Chapter 1: I Am a Person of Principle

Many years later, standing before the ancient mulberry tree towering over five zhang, Li Shuang, the Heavenly Khan, would surely recall that afternoon brushed by the wind.

In the fourth year of Zhengguang, the Liuzhen rose in rebellion, and the entire northern border revolted.

Since Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei, Tuoba Tao, pacified the Rouran, for a hundred years, Wu De vanished; his descendants had long since squandered their original spirit and martial vigor amidst the drunken luxury of Luoyang.

Since ancient times, when the world falls into great chaos, it is precisely the time for heroes to display their martial prowess.

Bing Province!

Within those vast and boundless great mountains lay countless resources and wealth; the simple mountain folk, following the tradition of relying on the mountains for food and the sea for sustenance, lived a life full of risk yet abundant.

Li Shuang lay beneath a mulberry tree, a mulberry leaf in his mouth, humming a little tune.

Not far from him, children in the mountain village, not yet as tall as a cart wheel, held bamboo spears and wooden crossbows, practicing spear techniques and archery.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The childish yet bloodthirsty cries echoed through this mountain village in northwest Jin, evoking a sense of absurdity.

Yet, this was the most ordinary tone of this era.

Since the end of the Han Dynasty, the world has been in great chaos for over three hundred years.

Even counting from the Yongjia Rebellion of the Western Jin, it has been more than two hundred years.

In these centuries of chaotic times, Han people in the north either fled south or, unable to escape, hid in the mountains.

Even among the Five Barbarians, there were one or two great lords who could temporarily pacify the Northern Dynasties, but none lasted; after brief unification came even greater chaos.

Helplessly, whether for self-preservation or for growth, Han people without the backing of powerful aristocratic families could only hide in forests and lakes, barely clinging to life.

Taiping Village, deep in the mountains northwest of Bing Province, was a microcosm of the Han people in this chaotic era.

However, the tranquility within Taiping Village began to be broken four years ago.

The Rouran Khan, Anagui, was defeated in internal strife and fled south to Luoyang.

Upon entering Luoyang, the prosperity was unprecedented—

"Hearing of a Xiongnu lord, mixed cavalry raise dust. Arranging a view at Changping slope, driving horses to the Wei Bridge."

He was granted residence in Luoyang, enfeoffed as Duke of Shuofang Commandery and King of Rouran.

This King of Rouran was not content; he bribed General of the Guard Prince Yuan Yi, who held court power, and soon returned north, taking control of the old Rouran forces.

The Northern Wei court in Luoyang had previously bestowed various weapons, clothing, horses, camels, cattle, sheep, and two hundred thousand shi of grain; the following year, they bestowed ten thousand shi of seed grain.

Soon after, this King of Rouran, highly valued by the Northern Wei court, led his troops south to invade, fighting all the way to Take Pingcheng, before looting vast supplies and returning north.

A seed of doubt took root and sprouted in the hearts of all people in the northern borderlands—could the Northern Wei court still be trusted?

After the Liuzhen Rebellion began, the mountain folk, who had originally been content with simplicity and feared the imperial army, picked up swords and spears and began along the official roads to engage in that capital-less trade.

The entire northwest of Jin descended into chaos like a pot of boiling porridge.

Li Shuang had no choice but to lead the ten thousand people of Taiping Village into the surging tide of this era, becoming a member of the glorious rebel army.

The official title bestowed by the Northern Wei court—The Peerless Bandit Chief Li Mazi!

Of course, if possible, Li Shuang would not have wanted to be so flashy, so conspicuous.

Alas, in the project of ambushing travelers, he was simply too professional, too talented.

Plundering the Rouran in the north, seizing the Xianbei in the south, driving out the Xiongnu in the west, and taking Taiyuan in the east!

In all of northwest Jin, there was no one he dared not rob, no thing he could not successfully plunder.

In Li Shuang's sixteen years of life, in his short two-year career as a rebel, Taiping Village had grown from a small mountain village with only a thousand able-bodied men and uneven weapons and armor to now becoming a great force possessing three thousand armored troops.

By striking down feudal and corrupt forces and their lackeys and accomplices, Li Shuang led the villagers of Taiping Village to achieve a beautiful life of self-sufficiency.

Next, should we attack Taiyuan?

Li Shuang pondered as a heavy horn sound reached his ears.

Two long, one short!

Li Shuang sat up; this was the joyful news of his brothers returning fully loaded.

The main gate of Taiping Village slowly opened, and a cavalry formation of hundreds of riders pulling dozens of large carts returned to the mountain village.

The leader of this cavalry formation dismounted, saw Li Shuang, and immediately clasped his hands to pay respect.

This man had legs of unequal length, walked somewhat unsteadily, was a few years older than Li Shuang, yet his body was much thinner and weaker than Li Shuang's.

"Leader, Hou Jing has not failed the mission and returns with success."

At this time, the Universe Great General did not yet possess the old cunning and treachery of later years; young as he was, he was incredibly fierce and brave.

After Li Shuang's power grew, Li Chong, the Sleeping Tiger, came to suppress the bandits.

Hou Jing was also a young general in Li Chong's army.

Only later, as he suppressed bandits, he became a bandit himself, enjoying it immensely!

After all, as a garrison soldier of Huaishuo Town, how could Hou Jing, the Number One General under the Peerless Bandit Chief Li Mazi, be happier?

"Did you rob Taiyuan? Why are there so many things?"

Hou Jing spoke with eyebrows dancing and eyes shining.

"Reporting to the Leader, as ordered, I led the troops down the mountain, lowered our banners and silenced our drums, lying in ambush beside the official road, waiting only for passing merchants and rich traders. Unexpectedly, before long, a great goose arrived!"

Li Shuang inspected the spoils, looking at the carts loaded with jewels and clothing, exquisitely fine.

"Have their backgrounds been clarified?"

"How could there be time to ask? Seeing so many things, I immediately rushed up to rob them, fearing they might escape."

Li Shuang put down the fabric in his hand and waved his hand.

"Where are the prisoners?"

Hou Jing waved his hand, and as the able-bodied men of Taiping Village brought the prisoners forward, he spoke with self-satisfaction:

"There were hundreds of guarding soldiers, but I killed them all and drove them away!"

Li Shuang looked at the several bound prisoners with some suspicion.

"Qi Hu Ren?"

"Qi Hu Ren are fierce fighters — how could they be broken so easily?"

Li Shuang asked for the details, and Hou Jing explained:

"I charged into the crowd with a blade, hacking away wildly, then I took a Qi Hu girl hostage — after that, they all surrendered."

"Where is that Qi Hu girl now?"

Under Li Shuang's prodding, he finally met the legendary Qi Hu girl!

This Qi Hu girl was young, dressed in finery, her skin fair, her beauty alluring.

Li Shuang's gaze swept over her once, and he could tell the girl had been very well-nourished from childhood on.

Though she was among a band of rough outlaws, she remained calm and composed.

"You didn't do anything to her, did you?"

"How would I have had the time for that!"

Hou Jing had only just spoken when he realized something was off, and quickly changed tack.

"My mind was set on the chieftain's great enterprise; I'd long since left women behind. I fought my way through the whole way back, and only then brought this person and a few captives home."

"Tell the truth!"

Locked in a stare-down with Li Shuang, Hou Jing was the first to crack.

"Those few hundred Qi Hu warriors came after us like mad dogs. They only turned back when we got close to the Shanzhai."

Hearing Hou Jing's answer, Li Shuang grew all the more astonished.

"What's your name?"

"This girl is Er Zhu Yinge, daughter of Er Zhu Rong, Liang Jungong of Southern Xiurong and First Chieftain of the People —"

At this point, Er Zhu Yinge paused, then, drawing out her words, seemed to do so on purpose.

"Not long ago, I received an edict from Luoyang, conferring on me the title of Pin Fei, summoning me to the capital to attend the Son of Heaven!"

Damn — she's here for me!

Li Shuang glanced at the dumbfounded Hou Jing, and at that moment felt an urge to kick him to death.