Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 279 There is only one in the world

The northern part of Chang'an.

As the site of the old Chang'an city, although the new city has been built, a considerable number of people still live here, and a prosperous market town has formed on the banks of the Wei River!

A newly built long bridge connects the two banks of the Wei River, linking the residential areas on both sides.

People from places like Ling and Xia, and even from Longxi and the grasslands, mostly traveled south from Beiyi in Chang'an, crossing the Wei River Bridge to reach Chang'an City.

Therefore, this area boasted thriving commercial and trade activities. It could even be said that the northern part of Chang'an was one of the economic hubs of Guanzhong.

A large area outside Beiyi was designated as a forbidden area, which contained not only military camps but also many buildings, including livestock pens.

Two hundred thousand livestock were kept in the animal pen.

Not far from the animal pen, in the hunting grounds, the flags of the sun, moon, and stars fluttered.

Li Shuang was resting in the camp at this time.

The sun was high in the sky, and a large iron pot was placed outside Li Shuang's tent, bubbling with water. Inside were lambs that had just been slaughtered and cleaned and taken from the animal pen.

"Your Majesty has finished preparing it. It can be eaten once it's cooked."

Huli Jin and Shedi Gan walked in.

The two had been busy all morning, from slaughtering the sheep and boiling water to one cooking soup and the other roasting the sheep, finally preparing the main course for the meal.

"You two are both fourth-rank military commanders, why bother with this? Just hand it over to the attendants, won't that be enough?"

Li Shuang didn't wake up until noon after drinking last night. At this time, Li Shuang was washing up and didn't try to hide it from the two people.

"As your subjects, it is our duty to serve Your Majesty. But Your Majesty's words are far-fetched!"

Li Shuang smiled and put on her clothes.

The meat was cooked quickly, and the servants set up a table and three stools in the tent. As soon as they were set up, the mutton soup and roasted lamb leg, which were the main dishes, were served.

It was the height of summer, but Li Shuang didn't mind and sat down wearing a short-sleeved shirt.

Just as he picked up the flatbread, he noticed two people still standing.

"We're all brothers, and this isn't a formal occasion, so why be so formal? Please sit down!"

Huli Jin and Shedi Gan bowed respectfully and said:
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The two sat down, and Li Shuang ladled two bowls of mutton soup for them, and also gave them roasted lamb legs.

The two of them stopped worrying and, being quite hungry by this point, began to eat heartily.

After eating a pancake to stave off hunger, Li Shuang asked:

"How's the situation up north?"

Upon hearing this, the two immediately stopped eating.

Huli Jin spoke up:

"To be honest, Your Majesty, starting this year, small groups of Rouran cavalry have crossed the desert again, reaching the southern part of the desert, and even roaming outside the towns of Wuchuan and Huaishuo, which seems to be a test!"

Li Shuang asked:

How did you do it?

"I selected the strongest warriors from various tribes, and with the help of the Han soldiers from Shuozhou, I selected three thousand cavalrymen and marched north to Huai Shuo, sweeping across the southern desert. I captured the Rouran and Tiele people and brought them back to raise horses. I also brought some slaves with me this time."

“Since the war years ago, Anagui has fled back to the northern desert. These past few years have not been enough for him to accumulate enough strength to march south. There is no need to worry for the time being.”

As Li Shuang spoke, Huli Jin hesitated for a moment, but eventually spoke up.

"What I am worried about is not the Rouran and Tiele people outside, but the fear within!"

After Huli Jin said that, Shedi Gan also spoke up.

"While I was in Beian Prefecture, I learned that Heba Yue and Yuwen Luosheng were pacifying the tribes, recruiting the scattered and lost, cultivating land and raising cattle, sheep, horses and camels, and their power was growing. I am worried that one day the two of them will join forces and invade Guanzhong."

The forces of Huli Jin, Shedi Gan, Heba Yue, and Yuwen Luosheng are intertwined. If the other side wants to expand, they will be the first to be attacked.

Conversely, if Heba Yue and Yuwen Luosheng were eliminated, Huli Jin and Shedi Gan could also annex their tribes.

Li Shuang smiled. "They are just like you, all governors of the imperial court. How can you openly make things difficult for them?"

"But!"

Shedigan wanted to say something more, but Hulijin had already figured it out and said:
"I understand that I cannot openly make things difficult for you!"

Li Shuang stood up, picked up the box next to her, opened it in front of the two of them, and took out two belts from it.

"These were specially made by the weavers in my inner palace. There are only two of them in the world, and I'm giving them to you!"

The two stood up, took the belt, and touched the exquisite patterns on it, their faces showing excitement.

"Did the King give these to us specially?"

"That's natural, there are only two such places in the world. The north is bitterly cold, and I know how difficult it is for you. But besides you, who else can I trust to keep an eye on the northern barbarians and soldiers and prevent them from causing trouble? You two will keep watch in the north for me for a while longer. When the time is right, I will transfer you back to Chang'an and give you a belt of the third rank."

Upon hearing this, the two were extremely grateful and bowed down, saying:

"Your Majesty, we are deeply grateful for your great kindness!"

……

Longxi, Shanggui.

Li Bi touched the belt in his hand, a look of excitement on his face.

"Did the King of Qin specifically ask you to bring this to me?"

Yuan Shouli nodded.

"This was given to me by the King himself. He told me that there is only one of its kind in the world, and it was made by the weavers in the King's palace under his personal supervision. He specially ordered me to bring it to the general."

Is this the only one in the world?

Li Bi spoke with some emotion.

Seeing Li Bi's reaction, Yuan Shouli took a few steps forward and whispered:

"His Majesty also specifically told me that, given your current status as a general, he can only give you this belt, which is only suitable for a fifth-rank official. I'm sorry, General."

Upon hearing this, Li Bi's heart stirred. Holding his belt, he gazed eastward and said:

"Thank you for your great kindness, King Qin!"

Yuan Shouli then said:
"Given the general's bravery and prestige, this is to be expected."

Li Bi shook his head after hearing this.

"How dare I think so? What brings the messenger here today?"

"I came to Longxi this time on the orders of the King to discuss the matter of those hundreds of warhorses with Governor Houmochen. I wonder what happened?"

Upon hearing this, Li Bi said:
"This matter is easy; the messenger can find the one beside him..."

……

Tongwan City.

Yuwen Luosheng looked at the envoy's belt but did not take it, only saying:
"I thank the King of Qin for his kindness, but I am here on the orders of General Tianzhu to guard Xiazhou. I dare not accept such high praise and gifts from the King of Qin."

The messenger smiled.

"Given the prestige of a governor, why can't he accept a mere belt?"

Yuwen Luosheng smiled without saying a word, giving off an air of unapproachability. Upon seeing this, the messenger did not press the matter further.

"In that case, I'll take my leave now!"

Yuwen Luosheng saw the envoy off with a smile, but his face darkened.

At this moment, his attendant came over and whispered a few words in his ear.

Yuwen Luosheng's expression changed, and he said:
"Black Otter took this belt; he's foolish!"

……

(End of this chapter)