Da Tang Si Zi: My Six Super Rich Little Nuggets!

Chapter 256 The Puppet Show: The Turbulent Times of Huoyi

Zhi Nu smirked, picked up another cavalry doll, and drew an arc in the air: "Si Za, don't panic! Just when things are at their most critical, our father rode a big white horse, leading two thousand cavalry dolls, and charged down the high slope to the south with a whoosh. He grabbed an extremely sharp broadsword and with a 'whoosh,' he cut Song Laosheng's doll in half!"

Little Si's face flushed with excitement as she waved her toy soldier and shouted, "Charge! Charge! Old Song's army is going to have a run of bad luck now!"

As Zhinu made the cavalry and soldier dolls collide, he continued, "That's right! Our father led the soldier dolls in a fierce battle again. The Song army dolls were beaten senseless and scattered everywhere, their hats and weapons strewn about. Just then, the city gate doll of Huoyi slammed shut with a 'creak,' and Song Laosheng panicked, trying to climb the city wall by pulling on the rope doll. Our father reacted quickly, his hand flashing, and with a 'snap,' he beheaded Song Laosheng! We've successfully taken Huoyi!"

Little Si jumped for joy, grabbing Zhi Nu's hand and saying, "That was amazing! Let's do an even more exciting adventure later!"

Xiao Si: "Our dad is amazing! When the army reached Hedong, the heroes of Guanzhong rushed to join our righteous army like cats smelling canned food. Dad seized the opportunity and suggested to Lord Yuan that we advance into Guanzhong, capture Yongfeng Granary, first relieve the poor, then subdue the various bandits, and finally seize Daxing City, which is Xi'an in Shaanxi. Lord Yuan nodded in approval, thinking it was a great idea. So Dad led the vanguard across the Yellow River and first pacified Weibei..."

Zhi Nu: "This is perfect! Officials, commoners, and heroes and gentry from the Sanfu region are flocking to the military headquarters every day, voluntarily checking in and requesting service. Talented people from all walks of life are crowding around the banner. Our father has taken in those who are truly capable, for future use. Once the news spread, even more people from all directions came to join us..."

Xiao Si: "Who says good news doesn't travel far? Let's see if it benefits them. Father told me that when the army was stationed in Jingyang, they already had 90,000 elite troops. Our father also defeated the bandit Liu Yaozi and incorporated his troops. He left Yin Kaishan and Liu Hongji to garrison in Daxing City, and led his men straight to Sizhu..."

Zhinu: "Well, nothing is as useful as studying our father's historical records... At that time, powerful figures like the bandit leaders Li Zhongwen, He Panren, and Xiang Shanzhi also brought their troops to join us. The army camped in Acheng, suddenly adding 130,000 soldiers. The elders and folks of Daxingcheng brought cattle and wine to the army gate to reward them. Our father politely comforted them again, maximizing their goodwill, and then happily sent the people away without taking anything in return. He was strict in disciplining his troops, and the soldiers did not commit any offenses. Before long, our father tasted the sweetness of winning people's hearts and led his army to capture Daxingcheng."

Xiao Si: "Yes, so, our grandfather began to assist in governing the country, appointing Li Shimin as the Tang Dynasty's Internal Affairs Governor, and began to focus on cultivating him. He also changed his title to Duke of Qin, with a fief of ten thousand households. But troubles never end. Xue Ju led 100,000 elite troops and approached the banks of the Wei River. Our father personally led the army to meet them, and his fighting prowess remained unchanged. He defeated Xue Ju decisively, killing nearly ten thousand enemy soldiers, and even expanded his territory all the way to Longdi."

Zhi Nu: "How many sons can obey their father? I am the only one! In December of the first year of Yining (617), our father was appointed Right Marshal, leading an army of 100,000 to attack Luoyang, the eastern capital. But Luoyang was like an iron barrel; no matter how they attacked, they couldn't take it, and in the end, they had to retreat. Before leaving, our father told those around him that as soon as they retreated, the enemy would definitely catch up. So, he set up three ambushes, waiting for the pursuers to take the bait. Sure enough, the Sui general Duan Da led more than 10,000 men to catch up. After they passed the Three Kings' Tombs, our father gave an order, and the ambushers sprang up, concentrating their efforts to defeat Duan Da so thoroughly that he was utterly routed..."

"My father established the prefectures of Xiong and Gu in Yiyang and Xin'an, leaving people to garrison them, and then returned to the capital in triumph. He was then enfeoffed as the Duke of Zhao."

Xiao Si: "No wonder Father said you were the most filial and benevolent of his sons! In May of the second year of Yining (618 AD), Emperor Gong of Sui, Yang You, actually abdicated the throne to our grandfather. Grandfather changed the dynasty name to Tang, established the era name Wude, appointed our father as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Right General of the Martial Guard, promoted him to Prince of Qin, and also made him the Governor of Yongzhou. All set, the doll design is almost complete, just one more step!"