Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 306 A Long-Term Vision is Essential

Qinzhou.

Shanggui.

The Longxi region is inhabited by both Han and non-Han peoples, and its people are known for their fierce and warlike nature. While it is rich in elite soldiers and fine horses, its economy is not developed.

As an important agricultural base in Longxi, Tianshui County has always been the capital of Qin Prefecture.

Inside the governor's mansion, Li Shuang looked at the accounts and checked the belongings left behind by Hou Mochen Yue.

To Li Shuang's surprise, Hou Mochenyue's belongings were more extensive than he had imagined.

Throughout Qin Prefecture, the amount of money and grain in the treasury and the number of livestock in the stables were quite large.

In addition, there were tens of thousands of warhorses.

Judging from the accounts alone, such wealth could not have been obtained by a mere governor of a prefecture.

Besides Li Shuang, only Hou Jing and Li Bi were in the room.

Hou Jing looked at the accounts, said nothing, but his eyes shone with excitement, and his breathing became rough.

Li Shuang looked at Li Bi and asked:

"Jinghe, are these accounts real or fake?"

"It should be true!"

Li Bi's words piqued Li Shuang's curiosity, and Li Bi explained:
"After the defeat of Tuyuhun, their leader was killed, and they fell into chaos. In their struggle for the leadership, they even secretly bribed Houmochenyue for external support. The surrounding Qiang and Hu tribes and merchants from the Western Regions, having lost the threat of Tuyuhun, all chose to accept Houmochenyue's protection."

"Only Houmo Chenyue and his military advisor Doulu Guang knew about the money he had acquired. Apart from them, no one in Qinzhou knew, and he did not give a proper account to Jinyang."

After listening, Li Shuang fell silent.

Hou Jing listened and asked:
"Where did all that money go? The accounts don't fully account for it."

"Houmochen Yue has a fondness for luxury goods from the Western Regions. He also bought many Kucha people and Persian women, spending a considerable amount of money. But I had only heard about it before, and I didn't know the specifics!"

Hou Jingdao:
"Judging from the price, Hou Mochenyue spent a lot of money. What kind of luxury items were they?"

Li Bidao:
"Houmo Chenyue was fond of glass, so he bought many glass cups brought by merchants from the Western Regions."

Li Shuang erupted from her silence.

What a spendthrift! He's wasting so much money on a bunch of glass.

Looking at Li Shuang, Li Bi sensed that he was very sad, as if Hou Mochen Yue was more upset about spending money than he was about losing money.

Li Shuang took a deep breath and said:

"It's all over now, things will get better!"

Hou Jing chimed in from the side:
"Your Majesty is right. With Your Majesty's arrival, the sky over Qin Prefecture will brighten."

Li Shuang nodded and said:

"The most urgent task is to tell the various Qiang and Hu tribes in Longxi that the protection they deserve will not be reduced because of Houmo Chenyue's departure, so that they can rest assured."

"Your Majesty, I understand!"

After a pause, Hou Jing asked:

"Should we increase the amount we should collect?"

Upon hearing this, Li Bi was completely bewildered.

What do you mean by this?

Hou Jing continued:
“Jinghe, think about it. If that scoundrel Houmochenyue can collect so much money, how can His Majesty be any less powerful than Houmochenyue? His Majesty’s protection is stronger than Houmochenyue’s, His Majesty’s reputation is more resounding than Houmochenyue’s, and His Majesty’s benevolence is more expansive than Houmochenyue’s…”

Li Bi had no way to refute these words, but Hou Jing continued talking and eventually got to the point.

"—The money Your Majesty should collect is far more than what Houmo Chenyue has demanded!"

"..."

Li Bi naturally opposed it. The reason was simple: many of his troops were from the surrounding Qiang and Hu tribes.

If taxes are increased, they will surely rebel.

At that time, the power of Li Bi's Qinzhou troops would inevitably be affected. Li Bi was about to object when he heard Li Shuang angrily rebuke him:
"Shut up! How many times have I told you? When you're out in public, you should be magnanimous and have a benevolent heart. We've just pacified Qin Prefecture, how can we add to the burden on the people!"

Hou Jing retreated, and Li Bi was overjoyed, saying:
"Your Majesty is wise!"

Li Shuang smiled, looked at Li Bi, and said:
"I'm sorry to make you laugh, Jinghe. This good-for-nothing just doesn't know when to stop and always speaks the truth!"

"..."

Li Bi was taken aback. Hou Jing, who had just looked aggrieved, asked:

"If we don't take money from those Qiang and Hu tribes, who will we take it from—those powerful Han clans?"

Li Shuang sighed and looked at Hou Jing with a hint of pity, making Hou Jing feel ashamed.

"Wan Jing, you need to broaden your horizons and look further ahead. Don't just focus on those small fish and shrimps. Aren't there several big fish around here?"

"Big fish?"

Hou Jing frowned upon hearing this, and just as he was thinking of something, Li Bi spoke up.

"Your Majesty, Tuyuhun is in chaos. The faction that advocates siding with Liang is currently in a dominant position. They have always wanted revenge and are our enemies. This is not a good situation!"

Li Shuang said:
"Who is it that wants to enlist Qin Prefecture's help?"

"Kualu is the son of Fulianchou, the previous leader of Tuyuhun, but he doesn't have many bargaining chips."

Li Shuang smiled and said:
"It's fine, too much is actually bad!"
-
Jinyang.

Upon learning of the loss of Qin Prefecture and the death of Houmo Chenyue, Erzhu Rong angrily cursed:
"Adulterous couple! Adulterous couple!"

Erzhu Rong's anger was genuine. His biggest bargaining chip, which he had placed behind Li Shuang, was now gone, and one can imagine the fury in his heart.

No one dared to speak; to do so at this moment would be tantamount to walking into the line of fire.

"That bastard Ohno Sō is so shameless."

At this moment, Erzhu Zhao, who was standing nearby, was somewhat excited.

After all these years, Uncle, you finally understand!
Ohno Sawa is not just shameless, she's downright shameless!

"What do you think we should do?"

As soon as Erzhu Rong asked the question, Erzhu Zhao immediately replied:

"Houmo Chenyue is dead, and Qinzhou has been seized by Daye Shuang. As a result, Daye Shuang will surely become even more arrogant. As the saying goes, an arrogant army is bound to be defeated. We should gather our troops again and attack Baibi."

Erzhu Zhao spoke with great excitement.

Clearly, he had been planning this for a long time.

"This time, we will advance in multiple directions, not only to attack Hedong, but also Tongguan and Shuozhou. With Heba Yue, Yuwen Luosheng, Yuwen Tai, and Heba Sheng providing support, we will surely annihilate Daye Shuang!"

Erzhu Zhao spoke with unusual excitement, but the more enthusiastically he spoke, the more gloomy Erzhu Rong's face became.

In the end, Erzhu Rong was on the verge of exploding.

Upon seeing this, Murong Shaozong cupped his hands and said:

"General Tianzhu, I have important matters to report!"

Doing so is actually very impolite and against the rules.

Erzhu Zhao was displeased at being interrupted, and just as he was about to get angry, Erzhu Rong waved his hand.

"You guys go down first!"

Helpless, everyone withdrew, leaving only Murong Shaozong in the room.

"What's the matter with you?"

"General Tianzhu, now that the Prince of Qin has secured Qin Prefecture, we must be wary of Heba Yue and Yuwen Luosheng harboring disloyal thoughts!"

Erzhu Rong was taken aback, but then he understood and asked:
What should we do?

"Show grace and delegate authority!"

……

(End of this chapter)