Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 170 The sun also rises
On the 18th day of the ninth month of the third year of Xiaochang, after ten days of heart-stopping torment, the Tianlong people in Luoyang finally saw Li Shuang lead his troops away.

However, a host of problems remained within Luoyang.

The most important issue is the psychological preparation of the Celestial Dragons.

Inside the Prime Minister's residence, a group of Yuan clan members gathered together, but no one uttered a single word.

The atmosphere inside the room was very oppressive.

The steward of Yuan Yong's household arrived at the door, looked at the group of silent people inside, and still reluctantly walked in.

Yuan Yong sat in the main seat, looked at the newcomer, and asked a question.

"he's gone?"

"He's gone. I saw him lead his troops across the pontoon bridge with my own eyes."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yong's expression finally softened, and his voice hardened.

"Gentlemen, I've been thinking about this recently, and I believe that Li Shuang's actions are not necessarily disadvantageous to us!"

The crowd was somewhat taken aback and looked at Yuan Yong, only to hear him say:

"Li Shuang asked the court for official positions, titles, and land. But the land he asked for has now been seized by the traitor Xiao Baoyin. Li Shuang will inevitably lead his troops to fight a fierce battle with him. Regardless of the outcome, it will benefit the court."

Thinking of the humiliation of the past ten days, the Yuan clan members felt much better after hearing this.

"The Prime Minister is right. It would be best if he and Xiao Baoyin died together. That would be wonderful!"

Yuan Yong nodded and continued:

"All he wants is some food, money, and women. For us, it's just a drop in the ocean. We can just treat it as a beggar's meal."

The people present looked at their empty hands, where the valuable rings that should have been on them had been stripped bare by Li Shuang's men. They also thought of their beautiful concubines in the mansion, who were now with other men. They were already feeling a little lost, but after hearing Yuan Yong's words, a rebellious feeling was stirred up in their hearts.

"That's right. It's just some money and women. Those poor beggars from the North have never seen the world. They're interested in everything. I've been tired of them for a long time, but they want them all like treasures. Consider it a reward for them."

Upon hearing this, the laughter from the crowd grew even more cheerful.

However, some dissenting voices rang out from the crowd. Prince Yuan Ti of Guangping said:
"But why does Li Shuang only rob us Xianbei people? He doesn't touch the Han people at all?"

These words stirred a pang of jealousy in everyone's hearts.

Why!
We are all people of noble birth in Luoyang, the most powerful and influential in the world. Why should we be the only ones robbing and not them?

That's what I thought in my heart, but when I said it, it came out differently.

"What do you mean by robbery!"

Yuan Ti looked at the group of people glaring at him angrily, and then heard them ask:
"When Li Shuang's men brought you to your residence, did they ask you if you were willing to give them what they wanted?"

Yuan Ti nodded.

"They asked me if I was willing to give it to them, and I agreed, but..."

"That's it!"

Everyone quickly stopped Yuan Ti from speaking, saying:

"If they want it and you don't give it to them, and they still want it, that's robbery; if they want it and you give it to them, that's not robbery!"

"But I think..."

"I don't care what you think, I only care what I think!"

The crowd wanted to ignore the boy any longer, but then they heard Yuan Yong ask:
What else did Li Shuang do before he left?

The person in charge felt extremely embarrassed after hearing what the Yuan clan members said, and said:
He was just crying!

"cry?"

"On the banks of the Yellow River, he wailed and cried in front of the passing people, saying that he was small and weak, but the court had entrusted him with an important task. A group of royal relatives and ministers generously donated money to help him quell the rebellion. He was overwhelmed with gratitude and said that he would be ashamed to face everyone if he did not punish the Xiao family traitors!"

Yuan Yong stroked his beard and sighed:

"Li Shuang still has the court in his heart. Once you leave, don't say anything else, lest you damage everyone's harmony. In particular, you must restrain your sons and children, and prevent them from causing trouble at the residences of Han Chinese officials and nobles, do you understand?"

"The Prime Minister is right!"

Yuan Yong said:
"At present, the most important thing is to save face for the court. We must stabilize the various prefectures and counties as soon as possible. Those rebel armies in the Six Garrisons should be appeased and prevented from causing any more trouble."

Furthermore, Erzhu Rong and Li Shengui were ordered to leave in accordance with the imperial decree.

Li Shengui is alright; without the imperial army, his thousand-strong retinue can't cause much trouble. What I'm most worried about is Erzhu Rong. He's still in Hanoi, his march is slow, and I need to send a messenger to urge him to return to Jinyang.”

"Erzhu Rong has always been obedient; he wouldn't do anything treasonous, would he?"

"That's hard to say. You can't judge a book by its cover! Don't forget, he and Li Shuang are sworn brothers."

Yuan Yong stood up and waved his hand.

"Alright, go back now. It's nothing serious. The sun will rise again tomorrow, and we will still be the most honored people in the world. Don't let trivial matters weigh on your mind."

"That's right, it's no big deal!"

As the Yuan clan members stepped out of the room, they heard the sound of something being smashed coming from inside.

Yuan Ti asked:

"Did you hear anything?"

The rest of the Yuan clan members shook their heads.

"You misheard, there was no sound at all!"
-

On the north bank of the Yellow River, thousands of carriages and horses, escorted by Li Shuang's cavalry, slowly made their way north. Hundreds of ships were also moored at the dock, ready to depart.

"My lord, with so many things, where should we send them? To Jinyang?"

Li Shuang shook his head.

"Transport them to Hedong via separate routes!"

"promise!"

Looking at the mighty river behind him, Li Shuang understood that it was time for him and Erzhu Rong to part ways.

As Li Shuang was pondering, a rider galloped up.

Just as Li Shuang's guards were about to stop him, they heard the newcomer say:
"I am Wei Xiaokuan of the Wei family of Jingzhao, and I have come to pay my respects to the Duke of Tang!"

Upon hearing the name, Li Shuang waved his hand, signaling the guards to disperse and invite him over.

Wei Xiaokuan rode up on horseback, cupped his hands, and said:

"Greetings, Duke Tang!"

Li Shuang asked:

"What brings you here, brave warrior?"

"After the traitor Xiao Baoyin plotted his rebellion, I rode alone to Luoyang, hoping to request the court to send troops back to quell the rebellion. However, I encountered Yuan Shen raising an army, and the court was preoccupied with its own affairs, so I stayed in Luoyang. Recently, I heard that the court has entrusted the task of suppressing the traitor to the Duke of Tang, so I have come here to volunteer myself and offer my services under the Duke's command."

"Therefore, you shall remain under my command!"

"Thank you, Duke Tang!"

Li Shuang glanced behind him; the mighty river flowed on, and Mount Beiman was hidden behind the misty waves, looking quite mysterious.

From now on, the vast city of Luoyang, beyond Mount Beiman, will no longer be a place revered by all under heaven, but a hunting ground for ambitious individuals.

Having thought of this, Li Shuang said leisurely:

"A few lines of names in the annals of history, countless desolate mounds in the Northern Mang Mountains."

Just then, Hou Jing and his entourage happened to pass by.

"Hou Gu, what is our lord saying?"

Hou Jing explained:
"We didn't take enough! Look how heartbroken our lord was just now!"

……

(End of this chapter)