Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 239 Your Majesty, please take charge for me!

Changan.

Qin Wangfu.

"Your Majesty, you must do me justice!"

Cao Ni wore a mournful face, pleading with him. Beside him, General Changsun Zhize looked somewhat awkward, unsure whether to stand or sit.

Li Shuang looked at Cao Ni and smiled:
"You tricked Huba Emi Tu out of Tongwan City and became the governor of Xia Prefecture, but now you've been tricked by Yuwen Luosheng and driven out. You can only blame yourself for being incompetent!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ni wiped away her tears.

Hearing Li Shuang say this, Cao Ni felt somewhat aggrieved and said:
“Your Majesty is right. I paid a high price to become the governor of Xia Prefecture, and I accept that I’ve lost today. But what I’m not happy about is what Yuwen Luosheng is. He’s just relying on Erzhu Rong’s power. And that Heba Yue, he came to Guanzhong but didn’t even come to Chang’an to pay His Majesty a visit. He went straight to Qin Prefecture without any manners!”

Li Shuang rolled her eyes at Cao Ni and said:
"Where are your retainers and relatives, you brat?"

"I'm still in Xia Prefecture. Yuwen Luosheng lied to me, but he wouldn't dare do anything to my troops."

"Alright, I hereby appoint you as the Prefect of Xi'an Prefecture. Settle your troops over there first!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ni was delighted and cupped his hands in greeting, saying:
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Then, Cao Ni couldn't help but remind him:

"Your Majesty, I suffered a great loss this time, and it wasn't mainly Yuwen Luosheng's fault. His younger brother, Yuwen Heita, is a ruthless man. Your Majesty must be careful!"

Cao Ni was quick-witted and had a good eye for people.

Li Shuang beckoned, and Cao Ni, seeing this, walked over with a grin.

"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

"After you go to Xi'an Prefecture, don't stand out too much. Heba Yue and Houmo Chenyue are both in Qin Prefecture now. If they want to attack Suqin Mingda in Ling Prefecture, you can put more effort into it."

Cao Ni's eyes flickered, and he immediately understood what Li Shuang meant, but he was somewhat worried.

"Your Majesty, my troops are outnumbered and I'm afraid we are no match for them."

"It's alright, you can get closer to the Hedouling Bufan of Yuanzhou and the Hulujin of Shuozhou."

Cao Ni nodded, a smile appearing on her face.

"I understand!"

After Cao Ni finished speaking, he stood there for a moment, then said:

"Your Majesty, there is something I am unsure whether I should say."

Seeing Cao Ni's hesitant manner, Li Shuang waved his hand.

"If you fart, let it go!"

Cao Ni cupped his hands and said:
“Your Majesty, look, I am neither one of Your Majesty’s former generals nor a subject of the Imperial Secretariat. I have no status whatsoever now, but I have a heart that is loyal to Your Majesty!”

Li Shuang was taken aback and asked:

"what for?"

"Most of my troops are Hu people, living by the water and grass. Their customs are very different from those of the people of Guanzhong, and they are also different from the Guanzhong army. If they want to be loyal to the king, they must have a title!"

Li Shuang understood; this kid had come to ask for a government job.

"How about this? I'll establish a tributary state under the Prince of Qin's residence and appoint you as its governor. What do you say?"

"Your Majesty, I thank you! I am willing to offer twenty percent of the tribe's annual harvest to Your Majesty!"

"That's it!"

Cao Ni left happily.

Changsun Zhi led soldiers from Lishi and Tujing towns to reinforce Xiazhou, defeated Suqin Mingda, and also had dealings with Cao Ni, the governor of Xiazhou.

But Cao Ni today was quite different from his usual shrewd and decisive self, which made Changsun Zhi shake his head in disbelief.

Who would be so eager to become a lackey!
After Cao Ni left, Li Shuang looked at Changsun Zhi, who had not spoken until now.

Changsun Zhi was different from Cao Ni; he was a famous general of the Northern Wei Dynasty and followed Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei on his southern expedition when he was young.

He can be considered a veteran.

"Now that the six garrisons have been pacified, what are your plans, General? Would you be willing to return east?"

Changsun Zhi was actually unsure of himself. Yuan Hao and Yuan Ziyou were facing off across the Yellow River. If he were to return to Luoyang now, he would surely be embroiled in trouble.

For an old minister like him, choosing the wrong side would not end well. Changsun Zhi was momentarily at a loss for words in response to Li Shuang's words, but then he heard him say:

"If that's the case, General, why don't you stay in Chang'an for now and wait until the situation stabilizes before making a decision?"

"This humble general thanks Your Majesty for your compassion!"

……

Changsun Mansion.

Changsun Zhi's second son, Changsun Yu, is currently serving as a military advisor in the Prince of Qin's residence and has his own mansion in Chang'an.

After leaving the Prince of Qin's residence, Changsun Zhi went to the residence of her second son.

Changsun Yu had already received the news and made preparations, waiting outside the mansion with his family.

"grandfather!"

Changsun Zhi's grandson, Changsun Si, was about ten years old and very strong. As soon as he saw Changsun Zhi, he hugged her.

Changsun Zhi hugged her grandson, her face beaming with smiles.

"It's been so many years! Si'er has grown so much. In a few more years, she'll be ready to fight on the battlefield!"

For families with military achievements, serving as a general is the greatest aspiration.

"Grandfather, don't underestimate me. I can also become an eloquent man like Su Qin and Zhang Yi!"

Changsun Zhi was taken aback. His family had always been the ones who used knives to kill people, but now someone in their family wanted to talk about death.

"Then your grandfather is waiting for you to become an eloquent man like Su Qin and Zhang Yi!"

Changsun Yu stood to the side, cupping his hands in greeting:
"Father!"

Changsun Zhi nodded, but he wasn't as affectionate with his son as he was with his grandson.

After Changsun Yu and the women of the household finished their greetings, Changsun Zhi was led to the study as requested.

"Father, what are your plans? Do you really want to go back to Luoyang?"

Changsun Zhi shook his head and sighed:
Is Luoyang still the same Luoyang?

Changsun Zhi felt reluctant to leave, but she also understood that Luoyang had changed a lot.

Don't you see, there are two emperors, both of whom are puppets. What good would it do for a minister like him to go back?
Changsun Yu was overjoyed after hearing this.

"In that case, would Father be willing to stay in Chang'an?"

Changsun Zhi looked at his second son with some surprise and said:
"You seem quite worried about me going back to Luoyang. What, are you worried that I'll ruin your future?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

Changsun Yu cupped his hands and said:

“My eldest brother is now a general in Hedong, my third brother is a clerk in the Xingtai government, and I am a military advisor in the Qin Prince’s mansion. If Father really returns to Luoyang, and something happens, how can we feel at ease?”

Changsun Zhi smiled.

"Isn't it because you're worried I'll ruin your future?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

Changsun Zhi waved his hand and said:
"Alright, I know everything. Our Changsun family has been dragged onto Da Ye Shuang's pirate ship."

Seeing that Changsun Yu was uneasy, Changsun Zhi waved his sleeve, feeling somewhat irritated.

"Do you know that the King of Qin is going to establish the Jimi Prefecture?"

"I know, Your Majesty has already discussed this with me."

Changsun Zhi nodded.

"Let's see!"

"What do you mean, Father?"

"It is expected that the King of Qin can pacify the Han people in Guanzhong and families like ours. But if he can pacify the northerners and barbarians outside Guanzhong, then I will truly admire him!"

……

(End of this chapter)