My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 97 The Duke of Chu's Hobbies
Li Shimin, who was once arrogant and domineering in front of the local militia, was now being pulled into a small corner by his elder sister, behaving obediently with a fawning smile on his face.

"What brings you here, elder sister? Perfect timing! I ran into some trouble with archery and horsemanship earlier, and I was just about to ask you for some advice."

Li Shimin spoke with a smile. He could tell that his elder sister's expression was off, as if she had come to interrogate him. Although he didn't know what he had done, he subconsciously used the method of changing the subject, a method that had always worked well in the past.

Sure enough, Li Xiuning's expression softened a bit when she heard that her younger brother wanted to ask for advice, but she quickly realized what was going on.

"You can't fool me!"

"I know your archery skills have surpassed mine!"

"My older sister is a master archer; I've only learned the basics. There's still so much to learn."

Li Xiuning abruptly interrupted Li Shimin. She looked around and suddenly asked, "Were those bandits in the mountains your men?"

"what??"

Li Shimin's eyes widened. "How could I, the son of a Duke and commander of local militia, become a bandit chief? What makes you say that, sister?"

"Did you tip them off, giving the thieves a chance to escape?"

Li Shimin was so angry he almost jumped up. Why is everything being blamed on me?

"My sister actually suspects it's me?? You suspect me, but I suspect it's me too."

What do you suspect?

Li Shimin pursed his lips, then suddenly deflated, "It's nothing."

"I admit it. I did it all. I organized the thieves, I persuaded the emperor to initiate the forced labor program, and I also set fire to the farmland during the grain disaster in Guanzhong."

Li Xiuning was amused by Li Shimin's words.

She patted her brother's forehead and said seriously, "I'm not here to question you. I just want to say that whatever you want to do, you have to be careful. Many things are not yet ready, so you can't be careless. If you need my help, just ask. I won't tell anyone else."

“You are my own brother, and no matter what happens, I will protect you.”

Li Shimin paused for a moment, then nodded heavily, "I can do it too."

Zhao Yuanshu led the group, walking unsteadily along the official road.

They had passed Xinfeng and were very close to the capital.

He sat in the car, gazing into the distance with a worried expression, burdened with many worries that he couldn't share with anyone.

As darkness gradually fell, he summoned his attendants and requested to rest at the nearest post station.

The servants were secretly lamenting their situation. In fact, if they had traveled at full speed, they would have already entered the capital. But for some reason, Zhao Yuanshu seemed to be deliberately delaying the journey. She asked to stop and rest several times today and traveled very slowly, which delayed them by another day.

But they had no choice but to obey, and followed Zhao Yuanshu to the nearest post station. Zhao Yuanshu told them to prepare to enter the city the next day.

While everyone else went to rest, Zhao Yuanshu sat inside and waited quietly.

Before meeting the sage, he needed to meet with another person first to discuss his words during the audience; otherwise, some things might not match up, and mistakes would be inevitable.

Zhao Yuanshu waited for a long time, and finally, someone gently knocked on the door.

Zhao Yuanshu got up, straightened her clothes, and then quickly walked to the door and opened it.

Several people quickly entered the house. They were all dressed thickly, with their heads down, covering their heads and faces. After entering, the two leaders raised their heads. The one in the lead was really tall and strong, and was very conspicuous.

He had a thick beard, squinted eyes, and an arrogant expression; he was none other than Yang Xuangan, a loyal minister of the Sui Dynasty.

Yang Xuangan was the eldest son of Yang Su, the Duke of Chu. Yang Xuangan had the appearance of a warrior, and indeed he was a skilled fighter, earning him the nickname "Little Xiang Yu".

However, he was not a mere military man from Guanzhong. He loved literature, and renowned figures from all over the world became his guests. In addition, due to his father's legacy, many officials in the court were on friendly terms with him, and his fame grew day by day.

It can be said that his power and reputation are unmatched.

When the emperor first ascended the throne, things were alright, but within a few years, he became extremely suspicious and wary of everyone, as if the entire world was plotting against him. Even his personal guards, the Thousand Oxen Guards, were constantly under his thumb; if he sensed anything amiss, he would dismiss or remove them. Yang Xuangan was very worried about being targeted by the emperor, and given the emperor's increasingly extreme actions over the years, he began to consider deposing Yang Guang and installing a new emperor.

At this moment, Zhao Yuanshu was greatly surprised to see that it was Yang Xuangan who had come in person, and she hurriedly bowed to greet him.

Yang Xuangan quickly put on a smile and helped the other person up.

Why must Lord Zhao do this?

"The Duke shouldn't have come here personally; this place is full of sycophants."

Zhao Yuanshu was a little worried, but Yang Xuangan laughed and said, "Lord Zhao has accomplished a great thing for me, how could I not come to greet you personally?"

He and Zhao Yuanshu and a few others sat down inside the house.

Yang Xuangan sat in the superior position, Zhao Yuanshu sat to his right, and the person sitting to his left was none other than Li Mi.

Zhao Yuanshu only then realized that Li Mi had returned.

However, Li Mi looked somewhat weak at this moment, unlike his usual shrewd and capable self.

The two nodded in acknowledgment.

Yang Xuangan stroked his handsome and thick beard. "Li Mi has told me about the matter in Xingyang."

He turned his head to look at Zhao Yuanshu, "Is the son of the Duke of Tang really that outstanding?"

Zhao Yuanshu was taken aback, then replied, "Indeed extraordinary."

Yang Xuangan spoke of this matter with great emotion.

After Li Mi returned, he told him everything that had happened in Xingyang, focusing on the two extremely powerful sons of the Duke: the third son, Li Xuanba, and the second son, Li Shimin. He almost died at the hands of these two.

Yang Xuangan was extremely surprised by the performance of the two boys, and even exclaimed, "This is how you should educate your children! Just by looking at his children, you can already see his talent."

Zhao Yuanshu had nothing to say to those young men; he focused on the fact that Li Yuan had invited him to the banquet.

"Li Yuan is an impatient and opportunistic man. He hosted a banquet for me only to ask for an official position before the emperor, and even wanted to ask for merit for his son! His son is only ten years old, which shows how eager he is. If you ask me, this man is not worth your efforts to win over, let alone waste your energy dealing with him."

Zhao Yuanshu had a rather indifferent opinion of Li Yuan. He felt that this person would not amount to anything in the future; he was just lucky to have inherited the title of Duke.

After hearing what Zhao Yuanshu had said, Yang Xuangan pondered for a moment.

"This isn't necessarily a bad thing. If he wants a promotion, then help him out and let him go to another place to serve as an official. I already have a plan in mind for who should be in charge of Xingyang, a strategically important place. Lord Zhao, just do as he wishes."

Zhao Yuanshu bowed her head and agreed.

The two then discussed matters concerning Xingyang and agreed on how to address the Sage upon their meeting.

Yang Xuangan originally wanted to have a drink with Zhao Yuanshu, but Li Mi repeatedly dissuaded him, believing that the more critical the moment, the more careful and vigilant he should be, and that he must not give anyone any leverage against him. Helpless, Yang Xuangan bid farewell to Zhao Yuanshu and left in a hurry.

Yang Xuangan led the group along the road, and he looked at Li Mi beside him again.

"Xuansui, what do you think? What if I petitioned the Duke of Tang's son for a reward, so that he could come to the capital to serve?"

Li Mi was shocked. "Absolutely not!"

Li Mi knew that his Duke had a bad habit.

He particularly liked to win over the young sons of noble families. Li Mi really couldn't understand this tactic. Every time Li Mi suggested winning over some people of high status, Yang Xuangan would win over their sons. According to Yang Xuangan, their sons were willing to follow him. If he succeeded in something great, it would benefit them. Would they still oppose him? He would have their support in the future!
This statement may sound reasonable, but in reality, it's not like that at all!

Li Mi felt that the Duke was sometimes too confident. He was trying to win over the nobles not to reduce the resistance from the nobles, but to increase the support on his side!

The Duke may seem powerful right now, but how many of his men are truly willing to take up arms and rebel? What's the point of contacting these youngsters? No matter how many you win over, it's useless! But those who truly hold power, if you can win over even one of them, it will be a tremendous boost.

Is the Duke preparing to win over yet another child?

(End of this chapter)