Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 404 You Can Only Be a Loyal Subject

Shanglinyuan.

The pavilions built in Shanglin Temple have different functions and are full of life.

Every day, the flour processed in the watermill was sent to the restaurant, where the chefs made it into various foods, such as noodles, pancakes, and pastries, accompanied by freshly harvested leeks, garlic, and chives, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and then served in the restaurant's main hall.

During these days, a group of khans and their sons from the north would come here to enjoy the delicacies, wines, and fresh fruits and vegetables that were hard to find in the north, and spend the rest of their time engaging in various recreational activities.

Horse racing, hunting, watching polo, gambling...

They enjoyed all sorts of activities immensely!
Among these activities, watching polo and listening to storytelling were the most popular. Horse racing was nothing new to the Khans from the north. Unlike the people of Guanzhong, who had grown up on horseback and for whom it was second nature, these activities were simply a part of their lives.

As for hunting, it was a survival skill for them, with no enjoyment involved.

Gambling, on the other hand, costs money.

In contrast, the young khans of the north preferred to sit in the storytelling hall, enjoying free tea and pastries while listening to the storyteller's tales.

"Last time we talked about how Liu Bei received the imperial edict hidden in his belt and wanted to contact heroes from all directions to save the emperor from danger..."

The khans from the north listened with rapt attention to the storyteller's tale. At the most exciting parts, some even slammed their fists on the table, getting carried away, and shouted angrily:

"How dare that traitor Cao!"

After finally managing to pull the man down, a commotion arose outside the storytelling hall.

The noise was so loud that even the storyteller stopped his narration. Everyone looked outside the hall and saw a group of young men dressed in fur coats riding horses and carrying bows, rushing past on the road inside the Shanglin Temple.

"Which tribe are these kids from, and what are they planning to do?"

As the crowd discussed the matter, someone with sharp eyes pointed at the man who had just shouted, "How dare that traitor Cao!" and said:

"Old Ba, isn't that your son?"

Old Man Babble heard this and his heart clenched. He could no longer care about anything else, having originally planned to watch the show, and rushed into the street to stop his son. However, the group on horseback was moving too fast, and Old Man Babble couldn't stop them at all. He could only shout from behind:
"What are you trying to do, kid?"

Old Baye's son replied.

"Do great things!"

Old Man Ba ​​was also confused about the situation, but soon someone came to report the news.

"A bunch of lads, instigated by someone, stole horses from the horse farm, grabbed bows and arrows, and said they were going to assassinate the Heavenly Khan!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed. Old Ba was so frightened he nearly fainted, collapsing to the ground and muttering:
"It's over, I've become a traitor!"

……

Since Zhang Qian opened up the Western Regions, exotic vegetables and fruits, such as grapes, cucumbers, garlic, coriander, pomegranates, sesame, and walnuts, have been introduced to China.

These crops not only enriched people's dining tables but also changed their lifestyles.

For example, the popularity of wine is inseparable from the promotion and cultivation of grapes. The residue left after winemaking can also be fed to domesticated livestock, which can improve their milk production.

However, for Li Shuang at this moment, he was more concerned about the pasture that horses ate than the vegetables and fruits that people eat.

The orchards around Shanglin Garden were not as numerous as those in the Forbidden Garden of Chang'an, but there were still quite a few.

In the nursery garden, Li Shuang met the envoy from Tuyuhun.

After several years of power struggles, the Tuyuhun regime is nearing its end.

Kualu is about to win!

However, when he was about to win, Kua Lü became unusually cautious and his attitude towards Guanzhong became increasingly friendly.

There's no other reason than that Yang Kan's troops from Longyou were truly capable of intervening and causing trouble at this time.

Therefore, Quelü sent messengers with many gifts.

Among them were several kinds of alfalfa seeds that Li Shuang had always wanted.

Li Shuang looked at the envoy from Tuyuhun with a smile on his face.

"Your Khan is so kind!"

The Tuyuhun were of the Murong clan, and both the Tuoba clan and the Northern Wei were descended from the Xianbei. The Tuyuhun and the Northern Wei maintained intermarriage, and some members of the Tuyuhun royal family even held official positions and titles in the Northern Wei, following the trend of Sinicization in the Northern Wei.

Some of these people returned to Tuyuhun after the Six Garrisons Rebellion.

The envoy sent by Khalil was a descendant of these Sinicized members of the royal family, named Renya.

When Renya heard Li Shuang say that, she felt reassured.

"It is our honor to serve the Heavenly Khan."

Besides several kinds of alfalfa, the Tuyuhun envoys also brought some vegetable seeds, a dozen or so Western Region zebu cattle, and over a hundred yaks. In addition, there were many gems, gold, and warhorses.

The envoy continued to introduce the tribute he had painstakingly brought.

The zebu cattle from the Western Regions are a superior breed, rich in fat, and their milk has a unique aroma. As for the yaks brought from the snowy plateau, they are also a rare breed, and their milk can be used to make top-quality ghee.

"Heavenly Khan, these seeds were brought from Persia by a foreign merchant and are called Persian grass."

spinach?

Li Shuang was surprised; the Tuyuhun were being far too generous.

Spinach originated in Persia and has not yet been introduced to China. Spinach is cold-resistant, and if it were cultivated on a large scale in Guanzhong, it could alleviate the demand for food.

The envoy continued recounting his story, and Li Shuang asked a question.

"Does your Khan's heart lie in the Western Regions?"

Renya nodded slightly and cupped her hands in greeting:

"After the Rouran Khan Anagui was driven westward by the Heavenly Khan, he began to conquer the Western Regions. For this, he did not hesitate to break ties with his former ally, the Hephthalites."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuang laughed and asked:

"No wonder I've heard some Hephthalites have been making frequent trips to Fushi City lately. What, your Khan hasn't even settled in Fushi City yet, and you're already thinking about the future?"

Hearing Li Shuang's words, Ren Ya felt a pang in her heart.

Li Shuang's words revealed that he was fully aware of the situation in Tuyuhun.

Although the fact that the Hephthalites were heading to Fushi City couldn't be kept secret, it was still a thousand miles away!
Tuyuhun Renya felt an even greater fear of the young Qin king before him and honestly said:

"My Khan does indeed wish to enter the Western Regions. I wonder if the Heavenly Khan would be willing to support him?"

The Tuyuhun controlled the Qinghai Road and could collect a large amount of tolls every year through the Silk Road.

Now that the Western Rouran and their former ally the Hephthalites have turned against each other, and the Hephthalites want to form an alliance with the Tuyuhun, it is naturally a good opportunity for the Tuyuhun to enter the Western Regions.

However, Kualü still had some concerns. After all, the Longyou troops were standing nearby. What if they took advantage of the Tuyuhun's invasion of the Western Regions to launch such an attack?
Moreover, Kualu was still wary of Anagui, the ruler of Rouran.

The Tuyuhun were not entirely comfortable with finding an ally in the Hephthalites to enter the Western Regions; it would be best to bring Li Shuang along as well, only then would they feel at ease.

After all, the Western Rouran were also a threat to Guanzhong.

"Tell your Khan to rest assured that the garrison in Dunhuang will provide assistance if necessary."

"Thank you, Heavenly Khan!"

Just then, a commotion broke out in the nursery.

The servants guarding outside the nursery rushed in, cupped their hands, and said:

"Your Majesty, there is a disturbance!"

Li Shuang asked:

"who?"

"They are the sons of tribal khans. They have seized the warhorses from the horse farm, and more than a hundred riders are heading this way."

As he spoke, the guard reminded him:

"Your Majesty, the Nursery Garden is indefensible, and the enemy's strength is unknown. We only have a dozen or so men. We should move to the nearby buildings to hold the fort and bring reinforcements."

Li Shuang nodded.

Soon, the officials on duty in the nursery and Li Shuang's guards escorted Li Shuang into the building next to the nursery.

The walls of the inn were not high, and there were no ditches dug around it, but its elevated position was enough to block the cavalry's attack. Once the inn's doors were closed, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

But then, the cavalry outside began to charge.

"Your Majesty, please take refuge inside the house for now."

Li Shuang's guards, along with officials from the nursery, held the door shut, while the rest of the people hid inside the house.

Tuyuhun Renya was panting heavily from fleeing for his life, but Li Shuang looked quite relaxed.

"How did these thieves know that the Heavenly Khan was in the Nursery Garden? How were they able to find him so accurately?"

Li Shuang looked at Tuyuhun Renya and smiled:

"Aside from my own people, isn't it you who knew I was coming to the Nursery Garden today?"

Upon hearing this, Tuyuhun Renya's expression changed drastically, and he immediately knelt down.

"Heavenly Khan, I was not the one who leaked this information."

Li Shuang smiled and said:
"If it wasn't you, then there must be a traitor within."

At this moment, besides Li Shuang's two guards and Tuyuhun Renya, there was only a minor official from Miaopuyuan dressed in a blue official robe in the room.

While the other officials of the nursery were outside defending against the enemy, he took advantage of the chaos and followed them inside.

When the minor official saw Li Shuang looking at him, he revealed a fierce look and pulled out a dagger from his sleeve.

Inside the building, a Buddha statue is enshrined.

A person walked out from behind the Buddha statue.

"The King of Qin is indeed the King of Qin; under such circumstances, he found the traitor so quickly."

Heba Yue looked at Li Shuang and smiled.

Unlike Li Shuang, Heba Yue was wearing armor and carrying a long sword.

"King Xia, today is the day to avenge our humiliation!"

The minor official from the nursery quickly got into a fight with Li Shuang's two guards. He was quite skilled and held his own against them for a while.

Heba Yue did not rush to make a move; he was waiting for an opportunity.

In the past two years, his combat effectiveness in Chang'an has declined significantly, and Heba Yue is unaware of Li Shuang's combat effectiveness.

After all, Heba Yue had never seen him make a move.

Now, Li Shuang has fallen into his trap, but Heba Yue is not confident of winning in one strike.

But at the very least, Li Shuang must be seriously injured. That way, if the outside forces break in, Li Shuang won't be able to escape either.

Facing the completely focused Heba Yue, Li Shuang was completely exposed.

"You idiot, why did you have to go to such lengths?"

Hearing this, Heba Yue laughed and said:

"Such a golden opportunity, if it were you, wouldn't you seize it?"

"Indeed, if I were to die, the world would descend into chaos. But what does that have to do with you? Do you really expect to escape Guanzhong and rebuild your empire?"

Heba Yue's troops are gone, and even if he manages to escape Guanzhong, it will be difficult for him to rebuild his empire.

"A true man should at least be infamous for eternity if he cannot be remembered for good. How can I live out my days in peace on my sickbed? Kill me, and whether you are remembered for good or infamous for eternity, I, Heba Yue, will fight for it!"

Heba Yue said this, but he became increasingly nervous.

The minor official from the nursery who was fighting nearby, despite his superb skills, was not wearing armor. Even though he was fearless, he gradually became overwhelmed by the combined efforts of Li Shuang's two guards.

He didn't have much time left, but he still hadn't found the right moment to make a move.

Li Shuang seemed to have the door wide open, but she didn't leave Heba Yue any opening at all.

The key issue is that Li Shuang has another person by her side, and He Bayue is having some trouble controlling him.

"You are an envoy of Tuyuhun. Judging from your appearance, could you be a descendant of the Yuan clan?"

Upon hearing this, Tuyuhun Renya cupped his hands and said:
"My late mother was a member of the Yuan clan."

Such politeness made Heba Yue think to himself:
Another person from Luoyang!

"Since you are a descendant of the Yuan clan and a member of the Tuyuhun royal family, why don't you join me in killing Daye Shuang!"

Upon hearing this, Tuyuhun Renya was startled and cursed:

"How dare you speak such nonsense!"

Heba Yue smiled and said:
"Do you think that if Da Yeshuang lives, the hegemony of the Xianbei people, whether it be the Tuyuhun or the Yuan clan, will still exist? Sooner or later, the foundation of the Xianbei people will be swallowed up by Da Yeshuang."

Tuyuhun Renya was stunned. At that moment, he made an important decision.

He stood protectively in front of Li Shuang, facing Heba Yue directly.

This action enraged Heba Yue, who said:
What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?!

"Emperor Xiaowen's great cause exists because of the Heavenly Khan, and we will never allow you northerners to run rampant again!"

"..."

Heba Yue was speechless. He hadn't expected that now, these former elites of Luoyang hated not Li Shuang, the usurper, but them, the northerners.

Li Shuang didn't say much, but looked at Heba Yue and asked:

"Why don't you do it?"

Upon hearing this, Heba Yue frowned, but then saw Li Shuang take out a piece of silk cloth from his sleeve.

"Are you worried that you are no match for me, or are you waiting for reinforcements?"

Heba Yue was shocked to see the smile on Li Shuang's face.

This piece of silk is the pledge he made with everyone.

Just then, the gates of the residence burst open, and a group of armored soldiers rushed in. The minor official of the nursery was killed inside, still shouting before he died.

"King Xia, make your move!"

But upon hearing this, Heba Yue still dared not move.

A burst of laughter came from outside.

"Your Majesty, I have captured all those little brats."

As he spoke, Li Shoutian, the commander of the guards of the Prince of Qin's mansion, walked in, carrying several severed heads with him.

"Third Uncle, thank you for your trouble!"

Li Shoutian threw the head to the ground, and Heba Yue was shocked when he saw it.

These are all his hidden agents.

Then, the armored soldiers around Li Shoutian captured Heba Yue.

"Ohno Sō, kill me!"

As Li Shuang approached, he saw through Heba Yue's scheme.

“Killing you would be a grave crime for the Heba clan, and your two elder brothers would also be implicated, giving the Liang army an opportunity to take advantage. Is this your final plan?”

Seeing that Li Shuang had seen through his plan, Heba Yue sneered:
"You think that if you don't kill me, the wars in Sichuan and Henan will be peaceful? You're dreaming!"

Li Shuang shook his head and said:

"You are not worth so many people risking their lives for you. In any case, you can only fight the traitors as a loyal subject and die here."

Hearing Li Shuang's words, He Bayue felt a sense of powerlessness and helplessness, as if he were a puppet that he could not break free from.

……

(End of this chapter)