allendalepharm Chapter 27: A Warring States, Dare to Challenge My Great Sui?
Chapter 27: A Warring States, Dare to Challenge My Great Sui?
Yang Guang pondered Lü Xiao's words about pointing a gun, even though the foreign envoy did not actually carry a long spear.
But he understood the honest man's analogy.
That's very insightful.
Yes, the Sui Dynasty was vast and rich in resources, and all nations came to pay tribute, all respecting it as a superior nation.
But does the title of "superior nation" become a shackle, making us deserving of the humiliation of smaller nations?
Where were these envoys when the Eastern Turks revoked the title of Holy Khan?
Why did everyone keep silent, and not a single person spoke a word of justice for Yang Guang?
Now that he has changed his attitude, he is so anxious that he is jumping up and down.
late!
Ultimately, we've fed these wolves too much on a daily basis. Not only are they ungrateful, but they also want to use the name of the superior nation to continue to hold the Sui Dynasty hostage, and to hold him, the emperor, hostage!
From now on, it's time to change our attitude towards foreign lands.
Dogs really shouldn't be overfed.
"Shut your mouths, all of you!" Lu Xiao's shout actually drowned out the dozen or so mouths that were clamoring in the hall.
"You ungrateful wretches! How can you treat an envoy like this?"
"The Sui Dynasty provides you with good food and drink, fine clothes and delicacies."
"Why didn't you utter a sound when the Eastern Turkic envoy insulted His Majesty?"
Lu Xiao wasn't the type of parent to spoil their child; he had been holding back his anger for a long time, and now his words were sharp and cutting.
Yuwen Huaji had served Yang Guang for many years and knew the emperor's temperament well.
He was ambitious and loved the sight of all nations paying tribute and all directions bowing in submission.
By offending the envoys of various countries to the point of no return, Lü Xiao was practically courting death.
It's time for him to make his move.
"Lü Xiao! These are honored guests from foreign lands; how dare you insult them like this?"
Yuwen Huaji stepped forward, his voice and expression both fierce.
If this can be used to bring down Lü Xiao, then the Prince of Dengzhou will have little support, and the only powerful general His Majesty can rely on will ultimately be Yuwen Chengdu alone.
At this moment, Yuwen Huaji seemed to already see the scene of Yang Guang dealing with Lü Xiao.
"Your Majesty, I believe the Grand Tutor's words are quite correct," someone immediately stepped forward and said.
The appearance of this person truly baffled the court officials.
What's wrong with the Yuwen family? Is the son going against his father?
"Chengdu!" Yuwen Huaji whirled around, his eyes blazing with fury. "You... what nonsense are you spouting!"
He never expected that his youngest son would stab him in the back yesterday.
Today, even his usually composed eldest son publicly refuted him!
"Your Majesty," Yuwen Chengdu said, facing the throne, his voice deep and resolute.
"You have treated the foreign envoys with great courtesy, but they have not reciprocated and instead run rampant in Luoyang."
If this continues, it may chill the hearts of all the people.
I implore Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly.
These words had been bottled up in his heart for a long time, and he had never dared to say them out loud before.
Today, Lü Xiao started the conversation, but his father wanted to add to the blame, so he had no choice but to step forward.
Lu Xiao glanced at Yuwen Chengdu and thought to himself that this man was quite interesting and not as unreasonable as he had imagined; he was just being manipulated by his father.
Yang Guang was also deep in thought at this moment.
In recent years, we have been too lenient with foreign countries.
The Eastern Turks are a typical example.
He treated him very well; the northern grasslands lacked food in winter, and he provided it to them.
Unexpectedly, after the failed expedition against Goguryeo, the Eastern Turks were the first to kick them while they were down.
Perhaps we can take advantage of the Hundred Nations Tournament to change our attitude towards foreigners.
He didn't want to raise a bunch of ungrateful wretches while giving his all.
When His Highness Yuwen Chenglong saw that his elder brother and Lü Xiao had both spoken, how could he hold back any longer?
He slipped behind a minister and said in a strange, high-pitched voice:
"I also think that what the Grand Tutor and General Tianbao said makes sense! I support them!"
All eyes immediately turned to them.
Just as the minister was about to turn around and expose the scapegoat, a strange tune rang out from the other side:
"That's right! Good things should be kept for our own subjects, not given to outsiders!"
The commotion was so loud that Lü Xiao knew without even guessing who it was.
He deliberately raised his voice and asked, "You said this is a good thing, which minister should it be given to?"
Immediately, Yuwen Chenglong's normal voice rang out: "To Yuwen Chenglong, the youngest son of the Yuwen family!"
"Hahaha."
A burst of laughter erupted throughout the hall.
Yuwen Huaji felt his face burning hot, wishing he could disappear into the ground immediately.
The eldest son defied his father, and the youngest son made a fool of himself in public. Today, the Yuwen family has utterly lost face.
"Interesting." Yang Guang covered his face with his sleeve and shrugged slightly.
This Yuwen Chenglong is quite a character; he can both take the blame and make people laugh.
Not bad, really not bad.
Despite Lü Xiao's audacity, Yang Guang showed no intention of stopping him.
Upon arriving at this point, the foreign envoys finally saw through Yang Guang's true intentions.
Sure enough, because of the Eastern Turks, the Sui Dynasty's attitude towards them was about to change.
"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Sui Dynasty," an envoy stepped forward with a forced smile, "since the superior nation no longer respects us, from this day forward, we will no longer offer you any honors."
"The former Ning Kingdom shall cease paying tribute this year!"
"The Yue Kingdom also ceased paying tribute!"
"Your Majesty, please return the tribute that our Kingdom of Yimi has offered over the years!"
"The Kingdom of Gazelle agrees! A superior nation should show magnanimity and return the tribute to maintain friendly relations!"
In an instant, envoys from more than ten countries stepped forward, their words laced with coercion, attempting to retaliate by cutting off tribute.
Emperor Yang Guang was fond of appearances and valued the grand spectacle of all nations paying tribute.
They didn't believe it, and when they used this as leverage, the emperor could still remain calm.
Lu Xiao had never expected that these foreign tribes could be so shameless.
Having served the Sui Dynasty for many years, not only did they not think of repaying the favor, but they even wanted to turn the tables and demand their money back?
"In that case," Lü Xiao glanced at the crowd, his hand on the hilt of his sword, from which a faint clanging sound could be heard.
"Please return all the benefits bestowed upon you by the Sui Dynasty over the years."
"It is only right and proper for the superior nation to receive our homage and bestow gifts upon us. How can we possibly demand their return?"
Envoy Yuan Ning snorted coldly, his face full of disdain, looking down on Lü Xiao's stingy behavior.
In their view, it was already good enough that they didn't complain about the small amount given by the Sui Dynasty.
If they possessed the lands of the Sui Dynasty, they would never have been so stingy with the surrounding smaller states.
Even if it were to cede some land to neighboring small countries, it would be perfectly reasonable.
"Your Majesty, you saw it?" Lü Xiao's fingers tightened, making the hilt of his sword creak. "These are ungrateful dogs! I can't stand it anymore. I'll chop them all up for you!"
"Declare war! Declare war!" At this moment, even Yang Guang could no longer suppress the rage in his chest.
All the good treatment we've given you over the years has truly been wasted on feeding dogs!
"Good, good!" Lü Xiao slung the Zhenyue Sword over his shoulder with a thud and looked down at everyone.
"I know you are dissatisfied, but you don't have the guts to really start a war with my Great Sui Dynasty."
"I'm giving you a chance. Go back and bring the best fighters from your country."
Right here beneath the walls of the Eastern Capital, I had a fair and square duel with one of the mighty generals of my Great Sui Dynasty.
Dare, or not?
One of the messengers raised his head, his eyes gleaming with undisguised greed.
"May I ask Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Sui Dynasty?"
"If we win... what are the benefits?"