Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 429 The Way of the King Fails
Tuyuhun.

Fushi City!
Kua Lü climbed the tower and gazed upon the magnificent scenery of the Western Sea—

The sky is clear and blue, the sea is like a mirror, herdsmen sing, and cattle and sheep roam the fields.

This dazzling pearl on the plateau has nourished generations of Tuyuhun people, bringing them abundant meat, milk, salt, and wealth.

After defeating Fofu and taking control of Fusi City, Kualü became the Khan of Tuyuhun.

After unifying the Tuyuhun, Kualü became the most powerful ruler in the Hehuang region.

This joy even lessened the unease that arose after receiving unfavorable news from various places.

In Gaochang, the number of travelers from the Western Regions has decreased.

Fusi City was located at an important transportation hub on the Silk Road. If the number of merchants coming and going decreased, the wealth that Tuyuhun gained would also decrease.

This is undoubtedly disadvantageous for the newly appointed Khan, Khalil.

At first, Kualü thought that the natural disaster only affected Tuyuhun and the Western Regions, but later, through news brought by merchants along the Silk Road, he learned that both the Northern and Southern Dynasties were now in the midst of famine.

As a result, Kua Lü was no longer in a hurry.

Descending from the top floor, the next level is where the Khan conducts state affairs.

The room was small, but it was decorated quite exquisitely. Thick Persian carpets covered the floor, which were very soft to the touch. The thick walls were enough to keep out the midnight chill, and the lights that burned day and night in the room showed the owner's diligence.

This city, built by Fulianchou, the father of Kualü, is now the capital of Tuyuhun. However, compared to Luoyang and Jiankang, this newly built capital is not particularly magnificent.

Kualü, the Khan of Tuyuhun, often did not reside in the palace, but instead lived in his tent, leading his troops to patrol the surrounding areas.

This city was the warehouse of the Tuyuhun people, used to store wealth and food, and also their fortress to defend against enemies.

Tuyuhun Yaren was already waiting in the house. Before Kualu even entered the house, he saw the golden crown that Kualu had deliberately placed on the table.

After Kua Lü entered the house, a smile still lingered on his face.

Upon seeing Ya Ren, he waved to indicate that there was no need for further formalities.

What is the situation in Guanzhong?

This was the matter that Kualu cared about most.

Therefore, he specifically summoned Ya Ren, who was in Guanzhong, to inquire about the situation.

When Yaren returned and heard Kalyu's question, he shook his head.

"The situation is extremely bad!"

Upon hearing this, Kua Lü's lips curled up slightly, and he said:
How bad is it?

Ya Ren, oblivious to Kalyu's expression, continued speaking to himself:

"There is a severe drought in Guanzhong, and the drought is quite serious. It is feared that there will be no harvest this year. The King of Qin has relocated 20,000 households to Bashu. The people who have been relocated to Bashu have started a war with the local barbarians, and the war is at a stalemate. The tribes around Guanzhong are also unruly and have driven out the officials sent by Chang'an to fight for the livestock in the pastures and the grain in the granaries."

Ya Ren said with great concern:

"This severe drought will likely not ease for at least two or three years, and the situation in Guanzhong will become increasingly dire."

Kualu stroked the golden crown on the table and slowly said:

"Once, I, the Khan, and that traitor Fufu fought to the death for this golden crown. But now I have survived, entered this palace, and obtained this golden crown, yet it no longer shines brightly. Yaren, why do you think so?"

Tuyuhun Yaren was somewhat surprised upon hearing Kualü's words and said:
"I don't know."

"This golden crown was made by Sou Ohno."

Khalil turned around and looked at Yaren, his eyes revealing ambition.

"Why should the crown of my Tuyuhun be made by outsiders? Why should my Tuyuhun submit to the State of Wei and not dominate the Western Regions? Why should there be a Heavenly Khan above me, the Khan?"

Looking at Kalyu, whose ambition had been revealed, Yaren was at a loss for words and could only offer the following advice:

"Khan, our Tuyuhun and Yuan clans have been linked by marriage for generations, which is why we have been able to reside in this western border region and achieve our current prosperity. Once we become enemies and anger the Great Wei, we may have nowhere to live." After hearing this, Kualü burst into laughter. This laughter seemed to be mocking Yaren's naivety.

"Ya Ren, is the Great Wei still under the Yuan clan?"

Ya Ren was taken aback and speechless for a moment. Seeing this, Kua Lü continued:
"You say that Da Ye Shuang inherited Emperor Xiaowen's legacy, but how could a Han Chinese inherit Emperor Xiaowen's legacy, and why should he need to inherit Emperor Xiaowen's legacy? These arguments are nothing but wishful thinking from those barbarians whose lives have been destroyed by the northerners!"

Kualu looked at Yaren, his words as sharp as blades, and said:
"Do you know how I perceive Emperor Xiaowen's achievements?"

Ya Ren's heart was pounding, and sweat was unknowingly forming on his neck.

"how?"

“A perfectly good bunch of barbarians, insisting on pretending to be Han Chinese, and after pretending for a while, they don’t even know what their own surname is anymore.”

Upon hearing this, Ya Ren lost all color in his face, turning deathly pale. He wanted to refute it, but he was unable to refute Khalil's words.

Because Kua Lü was not the kind of person who would argue with him using classical allusions.

Ya Ren looked at Kua Lu and still advised:
"Khan, do not act rashly!"

"I'm calm."

Khalil walked to the side, took out a parchment letter from a wooden box, and walked up to Yaren.

“This is a letter from Anagui, the ruler of Rouran, which discusses the alliance.”

Ya Ren looked at the letter and murmured:
"The Rouran, Persians, and Tuyuhun formed an alliance to defeat the Hephthalites and divide the Western Regions?"

Ya Ren's pale face was filled with surprise as he stared blankly at Kalyu and asked:
"Khan, why are you showing this to me?"

Khalil grasped Yaren's hand and said:
“We are of the same race, and I need your help. Yaren, cast aside your unrealistic ideas and join me in strengthening the Tuyuhun.”

Ya Ren hesitated, but Kua Lu continued to speak fluently:
"The hatred in the heart of the Rouran ruler Anagui grows stronger every day, and he thinks of avenging himself every single day. He is physically in the Western Regions, but his heart is in the Chule River. If we join forces, we will take all the benefits of the Western Regions, and then we will look eastward and see how this Heavenly Khan will act as the Khan of all Khans?"

Ya Ren thought for a long time, then cupped his hands and said:

"Khan, please forgive me for not being able to accompany you!"

Kua Lü's face, which had been filled with extreme excitement, suddenly froze, and he asked:

"Why?"

"Khan, you don't understand why Emperor Xiaowen wanted to reform the system and make the Xianbei people learn from the Han people, and you don't understand how terrifying that Heavenly Khan is."

Kua Lü, puzzled, scoffed:

"The situation he faces now, as you taught me, is one of being besieged on all sides. What else can he do?"

"The army in Guanzhong follows the system of the Qin and Han dynasties, and all its soldiers are like tigers and wolves."

Ya Ren bowed deeply and said:
"If the Khan truly cares for Tuyuhun, we must not provoke him now. If we become enemies with the King of Qin, it may bring disaster upon Tuyuhun."

As soon as Ya Ren finished speaking, Kua Lu's lips twitched, and he said:

"You're too late!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than shouts rang out from outside.

"Khan, urgent report!"

"how?"

"Yang Kan led 8,000 troops into Shanzhou, captured two of my cities, killed 3,000 of my soldiers, and seized countless cattle and sheep."

Veins bulged on Kualü's face.

……

(End of this chapter)