Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 310 What Scenes Have You Never Seen?
Summer of the fourth year of Yong'an!

In Chang'an, a grand ceremony is underway to recognize merits and award honors.

All the military generals gathered at the Prince of Qin's residence to be awarded ranks based on their past merits.

The twelve ranks of military merit are: Wuqiwei, Yunqiwei, Feiqiwei, Xiaoduwei, Qiduwei, Qingcheduwei, Cheqi Jiangjun, Piaoqi Jiangjun, Da Jiangjun, Shang Da Jiangjun, Zhuguo, and Shang Zhuguo.

In order to determine merit and honor, two people were ultimately appointed as Grand Generals: Yang Kan and Yu Jin.
There were four Grand Generals: Gao Ang, Li Bi, Hou Jing, and Wang Sizheng;

There were six Generals of the Cavalry: Peng Le, Xue Guyan, Xue Xiuyi, Pei Qingsun, Houmochen Chong, and Wei Xiaokuan.

Wang Bi, Houmochenshun, Liang Yu, Daxi Wu, Ruogan Hui, Li Yuan, and others were granted the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry.

Below them were the mid-level captains and the lower-level cavalry captains, who were awarded based on their past merits. Most of them were Li Shuang's troops, and some were elite troops from the Six Garrisons and soldiers from Guanzhong and Longxi who had made meritorious contributions. There were more than 8,000 people in total.

The Supreme General and the Grand General have independent command authority. The six Generals of the Cavalry are in charge of the elite cavalry in Chang'an, while the Generals of the Chariots and Cavalry are in charge of the military headquarters in Guanzhong.

As for the chief officers of the Zhechong Prefectures in various prefectures and counties, they were mostly appointed by meritorious officers dispatched from Chang'an.

Inside the Prince of Qin's residence.

Houmochen Chong, who had been awarded the title of General of the Cavalry, wearing the purple round-necked robe, silver sash and military cap of a General of the Cavalry, found Huli Guang, who was reading.

As former attendants of Li Shuang, one has now become a formidable military figure, while the other remains unknown.

All the world knows is that Hulü Guang is the son of Hulü Jin, the Great Khan of the Tiele who is currently guarding Shuozhou, and an attendant of Prince Qin, Li Shuang. Beyond that, nothing is known.

"how?"

Hou Mochen Chong looked smug, while Huli Guang merely glanced at him.

"How, how?"

"My outfit!"

"It's like a cow wrapped in a layer of cloth!"

"You're jealous!"

Hou Mochen Chong said this, but he didn't take it to heart at all. He sat down opposite Huli Guang and asked:

"What are you looking at?"

"A military treatise!"

Hou Mochen Chong, somewhat impatient, waved his hand and said:

"What's the use of reading these? What Mr. Han has taught is enough. The rest is up to you to adapt to the situation and deal with the enemy. If you don't go to the battlefield, reading more military books will be useless."

As he spoke, Hou Mochenchong leaned closer and said with a grin:
"How about it? Are you envious? Why don't you come with me? I'll get you a job in the army. In less than three years, I guarantee you'll at least become a Light Cavalry Captain."

Hulü Guang glanced at Houmo Chenchong and smiled:

"I'm only sixteen, and you're dragging me to the battlefield?"

Hou Mochen Chong did not look down on Hulü Guang because of his young age; in fact, he was not very old either.

"So what? I was only fifteen when I first went to the battlefield, and now I'm a General of the Cavalry, aren't I?"

Hulü Guang shook his head, looked at Houmo Chenchong with a firm gaze, and said:
“I am not like you, a wild bull that charges recklessly on the battlefield. I have learned to be a match for ten thousand men. Moreover, I do not want to follow a general of the cavalry. What I want is the position of Pillar of State.”

Hou Mochen Chong waved his hand dismissively and said:
"Keep bragging! The position of Pillar of State is still far from being awarded! Grand General Yang guarded Baibi for more than 20 days, defeating Erzhu Rong's army of tens of thousands of men and preventing them from advancing even a fraction of an inch westward; Governor Yu guarded Shuozhou for many years, pacifying the Hu and Han peoples, expanding the territory with his army, and repeatedly defeating the Rouran—and they only got the position of Grand General, far from being Pillar of State!"

Hou Mochen Chong's words did not displease Hulü Guang.

Hulü Guang put down the military treatise in his hand, glanced at Houmo Chenchong, and sighed:
"If all else fails, I can go back to Shuozhou and inherit our family's ranch, people, and hundreds of thousands of cattle and sheep."

Upon hearing this, Hou Mochen Chong immediately became displeased, stood up, and advised:

"What kind of time is this? How can you have such depraved thoughts? Without a title, even if you become that damned Great Khan, no one will respect you."

Hou Mochen Chong was frantic, as if he saw his friend about to go astray, while Huli Guang remained calm and unmoved.

Just then, Han Ling walked in, overheard their conversation, and smiled:

"Ah Chong, Ah Guang is just teasing you!"

Seeing Hou Mochen Chong's belated realization, Hulü Guang finally laughed.

"You kid, are you kidding me?"

Han Ling waved his hand, signaling them to stop fooling around, and asked:

"Where is the king?"

Hulü Guang looked around and whispered:

"Sir, I only told you because you asked."

As he spoke, he glanced at Hou Mochen Chong.

"Why don't you go out for a bit?"

Why should I go out!

"Don't regret it!"

"What could I possibly regret?" Hou Mochen Chong said disdainfully. "What kind of look is that? Do I look like the kind of person who spreads rumors about the King?"

Han Ling was a little puzzled and asked:
"What exactly happened?"

Hulü Guangdao:

"Hasn't someone recently entered the manor...?"

Before Hulü Guang could speak, Hou Mochen Chong's expression changed upon hearing this, and he hurriedly said:

"Sir, Ah Guang, I just remembered, there's an urgent matter at the camp, I have to go now."

After speaking hastily, Hou Mochen Chong ran outside, faster than when he chased Wan Qichounu back then.

Hulü Guang shook his head as he watched Hou Mochen Chong's figure disappear into the distance.

"I told you not to listen, but you insisted on listening!"

Han Ling did not receive an official position in Chang'an; he was merely a guest minister who did nothing in the Prince of Qin's mansion. However, compared to his subordinates in the Ministry of Personnel, such as Su Chuo, Liu Qiu, Yang Yin, and Changsun Yu, he was closer to Li Shuang.

At least, none of the others had the same right as Han Ling to see Li Shuang at any time.

"What happened?"

"The King brought back a woman from Longxi. Princess Dugu, Princess Pingyuan, and Lady Erzhu have joined forces to demand an explanation from the King!"

To get these three women to join forces...

Han Ling shook his head as he thought of this.

Sin!
"Was that woman exceptionally beautiful?"

Hulü Guang waved his hand and explained:
"That's not important. What those three want to know is, who else is the King having an affair with? Sir, you didn't see it, the scene..."

As Hulü Guang was speaking, Han Ling quickly waved his hand, as if he didn't want to hear any more.

"I don't want to know. All I want to know is where the King has gone."

"The king has escaped!"

Where are you hiding?

Hulü Guang looked around, walked to Han Ling's side, and whispered in his ear:
"The Prince of Chenliu's Mansion!"

Upon hearing this, Han Ling smiled.

"That saves us trouble!"

……

The Prince of Chenliu's Mansion.

"Qingzun, drink!"

"Tianba, come here!"

Inside the mansion, Li Shuang and Li Shenggui sat facing each other, drinking merrily.

Li Shenggui's face was flushed. He pulled Li Shuang aside and asked, "Tianba, I heard that my brothers and sisters-in-law gave you a hard time?"

Li Shuang waved his hand and said:

"Qingzun, you don't know me. What can a few women do to me?"

"That's right. Back when we brothers were in Luoyang, we roamed all the major song and dance halls in the music and music circles. What kind of scene haven't we seen!"

Then, Li Shengui asked:

"Will you still be staying at my residence today?"

Li Shuang said:
"It's not that I don't want to go back, it's just that I haven't seen Qingzun for so long, and I miss him terribly."

Li Shengui nodded and said:
"As brothers, we all understand. Don't worry, Tianba, if anyone in my household dares to leak any information about me, I will kill them on the spot!"

The two drank to their hearts' content and prepared to return to their respective rooms.

Just as Li Shenggui was about to return to his room, he saw Hebayun waiting outside.

"Ajuni, what are you doing outside my room?"

Heba Yun hesitated, wanting to speak but unable to utter a word.

"Stop beating around the bush, just say what you have to say!"

Li Shenggui opened the door to his house and led Hebayun inside.

Heba Yun helped Li Shengui to sit on a soft couch and poured him a glass of water.

After drinking a glass of water, Li Shengui sobered up a bit. Looking at Heba Yun, he asked:

"What exactly happened?"

"Does Your Majesty know that the King of Qin is currently recognizing and rewarding meritorious officials?"

"I know, Hou Jing was quite dissatisfied, saying why he was ranked after Li Bi!"

After Li Shenggui finished speaking, he laughed, seemingly recalling Hou Jing's lively and energetic manner.

However, compared to Li Shengui, Hebayun's expression was much more serious.

“Your Majesty, you also have three thousand men under your command. They fought their way from Luoyang to Yuzhou, then from Yuzhou to Jingzhou, and finally to Guanzhong. They are all elite warriors who have been through countless battles. Although you hold the title of Prince of Chenliu, in Chang'an, no one recognizes your rank!”

Li Shengui smiled and said:
"What's the big deal? Don't worry about what others think. My sworn brother recognizes me as the King of Chenliu, so I am the King of Chenliu. As for other things, I'll accept them if my sworn brother is willing to give them to me, and I'm happy if he doesn't."

Heba Yun became anxious and said:

"Your Majesty, you may be willing, but what about our brothers? We've followed you for so many years, never abandoning you, and now we're left without any title or recognition. Can you really bear to see this?"

Heba Yun's words made Li Shenggui serious. After being reminded by him, Li Shenggui finally realized the seriousness of the problem.

In this pass, these three thousand people are not officially employed. Although they are currently being supported, this is not a long-term solution.

Li Shengui took a sip of water, his drunkenness subsiding somewhat, and looked at Heba Yun, slowly saying:
“Ajuni, we are outsiders in this Guanzhong region, and we have no military achievements. Even if I shamelessly beg my sworn brother, at most I can only ask for a chance to earn military merit.”

Heba Yun was overjoyed upon hearing this.

"So what if I've made a contribution? When have I, Heba Yun, ever been afraid of war in my life! Without a body of military merit, how can I survive in Guanzhong? My brothers wouldn't be able to hold their heads high outside!"

Li Shenggui shook his head, not as optimistic as Hebayun.

"Ajuni, have you thought this through?"

What does Your Majesty mean?

"Now that Erzhu Rong has turned against my sworn brother, Hebasheng and Hebayue are following Erzhu Rong. Sooner or later, they will turn against my sworn brother. Are you prepared?"

Heba Yun's expression changed, and he remained silent for a long time before finally clenching his hands.

"When two armies clash, each fights for its own lord. How can I jeopardize my brothers' future for my own selfish reasons!"

Hearing Heba Yun say this, Li Shengui nodded.

"Alright, I'll go and talk to my sworn brother!"

……

Although Li Shenggui said this, he still hesitated in his heart.

The next day, as dawn broke, Li Shengui led his generals to the courtyard where Li Shuang was.

Has the King of Qin woken up?

"His Majesty is washing up!"

"Could you please inform them?"

Upon seeing this, the guards standing outside Li Shuang's house went into the courtyard to report it.

The guards returned quickly.

"The king allows you to enter."

Li Shengui nodded slightly, said thank you, and then led his generals inside.

The soldiers under Li Shengui's command were mostly strong and brave Han Chinese recruited from Henan, Hebei, Shandong and other places.

Once outside, Li Shenggui told the others to wait while he went inside alone.

Inside the room, Li Shuang had just finished washing her face. Seeing Li Shenggui enter, dressed in a suit, she couldn't help but smile:
"Qingzun, is there something you need from me?"

Li Shenggui was very serious, unlike his carefree demeanor when he was drinking yesterday.

"He was just about to ask the King of Qin for an opportunity to make a name for himself in battle."

"To earn meritorious service?"

“We have come from afar, neither former subordinates of the King of Qin nor soldiers of the Guanzhong Garrison. If we do not achieve military merit, how can we expect to receive money and provisions in Guanzhong? Wouldn’t that be like eating for free?”

"Qingzhun, do your soldiers think the same way?"

After Li Shuang finished speaking, Li Shenggui took a few steps back and knelt down. Outside the house, all his subordinates knelt down as well.

"We are willing to serve the King of Qin, and we humbly request that the King of Qin give us a chance!"

Li Shuang quickly stepped forward and helped Li Shenggui up, saying:

"I've agreed to Qingzun's request!"

"Thank you, King Qin!"

Li Shenggui shouted loudly, and his followers behind him shouted in unison.

After Li Shengui stood up, he looked at Li Shuang and said softly:

"Tianba, rest assured, my three thousand men will fight wherever you command. Whether it's Hebasheng, Hebayue, or Yuwen Luosheng, even if they want to attack Taiyuan, they will not hesitate."

Li Shuang smiled and said:
"Qingzun, have you heard of the Di people of Qiuchi?"

"I've heard that. Didn't I hear that the Di people of Yinping and Wuxing have surrendered?"

“These Di people live in the mountains and fields. They surrender today and rebel tomorrow. There’s no certainty about them. After I settled Qinzhou, they were afraid of losing their throne, so they colluded with the Liang people again.”

"These shameless bastards, don't worry, sworn brother, I will definitely make Heba Yun settle things for you."

Li Shuang shook his head and said:

“These two Di tribes are nothing to fear. Shanggui and Xiabian are now under our control, and the Qishan Road is open. If they dare to openly rebel, the troops from Qinzhou and Hezhou can quickly come to our aid and quell the rebellion. It is easy to quell them, but keeping them alive would be more useful.”

Li Shengui asked with some confusion:
"What does that 'Tianba' mean?"

"Jiange, Bashu!"

The two terms Li Shuang used gave Li Shengui a jolt.

"Qingzhun, take Hanling south to Hanzhong and carefully manage the situation. While quelling the Di rebellion, you can also win them over for support, allowing them to infiltrate Liang territory and seize the opportunity to capture Jiange in one fell swoop. Hanling can devise the specifics for you. In this way, after conquering Bashu, you can be appointed as a Grand Pillar of State."

Li Shengui nodded vigorously after hearing this and said:
"Don't worry, my sworn brother, I will definitely handle the matter you entrusted to me well!"

……

(End of this chapter)