Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 373 In any case, the advantage is mine

Erzhu Shilong returned to the main tent, panting heavily, without even having time to change out of his helmet.

"How is it?"

Erzhu Yanbo had been waiting for news.

Looking at Erzhu Yanbo, Erzhu Shilong, who was initially somewhat panicked, changed his expression slightly and picked up the cup.

"I've already taken action, what else can I do? I've certainly gained something!"

Erzhu Yanbo was overjoyed upon hearing this.

"What progress has been made?"

Erzhu Shilong calmed down, and after being served a bowl of mare's milk wine, he gulped down three large bowls before slamming the bowl down on the table.

"I led a dozen or so riders to the place agreed upon with Ono So, and in a short while, I saw billowing dust, and Ono So arrived with over a thousand cavalry!"

"..."

Erzhu Yanbo was taken aback, and blurted it out casually.

"Ono Sou led over a thousand cavalrymen, and you still managed to come back alive?"

Erzhu Shilong scoffed dismissively, patted his chest, and said:
"What are you talking about? I, Erzhu Shilong, am a brave warrior who can catch tigers on mountains and capture dragons in the sea. Who have I ever been afraid of!"

Erzhu Shilong seemed to have his mood spoiled by Erzhu Yanbo, so he drank another bowl and said:
"Faced with the aggressive Da Yeshuang, everyone around him was afraid. At that time, it was a very critical situation. I spurred my horse forward and rode alone to face Da Yeshuang. With a few words, I stopped the thousand cavalry from advancing!"

"What did you say?"

“I’m just cursing him, a country bumpkin who hid in the mountains back then and was besieged by government troops several times, almost annihilating him. If it weren’t for my Erzhu clan, would he be where he is today? How could he be so ungrateful and offend my Luoyang?”

Erzhu Yanbo nodded and said:

"That makes sense. What about Ohno Sora?"

"Ohno Sō was naturally extremely ashamed and speechless."

After listening, Erzhu Yanbo asked:
"So Ohno Sawa agreed to a truce?"

"That's not true!"

"..."

Erzhu Yanbo stared at Erzhu Shilong with a suspicious look and asked:
"So what do you mean by 'gaining something'?"

Erzhu Shilong stood up, put his hands behind his back, and said with a serious expression:

"In terms of sentiment, reason, wisdom, and righteousness, my Erzhu clan has the upper hand. However, that Da Yeshuang is shameless, and this battle is probably inevitable! Although I am reluctant to kill him, I have no other choice!"

"..."

……

Erzhu Yanbo hurriedly entered the main tent. His son, Erzhu Chang, was packing his things. Seeing his father return, he was about to go to greet him when he heard Erzhu Yanbo ask:

"How's the packing going?"

"Everything's packed, Father. Are we going back to Luoyang?"

Erzhu Yanbo shook his head and said:

"I want to go back, but you don't!"

As he spoke, Erzhu Yanbo took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Erzhu Chang.

"I must return to Luoyang. I will find an opportunity to let you leave along the way. Luoyang is about to fall into chaos. Take this letter with you to Murong Shaozong!"

Erzhu Chang was very puzzled when he heard this!

"Why are you looking for that traitor?"

"Let him take you to see your sister, Erzhu Ying'e!"

Erzhu Chang realized what was happening and, in his excitement, blurted it out.

"Father, are you telling me to go and join Ohno Sou!"

Erzhu Yanbo made a shushing gesture.

After thinking for a moment, he took out the land deed and house deed from the box next to him and handed them to Erzhu Chang.

"With these, we'll have something to live on in the future."

"Then, Father, you'll come with me!"

Erzhu Yanbo shook his head and sighed:

“I can’t leave. Whether the Erzhu clan’s ship sinks or not, I have no choice but to stay on it.”
-
Hulao Pass.

Upon hearing that familiar laughter, Gao Huan's expression changed.

Seeing that familiar figure, Gao Huan felt displeased.

Hou Jing, however, walked into Gao Huan's tent as if he were strolling through his own backyard.

"He Liuhun, I'm here. Don't prepare too much, just ten or eight dishes will do. I'm not picky."

Gao Huan spat in annoyance.

"You little brat, trying to take advantage of others again, huh!"

Hou Jing walked over slowly, showing no anger whatsoever in the face of Gao Huan's fury.

"What kind of talk is that? Do you think I'm the kind of person who would take advantage of you? I just captured Luokou, and I heard you've already captured Hulao Pass. I was worried you didn't have enough troops, so I came to join forces with you!"

As he spoke, Hou Jing put his arm around Gao Huan's shoulder and said:

“Well done, He Liuhun, you’ve gotten involved with the Zheng family of Xingyang.”

"Go! Go! Go!"

Gao Huan was very impatient with Hou Jing, who had come uninvited.

"Why didn't you stay in Heyang? You ran here instead. Aren't you afraid that the Erzhu clan will seize the opportunity and break through Shazhou?"

Hou Jing smiled, showing no worry whatsoever, and said:
"Don't you know yet? Erzhu Shilong has led the army from Luoyang to the front lines."

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan had an idea in mind.

"What about Luoyang?"

Hou Jing listened, waved his hand, and said:
"The defenses of Luoyang are too strong for our small force to take. Besides, even if we could take it, we wouldn't be able to break into it."

Gao Huan smiled, a hint of mockery in his expression.

"I didn't expect you to be so good at serving your lord! So you didn't come here just to take my military credit, did you?"

“As a native of Huai Shuo, I would never do such a thing.”

Hou Jing patted his chest and said:
"Wang Sizheng and Xue Xiuyi's gang are currently sweeping through Hanoi. We have captured Hulao Pass, which is a great achievement, but it is still fighting on the periphery. It is not as good as facing Erzhu's army head-on."

Gao Huan raised an eyebrow and corrected him:
"What do you mean 'we'? I've taken over Hulao Pass!"

Hou Jing shamelessly said:

“He Liuhun, you’re not that petty! Xingyang County has already rebelled against the Erzhu clan. If we can also instigate Yingchuan County and Xiangcheng County to rebel, Luoyang will be completely sealed off. We Huai Shuo people cannot miss such a great opportunity!”

"I don't have that ability. Even in Hebei, I don't have the final say, let alone in Henan, where things are much more complicated!"

Gao Huan's words were not spoken out of spite, but were the truth.

He was the Grand Administrator of Hebei Province, but matters concerning southern Hebei still required consultation with powerful clans such as the Cui family of Qinghe and the Gao family of Bohai before they could be accomplished.

It is already quite an achievement that he was able to persuade the Zheng family of Xingyang.

“You don’t have the ability, but the Zheng family of Xingyang does. You should put more effort into that cart!”

Hou Jing wore a mocking expression. Gao Huan, upon hearing this, said:

"Don't talk nonsense, it won't look good if outsiders hear it."

Hou Jing chuckled and said:
"What's the use of you pretending to be righteous in front of me? Lou Zhaojun probably already knows about this. You'll get what's coming to you sooner or later when you get back to Ye City."

Gao Huan was quite displeased with Hou Jing's honest words, but there was nothing he could do. He knew that Hou Jing was telling the truth.

"The Zheng family of Xingyang has deep roots in Henan, and we probably don't have enough face to give them. It's not easy to share the credit!"

"What about that?"

Looking at Hou Jing, Gao Huan smiled.

Having spent a long time mingling with the Cui family of Qinghe and the Gao family of Bohai, he now has a good understanding of the temperaments of these powerful families.

"Don't worry, do we need to persuade these aristocratic families? They'll do it on their own when the time is right. All we have to do is follow behind and pick up the pieces."

Hou Jing also smiled, looked at Gao Huan, and said:
"You're such a rascal!"

“Likewise!” The two old Huai Shuo men looked at each other and laughed, filling the tent with a joyful atmosphere.

……

Mangshan Dazhai.

"Your Majesty, rumors are spreading like wildfire in Luoyang!"

"What did you say?"

Murong Shaozong followed Li Shuang and recounted the rumors one by one.

"Some say that Your Majesty will slaughter the Xianbei people and plunder their wives, children and property; some say that Your Majesty will move the court to Chang'an and burn down Luoyang; some say that after Your Majesty enters Luoyang, you will slaughter the Yuan clan and establish yourself as emperor."

Where did these rumors originate?

Murong Shaozong said:
"In my opinion, this was probably spread by Erzhu Shilong; he is used to these kinds of methods."

Li Shuang smiled and said:
"That kid is really cunning!"

Murong Shaozong cupped his hands and said:
"Letting rumors spread will likely be detrimental to our army. Erzhu Shilong's ability to incite unrest is secondary; he still has over 100,000 troops under his command. If he persuades them to fight to the death, our army will likely suffer heavy losses."

Erzhu Shilong is actually quite right.

If they were to fight the Erzhu clan to a standstill in Luoyang, the powerful clans of Guandong would likely be the ones to benefit.

The four prominent families of Guandong were highly influential, intermarrying with each other and forming a deeply entrenched and powerful network of influence.

Even if one gains the world immediately, one still cannot govern it without them.

This cannot be changed in a short period of time.

Li Shuang, however, didn't seem to care much. He already had a plan in mind and said:
"These hundreds of thousands of troops may seem numerous and powerful, but those truly capable of fighting to the death are none other than the generals from the Erzhu clan. If we want to hold onto half of the Great Wei's territory, this battle is unavoidable!"

Murong Shaozong listened, nodded, and asked:

"Your Majesty, when do you plan to hold the final battle?"

"It's not the right time yet!"

Although this battle is necessary, the timing of the battle is a matter of debate.

Just as Li Shuang finished speaking, a voice requesting an audience came from outside the tent.

Changsun Zhi has arrived!
Changsun Zhi's hair and beard were all white, but he was still very energetic, wearing armor and standing tall.

"Your Majesty!"

Li Shuang treated him with great courtesy.

Even in Luoyang today, few people have a higher seniority or experience than him.

"How is it?"

"I contacted some people who also deeply hate the Erzhu clan and are willing to turn against them. But Erzhu Shilong is cunning and has stationed a large number of troops in Jinyong City to keep an eye on the false emperor they have installed. Now Luoyang City is not what it used to be; even the imperial palace has been looted. It will be difficult for them to cut off the Erzhu clan's escape route."

Jinyong City was originally an important town on the south bank of the Yellow River, with a very important strategic location. After the completion of Luoyang City, Jinyong City, as an important part of Luoyang City, played a key role in its development.

Even if the entire city of Luoyang were lost, the Erzhu clan still had a chance to turn the tide militarily, even if they were in the hands of the Erzhu clan.

"However, I have heard something interesting."

"What's the matter?"

"I heard that after Erzhu Zhongyuan was defeated by Gao Huan, he wanted to lead his remaining troops back to Luoyang, but he was driven away by the governor of Yingchuan County!"

When Erzhu Zhongyuan was at the height of his power, he quelled the rebellion of Cui Zuchi with only a thousand cavalry.

Now he is disheveled and has been driven away by a prefect, becoming a homeless dog.

The powerful clans of Henan, led by the Zheng family of Xingyang, had already made their choice. Or rather, after seeing the Zheng family of Xingyang make their choice and help Gao Huan occupy Hulao Pass, the rest of them followed suit.

"It seems that Erzhu is truly trapped like a caged beast!"

……

In the big tent.

"let's hit!"

The shouts of Erzhu Zhao, Erzhu Dulu and others reached his ears. Erzhu Shilong sat there, his ears ringing.

He exhausted the people's resources, seized wealth by trickery and force, amassed riches and grain, and acted perversely.

When the Erzhu clan was at its peak, no one dared to resist; everyone wore submissive faces.

But once something goes wrong, the backlash comes immediately.

The commanderies of Xingyang, Yingchuan, and Xiangcheng successively rebelled, and the entire city of Luoyang had become a huge prison, trapping Erzhu's army of over 100,000 men inside.

What Erzhu Shilong did not expect was that those Han Chinese aristocratic families, who usually seemed obedient, would be so accurate and ruthless when it came to actually taking action.

The Erzhu clan still had over 100,000 troops, but Luoyang was no longer defensible.

With just Jinyong City, not only is it impossible to recruit so many people, but there are also no reinforcements from outside. Therefore, it would be meaningless to defend this city.

Continuing the stalemate with Li Shuang and attempting to cripple his supply lines is no longer an option.

Now, for the Erzhu clan, there is only one path left.

Erzhu Shilong felt a sense of oppression, as if a storm was brewing.

Erzhu Zhao, Erzhu Dulu, and others weren't unaware of it; rather, they were used to it.

For them, where does this chaotic situation originate?

Li Shuang!

Once Li Shuang is defeated, Henan and Hebei can be reclaimed.

Anyway, it's not the first time.

For Erzhu, everything would be alright as long as Li Shuang was defeated.

Urged on repeatedly, Erzhu Shilong finally made up his mind.

"Then fight!"

Erzhu Shilong looked at everyone with a serious expression.

"Ono Sō is no match for one man. All generals must obey my command and work together. In this battle, with 180,000 against 50,000, we have a great chance of winning."

"promise!"

……

The night was shrouded in mist.

Outside the main tent stood a group of generals clad in armor.

Yang Kan, Li Bi, Gao Ang, Hou Mochen Chong, Xue Guyan, Pei Qingsun, Murong Shaozong, Li Yuan, Liang Yu, Da Xiwu, Ruoshuo Hui, Wang Xiong...

At this moment, everyone from the highest-ranking general to the lowest-ranking cavalry captain was waiting in the darkness.

Layer upon layer, densely packed!
Their eyes were filled with a desire to achieve great things.

Then, the tent door opened, and a man dressed in black came out.

"Erzhu Shilong has sent a challenge, demanding a decisive battle with me in three days!"

These words ignited the emotions of the assembled military officers outside the tent.

All the military officers were waiting for Li Shuang to say the next sentence.

"I have already agreed!"

After Li Shuang finished speaking, everyone bowed and acknowledged his command:

"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

The howling sound echoed through the long night, never ceasing.

Li Shuang remained calm upon hearing this.

The army before us is no longer the inexperienced recruits of yesteryear, but a seasoned veteran of countless battles.

There's no need for unnecessary words of encouragement, because military achievements are the best motivation.

Everyone knows what they should do, and everyone knows how to do it!
Wherever the Qin King's banner is, that is where they are!
Before the crowd, Li Shuang slowly spoke:

"In this battle, we will crush the enemy and annihilate the Erzhu clan!"

"promise!"

……

(End of this chapter)