Chapter 98

Understanding the final intentions of Zuo Tiancheng and his group, Luo Shixin felt a deep respect, but also felt sorry for them.

The world is unpredictable. Due to the existence of Yang Guang, the Sui Dynasty fell from its peak in a straight decline. Relying on the relationship of Princess Yicheng, who was married to the Turks, the Sui Dynasty barely maintained its rule under the protection of the Turks. How could it have the ability to conquer Goguryeo?

Goguryeo is a place with poor mountains and waters, a fierce and rugged people, and extremely dangerous terrain. The Central Plains Dynasty would have to mobilize a large army to conquer it. Without a certain level of strength, talking about sending troops to Goguryeo is just empty talk. The great turmoil at the end of the Sui Dynasty severely weakened the Central Plains, and the population was reduced by three-quarters. Its strength was even less than that of the Turks.

For Zuo Tiancheng to achieve his goal, he would have to wait for at least a dozen or twenty years, which might be a luxury. Of course, this is based on historical progress. However, now that he is an unknown variable, everything is uncertain.

"The times are different now. After the struggle of many heroes, the world is indeed unified, but it is in a state of disrepair and needs to be restored and adjusted. Conquering Goguryeo is inevitable, but it is unlikely in the short term," Luo Shixin tactfully expressed his thoughts.

Zuo Tiancheng was mentally prepared for the change of power, but hearing Luo Shixin's words still made him feel somewhat disheartened and confused: What was the point of waiting all these years?

But when he heard Luo Shixin's final words, his spirit was revived, and he said, "General, are you really sure that the Li Tang will send troops to Goguryeo?"

Luo Shixin nodded with great certainty and said, "It is inevitable! Since Emperor Wu of Han established the four commanderies of Lelang, Xuantu, Zhenfan, and Lintun, the northeast has been Han territory. Now that it has been divided among Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje, we must take it back."

Zuo Tiancheng's expression brightened, and he regained his motivation. He had already waited for five or six years and was used to it. What difference would a few more years make? He said, "I will inform my clan. If they are willing to return, I will provide them with travel expenses and let them leave. As for me, I am not leaving. My comrades and countrymen have fallen on this land, and I want to avenge them. When the Li Tang launches an eastern campaign against Goguryeo, I will serve as your guide."

Luo Shixin did not try to persuade him further. He and Zuo Tiancheng were not very familiar, so he could only respect his decision.

Their future would be discussed by people like Zhao Dezhu and Li Yunchong, who were closely related, rather than by an outsider.

Zuo Tiancheng's daughter was not sick, but rather over-nourished to the point of illness.

The little girl was born prematurely and was naturally weak, suffering from various ailments. To strengthen her constitution, Zuo Tiancheng, overwhelmed by fatherly love, almost fed her all the precious herbs from Mount Taibai, such as thousand-year-old ginseng, thousand-year-old lingzhi, wheel-leafed codonopsis, cloud mushroom, gentian, and bear bile.

Children have weak absorption abilities, and eating so many nourishing things instead placed a heavy burden on her body, ultimately causing her illness.

Zuo Tiancheng was extremely distressed when he learned the reason.

Sun Simiao diagnosed the illness, found the root cause, and reasonably arranged a treatment plan to strengthen the functions of her internal organs. He also taught her the Five Animal Exercises to improve her physical condition.

After three days, he confirmed that the girl's condition was under control and repeatedly instructed Zuo Tiancheng on precautions before leaving with Luo Shixin to return to the Central Plains.

For three days, Luo Shixin and Pei Qingyi, led by Li Yunchong, enjoyed the scenery of Mount Taibai, hunting in the snow, soaking in hot springs, and admiring the snow-covered landscapes. The snowy scenery was unique. What Luo Shixin found most unforgettable was wrestling with a brown bear. They found a cave where a brown bear was hibernating, provoked it, and fought it bare-handed, leaving the fat bear with a bruised head and fleeing in defeat, which was quite an experience.

Zuo Tiancheng, Zhao Dezhu, and Li Yunchong personally saw the four off.

"Even a thousand miles of farewell must come to an end! Please stop here and take care!" Luo Shixin, who had enjoyed himself for three days, bowed to everyone in farewell, understanding their choice to continue waiting for the Li Tang to conquer Goguryeo and return home in triumph.

Zuo Tiancheng, Zhao Dezhu, and Li Yunchong also said in unison, "Take care!" The foot of Mount Taibai was the boundary for the farewell. Continuing to see them off would be too conspicuous and could endanger Luo Shixin's group.

"Next time, stay longer! I haven't even taken you to see the Heavenly Lake on Mount Taibai yet!" Li Yunchong came to Luo Shixin and gave him a hug.

They had spent the past few days together, and their relationship had become very close.

Luo Shixin hugged him tightly and said, "Definitely. I have three regrets on Mount Taibai: not reaching the summit to see the Heavenly Lake, not encountering a golden eagle to capture and train, and not fighting a real brown bear. With these three regrets unfulfilled, I will definitely come back."

Li Yunchong still smiled when he heard the first two regrets, but he was stunned when he heard the third.

Wrestling with a brown bear was a game he discovered by chance. He only chose young adult bears, but Luo Shixin found them too small and not satisfying, so he directly fought a 2.5-meter-tall, 800-pound brown bear, beating it up without hesitation, which left him speechless.

Luo Shixin even complained that the brown bear was not fierce enough and asked him to keep any 3-4 meter, thousand-pound brown bears for him to play with.

The king of the forest, a brown bear that could kill lions and tigers with one paw, had become a toy for Luo Shixin.

Li Yunchong's expression stiffened, and he nodded seriously, "Definitely, definitely."

Luo Shixin was initially worried that their return journey would be dangerous because of the commotion they caused. However, the journey was smooth and uneventful, suggesting that the tension in Goguryeo was not directed at them but at something else.

He did not know that because of the commotion he caused, the most powerful minister of Goguryeo, Dae Do Lu Won, under the persuasion of his son, Yeon Gaesomun, intended to launch a coup to depose King Goguryeo, Go Jianwu.

Go Jianwu was not an easy opponent. Although the death of Eulji Mundeok was a great blow to him, it did not push him into despair.

In the years after Eulji Mundeok's death, Go Jianwu had also gathered some loyal supporters, including brave and loyal men like Yang Wanchun. Although his strength was not as great as the Yeon family, it was not to be underestimated.

Dae Do Lu Won had not yet achieved the same level of power as his son, Yeon Gaesomun, in Goguryeo. Under the planning of Eulji Mundeok's son, Eulji Houwu, Goguryeo held a military drill, and Yang Wanchun was summoned to Pyongyang, which thwarted Dae Do Lu Won's coup attempt.

The coup did not happen as planned, but the deteriorating relationship between Go Jianwu and Dae Do Lu Won was well-known.

The entire Goguryeo was affected, with people either taking sides or observing, causing widespread anxiety. No one paid attention to Luo Shixin and his group.

Go Jianwu and Dae Do Lu Won, in their struggle for their own interests, failed to realize that the only way to minimize the damage of internal strife was to act swiftly and decisively.

The longer they remained at an impasse, the greater the harm to the state.

Dae Do Lu Won's failed coup laid the foundation for the downfall of Goguryeo.