Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 122: Admitting mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue

As the first snow of winter fell, the Tangjun Mansion in Jinyang City became extremely lively.

In the courtyard, Li Shuang, who had just returned from visiting his eldest son in the backyard, saw Hulugu and Houmochen Chong standing in the snow, and asked Han Ling who was reading under the eaves.

"What are these two doing?"

Han Ling listened and couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Hou Jing told the two children that if they wanted to be a general, they must have a strong will, and standing in the snow was the best way to train that."

"This kid is quite wicked!" Li Shuang said, and then asked, "Hou Mochen Chong is fine, but why did Huluguang believe his words?"

Han Ling looked at the two energetic children in the yard, filled with the expectations and appreciation of an elder looking at his juniors.

"No matter how smart Huluguang is, he's only a ten-year-old child. How can he handle being provoked?"

Li Shuang thought about it and agreed. Since Han Ling was watching over him, it wouldn't be a big problem.

He sat next to Han Ling and roasted the fire.

There was a flame burning in the charcoal brazier, emitting heat.

Han Ling put down the book in his hand, poured Li Shuang a cup of hot tea, and asked:
"My Lord, how is the situation in Hedong?"

"Xue Xiuyi wrote me several letters asking me to go back, but I ignored them."

"My lord, it's right not to go back now. Li Daoyuan is a tough guy, and Chen Shuangchi is a mess. It's hard to clean up. Once they're targeted, it will be difficult to end the situation. It's better to wait until the situation becomes clearer."

Li Shuang held the teacup in his hand, took a sip, realized something was wrong, smelled it, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Sir, you know how to maintain your health!"

"I am already this old. If I don't do this, how can I survive until the day when my lord unifies the world?"

Li Shuang didn't know why this former thief king was so obsessed with unifying the world, but he didn't mind.

Han Ling said slowly:

"My lord, Erzhu Rong has gradually developed the ambition and behavior of a hegemon."

"You mean he sent Erzhu Zhao to attack Jiuyuan City?"

Han Ling nodded and analyzed:

"Attacking Jiuyuan in Sizhou is not only to remove this thorn planted by the imperial court, but also to tell everyone who is now in charge of the northern border! The next step is to take Pingcheng."

"But my lord, think about it, now that the Six Garrisons have disbanded and Pingcheng is almost a shell, why is Erzhu Rong so anxious?"

Pingcheng was able to reach its current size not only because of its own outstanding strategic value, but also because it was the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

Before Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty moved the capital, all the supplies of the Northern Wei Dynasty were concentrated in Pingcheng. Combined with the plunder of supplies from the Rouran, Pingcheng became unprecedentedly prosperous.

But after the capital was moved, things were different. Today, the residents of Pingcheng have gradually moved away, and the size of the city has been shrinking.

After hearing Han Ling's words, Li Shuang had a playful smile on his face.

"He wants to check and balance me."

Han Lingdao:
"Now the entire Shuozhou is under the lord's control. The Han army there will not obey the orders of the Jinyang Erzhu clan. In Mayi, south of Hengzhou, everyone is promoted by the lord, and the surrounding Shedi and Dugu tribes have also received the lord's favor. Although Mayi is now led by Erzhu Tianguang, Erzhu Rong still cannot rest assured. Only by taking Pingcheng can he have enough bargaining chips to ensure the Erzhu clan's dominant position in Hengzhou."

"My second brother's thoughts are becoming more and more profound."

"Hengshuo, Fen and Bing are four provinces. The territories of the Lord, the Erzhu clan, and Yuan Tianmu are intertwined. The Lord needs to be careful. Someone with ulterior motives could use this to stir up trouble, which could lead to a major chaos."

Li Shuang smiled, looked at Han Ling, and asked:

"Sir, what do you think is the reason for the Erzhu family's arrogance and dominance?"

The snow that had stopped for half a day began to fall again. The hot water on the stove beside him was bubbling. Han Ling thought for a long time and gave his own answer.

“Fear!”

"It's because I'm afraid, and it's also because I want to make others afraid!"

What is the root of fear?
Weak!

"The Erzhu clan is a Qihu clan. Their core group of followers is only 7,000, but the Six Garrison Army has over 200,000 soldiers!"

Han Ling heard this and a hint of enlightenment appeared on his face. He thought of the time when he was the True King in Shuozhou and was forced into a desperate situation step by step by Li Shuang. The past surfaced in his mind and he couldn't help but blurt out: "My Lord, you are really bad!"

"Ok?"

Han Ling realized that he had spoken out of turn and quickly changed his words.

"I spoke out of turn, but my lord is wise and decisive!"

"Ok!"

Han Ling drank a sip of tea and asked:
"Then how do you plan to add sand to it, my lord?"

"I don't need to do anything, my second brother will take the initiative to add sand to the mix."

At this moment, Hulugu, who was standing in the snow, finally couldn't bear it anymore. He was freezing and ran to the stove.

Han Ling quickly gave him a blanket.

Huluguang was still indignant and unconvinced, and he shouted at Houmochenchong:
"I am not yet strong, but when I grow strong, things will change!"

At this moment, Hou Mochen Chong's nose was so cold that it was almost frozen, but he had a smug look on his face, as if he was wearing a proud little red flower on his chest and took a step without recognizing any relatives.

"You are a defeated general, yet you dare to talk nonsense!"

Before he had taken two steps, he fell headfirst into the snow.

Li Shuang and Han Ling hurried forward to help him up and took him to the stove.

Looking at the two people who were gradually recovering, Han Ling said with a smile:
"You've read a lot of military books lately. Do you know how to be a general?"

Huluguang first said:

"The way of a general is to be like an eagle, floating in the clear sky and striking the enemy in an instant."

"No!" Houmo Chenchong retorted, "The way to be a general is to be like a mastiff, charging into battle, fearless and unstoppable."

"You're vulgar!"

"You are noble!"

Looking at the two quarreling children, Han Ling's face was full of smiles, as if he saw hope for the future.
-
Jiuyuan City was broken.

The once high-ranking Sizhou governor Wei Qingbin has now become a prisoner, and all his subordinates have been slaughtered.

The only person who survived, the one he trusted the most, was also the one who betrayed him.

Ignoring the abuse and shouting from the Erzhu clan members around him, Wei Qingbin looked at Yao He and asked:

"Why betray me?"

Yao He personally opened the city gate and welcomed Erzhu's army in. At this time, his face was pale and bloodless.

"The world has changed, can't you see?"

As soon as these words fell, a figure walked in. In an instant, the Erzhu family members who were clamoring shut their mouths.

Erzhu Rong walked up to Wei Qingbin without saying a word.

Wei Qingbin, who had been silent just now, cursed Erzhu Rong when he saw him:

"Erzhu Rong, you, a horse-breeding barbarian, actually dared to attack the imperial city. Do you want to be like Dong Zhuo or Cao Cao?"

Wei Qingbin cursed so loudly that even the Erzhu family members around him could no longer bear it.

"You old thing!"

"Kill me if you dare!"

Erzhu Zhao raised his hand to strike, but was blocked by Erzhu Rong, who slapped him back.

Erzhu Zhao was stunned after being beaten. He saw Erzhu Rong suddenly kneel down and hugged Wei Qingbin's thigh.

"Father, you are right. I know I was wrong!"

(End of this chapter)