Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 341 He's too loyal.

Chapter 341 He's too loyal.
Hedong.

The biting cold wind was piercing to the bone, and spring was in sight, yet the air in Hedong was thick with the smell of war.

The banners bearing the three celestial symbols of the sun, moon, and stars fluttered as the valiant cavalry of Chang'an entered Hedong. Ferries ply the river, and following behind the cavalry was a heavily armored cavalry unit wielding long-handled swords.

The army, with its imposing armor and orderly banners, terrified the officials and common people of Hedong who saw this large army from Guanzhong.

However, before this elite army from Guanzhong arrived, as the Qin King's banner fluttered, the powerful local gentry of Pingyang County had already responded.

The most fertile land in the entire Jinzhou, and most of the Pingyang prefecture, changed course.

Pingyang County City, which was originally an important town located in the center of Pingyang County, became the target of the encirclement.

Overnight, Murong Shaozong was left with only Baima City under his control.

Murong Shaozong stood on the city wall, looking at the Qin King's banner over the camp outside the city, and the ever-growing number of fortifications, his face solemn.

Counting the tents in the camp, a large number of local militiamen gathered towards the Qin King's banner, and in a short period of time, there were already several thousand people.

"come over!"

Wang Xiong led his men, escorting several deserters, to Murong Shaozong's side.

"Prefect, I have captured all these deserters and they are awaiting punishment."

Murong Shaozong turned his head, looked at the few deserters kneeling on the ground, and asked:
"To lead your troops in flight—do you know military law?"

"We understand!"

These deserters were all from the same squad; if one deserted, the rest would be doomed, so they decided to escape together. Unfortunately, they were caught by Wang Xiong and his men.

"Knowing military law, why did you dare to violate it?"

"We have received great favor from the King of Qin and dare not be his enemy!"

Wang Xiong shouted:
"Whose grain and salary do you eat? It's clear that you fled because you were afraid of the King of Qin's power!"

Murong Shaozong waved his hand and said:

"Give him ten lashes and lock him up first."

Seeing that Murong Shaozong had been dealt with so leniently, Wang Xiong stepped forward and said softly:

"Governor, if we handle this way, many will likely flee!"

Murong Shaozong shook his head and said:

"Even if we kill them all, will fewer people escape? Since things have already come to this, let's avoid committing further killings!"

Upon hearing this, the deserters hurriedly kowtowed in gratitude.

Murong Shaozong had no choice. Most of the troops in Pingyang County were local Han soldiers, while the main force of the Six Garrisons had long been transferred away by Erzhu Zhao.

As the counties of Pingyang Commandery successively surrendered, the Han soldiers selected from these counties lost their will to fight.

"Prefect, you have always been kind to us. There is something I am not sure if I should say?"

"The governor has already spared your lives, so what are you still shouting for? Get out!"

Wang Xiong rebuked them, trying to drive them away, but Murong Shaozong waved his hand to stop him.

Murong Shaozong looked at the deserter's leader, the former squad leader, with some curiosity and said:

"What do you want to say?"

"Hou Jing is a scoundrel. If we wait until he attacks the city, I'm afraid... Governor, you'd better make plans as soon as possible!"

Having said all that, the deserters bowed and left.

When Hou Jing was alive, Murong Shaozong faced him. Although Hou Jing was strong, Murong Shaozong was still able to defeat him.

But now, looking at the Qin King's great banner and the black Three Stars Army Flag outside the city, Murong Shaozong felt a sense of powerlessness.

Before a single soldier was dispatched or a single battle was fought, Murong Shaozong already knew that he could not win, or even defend!

Helpless, he sighed.

"King Qin, you didn't drink that wine for nothing!"

……

Outside Pingyang County, at the army camp.

Hou Jing stood beside Li Shuang, his face full of smiles.

"In such a short period of time, the foundation of Murong Shaozong has been destroyed by the King."

Li Shuang glanced at Hou Jing and said:
"The martial world is not just about fighting and killing!"

"That's what the king said!"

Hou Jing was quite gloating. The thought of seeing Murong Shaozong's defeated face on the day the city fell filled him with excitement.

"Your Majesty, when shall we attack the city? Your subject is willing to be the vanguard, capture Murong Shaozong, and present him to Your Majesty!"

Hou Jing knew that now was the easiest time to attack Pingyang. Having abandoned the Han soldiers of Jinzhou whose morale had wavered, he only faced Murong Shaozong's troops and the fierce northerners whom Erzhu Rong had given to Murong Shaozong.

Elite, but few in number.

Hou Jing was filled with enthusiasm at the thought that this was the best opportunity to defeat Murong Shaozong.

"Not urgent!"

Hou Jing looked around, leaned closer, and whispered:
"Your Majesty, if we don't take Pingyang City soon, who knows what kind of mess Taiyuan will be ruined by those two good-for-nothings, Erzhu Tianguang and Erzhu Zhao."

"What else can we do if we've already ruined it?"

Hulü Guang walked over in small steps. Under Hou Jing's curious gaze, he walked to Li Shuang's side and whispered a few words.

After listening, Li Shuang said:
"Send it directly to the city!"

"promise!"

After Li Shuang finished speaking, he gave an order, saying:
"Wan Jing, I'm going back to my main tent for a short rest. If anyone comes to Pingyang City, just bring them directly to my tent."

"Someone from the city has come?"

While Hou Jing was wondering what was going on, Li Shuang had already entered the main tent, and he quickly pulled Hulü Guang back.

"Ah Guang, what's going on?"

Hulü Guang glanced at Hou Jing and said:
"If I tell you, can you keep it a secret?"

Hou Jing nodded and swore:

"Of course, I absolutely won't tell anyone!"

Hulü Guang smiled and said:
"Me too!"

After Huli Guang finished speaking, he left. Hou Jing realized what was happening and cursed.

"This little gadget!"

……

Pingyang City.

"Your subject greets the princess!"

Murong Shaozong did not expect that Princess Beixiang would bring her family to Pingyang, nor did he expect that the army outside the city would let them into the city.

Princess Beixiang, weary from her journey, still wore a look of fear on her face.

For so many years, with Erzhu Rong's power, Princess Beixiang always had a smiling face wherever she went. But she never expected that with the chaos in Jinyang City, the previously submissive Qiu Chi garrison commander would turn on her and detain them.

If Li Biao hadn't led his troops to kill the garrison commander of Qiuchi and protected them, and if Li Shuang hadn't sent troops to meet them along the way, they probably wouldn't have been able to make it so easy to head south.

Princess Beixiang told Murong Shaozong about her ordeal, but Murong Shaozong asked her:

"Has the princess never met the King of Qin?"

Princess Beixiang shook her head and said:

"After Tianba's men escorted us for a while, they let us into the city directly."

Murong Shaozong sighed and said:

"The King of Qin is benevolent!"

Princess Beixiang was also moved by these words.

Princess Beixiang, after all, was Erzhu Rong's wife, and over the years, she had become somewhat knowledgeable about military affairs through her surroundings. Along the way, she had also come to understand the current situation in Pingyang; Murong Shaozong was practically a commander without an army.

"Shaozong, given the current situation, what are your plans?"

Whether it was Erzhu Tianguang or Erzhu Zhao, Murong Shaozong's loyalty to them was something outsiders couldn't say.

"When the troops from Guanzhong arrive, Pingyang will probably be lost. But I am defending the foundation of the Erzhu clan, so how can I easily surrender!"

Princess Beixiang, upon hearing this, said:

"Then I'll take the decision, we surrender!"

Murong Shaozong was startled, but Princess Beixiang said:
“I can make the decisions you can’t. Ying’e is now in Chang’an, a princess. As her mother-in-law, I’m essentially siding with my son-in-law, and no one can say anything about it. You’re not a member of the Erzhu clan, but I’ve never treated you like an outsider. Come with me to see Tianba. I’ll swallow my pride and protect your Murong clan.”

...Inside the camp, Hou Jing, who was guarding outside Li Shuang's tent, was dozing off when a soldier's urgent report startled him awake.

Hou Jing almost fell off the carriage. Looking at the armored soldier, he was already grumpy from waking up.

"His Majesty is resting, what are you shouting for!"

"General, people have arrived from Pingyang City!"

Hou Jing took the visiting card from the armored soldier, and upon seeing the name on it, he immediately jumped up.

"Murong Shaozong has arrived!"

Hou Jing was overjoyed and shouted:

"Bring me a rope!"

The armored soldier asked:

"What use does the general have for the rope?"

"Of course, we should kidnap Murong Shaozong!"

"But didn't Your Majesty say that if anyone came from Pingyang City, they should be brought directly to the main tent?"

"His Majesty only said to bring it to the main tent, but didn't say how to bring it there. Go and get it now, stop talking nonsense!"

Hou Jing specially brought thickened pig-binding ropes and personally went to the camp. Upon seeing Murong Shaozong, his face showed the expression of someone who had seen prey.

"Murong Shaozong, I've been waiting for you!"

Hou Jing was about to humiliate Murong Shaozong. Just as Hou Jing was about to make his move, a sharp shout came from the carriage behind Murong Shaozong:
"Hou Jing, what are you doing!"

Hou Jing looked closely and saw that Princess Beixiang, who had stepped down from the carriage, was glaring at him. Her previous arrogance had disappeared, replaced by a smiling face.

"This humble general greets Princess Beixiang!"

Princess Beixiang showed Hou Jing a cold shoulder and questioned him:

Where is the King of Qin?

“Inside, the king told me that Princess Beixiang had arrived, and he led her directly to the main tent.”

"Take us there!"

Hou Jing dared not offend Princess Beixiang, so he took them directly to Li Shuang's central military tent.

At a shout, lights were lit in the otherwise dark tent, followed by a commotion, and Li Shuang, dressed in a single garment with a cloak draped over his shoulders, trotted out.

"sister in law!"

"Tianba!"

Upon hearing this call, Princess Beixiang couldn't help but shed tears in the cold night.

"It's cold outside, come inside quickly."

Princess Beixiang nodded, and then deliberately said:

"Shaozong came with me too."

"Come in together, we're all family!"

Upon hearing this, Murong Shaozong's expression shifted. He recalled Hou Jing, who had been so fierce just moments before, and couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion.

As Princess Beixiang and Murong Shaozong entered Li Shuang's tent, laughter soon filled the air.

Hou Jing, standing outside in the cold wind, couldn't help but mutter to himself:

"Well, my king's ability to seduce people is getting better and better. He's already one of us so quickly."
-
Jinyang.

"Great Commander-in-Chief, you are truly benevolent!"

After being gathered by Erzhu Tianguang and receiving his reward, the soldiers of the six garrisons couldn't help but shed tears.

Looking at the grateful expressions of the soldiers from the six towns, and hearing their cries of vowing to serve him, Erzhu Tianguang felt a surge of confidence.

"Erzhu Zhao is tyrannical. I hope you will help me win this battle!"

"Don't worry, Grand Commander. Erzhu Zhao is a scoundrel. We've disliked him for a long time."

"With you all saying this, I am relieved."

Yuan Tianmu, standing to the side, waited until all the soldiers from the six garrisons had left before reminding Erzhu Tianguang:
"Tian Guang, you've managed to keep these soldiers from the Six Garrisons in check, but getting their help will be difficult. You need to be aware of that!"

At this moment, Erzhu Tianguang did not take Yuan Tianmu's words to heart, and even became more wary of Yuan Tianmu, saying:
“I understand my uncle’s intentions. The scouts have reported that Erzhu Zhao’s army is approaching. All of my uncle’s troops have been sent to protect my aunt. It’s best to stay in Jinyang City!”

Yuan Tianmu felt uneasy after hearing this.

Erzhu Tianguang's attitude towards him turned cold because he sent Princess Beixiang and Murong Shaozong's family to Pingyang.

This matter bothered Erzhu Tianguang greatly, who suspected that Yuan Tianmu was having his cake and eating it too.

Of course, Erzhu Tianguang's thinking was not wrong, and even Yuan Tianmu himself could not defend himself.

He's leaving himself a way out!
Watching Erzhu Tianguang walk away, Yuan Tianmu sighed:
"Tianguang, how can you not understand? This escape route isn't just for me, it's for you too!"

……

"Jinyang is only sixty li away!"

Erzhu Zhao led three thousand cavalrymen to the scene, accompanied by several thousand northern soldiers.

The prefectures of Sihengfen and others were originally the base of the Erzhu clan, and were full of Erzhu clan imprints.

Erzhu Zhao hasn't been wasting his years of life.

Whether they admired Erzhu Zhao's martial prowess or were betting on his ability to retake Jinyang, the thousands of soldiers gathered around Erzhu Zhao's banner.

They were almost at Jinyang, but Erzhu Zhao did not order an attack. Instead, he rested on the spot.

His advance was too fast; even if the men could keep up, the horses couldn't. He had to rest temporarily to recover his fighting strength.

Just then, Sima Ziru returned.

"Lord Yingchuan, He Liuhun asked me to tell you that he will be at least five more days before he arrives!"

Five days... Of course, Erzhu Zhao couldn't wait that long. However, he was still delighted to learn that Gao Huan had indeed led his army there.

"He Liuhun's journey must have been tough!"

Sima Ziru nodded; he had already decided to side with Gao Huan. Of course, he couldn't not side with him either, since everyone knew that Gao Huan had spies around Erzhu Zhao, and if he said anything detrimental to Gao Huan, the other side would find out very quickly.

"It's not easy. Erzhu Yusheng has always coveted Yecheng, and bandits have broken out in Xiangzhou. He Liuhun doesn't have many soldiers either, only three thousand."

Upon hearing this, Erzhu Zhao was not angry at all; on the contrary, he was even happier.

"He only brought three thousand men with him. He Liuhun is truly a man of honor!"

Sima Ziru asked from the side:

"When I arrived, I heard that Erzhu Tianguang had already bribed the troops of the six garrisons outside Jinyang City. The enemy outnumbers us, so it won't be easy!"

Erzhu Zhao, however, did not care and said:

"If he hadn't bribed me, I wouldn't have arrived so quickly."

As he spoke, Erzhu Zhao instructed his men, saying:

"Tell those soldiers from the Six Garrisons that this is a family matter of the Erzhu clan. Anyone who dares to interfere, I will kill their entire family!"

"promise!"

……

Go to the party.

"He Liuhun, aren't we going to Taiyuan?"

Erzhu Zhao failed to find supplies in Shangdang, and so did Gao Huan.

However, unlike Erzhu Zhao who was rushing on his way, he stopped and reorganized the people of Shangdang.

Gao Huan glanced at Sun Teng beside him and said:

"By the time we arrive, the war will probably be over."

"Then what are we doing here? The situation in Xiangzhou is far from stable!"

"Erzhu Yusheng is nothing to fear, and there's no need to worry about Yecheng. Erzhu Zhao thinks that our arrival is enough."

Gao Huan came, but it was as if Gao Huan hadn't come at all.

It's obvious to everyone that Erzhu clan is not as powerful as it used to be.