Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 218: Overt and covert attacks
Luoyang City.

Erzhu Zhao wanted to go to Beizhong City to mobilize troops, but was ultimately stopped by Erzhu Shilong.

There was too much movement.

Erzhu Rong was planning to launch an attack on the six garrison troops in Hebei. If Luoyang fell into chaos, no one could afford to take responsibility.

Erzhu Zhao naturally wouldn't listen to Erzhu Shilong, but Erzhu Shilong brought up Erzhu Rong, leaving Erzhu Zhao with no choice but to comply.

But they were still seething with anger and couldn't swallow their pride, so they went to find Yuan Tianmu.

At this moment, the most senior manager in Luoyang City was undoubtedly Yuan Tianmu.

It was getting late when Yuan Tianmu, wearing an overcoat and yawning, went into the house.

The Shangdang Prince's Mansion was located in the inner city, southeast of the imperial palace, occupying a neighborhood. Besides the mansion itself, the surrounding buildings housed Yuan Tianmu's retainers.

Yuan Tianmu held a high position in the Erzhu clan, but he was not close to these two people.

This can be seen from the place where Yuan Tianmu entertained them. The side hall of the outer courtyard of the Prince's Mansion is usually only used when entertaining less important guests.

"You two reek of alcohol so late at night, what's the rush to see me?"

Yuan Tianmu, with his crown tied back, looked at Erzhu Zhao's disheveled appearance and felt displeased.

"My uncle, your second brother, has entrusted the city of Luoyang to the King. If anyone commits wrongdoing, shouldn't they be punished?"

Erzhu Zhao's tone was harsh, and Erzhu Shilong tugged at him, but he ignored him.

Yuan Tianmu didn't need to guess; he knew who the wicked person Erzhu Zhao was talking about was.
Besides Li Shuang, who else could do evil to Erzhu Zhao, and who else had the ability to do so?

Yuan Tianmu ignored Erzhu Zhao for a moment and looked at Erzhu Shilong. Erzhu Shilong was dressed like a proper scholar, but because of his fat body, Yuan Tianmu felt that he looked like a monkey wearing a crown.

"What's the matter with you?"

Erzhu Shilong, now sober, replied to Yuan Tianmu's question:

“I have no personal grudge against Ono Sō; I am here for the public good. He has been secretly leading a large number of skilled craftsmen from Luoyang to return to Guanzhong. How can we not investigate such a matter that is undermining the foundation of the court!”

Erzhu Shilong was much smarter than Bizhu Zhao, and knew how to use soft tactics. Since he said that, Yuan Tianmu couldn't openly cover it up, lest he gain a reputation for being unfair.

"This is serious!"

"nature!"

"Is there any evidence?"

"With so many people to be transported back to Guanzhong, how could there be no trace at all? A check at the ports and post stations would reveal the truth."

Yuan Tianmu nodded and gave the instructions:
"Alright, please invite Duke Tang over."

Yuan Tianmu frowned and looked at the two of them.

"If things are not as you say, I will not show favoritism before General Tianzhu."

Erzhu Zhao snorted coldly, and Erzhu Shilong cupped his hands and said:
"If this is untrue, we will apologize to the Duke of Tang!"

……

Li Shuang arrived quickly upon Yuan Tianmu's summons.

The place where Yuan Tianmu met Li Shuang had been moved from the side hall of the outer courtyard to the main hall of the Prince's Mansion.

"Slander! Absolutely slander!"

Li Shuang immediately denied it.

Seeing Li Shuang like this, Erzhu Zhao angrily said:

"Da Ye Shuang, do you dare to say you didn't bring any craftsmen back to Guanzhong?!"

"I brought it!"

Erzhu Shilong gave a cold laugh.

"Those craftsmen are all on the imperial register and cannot easily leave Luoyang. What are your intentions in doing this!"

“What’s wrong with me taking some craftsmen back to Chang’an to build my own residence? Besides, His Majesty has already given his permission, you’re meddling too much.”

Upon hearing Yuan Ziyou's agreement, Erzhu Shilong's expression changed slightly, but he still had some doubts in his heart.

Erzhu Zhao asked on his behalf.

"Impossible. You haven't been to the palace these past few days. How could His Majesty agree to this?" The palace is full of spies from the Erzhu clan. Yuan Ziyou's every move cannot be hidden from Erzhu Zhao and Erzhu Shilong.

"None of your business! Go check the documents if you don't believe me!"

Yuan Tianmu chuckled at this point.

"I think this is all a misunderstanding. Since His Majesty has given his permission, let it be! Third brother, after these craftsmen have built your residence, you must send them back to Luoyang."

"Brother, don't worry!"

With things having come to this, Erzhu Zhao left, seething with anger, followed by Erzhu Shilong. Before they even left the Shangdang Prince's Mansion, Erzhu Zhao began cursing.

"What's the use of listening to you? Yuan Tianmu and Da Yeshuang are in cahoots, do you think they'll side with us?"

Erzhu Shilong ignored him, and only muttered:
"Something's not right. I'm in charge of the Forbidden City. When will Ono Sō be able to bypass me and see His Majesty? I need to ask His Majesty for confirmation!"

"What the hell are you asking for? Who is Yuan Ziyou? What's there to verify!"

After leaving the palace gates, Erzhu Zhao lifted the reins from the horse-mounting stone and rode away.

……

In the palace.

Yuan Tianmu looked at Li Shuang and asked:
"When did Third Brother receive His Majesty's permission?"

"When I arrived!"

"..."

Yuan Tianmu laughed, but his expression quickly changed, and he fell into deep thought again, stroking his beard and sighing.

"It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Third brother, you should leave Luoyang as soon as possible!"

Yuan Tianmu's words were quite profound.

His so-called open and covert attacks did not refer to Erzhu clan.

The city of Luoyang was not built for long; even counting from when Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty moved the capital to Luoyang, it was only a little over thirty years ago. Before the city was fully completed according to the original plan, it began to decline.

Even so, the relationships within this large city are intricate and complex, and not so easy to unravel.

Even if someone can't beat you in a fight, they have plenty of underhanded tactics.

"The open and covert attacks in Luoyang aren't just aimed at me, brother, you have to be careful too!"

Yuan Tianmu's surname was Yuan, but he was not considered one of their own by the Yuan clan. In fact, even members of the Erzhu clan had a lot of opinions about him.

Yuan Tianmu was vigilant. He led his troops to occupy the entire neighborhood, expelling outsiders, and when he went out, he was accompanied by a hundred armored soldiers. Such caution was certainly not unfounded.

Li Shuang gave a reminder, and Yuan Tianmu nodded.

"The situation is still unclear, and the people of Luoyang harbor deep resentment towards the northerners. If I could, I would not want to stay in Luoyang."

Yuan Tianmu's resources were ultimately too limited; before heading south to Luoyang, he only had two thousand Xianbei troops. This force was insufficient for him to establish himself in any region.

"If you don't want to stay in Luoyang, find an opportunity to leave!"

After Li Shuang finished speaking, Yuan Tianmu asked:
"Where?"

"The land of Qi!"

Yuan Tianmu listened, seemingly lost in thought.
-
Ye City!

"what happened?"

Late at night, Yuan Hao hurriedly walked out of the mansion, amidst the sounds of battle cries echoing throughout the city.

"Your Majesty, Hebasheng has broken in!"

"He...Hebasheng, where is our army?"

"They've either lost or surrendered!"

Yuan Hao had long heard of Hebasheng's reputation, but he never expected him to be so formidable.

"Let's head south and seek refuge with the Duke of Chenliu!"

……

(End of this chapter)