Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 495 Don't keep saying things people can't understand.
In the Prince of Qin's residence, Li Shuang gathered Xiao Ji, Hebasheng, and the officials of Southern Liang together.

Inside the palace, Xiao Ji and the other officials of Southern Liang felt somewhat awkward.

Kehebasheng, however, was quite composed, or to be more precise, somewhat numb.

This was not the first time Hebasheng had visited the Prince of Qin's residence, but now, everything had changed.

Heba Yun and Heba Yue are no longer alive. According to the official characterization, one is a criminal who committed treason, and the other is a loyal minister who protected his lord.

Past grievances and grudges were no longer important to Hebasheng at this moment.

Before the Six Garrisons Rebellion, the Heba clan was already a renowned family in the north, its power and prestige resounding throughout the surrounding regions. But now, after traveling a great distance, Heba Sheng has returned all alone.

The Northerners were already weak in Luoyang, and they had no foundation in Southern Liang. Now, their desire to establish themselves in Chang'an was entirely due to their ability to persuade Xiao Ji and their past relationship.

His former brothers and even his subordinates and juniors have all now surpassed Hebasheng.

"I have already petitioned the Emperor to allow the Prince of Wuling to retain his title and establish his own government office. The court can provide for all his expenses."

Giving someone a title isn't a big deal. But giving them money is a different story.

Upon hearing Li Shuang's words, Xiao Ji no longer cared which emperor Li Shuang was referring to and immediately expressed his gratitude.

"Your Majesty and the King of Qin are deeply grateful for your great kindness!"

Xiao Ji bowed, and his subordinates followed. However, the unpredictable Hebasheng was a step slower in his movements.

Noticing Li Shuang's gaze, Hebasheng hurriedly offered a salute.

"Prince Wuling, there's no need for this!"

Li Shuang helped Xiao Ji up and then asked:

"The world is in chaos and the barbarians are restless. If I wish to bring peace to the land, I need a talented man like Prince Wuling by my side to offer advice at any time. I wonder if Prince Wuling would be willing to condescend to enter my Qin King's palace and serve as my advisor?"

Everyone was a little surprised.

It's not that the request is unreasonable, but rather that it's unusually generous.

For a moment, not only Xiao Ji, but also his subordinates were somewhat surprised.

This is someone I consider a close confidant, someone I use to advise on confidential matters!
In this Northern Dynasty, countless people desired this position but could not obtain it.

Now, Li Shuang has actually given it to Xiao Ji like this.

"Your Majesty, I thank you greatly!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Ji led his ministers away, but Li Shuang called out to Hebasheng.

Xiao Ji and the others didn't take it to heart, since they were all old acquaintances anyway.

However, He Basheng was filled with uncertainty, unsure of how Li Shuang would treat him.

Li Shuang walked to Hebasheng's side, took a slight step forward, and looked at Xiao Ji and the others, muttering:
"This Prince of Wuling is very talented, but it's a pity he's a bit petty!"

Hearing this, Hebasheng nodded slightly, but when he realized where he was, he dared not move again.

"I heard that Po Hu blocked Wang Sengbian for him, but he didn't give Po Hu the gold he promised?"

Looking at Li Shuang, He Basheng didn't know whether to say it or not, but in the end, he nodded.

"Therefore, I grant it!"

Hebasheng raised his head and looked at Li Shuang, feeling a strange mix of emotions.

Li Shuang's words and actions have already represented too much.

"Your Majesty, I thank you greatly!"

Upon seeing this, Li Shuang smiled slightly.

"There's no need for that. Your title and fiefdom in the court will remain unchanged."

Upon hearing this, Hebasheng felt a surge of emotion, almost bringing tears to his eyes. Even with the hardest heart, after so many years of wandering, Hebasheng couldn't help but feel a longing to return home.

Seeing Hebasheng's expression, Li Shuang took his hand and said:
“Po Hu, do you know that Yuwen Tai, Gao Huan, and Hou Jing are all in Liaodong right now?” Hebasheng shook his head; he truly didn’t know. He had been in Baidi City for years, and now that he had suddenly headed north, Li Shenggui in Chengdu couldn’t possibly tell him about Liaodong.

"What do you think we should do if we want to attack Goguryeo and recover Liaodong?"

Upon hearing this, Hebasheng said directly:
"Goguryeo's military preparedness is similar to that of China, with many mountain fortresses. If you want to attack them, you should prepare weapons and rich clothing."

Hebasheng's character was questionable, but his military skills were undeniable; he pinpointed the key point in a single sentence.

"The best course of action is to select elite troops to lure them out and annihilate them in one fell swoop. In this way, Liaodong can be secured. Otherwise, it will inevitably drag on for a long time and it will be difficult to achieve complete success."

Li Shuang nodded and said:

"In order to recover Liaodong, I have established three towns west of the Liao River. In addition, I have ordered Murong Shaozong to build warships in Guang Prefecture for transportation purposes. However, there is one place that I cannot be at ease about."

Upon hearing this, Hebasheng cupped his hands and said:
"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"

"The North!"

Li Shuang's eyes held a sharp glint.

"I have summoned the Tiele tribes of the northern desert, but Yujiulütahan is unable to resist them. After the Tiele tribes moved south, they plundered the Rouran's pastures and livestock. I need someone to go to Rouran to intimidate the Tiele tribes."

Hearing this, Hebasheng understood.

"Your Majesty wishes to send me!"

Li Shuang nodded and asked:
What do you think of breaking through the Hu?

Hebasheng took a deep breath, looked at Li Shuang, and after a long while, cupped his hands and said:
"Your subject is willing to go!"

Li Shuang smiled and said:
"Therefore, I hereby appoint Po Hu as the Chancellor of the Rouran Kingdom, the Grand Protector of the Shanyu, and the General Who Conquers the North."

Hebasheng was surprised after hearing this.

Prime Minister of the Rouran Kingdom?

Hebasheng didn't understand what state the Rouran people to the north were in at this moment.
Who appointed this person? Did Li Shuang decide on it?

What is the Great Protector of the Shanyu?
Hebasheng, fearing embarrassment, did not dare to ask, but simply cupped his hands and said:

"promise!"

……

Hebasheng stayed in Chang'an for half a month, spending a short time with his family and the families of his two brothers, before leading more than a hundred cavalrymen northward.

After leaving Xia Prefecture, crossing the Yellow River, and arriving at Shuo Prefecture, they passed through the Yin Mountains and came to the Rouran royal court.

To his surprise, the Khan of the Eastern Rouran, Yujiulütahan, personally led officials from the royal court to greet him. The grandeur of the ceremony made Hebasheng, a man returning from the north, feel as if he had been transported to another world.

What surprised Hebasheng the most was that he felt he was not the prime minister of the Rouran Kingdom, but rather the Khan of everyone here.

Yujiulütahan even placed a prime minister's chair next to his throne.

When the officials bowed to him, they also bowed to Hebasheng.

"It is truly a fortunate event for the Rouran to have the Heavenly Khan send the Grand Protector here!"

When Yujiulütahan and the Rouran officials said this, Hebasheng finally understood.

What exactly does "Chanyu Daduhu" mean?
Looking at the group of Rouran people kneeling before him, Hebasheng was truly convinced at this moment.

What the Northern Wei Dynasty at its peak could not achieve, it has now accomplished.

These Rouran people, whom the people of the Six Garrisons hated with a passion, were so submissive, and all of this was simply because of a title given to them by Chang'an.

"Your Majesty, Hebasheng is convinced."

……

(End of this chapter)