Chapter 4: A Glimmer of Hope

In this way, the Koreans would be in dire straits. Chen Yingliang said with a burp, "We do not seek to annihilate Korea in one fell swoop; we only need to force the Koreans to mobilize their entire nation for battle each time. By killing some of their soldiers and civilians, destroying some of their farmland and cities, and delaying their agricultural activities, we can withdraw our troops when the time is right. This will leave the Koreans exhausted and in a state of perpetual unrest. After a few such encounters, their national strength will be depleted, they will have no soldiers to deploy, no food to eat, and internal strife will arise. Then, our great Sui dynasty can send a strong army to completely annihilate them, which will be as easy as turning over a hand.

Old Chen San also knew that after Chen Yingliang hanged himself, his memory was somewhat confused, so he merely urged Chen Yingliang to quickly retrieve the jade pendant, lest the Chai family come knocking again and leave him at a loss. The impoverished Chen Yingliang nodded in agreement, while secretly contemplating how to sell the jade pendant for a good price, in order to secure his first capital for rising above his circumstances.

After memorizing someone's famous quotes, Chen Yingliang, who was quite familiar with the history of the Sui and Tang dynasties, asked: "Elder brother, do you know the reason why the emperor first personally led an expedition against Goguryeo?"

In a fit of anger, Chen Yingliang boldly recited the famous ancient saying circulating online, declaring: "Those from Gaoli, the barbarous and lowly class, are not worthy of being treated with benevolence and righteousness, nor can they be held accountable to customary rites. Historically, they have been treated like fish and turtles; even if ten thousand men are killed in a day, there is no shame in it"

In this way, if the Goryeo people truly ally with the Turks to invade our Central Plains, they will immediately be able to form a pincer attack against the Liaoxi Plain of our Great Sui. Once this strategic stronghold of the Liaoxi Plain falls, our Great Sui will not only lose the northeastern horse-producing region but will also be forced to station heavy troops in the Liaoxi Corridor to strengthen defenses, incurring greater costs in terms of money, grain, and military resources. If we lose the Liaoxi Corridor again, our Great Sui's North China Plain will have no defenses left to hold. The Goryeo people will then be able to exert overwhelming pressure on our Great Sui, constantly threatening the heartland of our Central Plains, leaving us with no means of defense, and making any counterattack exceedingly difficult.

As they spoke, Chen Laosan had already brought the bowls and chopsticks. Young Master Qiao, without any hesitation, poured himself a drink and also filled a bowl for Chen Yingliang. He raised the bowl and said: "Brother Yingliang, this bowl of wine is offered by me to honor you, to honor your unyielding spirit, your strength that cannot be subdued, your wealth that cannot be corrupted, and also to honor your exceptional talent, your eloquence that flows like a river. To meet a young hero like you, a talented youth, is the greatest fortune of my life."

"Back then, our family’s elder and Elder Chai provided the engagement token for you and the third Miss Chai," explained Chen Laosan. "The old servant has heard the lady mention that the elder gifted the Chai family a gold hairpin inlaid with jadeite, crafted by a master artisan at that time. Our family spent several dozen guan on the jadeite alone. The elder of the Chai family gave you a jade pendant that he had taken from himself, which is said to be a cherished item of his, even a family heirloom."

My father's name is Fang Yanqian, and he currently holds the position of Military Supervisor of Fuyu Dao. He is a man of integrity in his official duties and often teaches me that it is easy to fall from frugality into extravagance, but difficult to return from extravagance to frugality. He does not allow me to live in a luxurious residence, wear extravagant clothing, or indulge in lavish meals. Young Master Qiao Song smiled and replied, "I dare not go against my father's strict teachings, so I reside here and intentionally maintain a low profile, ensuring that the neighbors are unaware of my family's situation"

As he spoke, Young Master Qiao Song handed the small bottle of liquor to Chen Yingliang, smiling: "This is the bruising liquor from the renowned physician Sun Simiao of the Qinling Mountains. The kick that Chai Shao delivered to your chest during the day was no light matter. Apply it to the bruised area to prevent any lingering ailments."

"Dear brother, I have seen your calligraphy, and it is quite good. I have also had the pleasure of witnessing your literary talent several times today, which I deeply admire," said Young Master Qiao with a smile. "Your sister-in-law is currently pregnant, and I truly cannot spare the time right now. However, the opportunity is here; if you are interested in serving in the Liaodong army, I can transfer this opportunity to you. I will write a letter of recommendation for you, which you can take to Liaodong to meet my father. There will surely be a position for you to showcase your abilities."

Chai Shao's kick was indeed heavy, leaving a large bruise on Chen Yingliang's chest, which still hurts severely to this day. However, Chen Yingliang did not mention it, fearing that Chen Laosan would worry. At the same time, he never expected that his good neighbor, Young Master Qiao Song, would notice such details. Feeling genuinely touched and inspired by this, Chen Yingliang hurriedly stood up and cupped his hands in gratitude, saying, "Brother Qiao Song, I won't say much more. If there is an opportunity, I will surely repay your kindness today generously."

"Well said, you have ambition!" Young Master Qiao Song clapped his hands, hesitated for a moment, and greatly admired Chen Yingliang's strategy and insight. Young Master Qiao Song made up his mind and smiled as he said: "Brother Yingliang, I can offer you this opportunity, but I wonder if you would be willing to accept it"

"My foolish brother is Fang Xuanling, isn't he?" Fang Xuanling retorted, then exclaimed, "Dear brother, dear brother, what happened to you? How did you fall to the ground?"

I see. Young Master Qiao nodded, then looked at Chen Yingliang before saying: "Brother, Lord Tang is known for befriending heroes from all corners, and I have indeed heard of this. However, as far as I know, even though Lord Tang is eager to recruit talented individuals, he does not associate with or employ just anyone. Since you lack a strong background and do not have a prominent reputation, it would be quite difficult for you to gain his favor even if you were to seek his support"

Chen Yingliang quickly clasped his hands in apology, but before he could finish his words, he suddenly jumped up three feet high, pointing at Young Master Qiao Song and shouting like a pig being slaughtered: "What? Fang Xuanling? Brother Qiao Song, you are Fang Xuanling?!"

Setting down the nearly empty wine jar, Chen Yingliang, whose face was flushed from drinking, once again raised his wine bowl. While drinking, he spoke to the attentive Young Master Qiao: "I believe that given the current situation, the best way for us to deal with Goryeo is to engage in a war of attrition. We should send out a smaller contingent to conduct the campaign; an army of thirty to fifty thousand elite soldiers would be sufficient. This scale of expedition is absolutely manageable for our Great Sui, but Goryeo is different. Their country is small and their population is limited, so even in response to our smaller forces, they would have to mobilize their entire nation."

After finally concluding his lengthy and verbose discourse, Chen Yingliang, parched and dry-throated, lowered his head to drink again. However, Young Master Qiao Song was utterly shocked, thinking to himself: "If I had not seen it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, I truly would not dare to believe that this seventeen-year-old youth could propose such a correct and reasonable strategy to defeat the enemy! If the Emperor could adopt this strategy in warfare to eliminate the barbaric Goryeo, it would indeed be as easy as flipping a hand!"

Lying on the small and narrow bed, Chen Yingliang sighed deeply for a while, but it was too late for regrets. The words to dismiss Chai Shao's sister had already been uttered and could not be taken back. He absolutely could not bring himself to go to the Chai family to apologize, such a humiliating and disgraceful act. In the already difficult situation of not being able to seek refuge with Li Yuan, Chen Yingliang even entertained the thought, "Why must I cling to Li Yuan's thigh? His rise to power is due to the fact that formidable figures like Wang Shichong, Li Mi, and Dou Jiande exhausted the strength of the Sui Dynasty and then turned against each other, depleting their own power, which allowed him, hiding in Taiyuan, to take advantage of the situation!"

"Who said my surname is Qiao?" Young Master Qiao Song is even more confused than Chen Yingliang, saying: "My foolish brother's surname is Fang, given name Xuanling, courtesy name Qiao Song. How is it that you, my dear brother, do not even know this?"

Old Chen wiped his tears and agreed. After opening the door, he went to the kitchen to busy himself with household chores. It was at this moment that Young Master Qiao curiously asked, "Dear brother, there is something that puzzles me. Why did you suddenly think of inquiring about Lord Li Yuan of the Tang today? Is it possible that your elder has some connection with Lord Tang? Are you hoping to ask Lord Tang to intervene and teach Chai Shao a lesson for his brazen act of forcibly breaking off the engagement?"

Li Yuan, regarding the matter with the Chai family, it would be best if you do not interfere. If you dare to meddle, I will make you regret having chosen Chai Shao as a son-in-law

"Then let's start from the grassroots level," Chen Yingliang confidently replied. "I am not someone who aims too high. I believe that as long as I have the opportunity to serve my country, I will certainly shine and showcase my talents. Therefore, I do not care about the rank or the benefits; I only need one opportunity, just one chance to demonstrate my abilities!"

"Young Master, why do you ask me?" Chen Laosan replied with a bitter smile, "When the Madam passed away, she personally entrusted that jade pendant to you, asking you to keep it safe. At eighteen, you were to take the pendant to the Chai family to propose. Since then, the pendant has been kept by you; how could this old servant know where you have hidden it?"

"A mere gesture, why bother with thanks?" Qiao Song said. The young master also humbly replied, then clinked his wine bowl with Chen Yingliang's and laughed, "No need for pleasantries, let us drink!"

However, the emperor was too impatient; he was solely focused on leaving a lasting legacy, forgetting the burdens placed on the common people. Chen Yingliang continued, "What was originally meant to take fifty years to complete, the emperor insisted on finishing within five years. These grand achievements require taxes and resources to be collected from the people, meaning that the taxes meant for fifty years must be gathered within five years. How can the common people possibly bear such a burden?"

Therefore, I believe that if the Emperor continues to be so impatient and seeks quick achievements, these seemingly insignificant rebels will never be eradicated. It will only lead to a situation where pressing down one gourd causes another to rise. The more the rebels are suppressed, the more chaotic the world will become, ultimately transforming a minor ailment into a grave threat, and even becoming the grave diggers of our great Sui dynasty

Strange, how does this writing style resemble mine so closely

The courtyard door was not bolted, and my troublesome neighbor barged right in, so please do not mind, Brother Yingliang. Outside, the laughter of Young Master Qiao Song could be heard, followed by him striding in, having helped Chen Yingliang quite a bit during the day, with a wine jar in his right hand and a small wine bottle in his left hand

Fortune favors the bold! Chen Yingliang, fueled by alcohol, waved his hand and declared loudly: "If you fear death and danger, and do not dare to venture out, will the opportunity to stand out simply fall from the sky? It is settled then; I am willing to enlist in the army in Liaodong. Regardless of the outcome, I will never regret it!"

The meal remained quite simple, consisting of vegetable leaf porridge, a small dish of pickled vegetables, and a bowl of mutton soup meant to nourish Chen Yingliang's health. Despite Chen Laosan's firm refusal, Chen Yingliang insisted on sharing half of the mutton soup with him. While Chen Yingliang was touched and felt that he had become much more considerate, Chen Laosan suddenly recalled an important matter and hurriedly put down his chopsticks, saying: "Young Master, in my worry for you today, I forgot something significant. The betrothal gifts between our family and the Chai family have not yet been exchanged."

"Drunk again? Brother Chen Yingliang, your capacity for alcohol is rather limited, isn't it?" After carefully examining Chen Yingliang's condition, Fang Xuanling discovered that Chen Yingliang had merely succumbed to the effects of alcohol and collapsed on the ground. Only then did Fang Xuanling feel relieved. After a slight sigh of relief, Fang Xuanling silently recited in his heart: "Those from Goryeo, the barbarous and lowly tribes, are not worthy of being treated with benevolence and righteousness, nor can they be held to the standards of customary propriety. Since ancient times, they have been dealt with through fish and turtles; even if they kill ten thousand men in a day, it is not a matter of shame."

Where is the jade pendant? How much is it worth?" Chen Yingliang quickly pressed for more information

Elder brother, please forgive me; I truly did not know...

Is that so? Chen Yingliang carefully searched the memories of his former owner and discovered that it seemed to be a very precious and exquisite jade pendant. However, he could not recall where it was hidden at the moment, so he said: "There is indeed this jade pendant, and it certainly hasn't been lost; I just can't remember where I hid it for the time being. But it doesn't matter, it's still in this house. I will think about it slowly and also wait for news from the Chai family. If the Chai family wants to reclaim their ancestral item, they can exchange it for our family's gold hairpin. If they no longer want it, then we won't need to make the exchange. Even if we incur some loss in terms of value, it doesn't matter; I am too lazy to haggle with the Chai family."

Of course not. Although he had given up on the idea of seeking refuge with Li Yuan, Chen Yingliang couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh, and then honestly said: "To be frank with you, my brother, I was thinking of joining the army to seek a path for advancement and find an opportunity to stand out. I just didn't expect that, alas..."

Chen Yingliang hesitated for a moment before responding: "I have heard that Lord Li Yuan of the Tang Dynasty is eager to recruit talented individuals, valuing ability over social status. I believe that serving under him would provide more opportunities for advancement, which is why I have the thought of seeking to join him."

"The situation is dire. " Chen Yingliang sighed, venting his frustrations verbally, yet he did not dare to physically confront the unreasonable troublemakers from Goryeo. He took another bowl of liquor and, while pouring, said gloomily: "The Emperor's intentions are correct, but the approach is wrong. Is it really necessary to mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops for a personal expedition against these Goryeo rascals? Mobilizing such a large army and traveling such a long distance to subdue Goryeo not only burdens the common people, but also makes it difficult for our Sui army's logistics to keep up. If the war drags on, the burden on our Sui citizens will only increase, and ensuring the supply of food and military resources at the front will become even more challenging. Before long, we will be forced to retreat due to a lack of provisions."

It is good that you are willing, then let us agree on this. Young Master Qiao nodded and reminded, "However, my dear brother, I must say this in advance: currently, Liaodong is the front line of battle, where our Sui army is engaged in fierce combat with the Goguryeo army. Although there are many opportunities for you there, the dangers are equally great!"

Can you give me this opportunity, elder brother?" Chen Yingliang was taken aback

It is astonishing that this seventeen-year-old youth, Chen Yingliang, possesses such insight. However, Young Master Qiao could not help but feel a desire to continue probing, so he said: "Esteemed brother, there is a topic we can continue discussing. You just mentioned that the Emperor's campaign against Goguryeo is a great achievement, permanently eliminating the hidden dangers in Northeast China. Yet, Goguryeo has already submitted to our Great Sui. During the reign of the late emperor, the King of Goguryeo even sent a tribute claiming to be a vassal of the Great Sui, bowing in submission. Why do you still insist on regarding them as a hidden danger in the Northeast?"

After downing three large bowls of wine, the sky had already darkened. Old Chen San groped around, wanting to light a lamp, but the Chen family was so poor that they relied on others for meals, let alone finding lamp oil to light a lamp. Young Master Qiao Song, after hearing Old Chen San's trembling explanation, burst into laughter and said, "Third Uncle, the moonlight is very bright tonight; there's no need for a lamp. Just open the door, and you can go about your business. I have a few words I would like to discuss privately with Brother Ying Liang."

The ignorant have no reason, and Chen Yingliang's words startled Young Master Qiao Song to the point where he almost jumped up. However, in the dimly lit room without an oil lamp, it was difficult to discern the tension and fear on Young Master Qiao Song's face. Therefore, Chen Yingliang continued, "The current emperor is indeed a great ruler, having excavated canals to connect the north and south, strengthening the ties between the two regions, pacifying border troubles and resisting the Turks, protecting our Huaxia people. Furthermore, he has launched multiple campaigns against Goguryeo, sparing no effort to annihilate the barbaric nation of Goryeo and eliminate the hidden dangers in the northeast forever. Each of these matters is a monumental achievement worthy of being recorded in history and benefiting future generations."

Since that is the case, why have I never thought of switching to a more powerful ally? Whether it is Wang Shichong, Li Mi, or Dou Jiande, they all possess the strength and opportunity to seize the world. Even Emperor Yang of Sui might not be able to secure his dynasty. With my assistance, they might very well defeat Li Yuan! If there were opportunities and luck, I could even raise my own army and compete with Li Yuan for supremacy myself

Perhaps it is merely a coincidence, Brother Yingxian. It seems that the bond between us brothers is indeed extraordinary.

Chen Yingliang and Chen Laosan hurriedly offered their seats and invited Young Master Qiao Song to join them for a meal. Young Master Qiao Song did not stand on ceremony and directly sat down opposite Chen Yingliang. He first placed the wine jar on the table, then took out a lotus leaf package from his bosom and placed it on the table, smiling as he said: "I have already eaten, but I would like to drink a few cups with Brother Yingliang. I brought my own food and drink, just prepare a pair of chopsticks and a bowl for me."

"The world has already shown signs of great chaos?" Young Master Qiao looked at Chen Yingliang, took another sip of wine, and then said: "Dear brother, do you think it is an exaggeration to say that the world has shown signs of great chaos? Indeed, within just two months, there have been numerous reports of misfortune in the Qi and Lu regions. Meng Haigong, Meng Rang, Guo Fangyu, and Hao Xiaode, along with more than a dozen other rebel factions, have gathered to create turmoil. Additionally, the slave rebel Bai Yusuo, who revolted earlier this year in Lingwu, along with the unquashed Qinghe Gaoshida and the Dongjun Wagang bandits, have all contributed to the rising smoke of conflict. For the great Sui dynasty, these petty thieves are nothing more than a skin disease, easily eradicated with a wave of the hand. Why then, dear brother, do you say that the world has already shown signs of great chaos?"

I actually have a feud with Chai Shao? This guy is one of the twenty-four meritorious ministers of Lingyan Pavilion, always clinging to Li Shimin's leg, and he has a close kinship with the Li family. If I have a feud with him, do I still dare to seek refuge with the Li family?

I see. Chen Yingliang first nodded in realization, then noticed something strange and hurriedly asked, "Elder brother, aren't you surnamed Qiao? Why did you just say that your father is surnamed Fang?"

Because the sticks are ungrateful wolves that cannot be tamed, they are like treacherous dogs that take advantage of the situation to assist the tyrants. Whenever there is an opportunity, they will certainly not miss the chance to bite us, the Sui Dynasty, hard! Even if they have to serve as dogs or slaves to other barbarian tribes, these sticks will still harbor hatred and hostility towards us, the Huaxia, and will do everything possible to seize and steal everything from us.

Having searched high and low without success, the opportunity that came effortlessly was a source of great joy for Chen Yingliang, who had been troubled by his inability to find a path into officialdom. He quickly nodded and said: "I am willing, I am willing. I can guarantee that I will not disappoint your recommendation, and I will certainly not let my brother-in-law and uncle down"

Indeed. Young Master Qiao Song nodded and said, "To be honest, my dear brother, I was once an official in service. Although I am currently idle at home, my father has been serving the court and is presently holding the position of military supervisor on the battlefield of Liaodong, which we just discussed. A few days ago, my father sent a letter stating that there is a shortage of civil officials in the Liaodong army and inquired whether I would be willing to serve there."

"Elder brother, you flatter me too much; I am unworthy of such praise." Chen Yingliang quickly raised his wine bowl and, for the first time at the table, spoke a heartfelt truth, "Elder brother, this bowl of wine should be a toast from me to you. You have supported the weak and helped those in need, bringing warmth to my family in their time of distress. You do not fear the powerful or the violent, and you still dare to argue your case in the face of the influential. Your great kindness is beyond words, and I have no way to repay you. Today, I would like to offer you this bowl of wine in gratitude."

Therefore, we must ensure the destruction and annihilation of the Goryeo barbarians!" Chen Yingliang exclaimed, waving his hand in excitement. "The Goryeo barbarians, like the Turkic barbarians, have long coveted our prosperous and affluent Central Plains! If our Sui Dynasty does not send troops to subdue and intimidate the Goryeo people, and subsequently eradicate them, then our northeastern frontier of Huaxia will never know peace!

Having come to terms with these thoughts, Chen Yingliang, who had once felt an overwhelming sense of loss, regained his spirits. Just then, Chen Laosan entered and called for Chen Yingliang to come to the main room for dinner. Chen Yingliang immediately leaped out of bed and stepped out the door with a light and brisk stride

Moreover, Young Master Qiao Song added: "It is just that my foolish brother did not expect that residing here would allow me to meet such a talented young man as you. It seems that my father's words are indeed true; there are many outstanding talents among humble families."

The words spoken by Chen Yingliang are, of course, evaluations of Emperor Yang of Sui by later generations, which are certainly not surprising. However, in the ninth year of the Daye era, in the capital of the Sui Dynasty, Daxing City, the only person who would dare to speak such words would be Chen Yingliang, who had just arrived from modern society two days prior. As a result, Chen Yingliang dared to speak, while Young Master Qiao Song could not bear to listen any longer. He hurriedly gestured to Chen Yingliang and whispered, "Virtuous brother, enough, enough, do not say any more. Such words cannot be carelessly spoken. Once you are outside, you must not speak so bluntly; otherwise, be careful of your life." The outcome was that Chen Yingliang dared to speak, while Young Master Qiao Song could not bear to listen any longer. He hurriedly gestured to Chen Yingliang and whispered, "Virtuous brother, enough, enough, do not say any more. Such words cannot be carelessly spoken. Once you are outside, you must not speak so bluntly; otherwise, be careful of your life."

"You are too polite; who says we are not fated to be neighbors?" Young Master Qiao Song waved generously and invited Chen Yingliang to sit down, "A little neighborly friendship, what need is there for repayment?"

Understood. Young Master Qiao Song, a person of great knowledge and insight, replied: "The court has discovered that Goguryeo has sent envoys to contact the Turks. The emperor is concerned that the two may conspire against our Central Plains, and thus uses this as an excuse to deploy an army of 300,000 to personally lead an expedition against Goguryeo"

Reminded by Young Master Qiao Song, Chen Yingliang recalled the censorship of ancient times and realized that his words were somewhat reckless. He quickly fell silent and awkwardly smiled, saying: "Elder brother, please do not take offense. These words of mine are only spoken in your presence. Outside, I would absolutely not dare to speak carelessly."

Young Master Qiao Song smiled and nodded, still satisfied with Chen Yingliang's courage and ambition. However, at this moment, Chen Yingliang suddenly remembered an important matter and hurriedly asked: "Brother, who exactly is your father? Since your father's official position is so high, why are you still dressed like this? Why do you live in the poorest area of the South City in Daxing?"

"Joining the army is arduous and also dangerous, but it offers the most opportunities." Chen Yingliang replied calmly, "In chaotic times, heroes emerge. Currently, with bandits rising everywhere, the signs of great disorder are evident. It is precisely the time for heroes to make their mark. That is why I, as a younger brother, have thought of enlisting to achieve merit, seek a place to settle, and strive to restore the once-thriving family business that has now declined"

Chen Yingliang also understood that Young Master Qiao was acting for his own good, so he readily agreed. Only then did Young Master Qiao feel somewhat relieved. Upon further reflection on Chen Yingliang's earlier remarks, Young Master Qiao immediately realized that Chen Yingliang's words were indeed very reasonable. The major undertakings that the Emperor had engaged in were fundamentally well-intentioned; however, they were overly ambitious and driven by an eagerness to achieve results, which ultimately led to the current situation of widespread civil unrest.

Chen Yingliang indeed fell to the ground. One reason was the overwhelming impact of being in such close proximity to the ancient wise minister. The second reason was a physical issue—despite the fact that the young master Qiao Song brought only a jar of ordinary light wine, for a young man who had been relying on wild vegetable porridge for a long time, drinking more than half a jar of wine in one go was absolutely unbearable

Young Master Qiao Song listened intently to Chen Yingliang's insights, feeling that although Chen Yingliang's hatred towards Goguryeo was somewhat extreme, he could not understand why Chen Yingliang referred to Goguryeo as "bastards." Nevertheless, he found Chen Yingliang's analysis quite reasonable, and his strategic judgments were very accurate. After nodding secretly, Young Master Qiao Song asked, "Dear brother, what do you think the prospects are for the emperor's second expedition against Goguryeo?"

Chen Yingliang nodded vigorously, and together with Young Master Qiao Song, they drained the thin wine in their bowls in one go. After setting down their bowls, they exchanged glances and laughed heartily, both feeling that the other was agreeable and congenial, as if they had known each other for a long time.

After much deliberation, Young Master Qiao Song suddenly asked Chen Yingliang, "Dear brother, I have another question. Since you wish to join the military and achieve merit, why did you think of seeking refuge with Lord Li Yuan of the Tang dynasty and serving under his command?"

"Elder brother, have you seen the map of our Huaxia?" Chen Yingliang asked again, then gestured and said: "The position of the Goryeo people is precisely located on the edge of the Liaoxi Plain, to the north are the Tungusic beasts, to the west are the Turkic cavalry, and to the south is our Great Sui's Liaoxi Corridor. To the south of the Liaoxi Corridor lies the North China Plain"

What is a betrothal token? What betrothal token? Chen Yingliang did not pay attention to this memory

"Joining the army?" Young Master Qiao Song was quite surprised by Chen Yingliang's response and asked in confusion, "How could you, my dear brother, think of joining the army? I have heard about your family background; although it has somewhat declined, it is still from a prestigious lineage. How could you suddenly consider serving in the military and living off the imperial treasury?"

By the way, this strategy is the one that ultimately led the Tang Dynasty to eliminate Goguryeo. It was copied by Chen Yingliang from later generations, and the person who proposed this strategy is precisely the first to have said, 'Those Goguryeo people are merely barbaric and lowly.'

After glancing again at the speechless Chen Yingliang, Young Master Qiao Song smiled and said: "Of course, considering that my virtuous younger brother previously held no official title or rank, if he were to go now, his position would certainly not be very high. Generally, he would serve as a clerk or assistant under a certain general, but these positions are close to the generals and even allow for participation in military affairs. The treatment is also somewhat better than that of equivalent military positions. If my virtuous younger brother wishes to showcase his talents and is just starting his official career, such positions are far more suitable than those of local officials."

Young Master Qiao Song did not mind the Korean people, but when it came to the Koreans, Chen Yingliang was filled with anger. This was because during the late Qing period, a Southern Korean had lost his wallet and reported it to the police station, yet he failed to provide sufficient clues for the investigation and could not even remember when and where he lost it. This left Chen Yingliang's subordinates in a difficult position, making it hard to solve the case. As a result, the Southern Korean became displeased, citing an example of a late Qing constable in a certain area who had helped the Japanese find a vehicle, and he firmly demanded that Chen Yingliang's subordinates solve the case on the same day. He also went to Chen Yingliang's superior to create a scene, which caused Chen Yingliang, who was trying to secure a promotion to deputy chief, to lose all his previous efforts. From that incident on, Chen Yingliang harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Koreans, a level of hatred that surpassed even his resentment towards the Japanese.

Elder brother, the root of the chaos in the world does not lie with these bandits, but with the emperor.

"Dear brother, you dare to speak, yet I, your foolish elder brother, do not even dare to listen." Young Master Qiao Song smiled wryly and added, "Dear brother, the words you speak today will enter my ears and will not be known to a third person, which is not a problem. However, once you are outside, you must be very careful not to speak so bluntly. Beware, for trouble may arise from your words."

By the way, Chai Shao's wife, Li Xiuning, is even more impressive. She is well-versed in both literature and martial arts, and is a military genius. The name of the pass, Niangzi Pass, was changed in her honor! Today, I stood up for her husband and dismissed her sister-in-law. What good impression could she possibly have of me now? If I were to seek refuge with the old Li family, would I still have a chance to stand out? No matter how loyal and capable I am towards the old Li family, can it compare to a single word from this woman in front of her father?