself.

The development of the war has exceeded Yang Guang's predictions. According to Yang Guang's predictions, the Hu people should not have been able to hold out until now. The war, which should have ended last year, has dragged on until this year. He has sent people several times to urge Yuwen Shu and others to deal with the enemy as soon as possible.

Yuwen Shu and the others were also helpless. Fighting against the Hu people was inherently very time-consuming. To defeat the Hu people, they had to eliminate their manpower. Simply capturing their strongholds was not very useful. After they returned, the Hu people would be able to come back and kill them again.

They were chasing and killing the enemy everywhere, and reported the battle situation to the sage several times, but the sage didn't care about it at all. He only felt that these generals had not carried out their orders well and were delaying the day.

Seeing the emperor's agitated and indignant expression, Li Yuan began to feel sorry for Yuwen Shu and the other generals.

They had it tough too. This sage had clearly fought in battles and knew about military affairs, but for some reason, he refused to listen to the memorials of his generals and was eager to end the war. If he was so eager to end the war, why did he start the war in the first place?

Li Yuan couldn't understand it, and he didn't want to think about it anymore.

Yang Guang had a lot to say to Li Yuan, but when the topic of war came up, he felt a tightness in his chest. Li Yuan had only talked to him for a short while and hadn't had time to say anything else when Yang Guang couldn't hold back any longer and was eager for Li Yuan to set off.

Although Li Yuan felt helpless, he dared not show it. He could only thank the emperor, reiterate his determination, and then hurriedly left the palace.

Pei Shiju had been waiting for him for a long time.

Pei Shiju was somewhat surprised to see Li Yuan come out, and he chuckled.

"I thought we'd have to talk for at least another half an hour."

Li Yuan smiled wryly, "The Emperor ordered me to go to the front lines immediately and I dared not linger."

Pei Shiju led Li Yuan outside at a brisk pace. Li Yuan was somewhat worried, "Lord Pei, this matter is urgent and we must travel on horseback. But what about your health?"

"Your Excellency need not worry. I rode around the entire Western Liang region earlier, hahaha, it's all fine, it's all fine!"

Pei Shiju looked energetic and vigorous, and this distance seemed like nothing to him. The two mounted their horses, took their many followers, and set off for the front lines. Li Yuan had just arrived in Luoyang, and now he had to leave without stopping. He didn't know what to say.

"I have already sent the Marquis of Bocheng to the Imperial Academy, so the Duke need not worry."

“I’m not worried. My son Sanlang has always been well-behaved and loves to study. Even if he’s alone, he won’t cause any trouble.”

Pei Shiju narrowed his eyes and said slowly, "I'm not afraid of the Marquis of Bocheng causing trouble; I'm worried that others will come looking for trouble for him."

Li Yuan was taken aback. He looked at Pei Shiju beside him and asked, "Go looking for trouble with him? Who would go looking for trouble with my son?"

Pei Shiju said again, "Has the Duke forgotten the Marquis of Bocheng? The Marquis of Bocheng."

Li Yuan then understood what Pei Shiju was trying to say.

The emperor's previous reform of the nobility system had aroused dissatisfaction among many nobles. Later, he promoted Li Xuanba as a model and declared: regardless of age or background, as long as you can defeat the enemy and make meritorious contributions, you can be promoted to a higher rank. Those who have no military merit should find a way to make military merit and not think that the nobility can be inherited by them!

This incident has caused dissatisfaction among many people.

Li Yuan remained unconcerned. He raised his head and said, "My third son is kind-hearted and honest, but he is still my son. He is not so easily bullied. Lord Pei, you may not know, but my son is not only well-versed in the classics."

"Oh?"

"Marquis of Bocheng, Marquis of Bocheng, Lord Pei must not forget that he earned his title through military merit."

Pei Shiju laughed, "That's good then."

"There's one more thing I'd like to discuss with the Duke."

"Please speak, Lord Pei."

"When you were in Xihe County, did the local officials say anything to you?"

Li Yuan narrowed his eyes. "How did you know?"

"I heard it from your son."

"Yes, that is true."

"Duke, could you please tell me more about it?"

"What, is Lord Pei curious about this matter?"

Pei Shiju gently stroked his beard. "Qimin Khan's health is deteriorating, and his two sons, Dujishi and Silifushe, are quite at odds and each has their own supporters. Dujishi has a very capable strategist named Shishuhuxi."

"So, a group of Turks suddenly appeared in Xihe, searching for a man named Shi Shuhuxi, who is also involved in a lost horse case. What do you think is going on?"

Li Yuan immediately frowned. He knew more than Pei Shiju, even the details of the lost horse case. He instantly understood everything: Dujishi had sent his trusted ministers to contact influential figures, hoping to secure his own position, and the group of people who had suddenly appeared were likely sent by Silifushe to sabotage his elder brother's plans.
Pei Shiju laughed at this moment, "Duke, isn't this an excellent opportunity?"

"Use Silifushe's men to kill Shi Shuhuxi!"

"After the Khan dies, let the two brothers fight each other. Once they start fighting and things get chaotic, they will no longer be a threat to us."

"Lord Pei, we are currently in charge of the Tuyuhun affairs. Why are you bringing up the Turks? If so, you should directly submit a memorial to His Majesty."

"The Tuyuhun are nothing compared to the Turks, who are the real formidable enemy."

Pei Shiju raised his head, "If you can't govern the country well, at least you should kill some thieves. Otherwise, how can you eat your salary, and how can this lowly body rest in peace in this earth?"

(End of this chapter)