Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 224 My Husband Is Strange
The journey was long and arduous. Hou Mochen Yue led his six hundred followers from Jinyang, along the Fen River into Guanzhong, and finally arrived at Chang'an.

Chang'an City is located south of Longshou Plain. In terms of distance, Houmo Chenyue did not need to come here specifically. He could have simply followed the Wei River and gone up Longshan Mountain.

However, Hou Mochen Yue still came.

After all, it would be quite unreasonable for him to lead his army into Guanzhong without paying a visit to Li Shuang.

Hou Mochenyue was accompanied by a burly man.

Li Bi!

This tough guy from Northeast China is both Hou Mochenyue's subordinate and his uncle.

The ancient city of Chang'an was burned down, and most of the original urban area has now been converted into a forbidden garden. A large town has been built on the banks of the Wei River as a special commercial zone.

However, this northern town of Chang'an is not as good as the old city, and relying on its geographical advantage, it has only economic attributes left.

Without seeing it with his own eyes, Hou Mochenyue would find it hard to imagine that a magnificent city, as a new hub, has now risen from the ground in Guanzhong.

Li Shuang had already led his men to wait outside the city.

Upon seeing Hou Mochenyue, Li Shuang quickly stepped forward and said:

"We've been waiting for the general!"

Hou Mochen Yue was somewhat flattered by Li Shuang's gesture.

"How dare I accept such a grand welcome from the Duke!"

"General, you are a great general under my second brother. Now you are entrusted with my second brother's orders and the imperial court's mission. You have gone to Longxi to guard the border for the country. How can you not be worthy of this responsibility?"

After speaking, before Hou Mochenyue could react, Li Shuang looked at Li Bi beside him and said:

"Who is this valiant general?"

"This is my general, Li Bi!"

Li Bi bowed respectfully and said:
"Greetings, Duke!"

"I've long heard that Jinghe is unparalleled in the world when it comes to charging into battle, and seeing him today, he truly is no ordinary man!"

"You flatter me, Your Excellency!"

Li Bi was pleased with what Li Bi said.

But then they saw Li Shuang holding Hou Mochen Yue in one hand and pulling Li Bi with the other.

"Come, I have prepared a banquet for the two of you in the mansion!"

With that, Li Shuang pulled the two of them into the car, and they drove into the city together.

Once inside the city, Li Bi discovered that it was not as desolate as he had imagined; on the contrary, it was densely populated.

Enter Chang'an City from the East Gate and proceed along the main east-west road to the Tang State Duke's Mansion.

Along the way, Li Bi opened the car window and occasionally glanced at the city scenery.

The splendor of Luoyang, with its women in brocade robes and flowing skirts, is a sight also found in Chang'an. Scholars gather, seemingly arguing about something before a stone tablet. Merchants from the Western Regions lead camels, carrying women from the Western Regions, hurrying as if afraid of missing the market's opening time.

What surprised Li Bi the most was that hundreds of strong soldiers gathered at the drill ground early in the morning to practice on horseback.

The soldiers were elite troops, the horses were fine horses, the armor was heavy armor, the swords were long-handled swords, and even the generals who were training with them were among the bravest generals in the land.

Among them were several people whom Li Bi recognized, having met several times before.

Unlike Li Bi, who felt everything was new and exciting, Hou Mochen Yue was much more reserved. Sitting in the carriage, he felt a sense of pressure as Li Shuang glanced at him from time to time.

Houmochen Yue's father, Houmochen Brahman, was the Camel and Cattle Commandant of the Hexi region, in charge of livestock such as camels, cattle, and donkeys, and had a close relationship with the Erzhu clan of Beixiurong.

In fact, Houmochen Yue played a significant role in Erzhu Rong's suppression of rebellions in Hexi and other regions, and was later recruited as a confidant by Erzhu Rong. He and Murong Shaozong were among the first to join Erzhu Rong's inner circle.

Because he opposed Erzhu Rong's Heyin Incident and the killing of high-ranking officials, Murong Shaozong was only granted the title of a county magistrate in Erzhu Rong's subsequent rewards to the northern people, just like Sima Ziru and other peripheral military merits.

However, Erzhu Rong soon realized the importance of Murong Shaozong and elevated his title to the same level as Houmo Chenyue, making him a marquis.

Aside from the Heba brothers, who were renowned for their prestige and great achievements and were granted the title of Duke, the Marquis was already considered one of the most outstanding non-royal generals around Erzhu Rong, and was a trusted confidant on whom he placed high hopes.

That is why Houmo Chenyue was very wary of Li Shuang and always remembered Erzhu Rong's instructions.

They treated him with utmost respect, but never obeyed his orders!

"Why is the general so reserved?" Hou Mochen Yue smiled awkwardly after hearing Li Shuang's words.

"With the Duke here, how dare I be so presumptuous!"

Hou Mochenyue appeared humble and subservient, but inwardly he was somewhat fearful. He knew very well the methods of this top bandit in northwestern Shanxi and was afraid of being targeted by him.

The carriage was spacious. Li Shuang leaned against a small cabinet filled with miscellaneous items and asked:

Why doesn't Jinghe seem so reserved?

When Li Shuang mentioned himself, Li Bi couldn't very well not answer, so he said:
"The Duke's appearance is naturally captivating, and the scenery of the city is also unforgettable."

Li Shuang chuckled and asked:

"How is the military campaign in Hebei, Second Brother?"

Hou Mochenyue and Li Bi exchanged a glance, then Li Bi said:
"Ever since the Battle of Hulao Pass, the troops of the Six Garrisons in Hebei have lost their will to advance. After General Tianzhu killed Du Luozhou in the battle, he is about to deal with Ge Rong. It should not be long before Hebei is pacified."

"This is truly a blessing for the world!"

The carriage arrived outside the Duke of Tang's mansion.

Li Shuang and his two companions got out of the car and saw Erzhu Ying'e standing in front of a group of women, with Dugu Ru and Yuan Mingyue standing to her left and right respectively.

Standing in the center, Erzhu Ying'e looked every bit the mistress of the Tang State.

As soon as Houmo Chenyue got out of the car and saw Erzhu Ying'e, his expression changed immediately, and he bowed.

"This humble general greets Your Highness!"

As he spoke, Houmo Chenyue took out the imperial edict from Luoyang conferring titles upon Erzhu Ying'e and read it aloud to the public.

Clearly, this edict conferring the title of Lady of the County upon Erzhu Ying'e was Erzhu Rong's way of supporting his daughter.

After the reading was completed, the women did not react.

Upon seeing this, Li Shuang coughed.

Those around them, Dugu Ru and Yuan Mingyue, who had just realized what was happening, responded and then congratulated Erzhu Ying'e.

Especially Dugu Ru and other women, unlike Yuan Mingyue who had the status of a princess, performed a grand salute to Erzhu Ying'e.

In front of Houmo Chenyue, Erzhu Ying'e also displayed the grandeur of the eldest daughter of the Erzhu family.

"It doesn't have to be this way!"

As she spoke, Erzhu Ying'e looked at Houmo Chenyue again and asked:

"You must be tired from your long journey!"

"For the sake of General Tianzhu and the imperial court, this humble general dares not complain of hardship."

Erzhu Ying'e nodded and said:

"Very good! A banquet has been prepared in the manor. You shall all enjoy yourselves to the fullest today!"

"This humble general thanks you, Your Highness!"

Hou Mochenyue and others entered the mansion, while Erzhu Ying'e and the other women returned to the inner quarters.

"Third Aunt, please don't be angry about what happened just now. Although I am now a princess, my heart is always with you, Third Aunt."

Erzhu Ying'e was very obedient in front of Dugu Ru.

"I'm not angry."

"Why is Third Aunt silent?"

Dugu Ru glanced in the direction of the former residence and murmured:

"The way my husband looks at that man named Li Bi... something's off!"

"What's wrong?"

"Why does he look at women with the same eyes he uses when he's lying to them!"

……

(End of this chapter)