Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 283 Fighting a war requires using your brain.
Chang'an Forbidden Garden.

In the peach orchard, there are many peach trees transplanted from Luoyang, as well as local tree species from Guanzhong that were searched for.

At this moment, in the peach orchard, unripe peaches hang on the branches.

Yuwen Yuanji led Yuwen Hu along a forest path in the peach orchard.

"The king wants to see you. I begged for this, so you'd better behave yourself."

"I understand, Aunt!"

At the end of the path, Yuwen Hu parted the branches and leaves, and his view suddenly opened up. A courtyard was nestled in the peach orchard, accompanied by the babbling of a stream, presenting a peaceful scene in the sunlight.

Such a picturesque place is rare in the summer-growing region north of Guanzhong.

Heading north from Guanzhong, past the Great Wall built by King Zhaoxiang of Qin during the Qin Dynasty, the landscape is mostly desolate.

Outside the courtyard, armored soldiers stood guard.

Yuwen Yuanji took out a waist token, and after the armored soldiers checked it, they let them in.

This was not the first time Yuwen Hu had met Li Shuang; he had seen Li Shuang several times when he was in Jinyang.

However, Yuwen Hu was still somewhat surprised to see the King of Qin so closely.

Li Shuang and Yuwen Tai were not much different in age, Li Shuang was a few years older than Yuwen Hu, but he was very handsome.

In Yuwen Hu's memory, the only one who could be compared to him was Gao Huan.

Yuwen Yuanji walked over, gave a graceful bow, and addressed him as "Husband."

Yuwen Hu watched from the side, her eyes practically bulging with tears!
Li Shuang asked Yuwen Yuanji to prepare some food, and Yuwen Hu, unfazed, took the opportunity to go over.

"Meet the King of Qin!"

"You must be Sabao. When I first saw you in Jinyang, you couldn't even afford armor. Now you're a handsome and valiant warrior!"

As Li Shuang spoke, he gestured for Yuwen Hu to sit down.

Yuwen Yuanji, accompanied by several maids, brought out the food, which was served on plates.

"Yuan Ji told me that you wish to see me. What is the matter?"

"Your Majesty, my fourth uncle is very grateful for the belts Your Majesty gave him and my third uncle. He specially sent me with gifts to express his gratitude."

Li Shuang smiled and gestured for Yuwen Yuanji to sit down beside him.

"Is that all? We're all family, why bother with these formalities! No need for formalities with me!"

With that, the three of them began to eat.

Many of the delicacies on the table were new to Yuwen Hu, and after walking a long way, seeing that Li Shuang didn't seem to mind, he began to eat heartily.

After the meal, Li Shuang ordered someone to bring a new set of clothes and a belt for Yuwen Hu to change into.

Yuwen Hu initially hesitated, but after Yuwen Yuanji persuaded him, he agreed to the exchange on the spot.

Seeing Yuwen Hu emerge dressed in Hanfu, Li Shuang nodded and said:

"What a promising young man! He's sure to rise to high office in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Hu felt a surge of excitement, but he maintained a calm demeanor.

"I dare not accept the King of Qin's praise!"

Li Shuang held Yuwen Hu's hand as they walked, saying:

"Your third and fourth uncles are governors in the Three Xia regions. Are they lacking anything?"

"The rest is fine, but sometimes we are short of grain and salt, and we are also short of some ironware used in daily life."

After listening, Li Shuang nodded.

"It's alright, I'll have twenty carts of salt, iron, and grain prepared right away. You can take them back with you when you go back!"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Hu cupped his hands and said:
"I thank King Qin, but I am unworthy of such praise!" After Yuwen Hu expressed his gratitude, he saw Li Shuang suddenly sigh. His joyful expression changed, as if he had thought of something unpleasant.

"The Yuwen clan guards the border for the country, and sometimes supplies cannot be delivered in time. These salt, iron, and grain are just a small token of our appreciation. It's just that Yuwen and Heba have worked hard and made great contributions, but there are always people who want to say something sarcastic!"

"Who?"

Yuwen Hu asked instinctively, and after speaking, he realized he had lost his composure and lowered his head.

Li Shuang said:
"They are all ministers of the same court, and he is close to your fourth uncle. I have heard some rumors, so I can't say much!"

Are they close together?
After a moment's thought, Yuwen Hu guessed who it was.

"What did Gao Huan say this time?"

"He didn't say anything, just that you Wuchuan people are far from the emperor and live a carefree life! Unlike him, who is guarding Jinzhou for General Tianzhu and works hard every day."

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Hu became somewhat agitated.

“When my father was alive, he often told me that the Huai Shuo people were the worst kind of people. They couldn’t fight well and were good at playing tricks and schemes. When people from Luoyang came, they would try their best to flatter and win credit!”

Yuwen Hu, young and impetuous, realized he had overreacted after his outburst and apologized:
"I misspoke for a moment, and I hope the King of Qin will forgive me."

Li Shuang waved his hand and said:

“Sabao is a man of strong emotions. It is no problem for him to say a few heartfelt words to me.”

"Thank you, King Qin!"

"Although your third uncle did not accept my belt, I do not blame him. On the contrary, I admire him very much. You people from Wuchuan are upright and honest, with an iron will. You are born generals. Although I have people from all six towns under my command, I still trust you people from Wuchuan the most when I go on campaigns."

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Hu's expression became excited, and he cupped his hands in greeting:
"The King of Qin is wise!"
-
Jinzhou.

At the dinner table, Hou Jing and Gao Huan's men from Huai Shuo drank and boasted about themselves.

"Let me tell you, I serve under my king, and that's what I'm called!"

Hearing Hou Jing say this, Wei Jing was somewhat skeptical. Slightly drunk, he laughed and said:
"Wan Jing, what are you bragging about? Under the King of Qin, you're at most third in rank. There are two generals ahead of you, Yang Kan and Gao Ang, and behind you, Peng Le and Xue Guyan are chasing after you. I heard that Hou Mochen Chong is quite important even at such a young age. I think in a few years, you won't even be in the top ranks!"

Hearing Wei Jing say this, Hou Jing was not angry. He waved his hand and said:

"What do you know? The King told me that he has people from all six towns under his command, but he trusts us Huai Shuo people the most."

Hou Jing's words surprised those around him, and Wei Jing even asked:

"Why?"

"The King said that among the people of the Six Garrisons, the people of Wuchuan are the most capable fighters, while we people of Huaishuo are the most clever. When it comes to fighting, you have to use your brain. You can't just charge around like those people from Wuchuan."

"Did the King of Qin really say that?"

"Of course! Would I lie to you?"

For a moment, everyone present in Huai Shuo felt a sense of pride.

"The King of Qin is wise!"

Outside, a dark figure flashed by, leaving the restaurant in the darkness and heading towards the Prince of Pingyang's residence.

"How is it?"

Yuan Xiu looked at his scout and asked.

"Hou Jing has been drinking with those Huai Shuo people for the past few days, or going to dance halls, day and night."

Yuan Xiu felt somewhat relieved after hearing this.

"It seems that this Qin King's fearsome general is nothing special after all!"

……

(End of this chapter)