Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 205 Affection and Loyalty are Worth a Fortune

Chapter 205 Affection and Loyalty Are Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold

Inside the palace, Yuan Ziyou's face was blank.

That day, Yuan Ziyou returned to the palace, but did not see his two brothers, Yuan Zineng and Yuan Zizheng!
Erzhu Rong killed high-ranking officials, members of the imperial clan, and, incidentally, also killed Yuan Ziyou's brothers.

Yuan Ziyou was powerless to do anything, and Erzhu Rong never even explained why he wanted to kill them.

Erzhu Rong completely treated him as a puppet.

Yuan Ziyou was in utter turmoil, his face ashen. He was filled with despair and didn't even know how to face the survivors in Luoyang.

Wearing a dragon robe, he had barely moved around for many days and had not eaten or drunk much food or water, appearing emaciated.

Erzhu Rong finally led his troops in, and Yuan Ziyou was numb when he saw him.

"You finally came!"

Yuan Ziyou thought Erzhu Rong had come to kill him, but Erzhu Rong simply cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, it's time to return to Luoyang!"

A glimmer of hope appeared on Yuan Ziyou's stiff, pale face, though he seemed somewhat incredulous.

"You want me to go back to Luoyang?"

"Your Majesty is the ruler of the Great Wei, so naturally you should return to Luoyang to take charge of the government!"

Even after Erzhu Rong said this, Yuan Ziyou still couldn't believe it.

He tried to stand up, but his legs were too weak, and he fell down again as soon as he got up, looking extremely pathetic. Plus, he was wearing the emperor's clothes, which made him look even less dignified and more comical.

Erzhu Rong felt contempt, and the armored soldiers behind him laughed. However, with just one look from Erzhu Rong, they shut their mouths.

Erzhu Rong wasn't in a hurry; he just watched and didn't let anyone go up to help.

Although the emperor before them was merely a puppet and appeared quite ridiculous, he still bore the surname Yuan and possessed the purest royal bloodline, making him the head of all surnames in the land.

Even in his current state of destitution, Erzhu Rong still harbored some apprehension.

Blood ties were an insurmountable obstacle for Erzhu Rong.

Although he said that heroes come from all walks of life, Erzhu Rong was actually quite particular about his origins.

Of course, he can't ignore it, because it can genuinely affect people's hearts and the state of the world.

Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, powerful clans and aristocratic families have risen to prominence.

What the scions of noble families possessed from birth was something that Erzhu Rong, a Qihu, could only dream of his entire life.

Let's not talk about anything far away, just take Li Shengui as an example!

His own talent played a negligible role in his rise to power. However, precisely because he was the son of Li Chong and a descendant of the Longxi Li clan, he went to Henan and, relying on his reputation as the foremost general of the Northern Wei Dynasty, quickly rose to a level that made Erzhu Rong wary.

Li Shengui was like that! Yuan Ziyou was like that too!
Moreover, Yuan Ziyou's talent far surpasses Li Shengui's!
Erzhu Rong knew that as long as Yuan Ziyou returned to Luoyang and was given time, he could develop a powerful force.

Erzhu Rong couldn't stop him from leaving. Therefore, Erzhu Rong could only try to eliminate all of Yuan Ziyou's forces and plunge him into the mire.

Heba Yue and Gao Huan followed behind Erzhu Rong without saying a word, silently watching Yuan Ziyou struggle to his feet and slowly walk out.

Watching Yuan Ziyou's departing figure, Gao Huan asked:
"Your Majesty, things have come to this point, why not take it a step further?"

Gao Huan's question was actually what Heba Yue was thinking as well. Erzhu Rong had already killed so many people, so what difference would it make if Yuan Ziyou were killed as well?

Do you know what Luoyang looks like now?

Erzhu Rong asked a question, but neither Gao Huan nor Heba Yue answered.

When news of the massacre of all the nobles and officials in Luoyang reached Luoyang, the people were terrified and fled in droves. Wealthy families abandoned their homes and fled, while the poor and humble did not dare to stay in Luoyang.

The people were terrified, fearing that Erzhu Rong would order his army to massacre the city.

Erzhu Rong didn't know how many people were left in Luoyang, a city with a population of 700,000, but he did know that even the minor officials on duty at the government offices had fled.

Heba Yue and Gao Huan were both in the army, and thus out of touch with the outside world. However, upon hearing Erzhu Rong's question, they guessed that a great deal of panic and unrest must have occurred in Luoyang.

However, neither of them pressed the matter further, for they knew Erzhu Rong's question didn't require an answer. "We went to great lengths to enter Luoyang, not to claim an empty city!"

Such a large city as Luoyang could not be controlled by the people Erzhu Rong brought alone. He could only send people to appease the Imperial Guards and guard the palace and treasury.

Once Yuan Ziyou enters Luoyang, use him as a figurehead to reassure the people and stabilize the situation in Luoyang before making further plans.

Just then, Erzhu Zhao rushed over and reported:

"Uncle, our men have sent word that Ono Sō has led his troops to Shancheng."

"What did you say!"

Erzhu Rong, who had killed so many people, had never shown the slightest fear or timidity until now, but upon hearing this news, he became somewhat flustered.

How many soldiers did he bring?

"Three thousand cavalry!"

Erzhu Rong trusted Erzhu Zhao's military skills, and Erzhu Zhao said:
"Judging by the time it takes, it will be less than two days before Ohno So arrives in Luoyang. Uncle, should we mobilize the troops on the north bank to support Luoyang?"

Erzhu Rong laughed upon hearing this.

"Why send troops here? He's my third brother, how could I not trust him! Tell everyone to welcome the Duke of Tang!"

After saying that, Erzhu Rong walked down the steps.

As for the remaining two, Gao Huan and Heba Yue, Erzhu Zhao treated them differently.

Heba Yue, with a fawning smile, had hoped to cultivate a relationship with this young general from the Erzhu clan, but was met with a cold shoulder from Erzhu Zhao. Feeling awkward, Heba Yue could only leave first.

Unlike when facing Heba Yue, Erzhu Zhao smiled at Gao Huan.

Gao Huan noticed that Erzhu Zhao treated the people of the Heba and Yuwen clans with hostility, and couldn't help but ask:
"Young General, have the Heba clan members offended you?"

"no!"

"Why did the young general treat them this way?"

Erzhu Zhao said with a hint of disdain:

"When Wei Kegu attacked Wuchuan, after the city fell, the Jingheba and Yuwen clans, being renowned families in the north and producing many heroes, did not harm him but instead swore brotherhood with him. Who would have thought that they would assassinate Wei Kegu for wealth and glory? Such despicable people are the most contemptible of me!"

Gao Huan finally understood. At this moment, he suddenly felt that Erzhu Zhao was somewhat adorably silly.

"He Liuhun, you're not like them at all, the most loyal of all!"

"Young General, you flatter me. This is the only insignificant merit I possess."
-
Xin'an.

The rider galloped, kicking up dust.

The three thousand cavalrymen stopped at Xin'an to rest and await the latest news from Luoyang.

"My lord, Luoyang is in complete chaos!"

Hou Jing brought the news back, and Li Shuang asked:
"What about those nobles and members of the royal family?"

"More than two thousand people, not a single one survived."

"My brother was too impulsive; how could he have made such a grave mistake!"

Looking at Li Shuang's current appearance, Hou Jing asked:

"My lord, are you laughing?"

"I don't!"