Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 171 I'm definitely on your side
Hanoi, Erzhu Rong's army camp.

Li Shuang and Erzhu Rong meet again, with Yuan Tianmu in their company.

From the nearby military camp, the sounds of soldiers drilling could still be heard. Erzhu Rong was skilled in military affairs, and even though there was no battle at the moment, he did not slacken his vigilance.

Beside the tranquil pond, a long pavilion stood. Li Shuang raised his cup and toasted Erzhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu.

"The mountains are high and the roads are long. I am going to Guanzhong to quell the rebellion. I don't know when I will be able to see my two brothers again. I will pay my respects to my two brothers."

Erzhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu exchanged a glance.

They understood that Li Shuang was planning to separate the family business.

Li Shuang's mission to quell the rebellion involved not only moving his family to Baima City, but also taking with him the remaining 1,500 armored soldiers and a large amount of supplies. Even the tribes originally in Hengzhou, upon hearing the news, planned to move south to follow him.

"Third brother, is this really the way to go?"

Erzhu Rong's feelings were quite complex. Since the battle of Hulao Pass, Li Shuang's reputation had soared, overshadowing his own. Erzhu Rong was somewhat worried that Li Shuang would steal the limelight. Yet now that he said he was leaving, Erzhu Rong felt a strange unease.

"Second brother, I'm also reluctant to leave you! But Guanzhong is far away, Xiao Baoyin is treacherous, and there are many barbarian tribes there. This expedition is complicated. If I don't bring a large number of troops, how can we establish ourselves?"

Seeing that Erzhu Rong still looked hesitant, Yuan Tianmu spoke up:

"Tianba is right. After you leave, what should be done with the lands you own in Heng and Si provinces?"

What Erzhu Rong was really concerned about wasn't Li Shuang's departure, but rather the issue of what to do with the land after he left.

After all, more and more people are now joining Erzhu Rong's cause, while the amount of land available for distribution is dwindling. Erzhu Rong's problem isn't a lack of people, but rather a lack of land.

"I'll leave it entirely to Second Brother to decide!"

Upon hearing this, Erzhu Rong's expression softened, and he raised his wine cup in return.

"Third brother, rest assured, your Tang State Duke's Mansion will be a part of Jinyang City from now on. Whenever you return, I will always be there to welcome you!"

"Thank you, brother!"

After the three of them each drank a cup of wine, Erzhu Rong put down his cup and asked:
"What does Third Brother think of Luoyang?"

Li Shuang had already been to Luoyang once and received a generous reward.

Erzhu Rong naturally wanted to go as well, but the imperial envoys kept urging him to return to Jinyang. Even if he slowed down, he couldn't delay for long.

"The defenses of Luoyang are not a concern, and the people in the city are restless. The officials can only manage their own affairs. Second Brother, we just need the right opportunity to enter Luoyang."

"how?"

"Li Shengui has gone to Henan, and Hebei has been temporarily pacified. However, as long as the Empress Dowager is unwilling to relinquish power to the Emperor, Luoyang will still be in great chaos."

"I understand, brother!"

After a feast, everyone went their separate ways.

Watching Li Shuang's departing figure, Erzhu Rong smiled and said to Yuan Tianmu beside him:

"My third brother is wary of me!"

Yuan Tianmu naturally understood what Erzhu Rong was talking about!
Li Shuang led his cavalry directly from Zhiguan Pass to Hedong, without first returning to Jinyang.

As for the task of leading his troops south, that was entrusted to Dugu Ru.

Yuan Tianmu recalled what Li Shuang had said to him before he arrived.

"If anyone in Heng and Si prefectures is unwilling to leave with me and intends to stay, I beg you, elder brother, for protection!"

They are attached to their homeland and reluctant to leave.

Having already acquired houses and land, the sudden request to leave for the unfamiliar and distant Guanzhong region was not something everyone was willing to accept by following Li Shuang. In fact, a significant portion of them were unwilling. On the contrary, the nomadic tribes of Hengzhou encountered far less resistance.

Those who stay naturally need a powerful backer.

Yuan Tianmu had agreed at the time, but now, listening to Erzhu Rong's words, he still felt somewhat emotional.

"We're all brothers, why are you like this!"

Erzhu Rong did not answer. After bidding farewell to Yuan Tianmu, he returned to his military camp.

……

Inside the main tent, Erzhu Rong dismissed everyone except Xi Yi. Even trusted confidants like Gao Huan and Heba Yue did not enjoy the same level of trust from Erzhu Rong as Xi Yi.

Xi Yi was a relative of Erzhu Rong and was highly valued by him, doing some rather secretive things for him.

"General of Chariots and Cavalry, what should we do with these letters that came from Luoyang?"

Erzhu Rong was very disdainful. With Xi Yi's help, he took off his clothes, revealing the inner armor he was wearing underneath.

"What can they give me in return for ordering me to kill my third brother? These nobles probably only hope that my third brother and I will fight to the death, only then will they feel at ease!"

Xi Yi placed Erzhu Rong's clothes on the hanger and said:
"The Duke of Tang is being cautious; he's not even returning to Jinyang this time. Otherwise, it wouldn't be without an opportunity to strike. But will he really agree to his request to transfer his troops and move the grain and supplies?"

"It's not appropriate for me to handle this matter myself; let Erzhu Zhao deal with it!"

Upon hearing this, Xi Yi understood Erzhu Rong's meaning, lowered his head, and left.
-

Jinyang City.

The former residence of the Duke of Tang is now deserted.

Only Erzhu Ying'e remained, holding her newborn daughter, her big, watery eyes fixed on Dugu Ru.

Hebazhen stood by with a knife in his hand, while Dugu Ru looked helpless.

"It's no use you keeping an eye on me. You have no official status or identity, how can I take you away?"

Just as Dugu Ru was about to leave, she heard Erzhu Ying'e say slowly:

"Erzhu Zhao is back!"

Upon hearing this, Dugu Ru stopped in her tracks.

Hebazhen, standing to the side, spoke up:

“Mistress, now that word has spread that we are leaving, people are starting to have different opinions. It is probably not a good thing that Erzhu Rong is not showing up and is letting Erzhu Zhao come back at this time.”

Dugu Ru turned around and looked at Erzhu Ying'e with a helpless expression.

"Then you can follow me!"

Erzhu Ying'e walked up quickly, smiling.

"Third Aunt, don't worry, I'm definitely on your side. The one we need to deal with is that vixen named Yuan Mingyue; she's a princess!"

Dugu Ru felt a surge of anger upon hearing this name.

Just then, a report came from outside.

"Erzhu Zhao led a group of men to block our caravan, claiming that the valuables being transported belonged to the Erzhu clan and preventing our caravan from leaving!"

Dugu Ru glanced at Heba Zhen and sneered:

"You were absolutely right!"

"Mistress, what should we do?"

Erzhu Ying'e coughed at this moment, which made the two women look at her.

"I know where Erzhu Zhao's weakness lies!"

"where?"

“He has a daughter whom he loves very much. My idea is to go to his mansion first, tie up his children, wives and concubines, and then negotiate with him.”

Dugu Ru hesitated.

"This is probably a bit...we don't have enough soldiers!"

"Don't worry, leave it all to me!"

Erzhu Ying'e, who had just finished her postpartum confinement, assured this!

……

(End of this chapter)