Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 354 It's all for the sake of the common people.

Jinyang.

The Prime Minister's residence in Jinyang was once very large, almost like a palace, and the garden in the rear was built according to the style of the royal garden in Luoyang.

The lakes are like mirrors, the flowers and grasses are fluttering, and the pavilions stand tall among the mountains, waters and flowers. Although it does not have the ethereal beauty of the waterside pavilions of Jiankang, nor the luxurious and exquisite feel of the palaces and towers of Luoyang, it has its own grand and majestic atmosphere.

Jinyang is located north of Pingcheng, south of Luoyang, east of Yecheng, and west of Chang'an. It is a transportation hub and a strategic location controlling the mountains and rivers.

After the rise of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Jinyang, situated between Pingcheng and Luoyang, flourished as a vital transportation hub. With the opening of the Silk Road, Jinyang became a crucial node on this trade route. Even today, a large number of people of Central Asian descent can be seen in Jinyang.

Outside a three-story pavilion by the pool, Hou Jing waited for a while before entering after being allowed to pass by the servants guarding the pavilion.

Hou Jing jogged all the way to the top floor.

Li Shuang was lying on a recliner, fanning herself with a fan.

Hou Jing walked over to Li Shuang, took another fan, and fanned Li Shuang.

"Your Majesty, I have returned!"

Li Shuang glanced at Hou Jing and asked:

"You've had a long and tiring trip!"

Hou Jing was beaming with health, clearly having received an extraordinary amount of hospitality from Gao Huan in Ye City, and had even gained weight.

"For the sake of Your Majesty, I would gladly endure any hardship or toil."

Li Shuang lay half-reclined, looking at Hou Jing who was fanning him, and smiled:

"It's quite tough and tiring, but you're getting more and more extravagant with your affairs these days, with blondes, Kucha women, Silla maids, and several other women..."

Upon hearing this, Hou Jing's expression changed, and he slowed down the fan in his hand.

"Your Majesty, please understand. I did this out of necessity to deceive them. How can mere women compare to the important matter Your Majesty entrusted to me?"

"How is it?"

Li Shuang sat up, and Hou Jing said beside him:

"He Liuhun really hit the jackpot this time. Yecheng is truly a wonderful place!"

Today, the economic center of Hebei is not in Jicheng of Youzhou, but in Yecheng of Xiangzhou.

During the Warring States period, most of the land in Hebei was controlled by the State of Zhao, and the supplies from the cities along the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains would eventually be gathered in Handan.

Even after Handan declined during the Han Dynasty, this demand persisted, and Ye City rose to prominence as a result.

Today, Ye City served as the capital of four dynasties: Cao Wei, Later Zhao, Ran Wei, and Former Yan. It underwent numerous constructions and its grandeur is unmatched by ordinary cities.

Hou Jing's eyes still held a hint of envy as he said:

"After He Liuhun seized five thousand warhorses from the Erzhu clan in Henan, all the aristocratic families in Hebei went to Ye City to see him. Now, the aristocratic families and powerful clans of Xiangzhou, Jizhou, and Cangzhou have all gone to Ye City to see him."

"and then?"

Upon hearing Li Shuang's question, Hou Jing replied:
"He Liuhun has already made an agreement with them to jointly attack the Erzhu clan. Furthermore, what about Your Majesty's share..."

Hou Jing whispered a number in Li Shuang's ear, then took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Li Shuang. Li Shuang took it, opened it, and nodded.

"You Huai Shuo people are quite capable!"

Hou Jing, upon hearing this, showed no delight but instead asked:
"Your Majesty, have those Wuchuan people angered you again?"

Li Shuang sighed, pointed to the box beside him, and said:

"See for yourself!"

Hou Jing listened to this, took out the outermost letter from the box, glanced at it, and said:
"Yuwentai only gave the king this little bit? Does he think the king is begging on his knees?!"

Hou Jing was filled with righteous indignation, and seemed to be saying, "If Your Majesty gives the order, I will act immediately."

Li Shuang looked at it and asked:
"What do you want?"

Hou Jing chuckled and said:
"Aren't the Yuwen family members all in Jinyang?"

Li Shuang shook his head and said:

“That won’t do. We haven’t been bandits for a long time. Besides, wouldn’t doing this break the morale of the soldiers in the north?”

"Are we just going to stand by and watch those Wuchuan people act so arrogantly?!"

Li Shuang glanced at Hou Jing and asked:

"How about I send you to Pingcheng to replace Yuwentai? Would you go?"

Hou Jing immediately deflated and said:

"Your Majesty, you know me. I have always relied on strategy to win battles over the years. I really can't handle the work that those Wuchuan people are doing."

Li Shuang stood up, put her hands behind her back, and looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle.

"After the Rouran occupied the southern part of the Gobi Desert, they allied with the Hephthalites and jointly annexed the Western Regions, a territory that has belonged to us since ancient times. The Rouran are powerful, and the safety of the northern lands is related to the survival of the nation. We cannot act rashly."

As Li Shuang spoke, Hou Jing wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes and said:
"Your Majesty has truly had a tough time!"

"Sigh, for the sake of all living beings, I'll just have to endure this injustice!"

Hou Jing, upon hearing this, angrily said:

"As a subject, one should be mindful of the ruler's worries and toil, and die for the ruler's humiliation. Your Majesty, I will surely avenge this injustice!"

Li Shuang quickly advised:

"Don't do anything out of line, especially not the Lu family of Fanyang or the Cui family of Boling. Don't offend them!"

Hou Jing stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Majesty, rest assured!"

……

As night fell, Yuwen Hu entered the Prince of Qin's residence and met Li Shuang.

"Your Majesty!"

Li Shuang nodded and said:

"Have you seen your mother?"

Yuwen Hu nodded and said:
"My mother told me to serve the king well and share his burdens!"

Li Shuang smiled, looked at Yuwen Hu, and said:

"Among your Yuwen clan, besides your fourth uncle Yuwen Tai, you are the one I have the highest hopes for. Train yourself well in the north, and you are the only one in the Yuwen clan who can succeed your uncle."

Yuwen Hu was somewhat surprised. But he quickly realized what was going on.

At this moment, the relationship between Yuwen Hu and Li Shuang as ruler and subject was not yet established. Yuwen Hu bowed and said:

"Your Majesty's intentions are clear to me, and I will certainly share Your Majesty's burdens!"

Li Shuang nodded and said:

"Go back and assist your fourth uncle well, handle the affairs in the north properly, and don't disappoint your mother!"

Yuwen Hu raised his head and glanced at Li Shuang, the flickering candlelight illuminating a handsome face. But seeing Li Shuang return his gaze, Yuwen Hu lowered his head and said:

"promise!"

Not long after Yuwen Hu left, Dugu Xin also arrived.

He came with Yuwen Hu to give a summary of his recent work to Jin Yang and to submit a plan to prevent possible retaliation from the Rouran.

"It's so late, you must have had a hard time finding Qi Mitou!"

Dugu Xin cupped his hands and said:

"To relieve Your Majesty's worries, I would gladly die ten thousand deaths; how dare I complain of hardship!"

Li Shuang smiled and said:
"How is it?"

"Through the battle of Rouxuan Town, Yuwen Tai has firmly established himself in the north. His power is now great, and he shows no signs of rebellion, remaining righteous in his heart. I have also been ordered by Your Majesty to cultivate good relations with the various northern peoples of Youyan, so that they may serve Your Majesty and resist the Rouran!" Li Shuang nodded and said:

"You people from Wuchuan are quite capable, but not everyone is like you!"

Dugu Xin was taken aback at first, then he realized what was happening.

"Your Majesty, have those Huai Shuo people angered you again?"

"Ugh!"

Li Shuang sighed and remained silent. Dugu Xin, seeing this, became somewhat anxious.

"Your Majesty, what has happened?"

Li Shuang pointed to the box beside him and said:

"Look at it!"

Dugu Xin opened the box, pulled out a letter, opened it, and angrily said:

"These Huai Shuo people have formed numerous cliques and factions, outwardly obeying the king's orders but secretly disobeying them, and they've even expanded their business to Goguryeo! Once they're handed over, won't they just end up in the hands of the Rouran again?"

After reading it, Dugu Xin was filled with righteous indignation and said:

"We have been fighting hard in the north, and they not only failed to help us, but they have done this! Your Majesty, they must not be let off lightly!"

Li Shuang stood up, walked to the window, looked up at the bright moon, leaving Dugu Xin with a majestic silhouette.

"The most important thing now is to fight against the Erzhu clan, recapture Luoyang, and restore the state. The Huai Shuo people have been operating extensively based in Ye City, forming alliances with the Cui clan of Qinghe and the Gao clan of Bohai, and also maintaining close ties with generals under the Erzhu clan of Henan, such as Husichun, Jia Xiandu, and Jia Xianzheng. If they are dealt with severely, it may be detrimental to the overall situation!"

Upon hearing this, Dugu Xin sighed:
"For the sake of the court, Your Majesty has endured the outrageous behavior of such a villain. You have truly had a difficult time!"

"Alas, for the sake of all living beings, I shall bear this injustice!"

Upon hearing this, Gudu Xin gritted his teeth, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely avenge you."

Li Shuang hurriedly turned around, looked at Dugu Xin, and said:
"Qimitou, you mustn't act recklessly!"

Lonely Xin stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and said:
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly share your burdens!"
-
In order to counter the Liu Song dynasty, the Northern Wei dynasty once established four important towns in Henan.

Jin Yong, Hulao, Huatai, Qiao'ao!
These four important towns all controlled the Yellow River crossings and the key passageways for north-south travel.

After Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty moved the capital, Luoyang became a key location in the capital region, and the important towns of Jinyong and Hulao rose in status.

Jinyong City became part of Luoyang City, while Hulao served as Luoyang's gateway to the outside world and was directly governed by the Luoyang court.

As the Northern Wei dynasty expanded its territory southward, the two important towns of Huatai and Qiao'ao ceased to be frontline locations and instead became hubs for the Grand Canal transport.

After Gao Huan and Erzhu fell out, Erzhu Dulu led his army to Huatai, keeping a close watch on the situation in the north.

Hebasheng is now under Erzhudulu's command.

When Hebasheng led his army eastward, he was ordered to block Erzhudulü's army. His superior, Zheng Hujun, wanted to sabotage Hebasheng, so he deliberately left Hebasheng with his army outside, but did not provide him with supplies, and even prevented him from entering the passes along the way.

The Tianlong people of Luoyang clearly did not understand the bonds between the northerners. They thought that Hebasheng had no way out after betraying the Erzhu clan. But who would have thought that Hebasheng would turn around and join the Erzhu clan's camp and launch an attack on these Tianlong people of Luoyang.

"Broken Hu, something's not right about what's happening in Hebei!"

Erzhudulu stood on the high platform, gazing at the surging river to the north, lost in thought.

Erzhudulu was a greedy man, but that doesn't mean he was brainless.

Hebasheng nodded and said:
“I also find it a bit strange. Gao Huan and his group of Huai Shuo people have been behaving very well lately, as if something has happened to them.”

Erzhudulu looked at Hebasheng and asked:

Has Nianxian returned yet?

Hebasheng replied:
"It should be about time."

Nianxian was from Wuchuan. He was sent to Dingzhou by Erzhu Dulu to make contact with Chilie Yanqing and Hou Yuan in order to stabilize the last remaining force of the Erzhu clan in Hebei.

Of course, Nianxian's identity as a martial artist is not important; what is important is that Nianxian's sister is Hou Yuan's wife.

With this relationship in place, many things become much easier to discuss.

Just then, an announcement was made.

Nianxian is back!
The two men descended from the platform to personally greet him and prepared a banquet for him.

However, Nianxian did not rush to the banquet. Instead, he pulled the two into a quiet room and talked about the results of his secret trip to Dingzhou.

"Don't worry, King Changshan. I met with Chilie Yanqing and Hou Yuan, and they both told me that they can still hold on."

Erzhudulu, upon hearing this, showed no joy and asked:

"After Ōno Sō occupied Taiyuan, their families all fell into Ōno Sō's hands. How could they hold on?"

Erzhu Dulu clearly had doubts about Nianxian's words, and Nianxian explained:
"King Changshan is overthinking it. They were all promoted by General Tianzhu and have received great favor from the Erzhu clan. How could they betray the Erzhu clan for their wives? Besides, that Da Yeshuang is fierce and vicious. He slaughtered the northerners and seized their land and estates in Bingsi. He is also their enemy. How could he surrender?"

Upon hearing this, Erzhudulu's doubts gradually dissipated, but he still did not trust.

He knew the northerners all too well; to say nothing of the distant past, Hebasheng was the best example.

Is that all?

"Doesn't the King of Changshan know that Hebei is in chaos!"

Erzhudulu was taken aback and glanced at Hebasheng, who was also confused.

"How is it?"

"Yuwen Tai, who is stationed in Pingcheng, and Gao Huan, who is stationed in Yecheng, are fighting each other. Their troops in Hebei have even clashed with each other!"

"Why?"

“I am not aware of the specific situation, but Hebei is in turmoil. If we lead the army north now, we can open up the passage to Dingzhou.”

Erzhudulu hesitated upon hearing this, but in the end, he looked at Hebasheng.

"Break the Hu! Erzhu Shilong has summoned me to Luoyang. I won't stay in Huatai for long either. I'll give you 10,000 soldiers. Take this opportunity to go north and see if you can achieve anything."

Hebasheng shook his head and said:
"Xindu and Yecheng are both in Gao Huan's hands. Even with 10,000 soldiers, I'm afraid I can't defeat Gao Huan."

Just then, Nianxian gave Hebasheng a wink, and the latter changed his tune, saying:
"But if we take over a few of his cities, we can still make contact with Chilie Yanqing and Hou Yuan."

Erzhudulu nodded upon hearing this.

That's enough!

The banquet outside was about to begin, and Erzhudulü left first. Hebasheng pulled Nianxian aside and asked:
"What are the true identities of Chi Lie Yanqing and Hou Yuan?"

Nianxian shook his head and said:

"I didn't make it to Lunu; I was kidnapped on the way!"

"Who kidnapped them?!"

Nianxian looked at Hebasheng and whispered:
"Ohno is cool!"

Hebasheng was greatly surprised when he heard this.

"Was the whole turmoil in Hebei a hoax?"

"That's true, Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai did indeed start fighting."

Hearing this, Hebasheng became even more puzzled and asked:
"So what exactly are Ohno Sō's plans? Why did you say that?"

Nianxian sighed:

"Da Ye Shuang asked me to tell you, whatever Liang Ren can give you, he can also give you!"

The room was stuffy and hot. Upon hearing this, Hebasheng's expression changed drastically, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.

……