Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 528 A person should be trustworthy.
Xiangyang.

"absurd!"

In front of all the ministers, Xiao Lun scoffed at Xiao Yi's demand that he hand over Liu Zhongli.

Liu Zhongli's advice gave Xiao Yi the pretext to raise an army.

Xiao Lun's other subordinates remained silent, not wanting to get involved in this turmoil.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhongli stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:
"If sacrificing my life can enable Your Majesty to reconcile with the Prince of Xiangdong, thus upholding the bond of brotherhood and ensuring the peace and prosperity of Daliang, I would gladly die ten thousand times over."

"What are you saying, Lord Liu? I had no such intention."

Xiao Lun quickly waved his hand, but Liu Zhongli continued:

“The King of Xiangdong is a stubborn man. Even if I were to give up my life, I fear I would not stop the war. The King of Wuling should serve as a warning to Your Majesty.”

Xiao Lun nodded and said:

"In the past, during the Rebellion of the Seven States, the Liu family princes raised an army in the name of killing Chao Cuo. Even after Emperor Jing killed Chao Cuo, the Rebellion of the Seven States did not end there. I understand, Lord Liu, please do not doubt me."

After Liu Zhongli and the other officials left, Xiao Lun's favorite ministers surrounded him.

"Your Majesty, if Liu Zhongli is not handed over, I'm afraid Xiao Yi will not stop his troops!"

"Do you think I'm afraid just because he won't withdraw his troops?"

Upon hearing Xiao Lun's words, the favored ministers on both sides fell silent.

Xiao Lun, with his hands behind his back, paced back and forth, calculating the gains and losses.

"My own army numbers only 30,000. If we fight Xiao Yi to the death, wouldn't that just benefit the Crown Prince and the Prince of Luling?"

"Your Majesty is right. Dugu Xin still has several thousand troops under his command, and we must be wary of him!"

Xiao Lun nodded and murmured:

"If we make peace with Da Ye, we will have to give him three counties. But if we hand over Liu Zhongli, Xiao Yi will have no excuse to raise an army. This war will not break out, or at least it will be dragged out for a few months."

"Your Majesty is right!"

Xiao Lun made up his mind and said:
"Even though Chao Cuo was loyal, he deserved to die!"

"Your Majesty is right!"

Xiao Lun waved his hand, and those around him immediately fell silent.

"Listen, this matter must not be spread. The Liu family has a strong foothold in Xiangyang. If word gets out, it could cause chaos."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Just as Xiao Lun was preparing to send men to capture Liu Zhongli, a guard at the port reported to him.

"Your Majesty, after Liu Zhongli left the palace, he rode a fast horse and left Xiangyang City, heading north of the Han River."

Xiao Lun panicked, and his expression changed.

What is he going to do?

"Liu Zhongli said he was ordered by the King to cross the Han River, and we dare not ask him any further questions!"

Xiao Lun hurriedly gave the order:
"Quickly, go and bring them back."

"promise!"

……

Xiao Lun's men were a step too late. By the time they arrived, Liu Zhongli's boat had already crossed the Han River and reached the north bank.

Xiao Lun's men dared not delay and also took a boat to catch up.

However, after their large force had been chasing for a day, Liu Zhongli had already reunited with his old subordinates north of the Han River.

Outside the military camp, Liu Zhongli, surrounded by his former subordinates, addressed Xiao Lun's men, offering his advice:

"Tell Prince Shaoling that I will not be returning to Xiangyang, and you all should return as well!"

"If Lord Liu does this, wouldn't he be putting Prince Shaoling in an unjust position? Prince Shaoling has absolutely no intention of harming Lord Liu, so I hope Lord Liu will not doubt it."

Liu Zhongli then burst into laughter and said:
“When the Prince of Shaoling mentioned Chao Cuo, I knew he would definitely have murderous intent. Sure enough, you chased after him. If I had left a moment later, I would probably be in Wang Sengbian’s tent by now.”

Xiao Lun's pursuers, still wanting to make a final stand, asked:
"If Liu Gong is like this, what about his family in Xiangyang?"

Liu Zhongli didn't care about this at all.

“The Prince of Xiangdong only asked for my help, and never harmed his family. The Prince of Shaoling is benevolent and would never do such a thing.”

Having said this, the soldiers behind Liu Zhongli raised their bows and fired, a volley of arrows finally halting the pursuers of Prince Shaoling. Watching the pursuers disappear into the distance, Liu Zhongli asked those around him:

"What should we do if the Prince of Shaoling really attacks our lord's relatives?"

“This man is petty and narrow-minded, and cunning. How dare he bear such an unjust name! I am not in Xiangyang, so he will only comfort my people.”

"So what should we do now?"

Liu Zhongli thought for a moment and immediately got the answer.

"This fellow is not worth discussing strategy with. Sooner or later, Xiangyang and Fancheng will surely fall. Let us go to Yingzhou in the north and seek refuge with Xiao Cha, the Prince of Yueyang!"

"promise!"

……

Beiying Prefecture.

From Wancheng in Nanyang, there are two routes south: one goes through Xiangyang, and the other goes through the Suizao Corridor.

Xiangyang was an important town because it was located at a crucial point on the road ahead, and there was no way to bypass it.

As for the Suizao Corridor, although it is also possible to travel through it, the entire route is by land. Compared to traveling south from Xiangyang to the heart of Jingxiang, which allows for both land and water travel, the level of comfort is not on the same level. Most of the time, the army, caravans, and ordinary people would only choose to travel through Xiangyang.

Although Beiying Prefecture is adjacent to Yong Prefecture, where Xiangyang is located, it is not as wealthy as Yong Prefecture, and its population is not as abundant.

Xiao Cha was not worried that Xiao Yi would cause trouble upon Liu Zhongli's arrival with his troops, and gave Liu Zhongli a very grand welcome.

"The arrival of Lord Liu to serve me has truly thrilled me."

Xiao Cha was the third son of Crown Prince Zhaoming, Xiao Tong. Despite his young age, he was very proper in his conduct.

Liu Zhongli hurriedly said:

"Your Majesty, I dare not accept such kindness. I was truly desperate and had nowhere else to turn. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's generosity in taking me in!"

Xiao Cha laughed:

"Let's talk inside the city!"

Beiying Prefecture only had two counties, and its capital was even more dilapidated compared to Xiangyang.

To Liu Zhongli's surprise, Li Shuang's envoy arrived here before him.

"Master Liu!"

Zu Ting bowed, but Liu Zhongli was somewhat puzzled.

"Why would the King of Qin's envoy be here?"

Zu Ting smiled, cupped his hands, and said:
"To be honest, Lord Liu, the King of Qin heard about your plight in Guanzhong and felt deeply indignant."

Liu Zhongli's first reaction to Zu Ting's words was disbelief.

You've clearly arrived here before I left Xiangyang.

However, Liu Zhongli couldn't expose it to her face.

Zu Ting continued, "..."
"To treat loyal ministers this way is a great injustice! To make peace with foreign nations but fail to keep the treaty is a great breach of trust! How can such an untrustworthy and unjust ruler be fit to be a sovereign?"

Liu Zhongli understood. Xiao Lun had promised to give three prefectures in order to make peace, but now he had broken his promise. Li Shuang must have sent him to collect the debt.

Liu Zhongli just couldn't understand why, if he had taken back these three prefectures, he should have gone to Nanzheng instead of coming here.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Cha cleared up Liu Zhongli's doubts.

“My brother Xiao Yu is currently in Xiangzhou. The Prince of Qin intends to unite with my brother and my troops to seize Jiangxia.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhongli understood that Crown Prince Zhaoming's two sons were about to enter the struggle among the Xiao clan.

If they can capture Jiangxia, the brothers Xiao Yu and Xiao Cha will become the third force in Jingxiang.

Compared to Xiao Lun, Xiao Cha was more friendly towards Guanzhong.

If the timing is right, we might even be able to reap the benefits without lifting a finger.

"The King of Qin has truly devised a brilliant plan!"

Looking at Zu Ting, Liu Zhongli felt even more awe at the power of the King of Qin.

……

(End of this chapter)