Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 344 He's just too strong
Erzhu Rong knew the importance of Pingyang to Taiyuan, and so did Erzhu Zhao.

If Pingyang were lost, the heartland of Taiyuan would be within the range of enemy invasion from the east of the Yellow River, and the Erzhu clan would find it difficult to have peace thereafter.

Erzhu Zhao never expected that after the news of Li Shuang's plan to capture Taiyuan spread, the northern forces in northwestern Shanxi, which were subordinate to the Erzhu clan, would react so strongly.

It's worth noting that when news of Erzhu Rong's assassination first came, their reaction wasn't this strong.

All those who could come had come; a large number of troops gathered in Jinyang, vowing to protect the harmonious and stable northern border order established by General Tianzhu.

Seeing so many people pledge their loyalty to him, Erzhu Zhao became arrogant and decided to turn the tables, heading south along the Fen River to recapture Pingyang and secure his position as the head of the Erzhu clan.

It wasn't that Erzhu Zhao didn't have advisors who advised him to remain calm.

If we're going to attack Pingyang, shouldn't we also coordinate with the rest of the Erzhu clan for a joint attack?

But Erzhu Zhao only had one answer.

With 60,000 to 20,000, the advantage is in my hands!

Jinyang City had a large stockpile of supplies. After Erzhu Zhao decided to attack Pingyang, he made preparations for the southward march of his army in less than ten days.

Officially setting off!
The sudden change in the situation also altered the original plans of Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai.

They initially wanted to wait and see, but were instead passively drawn into this torrent.

Erzhu Zhao maintained a somewhat distant relationship with the two of them.

As for Gao Huan, he planned to renege on the benefits promised beforehand, and he had never liked Yuwen Tai.

Therefore, Erzhu Zhao did not lead them to attack Pingyang.

On the banks of the Fen River, Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai came to see him off. They exchanged glances as they watched Erzhu Zhao lead his army south with great enthusiasm.

"Black Otter, I heard you've become the Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition?"

Gao Huan's words, whether intentional or unintentional, made Yuwen Tai's suspicions even clearer.

It was this He Liuhun, that damned Huai Shuo man, who instigated Erzhu Zhao to lead his troops south.

Such a good opportunity, which should have been a great opportunity for him to develop in Hengzhou, has now been dragged to Jinyang.

It seems that if Erzhu Zhao wins, it's uncertain whether he will retain his position as the Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition.

Despite his growing loathing for Gao Huan, Yuwen Tai's face remained full of smiles.

"He Liuhun, I heard that the Duke of Yingchuan wants to put all the troops of the Six Garrisons under your command. Congratulations!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan's smile vanished instantly.

The situation did indeed develop in a way that exceeded his expectations.

Gao Huan had planned most things, but the one thing he hadn't expected was that Li Shuang's reverse appeal among the northerners was so strong.

These northerners would rather choose Erzhu Zhao than let Li Shuang enter Taiyuan!
If Gao Huan had known this earlier, he wouldn't have led his army to Shangdang in the first place. Staying in Ye City now would have been a great opportunity for development!
Looking at the young man before him, Gao Huan grew increasingly displeased. Finally, after a few seconds of staring at each other, they turned and left, each leaving a single word behind.

"Humph!"

……

Gao Huan returned to the camp, while outside, Wei Jing waited with a mysterious expression, as anxious and fearful as a husband waiting for his wife to give birth.

"Brother-in-law, what's wrong?"

Gao Huan asked with a smile, and Wei Jing whispered a few words in his ear, causing Gao Huan's expression to change drastically.

"What about people?"

"It's right inside the main tent."

"Stay outside and don't let outsiders in."

"do not worry!"

As Gao Huan entered the tent, Hou Jing, who was eating, immediately smiled broadly and came up to give him a hug.

Upon seeing this, Gao Huan refused.

Not only did they refuse, they also cursed at him.

"You eat it all up, and you're eating it so enthusiastically! Aren't you afraid of poisoning yourself?!"

Hou Jing, however, had a roguish look on his face and was all smiles.

“I’ll accept it if He Liuhun tries to poison me.”

"roll!"

Hou Jing sat back down in his seat and continued eating the food Wei Jing had prepared for him, all the while complaining.

"He Liuhun, you have no idea how hard I've worked to get here. I risked my life to see you."

Gao Huan listened to Hou Jing's words without any emotional fluctuation.

He was also very angry at that moment.

Erzhu Zhao, that scoundrel, when there's trouble, he'll congratulate Liu Hun; when there's nothing to do, he'll befriend Shuo Lao.

When they couldn't control the situation before, they dared to make any demands. Now that they're in a good position, they're turning their backs on them.

"Speak, why did the King of Qin send you here?"

Hou Jing, with his mouth stuffed with meat and cheese, shouted:

"Couldn't it be that I missed you and came to find you on purpose?"

Gao Huan rolled his eyes and took a sip of wine.

Do you think I believe that?

Hou Jing swallowed the food in his mouth and slowly said:

"He Liuhun, our good days have arrived for us Huai Shuo people."

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan preemptively said:

"Erzhu Zhao has diverted some of my troops. If the King of Qin wants me to cut off Erzhu Zhao's supply lines from the rear, I don't have enough soldiers!"

To everyone's surprise, Hou Jing waved his hand and said:
"That's not it. Have you considered what would happen to the world if the Erzhu clan fell from power?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan put down his wine glass and his expression turned serious.

"what for?"

“My king said that after capturing Taiyuan, he will not be able to settle all the northerners. However, if it is only the troops of Huai Shuo Town, he will still be able to treat them well! Ye City still belongs to the people of Huai Shuo, and the affairs of Xiang, Ji and Ying prefectures will all be decided by us.”

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan's heart stirred; the offer was indeed substantial.

Why were so many northerners united in their hatred of the enemy? It was because they understood that Li Shuang was different from Erzhu Zhao. He did not intend to take over and maintain the order in the northern border established by Erzhu Rong, but rather to shatter it and absorb its essence into the current Guanzhong system.

The war between Li Shuang and Erzhu Zhao is fundamentally different from the internal strife within the Erzhu clan!

Even if Li Shuang made all his promises, they would be impossible to fulfill, because there wouldn't be enough resources to support so many people from the north.

However, if it is only given to one of the Northern forces, then it is indeed possible.

Gao Huan's mind started racing, but the more excited he became, the calmer his face remained.

"I have not accomplished anything, yet I have received such preferential treatment from the King of Qin. I feel ashamed!"

Gao Huan glanced at Hou Jing, who said:
"How can you say it's a failure? If He Liuhun can stabilize the situation in Taiyuan, that would be a great achievement!"

What is the situation in Taiyuan?
As Gao Huan pondered the situation in Taiyuan, Hou Jing walked up to him with a smile.

"Those soldiers from the six garrisons, Erzhu Zhao promised to give them to you but failed to do so. My king will never break his promise."

Gao Huan's expression changed. Erzhu Zhao gave it to him as a reward, but what was Li Shuang's motive?
Of course, the purpose was to incite and sabotage before the war, to demoralize the troops of the Six Garrisons, and to win over these troops after the war to cover for Li Shuang.

Gao Huan looked troubled, but then Hou Jing added another point, saying:
"He Liuhun, haven't you always said you're from the Gao clan of Bohai?"

"What do you mean 'always saying'? I've always been one!"

As Gao Huan was speaking, Hou Jing said:
“My king is very familiar with the Gao family of Bohai. Gao Ang is under my king’s command. It won’t be difficult to get them to acknowledge your marriage.”

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan's heart stirred. Although he tried his best to remain calm, the uncontrollable smile on his lips betrayed his true thoughts. "To be honest, I've long disliked that barbarian bastard Erzhu Zhao, and my oaths are just empty words. I will definitely handle the matter of the King of Qin well for him."

Gao Huan and Hou Jing expressed their frustration and grievances of being in Cao Cao's camp but loyal to Han, and also expressed their will and determination to restore order.

After a cordial and friendly exchange, Gao Huan tactfully expressed his concerns.

"The King of Qin sent you here, so who did Yuwen Tai send?"

Upon hearing this, Hou Jing immediately waved his hand.

"No, I'm the one who came!"

Gao Huan looked at Hou Jing with suspicion.

"Really?"

Hou Jing's expression seemed genuine, and Gao Huan listened as he spoke:

"My king is most annoyed by those Wuchuan people, especially that brat Dugu Xin. He's caused my king no shortage of trouble. Why would he send someone to find Yuwen Tai?"

"How is Dugu Xin?"

"He actually wants to cultivate his own power under the King's command; he really doesn't know his own limitations. The King is only lenient with him because of his great contributions in Luoyang. As for Heba Yue and Yuwen Luosheng, if it weren't for the King's strategy in making them fight each other, they would be jumping around like crazy right now! Don't worry, the people of Huai Shuo are the ones the King values ​​most!"

Gao Huan nodded in agreement and said:
"Those Wuchuan people are unreliable!"

……

"Black Otter!"

"You are... Qi Mitou!"

Yuwentai looked at his childhood friend Dugu Xin with a joyful expression.

How did you get here?

"I am acting on the orders of the King of Qin..."

Before Dugu Xin could finish speaking, Yuwen Tai cautiously led him away from where he was and to a secluded place.

Although Yuwen Tai was happy to see his childhood friend, he remained quite wary upon hearing the words "King of Qin." After all, he was an outsider in Taiyuan.

"Why did the King of Qin send you here?"

Dugu Xin was very excited and said:
"Black Otter, our good days have come for us Wuchuan people."

Yuwen Tai remained calm and said:
"Erzhu Zhao has diverted some of my troops. If the King of Qin wants me to cut off Erzhu Zhao's supply lines from the rear, I don't have enough soldiers!"

"That's not it. Have you considered what would happen to the world if the Erzhu clan fell from power?"

Dugu Xin's expression grew increasingly joyful, while Yuwen Tai's face became more and more serious.

"what for?"

“My king said that after capturing Taiyuan, he will not be able to settle all the northerners. However, if it is only the troops from Wuchuan, he will still be able to treat them well! Pingcheng is still the territory of Wuchuan. In addition, the affairs of the six prefectures of Heng, Yan, You, An, Ping and Ying are also decided by us.”

Upon hearing this, Yuwentai's heart pounded uncontrollably, but then he asked:

"Having achieved no merit, why does the King of Qin value him so highly?"

“Even without merit, we can still achieve something!” Gu Duxin looked at Yuwentai. “In the future, the Rouran people will need us Wuchuan people to resist them, and the northern people in the Hebei prefectures will need us Wuchuan people to appease them.”

Yuwen Tai knew that what he said was true, but he still shook his head.

"That's a digression. In recent times, has the King of Qin entrusted you with anything?"

Dugu Xin nodded and said:
"You control Pingcheng and also hold the families of those noble families in your hands. Think of a way to alienate them from Erzhu Zhao."

Upon hearing this, Yuwentai understood Li Shuang's meaning, agreed, and then asked:
"The King of Qin sent you here, so who did Gao Huan send?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Duxin was somewhat puzzled as to why Yuwentai would ask such a question.

"No, I'm the one who came!"

Yuwen Tai looked at Gu Duxin with disbelief.

"Really?"

Dugu Xin comforted him:

"What Your Majesty finds most annoying are those Huai Shuo people, especially that Hou Jing. He's caused Your Majesty no shortage of trouble. Why would you send someone to find Gao Huan?"

"Hou Jing?"

"Black Otter, do you know what kind of strategy Hou Jing presented for attacking Taiyuan this time? He actually wants to plunder all the prefectures of Heng, Si, Bing, and Fen, and even divert water to flood Jinyang City. If what he says is true, can anyone still live in these prefectures? The King is only being lenient with him because he is an old man. Don't worry, the people of Wuchuan are the people the King values ​​most!"

Yuwen Tai nodded in agreement and said:

"Those Huai Shuo people can't be trusted!"
-
Pingyang.

"Your Majesty, Erzhu Zhao has dispatched General Erzhu Fulu Gui with one thousand Qihu cavalry as the vanguard, and they have already reached Pingyang territory."

Upon hearing the urgent report from the scout, Li Shuang looked up at the sky and said:

“This Erzhu Fulugui is known for his bravery. Back in Luoyang, he led a thousand cavalrymen to be the first to break through the city gates. This time, he has brought the Qihu cavalry as his vanguard, and he will probably be a tough opponent.”

Hou Mochen Chong, standing behind, cupped his hands and said:
"Your Majesty, what can Erzhu Fulugui do? I am willing to lead my dozens of troops to capture this traitor."

"No, those thousand Qihu cavalry are Erzhu Zhao's elite troops, we must not take risks!"

Li Shuang's words made Hou Mochen Chong even more dissatisfied.

“If Erzhu Rong were here, it would indeed be risky. But what danger could there be in Erzhu Zhao?”

Li Shuang smiled and said:

"In that case, I will also assign you a thousand cavalry. Take them with you!"

Hou Mochen Chong cupped his hands and said:
"promise!"

……

On the supply ship, Erzhu Zhao and a group of northern leaders were discussing strategic plans in the cabin.

Northerners are not good at naval warfare, but they are not averse to traveling by boat. Compared to the bumpy ride on horseback, traveling by boat is more comfortable.

Although they were supposed to discuss military matters, there wasn't really anything worthwhile to plan.

Jinyang and Pingyang are connected by the Fen River.

Li Shuang did not send men to intercept and blockade them in Sparrow and Rat Valley as they had expected. After leaving Huo County, the terrain gradually opened up, and ahead lay a flat plain, which was perfect for large-scale military operations, especially cavalry warfare.

We are outnumbered and outgunned, so as long as we advance steadily and surely, we can get through this step by step!
Just then, news arrived from the front.

"Lord Yingchuan, General Erzhu has been defeated!"

Erzhu Fulu Guiben was sent by Erzhu Zhao to test the waters, so upon hearing of his defeat, Erzhu Zhao was not too surprised and asked:
Where is he now?

"In Pingyang City!"

Upon hearing this, Erzhu Zhao could no longer remain seated.

In Erzhu Zhao's mind, Erzhu Fulugui could be defeated, but not so badly.

"You're saying he was captured?"

"The enemy general Hou Mochen Chong led a thousand cavalry to block the path of our vanguard, and then personally led more than ten cavalrymen to charge into our formation. General Er Zhu was no match for him and was captured."

Such a defeat cast a chill over everyone present.

After their initial enthusiasm subsided, the northern leaders present finally remembered something.

Why have they always been so magnanimous despite Ohno Sawa bullying them for so many years?

Are all of you gentlemen here kind-hearted?
No, it's because we can't beat them!

In everyone's hearts, that long-forgotten fear resurfaced!

……

(End of this chapter)