Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 462 I Want to See Him
Taicheng.

"Your Highness, please calm your anger!"

Xiao Gang walked through the main hall, his whole body radiating anger.

Liu Jin tried to persuade him, but Xiao Gang couldn't help but feel a surge of anger rising within him.

"Xiao Zhengde, that traitor, colludes with foreign enemies and has now even moved into the Eastern Palace. Does he deserve to be the Crown Prince of Liang?!"

The Eastern Palace is located next to the Imperial City, and it was only completed a few years ago. Now, Xiao Gang has barely lived there for a short time, but Xiao Zhengde has already moved in, which makes Xiao Gang extremely angry.

Liu Jin was also somewhat helpless.

Everyone knows that Xiao Zhengde is unworthy, but who has been so lenient with him for so many years, even to the point of holding a high position and colluding with foreign enemies?

Unable to dissuade him, Liu Jin, unable to vent his pent-up anger, roared:

"Summon the soldiers in the palace and prepare bows, arrows, and oil."

When Xiao Gang said this, all the officials of the Crown Prince's residence in the west hall were shocked.

"Your Highness, the nation is in peril. At this time, it is of utmost importance to avoid trouble. If we set fire to the Eastern Palace, wouldn't that give others a pretext to criticize us?"

"The charcoal and firewood in the city are mostly purchased from outside the city and are quite valuable. If a large amount of flammable materials are used for this matter, it may cause resentment among the people and be detrimental to the Crown Prince's reputation."

……

Despite everyone's attempts to persuade him, Xiao Gang angrily retorted:

“You make it sound so easy. Xiao Zhengde doesn’t live in your house.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Gang realized he had spoken out of turn.

Seeing the disappointment in his subordinates' eyes, Xiao Gang wanted to say something to salvage the situation, but he didn't know how to put it into words.

Just then, Xiao Yan's decree arrived.

Xiao Yan wanted to find Liu Jin. Taking this opportunity, Xiao Gang also dismissed everyone else.

Just then, Xiao Gang's attendant slowly approached and whispered in his ear:
"Your Highness, someone wishes to see you."

"Who?"

"Hou Jing!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Gang's expression changed drastically.

After the initial shock, Xiao Gang quickly calmed down and said:

"I see!"

……

Xiao Gang and Hou Jing had met in Hanzhong years ago, so they were old acquaintances.

Xiao Gang never imagined that one day he would meet Hou Jing again in Taicheng through a secret meeting.

Xiahou Kui was in charge of the defense of Taicheng, but Xiao Gang was the nominal commander-in-chief and participated in the defense.

It couldn't be simpler for Xiao Gang to want to meet someone who came from outside the city.

Looking at that face, Xiao Gang disliked it less and less, but he had to endure it.

"Wan Jing, why has the King of Qin summoned you to see me?"

Hou Jing chuckled, a kind and honest expression on his face.

"Your Highness, the King sent me to tell you that he is leaving."

Hou Jing's words struck Xiao Gang like a thunderbolt, leaving him stunned. For a moment, he trembled slightly.

"Is this not a joke?"

Hou Jingdao:
"Your Highness, what are you saying? When has my king ever broken his promise to you?"

Xiao Gang sneered:
"What was the meaning behind the King of Qin's decision to bring Xiao Zhengde into the Eastern Palace?"

"Your Highness is unaware that Xiao Zhengde is detestable, but His Majesty is reluctant to punish him because of his great contributions. His Majesty is worried about Your Highness; once he leaves, will Your Highness's position as Crown Prince remain secure?"

Xiao Gang frowned, but Hou Jing continued:

"Your Highness must know that Xiao Yi and Xiao Ji have already fallen out over the military power of the 100,000-strong army. Xiao Lun and Xiao Xu are also gathering troops, and your nephew Xiao Cha is also making moves in Kuaiji, not far from Jiankang. You must know that the throne of Great Liang should rightfully belong to their lineage." Xiao Gang grew increasingly agitated and asked:

"what do you want to say?"

"With my king here, Jiankang will be different. Even if he leaves, Liang will never be the same again. Your Highness, don't forget how your father seized the throne of Qi. Xiao Lun, Xiao Xu, Xiao Yi, Xiao Ji—whoever won would lead an army down the river and march straight to Jiankang. At that time, will Your Highness be able to stop them?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Gang suddenly realized that Hou Jing's words might actually come true.

Li Shuang led 5,000 cavalrymen into Jiankang, which shocked the world, but it did not change the fact that the Northern Dynasty was weak under the natural disaster.

The population of Guanzhong was halved, the barbarians of Bashu rebelled, refugees rose up in Qi and Ju, and the military strength of Henan was depleted.

It is impossible for Li Shuang to organize an army of 200,000 to march south and completely destroy the Southern Liang Dynasty in a short period of time.

Moreover, the Southern Liang's main force was not in Jiankang, not that it had no main force.

With 100,000 imperial guards, plus the garrison troops of important towns such as Xiangyang, Jiangling, Wuchang, Changsha, Nanchang, and Jiujiang, the total force exceeded 200,000.

This doesn't even include the troops stationed in remote areas like Lingnan.

As the crown prince, Xiao Gang was naturally aware of the situation in Southern Liang.

For the Southern Liang dynasty, the fact that it couldn't be destroyed immediately was undoubtedly fortunate.

But for Xiao Gang, this was not good news.

Because these troops are not under his control, and they could become a sharp sword at any time, wielded by those who control them towards Jiankang and towards him.

Just like the old stories that have been happening in the Southern Dynasties for more than two hundred years.

"His Majesty says that the longer the current situation drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for Your Highness. Your Highness's enemy is not His Majesty, but Your Highness's brothers and nephews outside the palace, and the one currently sitting on the throne!"

"you!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Gang was furious, but he did not refute it. He simply asked:
"What does the King of Qin want?"

"Your Majesty can help His Highness ascend the throne. Once seated on this throne, His Highness can issue commands and control Jiangdong, Yuzhang, Jingnan, Jian'an, and even Lingnan. He can also win the hearts of the 100,000 Imperial Guards."

How can I believe it?

“Your Highness, consider this: if my king were to bring Xiao Xu into Jiankang, would he be unable to sit on the throne? My king is willing to help Your Highness because of our past friendship.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Gang laughed and said:
"If the King of Qin gives me Xiao Zhengde's head, I will believe him."

"Your Highness, rest assured, my king will give Xiao Zhengde to you."

……

"His Majesty!"

Inside the palace, Zhu Yi hurriedly found Xiao Yan and reported the latest situation.

"The Crown Prince met with the King of Qin's envoy."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan asked:
"how?"

"After meeting the Crown Prince, the messenger left the palace."

Zhu Yi had hoped that Xiao Yan would be furious upon hearing the news.

When the King of Qin's envoy met Xiao Gang, he neither killed him nor bound him and sent him to Xiao Yan, which was enough to show his disloyalty.

Strangely, Xiao Yan's state at this moment was quite unusual; there wasn't a trace of anger on his face. Zhu Yi had been by Xiao Yan's side for many years and had never seen him like this before.

After the helplessness and sorrow, there was a kind of open-mindedness that Zhu Yi couldn't understand.

"My son is also in league with the King of Qin, what can I do about it?"

Xiao Yan slowly rose from his throne and said:
"He went to great lengths to get all my closest and most trusted people on my side. What a Qin King! What a Heavenly Khan!"

Hearing that familiar voice, Zhu Yi thought Xiao Yan was angry, but the next moment he said:

"Didn't the King of Qin wish to pay his respects to me? I will see him!"

……

(End of this chapter)