My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 344 Hijacking
Yang Guang did not believe that Yuwen Shu was the mastermind behind the rebellion.

Since Yuwen Shu had not contacted anyone outside after being imprisoned, and it was impossible for him to have foreseen his brilliant orders, Yang Guang viewed this incident as a spontaneous mutiny by lower-ranking officers in order to rescue Yuwen Shu and oppose military orders.

Those high-ranking generals have too many concerns and too many ideas, so they are unlikely to take drastic action. They have many things to consider. They cherish their current position and do not want to cause chaos, as chaos in the world would not benefit them.

Only lower-ranking officers, such as colonels and lieutenants, would act blindly and recklessly.

They don't care whether the world is in chaos or not, and they have no scruples; if they say they'll kill, they really will.

And those who could stop these rioting soldiers were naturally high-ranking generals like Yuwen Shu.

Yang Guang wiped away his tears, hurriedly stood up, and walked a few steps to Yuwen Shu. The two men embraced and wept bitterly.

This scene was truly moving.

Several generals and ministers in the distance also wiped away their tears in a similar manner, showing their emotion.

After Yang Guang finally finished crying, he first looked in Li Xuanba's direction, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

He had endured for so long, all for this moment!
"Qing, just now..."

"His Majesty!!"

Yuwen Shu suddenly interrupted Yang Guang, pointing behind him to a head rolling on the ground. Yang Guang was stunned for a moment, and then, upon seeing the head, his expression changed drastically.

"That scoundrel Pei Yun is plotting a rebellion! He's holding officials hostage and bewitching the Emperor. He wanted to eliminate the 300,000-strong army first, and then turn against you! Fortunately, we learned of this in time, and I have already killed him. The officials and scholars who followed him in the rebellion have also been arrested!"

"Your Majesty need not worry any longer!"

Yuwen Shu spoke emotionally, tears still welling in his eyes.

But Yang Guang's expression became somewhat stiff.

Pei Yun rebelled?

It's clear that your soldiers have lost their discipline, and you're killing court officials, including my Imperial Censor, just like that?

Yang Guang realized something was wrong, "How could Pei Yun be plotting a rebellion?"

Yuwen Shu sighed, "Your Majesty, Pei Yun's previous disorderly orders aroused dissatisfaction among the soldiers. They all suspected that someone wanted to kill them, so they began to investigate. After their investigation, they confirmed that Pei Yun wanted to rebel, which is why he issued such military orders!"

Yuwen Shu looked behind him, and Yu Zhongwen mustered his courage and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty! Pei Yun has indeed rebelled!"

Jing Yuanheng and the others were also helpless at this moment, and could only accuse Pei Yun of treason.

They reluctantly agreed to Li Xuanba's request, but the situation escalated until it reached a point where it was beyond repair.

Now, if they dare to bow their heads, they will surely die. The emperor will never forgive them. Even if he lets them go now, he will definitely find an opportunity to kill them later. They know what kind of personality the emperor has.

Even if they were unwilling, they had no choice but to continue to fight the emperor.

As Yang Guang watched the generals join Yuwen Shu in accusing Pei Yun of treason, his expression grew increasingly grave, even bordering on disbelief.

All the generals present were his confidants, and many of them were personally promoted by him.

Now, he's been betrayed by his own confidants?!

This made Yang Guang feel somewhat disheartened.

At that moment, Su Wei spoke up: "Your Majesty, it is indeed Pei Yun who is plotting a rebellion!"

Yang Guang finally couldn't hold back any longer.

It's one thing for military men to rebel, but what right do you, a scholar, have to get involved?

Just as he was about to reprimand him, Su Wei said again, "Your Majesty, the previous order to raid Pyongyang is the best proof. The reason why the generals wanted to kill Pei Yun and risked everything to eliminate him is because of this! Pei Yun has truly rebelled!"

Su Wei spoke with great determination, staring intently at the emperor, hoping that Yang Guang would react soon.

The emperor still doesn't understand why these warriors did such a thing.

In his heart, he still clung to that nonsense about Guanzhong warriors and military nobles!
Of those who first launched the mutiny, apart from the Left Guard, which of them were armies of Guanzhong warriors? Were they the Imperial Guard? Weren't those legions all trusted confidants summoned by the emperor himself? Why were they the first to defect?
The biggest problem with their actions was that they felt the raid on Pyongyang was a suicide mission, and none of them wanted to die. Since someone was leading the charge, they naturally began to oppose it. Now that things had reached this point, it could only be that Pei Yun was plotting a rebellion! If it wasn't Pei Yun's rebellion, then it was probably just the emperor catching a cold—or even something more serious! Su Wei still wanted to quell the matter and protect the emperor.

Chaos in the world benefits no one; it only brings greater destruction.

After his repeated reminders, Yang Guang seemed to have come to his senses.

He has returned to his normal level.

At that moment, his face hardened, and he glared angrily at Pei Yun's head beside him, "How many soldiers have died because of this beast?!"

"Guards! Take his head out and show it to the soldiers!"

"Here!!"

Having done this, Yang Guang smiled and helped Yuwen Shu up. He said gently, "The generals deserve much credit for quelling the rebellion in time. Duke Xu, is there anything you wish for?"

Yuwen Shu shook his head, "Your Majesty, I failed to protect you and almost let Pei Yun harm you. I dare not ask for any credit. However, the soldiers in the city have made great contributions this time. I beg Your Majesty to reward them."

Yang Guang pursed his lips. "Alright, let Lord Su be in charge of the bestowal of titles and rewards."

"I am feeling a bit depleted. Now that the rebels have been quelled, I will go and rest first, and we can discuss important matters again tomorrow."

"His Majesty!"

Just as Yang Guang was about to leave, Yuwen Shu hurriedly stopped him.

Yuwen Shu said solemnly, "Your Majesty, although Pei Yun is dead, the soldiers inside and outside the city are extremely fearful, and some have even started fighting each other. If we cannot calm the troops down, I'm afraid there will be a big problem!"

Yang Guang was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Su Wei.

Su Wei hurriedly replied, "What Duke Xu said is absolutely right. We should have the foreign troops withdraw from Liuhe City, leaving only the Imperial Guard troops to defend the city."

Yuwen Shu laughed. "That's not appropriate."

"The left and right imperial guards are currently facing off outside the south gate. If we let them in, wouldn't that lead to a major disaster?"

"If you ask me, none of these foreign troops should enter! Your Majesty, please allow the Xiaoguo Guard to enter Liuhe City to assume the important responsibility of protecting Your Majesty. The Xiaoguo Guard is Your Majesty's imperial guard, and their combat power is astonishing. With them stationed in Liuhe City, they will certainly be able to protect Your Majesty well."

Yang Guang's face was extremely grim.

He now deeply regretted appointing Li Xuanba as the first commander of the Xiaoguo Guard. In fact, the other commanders were also recommended by Yuwen Shu, and he hadn't even noticed that the Xiaoguo Guard had become Yuwen Shu's trusted army! This was supposed to be the army that protected him and prevented this situation from happening today!

He now understood that Yuwen Shu had no intention of letting go so easily.

He seems to be trying to take me hostage.

He wanted to drive out the foreign troops and have his own army stationed in Liuhe City. In that case, he and the court would be under his control, and he could command the million-strong army through him. This situation filled Yang Guang with immense fear.

The scene was strikingly similar: an emperor who had lost command, and a member of the Yuwen clan who had gathered military leaders.
Yang Guang knew that he absolutely could not back down at this moment.

If I back down, Yuwen Shu will become even more unreasonable. I can't let these warriors feel my fear. If the army around me is all Yuwen Shu's men, then I'll be completely useless!

Yang Guangqiang feigned composure.

"The Xiaoguo Guards are elite troops, and they still need to guard against the Koreans. Where can they be transferred back to Liuhe City?"

"With the Right Guard protecting me, that's enough!"

"Duke Xu, there's no need for further words. Take the generals out."

Yuwen Shu knelt before the emperor and began to weep again.

"Your Majesty, I am utterly loyal to you, and Heaven and Earth bear witness to my loyalty. If I have ever betrayed you, may I be struck down by Heaven and Earth! If Your Majesty suspects me of any disloyalty, I will commit suicide now to prove my loyalty."

As Yuwen Shu spoke, he got up and prepared to crash into a pillar in the distance.

Su Wei and other senior officials quickly embraced him, exclaiming, "Duke Xu!! Why do this?!"

(End of this chapter)