Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 466 Is Ohno Sou still a kind person?

Chapter 466 Is Ohno Sou still a kind person?
Hefei.

Xiao Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the imperial edict from Jiankang.

These days, Xiao Fan has been on tenterhooks, not knowing what to do. While the other members of the Xiao family have been expanding their territories in the past few months, he has not dared to make a move, not even daring to leave the city.

Hefei is not a large city, but its location is quite crucial.

Xiao Fan wanted to leave, but he couldn't.

"His Majesty is going to Luoyang, so what about us?"

The eunuch from the Eastern Palace, who came from Jiankang, had powdered face and a fawning smile.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is overseeing the state and has specially summoned the Prince of Poyang back to the capital for another important post."

Just then, Wei Can and Chen Zhao arrived together.

One was Wei Rui's grandson, and the other was Chen Qingzhi's son; both were loyal ministers of the Southern Liang Dynasty.

Their arrival made the atmosphere tense. Just as Xiao Fan was about to speak, Wei Can said:
"Is it true that His Majesty has gone north to Luoyang?"

Wei Can was no longer young, over forty, and quite temperamental. Furthermore, Wei Can was a confidant of Xiao Gang, so the eunuch sent by Xiao Gang from the Eastern Palace dared not offend him, and said with a fawning smile:
"Lord Yongchang, this matter is indeed true. There were three thousand nobles who accompanied His Majesty on his journey north, along with more than a hundred families of various surnames, plus the accompanying artisans, palace maids, and soldiers, totaling more than three hundred thousand people."

Upon hearing this, Wei Can sneered:

"Are all 300,000-plus people going to Luoyang?"

"this!"

This palace eunuch clearly knew the inside story, but after hearing Wei Can's words, he didn't know how to respond for a moment.

But Wei Can had no intention of waiting any longer. Quietly, the sword at his waist was placed on the eunuch's shoulder. The eunuch was immediately startled and trembled.

"Say!"

"The King of Qin said that Henan has been ravaged by war for a long time, and its prefectures and counties are empty. Many of these people should be settled in the various prefectures and counties of Henan to strengthen the province."

Wei Can put down his sword, suddenly burst into laughter, a mournful laugh, and said:
"Your Highness, how could you be so foolish? You're going to leave a bad name for yourself in the world!"

……

Baidi City.

Since Xiao Ji and Xiao Yi broke off relations, Xiao Ji lifted the siege of Jiangzhou City and moved his headquarters to Baidi City.

Since Xiao Ji led his army to attack Bashu, although he has not captured the north and south cities of Jiangzhou, he has seized a lot of Bashu land to the south and north along the waterways around Jiangzhou.

Today, Xiao Ji's territory spans thousands of miles. However, this vast land is mostly mountainous terrain, and the newly expanded territory cannot provide sufficient supplies to support his 100,000-strong army.

During the months of confrontation with Xiao Yi, as logistical supplies dwindled, many soldiers sailed down the river and sought refuge in Jiangling.

Jiangling has always been an important town in Jingxiang. Xiao Yi, who controls Jiangling, has enough leverage to slowly wear down Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji also sensed that he was losing the support of his subordinates.

"Lord Heba, it was just as you said back then."

Xiao Ji was filled with regret. If He Basheng had said what he had said, he might not be waiting to die like this now.

Hebasheng felt no emotion; in fact, he even wanted to laugh.

As a seasoned general who had been through many battles, he had traveled all the way to Shu and seen the terrain. He knew in his heart the outcome of the confrontation between Xiao Ji and Xiao Yi.

With Jiangzhou and Jiangling blocking both ends, and the land occupied by Xiao Ji being a narrow and cramped valley along the river, only by breaking through as soon as possible can there be any chance of victory.

Jiangzhou is difficult to attack, so we must start by focusing our efforts on Jiangling.

Hebasheng did not believe that the Southern Liang generals in Xiao Ji's army would not be able to see through it.

But they didn't say anything. Why?
Because both Xiao Ji and Xiao Yi were sons of Emperor Liang, it didn't matter who they were with.

Therefore, after Xiao Ji and Xiao Yi broke off relations, Xiao Ji sent troops to attack, but the generals and soldiers only gave perfunctory responses.

Ironically, Xiao Ji only realized it now.

Though inwardly disdainful, Hebasheng spoke gently:

“Prince Wuling, there is no need to worry so much; things have not come to this.”

Hebasheng's words rekindled Xiao Ji's hope, and he asked:

"Does Lord Heba have a plan?"

Hebasheng nodded and said:
"Given the current situation, it is impossible for Your Majesty to control this army of 100,000. With 100,000 troops stationed along the counties and prefectures along the river, it is difficult to maintain the position for long. Many deserters have fled, and the generals cannot control them. Your Majesty can only now announce Xiao Yi's evil deeds to the other kings."

Xiao Ji hesitated for a moment after hearing this, and asked:

"But will this work?"

“Xiao Yi is stubborn but values his reputation. If we don’t do this, we may not be able to force him to back down.”

Xiao Ji sighed and said:

"That's all we can do." ...

Chengdu.

Han Ling looked at the message coming from afar and let out a wild laugh.

Li Shenggui, standing to the side, looked at Han Ling with some curiosity and asked:

"Why are you so happy, sir? I gave you ten beauties back then and you never looked like this."

"Xiao Ji wrote a proclamation, announcing Xiao Yi's evil deeds and revealing his disloyal intentions."

Li Shenggui listened without showing any interest, picked up his teacup, and took a sip of tea.

"Xiao Yi is stationed in Jiangling and controls the waterways. Many of Xiao Ji's 100,000 troops have deserted. Now, Xiao Ji is no match for Xiao Yi. What's the use of writing a proclamation?"

Han Ling, however, revealed a strange smile, stroked his beard, and said:

“King Chenliu, consider this: these 100,000 troops are the Liang Kingdom’s imperial guards, serving Jiankang. Due to circumstances, they are forced to submit to Xiao Yi’s command. As long as the people in Jiankang have any sense and want to reclaim their military power from Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi cannot stop them.”

Li Shengui was even more puzzled and asked:

Why are you so happy, sir?

Han Ling spoke in a deep voice:

"I am merely laughing at the Lanling Xiao Clan's hegemonic ambitions, which will likely decline from this point onward."

"This isn't funny at all!"

Li Shengui muttered something.

As the cold wind blew, Li Shengui looked at Han Ling and felt that the old man's sharpness was even more intense, which made Li Shengui somewhat afraid.

……

Winter of the third year of the Datong era.

With the surrender of the garrison in Hefei, the Jianghuai region was completely stabilized. The emperor of Daliang stepped out of the capital and, surrounded by armored soldiers, arrived at the banks of the Huai River.

On the Vermilion Bird Voyage, dozens of large ships were already waiting.

Many residents of Jiankang were watching from both sides of the Imperial Street.

Some were just there for the spectacle, others were genuinely worried, and still others, loyal and righteous, were prepared to risk their lives.

Xiao Yan's mind was calm at this moment, without the slightest ripple.

He ignored the commotion of the crowd around Zhuquehang, only glancing back once before boarding the ship.

The straight Imperial Street runs from Zhuque Gate all the way to Xuanyang Gate.

The majestic palace in the distance was faintly visible.

Looking back, it was here that Xiao Yan led his troops into Jiankang, and witnessed the collapse of the Great Qi dynasty. He then rebuilt the state on the ruins of the Southern Qi.

Time flies, and everything has changed.

Xiao Bing, standing nearby, whispered a reminder.

"Your Majesty, watch out for the steps."

This wasn't the first time Xiao Yan had seen Xiao Bing; he always felt that Xiao Bing looked somewhat familiar, but he just couldn't remember where he was.

"Have I seen you before?"

"As an envoy, I have met Your Majesty."

"Didn't I mean that time, when I saw you before?"

Xiao Bing lowered his head slightly and said slowly:

"When Your Majesty entered Jiankang, destroyed the Great Qi dynasty, and executed my family, you may have met me."

Xiao Yan's eyes widened in surprise, mixed with a hint of fear.

"You...you really are..."

"I do not need the surname bestowed upon me by the King of Linhe; my original surname is Xiao."

Xiao Yan panicked and lost his balance, almost falling into the water, but was caught by Xiao Bing.

"Your Majesty need not do this. I am a subject of the King of Qin and would not do anything to harm Your Majesty."

After a brief moment of surprise upon hearing this, Xiao Yan suddenly burst into laughter.

"The King of Qin has truly gone to great lengths!"