Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 174 The Profound Meaning of Loyalty to the Imperial Court

Changan.

After Xiao Baoyin became emperor, he was always uneasy.

As a player who spends a lot of money on in-game purchases, Xiao Baoyin's first thought when faced with a problem is to spend money.

Of course, it would be somewhat unreasonable to ask Xiao Baoyin, who was born into the Southern Qi royal family, to go to the battlefield to fight the enemy.

But after he ascended the throne, he suddenly discovered a problem.

The treasury in Chang'an is running out of money and grain!

Previously, there was financial support from the imperial court in Luoyang, but now that route is cut off.

Fortunately, although the imperial court reacted faster than Xiao Baoyin had expected, sending Changsun Zhi to defend Tongguan, the Luoyang court devoted all its resources to dealing with Yuan Shen's rebellion and had no energy to deal with Xiao Baoyin for the time being.

Xiao Baoyin originally thought he had enough time to conquer the entire Guanzhong Plain, Longxi, Longdong, and even Henan.

But to everyone's surprise, the war that Xiao Baoyin had been looking forward to did not develop as he had imagined, and Yuan Shen did not capture Luoyang.

At Hulao Pass, Li Shuang defeated Yuan Shen's army of over 100,000 with only 3,000 cavalry.

After this battle, Li Shuang became famous throughout the world.

What made Xiao Baoyin even more uneasy was that Changsun Zhi, who was in Tongguan, saw that the war in the east had been quelled and planned to advance westward. He had recently won many battles in Huazhou, and Li Shuang had also brought his troops to Hedong, and it seemed that he was about to launch an attack as well.

Xiao Baoyin's heart was empty.

The reason is simple: his spending tactics worked on the poor guys in the west, but not on Changsun Zhi.

As for Li Shuang... Xiao Baoyin thought about it. This trick might work on him, but where could Xiao Baoyin find so much money to satisfy Li Shuang's appetite?

He knew the abilities of Xiao Baoyin's generals, such as Hou Zhongde, Guo Zihui, Zhang Shirong, and Lu Zuqian, but they couldn't even handle the local resistance forces in Guanzhong.

Xiao Baoyin was worried when she saw Wei Langen rushing over, as if he had received some crucial information.

"Moved!"

"who is it?"

"Li Shuang!"

Upon hearing this name, Xiao Baoyin's heart skipped a beat; the worst had come.

"Immediately order Zhang Shirong to lead a large army to garrison Huazhou City and make sure he can stop Li Shuang."

Wei Langen waved his hand, panting, and said:
"In December, Li Shuang led three thousand cavalry across the frozen Yellow River..."

"What did you say? Has Li Shuang already taken over Huazhou?!"

In a panic, Xiao Baoyin took a step back. He never expected Li Shuang to move so quickly.

"Quickly, gather everyone in Chang'an. I am going to fight him to the death."

It seemed that he had run too fast, because after Xiao Baoyin finished his rambling, Wei Langen finally finished speaking.

"—Tongguan has been captured, and Changsun Zhi has been taken prisoner!"

Xiao Baoyin's expression changed, and she was completely stunned.

After a long pause, he finally spoke:

Why would he hit his own people?
-

Tongguan.

As the Yellow River's water level receded, Hangu Pass lost its once formidable position, where one man could hold off ten thousand. At the end of the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao built Tong Pass at the original Taosai, replacing Hangu Pass.

Tongguan is not just a single pass, but a complete military defense system that includes the Tongguan Pass city on Linzhiyuan and the twelve connected cities of Jingou to the west.

It is now in Li Shuang's hands.

Changsun Zhi never expected that Li Shuang would suddenly attack him.

Li Shuang stood on the city wall of Tongguan, gazing at the Yellow River. Upon seeing Li Shuang, Changsun Zhi immediately spoke:

"I am innocent!"

Li Shuang turned his head and looked at Changsun Zhi, saying:
"But some people say you are dissatisfied with the court and will join forces with Xiao Baoyin to betray the court!"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Zhi was filled with righteous indignation and roared, "Which villain dares to slander me!"

Li Shuang said:
"The court is currently in a turbulent period, and people's hearts are unpredictable. In order to prevent any changes, I have disbanded the troops in Tongguan. Those who disobey will be treated as rebels."

After speaking, Li Shuang looked at Changsun Zhi, who was furious.

"As for whether you are loyal to the court, you still need to prove it yourself!"

How to prove oneself?

"Xiao Baoyin is currently wreaking havoc in Guanzhong. Wanqi Chounu has an ambiguous relationship with him and the two are colluding. Cao Ni, the governor of Xia Prefecture, is isolated and helpless and is asking me for help. If you are loyal to the court, go and rescue Xia Prefecture."

Xiazhou?

Changsun Zhi knew that Li Shuang didn't trust him to control Tongguan, but he didn't expect that he would actually send him to Xiazhou.

"You have already disbanded the troops at Tongguan, how can I go to their aid?"

"Don't worry, I've still kept your hundred-odd troops for you. If you're willing, take my military token to the towns of Tujing and Lishi, and you'll naturally be able to obtain troops."

Changsun Zhi was somewhat taken aback, then heard Li Shuang say:
"If you encounter any barbarians or bandits along the way, just mention my name."

What's the situation in the Northwest? It's a complete mess. Is simply mentioning Li Shuang's name enough to get things done?

Changsun Zhi didn't believe it, but knowing that this journey was fraught with danger, he gritted his teeth and agreed anyway.

"General, I have brought your family from Luoyang to Hedong. You can visit them when you pass through Hedong."

At that moment, Changsun Zhi felt an urge to kill Li Shuang. But in the end, thinking of his family, he left.

As soon as Changsun Zhi left, Hou Jing approached him.

"My lord, will this fellow obediently go to save Xiazhou?"

"unimportant!"

Li Shuang smiled.

Do you know why we must take Tongguan?

Hou Jingdao:
"Tongguan is the passage connecting Chang'an and Luoyang. My lord, taking Tongguan is naturally to better serve the court."

"Then how can one show loyalty to the imperial court?"

"Shoot straight to Chang'an, capture Xiao Baoyin, and present him to Luoyang!"

Li Shuang shook his head and said:

"You still haven't grasped the true meaning of loyalty to the imperial court!"

"What does my lord mean?"

Hou Jing was somewhat confused, but then he saw someone knocking on the gate of Tongguan.

The gate opened, and Li Shuang's men secretly escorted a man covered in a cloak and wearing a hood into Guanzhong and presented him to Li Shuang.

Hou Jing had never seen this man before, and he didn't seem like a martial artist. When he saw Li Shuang, his body even trembled slightly.

"Xiao Zan greets the Duke of Tang!"

Xiao Zan?

Hou Jing was completely unfamiliar with this name. But not long after, Xiao Zan stammered and apologized:

"The traitor Xiao Baoyin has defied the Emperor's grace and usurped the throne. Although I am his nephew, I find him utterly despicable. If the Duke of Tang has any orders, I will certainly do my utmost."

Xiao Zan, originally named Xiao Zong, courtesy name Dewen, was the son of Wu Jinghui, the concubine of Xiao Baojuan. His background is a mystery. It is said that he was Xiao Baojuan's posthumous son and grew up in the Jiankang Palace. He was the second son of Xiao Yan.

As Xiao Zan grew up, Wu Jinghui aged and fell out of favor with Xiao Yan, which made him resentful. He then told Xiao Zan about his true parentage.

Xiao Zan secretly contacted Xiao Baoyin, and later surrendered to the Northern Wei, residing in the Jinling Pavilion.

Not long ago, Li Shuang entered Luoyang, taking away not only Changsun Zhi's family but also Xiao Zan.

Li Shuang slowly walked towards him. Xiao Zan took a few steps back in fear, but then heard Li Shuang say:
"Your uncle is often ill; you should encourage him!"

……

(End of this chapter)