1novels Chapter 96 The Crimson Vanguard Army Enters the Sea, Targeting the Japanese Islands
Chapter 96 The Crimson Vanguard Army Enters the Sea, Targeting the Japanese Islands
Looking at Yang Ruyi's protruding belly, Lü Xiao thought that by the time he returned, the baby would probably be running around everywhere.
He also wanted to see his son born, but he had no other choice.
Expanding territory is what men should do.
As for carrying the Ruyi with him, that's even more impossible.
He went to fight, not to flirt.
"Ruyi, I'm leaving."
Lu Xiao grabbed Yang Ruyi's hand and whispered.
"Yes, I will teach my son well, so don't worry."
Yang Ruyi raised her head, a smile spreading across her face.
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it, because once he did, Lü Xiao really couldn't put his mind at ease.
After all, Yang Ruyi had mentioned to him quite often in recent days that he should depose Yang You and make his own son emperor.
With a mother like that, it's hard to imagine how ambitious her son will be in the future.
"Let's go!" Yang Guang didn't delay any longer, mounted his horse, drew his sword from his waist, and gave the order in a loud voice.
With this order given, tens of thousands of troops marched eastward in a mighty procession.
Following the failure of the first eastern expedition, the Sui Dynasty officially launched its second eastern expedition.
For this eastern expedition, the Sui Dynasty not only mobilized troops from all the powerful families in the land.
Yang Guang also transferred 100,000 elite infantry and cavalry from various regional military governors to join the eastern expedition.
He was determined to succeed and would conquer Goguryeo no matter what, to avenge his previous defeat.
If he were to suffer another defeat, it would be a humiliation he could never wash away, and it would also shake the foundation of the Sui Dynasty.
When the army reached Hulao Pass, Yang Guang reined in his troops and turned to Lü Xiao, saying, "Zilie, I have prepared the ships to Donglai in advance. You should lead your troops to set off immediately."
The two had already discussed their strategy for advancing.
Yang Guang personally led the main force by land to launch a frontal assault on Goguryeo, drawing away its main military strength.
Lü Xiao then led a force by sea, bypassing the main force and launching a surprise attack on Goguryeo's rear.
Now that they have passed Hulao Pass, it is time for the two armies to part ways.
"Your Majesty, I obey!" Lü Xiao bowed and accepted the order, saying in a deep voice, "Once I lead my troops to launch a surprise attack on Goguryeo's rear by water, we will surely defeat the enemy army. Your Majesty, please await good news!"
As he said this, Lü Xiao looked at Yuwen Chengdu, who was dressed in golden armor and looked majestic.
With Yang Guang not by his side, the heavy responsibility of protecting His Majesty's safety fell entirely on Yuwen Chengdu's shoulders.
Yuwen Chengdu remained silent, only nodding quietly at Lü Xiao.
He exuded a chilling aura, his eyes as firm as iron.
With him around, no one can harm His Majesty.
Even his own father, Yuwen Huaji, couldn't do it.
"Walk!"
At Lü Xiao's command, the Chixiao Army set off along the official road towards Dengzhou.
As the army marched eastward, pedestrians on the official road made way for this elite force.
Lu Xiao rode on the Red Hare, its pheasant feathers fluttering in the wind, looking majestic and awe-inspiring.
Beside him were Pei Yuanqing and Yuwen Chenglong, the two vanguards, while Da Hu led the way in front of him.
Tens of thousands of soldiers followed closely behind, fully armored, with swords and spears standing tall, exuding a murderous aura that inspired fear.
At that moment, among the common people by the roadside, Li Mi and his entourage, disguised as ordinary people, were hiding.
They had just returned from seeking outside help in Wagang Village, and in order to avoid attracting attention, they all changed into ordinary people's clothes.
They were indistinguishable from ordinary passersby, and no one could easily recognize their true identities.
However, when Lü Xiao led the Chixiao Army by, Wang Bodang, Qin Qiong and others recognized Lü Xiao at a glance.
At this moment, Lü Xiao was full of vigor and prestige, a completely different person from when he was in Wagang Village.
"The King has ordered an expedited march!"
Yuwen Chenglong raised his silver spear and shouted loudly at the soldiers behind him, his voice as clear as a bell.
"promise!"
The Red Valiant Army soldiers responded in unison, their shouts shaking the heavens and the earth.
Immediately afterwards, his warhorse reared up, kicking up dust.
The thunderous sound of horses' hooves rose and fell, and in no time at all, the Red Valiant Army on the official road disappeared into the eastern horizon.
Only the echoing sound of horses' hooves remained in the air, lingering for a long time.
"Utterly hateful!" Wang Bodang suddenly pulled down his straw hat, concealing the sinister and resentful look in his eyes.
Lu Xiao, whom he used to look down on, is now so successful and full of vigor.
How could he possibly swallow this insult?
"It's all about timing, fate, and destiny."
Qin Qiong said this, but in his heart he was extremely unwilling.
He was once a bodyguard under Yang Lin and was deeply trusted by Yang Lin.
After Lü Xiao replaced him, he became second only to the emperor, holding a position of immense power.
Only he himself knows the extent of the disparity.
"Let's go."
Li Mi withdrew his gaze; he had previously heard of Lü Xiao's name.
Today, I truly saw it for myself.
As expected of a young man who was crowned king, he is indeed full of vigor and ambition.
So even now, Li Mi still couldn't understand why people were dissatisfied with Lü Xiao becoming king.
Dengzhou.
Yang Lin had already received news from Lü Xiao that he would be leading his troops through this area.
He then carried provisions and led a group of adopted sons to wait on the only road they could pass.
Seeing an elite force approaching in a grand procession, Yang Lin immediately recognized the leader, Lü Xiao.
"Godfather, it's the fourteenth prince!"
Xue Liang, still on his horse, quickly spoke to Yang Lin.
"I'm not blind!"
Yang Lin really wanted to kick this ignorant second son.
Lu Xiao cracked his whip and arrived at Yang Lin's place first.
Upon seeing everyone, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, my brothers, it has been a long time since we last met. I have missed you dearly."
"Fourteenth brother, no, I should call you His Highness Prince Shuo."
Luo Fang stepped forward and gently punched Lü Xiao in the chest.
The once naive fourteenth brother has, in the blink of an eye, become the majestic Prince of Shuo.
These young ladies are really marrying above their station.
"Yes, I didn't even recognize you when I saw you just now."
Cao Lin, one of the Ten Bodyguards, chimed in from the side.
"My brothers are being too kind to me."
Lu Xiao had not forgotten how kind his brothers had been to him when he first arrived in Dengzhou.
Here, he could feel the brotherhood.
There is no such thing as brotherhood among the Wagang people; it's all about self-interest.
"You've gone to war again. Second brother isn't very capable, so I wish you a swift victory and hope you can return soon to take Yu'er away."
Xue Liang didn't forget to mention his younger sister, lest Lü Xiao forget his old flame after finding someone new.
"Zilie, the terrain of Goguryeo is dangerous, you must be careful."
Yang Lin spoke after everyone had finished exchanging pleasantries.
"I will keep His Majesty's instructions firmly in mind." Lü Xiao nodded, then turned to Xue Liang and asked, "Second Brother, will you be joining the army?"
He had previously told Xue Liang that he should bring him along when he campaigned against Goguryeo.
"Haha, forget it, Second Brother threw up as soon as he got on the boat."
Besides, our godfather needs more help, and my second brother, as a pillar of the family, simply can't leave."
Xue Liang waved his hand repeatedly, unwilling to cause Lü Xiao even the slightest trouble.
"Oh well."
Seeing that Xue Liang was unwilling, Lü Xiao did not force him.
He then ordered the Red Swift Army to collect the provisions prepared by Yang Lin and set off for Donglai.
Soon, the army arrived in Donglai.
The boats at the ferry crossing were already prepared, and in addition to the Red Valiant Army, there was also an infantry force of 20,000 men.
After checking everything, Lü Xiao officially boarded the ship.
As the horns sounded on the main ship, the warships weighed anchor and set sail one after another.
Carrying an army of 30,000, it slowly sailed into the sea and headed northeast.