Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 301 I am irreconcilably opposed to Ohno Sō.

Shuiluo City.

Outside the city garrison, Yuan Hongjing was receiving first aid, while Wan Qipu and the others laid down their weapons and stood aside, each with their own thoughts.

With Li Shuang leading his cavalry into the city, the situation in the city, which had been disrupted by Hou Mochen Chong, was completely stabilized.

Those few die-hards who still wanted to resist were nipped in the bud.

A large number of cavalry poured into the city garrison from the streets and, under the command of Hou Mochen Chong, completely took control of the city's central area.

The weather was bitterly cold, and the generals in the city were all resting in their respective residences. Faced with the sudden attack, few of them had time to react.

Everyone was waiting. After entering the city, Li Shuang did not go to the city's operational hub immediately, but went to the treasury.

The gates of the treasury slowly opened, and Hou Jing was somewhat surprised to see the bows, crossbows, and armor stored inside.

"Your Majesty, I thought the intelligence was unreliable, but I didn't expect there to be so much money, provisions, and military equipment. If a small city like Shuiluo has so many weapons and armor, how much good stuff must Lueyang and Shanggui have?"

As Hou Jing spoke, he saw Li Shuang standing there calmly, without saying a word.

"Your Majesty?"

The victory far exceeded expectations, yet Li Shuang remained surprisingly calm.

Hou Jing couldn't understand it at all; he should at least say something!

After waiting for a while, I noticed faint tear tracks at the corners of Li Shuang's eyes.

"Your Majesty, why are you crying?"

"I'm crying tears of joy!"

Li Shuang looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, trying to keep her tears from falling to the ground.

"It's been so many years, Wan Jing, do you know how I've lived all these years? Do you know how I feel right now!"

The atmosphere was somewhat melancholic, and Hou Jing also became sentimental.

"Your Majesty, please don't say that. Now that you mention it, I feel sad too. Guanzhong is a place full of poor people. Not only are they poor, but they are also arrogant. We have all sorts of skills, but we have nowhere to use them. It is truly heartbreaking."

Just then, one of the soldiers standing nearby, unaware of the truth, innocently asked:
Where have all the rich people gone?

As soon as those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the treasury became somewhat awkward.

Li Shuang sobbed, waved her hand, and said:
"Let's not talk about such sad things today!"

At that moment, Hou Jing, also looking sorrowful, turned to Li Shuang and said:
"Your Majesty!"

"Wanjing!"

……

Just as the two were about to embrace, a sound of things being dismantled suddenly rang out outside the treasury.

Li Shuang walked out of the treasury and saw a dozen soldiers about to demolish the building. He couldn't help but say:
"what to do?"

The soldier's face beamed with a heartwarming smile as he said:
"Your Majesty, we plan to demolish this place and use it as firewood!"

Li Shuang looked distressed and said:
"Why are you burning it? It's getting cold. There's firewood and charcoal in the storeroom. Go get some yourself!"

"But Your Majesty, haven't you always taught us that when dealing with enemies, we should be as scorching as a raging fire, leaving them not a single brick or tile, and even splitting a mudfish vertically in two! We've been learning this skill of dismantling things for a long time, and today we want to try it out!"

Li Shuang was somewhat speechless and said:

"That's for the enemy. These are all our own property. If you tear them down, you'll just have to rebuild them, won't you?"

Everyone scratched their heads and put down their tools.

Hou Jing followed him out and heard Li Shuang complaining:

"These greenhorns are good for nothing except fighting; they don't even know when to use their skills."

Hou Jingdao:
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I will have someone properly discipline him."

Li Shuang waved his hand and said:

"No need. Have them seal the treasury. You and I will go see Yuan Hongjing and Wan Qipu."

"promise!"

A cold wind blew, the sun hid behind dark clouds, and the weather grew increasingly cold.

Outside the mansion, a group of generals who should have been hiding in their own residences were now shivering from the cold, their lips turning purple.

Yuan Hongjing finished bandaging his wound, sat on the ground, his face pale, seemingly lost in thought.
It's unclear how long we waited, but Li Shuang finally arrived.

Upon seeing Li Shuang, Yuan Hongjing, who was on the ground, revealed anger on his face and cursed:

"Ono Sou, you bastard! You seized my family's property, abducted my servants, and today you've invaded my territory and occupied my city! If you have the guts, kill me! Otherwise, I swear to fight you to the last man!"

Yuan Hongjing's words stirred a sense of shared hatred and indignation among many in the crowd.

Li Shuang walked up to Yuan Hongjing and said:

"You sacrificed your men's lives for your own revenge. Are you even human?"

"..."

"You want to fight me to the last man? Are they willing?"

Yuan Hongjing said indignantly:

"The soldiers of Shuiluo City have all received the kindness of Lord Houmochen, and they will never share the same sky with you."

"Is it?"

Li Shuang looked at the person beside him and asked:

Is that what you think?

Wanqipu, the leader of the generals, wanted to struggle again, but someone behind him had already taken out an iron token and knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty, this humble general is in Cao Cao's camp but his heart is with Han. I have served under Houmo Chenyue for many years, waiting for this day to set things right. The soldiers of Longyou long for the King of Qin as they long for rain after a long drought!"

Then came the second person, the third person...

In the end, two or three out of ten of the generals knelt down.

Wanqipu spat and cursed:

"You are all important figures, yet you are now bowing and scraping, what kind of behavior is this!"

As he spoke, Wan Qipu took a few steps forward, heading towards Li Shuang.

Just as he got close enough to Li Shuang, the armored soldiers surrounding Li Shuang stopped him.

Li Shuang asked:

"Wanqipu, what do you have to say?"

But Wanqipu, facing the weapons, showed no fear whatsoever, and spoke with fervor and passion:

"Lord Houmochen was appointed governor by the imperial court. After taking office, he drove out the Tuyuhun and brought peace to the people, achieving remarkable military exploits and outstanding political achievements. In the past, when General Tianzhu was waging war in Hedong, Lord Heba and Marquis Yuwen successively raised troops and violated the imperial domain. Only Lord Houmochen protected the borders and people, and did not invade even a small part of the Qin King's land. Why does the Qin King not attack Lord Heba and Marquis Yuwen, but invade Lord Houmochen's land?"

Seeing Wanqipu like this, even Yuan Hongjing, who usually didn't get along with him, couldn't help but think to himself:
What a hero!

After hearing this, Li Shuang burst into laughter.

"I originally thought that the veteran generals of the Six Garrisons would have some profound insights before me, but I never expected them to utter such vulgar words! I have something to say, please listen carefully: Houmochen Yue resides in the north and holds the hereditary title of Camel and Ox Commandant. He is not of a peaceful nature, and his position is truly humble. He once served under Erzhu Rong, secretly plotting his own schemes, which led to the disaster in Heyin, and thus he has reached his current position. As a local official, it is his duty to guard the territory for the court and pacify the people, how dare he claim credit! Out of consideration for our past relationship, I am reluctant to attack him, but Houmochen Yue has secretly conspired with Heba Yue to invade Yuanzhou. Can he be tolerated!"

Upon hearing this, Wanqipu knew things were going badly.

It wasn't that he was convinced by Li Shuang's words, but rather that he was surprised. How did Li Shuang know about such a confidential matter as Hou Mo Chen Yue joining forces with He Ba Yue?
How could Hou Mo and Chen Yue do things like this? Don't they even realize their subordinates are completely infiltrated?

Wanqipu felt a surge of anger upon thinking about this.

At that moment, Yuan Hongjing said:
"Ohno Sou, if you're going to kill us, then kill us all. Even if we die, we will never submit to you."

Upon hearing this, Wan Qipu cursed inwardly and quietly distanced himself from Yuan Hongjing, severing ties with him. Wan Qipu waved his hand slightly, and his son, Wan Qiluo, who had been waiting nearby, rushed out and knelt on the ground upon seeing this.

"My father is old and senile, and is speaking nonsense. Please forgive him, Your Majesty!"

As he spoke, Wan Qiluo took out an iron certificate.

"This is an iron certificate I bought for my father. I beg Your Majesty to forgive my father this time!"

Upon seeing this, Wanqipu was slightly surprised and cursed:
"You worthless son, how dare you do such a thing behind my back! Although the King of Qin is a man of great talent and ambition, we are ministers under the command of Lord Houmo Chen. How could we do such a thing?"

Tears welled up in Wan Qiluo's eyes as he cried out:
“Father, Houmo Chenyue has offended Heaven, and the King of Qin has attacked him out of righteousness. I cannot bear to see you ruin your integrity in your later years because of your loyalty and righteousness, so I have secretly joined the King of Qin’s forces.”

Seeing this, Wanqipu also knelt down and hugged his son, weeping together.

Li Shuang sighed from the side:

"Hou Mochen Yue has failed the people of Qin Prefecture, and even more so, he has let down such loyal and righteous men!"

Yuan Hongjing stared blankly at all of this, his heart filled with turbulent emotions, but he couldn't utter a single word.

The snow has started to fall!

……

Lueyang City.

"Are you OK!"

Hou Mochenyue looked at Yuan Hongjing, who had been released from Shuiluo City, with a worried expression.

The other person had a vacant look in their eyes and a pale face. They were carried back when they were brought back.

Upon seeing Hou Mochenyue's familiar face, Yuan Hongjing suddenly became excited.

"father in law!"

"Son-in-law, what's wrong with you?"

Yuan Hongjing tugged at Hou Mochenyue's sleeve and said:
"Father-in-law, you should surrender!"

Hou Mochen was taken aback. At first, she thought Yuan Hongjing had been released by Li Shuang to act as a mediator, but then she noticed that Yuan Hongjing's condition was not right and his emotions were quite unstable.

“Father-in-law, you can’t beat Da Ye Shuang. Take the money and run, don’t come back! He…he…”

After Yuan Hongjing finished speaking, he fainted.

Hou Mochenyue ordered people to take care of Yuan Hongjing, but she was still resentful and angry. Looking at the people who had returned with Yuan Hongjing, she asked:
"What exactly happened? How did Shuiluo City fall?"

The visitor replied:

"Shortly after the general was ordered by the lord to garrison Shuiluo City, Houmo Chenchong suddenly led more than ten riders into the city. Caught off guard, the general was captured by Houmo Chenchong and lost the city."

"A dozen or so people took the city?"

Hou Mochen was surprised when he heard this, and so were the people around him.

"Ōno Sō arrived with a thousand cavalry, and the people in the city either surrendered or died. Ōno Sō also asked me to pass on a message to my lord."

After listening, Hou Mochenyue said:

"Say!"

"Da Ye Shuang said that if our lord is willing to come to Shuiluo City to plead guilty, he will forgive our lord; otherwise, there will be no more Houmo Chenyue in the world!"

Upon hearing this, Hou Mochenyue felt no desire to surrender; instead, his anger surged, and he said:

"Reorganize the troops and follow me to retake Shuiluo City. I'd like to see who apologizes to whom!"

Just as Houmo Chenyue was about to launch his attack, his military advisor Doulu Guang stopped him in time:

"My lord, please wait. That Da Ye Shuang was able to take Shui Luo City with only a dozen or so cavalrymen, which shows that his forces are formidable. We should proceed with caution."

"I have over ten thousand elite soldiers under my command, are we afraid of him?"

After Hou Mochenyue finished speaking, Doulu Guang smiled slightly and said:
"This is not the time to be angry. Ōno Sosuke has brought his army, and his troops are all elite. If we act rashly, we may fall into his trap. We should send out more scouts to investigate the strength of Shuiluo City. Moreover, General Yuan is not a coward. The fact that he is so afraid to fight after encountering Ōno Sosuke and wants our lord to surrender must have a reason. We should wait until he wakes up, ask him in detail, and then decide what to do."

Hou Mochen Yue thought for a moment and nodded.

"Let's do as you say!"

Seeing this, Doulu Guang reminded him again:

“Jinghe is a great general under our lord. He was on good terms with Da Yeshuang back in Chang'an. At this time, our lord should ask for his opinion first.”

Hou Mochenyue was somewhat suspicious after hearing this.

"You mean Jinghe will betray me?"

Doulu Guangdao:

"How can we trust that Shuiluo City could fall into the hands of Da Yeshuang so quickly without any inside help? Has our lord forgotten that when Heba Yue wrote to us, asking us to join forces to attack Guanzhong, it was someone who strongly dissuaded us, leading to Da Yeshuang's current military campaign!"

"I'll go find him right now!"

……

"What do you want from me? I have a ton of things to do!"

Li Bi, who was training his troops, heard that Hou Mochen Yue had arrived and hurriedly returned.

When Hou Mochen Yue, who had been so aggressive, actually saw Li Bi, he became deflated and didn't know how to speak for a moment.

Are you alright?

As Li Bi asked, Hou Mochen Yue sighed and said:
"The news from the front is that Da Ye Shuang has captured Shui Luo City, and Yuan Hong Jing has been released by Da Ye Shuang. As soon as he returned, he advised me to surrender to Da Ye Shuang. What do you think we should do?"

Upon hearing this, Li Bi asked:
"What do you think?"

“Of course I don’t want to surrender to Ono So. Besides, I have so many men under my command, and many of them have a deep-seated hatred for Ono So!”

Upon hearing this, Li Bi sighed and said:

"I'm just worried that you're no match for the King of Qin!"

Hou Mochen Yue was somewhat unconvinced and said:

"I have over ten thousand elite troops under my command. Ohno Sou's march is so rapid, he probably doesn't have many soldiers with him. Do you think we have no chance of winning against him?"

As he spoke, Hou Mochenyue glanced at Li Bi and said:
"I'm just worried about an inside traitor. You know, Ohno Sou actually knew that I wrote a letter to join forces with Heba Yue. Not many people know about that!"

Hou Mochenyue's words made Li Bi frown, and he asked in return:
"You doubt me?"

Hou Mochen Yue was a little embarrassed and said:

"That's not what I meant at all. I just wanted to say that at this time, we should join hands to deal with the external enemy!"

"You still doubt me?"

Hou Mochen felt a little uneasy under Li Bi's gaze and quickly said:

That's not what I meant at all!

With things having come to this point, the atmosphere between the two sides became very awkward. After exchanging only a few words, Hou Mochenyue hurriedly left.

Li Bi's subordinates walked up to him and asked:
"My lord, who leaked the letter to the King of Qin?"

"It doesn't matter anymore!"

Li Bi waved his hand and sighed:

“Since the uprising of the Six Garrisons, the northerners have gone through countless dangers. Who among them who has made it to this point is a fool? My foolish nephew, relying on these people, still wants to fight against the King of Qin!”

……

(End of this chapter)