Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 234 A Master Teacher and General, Mo Zilao

Luoyang, Shuangnü Temple.

As the setting sun casts its last rays, the temple shines with brilliance.

Hu Xuanhui, who had become a nun, was currently in the temple reciting scriptures.

Beside her sat a beautiful woman, but she did not have the same patience as Hu Xuanhui.

Princess Shouyang, Yuan Juli, could not bear to watch any longer, and her heart was in turmoil; she sighed and lamented all day long.

"Why is the princess like this?"

Hu Xuanhui seemed to be disturbed by her as well, and couldn't help but ask.

"Your Majesty has been frantic these past few days. Liang general Chen Qingzhi has marched hundreds of miles north in just over ten days, and no one can stop him. The Liang Kingdom has enthroned Yuan Hao, and in Henan, generals such as Li Shengui, Yuan Ziyong, and Pei Yan have joined the cause. What will happen if he really reaches Luoyang?"

Hu Xuanhui asked with a smile:

"This is something a man should be concerned about, why is the princess sighing and complaining?"

“I’m not afraid of the war going badly. Erzhu Shilong is always boasting about himself. Is His Majesty really going to believe Erzhu Shilong’s words?”

Yuan Juli was not worried about the war at the front, but rather about his own marriage.

"Princess, rest assured, His Majesty would not do such a thing! No matter how anxious he is, would he really marry his sister off to a Qihu man?"

Hu Xuanhui's advice had no effect; Yuan Juli remained uneasy. She immediately stood up.

"No, I must go to the palace and stay by His Majesty's side."

After Yuan Juli finished speaking, he left in a hurry. Hu Xuanhui did not stop him, and continued to strike the wooden fish and chant scriptures.

As the sun set and the earth grew dark, the entire temple was enveloped in darkness.

Yuan Luo led several assassins into the Buddhist hall. Seeing that only Hu Xuanhui remained, he couldn't help but ask:

Where is Princess Shouyang?

"gone!"

Yuan Luo's expression changed, and he couldn't help but question:
Why didn't you stop her!

"Do you really think that winning over a woman will solve everything?"

After Empress Hu's death, Hu Xuanhui's status plummeted.

Yuan Luo used to follow Hu Xuanhui's advice in everything, but now things are different.

Yuan Luo waved his hand, signaling his assassins to leave.

He stood behind Hu Xuanhui and asked:
"Sister-in-law, do you know how many people in Luoyang want to bring Yuan Ziyou down?"

"Just like when you obeyed Erzhu Rong's orders to bring down Empress Hu?"

Hu Xuanhui silenced Yuan Luo.

Perhaps the atmosphere was too awkward, so Hu Xuanhui spoke first and asked:

"Do you really think that losing Yuan Ziyou will allow Yuan Hao to win? Besides, even if Yuan Hao does enter Luoyang, are you sure he can hold it? Don't forget, the Duke of Tang in Guanzhong hasn't made a statement yet!"

Yuan Luo thought for a while, his face very serious.

"If Yuan Hao can enter Luoyang, wouldn't the Duke of Tang in Guanzhong be tempted?"

Hu Xuanhui smiled, a hearty laugh in the Buddhist hall before the memorial tablets of his father and sister.

"Don't you know Da Ye Shuang? Do you think he's so easily manipulated? Yuan Hao and his gang want to incite Da Ye Shuang and Er Zhu Rong to fight. Do you really think he'll fall for it?"

Yuan Luo remained silent. After a while, he finally spoke and asked:

"What about that?"

"A nursery rhyme has been circulating in Luoyang recently, do you know it?"

Yuan Luo said slowly:

"Even the most renowned teachers and generals should not be complacent, for thousands of troops will flee before the white-robed warriors!" This nursery rhyme truly carries a chilling undertone!

Hu Xuanhui said:

"If that's the case, why not let this nursery rhyme spread throughout the world!"
-
royal palace.

As darkness fell, candles were lit in Xianyang Palace. But these few candlelights could not dispel the fear in Yuan Ziyou's heart.

Before the assembled officials, Yuan Ziyou, lost in thought, said:
"Even the most renowned generals and strategists should not be complacent, for thousands of troops will flee before the white-robed warrior!"

As Yuan Ziyou recited this nursery rhyme, the expressions of the court officials in the palace all changed.

Yuan Ziyou ignored what his subordinates thought and gave a hasty laugh.

"In less than half a month, Chen Qingzhi's army has marched hundreds of miles and is about to reach Xingyang. Tell me, am I so unworthy of loyalty that those who are loyal to me are essentially imprisoned?"

Anyone could see the problem with this marching speed.

It's likely that the Northern Wei generals opened the city gates to welcome the Liang army as soon as they arrived. More likely, the generals were already preparing provisions for the Liang army even before their arrival.

This isn't about conquering cities and seizing territory; this is about reclaiming lost land!
Yuan Ziyou now knew one thing: although he hated Erzhu Rong, he was also deeply bound to Erzhu Rong.

At least, that's how those "famous teachers and generals" outside Luoyang saw it.

"Tell me, what should I do?"

At this moment, Yuan Ziyou was extremely disheartened, and even considered giving the throne to Yuan Hao.

While the assembled officials remained silent, Erzhu Shilong spoke first:

"Your Majesty, please do not do this! General Tianzhu is currently reorganizing his troops and will soon march south to defend the Emperor. Moreover, there are many loyal generals around Luoyang. I am willing to lead my troops to Hulao Pass to stop the rebels!"

"you?"

Yuan Ziyou looked at the somewhat obese Erzhu Shilong, his voice carrying a hint of doubt and distrust.

But then, Yuan Ziyou understood.

"Very well, if you can stop Chen Qingzhi, I will betroth Princess Shouyang to you!"

Erzhu Shilong was greatly excited when he heard this.

"Your Majesty, I will surely serve you to the death!"
-
Jinyang.

Tongdi Earl's Mansion.

"He Liuhun, why are you so absent-minded?"

Lou Zhaojun looked at Gao Huan, who was somewhat lost in thought after just returning from the Tianzhu General's Mansion.

Gao Huan glanced at Lou Zhaojun and said:

"Liang's army marched north, covering hundreds of miles in just over ten days, and was almost at Luoyang. Moreover, Li Shengui openly stood behind Yuan Hao, and for a time, the people of Henan responded in droves."

Lou Zhaojun smiled and said:
"So what? Is it worth being so distracted? No matter how powerful Chen Qingzhi is, he can't reach Jinyang!"

Lou Zhaojun was confident in the fighting strength of the Jinyang soldiers.

"General Tianzhu summoned us to discuss military affairs, but we cannot send reinforcements south to defend the emperor in time!"

"Why?"

“There are still a large number of troops from the Six Garrisons around Jinyang. Even if Erzhu Rong wants to march south, he has to get them under control first. Otherwise, if the rear catches fire, it will be no laughing matter.”

Lou Zhaojun nodded slightly.

"Could it be that Luoyang can't stop Chen Qingzhi?"

"There are still troops in Luoyang, so they should be able to stop them, but whether they can actually stop them is another matter!"

"What about that?"

"The only option is to send Yuan Tianmu and Erzhu Zhao with their troops back from the Three Qi regions to put out the fire."

Lou Zhaojun noticed the change in how Gao Huan addressed Erzhu Rong and the others, and felt a little puzzled.

"My husband, what exactly do you mean?"

Gao Huan's expression changed, and his words revealed his ambition.

"The Erzhu clan's rule is not so stable; on the contrary, it is riddled with problems!"

……

(End of this chapter)