Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 416 Force Cannot Solve Problems
The sky is blue, the clouds are white, and a gentle breeze is blowing.

In Gao Qian's manor, servants took fresh honey from the beehives, mixed it into honey water, and delivered it to Gao Qian's courtyard.

At this moment, Feng Longzhi, who had just returned from Li Shuang's place, was talking non-stop, attracting the attention of the servant who brought the honey water.

“I argued with Ohno Sō until he realized he was wrong and apologized to me.”

Gao Qian looked at Feng Longzhi suspiciously and asked:

What happened to the bruises on your face?

Feng Longzhi opened his mouth, his facial muscles aching slightly.

"It's nothing, I bumped into it by accident."

"Really?"

"That's natural!"

Seeing Feng Longzhi's appearance, Gao Qian didn't press the matter further and instead asked:
"What about the imperial court's summons for me to come to court?"

"Ohno Sō said we can wait a bit!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Qian was delighted and took a sip of the honey water.

Gao Qian didn't not want to go to Luoyang, but only if the emperor was Yuan Ziyou. His relationship with the Luoyang court was established during Yuan Ziyou's time. When he led his troops to capture Xindu, he also used the pretext of acting on Yuan Ziyou's last edict.

Gao Qian was a close friend of Yuan Ziyou, but a complete stranger to Yuan Baoju.

If Gao Qian had gone to Luoyang at this time, he would have been completely unfamiliar with the place and people, and would have been at Li Shuang's mercy.

Even if one is granted a high position like Attendant-in-Ordinary, what good is it? The emperor in Luoyang doesn't care about anything, nor does he want to. A position like Attendant-in-Ordinary, where one can see the emperor at any time, is completely useless.

Yuan Baoju's words at the grand court assembly in Luoyang spread throughout the land. Everyone knew that in Luoyang, the emperor, the prime minister, the grand commander, and the minister of work were gathered together, looking at the spectacle, but in reality, only one person was in charge.

Governor of Sizhou!
Gao Qian took a sip of honey water, put down the white porcelain bowl in his hand, and his mood became heavy again.

"What does Ohno Sawa want?"

Feng Longzhi coughed, somewhat embarrassed to speak, but looking at Gao Qian with a different gaze, he said:
"Do you know about the more than four hundred ships that Ohno Sō brought from Luoyang?"

"What's the matter?"

"Each ship can carry six hundred shi of grain!"

Gao Qian's expression was unpleasant, and Feng Longzhi, unsure how to comfort him, said:

"Ohno said, let's just round it down."

Gao Qian couldn't sit still any longer; his expression changed drastically, and even the honey water he had just drunk didn't taste sweet anymore.

"Two hundred thousand shi of grain! And they even rounded it down! Should I thank them?!"

Gao Qian paced back and forth in the courtyard, still fuming, but finally decided to give in.

"Therefore, transfer 200,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) from the Xindu granary to him."

Feng Longzhi wore an awkward smile, which infuriated Gao Qian.

"Zu Yi, can't you just say everything at once?!"

"You're the one who told me to say that!"

"Say!"

“It’s not appropriate for you to take grain from the government’s granaries to do your own thing, is it?”

Gao Qian's mouth dropped open, and he suddenly felt that Feng Longzhi in front of him was a complete stranger.

What do you mean?

Seeing that Gao Qian was on the verge of losing his temper, Feng Longzhi quickly said:

"This isn't what I said, it's what Ohno Sō said."

Gao Qian was very irritated and asked:
"What exactly does he mean?!"

"Isn't it obvious? You do your own thing and spend your own money!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Qian sat down abruptly, pondered for a long time, and then said:
What does he need so much grain for?

"He planned to transport them to Cangzhou to settle the 30,000 households under his Qin Prince's command."

Gao Qian's heart, which had been calmed down, surged again upon hearing these words.

"Da Yeshuang wants to win people's hearts and spend my money? Doesn't he also have hundreds of thousands of shi of grain in Dingzhou, and raise 200,000 cattle and sheep? Why doesn't he transport them himself!"

Feng Longzhi smiled and said something that Gao Qian could neither refute nor accept.

“Ono Sawa is different from you. He’s not the kind of person who spends his own money to do his own thing!”

"..."

Looking at Feng Longzhi, Gao Qian felt an even stronger sense of unfamiliarity. Without thinking, Gao Qian reached out and touched Feng Longzhi's cheek, causing the latter to wince in pain.

"Tell me, who are you, and what are my ancestors?"

Feng Longzhi was shaken by Gao Qian, and it hurt.

"Qian Yong, don't joke around! Who else could I be but Feng Longzhi?"

"Then how come you changed so quickly after just one visit to Ohno Sawa, becoming a completely different person?"

"What are you talking about? This isn't a change. I just think what Ohno Sawa said makes sense."

Just as Gao Qian was dumbfounded, Feng Longzhi slowly said:
“Now is the time for spring plowing. Where is it more convenient to transport goods from Dingzhou to Cangzhou than from Jizhou? This would save the people trouble and reduce losses.”

Gao Qian wanted to say something, but in the end, he swallowed it all and asked:
"Anymore?"

"If you provide the grain, you won't need to go to Luoyang; if he takes the grain, he'll have to go to Cangzhou. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone could live in peace?"

Gao Qian was puzzled as to how Feng Longzhi had become so understanding, and his anger turned into a sense of melancholy.

“Your ancestors have suffered so much.”

Feng Longzhi waved his hand and instructed:
"It's alright, it's all for Jizhou! Give them the grain as soon as possible. As you said, it's better to give it yourself than for them to come. Otherwise, these hundreds of ships will have to make more than one trip."

Upon hearing this, Gao Qian's expression changed drastically, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying:
"Thank you, ancestors!"

Feng Longzhi nodded, turned and left, stopping every few steps. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he turned back and said:

"Qian Yong, you have a quick temper, don't be impulsive."

Gao Qian nodded, and after seeing Feng Longzhi, he deeply understood a principle.

Force cannot solve problems!

……

Youzhou.

A dark room was filled with the stench of blood.

"Tell me, did you collude with those people from Wuchuan, falsely report military intelligence, exaggerate battle results, and intend to deceive the imperial court and the Prince of Qin!"

The bound man was still wearing his blue official robe, which was covered in filth. Facing the horde of ravenous Huai Shuo people, he had no way to express his suffering.

"This humble official was greedy and only detained two female slaves."

Upon hearing this, Wei Jing angrily said:

"Are you just being greedy?!"

Seeing that Wei Jing was about to step forward and crack the whip, Sun Teng quickly stopped him, telling Wei Jing not to stray from the main topic.

“Zhang Shouli, why are you doing this? Do you think that by stubbornly resisting, those behind you can protect your wife and children? You should confess all their crimes, and then I can secure you an official position in Yecheng so you can take care of your parents, wife, and children.”

"If I don't trust them, why would I trust you Huai Shuo people?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Jing lashed the whip a few more times.

"You're still being stubborn, tell me now!"

Upon seeing this, Sun Teng went outside. Sima Ziru was outside and ordered the soldiers to take away all those who had paid the ransom.

Upon seeing Sun Teng emerge, Sima Ziru asked:

"How is it?"

“They’re still holding on!” Sun Teng said, then added, “What about your end?”

"We just collected five hundred bolts of silk and released that scoundrel from the Wu-series."

Sun Teng clicked his tongue after hearing this and said:
"They're just small fry, nothing interesting. Why don't we just go and cause trouble for those Wuchuan people?"

Sima Ziru advised:

"Have you forgotten that Yuwen Tai is in the south? If you cause trouble for the Wuchuan people, will he not come after us?"

Sun Teng suppressed his eagerness and said:

"What about He Liuhun?"

"He's fishing for a big fish over there!"

Unlike the blood-soaked courtyard and back quarters, the main hall of the front residence was remarkably quiet. Since that night outside Ye City when Liu Lingzhu tricked Gao Huan, he hadn't had much contact with him. But now, Liu Lingzhu had no choice but to come here to see Gao Huan.

"How is He Liuhun?"

Liu Lingzhu brought mare's milk wine from the north. Gao Huan held it to his nose, smelled it, and laughed:

"It's been so long since I've had such authentic mare's milk wine. You're so thoughtful."

"He Liuhun is truly an expert!"

Gao Huan accepted the mare's milk wine and said:
"The governor has come, so there's no need for such formalities!"

"We all come from the north and now serve under the King of Qin. These small gifts are not worth mentioning."

Liu Lingzhu, as if he were an old friend of Gao Huan, sat down next to him and said with a smile:

"I heard that He Liuhun arrested several members of the Lu family from Fanyang?"

Gao Huan smiled and said:
"You know about this too?"

"They're all young people, and it's inevitable that they'll make some mistakes. Let's be forgiving when we can!"

Gao Huan smiled slightly but did not reply.

Seeing this, Liu Lingzhu changed the subject and said:

"I heard that He Liuhun has been appointed as the ambassador for the Liaodong campaign?"

"It's all thanks to the King of Qin's favor that I was ordered to raise funds from the people to prepare for the conquest of Liaodong. That's what I'm worrying about right now!"

"Everyone knows He Liuhun's loyalty and righteousness. In the land of Youyan, a group of noble families have raised 100,000 shi of grain, 10,000 bolts of cloth, and 1,000 warhorses, which they are willing to offer to the court. I wonder what He Liuhun thinks?"

“I am aware of the loyalty and righteousness of the people, and I will certainly report to the court to reward the noble families.”

After Gao Huan finished speaking, he added:
"I've thought about it, and what you said makes sense. Young people are bound to make mistakes. You should take them back and let General Lu discipline them properly!"

"Thank you, He Liuhun."

Liu Lingzhu showed no sign of leaving, looking at Gao Huan without saying a word.

"Anything else?"

Liu Lingzhu moved even closer and lowered his voice.

"He Liuhun, I heard you arrested a registrar surnamed Zhang?"

"That's right, he embezzled military funds and is being interrogated. What, does this have to do with you?"

Liu Lingzhu quickly waved his hand and said:
"I am the Prefect of Yanzhou, and he is the Registrar of Anzhou. How can we be related?"

"Then why are you asking him?"

"I've heard that this man is cunning and treacherous, and he's used to framing others and harming his colleagues. He's not a very good person. He Liuhun, you must not believe his false accusations."

Gao Huan smiled and said:
"Is that so?"

Liu Lingzhu said:

"He Liuhun has had a long and arduous journey to the north. Someone is willing to offer five hundred gold coins to reward He Liuhun and his brothers."

"In that case, wait for my news!"

Liu Lingzhu took his leave, and Gao Huan stood up and walked to the side.

The sliding door connecting the side room opened, and Zhang Shouli was thrown to the ground, his body covered in wounds and his eyes filled with despair.

Gao Huan looked at him and smiled:

"Having survived this long, you're quite a brave and loyal warrior. I've heard your head is worth five hundred gold coins. How does that make you feel?"

Looking at Gao Huan's handsome face, Zhang Shouli said:

"Take my head and exchange it for gold!"

Gao Huan, however, said:
“Your head is valuable, but I don’t want to trade it for. It would be a real waste to kill a brave warrior like you. If you confess, I will find you a position in Ye City and settle your wife and children. I will never go back on my word.”

After a long silence, Zhang Shouli asked:

"Why do you intend to stir up such a storm in the land of Youyan?"

"Is this something you should know?!"

Wei Jing shouted from behind, but Gao Huan waved his hand and said:

"He is insatiably greedy!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shouli laughed.

"Ten thousand bushels of grain, ten thousand bolts of cloth, a thousand warhorses, and five hundred gold coins—is that not enough to feed you?"

Gao Huan stood up, displaying remarkable composure. Zhang Shouli, who had been beaten several times and harbored resentment, saw Gao Huan's sincerity and his anger subsided considerably.

"It's enough to feed me, but alas, it's only enough to feed me."

Zhang Shouli looked at Gao Huan, seemingly understanding the meaning behind his words, and decided to take the gamble.

"Okay, let me help you!"

……

Xiangzhou.

A dark room was filled with the stench of blood.

"Speak! What's the story behind this deficit? Did you collude with those Huai Shuo people to deceive the court and the King of Qin?"

The person who was tied up was a fat man, and upon hearing this, he felt greatly wronged.

"The deficit in the accounts wasn't caused by me alone; the bulk of it was left behind by the previous administrations."

Upon hearing this, Liu Liang, a general under Yuwen Tai, laughed.

"Then you can leave after you give me the names of the previous ones and confess their crimes."

After Liu Liang finished speaking, the fat man fell silent.

Liu Liang gave a wink, and the people around him started hitting him.

However, this seemingly weak fat man was surprisingly tough despite being subjected to severe torture.

The door opened, and Yuwen Tai walked in from outside, followed by a woman.

Upon seeing the bound fat man, the girl immediately embraced him.

"Father, save me!"

The fat man finally panicked, looking at his daughter who had been brought back, and roared:

"What are you trying to do? She's still young, what does it have to do with her! Don't involve her family, you bunch of beasts! What exactly do you want?"

Despite the insults, Yuwen Tai remained calm and coldly replied:

"What else can happen? It's just that your lineage is enslaved and your women are prostitutes!"

Facing Yuwen Tai's relentless advance, the fat man felt immense pressure.

"I know you were once a brave general on the battlefield, and after so many years in this fertile land, your pride hasn't completely crumbled. If you can endure it, what about your children?"

Yuwentai's words were like sharp knives, piercing straight into the fat man's heart.

"When your former colleagues visit brothels and see your wives, concubines, and children working as slaves and prostitutes there, can they still act the same way as before?"

"you you……"

Yuwentai's coldness made him feel suffocated, and he lost the will to struggle.

"Release them, and I'll tell you everything."

"it is good!"

The fat man looked at Yuwentai and said:

“I believe what you, Yuwen Heita, say.”

……

outside the house.

"My lord, a letter has arrived from Youzhou. The Huai Shuo people are wreaking havoc in the Youyan region. What should we do?"

Yuwen Tai put his hands behind his back and smiled.

"What else can we do but avenge them?"

A subtle smile appeared on Liu Liang's face as he said:

"I understand!"

……

(End of this chapter)