A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 71 Kill
New town.

If you're not familiar with the name of this city, it has another name: Xianyang.

In the third year of Qin Er Shi's reign, Emperor Gaozu led his army into Xianyang, where Prince Ziying of Qin surrendered, and the Qin Dynasty came to an end.

The Qin capital of Xianyang was subsequently burned to the ground by Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, who arrived later, and became a relic in history books along with the Qin Dynasty.

After Emperor Gaozu established the Han Dynasty, he rebuilt a capital city south of the Wei River and named it "Chang'an" to wish for "long-term peace and stability".

Xianyang City was rebuilt and renamed "New City".

Although Chang'an and Xianyang were located on the north and south banks of the Wei River respectively, Xianyang had been expanding southward since the reign of King Huiwen of Qin. Buildings such as Zhangtai, Xingle Palace, Ganquan Palace, Xin Palace, the Seven Temples, and the most famous Epang Palace were nominally located in "Xianyang", but were actually located south of the Wei River.

As the former capital of a dynasty, Xincheng, like other declining capitals, has lost its former glory and the splendor of the Qin Dynasty. It has even become a haven for foreign tribes.

Along the roads of the new city, a gatehouse is erected every kilometer, covered with various decorations. Each gatehouse is adorned with colorful flags bearing the Chinese character "Han," which flutter loudly in the cold winter wind.

It seems to be recounting the grand surrender ceremony of that year.

The first person to be alarmed by the announcement of the new policy to abolish preferential treatment for surrendered captives was naturally the Xiongnu leader, Gu Luoquan.

Years of comfortable living had long since made him forget the fear and anxiety he felt when he first entered the Han family.

As the highest-ranking person among those who surrendered to the Xiongnu, he enjoyed fine food, wine, and beautiful women.

The maid set out a basin, soaked a clean white silk towel in the steaming water, and then gently invited, "Please wash your face, sir."

When Gu Luoquan walked to the basin, he would hesitate for a moment before putting his hands into the water. Washing his face with hot water was something he was not used to. The Xiongnu people used to wash their faces with cold water all year round, but this was a pleasure, so how could he not get used to it?

"Please have your breakfast, sir, and change your clothes. Your Excellencies are waiting for you," the translator said.

That's right.

Gu Luoquan still doesn't speak the Han language, only able to understand a little. Not only him, but most of the surrendered Xiongnu people also don't speak it, because no one has ever asked them to.

The succulent stewed mutton and the sweet mare's milk wine—this breakfast, so characteristic of the Xiongnu people, always makes Gu Luoquan feel like he's coming home.

Or rather, it's much better than home.

The joy here is beyond measure.

In the past, Gu Luoquan would have a hearty meal like a glutton, but today, he had no appetite at all.

The dishes and cups were removed, and the maids immediately came to help him change his clothes. After he was dressed, they brought a bronze mirror to him one after the other. Gu Luoquan stood by the window and saw his gaunt face in the mirror. He couldn't help but sigh. The beauty bestowed by the Han emperor was too enchanting. From the moment he was surrendered to Xincheng, his body had never stopped.

The Xiongnu officials were already waiting below. If this were on the grasslands, they probably would have ridden away long ago. But having lived in the Han court for a long time, they had gradually learned the etiquette of waiting for their superiors and showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever.

"Lord, I've heard that the Han court has issued a new policy to cancel our preferential treatment?"

The leading Xiongnu chieftain, Qu Bei, asked urgently, "Do you still want to marry the fine women of my grasslands to men from the Central Plains?"

"It should be true," Gu Luoquan sighed.

How could the Han Dynasty do such a thing?

Qu Bei was furious and cursed, "Ten years ago, when we surrendered, the Han Emperor promised that we would still enjoy endless wealth and honor within the Han territory, and that we could still be enfeoffed as marquises and generals. What's the difference between the Han Emperor's words and flattery?"

"It is not the decree of the Han emperor, but the decree of the Han dynasty's crown prince."

"Isn't that the son of the Han emperor? Aren't sons supposed to be most loyal, filial, and respectful of their elders? If it's also a matter of who has the bigger fist, then wouldn't that make them just like us grassland people, barbarians in the eyes of the Central Plains?"

Qu Bei's years of living among the Han people allowed him to learn some aspects of Central Plains culture, which he then selectively applied at this time.

Gu Luoquan's face was gloomy, and he did not answer. There were many things about the Han people that he did not understand. He only understood the Han people through the lens of the survival of the fittest on the grasslands, which often differed greatly from the truth.

The "flexibility" and "bottom line" of the people from the Central Plains are too difficult to understand.

I just have a vague feeling that the current Han dynasty is ruled by the crown prince. When he issues a decree, it means that he will never go back on his word.

After a while, Gu Luoquan got up and walked to the large map. He tapped the western part of the grassland with the curved sword at his waist, then drew a large circle, which was the location of his hometown. He asked the assembled officials, "Do you think we can still go back?"

All the officials looked troubled and remained silent in thought.

How could I possibly go back? I lived on the grasslands following the water and grass. After living with the Han people for more than ten years, my hometown was either occupied by other tribes or had become desolate and could no longer be used for herding cattle and horses.

A lone wolf can never return to its pack.

Moreover, nowadays, under the care of the Han people, with their fine clothes, delicious food, and pampered horses, they have lost their martial prowess and all their vigor, and can no longer be considered "wolves of the grasslands."

Even though the Han army watched helplessly as they left the Great Wall area, they found it difficult and were unwilling to leave Guanzhong and return to their harsh, cold hometown.

With a thud, Qu Bei slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly, saying, "We can't go back to the grasslands. This is all caused by the Han Dynasty and the Han Emperor. We must go to the Han Emperor to demand justice. Why have we been given money for so many years? Why should we stop giving it to them? That's our money. What do the Han people want with our money?"

"Correct!"

"Yes!"

"The Grand Commandant is right!"

"..."

The Xiongnu officials were furious. "Our money is ours! No one can take it away!"

"Shall we go to Chang'an?"

"No, go to Ganquan Palace!"

Qu Bei may not understand the politics of the Han Dynasty, but he understands people's hearts. Compared with the Han crown prince who is ignorant of the situation, the ambitious Han emperor is obviously easier to deal with. Just call him "Heavenly Khan" and cry a couple of times, and whatever you want, the Han emperor will give it to you.

"Yes, to Ganquan Palace!"

"Let the boys line up and go. It'll be more lively with more people, and the Emperor of Han likes a lively atmosphere."

"Let's get lively! Let's get lively!"

"..."

Despite more than a decade of stagnation, when Gu Luoquan saw thousands of grassland youths riding on horseback, he vaguely felt something dormant in his blood stirring.

It seems that the Han emperor's Ganquan Palace wasn't heavily guarded. If... if...

As the "steppe cavalry" marched in formation through the long passageway of the new city, they were met head-on by Huo Qubing's elite cavalry.

A thousand men against a thousand men, equal forces. On the grasslands, Gu Luoquan had never feared the Han army, but at this moment, looking at Huo Qubing with his cold eyes, he felt his hands and feet turn cold, and he didn't even have the courage to pick up his sword.

The Han cavalry surrounded them, completely disregarding the military adage "when besieging an army, leave an opening," signifying only one thing: to ruthlessly eliminate them and eradicate them completely.

Gu Luoquan was forced to utter a single Chinese character, "Misunderstanding..."

"The surrendered enemy shows no gratitude and plots against the emperor in the detached palace. I hereby order them to be killed without mercy!"

(End of this chapter)