Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 329 The Enemy in Luoyang

Xiangzhou.

Yecheng.

Upon receiving the message from Sima Ziru, Gao Huan remained remarkably calm.

When Erzhu Rong transferred Gao Huan from Jinzhou to Xiangzhou, besides the situation in Jinzhou, the biggest reason was to start a war with Li Shuang. If things went badly and Luoyang became ruins, Yecheng could serve as a backup capital to house Yuan Ziyou and the officials of Luoyang, allowing Gao Huan to come here in advance to prepare.

Therefore, Gao Huan now wields considerable authority and resources.

As night fell, Lou Zhaojun entered the room carrying several pieces of clothing. Seeing Gao Huan deep in thought, she couldn't help but ask:

"He Liuhun, after you met Sima Ziru's messenger during the day, you became absent-minded. What happened?"

Gao Huan didn't hide anything from his wife, and with his hands behind his back, he slowly said:

"Erzhu Rong is dead!"

Lou Zhaojun, who was tidying her clothes, stopped what she was doing upon hearing this and was utterly shocked.

Lou Zhaojun looked at her husband with her beautiful eyes, but Gao Huan was unusually calm, so calm that Lou Zhaojun felt something was wrong.

"He Liuhun, what are your thoughts?"

Gao Huan did not answer immediately, but waited.

Seeing this, Lou Zhaojun did not press the matter further and continued tidying her clothes.

Monogamy is like an ordinary time.

Until Gao Huan's brother-in-law, Wei Jing, arrived.

Wei Jing, clad in armor and exuding a murderous aura, strode into the room, approached Gao Huan, and said:

"He Liuhun, everyone has been gathered."

"Let's go!"

Gao Huan didn't say much, but it seemed as if he had already said a lot. Looking at her husband's back, Lou Zhaojun understood that her husband had taken a crucial step.

……

Inside the house, a group of generals from Huai Shuo Town were gathered.

Outside, Gao Huan's armored soldiers were personally guarding the area, many of them still covered in blood. Even the most oblivious person would understand that something had happened.

Gao Huan led Wei Jing into the room, stood at the head of the table, and, seeing the gazes of everyone present, announced loudly:
"General Tianzhu has been assassinated in Luoyang!"

Gao Huan's words surprised and puzzled everyone, but their subconscious reaction was whether the news was true or false.

"He Liuhun, this isn't a joke, is it?"

Gao Huan remained calm and said:

"No, Erzhu Yusheng's southward army has also stopped. My spies in his army reported that he also received the obituary from Erzhu Shilong."

Hearing this, everyone felt something was amiss; Gao Huan had actually planted spies within Erzhu Yusheng's army. However, given the current situation, they couldn't afford to concern themselves with Gao Huan's petty schemes.

"He Liuhun, what do you want?"

Gao Huan looked at the group of people in the room and smiled.

"We Huai Shuo people were once just wealthy men, but now, amidst this chaos and turmoil, don't you gentlemen wish to advance further?"

Gao Huan's gaze lingered on the few people in the room for a while, making no attempt to conceal it, as if he wanted to single them out from the crowd, which made them feel uneasy.

"In the past, my brothers and I did not blame you for your actions, but I only want to know if, from now on, we Huai Shuo people can work together to achieve great things?"

Just then, Dou Tai walked in, covered in blood, and bowed, saying:
"Governor, those traitors in Ye City who, upon hearing of General Tianzhu's death, harbored rebellious intentions, have already been executed by this humble general!"

This chilling statement sent a shiver down the spines of the few Huai Shuo people Gao Huan had singled out.

They suddenly realized something: in Ye City now, Gao Huan had the final say on who the traitors were.

Thinking of this, they were terrified and immediately knelt down, cupping their hands in greeting:

"He Liuhun, we are too..."

They were stopped by Gao Huan before they could finish speaking.

"Let's not dwell on the past. It hasn't been easy for us Huai Shuo people to get to where we are today. I just want to ask, are we still brothers in the future? Can we work together to achieve great things?"

"I am willing to follow He Liuhun!"

After the Huai Shuo people swore allegiance, Gao Huan dismissed them, leaving only Sun Teng behind.

Gao Huan could tell that Sun Teng had something to say.

"Dragon Sparrow, just say what you have to say!"

“He Liuhun, I support you, but have you ever thought about this? Putting aside the fact that many of our brothers’ families are in Jinyang, do you think we can defend Ye City with just over a thousand soldiers?”

Sun Teng looked worried and said:

"Erzhu Rong has scattered our troops in Huai Shuo Town, and many of our brothers are now under Murong Shaozong's command in Jinzhou. Not to mention Hebei, even in Xiangzhou, we are currently isolated and outnumbered. Everyone wants a piece of this lucrative Yecheng. Erzhu Yusheng, Hou Yuan, and Chilie Yanqing—these Erzhu clan generals are no pushovers. And what about those Han Chinese aristocratic families in Hebei? Even the prefectural and county troops in Xiangzhou are not on our side. With the situation so chaotic, it won't be easy to control Xiangzhou and gain a foothold in Yecheng!"

Gao Huan smiled and said:
“I naturally have an idea.”

……

Jinyang.

Upon learning of Erzhu Rong's assassination, Erzhu Zhao was filled with grief and indignation, and every day he thought of revenge.

However, things are not going well for Erzhu Zhao. Not to mention that he can't find his enemies, even if he did, he wouldn't have any say in the vast Erzhu clan at this point.

Currently, Erzhu Tianguang is in Pingcheng, Erzhu Shilong is in Yewang, Murong Shaozong is in Pingyang, Yuan Tianmu is the King of Shangdang, and Erzhu Zhao can only control Sizhou and Taiyuan County of Bingzhou.

Just then, Gao Huan's letter arrived.

After reading it, Erzhu Zhao couldn't help but say:

"He Liuhun is still an honest man!"

Duan Rong, Gao Huan's brother-in-law, was standing beside Erzhu Zhao. Upon hearing this, he asked:

"Lord Yingchuan, what did He Liuhun say?"

"He Liuhun said that General Tianzhu has unfortunately passed away. Now, only I can inherit General Tianzhu's legacy and bring peace to the Erzhu clan."

After Erzhu Zhao finished speaking, everyone else in the room echoed his words.

Gao Huan is right!

Most of the people in this room were originally Erzhu Zhao's gang. Since Erzhu Zhao made progress, they naturally followed suit.

Duan Rong is different.

On the day Gao Huan was transferred from Jinzhou to Yecheng, when he passed through Jinyang, Erzhu Rong broke up the group of confidants who had gathered around Gao Huan, while Duan Rong stayed in Jinyang.

Although he was close to Erzhu Zhao, it was mostly because of Gao Huan that he was not part of the group of the other people in the room who wanted to advance.

“He Liuhun is right. But I am worried that with the death of General Tianzhu, people will become dissent and Hebei and Henan will fall into turmoil.”

Erzhu Zhao nodded and said:
“He Liuhun said the same thing in his letter. He also said that Erzhu Yusheng is eyeing Yecheng covetously, and he doesn’t know how long he can hold out. He’s too loyal, and now he’s watching over Xiangzhou for me. I’m afraid he’ll suffer a loss, so I have to help him!” After saying this, Erzhu Zhao looked at Duan Rong and said:
"I trouble Zimao to lead the troops to Ye City."

"I dare not refuse the Duke of Yingchuan's orders, but how should the troops in Jinyang be mobilized?"

Erzhu Zhao waved his hand and said:
"Take 5,000 of the troops from the six garrisons outside Jinyang City and stabilize the situation first!"

Duan Rong hesitated for a moment, and Erzhu Zhao, seeing this, couldn't help but ask:
"Why is Zimao hesitating?"

"Of the troops from the six garrisons outside Jinyang, only General Tianzhu and Duke Yingchuan can subdue them. If I lead them to Yecheng, the journey is long, what if they mutinie along the way?"

Erzhu Zhao felt very pleased upon hearing this and said:
"Indeed, besides General Tianzhu, only I can subdue these troops from the Six Garrisons, but what should we do?"

At this moment, Liu Gui, who was standing next to Erzhu Zhao, spoke up:

"It would be better to gather the old troops of Huai Shuo and have Zi Mao lead Cai Jun, Han Gui, Lou Zhao and other troops to make up five thousand men to go to Ye City. This would be a more secure approach."

Erzhu Zhao hesitated for a moment, then said:
"But many people in Huai Shuo Town are now under Murong Shaozong's command. Wouldn't it be too time-consuming and laborious to mobilize them?"

Liu Gui bowed and said:
"That's exactly what I wanted to say. Although Murong Shaozong hasn't made any major mistakes during his time in Jinzhou, who knows what will happen when Jinzhou finds out about General Tianzhu's assassination? Hou Jing, who is currently guarding Hedong, is cunning. What if the troops in Jinzhou rebel under Hou Jing's instigation? It would be better to recall them as soon as possible to put our minds at ease."

Erzhu Zhao was still undecided after hearing this, but Liu Gui continued:
"Murong Shaozong enjoys the trust of General Tianzhu, and his thoughts are unpredictable. Duke Yingchuan, don't forget that Erzhu Tianguang is currently in Pingcheng. Murong Shaozong is comparable to him in terms of closeness to Duke Yingchuan!"

Upon hearing this, Erzhu Zhao became somewhat anxious and immediately said:

"That's right, recall all the troops from the six garrisons of Jinzhou and have Zi Mao take them to Ye City! But, under what pretext should I transfer his troops? What if he doesn't comply?"

Duan Rong glanced at Liu Gui, and upon hearing Erzhu Zhao's words, he was also startled.

He originally only wanted to take away the Huai Shuo people from Jinzhou, but Erzhu Zhao actually gave away all the troops from the six garrisons of Jinzhou.

"In the name of avenging General Tianzhu!"

Upon hearing this, Erzhu Zhao's spirits lifted, and he asked:

"Tell me more carefully!"

"With the death of General Tianzhu, Duke Yingchuan must inherit General Tianzhu's great achievements and leave the generals leading troops in the field, such as Erzhu Tianguang, Erzhu Shilong, Erzhu Dulu, and Erzhu Zhongyuan, speechless and make them acknowledge Duke Yingchuan as the lord of the Erzhu clan. Therefore, he must personally avenge General Tianzhu!"

"Enemy? Who are you talking about?"

"Of course, it's those people from Luoyang!"

After listening, Erzhu Zhao hesitated for a moment, then said:

"But Ohno Sawa is also involved in this matter!"

Liu Gui laughed:

Whether or not Da Ye Shuang has any connection to this matter is not important at the moment. Even if he does, would the Duke of Yingchuan really show Da Ye Shuang's head to the Erzhu clan and convince them of his authority?

Erzhu Zhao nodded and said:
"I wanted to tear Ohno Sawa apart, but at this moment I was powerless to do anything to him."

"General Tianzhu was renowned for his great prestige, but now that he has been assassinated, not only has Luoyang not offered any explanation, but has also bestowed upon him a derogatory posthumous title, accusing him of crimes. In addition, the Emperor himself plotted to assassinate General Tianzhu. How can this appease the people? Duke Yingchuan should raise an army and march south to Luoyang to demand an explanation!"

"Okay, let's do it!"

……

Liu Gui and Gao Huan were on very good terms, but Duan Rong knew that he was not entirely on Gao Huan's side.

After leaving Erzhu Zhaozhi's residence, Liu Gui found Duan Rong and said with a smile:

"Congratulate He Liuhun for me; Xiangzhou is now his."

Duan Rong remained somewhat wary, especially after what Duan Rong had said in the room earlier, which suggested he had unfathomable intentions.

"He Liuhun and we will never forget Guizhen's kindness!"

Liu Gui smiled and said:
"My feelings are not important; the King of Qin's feelings are what matter."

After Liu Gui finished speaking, Duan Rong's expression became extremely complicated.
-
Yewang County.

After Erzhu Shilong fled Luoyang, he temporarily stationed his troops here.

Yuan Tianmu, Princess Beixiang, and others also gathered here.

Yuan Tianmu was originally the second-in-command of the Erzhu clan after Erzhu Rong, but now his position is quite awkward.

While in Luoyang, the soldiers of the Shangdang Prince's Mansion that he brought with him were all dealt with by Hou Mochen Chong. After the news of Erzhu Rong's death came, Yuan Tianmu dared not stay in Luoyang. He escorted Princess Beixiang and Erzhu Rong's family members and fled Luoyang.

Now, Erzhu Shilong has also arrived with his troops.

Aside from holding a funeral for Erzhu Rong, no one knew what else to do, but at that moment, someone broke the silence.

Prime Minister Wang!

Wang Xiang's special status meant that he was the center of attention as soon as he arrived in Yewang.

Inside the mourning hall, a crowd gathered, and the usually unremarkable Prime Minister Wang became the focus of everyone's attention.

Princess Beixiang looked sorrowful, but as a woman, she still regarded Erzhu Rong's sworn brother Yuan Tianmu as her master.

Although Yuan Tianmu was not of the same surname, he still held power due to the support of Princess Beixiang.

Erzhu Shilong was cowardly, so naturally he wouldn't compete with Yuan Tianmu for the position of temporary leader at this time.

"Prime Minister Wang, you were by General Tianzhu's side when he was assassinated. Did General Tianzhu leave any words behind?"

After he said that, everyone's hearts tightened.

Erzhu Rong died, but the vast estate he left behind remains.

Everyone wanted to know who would succeed Erzhu Rong as the head of the Erzhu clan.

Wang Xiang bowed and said:
"His Majesty only instructed me to take one message to Guanzhong and tell the King of Qin!"

Yuan Tianmu frowned and asked:

"What?"

"The world is in his hands!"

After Wang Xiang finished speaking, everyone was shocked.

This statement can be interpreted in many ways, even to the point of being interpreted as Erzhu Rong handing over the Erzhu clan and the powerful Bafu government that controls the world to Li Shuang.

Erzhu Shilong immediately jumped up and angrily rebuked:
“Prime Minister Wang, General Tianzhu has treated you well. How dare you collude with Da Yeshuang and utter such treasonous words, bewitching the people?”

Ignoring Erzhu Shilong, Wang Xiang knelt before Princess Beixiang and, facing her questioning gaze, said:
“Princess, please forgive me. I am merely a private subject of the King, how dare I speak such nonsense! I know this matter is of great importance. In order to fulfill the King’s dying wish, I secretly left Luoyang and fled for many days. Only today, before the Princess, do I dare to speak frankly. The King did indeed say this before his death.”

Princess Beixiang took a deep breath and sighed:
“I know your loyalty, but if you can convince me with these words, how can others believe you?”

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiang's face darkened.

Just then, a report came from outside.

"Princess, King of Shangdang, and Duke of Yingchuan have raised the banner of avenging General Tianzhu in Jinyang and are gathering troops to march south to Luoyang."

Princess Beixiang's gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling on Erzhu Shilong, and she said:
"What's coming will come!"

……

(End of this chapter)