Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 343 He has always been a man of ideas
Jinyang.

Erzhu Zhao, upon re-entering Jinyang City, did not engage in widespread killing. He even tacitly approved of Yuwen Tai's occupation of Pingcheng and sent envoys to Pingcheng to allow Yuwen Tai to replace Erzhu Tianguang as the Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition.

Erzhu Zhao disliked Heba, Yuwen Shi, and other Wuchuan people, but he faced an even greater crisis.

Right after he defeated Erzhu Tianguang, news came from Jinzhou that Pingyang City had surrendered.

A large number of troops from Guanzhong are heading east to Hedong and assembling in Pingyang City.

Earlier, Li Shuang had already occupied Dongxia Prefecture, dealt with Yuwen Luosheng, and restrained Heba Yue. Now he has occupied Jin Prefecture and gathered troops. So what will be his next target? Erzhu Zhao doesn't need to think to know.

The goal is Taiyuan!

Jinyang and Chang'an are thousands of miles apart, but the Fen River connects Taiyuan and Guanzhong. From the Fen River, one can go directly to the Wei River through the Yellow River system and reach Chang'an.

Traveling east from Taiyuan to Hebei is a short journey, but it requires crossing the Taihang Mountains. Because of the mountain roads, the transportation of supplies is not as convenient as by water.

Li Shuang has already taken control of Guanzhong and Hedong. If he also captures Taiyuan, he will, to some extent, restore the momentum of Qin's unification of the world.

When the King of Qin was enraged, he pointed his sword eastward, and the feudal lords trembled in fear!
Erzhu Zhao naturally did not want to see this happen, nor would he willingly hand over Taiyuan to Li Shuang.

The Erzhu clan started in Beixiurong and marched south, eventually occupying Taiyuan. After Li Shuang left, this place became the Erzhu clan's stronghold.

Or rather, it became the stronghold of the northerners.

Erzhu Rong quelled Ge Rong's rebellion, uniting the forces of the Six Garrisons, the nobles of Dai, and the northern tribes, becoming the leader of the northern people and ordering them to obey the orders of Jinyang.

These northerners were victims of the Sinicization of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and also the core force opposing the Sinicization. Therefore, Erzhu Zhao saw that the leaders of these forces were not in the central government office established by Erzhu Rong, but in a large tent built outside Jinyang City, and gathered them all together.

"Everyone, Ohno Sou is coming!"

Inside the large tent, all the northern chieftains who could come were present. Erzhu Zhao's opening remarks silenced all the northern chieftains.

"Lord Yingchuan, do you want to fight or make peace?"

When asked, Erzhu Zhao already had the answer.

"Da Ye Shuang was originally a bandit. You all know what kind of person he was back then. Now that he's here, do you think we can just not fight if we don't want to?"

Erzhu Zhao's words silenced everyone again, and upon seeing this, Erzhu Zhao added another sentence.

"General Tianzhu marched south to Luoyang and overthrew the tyranny there. It is because of this that our Erzhu clan and you all enjoy our current wealth and status. If Li Shuang were to occupy Jinyang, would we still have our wealth and status?"

Why did those soldiers from the Six Garrisons not believe Erzhu Tianguang's promise and turn against him at the crucial moment? Because they didn't believe Erzhu Tianguang could fulfill his promise.

After Erzhu Rong established his hegemonic government, order had already been established.

Using marriage alliances as a bond, Erzhu Rong also recruited powerful figures from the Dai nobility and the Six Garrisons as his core members. This group, centered around Erzhu Rong, helped the Erzhu clan seize control of the empire.

The resources under Keerzhu Rong's control were ultimately limited. He quelled the rebellion of the Six Garrisons and subdued 200,000 soldiers of the Six Garrisons in one fell swoop, but he was unable to absorb all of them.

Over the years, Erzhu Rong dispersed these troops from the Six Garrisons to various places, gradually bringing the situation under control. Even so, there are still so many troops from the Six Garrisons outside Jinyang City that he cannot deal with.

Similarly, the northern leaders who benefited from the order established by Erzhu Rong now face the same situation as the lower-ranking soldiers of the Six Garrisons.

Even if Li Shuang is here and promises them the same treatment as when Erzhu Rong was in power, is that believable?
Once everyone thought about this, they all had their answer.

Unbelievable!
"Lord Yingchuan, we are willing to serve the Erzhu clan."

Seeing that all the northern leaders had expressed their opinions, Erzhu Zhao nodded in agreement.

"As long as the Erzhu clan exists, your wealth and honor will remain. With a formidable enemy at hand, we should join hands to defend against the foreign invaders."

……

After everyone left, Erzhu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Sima Ziru, who had remained silent until now, and smiled:
"I was worried about how to persuade these people, but I didn't expect that a few words taught by He Liuhun would actually work. Without much effort, these people are willing to pledge allegiance to my Erzhu clan."

The conflict between Erzhu Zhao and Erzhu Tianguang was a family matter of the Erzhu clan. Therefore, a considerable number of northerners in Hengshuo and other prefectures simply watched the outcome.

Their positions will remain unchanged regardless of who wins.

But if Li Shuang occupies Taiyuan, the situation will be different.

Although Li Shuang also employed northerners, his troops were mostly Han Chinese. After he established his merits and rewarded his troops in Chang'an, the Han Chinese families of Guandong had to be overthrown and rebuilt under his rule, let alone these people.

Erzhu Zhao only needs to make these northern leaders understand one thing: their wealth and status are only secure as long as the Erzhu clan exists. In that case, these people will naturally pledge their loyalty.

Sima Ziru simply smiled and said:
"He Liuhun was cleaning up the mess left by Yuan Tianmu in Shangdang. He told me that he would head north as soon as possible."

Erzhu Zhao, however, did not care about this and said:
"He only has three thousand troops, so there's no need for him to rush north. It's better for him to stay in Shangdang and keep watch for my retreat. After all, Shangdang is Yuan Tianmu's stronghold, and trouble might break out there at any time."

“I understand what Lord Yingchuan means, but there is one thing that He Liuhun is very worried about after learning about it.”

After listening, Erzhu Zhao turned his head, looked at Sima Ziru, and asked:
"What's the matter?"

"Yuwen Tai has occupied Pingcheng and controlled Hengzhou; his ambitions are considerable!"

Erzhu Zhao was also very worried about this.

"I don't like those people from Wuchuan either, but given the current situation, I don't have time to deal with them too much. Let's wait until we defeat Ohno Sō!"

Upon hearing Erzhu Zhao's words, Sima Ziru quickly advised:
"Lord Yingchuan, you must not think like that, or you may face great disaster."

Erzhu Zhao's expression changed, and he asked:

"what for?"

"Yuwentai has close ties with Yu Jin and Huli Jin. Isn't the Duke of Yingchuan worried that Yuwentai will join forces with the Shuozhou army and attack Taiyuan from the north and south together with Daye Shuang?"

Erzhu Zhao wasn't worried at first, but after Sima Ziru said that, he started to worry again.

"What about that?"

"Lord Yingchuan, you may summon Yuwen Tai to lead troops south to provide support!"

What if he doesn't come?

"Doesn't that just prove he has rebellious intentions? We should be on guard against him!"

Erzhu Zhao nodded and said:
"That's it!"

……

Go to the party.

"He Liuhun, Sima Ziru's letter has arrived, and Erzhu Zhao has already done as you instructed!"

Sun Teng delivered Sima Ziru's letter. Gao Huan opened the letter, read it, and chuckled softly.

“Erzhu Zhao promised to give me the troops of the Six Garrisons, but now that Sima Ziru said I can’t go north immediately, he immediately agreed. I’m afraid he’s gone back on his word.”

Gao Huan knew Erzhu Zhao's personality very well. With just a few words, he had already grasped the situation in Jinyang.

"That's fine, then we won't have to get involved in the Battle of Jinyang."

Sun Teng nodded. They hadn't originally planned to head north, but he still had some doubts and asked:

"He Liuhun, it's fine if we don't head north, but why did you have to involve Yuwen Tai in this with Sima Ziru?"

Gao Huan smiled and said:
"All the northerners stood by Erzhu Zhao's side. If Daye Shuang wins, wouldn't that make us Huai Shuo people seem more precious?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Teng understood.

"So what should we do?"

"Prepare your troops and march north immediately should anything change in Jinyang."

"promise!"

...Pingcheng.

Yuwentai, who had taken control of Hengzhou, had not yet secured his position as the Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition when changes occurred in Jinyang.

Yuwen Hu stood beside Yuwen Tai, holding the troop mobilization document sent from Jinyang, looking quite puzzled.

"Uncle, only a few days have passed, why has Erzhu Zhao changed so much, wanting us to lead the army south immediately?"

Yuwen Tai sneered and said:
"There may be someone causing trouble!"

Yuwen Hu didn't know who this little man was for a moment, and asked:

"Should we head south?"

With the situation unclear and his position unstable, Yuwen Tai was naturally unwilling to head south. But now, he had no choice but to go south.

"I'm afraid it's not up to me!"

Yuwentai was only able to temporarily control Hengzhou by virtue of the Erzhu clan's name. Many nobles and officials in Pingcheng were actually dissatisfied with him. Now that Erzhu Zhao's order had arrived, if he disobeyed, his biggest bargaining chip in controlling Pingcheng would become ineffective.

Those nobles and other forces in Hengzhou naturally had reason to oppose Yuwen Tai.

"The person who devised this plan for Erzhu Zhao is truly cunning!"

"Then what should we do?"

Yuwen Tai thought for a moment, made a plan, and said:

"Since you want me to go south, I will take those Dai people who serve the Erzhu clan with me. You guard Pingcheng well, be careful of the Rouran, and be even more careful of the people in Shuozhou."

"promise!"

Having followed Yuwen Tai for so many years, Yuwen Hu had learned a great deal, and defending Pingcheng was naturally no problem for him. However, he had some doubts and asked:

"But does Uncle really intend to help Erzhu Zhao?"

Yuwen Tai smiled and said:
"I will only take three thousand men south; I will proceed as slowly as possible!"

"What does Uncle mean?"

"All the northerners stood by Erzhu Zhao's side. If Daye Shuang wins, wouldn't that make us Wuchuan people seem more precious?"
-
Pingyang.

How many people did you say?

Li Shuang looked at Hou Jing, who had just returned from Taiyuan after personally gathering information and brought back the latest news.

"Fifty thousand people!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shuang's expression changed, and he said:
"How could Erzhu Zhao have such prestige and be able to gather so many troops so quickly?"

If Erzhu Rong were alive, Li Shuang would believe he had the ability, but Li Shuang didn't believe Erzhu Zhao at all.

Hou Jing glanced around and saw that Li Shuang only had Murong Shaozong by his side, while the rest were at a distance. He then said softly:

"Your Majesty, the northern people of Hengsi and Bingfen prefectures have heard that you are coming and have expressed their loyalty to the Erzhu clan. I think they were not this enthusiastic even when Erzhu Rong was alive."

Li Shuang clicked his tongue after hearing this and said:
"These northerners are so petty. So many years have passed, and they still can't let go of that little grudge from back then?"

Hou Jing nodded and said:

"When we were poor, they were poor too, but we have always strived for self-improvement and, after so many years of tempering, we have become a mighty army, while they have remained stagnant. It seems that Heaven is going to destroy them!"

Murong Shaozong, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but mutter to himself, even though he was usually silent.

You robbed them when they were poor, and now that they are rich, you still want to rob them. Who stays where they are and doesn't forget their original intentions?

After Hou Jing finished speaking, he suddenly glanced at Murong Shaozong and whispered to Li Shuang:

"Your Majesty, I feel that Murong Shaozong is secretly criticizing me?"

Li Shuang countered with a question:
"How did you know?"

"I sensed that, despite his quiet demeanor, he has a lot on his mind."

Seeing Li Shuang and Hou Jing whispering to each other, Murong Shaozong couldn't understand what they were talking about, so he cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, the northerners are like this, and Erzhu Zhao's power is great and should not be underestimated. We should make careful plans."

After Murong Shaozong finished speaking, Hou Jing waved his hand, seemingly unconcerned.

"What are you planning? When the entire army marches out, I will lead one force to search from west to east, Wang Sizheng will lead another force to search from east to west, and Your Majesty will lead the army in the middle to ascend along Jinci. Then, we will send Liu Lisheng out of Zuoguo City to first plunder Heng, Si, Bing, and Fen prefectures, and then gather them in Jinyang City, dig a dam to flood the city, and destroy Erzhu Zhao!"

Hou Jing became more and more excited as he spoke, while Murong Shaozong's face grew darker and darker as he listened.

Are you trying to wipe out Erzhu Zhao? You want to make all the northerners fall back into poverty!
Hou Jing's eyes lit up as he spoke.

"He Liuhun is currently in Shangdang, and I've heard that Yuwentai is also heading south. These two are both heroes of the land, and once they learn of my plan, they will surely join forces. At that time, Erzhu Zhao's demise will not be far off!"

After Hou Jing finished speaking, he looked smug.

Li Shuang looked at Murong Shaozong and asked:

"What do you think?"

Murong Shaozong didn't know how to start the conversation for a moment, so he could only say:
"I believe that what Wan Jing said makes a lot of sense. Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai are indeed people who can be won over."

Upon hearing this, Hou Jing asked:

"What about the others?"

"This...that...is a great idea!"

Hou Jing felt insulted, looked at Li Shuang, and said:

"Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Li Shuang was silent for a moment, then said:

"That's a really good idea!"

Hou Jing became somewhat resentful, his small eyes looking at Li Shuang, making Li Shuang feel uncomfortable.

Li Shuang pretended not to see it and asked Murong Shaozong:
"Shaozong, what do you think we should do?"

"I believe that to accomplish great things, we should first take Taiyuan, and then Luoyang. The difficulty in taking Taiyuan lies in the difficulty of attacking Jinyang City. However, Erzhu Zhao has always been arrogant. I predict that he will not hold Jinyang City, but will come out of the city to fight Your Majesty. Therefore, we should send elite troops and fierce generals to fight him, and then the situation can be settled."

Murong Shaozong hadn't stayed in Jinyang City for nothing all these years; he knew the habits of the Erzhu clan's children very well.

Erzhu Zhao was a typical person who was very good at tactics but terrible at strategy.

With a large number of northerners surrendering and standing behind him, Erzhu Zhao might feel that the situation is very favorable.

"Perhaps Erzhu Zhao, relying on his large army and numerous generals, will take the initiative to seek battle!"

Just as Murong Shaozong finished speaking, an urgent report came from outside.

"Your Majesty, the bandit chieftain Erzhu Zhao has gathered troops in Jinyang, claiming to be an army of 100,000, and has declared that he will take back Pingyang City."

Li Shuang smiled upon hearing this.

"I didn't go looking for him, but he came to me on his own!"

……

(End of this chapter)