Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 294 Who's like you?

Jinzhou.

With Erzhu Rong's arrival, Pingyang County became crowded.

Erzhu Rong had no shortage of elite soldiers and fierce generals under his command.

Generals such as Erzhu Zhao, Murong Shaozong, Chilie Yanqing, Gao Huan, and Yuwen Tai, along with the Qihu and the troops of the Six Garrisons, formed a larger Pingyang County city that could not accommodate them all in a short time.

Gao Huan had made preparations in advance, setting up a series of military tents outside the city so that Erzhu Rong's 100,000 troops would not be unable to garrison there.

Erzhu Rong did not live in Gao Huan's governor's mansion, but in Yuan Xiu's Pingyang Prince's mansion.

Inside the room, the generals waited until Erzhu Rong, dressed in light clothing, entered, and everyone bowed.

"Greetings, General Tianzhu!"

"It doesn't have to be this way!"

The room was like a large military camp, filled with all sorts of military documents, especially the city defense map of Baibi City, which had already been hanging to the side.

Before going to war, Erzhu Rong made ample preparations.

Everyone understood that Erzhu Rong had made them stay here for so long so that they would understand his resolve.

Erzhu Rong sat down first, and then waved his hand, after which everyone else sat down as well.

Who is the garrison commander of Baibi City?

Just as Erzhu Zhao was about to answer, Erzhu Rong looked directly at Gao Huan.

"He Liuhun, you speak!"

"It is Yang Kan, a general under the command of Da Ye Shuang!"

"What is your background?"

"Born into the Yang clan of Taishan!"

Erzhu Rong listened and laughed:

"But those people are all of noble birth!"

The Taishan clan was prominent during the Western Jin Dynasty, but with the chaos of the Five Barbarian Tribes, their glory faded, and they could no longer compare with top clans such as Cui, Lu, Zheng, and Wang.

Even so, their backgrounds were still far superior to those of the meritorious officials from the north under Zhu Rong's command.

Erzhu Rong was not unaware of who the garrison commander of Baibi City was, nor was he unaware of Yang Kan's background. Yang Kan, Gao Ang, and other generals had followed Li Shuang for a long time. Erzhu Rong did not have a deep relationship with them, but it could not be said that he was completely ignorant of them.

As expected, Erzhu Zhao was the first to jump out when Erzhu Rong said this.

"They're just a bunch of country bumpkins from the foot of Mount Tai, how could they be considered noble!"

Erzhu Rong looked at his generals and saw that they were all dissatisfied. He was very satisfied and said:
"Pass on my order: whoever can capture Baibi City will be granted the title of Duke!"

"promise!"

……

After everyone else withdrew, Erzhu Rong kept Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai behind.

"He Liuhun, what do you think Da Yeshuang is planning by staying in Chang'an?"

Erzhu Rong arrived in Pingyang with an army of 100,000, but Li Shuang made no move, which greatly concerned Erzhu Rong.

Gao Huan understood what Erzhu Rong was thinking, but he didn't say it aloud. Instead, he said:
“Da Ye Shuang has a limited number of troops at his disposal. If he were to commit all his forces here, and Hou Mo Chen Yue were to descend from Longshan, or He Ba Sheng were to break through Wuguan and enter Guanzhong, he would be in a difficult position to deal with the situation.”

Gao Huan's answer made a lot of sense, but Erzhu Rong was dissatisfied.

"I know Ohno Sō, he won't stay because of this, there's probably something else going on!"

"Something else?"

Gao Huan pretended not to know, while Erzhu Rong looked at Yuwen Tai.

"Black Otter, what do you think?"

Yuwen Tai's third brother, Yuwen Luosheng, had already distinguished himself during the Six Garrisons Rebellion, and later surrendered to Erzhu Rong during the Yuan Shen Rebellion.

Erzhu Rong initially only had eyes for Yuwen Luosheng, and didn't have a deep impression of Yuwen Tai.

It wasn't until Yuwen Tai followed Yuwen Luosheng to Xia Prefecture and witnessed Yuwen Tai's performance that Erzhu Rong began to take him seriously.

Initially, Erzhu Rong only wanted to make a casual move by giving Yuwentai Dongxia Prefecture as a trial. However, after Yuwentai became the governor of Dongxia Prefecture, his actions exceeded Erzhu Rong's expectations.

He understood that the most valuable talent in the Yuwen clan was not Yuwen Luosheng, but this Yuwen Heita.

Yuwen Tai cupped his hands and said:

"Ono Sou's actions are likely a sign of utter contempt for General Tenju!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan pretended to reprimand him, saying:

"Black Otter, don't talk nonsense!"

Erzhu Rong burst into laughter, then waved his hand and said:

“Black Otter is right. We are all lowly northerners, and in the eyes of those people from Luoyang, we are only slightly better than barbarians. We have reached such a position now because we have suppressed those people from Luoyang by going south. Da Ye Shuang, relying on the strong defenses of Bai Bi City, does not take us lowly northerners seriously. After you go back, think carefully about how to defeat the enemy, and you will surely become kings and nobles in the future.”

As Erzhu Rong spoke, he laughed again:

"If someone harbors disloyal intentions, when the nest is overturned, who can emerge unscathed?"

Erzhu Rong spoke lightly, but to Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai, it carried a murderous intent that sent chills down their spines.

"We will surely help General Tianzhu defeat these bandits!"

"So, very good!"

After the two men left, Erzhu Zhaocai, who had been waiting outside, entered the house.

When Erzhu Rong was seen, Erzhu Zhao still had some doubts.

"Uncle, what did you say? Why is He Liuhun looking like this?"

Erzhu Rong smiled and said:
"You silly boy, if I were gone, you'd probably get your nose pierced by Gao Huan!"

Erzhu Zhao clearly didn't believe him. Erzhu Rong didn't waste any more words with him, but instead asked:

"How is it?"

"Uncle, I have prepared the troops."

Erzhu Rong nodded and said:
"After our army besieges Baibi City, you will lead this force south to plunder. If any surrender, bring them under your command; if they refuse to surrender, there's no need to waste words on them."

"promise!"

Erzhu Rong expressed his dissatisfaction outwardly, saying:

"Ohno Sou, I'd like to see how long you can stay in Chang'an!"
-
Bai Bicheng.

The sky is slightly bright.

As the sun rose, the scene outside the city changed abruptly.

"General...General..."

The soldiers guarding the city frantically summoned Yang Kan, their words filled with extreme panic.

Yesterday, the area outside Baibi City was still a field, but overnight, everything changed.

The once empty fields and wastelands are now filled with tents, and the great banner of the Erzhu clan flutters high, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Such a sight not only alarmed the soldiers on night watch, but the news also spread, and soldiers in the city flocked to the city walls to watch, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Yang Kan frowned, but quickly relaxed.

He turned around and shouted at them.

"I wondered what had happened to cause such panic. It's just that Erzhu Rong's army has arrived!"

"Can……"

Yang Kan smiled and said:
"That's just how northerners are. You've been in Guanzhong for so long and haven't seen them. Their little tricks are really nothing to brag about!"

As a general, Yang Kan held great prestige among the soldiers. Seeing their general in such a state, the soldiers gradually calmed down.

Just then, several riders galloped into Erzhu Rong's camp.

The leader was none other than Chilie Yanqing, a general under Erzhu Rong.

"Is that General Yang Kan on the city wall?"

"Indeed!" "I am Chi Lie Yanqing, the commander-in-chief under General Tianzhu. I have come here on the orders of General Tianzhu and have a few words to say to General Yang Kan!"

"What's the matter?"

"General, you are from the Yang clan of Mount Tai, a distinguished family. You have served under Da Yeshuang for many years, achieving numerous military exploits, yet you have not yet been granted a title. Da Yeshuang is merely a rustic villager; how could he be worthy of your service? Your elder brother, Yang Dun, is currently the Governor of Yanzhou and is highly valued by the court. If you insist on serving Da Yeshuang, I fear the court will blame the Yang clan. If you are willing to surrender, General Tianzhu is willing to petition the court to grant you the title of Duke."

Upon hearing this, Yang Kan burst into laughter.

After laughing, he turned and left, disappearing from Chilie Yanqing's sight.

When Yang Kan reappeared, he had a hard bow in his hand. He drew the bow, nocked an arrow, and shot it at Chilie Yanqing.

Chilie Yanqing was unable to dodge in time, and the arrow struck his helmet squarely.

Chilie Yanqing touched the arrow stuck in his head, his heart filled with horror. If it had moved any further down, his life would have been in danger.

Was Yang Kan's action accidental or intentional?

The idea quickly faded away, and Yang Kan's voice came from above the city wall.

"Spare your life, go back and tell that barbarian Erzhu Rong that Heaven's mandate belongs to the virtuous, and he is unworthy!"

Chilie Yanqing was extremely angry. Pointing at Yang Kan on the city wall, he roared:

"Yang Kan, you don't know what's good for you! It will be too late for you to surrender when the city falls!"

This time, Yang Kan didn't say anything more and directly ordered the archers on the city wall to fire their arrows.

In a panic, Chilie Yanqing spurred his horse and fled.

Cheers erupted from the city walls.

This arrow greatly boosted the morale of the soldiers in Baibi City.

Beneath Yang Kan's composed exterior, however, he dared not underestimate him in the slightest.

Looking at the endless military tents stretching down the mountains outside the city, a fighting spirit ignited in his heart.

Your Majesty, this battle will be the beginning of our sweeping away of the stench and the restoration of the Han Dynasty!

……

Chilie Yanqing left Baibi City and went back to see Erzhu Rong.

Seeing Chilie Yanqing's appearance, Erzhu Rong already knew what had happened.

"Yang Kan is unwilling to surrender?"

Chi Lieyanqing, still seething with anger, said:

"I tried to reason with him, but instead of being grateful, he attacked me from behind. If I hadn't dodged in time, I might have been killed. Not only that, he also insulted General Tianzhu as a barbarian and said that Heaven's mandate belongs to the virtuous, and that General Tianzhu is unworthy of it."

It was clear that Chilie Yanqing hated Yang Kan with a passion and wished he could storm Baibi City right now and tear Yang Kan to pieces.

However, compared to Chilie Yanqing, Erzhu Rong was much calmer.

He smiled and looked at Gao Huan.

"He Liuhun, it seems your plan has failed to shake the morale of the soldiers and commanders guarding the city!"

Gao Huan rose and apologized, saying:

"The general will be guilty!"

Erzhu Rong waved his hand and said:
"No wonder He Liuhun, Yang Kan doesn't seem to be a person who covets wealth and glory."

Nearby, one of the Erzhu clan's sons who had joined the army offered a suggestion:
"I think we should have Yang Kan's clansmen captured and brought here, to the walls of Baibi City. If Yang Kan doesn't surrender, we should kill them one by one!"

Gao Huan, Yuwen Tai, and the others fell silent upon hearing this.

Erzhu Rong rebuked him.

"Shut up! How could you utter such despicable words!"

Upon hearing Erzhu Rong's words, all the Erzhu clan members who had been talking so enthusiastically fell silent.

Erzhu Rong, with a hint of confidence, said:

"Tomorrow we'll attack the city. I want to see just how capable this Yang Kan really is!"
-
Wuguan.

There is only one passable route from Nanyang into Guanzhong: Wuguan Road.

This road was opened at the end of the Shang Dynasty and the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty, connecting the Ba River Valley and the Dan River Valley.

Wuguan Pass is located at the foot of Shaoxi Mountain, relying on the mountain and its strategic location to guard the passage from Nanyang into Guanzhong.

Hebasheng led his army to attack Wuguan. He was initially quite pleased to hear that the defender of the city was Daxi Wu.

Da Xi Wu's grandfather, Da Xi Juan, was the garrison commander of Huaihuang Town in the Northern Wei Dynasty. His father, Da Xi Chang, was the garrison commander of Qiancheng. He himself also had good relations with the Wu Chuan faction.

There is free movement of people between the six towns.

When the Woye Rebellion broke out, the Heba clan was recruited by Yang Jun, the garrison commander of Huaishuo, to Huaishuo to resist the rebels.

Dugu Xin and others actually had reservations about Hebasheng's large-scale advance into Wuguan and attack on Guanzhong.

However, Hebasheng insisted on doing so.

The reason is simple: Hebasheng has a powerful army under his command, but the terrain of Jingzhou restricts his development, and he must break through to another place.

If it's not Luoyang, then it must be Chang'an.

Upon hearing that the general guarding Wuguan Pass was Daxi Wu, Hebasheng disregarded the objections of Dugu Xin and others and wanted to try to win over Daxi Wu to see if he could persuade him to surrender.

Hebasheng led more than ten riders to the west of Wuguan City.

The terrain here is flat, making it suitable for large armies to attack cities.

The cavalry force was clearly also noticed in Wuguan City.

Hebasheng looked at the general on the city gate and asked:
"Is it Daxi Wu?"

"Exactly!"

The voice coming from the city gate delighted Hebasheng, but then he heard him say:

"Daxi Wu, do you recognize me?"

Da Xi Wu listened and laughed:

"Hebasheng!"

When Hebasheng heard Daxi Wu say this, he frowned and became wary.

However, he still maintained a superficial relationship.

"The Daxi clan and the Heba clan have a long-standing friendship. You brat, why are you so rude to your old friends?"

The response to Herbasheng was a crossbow bolt, and not an ordinary one, but a bolt from a giant crossbow.

Fortunately, Hebasheng was on guard, and luckily the giant crossbow was inaccurate; otherwise, Hebasheng would probably have been killed here.

Hebasheng spurred his horse to dodge, and when he saw the large crater in the ground not far away, he broke out in a cold sweat.

"Da Xi Wu, old friends reminiscing, why have we come to this!"

"You barbarian Tiele, who has any old friendship with your family! Erzhu Rong, that old bastard, has invaded my king's territory, and you, a barbarian Tiele, dare to dream of getting a share of the spoils at this time? This is truly the greatest absurdity in the world. Leave now, or this arrow will not be so polite."

Upon hearing this, Hebasheng flew into a rage and said:

“My Heba clan are the Tiele barbarians, and what are you, the Daxi clan?”

A burst of laughter came from above Wuguan Pass.

“My Daxi clan was enfeoffed in the northern lands. We are the son of the Yellow Emperor, descendants of Changyi, and a true lineage of the Huaxia people. How can we be compared to you Tiele barbarians!”

Do you even believe what you're saying?
Upon hearing this, Hebasheng couldn't help but shout angrily:

"We are all northerners from the Six Towns, and we can't change our roots no matter where we go. Don't forget your origins!"

Just then, the knight beside Hebasheng said:
"My lord, I think we should forget about it. Look at Da Xi Wu these past few years under Da Ye Shuang's command, he's become even more obsessed than those people from Luoyang!"

Hebasheng finally couldn't bear it any longer and withdrew. As he left, he said bitterly:

"Ohno Sou, you're really something!"

……

(End of this chapter)