Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 383 I'm afraid they'll drag Your Majesty down.
Huan Tai Fang.

Gao Huan's Residence!
Hou Jing, carrying two jugs of wine, with his attendants behind him carrying half a piece of meat and a sheep, walked through the gate with a grin.

"He Liuhun, I heard you were going to treat me to dinner. Look what I brought you!"

Hou Jing had just stepped through the gate when he suddenly sensed something was wrong. After taking a few steps, the gate behind him slowly closed, and four or five burly men surrounded him.

Hou Jing instinctively covered his groin and questioned:

"What are you doing in broad daylight, under the clear sky!"

"General, please don't misunderstand, my mistress requests your presence!"

Is Lou Zhaojun looking for me?
Hou Jing was stunned.

Lou Zhaojun was a woman who was extremely particular about looks. Even her own children were treated differently. Her eldest son, Gao Cheng, was handsome, and Lou Zhaojun doted on him, giving him all the best things. But her second son, Gao Yang, was not good-looking and was not well-liked.

If even one's own son is like this, how much more so would Hou Jing, an outsider?

As far as he could remember, Lou Zhaojun had never given him a kind look, so why would she want to see him today?

Hou Jing's first reaction was to wonder what kind of blame Gao Huan had made him take the fall for!

Is your lord home?

The burly men remained silent, but made their gestures clear.

"please!"

Hou Jing entered the house and, as expected, noticed something amiss; the atmosphere inside was quite tense.

The two women, Gao Loujin and Lou Zhaojun, stood in the main seats, while Gao Huan, Wei Jing, and Duan Shao stood to the side.

Lou Zhaojun looked at Hou Jing with a kind and gentle expression, without showing the dislike she usually displayed. Instead, she gave him a graceful bow.

"General!"

That smile sent chills down Hou Jing's spine, and cold sweat poured down his back.

"You're too kind, sister-in-law. Please tell me what's wrong!"

"My son He Liuhun is on the battlefield, and it is thanks to your care that he is safe."

"Sister-in-law, what are you saying? What's this talk of taking care of each other? In public, we are all subjects under the King; in private, we are all brothers from Huai Shuo. Isn't it only right that we support each other?"

Lou Zhaojun nodded slightly after hearing Hou Jing's tactful words.

"So, you were the one who introduced He Liuhun to Zheng Dache?"

Hou Jing was startled and glanced at Gao Huan, who was desperately trying to signal to him.

Gao Loujin then stepped between Gao Huan and Hou Jing, saying:
"Say!"

Seeing this situation, Hou Jing gritted his teeth and said:
"Yes--"

Lou Zhaojun, her face clearly showing doubt, continued:
"So, you also instigated He Liuhun to seduce Zheng Dache?"

Hou Jing swallowed hard, thinking to himself, "What a huge black pot I've been shoved into."

But, since we're already here...

"I ordered it!"

Lou Zhaojun snorted coldly, her smile instantly turning into a cold, frosty expression.

"As a subject of the King of Qin, is this how you tarnish his reputation?"

Lou Zhaojun's words may not sound forceful, but they were quite sharp.

"I did it all by myself, it has nothing to do with Your Majesty!"

"Why?"

Thinking of this, Hou Jing's face turned extremely pale. He raised his head, and a tear unconsciously rolled down his cheek.

"My sister-in-law has no idea how much pressure I was under at the time!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Loujin took a few steps forward and said:

"what for?"

Hou Jing lowered his head, treating the room as a stage, and displayed his talents to the fullest.

"As you all know, I was the first among the king's ministers to follow him. In terms of seniority, Yang Kan and Gao Ang are ranked after me. But at that time, I was only a general. Ahead of me were Yang Kan, Li Bi, and Yu Jin, and behind me were those little brats like Hou Mochen Chong who caught up."

Hou Jing continued his performance, glancing at Gao Huan every now and then. From his face, Hou Jing saw three words—

Brothers!
"I was blinded by greed and resorted to any means necessary. I forced He Liuhun to go find that Zheng Dache, just to contact the Zheng family of Xingyang and earn some military merit!"

After saying this, Hou Jing burst into tears.

"I'm not a human!"

Lou Zhaojun remained unmoved.

It's not that Hou Jing's acting wasn't realistic, but rather that talented actors weren't popular when it came to playing Lou Zhaojun.

"How can I trust you?"

Hou Jingdao:
"I swear, if I'm lying, my woman is having an affair!"

After listening, Lou Zhaojun snorted coldly and left on her own.

Hou Jing was left standing there alone, wiping away his tears, and asked:

"Sister-in-law, are you still going to eat?"

Gao Loujin walked over and cursed:

"What are you eating? Get out!"

……

Inside the tavern, Hou Jing leaned against Wei Jing's chest, venting his grievances and resentment.

"I knew it! He Liuhun, why did you suddenly invite me to dinner? Turns out you were setting a trap, waiting for me to walk right into it!"

Gao Huan raised his wine glass and apologized:

“The incident happened so suddenly that Zhaojun and the others arrived a bit too hastily. I didn’t even have time to inform you. Fortunately, you reacted quickly enough.”

Hou Jing didn't even touch the wine that Gao Huan offered him.

"You passed the test, but what about me?"

Hou Jing sat up from Wei Jing's embrace, pointed at Gao Huan, and questioned:

"Tell me, that day I came to you with two jars of Shi Dong Chun tea and a Tongzhou sheep, only to be kicked out before I could even eat a bite. If word gets out, my reputation will be ruined!"

To be honest, even if this story gets out, even if it becomes that Hou Jing forced Zheng Dache to submit for military merit, it won't damage his reputation in the slightest.

It's already zero, so how much can you reduce it to?

"Wan Jing, it's all my fault as your brother. I owe you a huge favor this time. If you ever need my help in the future, just let me know!"

Hou Jing waved his hand and said:

"We're all brothers, it's nothing, but there's one thing you need to be careful about, He Liuhun!"

"What's the matter?"

"Who told your sister-in-law about this?"

Gao Huan was also puzzled by this, and looked at Wei Jing with a somewhat suspicious gaze.

The other party was busy denying it.

"He Liuhun, I've told you so many times, it wasn't me!"

Hou Jing also said:
"It's definitely not him!"

Gao Huan was somewhat surprised to hear this and said:

Do you know who did it?

Hou Jing sneered and said:
"The person who lives next door!"

"How did you know?"

"Have you forgotten who's backing Yuwen Tai now? It was Liu Lingzhu who did this for him!"

Gao Huan understood immediately upon hearing this.

The Fan Yang Lu family and the Boling Cui family!
Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai had a conflict, as did the powerful families behind them.

Especially the Cui family of Boling and the Gao family of Bohai, their feuds are endless, both old and new.

Gao Huan's expression turned cold, and at that moment, Wei Jing asked:

"That's true, but the oath you made that day was too cruel!" Hou Jing shook his head upon hearing this, looking at him with a naive expression.

"My woman has been sleeping with other men for a long time!"

With a touch of tragic heroism and magnanimity, Hou Jing sneered:
"Fight me!"

……

Outside Yuwentai's residence, a large amount of materials were piled up.

Liu Lingzhu walked in, a smile on his face, and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Black Otter, I've brought you everything you wanted."

"Thank you!"

Liu Lingzhu was a great shaman in the north, a big merchant in Yan, an intelligence dealer, and the Duke of Yan.

As an intelligence broker, Liu Lingzhu originally had a good private relationship with two influential figures in Hebei, Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai.

However, after Liu Lingzhu and Hou Jing set a trap for Gao Huan at the farm outside Ye City that day, the relationship between Liu Lingzhu and Gao Huan was completely severed.

After all, whether you're a great shaman or an information broker, the most important thing is your reputation.

After Liu Lingzhu's credibility with Gao Huan plummeted to zero, although they didn't completely break ties, there was no longer any need to discuss anything further. From then on, Liu Lingzhu completely sided with Yuwen Tai.

After Li Shuang ordered Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai to set up civilian iron smelting centers in Xiangzhou and Youzhou, Gao Huan sought help from Liu Gui, while Yuwen Tai sought help from Liu Lingzhu and a group of merchants behind him.

Compared to Gao Huan, Yuwen Tai's territory had a clear advantage.

Youzhou, Anzhou and other places have large ranches where livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep and camels can be raised.

However, this does not mean that Gao Huan could not obtain horses.

Liu Gui, a wealthy merchant who has a good relationship with Gao Huan, recently acquired several hundred warhorses for him. Liu Gui and Liu Lingzhu are rivals.

"Black Otter, don't worry, this house will definitely be better than Gao Huan's!"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Tai smiled slightly.

"Thank you for your trouble. Once this house is finished, I will be able to return to Fanyang as soon as possible."

Yuwentai invited Liu Lingzhu to sit down and ordered his servants to bring over a pot of wine and some dried fruit.

"Black Otter, He Liuhun's family is in chaos. But there's something I need to warn you about!"

"What's the matter?"

"Hou Jing also got involved."

Yuwen Tai was about to drink when he stopped, puzzled, and asked:
"What is he getting involved for?"

Liu Lingzhu hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke after being pressed by Yuwen Tai.

"This has to do with you!"

Yuwen Tai listened, becoming even more confused, and asked:

"What exactly happened?"

"Does Black Otter know that your wife, Yuan, has a brother named Yuan Xiu?"

"..."

How could I not know that?
Yuwen Tai was speechless, but seeing Liu Lingzhu's expression, he knew that this matter was not simple.

What did he do now?

"When he was first enfeoffed as the Prince of Pingyang, he was dealt with by Gao Huan and Hou Jing in Hedong. At that time, he fled in haste, leaving behind his cousin Yuan Jili, who was secretly taken in by Hou Jing. Recently, Yuan Xiu and Yuan Jili have met privately a few times."

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Tai was enraged.

"That brat!"

Liu Lingzhu advised:
“These things are not to be discussed openly, but if you let them go unchecked, Hou Jing might take his anger out on you.”

Yuwen Tai looked at Liu Lingzhu and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Thanks for letting me know!"

……

royal palace.

Xianyang Hall.

Yuan Baoju sat on the throne, his face showing the impatient expression of a corporate slave going to work.

Today, all the Yuan clan members in Luoyang came to pay their respects to Yuan Baoju. Everyone else wore expressions of joy, but one person was different.

Yuan Xiu!

"Your Majesty, we are both descendants of Emperor Xiaowen. Now that you have ascended the throne, your benevolence extends to the descendants of the Yuan family, yet why do you turn a blind eye to me?"

Yuan Xiu spoke with some resentment, making accusations.

After Yuan Baoju became emperor, he bestowed great favors upon the Yuan clan members who survived the Hebei Incident, regardless of gender.

However, Yuan Xiu was the only one Yuan Baoju did not deal with.

The reason was simple: Yuan Xiu's name wasn't on the list Li Shuang gave him.

Don't you have any self-awareness about what you've done?
Yuan Baoju thought to himself, "I'm complaining."

After Gao Huan and Hou Jing exposed Yuan Xiu's affair with his cousin Yuan Jili, he was spared his life but was demoted to a commoner.

However, no matter how unhappy he was, he still had to put on the show.

Otherwise, it would leave a bad reputation for mistreating members of the imperial family!
"I understand. The Empress Dowager will make arrangements later. You may leave now!"

Yuan Xiu wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from Prince Yuan Yue of Runan, and retreated somewhat unwillingly.

"Your Majesty's benevolence extends throughout the land, yet the Liang people continue to advance northward, encroaching upon the territory of our Great Wei. Henan, Qi, and Ju are in turmoil; if this is not dealt with promptly, the nation may be in peril!"

Although Yuan Baoju thought to himself, "What does this have to do with me? I'm just a puppet emperor. Why should I be involved in these important national affairs?" he still put on a show of concern for the country and its people.

Prince Yuan Yue of Runan and Hu Sichun had a very good relationship. When Hu Sichun fled Luoyang during Erzhu Zhao's attack on Luoyang, he went to seek refuge with Prince Yuan Yue of Runan.

Prince Yuan Yue of Runan is one of the few powerful figures among the Yuan clan today, possessing considerable influence in the region.

"In the Prince of Runan's opinion, what should be done?"

"Xiao Yan, the barbarian ruler, has been enfeoffing his sons and brothers in various prefectures and counties, thus controlling the south. Although the Liang Dynasty is a false dynasty, Xiao Yan's actions are beneficial to the state. Now that Henan, Qi, and Ju are in turmoil, Your Majesty can follow Xiao Yan's example and enfeoff my Yuan clan members in various prefectures and counties. In this way, the state can be at peace."

Yuan Baoju blurted out.

"Have you asked the King of Qin?"

Yuan Yue's face showed displeasure, and she said:

"In the past, Emperor Gaozu of Han enfeoffed members of the Liu family in the Guandong region, which prevented the Han dynasty from collapsing after only two generations like the Qin dynasty. The policy of enfeoffment was truly beneficial to the country and its people. Your Majesty is exceptionally gifted, with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger. Sitting in Luoyang, ruling the world, you are capable of making decisions on your own. Even if the King of Qin possesses the wisdom of Yi Yin and Jiang Shang, why should Your Majesty consult him on every matter?"

After Yuan Yue finished speaking, the Yuan clan members behind him echoed his words.

Yuan Baoju was restrained, and immediately stood up and said:

"You are all right. I can make decisions on my own and do not need to consult the King of Qin on every matter!"

……

"Brother-in-law, why did that old bastard Yuan Yue suddenly instigate these people to ask me for official positions, titles, and land?"

In Jinyong City, under the cover of night, Yuan Baoju, dressed in all black, found Li Shuang with a suspicious look on his face.

Li Shuang looked tired and said:
"Did His Majesty come to see me just about this?"

Yuan Baoju said:

"Brother-in-law, do you think there's something fishy going on here?"

Li Shuang smiled and asked:

"What does Your Majesty believe is the purpose of the Prince of Runan's proposal?"

"Of course, it is to protect the state of our Great Wei and resist the Liang people. However, I am afraid that he may have selfish motives, which could lead to the downfall of the Prince of Qin's important policies."

Li Shuang waved his hand and said:

"It's alright, His Majesty can make the decision on this matter independently!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Baoju said:
"Really?"

"Your Majesty is the ruler of Great Wei. What matter concerning Great Wei cannot be decided by Your Majesty?"

After hearing Li Shuang's words, Yuan Baoju's confidence soared, and he said:
"In that case, I will make the decision alone this time!"

……

(End of this chapter)