My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 328 Great Victory
"His Majesty!"

"A great victory at the front!!"

Liu Shilong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was flushed with excitement. He rushed into the camp and bowed deeply to Yang Guang, his joy barely concealed.

After Husi Zheng was punished, Yang Guang appointed Liu Shilong to replace him as the new person in charge.

At this moment, Yang Guang was sitting with Su Wei, and his expression was not very good.

Despite his advanced age, Su Wei was among those going on the expedition. Just moments before, when Yang Guang asked Su Wei about strategies for pacifying Liaodong, Su Wei mentioned the need to avoid the recurrence of so many bandits in the Central Plains, which angered Yang Guang.

After the emperor's expedition to Liaodong, local bandits were thrown into chaos, and large-scale rebellions broke out in various places. Many people fled their homes, became refugees, and simply rebelled.

Various regions successively submitted memorials to the emperor, requesting assistance from the imperial court.

Yang Guang pretended not to see these things and urged various regions to suppress the bandits on their own.

The problem is that local authorities cannot mobilize military forces, and even if they could, there's no one left to mobilize. All the major armies in the country have been taken to Liaodong, leaving only local militia in the rear. With their strength, it's simply impossible for them to fight against these rebels.

Su Wei dared not speak directly, so he could only remind the emperor in this way.

But the emperor didn't buy it and was very dissatisfied with Su Wei.

When Liu Shilong came to offer his congratulations, Yang Guang seemed to have finally gotten his revenge, saying, "Oh? You've already taken the west bank?"

Liu Shilong hurriedly said, "The Duke of Xu has already captured the entire west bank and achieved great victories! The enemy is fleeing towards Liaodong City, and the Duke of Xu is currently in pursuit. He will reach Liaodong City in a few days."

Yang Guang was also somewhat surprised.

It's only been three days since Yuwen Shu was ordered to leave, and he's already taken over the West Bank?
It seems that the first defeat was due to Yuwen Kai. If the length of the pontoon bridge had been correct, Mai Tiezhang could have easily defeated the enemy, and so much trouble wouldn't have happened!

It's all Yuwen Kai's fault!

However, Yuwen Shu at least saved face for Yang Guang, which immediately improved his mood. Yang Guang looked at Su Wei beside him and said, "With such a mighty army, why should I fear any thieves?!"

Su Wei lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Yang Guang looked at Liu Shilong and said, "Tell Yuwen Shu not to rush into the army. I want to reward the troops. Tell him to stop."

Liu Shilong was taken aback. "Your Majesty, the Duke of Xu said..."

"Ok??"

“Here!!!”

Just as Liu Shilong was about to turn and leave, Yang Guang said, "Go and call Pei Yun and Yu Shiji in."

Liu Shilong confirmed this again, and Su Wei left with him. After they left, Pei Yun and Yu Shiji quickly returned to Yang Guang's side.

Both men had already learned of the victory at the front and congratulated Yang Guang.

Yang Guang, with a stern face, gestured for them to sit down.

“Yuwen Shu has already made many contributions. Now that Mai Tiezhang failed to conquer the west bank, he has won it in one battle. I am worried that he will become even more arrogant. What are your thoughts?”

Yu Shiji had always kept a low profile and was unwilling to get involved in these matters, but the emperor wouldn't give him the opportunity, repeatedly pressuring him, clearly wanting him to choose sides as soon as possible. Yu Shiji had no choice but to say, "Your Majesty, Duke Xu has just made meritorious contributions in battle. Under the pretext of rewarding him, let him rest for the time being and let someone else take over as commander."

Yang Guang narrowed his eyes and did not answer.

Pei Yun said, "That's not appropriate."

"Your Majesty, Duke Xu has achieved such military merits, and his troops are in high spirits. How can we leave him to guard the rear at this time?"

"So what do you think?"

"We should let Duke Xu continue the attack. However, there are too many enemies in Liaodong City. How can we let Duke Xu fight alone? We can send someone to help him. I think we should let General Yu Zhongwen of the Right Guard accompany him!"

"Yu Zhongwen?"

Yang Guang narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. Pei Yun said righteously, "Your Majesty, General Yu is a veteran general who has fought for many years and enjoys high prestige. He knows when to advance and when to retreat. Why not let him take command and have all the generals follow his orders?"

Yang Guang fell into deep thought again. Yu Zhongwen was indeed one of the few generals in the army who could rival Yuwen Shu, and the two were not particularly close. However, if he were to be in charge, it would surely cause dissatisfaction among Yuwen Shu and others.
Yang Guang cleared his throat. "I will personally serve as the commander-in-chief of this army. It cannot be assigned to anyone else. However, General Yu is old and experienced. It is acceptable to let the other generals listen to his advice."

"Go and call Yu Zhongwen in."

When Yu Zhongwen arrived at the camp, he was still somewhat confused.

As soon as he entered the camp, he was treated very warmly by the emperor. Yang Guang asked him to sit next to him and have a meal with him. Yu Zhongwen was flattered and bowed three times.

Yang Guang slowly said, "The army at the front has just won a victory, and I am very worried that they will become arrogant because of it. Therefore, I intend to send you there. You are a veteran general with experience in battle and are cautious. If you go to the front, I will have nothing to worry about."

Yu Zhongwen hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not disappoint you! I will definitely defeat the enemy for Your Majesty this time!!"

Looking at the spirited old general, Yang Guang pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "There is one more thing I need to entrust to the old general."

"Please give the order, Your Majesty!!"

Yu Zhongwen bowed his head, appearing to accept the order.

Yang Guang stroked his beard and said very seriously, "My expedition this time is for the greater good. I really don't want to cause too much bloodshed. I should focus on education and appeasement. The generals at the front are only thinking about their own merits and have done many things that disobeyed the imperial edict and were not conducive to the overall situation."

"I hope you will not act like them, but will maintain regular correspondence with me, prioritizing the overall situation. If anyone disobeys my orders and attempts to send troops without authorization, you must inform me immediately."

Yu Zhongwen was taken aback; he suddenly realized something was wrong.

But he couldn't refuse, so he could only bow his head and say yes again.

Yang Guang then sent Yu Zhongwen and Liu Shilong to the vanguard, and ordered many generals to attack Liaodong City together.

Having made these arrangements, Yang Guang was no longer flustered.

With the Goryeo forces besieged in Liaodong, a large number of their troops will be transferred to Liaodong, leaving their capital vacant. Once Lai Huer arrives, they will surely be able to capture the capital and take Gao Yuan prisoner. Once Gao Yuan is captured, Liaodong will definitely surrender.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about the situation in Liaodong. As long as Yuwen Shu and others delay the enemy's main force, they can create an opportunity for Lai Huer's attack!
Thinking about his brilliant plan, which was part of a series of interconnected schemes, Yang Guang felt an indescribable excitement.

If this battle is won, the merit of destroying a country will allow the few confidants I've promoted to gradually replace the positions of these Guanzhong nobles. Only then will I be able to sit securely in my position, and there will be no more generals collectively besieging my confidants and forcing me to take action!

Furthermore, it seems this elite force needs a more qualified commander.
Liaodong City.

As the Sui army slowly approached the city, the joy on Yuwen Shu's face, which had been present when he captured the west bank, was long gone.

He kept a straight face, his expression frosty, and remained silent.

Yu Zhongwen rode his horse a short distance away. He also sensed a different atmosphere, but he didn't say anything, pretending not to know anything.

After Yuwen Shu captured the west bank, the emperor ordered Yu Zhongwen to lead the generals to follow Yuwen Shu and attack Liaodong City together. Yuwen Shu was still the nominal commander, but the problem was that the emperor also sent an imperial edict.

Yang told the soldiers of the vanguard that Yu Zhongwen was experienced and a capable old general, and that they should listen to his advice and not act recklessly.

Upon receiving this order, Yuwen Shu immediately cursed.

Yu Zhongwen is only one year older than me!

How come he's considered an experienced old general?
When Naigong was fighting, Yu Zhongwen was still playing around with oxen!

But the imperial edict had already been issued, and Yuwen Shu had no choice. The army gradually surrounded Liaodong City, preparing to launch a general offensive and take the city in one fell swoop.

Yuwen Shu quickly devised a detailed strategy to prepare for the attack on Liaodong City.

But at that moment, an envoy from inside the city arrived outside the camp.

He brought with him a letter from Eulji Mundeok, which was written to Yuwen Shu.

(End of this chapter)