[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan":3,"chapter-memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-2":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Memoirs of the Heavenly Khagan",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2311720,4516,"Chapter 2: The Self-Discipline of a Thief","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-2",2,"\u003Cp>When Er Zhu Ying’e spoke those words, Hou Jing realized he had caused a great disaster!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s the Emperor’s wife!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, she has an incredibly wealthy father!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Er Zhu Rong’s name is known throughout Jinxibei!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three hundred li of Xiurong River was once a prosperous northern land; when the Six Garrisons erupted in war, Er Zhu grew rich beyond measure—sigh~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This nursery rhyme, sung in Taipingzhuang, had sunk deep into people’s hearts—even three-year-olds knew it, and from childhood they vowed to steal a fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiar melody echoed in Hou Jing’s mind, but reason quickly drove it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now is not the time to think of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head toward the author of the rhyme and saw that, after his initial hesitation, the man had smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Er Zhu Ying’e had been smug, but seeing Li Shuang’s smile, she grew uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Escort Miss Er Zhu back to her room!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All saw Li Shuang lead Er Zhu Ying’e inside and slam the door shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the crowd watched in silent admiration, feeling nothing but reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing clapped and shouted out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our leader does what others dare not—even the Emperor’s wife… My admiration for you flows like the Yangtze, endless and unceasing, like the Yellow River bursting its banks, unstoppable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Er Zhu Ying’e entered, she saw a huge, soft bed and instantly grew tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She darted to the corner, drew a dagger from her sleeve, and pointed it at Li Shuang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-you don’t come closer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang looked at the trembling Er Zhu Ying’e, poured himself a cup of water, took a sip, and spoke slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You haven’t drawn the blade yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Er Zhu Ying’e froze, then swiftly unsheathed the dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold steel glinted in her face; the room’s temperature seemed to drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Er Zhu Ying’e repeated it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t come closer, or I’ll do anything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you plan to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Er Zhu Ying’e pressed the dagger to her own throat, voice sharp with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you come near, I’ll slit my own throat—you’ll get nothing but a corpse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang nearly spat out his water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re threatening me with your own life? Do you think I care?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Er Zhu Ying’e felt he was right—her grip loosened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are many refugees in these mountains who’ve never seen a woman in their lives—not even a woman, but a corpse… they’ll do anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Er Zhu Rong’s eldest daughter, though skilled with bow and horse, she had been pampered since childhood—how could she have faced such a scene?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Shuang’s words, her mental defenses shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Er Zhu Ying’e collapsed to the floor and burst into tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang watched silently, offering no comfort; only when her crying subsided did he speak coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you’re done crying, write a letter to your father—tell him to come and collect you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through tear-blurred eyes, Er Zhu Ying’e suddenly understood, wiping her tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You just want me to write a ransom letter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not a ransom letter—we’re not bandits. We merely want your father to know we’ve taken care of you. Shouldn’t he give us some compensation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Er Zhu Ying’e felt something strange in her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My father is Er Zhu Rong—how dare you ask him for money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am a man of principle. I make no distinctions based on status—even if Yuan Xü himself came from Luoyangcheng, he’d still pay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, the door slowly opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing and the others rushed over as Li Shuang stepped out, grinning slyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leader, your methods are truly amazing—we heard everything outside! That girl cried her heart out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amazing your ass, Li Shuang thought, glaring at Hou Jing—a surge of anger rose in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come with me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nightfall!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Gathering Hall!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang, dressed in his robe, sat in the chief’s seat; inside, only one man remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing was half-asleep—he had been dragged here and forced to stand for hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A storm is coming!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang’s sudden words jolted Hou Jing awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve kidnapped Er Zhu Rong’s daughter—he won’t let this go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leader, even Li Chong couldn’t touch you—what’s Er Zhu Rong compared to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Chong is a river dragon; Er Zhu Rong is a local snake. River dragons are easy to deal with—local snakes are stubborn. I have three strategies: high, middle, low—which one do you want to hear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the big one is coming, is he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing swallowed hard—whenever Li Shuang brought up his three strategies, he knew someone was doomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around the empty Gathering Hall, his heart sinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“High strategy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will pass the leadership of Taipingzhuang to you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he caused this disaster—and still gets promoted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he realized something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what will you do, Leader?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll step down. When Er Zhu Rong arrives with his seventeen hundred heavy cavalry, I’ll cut off your head, then send your corpse and Er Zhu Ying’e back to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Shuang’s half-smile, Hou Jing grew terrified and asked quickly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the middle strategy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You take Er Zhu Ying’e back to Xiurong, then let Er Zhu Rong cut off your head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing was now trembling, voice shaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the low strategy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I cut off your head myself, then send your corpse and Er Zhu Ying’e back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What high, middle, low strategies? They’re all death sentences!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leader, just kill me outright!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re righteous troops, not bandits—everything we do must have principle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing dropped to his knees, clutching Li Shuang’s leg and wailing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leader, stop this nonsense—just tell me what you want! I’ll face fire and sword, die ten thousand deaths without hesitation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hou Jing, you’ve got real insight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang snapped his fingers; the hidden axe-wielders around the Hall withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the shadows outside the window vanished did Hou Jing finally exhale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re old acquaintances—no need for theatrics. Here’s a letter. Take three horses—you must deliver it to Xiurong and hand it to Er Zhu Rong within one day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One day? But we’re two hundred li from Xiurong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang patted Hou Jing’s cheek, smiling sweetly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Cao Cao chased Liu Bei at Changban Slope, he covered three hundred li in a day and night. Are your will to survive weaker than Cao Cao’s will to chase Liu Bei?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! I’ve got it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing swore, snatched the letter, and dashed out on his uneven legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang yawned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Being a bandit chief… ah, damn it, righteous troop leader—how hard is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1087,"2026-06-20T12:30:56.711Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0fb8daef3e92f50b547b8dae614a8607ebe0ab784b1b8b5a26053f8e95863740","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-3","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-1",211,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmemoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-cover.jpg"]