Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 202 A Lesson from the Past
The news that Erzhu Rong had installed Yuan Ziyou as emperor quickly reached Luoyang.

Almost simultaneously, news arrived that Erzhu Rong was heading south, intending to attack Beizhong City.

Inside the Luoyang palace, Empress Hu held Yuan Xu's daughter, sat on the throne, and listened to the discussions of the officials below, but her mind was not on the throne at all.

Empress Hu regretted it at this moment.

She wanted revenge, but in the end, she was trapped on the massive power machine of Luoyang and couldn't break free.

Empress Hu recalled her sister Hu Xuanhui's words. Perhaps she was wrong. She should have given up her power and left the palace back then.

Now, she has not yet avenged Yuan Xu, but more and more troubles are coming one after another.

Prime Minister Yuan Yong kept his eyes closed, not wanting to pay attention to any of this at the moment.

Yuan Yong was the son of Emperor Xianwen, the younger brother of Emperor Xiaowen, and the uncle of Erzhu Rong, who had now installed a new emperor. He felt as if he were on a large ship sailing on turbulent waves; a storm was brewing, but he didn't know where to go.

For the first time, Yuan Yong felt a sense of powerlessness.

Yuan Yong was a firsthand witness to the rise and fall of the Northern Wei dynasty.

But no crisis in the past has ever been like this one, which even the united forces of the palace and the court cannot overcome.

Yuan Yong stood in the hall, feeling dizzy, as if the hall was about to collapse.

Empress Hu patted the new emperor in her arms, trying to coax her to sleep, but the noise in the palace eventually made the new emperor cry.

The loud crying silenced the discussion in the hall, and everyone looked at Empress Hu on the throne.

But she is nothing like the Empress Dowager she once was. She is now like an old woman enjoying her grandchildren's company, deceiving her younger generation, without any dignity whatsoever.

The assembled officials, witnessing this scene, felt a profound sense of despair. Empress Hu was in such a state, and the new emperor was still an infant in swaddling clothes.

Two women sat in the highest position in the Great Wei Dynasty!

When the assembled officials realized this, their confidence crumbled.

Perhaps, making Yuan Ziyou emperor wouldn't be so bad.

Just then, urgent military news arrived from outside the palace.

"Your Majesty, Erzhu Rong led his army south and captured Beizhong City in just half a day!"

The sound echoed throughout the palace, and the new emperor in Empress Hu's arms cried even louder.

Empress Hu continued to deceive her, seemingly indifferent, but a tear unknowingly rolled down her cheek.

Yuan Yong sighed inwardly, opened his eyes, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Now that things have come to this, we beg the Empress Dowager to issue an edict to establish the Prince of Changle as emperor!"

Seeing Yuan Yong take the lead, all the officials and ministers came out to echo him.

Empress Hu neither agreed nor objected. She simply stood up silently, took her granddaughter in her arms, and left the palace without a word.

Only the court officials remained, at a loss.

"Prime Minister, what should we do?"

The group gathered around Yuan Yong and asked.

"What else can we do but issue an imperial edict?"

……

North Midtown.

Yuan Ziyou's fear intensified as he looked at the fighting prowess of the soldiers who had come with Erzhu Rong.

If the northern city can be breached in half a day, how long will it take to capture Luoyang?

With this question in mind, Yuan Ziyou arrived at the Commandant's Office in Beizhong City.

Despite his inner fear, he had to put on a nonchalant expression and come to comfort everyone.

Erzhu Rong was holding a meeting with a group of military officers from the north.

"I wish to see the General of Chariots and Cavalry!"

Yuan Ziyou arrived, wanting to see Erzhu Rong, but was stopped by the armored soldiers outside the mansion.

"The General of Chariots and Cavalry is discussing military matters with his generals. Your Majesty, please stop."

Even though Yuan Ziyou was a man of deep cunning, he was still blocked outside by a mere soldier, and his face still showed an indescribable anger.

"I wish to see the General of Chariots and Cavalry!"

Yuan Ziyou repeated himself, his tone becoming more stern, but the soldier seemed oblivious. "The General of Chariots and Cavalry has ordered that he is discussing important matters and will not see anyone!"

"Including me!"

"The General of Chariots and Cavalry can refer to anyone!"

Yuan Ziyou listened and laughed.

"Very well, then I will wait outside this mansion for the General of Chariots and Cavalry to receive me."

……

Erzhu Rong did indeed have important business to attend to.

With Beizhong City captured and the Yellow River pontoon bridge under control, the next step is to figure out how to control Luoyang City.

He already had a plan in mind. In fact, as early as the third year of Xiaochang, when Erzhu Rong marched south, he had already figured out how to control Luoyang.

Now that more than a year has passed, Erzhu Rong's plan has become even more detailed.

He explained his plan to the crowd, and the military officers from the north either supported it or remained silent, but no one openly opposed it.

Kerzhurong did not expect that there would still be people who objected.

This person was none other than his cousin, Murong Shaozong.

With a cold face, Erzhu Rong dismissed the group of northern military officers and Erzhu clan members from outside the house, leaving Murong Shaozong alone.

Why do you object?

Murong Shaozong was usually taciturn, but his attitude was quite intense now.

"General, doing this might disappoint the people!"

Erzhu Rong laughed.

"Back then, Cao Cao also slaughtered Han officials and murdered Emperor Xian's empress and concubines, but in the end, he still dominated the world!"

"But what about Cao Cao's descendants? Cao Cao is gone, how will his descendants cope with this turbulent world?"

Murong Shaozong's words silenced Erzhu Rong.

"General of Chariots and Cavalry, the lesson of Yin is not far off!"

Erzhu Rong looked at Murong Shaozong, his expression softening considerably.

“You are a capable person, but I cannot follow your advice.”

"General!"

Erzhu Rong waved his hand and said:
"No need to persuade me anymore! Just remember one thing: as long as I am here, the Erzhu clan will exist, and the Murong clan's wealth and glory will also exist!"

Erzhu Rong knew his identity well; he was just a Qihu person, belonging to the bottom of the social hierarchy in the Luoyang court.

Behind him followed a group of nobles from the north.

Erzhu Rong cannot stop!

How can he climb up there if he doesn't clear out all the people at the top?
Xi Yi hurriedly walked in, glanced at Murong Shaozong, and quickly whispered:
"General of Chariots and Cavalry, His Majesty has arrived, but he has been blocked by armored soldiers outside the mansion and has been waiting for quite some time."

Erzhu Rong chuckled softly, seemingly unconcerned.

"I didn't expect this kid to be such a resolute person."

"The imperial decree from Luoyang has arrived, recognizing Yuan Ziyou as emperor. He's probably here to discuss this matter with the General of Chariots and Cavalry. Should we see him?"

Erzhu Rong waved his hand and said:
"I refuse to see him. Order this emperor to immediately move to the Heyin Palace. At the same time, have him issue an edict summoning all the officials and nobles in Luoyang to come and pay homage to the new emperor."

Seeing Erzhu Rong's appearance, Xi Yi lowered his head and said:

"promise!"

……

Outside the mansion, seeing Xi Yi's ingratiating smile and receiving Erzhu Rong's words, Yuan Ziyou's expression turned extremely pale.

"Your Majesty, the General of Chariots and Cavalry is very busy and unable to pay his respects. Please forgive him."

Yuan Ziyou clenched his fists, his teeth chattering, but in the end he still didn't have the courage to barge into the mansion.

"It's alright, I understand! The General of Chariots and Cavalry is a pillar of the nation, please ask him to take care of his health and not overwork himself!"

……

(End of this chapter)