Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 229 How about setting up a trap?

Jiankang.

Dong Thai Temple!
Prince Yuan Hao of Beihai waited anxiously in front of the Mahavira Hall.

After being defeated by Hebasheng in Yecheng, Yuan Hao fled south to seek refuge with Li Shengui. He thought that with Empress Hu dead, Li Shengui, who had a grudge against Erzhu Rong, would help him raise an army and march north. However, Li Shengui was completely useless and spent his days in brothels listening to music.

Having no other choice, Yuan Hao headed south and arrived in Jiankang.

To Yuan Hao's surprise, Xiao Yan and Li Shengui were alike, showing no intention of launching a military campaign.

What a great opportunity!

Now that Li Shuang has returned to Guanzhong, and Erzhu Rong is entangled with the troops of the Six Garrisons, if they head north now, they will surely be able to occupy Luoyang.

Helpless, Yuan Hao could only offer a large amount of bribes to Zhu Yi, a favorite minister of Xiao Yan, hoping that Zhu Yi could persuade Xiao Yan.

After the chanting of sutras ended in the palace, Zhu Yi hurriedly came out and found Yuan Hao.

"What did your Majesty say?"

Yuan Hao looked anxious, but Zhu Yi smiled slightly, showing no sign of urgency.

"His Majesty says the time is not yet right!"

"The time has not come yet?"

Yuan Hao couldn't understand what Xiao Yan meant at all.
"But the north is still unsettled. Erzhu Rong and Ge Rong are locked in a life-or-death struggle. If we don't seize this opportunity to head north, it will be difficult to find such an opportunity again after Erzhu Rong defeats Ge Rong."

Zhu Yi smiled, comforting Yuan Hao.

“I have already told His Majesty what Your Majesty said. Do you think I would take Your Majesty’s money for nothing? To tell you the truth, His Majesty intends to launch a northern expedition, but he is just waiting for the right opportunity.”

Hearing Zhu Yi's honest words, Yuan Hao breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he did not know what opportunity Xiao Yan was waiting for, as long as Xiao Yan was willing to send troops north, then this southward march would be worthwhile.

Seeing that Yuan Hao's emotions had stabilized considerably, Zhu Yi smiled and said:

"General Chen Qingzhi has already set off for Nanyu Prefecture. Your Majesty might consider what Li Shengui in Henan would do if His Majesty were to order a northern expedition?"

If Liang Jun wants to launch a northern expedition, he will inevitably have to pass through Li Shengui's defense zone. If Li Shengui blocks his way, things will get complicated.

Yuan Hao understood Zhu Yi's concerns and replied:

"Don't worry about Li Shenggui, he won't stop us."

After listening, Zhu Yi had some ideas in mind and asked again:

"In that case, Your Majesty, could you perhaps discuss with Li Shengui the possibility of having him send troops to march north together?"

Yuan Hao's expression was somewhat unpleasant, and he hesitated before saying:
"That...I'm afraid that's difficult too!"

Zhu Yi, unaware of the intricacies of the situation, glanced around, then leaned forward and whispered:
"If that's the case, may Your Majesty strip him of his military power?"

Zhu Yi wanted Yuan Hao to betray Li Shengui, but Yuan Hao shook his head.

"That's probably even more difficult."

Zhu Yi frowned upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty is the King of Beihai, and Li Shengui's troops are also from Wei. Can't they obey Your Majesty's orders?"

Yuan Hao sighed:
“Li Shengui is not ambitious, but he treats his soldiers well. His soldiers are willing to obey his orders. His brave generals, such as Heba Yun, are willing to die for him. After arriving in Henan, he also recruited generals such as Dongfang Lao and Huyan Zu. Even if I seize military power, I cannot control his troops and generals.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yi couldn't help but ask:
"This is such a difficult situation, yet we cannot ignore it. What if, during the Northern Expedition, he cuts off our army's retreat route from the rear?"

"There's no need to worry about that. He doesn't have the guts to block the royal army's retreat."

Yuan Hao spoke with great confidence. But Zhu Yi shook his head, lowering his voice, and said:
"This is not my question, it is His Majesty's question!"

Yuan Hao's heart trembled. He looked at the solemn and majestic Mahavira Hall, his expression turning serious, filled with determination and killing intent.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will definitely involve Li Shengui in the Northern Expedition. With his reputation as the number one general of Wei, it will actually be of great benefit to the Northern Expedition! Otherwise, I would not have let him become a stumbling block."
-
Suiyang.

Li Shenggui returned to his residence drunk from the dance hall, only to learn that a guest had come to visit.

Hanling!

"Sir, it's you!"

A smile appeared on Li Shengui's face, and he was about to step forward to give Han Ling a hug when Han Ling said:

"General, you may soon face a deadly disaster!" Upon hearing this, Li Shengui was startled. He was no longer drunk, but the scent of women's perfume on him grew even stronger.

"Sir, did you come all this way just to scare me?"

Han Ling looked at Li Shengui.

"Did I travel all the way from Guanzhong just to scare the general?"

Li Shengui knew that this strategist under Li Shuang was no ordinary person.

"Who wants to kill me?"

"Yuan Hao!"

Upon hearing the name, Li Shenggui immediately understood and couldn't help but curse.

"That bastard, he wants to go to Luoyang to become emperor, why does he have to drag me into it!"

Han Ling smiled.

"General, you are mistaken. It was Yuan Hao who made the move, but the one who truly distrusts you is Emperor Xiao Yan of Liang!"

"What should we do then? Should I set up a trap and kill Yuan Hao first?"

Han Ling quickly stopped him, saying:
"No!"

"Why?"

"Erzhu Rong killed two thousand officials in Heyin, entered Luoyang, installed Yuan Ziyou as emperor, and then issued orders to the world. However, the Yuan clan members, famous ministers, and generals in the region are not convinced by Erzhu Rong, a mere Qihu person. If you kill Yuan Hao, you will surely become the target of everyone's criticism. Moreover, even if you kill Yuan Hao, there will be another Yuan Hao. You cannot go against the trend!"

Li Shenggui felt a headache coming on and asked directly:
"Then what should I do?"

"If he comes to you, just say yes! After you say yes, don't do anything else!"

Li Shenggui was taken aback.

"Is that all right?"

Han Ling nodded.

"That's it!"

"If I don't put in the effort, will Yuan Hao agree?"

Han Ling smiled.

“If the general really put in the effort, Yuan Hao will be uneasy. Just giving him a title will suffice!”
-
Jinyang.

"General Tianzhu, the King of Shangdang has sent military intelligence from Luoyang: the Liang army is making unusual movements!"

Gao Huan, carrying intelligence from Luoyang, arrived at a hunting ground near Jinyang.

At this moment, Erzhu Rong was shirtless, drawing his bow and aiming at his prey.

The arrow flew out and struck a running deer.

"General Tianzhu has excellent archery skills!"

Cheers erupted around him, but Erzhu Rong threw down his bow and kicked a guard of the hunting grounds.

"Who gave you permission to let the captive deer in!"

"General Tianzhu, please calm your anger. I deserve to die. I was worried about your precious health and dared not let the wild beasts into the hunting grounds!"

"Go and collect your ten strokes of the cane!"

"Thank you, General Tianzhu!"

Erzhu Rong wiped his hands, looked at Gao Huan beside him, and asked:

"What did my elder brother say?"

"The King of Shangdang said that while external enemies are a concern, internal troubles are ultimately what we should be wary of!"

Erzhu Rong, however, was very confident and said:
"Once I've dealt with Ge Rong, let's see who dares to cause trouble then!"

……

(End of this chapter)