Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 531 Isn't this all copied from you?

Xiangyang.

When news came that Prince Xiao Yu of Hedong and Prince Xiao Cha of Yueyang had successively raised troops and captured Changsha, Anlu and other places, intending to take Jiangxia, Xiao Yi did not immediately return to provide assistance.

With Xiangyang right before their eyes, Xiao Lun's men were filled with unease. Xiao Yi was unwilling to retreat and planned to make another attempt. If they could capture Xiangyang, what could Xiao Yu and Xiao Cha do?
But Xiao Yi miscalculated.

He hadn't anticipated the fear Xiao Lun felt after receiving his letter severing ties with his brother; this fear drove Xiao Lun to use every means to defend Xiangyang.

Xiao Lun knew that he would not have a good end after the city fell.

Under extreme fear, Xiao Lun also became extremely clear-headed. He personally went to the prison to release Lan Qin, whom he had imprisoned earlier, and admitted his mistakes, entrusting him with important responsibilities.

Under the command of this renowned general of the Southern Liang Dynasty, who was on par with Chen Qingzhi, Xiao Yi managed to capture the fortresses around Xiangyang and advance the battle line to the city walls, but he still found it difficult to breach the city.

Another factor that Xiao Yi failed to anticipate was the speed of advance of Xiao Yu, the Prince of Hedong, and Xiao Cha, the Prince of Yueyang.

He had initially thought that his two nephews, with a combined force of less than ten thousand men, poorly equipped with superior weapons and armor, and lacking capable generals, and being stationed in two different locations, would amount to little. However, in reality, the two men, one in the south and one in the north, quickly seized control of Anlu and Changsha, strategically important locations in Jingzhou.

During the month that Xiao Yi besieged Xiangyang, the two of them gathered troops in Jiangxia and captured the important town of Xiakou.

At this moment, Xiao Yi finally understood what it meant for Crown Prince Zhaoming, Xiao Tong, to have been the crown prince for thirty years—his position was predetermined long ago. Even now, with the crown prince position passed to Xiao Gang's lineage, his descendants still wielded enormous influence within the Southern Liang Dynasty.

Many officials in the Southern Liang Dynasty still recognized Xiao Tong's lineage.

Once he realized what was happening, Xiao Yi understood that Xiao Yu and Xiao Cha posed a threat to him no less than Xiao Lun.

Zhou Hongzheng and Wang Sengbian both urged Xiao Yi to take advantage of the fact that Xiao Yu and Xiao Cha were not yet firmly established, to quickly return to the capital, recapture Xiakou, and disperse the power of the two brothers, but Xiao Yi still hesitated.

"How long is this one-eyed man from Xiangdong going to keep at it with me?!"

Standing atop the city walls of Xiangyang, Xiao Lun made no attempt to conceal his loathing and contempt for his younger brother.

Lan Qin stood beside Xiao Lun. Even though this famous general had made great contributions, he still showed no arrogance whatsoever.

In the Southern Liang Dynasty, Lan Qin was backed by the Liang Emperor and Crown Prince Xiao Gang. However, after the events in Jiankang, Lan Qin was unable to return to Jiankang and had to remain in Xiangyang.

Xiao Lun did not trust him, which is why Wang Sengbian's scheme to sow discord was successful.

Lanchin himself was aware of this, which is why he kept a very low profile.

Just as he was complaining, Xiao Yi's troops stationed outside the city suddenly moved.

"They're withdrawing their troops!"

Upon seeing this, Xiao Lun was overjoyed and looked at Lan Qin beside him, saying:

"Thanks to General Lai, who held Xiangyang, Xiangdong One-Eyed Man cannot hold out any longer."

"This is not the merit of this humble general, but the blessing of Your Majesty."

Lan Qin's words were not mere flattery. In fact, Xiao Yi's siege of Xiangyang this time was not a well-thought-out plan, but rather an impulsive act.

Firstly, Xiao Yi's navy was destroyed. Although he advanced to the walls of Xiangyang, he could not cut off the waterways, and his supply ships were constantly threatened by the Xiangfan navy. Secondly, Xiao Yi did not have enough siege equipment and supplies to sustain a prolonged siege. Xiao Yi was more like gambling that the people in Xiangyang would capture Xiao Lun and surrender the city once they saw his army arrive.

Unfortunately, Xiao Yi made the wrong bet.

Xiao Lun maintained relatively strong control over Xiangyang City.

Since Xiao Yi could not completely besiege Xiangyang and force Xiao Lun into a corner, the Southern Liang officials in Xiangyang did not need to bear the infamy of betraying their master and seek refuge.

The bosses are all from the Xiao family, so it doesn't matter where they work.
Xiao Lun's joy was short-lived after Xiao Yi withdrew his troops. The previously severed passageways reopened, and intelligence reports from the surrounding area arrived, revealing a dramatic shift in the situation.

To the west, the Hanzhong garrison commanders Dongfang Lao and Huli Guang launched an attack and captured Weiming County and Weixing County, with their advance reaching as far as Shangyong County. To the north, the Nanyang general Dugu Xin led his army south, captured Xinye, and gathered 20,000 households north of Fancheng, relocating them to Wancheng.

Xiao Lun was astonished to discover that although he had won and successfully defended Xiangyang, he had lost a large amount of land and people, and the southern part of Yongzhou had also been damaged in the war.

In a short time, Xiao Lun's strength was greatly reduced.
-
Changan.

"Your Majesty, Xiao Lun has agreed to form an alliance with Xiao Cha and Xiao Yu, and has even sent a hostage to Chang'an."

After Zu Ting returned from Jingzhou, he told Li Shuang the latest news. It was already June, and the summer heat was about to intensify.

Li Shuang held the document in his hand and fell into deep thought.

Looking at Li Shuang's expression, Zu Ting asked curiously:
"Your Majesty, what troubles you?"

"After Yang Kan left Longyou, Kua Lü started to misbehave again."

"How did he become dishonest?"

Li Shuang said leisurely:
"The former Rouran and Hephthalites were locked in fierce battle, while the Tuyuhun took over many small kingdoms in the Western Regions in the southern route, and later took over various Qiang tribes in the southeast of the snowy region. Now he is stirring up internal strife among the various tribes and taking advantage of the situation to seize their livestock, pastures and wealth! He is creating trouble out of nothing and is truly despicable."

Why does this sound so familiar?
Zu Ting realized what was happening and thought to himself: Isn't he just imitating Your Majesty?

Zu Ting glanced at Li Shuang subconsciously, only to see him looking indignant.

"If this continues, how can the borders remain stable, and how can the surrounding barbarians look up to the Emperor's grace?"

Zu Ting listened, nodded, and said:
"Your Majesty, shall we send troops to the Western Sea?"

“No need for that!” Li Shuang thought for a moment. “Tuyuhun has already submitted and shows no signs of disobedience. If we rashly punish them, we may lose their support.”

"What about that?"

……

Fusi City.

"Khan!"

"Why are you so panicked?"

"The merchants from the Western Regions have just brought news that the Hephthalites have been defeated and Anagui has occupied Sogdiana and other places."

Kua Lü's expression changed, and he asked:

"Where is Ya Ren? Why didn't he report it?"

"I heard that he stayed in Dunhuang!"

Upon hearing this, Kualu's expression remained unchanged in surprise; instead, it was filled with anger.

"I really don't know whose servant he is!"

Upon hearing Kua Lü's words, the official who came to deliver the message was at a loss for words.
But then, another person ran in.

"Khan, the Longyou army has left Shanzhou, bringing with them many artisans and laborers."

Compared to the changes in the situation far away in the Western Regions, the commotion right before his eyes shocked Kualü even more.

What are they going to do?

"I heard they're going to build a city."

Kua Lü became even more puzzled upon hearing this.

"Did the Longyou Army have the authority to build a city without authorization?"

"I heard that the order came directly from Chang'an, instructing the Longyou army to build a city on the banks of the Huangshui River."

Upon hearing the words "Chang'an," Kualü was startled, and then his minister continued:

"...It seems to be called Stone Fortress City!"

……

(End of this chapter)