Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 160 Whoever comes must say "loyal"
Luoyang, Xianyang Palace.

The imperial palace in Luoyang was extremely lively today, not only because the emperor and empress dowager had come together, but also because a large number of officials and nobles from the city had come.

The situation is out of control!

In the present world, not counting Emperor Xiao Yan of Liang in the south, there are already three emperors in the Northern Dynasties alone.

If this situation is allowed to continue, will the emperor in Luoyang still have any value?

The situation has spiraled out of control to the point that Yuan Xu and Empress Hu must put aside their recent differences and join forces against the enemy.

Otherwise, if someone else takes the plate, no one will be able to eat.

Things became a tangled mess.

Everyone understood the gravity of the situation and gathered together, but none of them could come up with a solution.

"Say something!"

The young emperor was somewhat irritable. Although he had encountered countless troubles over the years since he ascended the throne, this was the most troublesome one yet.

Everyone remained silent. At this moment, Prime Minister Yuan Yong stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I believe that in this world, there is only one person who can resolve this crisis."

"Who?"

"Lord Tang, Li Shuang!"

Upon hearing Yuan Yong's words, many people thought of the Luoshui Palace that night and began to speak.

"We also believe that Li Shuang can resolve this crisis."

Of course, this is not because the officials particularly liked Li Shuang.

At this point, the people the ministers would think of were either extremely unpopular, or they wished the ministers were dead.

In short, it's about shifting the blame to someone else.

Only Empress Hu and Yuan Xu were truly anxious; most of the officials present did have a way out.

Therefore, many officials watched with amusement as Li Shuang stepped out of the ranks and bowed in response to the order.

Yuan Xu was overjoyed when he saw it.

"Does Your Excellency have a plan?"

Li Shuang laughed, his manner as imposing as Zhuge Liang cursing Wang Lang on the battlefield.

Upon hearing this laughter, Yuan Xu's face lit up with joy.

"My dear minister, do you have a plan?"

Just as everyone was caught up in Li Shuang's laughter, their hearts pounding like a rollercoaster reaching its peak, they heard Li Shuang say:

"no!"

Yuan Yong almost couldn't expel the breath he had been holding in, and he coughed, his body trembling.

"What are you laughing at if it's not you?"

"No one is wiser than Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager. Serving the court is the duty of your subjects. We are merely sharing your burdens, how dare we offer any strategies!"

You're still trying to flatter me at a time like this!
While everyone was inwardly grumbling, Empress Hu was growing impatient.

"Speak up if you have any ideas."

"In my opinion, given the current situation, with two false emperors standing side by side in the east and west, there is a difference in their relative importance, and the strategy for quelling the rebellion should also be tailored accordingly."

As soon as Li Shuang spoke, Empress Hu said:
"Tell me in detail!"

"Xiao Baoyin has seized Chang'an, but has suffered repeated defeats at the hands of bandits such as Mingda and Chounu, and his army's morale is low. We should send a general to defend Tongguan Pass, and then the bandits' strength will be no concern. The greatest threat to the court is the rebellious Yuan Shen. He commands over 200,000 troops, has captured Yecheng, and is aiming for Luoyang. The court's troops have just suffered a defeat, and at this time, the only chance of victory is to have the Grand General and the General of Chariots and Cavalry join forces to fight the enemy."

As he spoke, Li Shuang cupped his hands and said:

"Your subject is willing to go alone to the camps of both armies to persuade the General and the General of Chariots and Cavalry to cease hostilities and make peace for the sake of the court and the overall situation, so as to overcome the current difficulties."

"Very well, I hereby appoint you as the Grand Envoy of the Expeditionary Army, with imperial authority, and you must accomplish this task."

Empress Hu agreed without hesitation.

……

After the meeting, Empress Hu summoned Li Shuang to her private chambers.

"It's been three months, have you found the mastermind yet?"

"That person is very well hidden; it would be difficult to find them using ordinary methods!"

Empress Hu smiled and simply said:
"Your mind is probably not on this. I heard that you haven't left your room for half a month since you married Mingyue?"

"Rumors! Who's spreading rumors about me!"

"Treat her well!"

After Hu Hou finished speaking, she walked up to Li Shuang and instructed him:

"I don't care about what happened at the palace that night. Do you know what to do when you get there?" "I understand. I will definitely persuade my two elder brothers to stop the fighting."

"No, tell Li Shengui that when the opportunity arises, he should kill Erzhu Rong!"

"This……"

"Once it's done, Jinyang will be yours!"

……

Li Shuang left the Empress Dowager's bedroom and wanted to leave the palace, but was stopped by someone.

The emperor's closest eunuch stopped Li Shuang and then led him to a latrine.

"I'm so sorry, Li Qing, to meet you here."

"Your Majesty has suffered!"

"Don't worry, Li Qing. I don't care about what happened at the palace that night. You know what to do when you get there."

"Your Majesty, please give your orders!"

"Once we get there, find an opportunity to have Erzhu Rong kill Li Shengui!"

"This……"

"After this is accomplished, you will take his place and become the Great General!"

……

Leaving the palace, Li Shuang glanced at the majestic palace complex behind him and sighed inwardly:
This building won't need outsiders to demolish it; it'll probably fall apart on its own.
-

The Yellow River, an island in a river.

There are only a few outposts left on the island, which are now under the control of Li Shuang's men.

Erzhu Rong and Li Shengui arrived on the island one after the other, and with Li Shuang's mediation, they finally met.

"My two elder brothers, please give me the honor of coming here and have a seat!"

After Li Shuang finished speaking, the two of them remained standing upright, looking at each other.

A storm was brewing between the two sides, but it was ignited by Li Shuang's shout of "Sit down!"

"Tianba, tell me, who exactly is your elder brother!"

Erzhu Rong launched the first attack, followed by Li Shengui:

"I want to know too!"

Does it matter?

The two said in unison:
"Of course!"

Li Shuang sighed and said:

"To be honest, my two elder brothers, I am acting on orders from the imperial court to kill you both!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Shengui and Erzhu Rong, who had just been at odds, stood together, filled with vigilance.

"The imperial court said that as long as I kill the two of you, I can become a general and be stationed in Jinyang, but as your younger brother, I can't bear to do it!"

After hearing this, the two breathed a sigh of relief and sat down together.

However, Erzhu Rong and Li Shengui were still somewhat incredulous.

"How could the imperial court treat us like this?"

"Sigh, I didn't believe it at first either, but I heard them say it with my own ears. Both of your elder brothers are highly decorated and have great prestige. Now that they have launched an attack south, how could the court not be wary of you? How could they not want to kill you?"

Seeing that the two were silent, Li Shuang continued:

"Why are you arguing? Isn't it just to find a reason to send troops to Luoyang?"

Li Shuang glanced at Erzhu Rong, who stroked his beard and nodded slightly.

Then, he looked at Li Shengui and saw that he seemed to realize something belatedly.

"So this is ah!"

Li Shuang grasped the hands of Erzhu Rong and Li Shengui, pulling them together.

"Now that our army has already arrived in Luoyang, why are we still fighting here? Now that Yuan Shen has led his troops here, if we don't kill him, none of us will have a good time."

"Tianba is right!"

Li Shengui and Erzhu Rong nodded, then each withdrew their hands, wiped them discreetly, and spat inwardly.

You good-for-nothing!

……

(End of this chapter)