Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 290 A Spark
Luoyang, Shuangnü Temple.

As night deepened and the dew grew heavy, a man dressed in black quietly entered the temple within the inner city of Luoyang.

Hu Xuanhui did not go to bed early tonight, but instead held his prayer beads and kept chanting scriptures.

Hu Xuanhui only stopped when the man in black broke into her house.

Hu Xuanhui was not surprised. The man in black took off his straw hat and bowed.

"Lady Fengyi!"

Hu Xuanhui stood up, turned around to look at the newcomer, and asked:

"What brings His Majesty to send the Duke of Dongping?"

Li Yu arrived in the dead of night, his face still showing some panic.

"After Erzhu Rong defeated Chen Qing, he returned north to Jinyang and extensively planted his own people in Luoyang to control key departments. His Majesty is worried that if this continues, Erzhu Rong's next step will be to be granted the Nine Bestowments!"

Since the Cao Wei dynasty, the process of plotting to seize power has become increasingly standardized, and the bestowal of the Nine Bestowments was an important part of it.

Hu Xuanhui, on the other hand, showed no sign of worry whatsoever. Her goals were much smaller than Yuan Ziyou's, and therefore, even though they were now on the same boat, she was much more at ease.

Even in autumn, mosquitoes still bred in the temple. Hu Xuanhui lit incense to repel insects and said:
"What does Your Majesty wish to do?"

"His Majesty has always hoped that Erzhu Rong and Li Shuang would fight each other, so that Luoyang could breathe a sigh of relief. No matter who wins, His Majesty can accumulate strength and have more room for maneuver in the future. But for some reason, Erzhu Shilong and Erzhu Zhao joined forces to try to provoke a war between the Erzhu clan and the Li clan. In the end, Erzhu Rong not only did not make a move, but also became even closer to Li Shuang."

The close relationship that Erzhu Rong and Li Shuang have maintained is not something that the powerful families in Luoyang and even Hebei want to see.

In this way, they become the ones who are at a disadvantage.

Only if Erzhu Rong and Li Shuang become enemies can they truly stand on the stage as a third party.

Li Yu was curious, but not expecting Hu Xuanhui to answer him, he spoke up:

"Is the brotherhood between them truly stronger than gold?"

Hu Xuanhui laughed, a laugh tinged with a sense of absurdity at what he had just heard.

"Even the strongest bonds of affection will melt away in the great crucible of power."

Hu Xuanhui also came from the height of the Northern Wei Dynasty and witnessed its rise and fall.

In the arena of power, let alone sworn brothers, even biological brothers will not hesitate to take action when the time comes.

"You may think their brotherly bond is strong, but that's because you haven't touched a raw nerve yet."

Li Yu was somewhat puzzled and said:

"what for?"

To some extent, Hu Xuanhui's mastery of political maneuvering was unmatched in Luoyang, especially now that Erzhu Rong had killed the high-ranking officials in Heyin.

"Who gave His Majesty this idea?"

"Xi Yi!"

Hu Xuanhui was slightly surprised, knowing that Xi Yi was Erzhu Rong's eyes and ears in Luoyang, and was even trusted by Zhu Shilong.

However, Hu Xuanhui was only surprised for a short while at the beginning, and soon his expression turned disdainful.

"Northerners are mostly foolish. Even if they come to Luoyang and see the world, they will not change their barbarian mentality. 120,000 shi of grain is a large amount, but only those greedy and despicable people of the Erzhu clan would care about it. Neither Li Shuang nor Erzhu Rong would take action for it."

Xi Yi and Erzhu Shilong both wanted to squeeze into the circle of the Tianlong people in Luoyang, but the Tianlong people in Luoyang never really regarded them as members.

Hu Xuanhui is different. Even though she has now become a nun and faded from the public eye, she is still an important part of the Tianlong people in Luoyang.

In front of Hu Xuanhui, Li Yu could betray Xi Yi without any hesitation. Because he knew that Hu Xuanhui was on his side in eliminating the Erzhu clan.

"Then what is the real pain point?"

Hu Xuanhui already had the answer to this question, and without the slightest hesitation, he replied:

"Salt from Hedong!"

Li Yu listened and fell into deep thought, pacing back and forth in the room. Hu Xuanhui paid no attention to him, quietly tidying up the scriptures, prayer beads, and other items used during the day.

By the time Hu Xuanhui had finished packing, Li Yu had also made up his mind.

"I can still find the salt tax accounts from Hedong before Erzhu Rong entered Luoyang. But those are things of the past. Nobody in Luoyang knows the current state of the Hedong salt lakes. Is that enough?"

Hu Xuanhui said slowly:

"Take a step and take a look!"
-
Jinzhou, the county seat.

Inside the governor's mansion, Erzhu Zhao and Gao Huan sat together, drinking wine around a stove.

"Lord Yingchuan, Erzhu Shicheng has been rescued from Liu Lisheng!"

Erzhu Zhao watched as Gao Huan poured him a cup of wine and laughed:
"That old scoundrel Liu Lisheng must have taken a lot from you!"

"It's alright, we're all brothers!"

Gao Huan didn't say how much money he would spend, but the more he did that, the more Erzhu Zhao felt that Gao Huan was very generous.

"Just tell me exactly how much it cost, and I won't let my brother suffer a loss."

"Actually, we didn't spend much money, but he took a lot of things!"

Erzhu Zhao was taken aback, seemingly not expecting things to develop this way, and then asked:
"What did that old scoundrel ask you for?"

"A thousand catties of ham, a thousand catties of salted meat, a thousand sheep, a thousand bolts of linen, a thousand pieces of coarse fur, and some other miscellaneous items."

Upon hearing this, Erzhu Zhao recalled the time when he had been captured by Liu Lisheng, and couldn't help but curse:

"This old scoundrel, after all these years, is still so uncouth and vulgar."

Gao Huan was actually surprised.

It's truly rare to find someone whom Erzhu Zhao would call vulgar.

Gao Huan suppressed his surprise and said:

"Liu Lisheng is annoying, but not a major problem. It's Yuwentai who, on the other hand, seems cold and businesslike, but he's actually quite cunning!"

Like Gao Huan and other Huai Shuo people, Er Zhu Zhao also disliked the people of Wu Chuan.

However, unlike the stereotypes formed in the Huai Shuo people from childhood, Er Zhu Zhao simply disliked He Ba, Yuwen, and others.

"They are from Wuchuan. They may seem loyal and brave, but that's not the case. Back then, Heba, Yuwen, and other meritorious officials from Wuchuan swore brotherhood with Wei Kegu, but in the end, they broke their oath and killed Wei Kegu."

Erzhu Zhao said this with great disdain.

"I, Erzhu Zhao, despise those who betray their brothers the most, especially that Da Yeshuang!"

Gao Huan thought to himself, "Erzhu Zhao has finally gotten to the point." However, for a moment, he still couldn't figure out why Erzhu Zhao had come.

"What happened to Ohno Sawa again?"

“I’ve disliked Da Ye Shuang ever since he was a bandit. If he hadn’t surrendered early, I would have led my troops to wipe out his Taiping Village long ago. He used the power of my Erzhu clan to become this damned King of Qin, but he harbors ulterior motives and has betrayed General Tianzhu.”

When it comes to Li Shuang, Erzhu Zhao always has a lot to say.

Gao Huan was also helpless. Every time he met Erzhu Zhao, he would talk about Li Shuang, starting from when Li Shuang was a bandit and continuing to curse him to this day.

Gao Huan could only agree and dared not leave. He could only listen once more to the familiar tale of the grudges and feuds between Erzhu Zhao and Li Shuang. It wasn't until an hour later, when Erzhu Zhao had finished his tirade, that they began to get down to business.

"Did you know that Ono Sō was dishonest with General Tianzhu regarding the salt tax matter in Hedong?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan's heart sank to the bottom.

……

At night, Lou Zhaojun was reading in her room when she heard a noise outside.

Gao Huan reeked of alcohol, but showed no signs of drunkenness. He entered the house and began complaining to Lou Zhaojun:

"I knew Erzhu Zhaolai was up to no good. Hou Jing just left, and now trouble has struck again!"

"What's wrong? Why do you look like that?"

"The Erzhu clan has their eyes on the salt in Hedong!"

Lou Zhaojun's expression turned serious. She put down her book, looked at Gao Huan, and said:
"This is a hornet's nest! If you stir it up, Erzhu Zhao will have Erzhu Rong protecting him, but what about you?"

"I know!"

Gao Huan naturally understood that this matter was not on the same level as the matter of the 120,000 shi of grain. Much of the salt industry in Hedong was managed by Chen Shuangchi and the Shu people under his command. These people were all recruited by Li Shuang and did not listen to Erzhu's orders at all.

Let's not even talk about how much effort and risk it would take to find out the truth about this.

If he truly listened to Erzhu Zhao's words and investigated the matter of the salt tax in Hedong thoroughly, he would inevitably offend Li Shuang, leaving no room for maneuver.

"But I'm worried that things aren't that simple!"

Lou Zhaojun quickly understood the meaning behind Gao Huan's words.

"You mean this wasn't just Erzhu Zhao's idea? Then could it be...?"

Gao Huan nodded and voiced his biggest concern.

"Erzhu Rong and Daye Shuang will go to war sooner or later. If things go wrong, the salt affairs in Hedong will be the spark that ignites a great fire."

Gao Huan had long anticipated this; he knew that Erzhu Rong and Li Shuang would not remain in their current state and would eventually become enemies.

It's just a matter of sooner or later!

"But I shouldn't be the one to set the spark that ignites the fire!"

Although Gao Huan reeked of alcohol, he was calmer than ever before. Having risen from a garrison soldier guarding the city gates of Huai Shuo to become the governor of a prefecture, Gao Huan was absolutely unwilling to fall here and become someone else's pawn.

Lou Zhaojun stood up, her expression filled with worry.

"But if this is truly Erzhu Rong's intention, I'm afraid you won't be allowed to do this!"

Gao Huan stood there for a long time, still feeling the effects of the alcohol, but his mind grew increasingly clear. Looking at the moon outside, his figure appeared so tall and strong to Lou Zhaojun that she couldn't help but feel a stirring in her heart.

"Let's take a step by step!"

Lou Zhaojun, filled with doubt, asked:

"What are you waiting for, my husband?"

Gao Huan's handsome face held a hint of determination.

That is the courage that should be shown in the face of the risks to be faced in the future!
"Waiting for a variable!"
-
Changan.

After a summer, Li Shuang made a special trip from Beiyi back to the Qin Prince's Mansion to take charge of the affairs of the mansion.

Erzhu Ying'e is about to give birth!
At this time, in the inner palace, Dugu Ru was unwell, while Xiao Erzhu was busy running around taking care of things.

Li Shuang was not in front of Erzhu Ying'e's residence at this time, but in his study.

Erzhu Ying'e gave birth for the second time, and the risks are much lower than the first time. As long as all hygiene measures are in place, her safety is guaranteed.

The autumn air is crisp and bleak; even in the study, one can feel the chill of the air outside the window.

Li Shuang was holding a book and reading it, appearing very composed.

Beside him, his secretary, Su Chuo, seemed somewhat uneasy.

In the grand scheme of things, the most intelligent people in the world are often the first to discern the potential dangers in the smallest details.

Su Chuo was such a clever person!

The city of Chang'an was bustling with prosperity, and half of the Northern Wei territory was in a state of stability. However, beneath this tranquility, a deadly threat lurked.

Su Chuo was processing documents, but the pen in her hand, stained with cinnabar, slipped and fell to the ground.

Li Shuang said:
"Lingchuo, why is this?"

Su Chuo picked up the pen, placed it on the desk, stood up, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:
"Your Majesty, reports have come from the provinces that Hou Mochen Yue, the governor of Qin Prefecture, Heba Yue, the governor of Ling Prefecture, Heba Sheng, the governor of Jing Prefecture, and Yuwen Luosheng, the governor of Xia Prefecture, have all been recruiting soldiers recently. Erzhu Zhao has also brought his troops to Pingyang. I fear that if the situation is not handled carefully, it will become uncontrollable."

People in Luoyang today cannot clearly see the relationship between Jinyang and Chang'an.

Only those in the midst of a storm truly understand the risks involved.

As a secretary, Su Chuo handled military and political documents from various parts of Guanzhong every day and was quite familiar with the current situation in Guanzhong.

Among the governors of the Erzhu clan in various regions, Houmochen Yue was the most powerful, commanding 10,000 soldiers. He was followed by Hebasheng, then Hebayue and Yuwen Luosheng.

The army under their command was not an ordinary state or county soldier, but a field army that could be deployed to fight!
With their original troops and the soldiers of the Six Garrisons as the core, plus the Hu tribes absorbed from the prefectures and counties, it can be said that their fighting strength was very strong, and the local forces were no match for them.

To some extent, these governors who were sent out by Erzhu Rong had irreconcilable conflicts with Li Shuang.

If they do not surrender, they will inevitably come to the point of armed conflict sooner or later. Because they are located in harsh and cold lands, their armies, with their current structure, will inevitably seek to expand outwards.

Even if they don't want to expand, their subordinates will force them to do so!
"They've been recruiting soldiers for a long time now. Once they've cleared out the surrounding barbarians and bandits, they'll be starving and will bite sooner or later!"

Li Shuang was not as worried as Su Chuo; she had anticipated this matter.

"They are just a pack of jackals, but the real tiger is becoming more and more menacing."

Su Chuo's concern was not about these individual governors; in fact, none of them alone posed a threat to Guanzhong. What he feared was that, led by the tiger, they would launch a coordinated attack.

At that moment, the inner palace suddenly became lively.

"It seems Ying'e has given birth!"

Upon hearing Li Shuang's words, Su Chuo was extremely conflicted.

He looked towards the doorway, waiting for the messenger from the rear office to report.

To Su Chuo, the door, bathed in the autumn sunlight, looked like the fangs of a man-eating beast.

Finally, the messenger from the Imperial Household Department arrived.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Lady Erzhu has given birth to a prince!"

Upon hearing this, Su Chuo felt a momentary sense of disorientation, but he quickly regained his composure. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Li Shuang wave his hand.

He no longer had the leisurely air he had just displayed; his expression had become very serious.

"Summon Yang Kan and Wei Xiaokuan!"

……

(End of this chapter)