Personal Guards Take Office for the First Time

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Li Dong pressed his foot against Fei Qingnu’s back, deliberately delaying his mounting of the horse. To the royal guard Lu Lao San, this was utterly improper. Fei Qingnu’s protector was General Lai; even when punishing a dog, one must consider its master. This was going too far!

However, Li Dong’s words made Lu Lao San understand that Fei Qingnu had bullied him first, and he was merely repaying in kind. General Lai seemed to tacitly approve of this, which puzzled Lu Lao San even more—it defied all reason! There had to be a deeper secret.

Fei Qingnu rose, and General Lai saluted Li Dong with a fist and said calmly, “The night is deep; I take my leave.”

Li Dong, seated on his horse, returned the salute with equal arrogance—so brazen it stirred a burning desire in others to rush over and strike him just to ease their frustration.

After they left, only Lu Lao San, Qin Qiong, and Li Dong remained before the tent.

Lu Lao San wore a mournful expression, sighing heavily, a bellyful of words he didn’t know how to express.

Li Dong chuckled softly, leaning close to Lu Lao San and asked, “Brother Lu San, are you worried about me?”

Lu Lao San looked up, shot Li Dong a displeased glance, nodded vigorously but remained silent.

Li Dong said, “Brother Lu San, rest assured, they dare not harm me.”

Clutching the evidence of their grave crimes, as long as Li Dong lived, they would remain under his control. Even if Yi Zhi Wende died, a mere whisper to Emperor Yang of Sui could see them dismissed or demoted. This was Li Dong’s lever—an unerring trump card.

Lu Lao San had no idea what Li Dong truly contemplated. He stamped his foot and warned, “You’ve just angered the three sons of Old General Yuwen’s household, and now you bully Fei Qingnu, provoking General Lai. On your very first day in office, you commit such outrageous acts! I can no longer protect you!”

Li Dong laughed heartily, utterly indifferent. “Brother Lu San, just wait and see, the real spectacle is yet to come. This is only the beginning!”

Lu Lao San was dumbfounded.

Qin Qiong stood silently aside, for he understood all of Li Dong’s motives. Even so, he felt Li Dong had gone too far and worried for him. After all, Li Dong had offended only the most illustrious generals, men whose words were law in court!

Each harboring their own thoughts, the three slowly headed toward the armory. Soon they arrived. Li Dong asked Lu Lao San to wait outside briefly and took Qin Qiong’s hand as they entered.

Li Dong’s first order was not to swap the fake sword for the real one but to have Qin Qiong secretly monitor Fei Qingnu’s every move, especially when he left camp without permission. Qin Qiong was to follow quietly and find out exactly what he was up to.

As the foreman of the blacksmith shop repairing weapons, Qin Qiong had ample free time and freedom—this task suited him perfectly. Although spying on Fei Wu Ben was dangerous, Qin Qiong readily agreed. They were brothers who banged their heads together; if Qin Qiong didn’t help, who else could?

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What Qin Qiong did not know was that this was a secret mission Li Dong had received directly from Emperor Yang Guang of Sui.

Only then did Li Dong produce the fake sword, handing it to Qin Qiong in exchange for the genuine meteorite iron blade.

Drawing half the sword from its scabbard, Li Dong sighed with emotion, “In the Liaodong campaign, this sword proved invaluable. And it was crafted by Uncle Bao Xiong himself—never forget those who dig the well when you drink the water. Uncle Bao Xiong, do you have any requests? Your humble brother is willing to serve you.”

Qin Qiong hurriedly waved him off, “I have no demands for now, just wish you smooth sailing with no mishaps. That alone would put my heart completely at ease.”

Li Dong smiled slyly, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “Don’t you envy General Lai’s grand command? Don’t you want it for yourself?”

Qin Qiong was startled, “This must remain only between us brothers. Not a word beyond. If it leaks, my life would be forfeit!”

Li Dong grinned confidently, “Uncle Bao Xiong, watch closely—I will surely help you secure that fine post. But first, you must earn military merit; otherwise, even the best cook can’t make a meal without rice!”

“Merit is essential, but don’t mention the grand command again! Our foundations are shaky,” Qin Qiong declared stoutly, though inwardly hesitant. Wealth and honor are like smoke and illusions—quick to come, quick to vanish.

Li Dong continued, “This is a long-term plan, not achieved overnight. Moreover, once brothers Dou Jiande and Liu Heita are released tomorrow, take good care of them. If you can bring them under your command, your joint strength will be formidable and will greatly advance your reputation!”

Qin Qiong nodded in reluctant agreement.

Li Dong said, “The emperor has commanded swift departure and return. I have delayed long enough; I must go now.”

Qin Qiong accompanied him outside, waving farewell.

A faint disappointment lingered in Qin Qiong’s heart.

During the assault on Liaodong’s walls, Qin Qiong fought alongside Li Dong, but his contributions were overshadowed by Li Dong’s brilliance. Li Dong rose in one leap, while Qin Qiong’s merits remained unseen. Since General Lai did not report to Emperor Yang, Qin Qiong was not in a position to compete with Li Dong’s precedence. Being brothers, he let it be.

Li Dong and Lu Lao San returned to Emperor Yang’s dragon tent.

Yang Guang was still awake, seated at a desk, lighting a bronze lotus lamp whose wicks flickered gently as he reviewed memorials. Seeing Li Dong return, he ordered, “Commander Lu, you may rest. I will summon you if needed.”

Lu Lao San understood that the emperor had important matters for Li Dong and, feeling out of place, withdrew.

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Without looking up, Yang Guang continued his review but asked, “Who has tried to flatter you?”

Li Dong hurriedly saluted and recounted the situation in detail. At the end, he said, “Old General Yu Zhongwen issued only a warning; aside from that, nearly all princes and ministers showed their allegiance.”

Yang Guang stopped reviewing, rose, paced a few steps, then sharply commanded, “Accept none of them. See what games they play!”

Li Dong obeyed and retired to rest. Yet even lying down, sleep eluded him as he fingered the conical gold ingot gifted by Luo Shixin, his mind swirling with plans and considerations. He pondered the current state of the Waguan stronghold and how soon he might connect with its numerous heroes.

The next day, Li Dong followed Yang Guang’s orders almost exactly, accepting gifts from all who offered. Only when it came to Yuwen Shu did he refuse three times in a row. On the fourth attempt, Yuwen Shu sent a galloping jade-carved horse, translucent and lifelike, priceless. Li Dong accepted it with satisfaction.

This was extortion! Why not squeeze them hard? The harder, the better for Li Dong.

Afterward, Li Dong delivered over fifty gifts to Yang Guang’s tent.

Yang Guang stepped from behind his desk and shuffled through the pile. Though valuable, most gifts lacked exceptional rarity. As he moved the pile, his eyes caught the jade horse from Yuwen Shu.

His face darkened instantly. “This was a gift?”

Li Dong confirmed it was from General Yuwen.

Yang Guang drew a long face, “Far from the twin capitals Chang’an and Luoyang, journeying a thousand miles to Liaodong, none of the generals carry precious treasures—only common gifts. Yet he sends such a rare item. This man must have done many evil deeds behind my back.”

Li Dong said nothing. Other generals’ treasures were no less than Yuwen’s, but forcing Yuwen to reveal his true colors and covertly discredit him was a pleasure indeed.

At that moment, a royal guard reported outside the tent, “Your Majesty, Deputy Commander Li Yuan requests an audience!” (To be continued...)