[{"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-25":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},2311743,4516,"Chapter 25: The Jianghu Is Not About Fighting and Killing","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin led his tribe westward, hoping to join Han Baling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached Shanwu, they were blocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A column of pure black cavalry stood before Hu Lu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kedi Gan, why are you doing this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Kedi tribe, like the Erzhu, traced their ancestors back to those who rose with Tuoba Gui, granted a hundred li of land at Shanwu La Wu Mountain for military merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Emperor Xiaowen moved south to Luoyang, northern warlord families who did not follow him declined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By Kedi Gan’s generation, though still respected, he had fallen behind Er Zhu Rong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin knew Kedi Gan well—he was famously stubborn, and he didn’t believe Kedi Gan would fight him for the Northern Wei court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been entrusted to stop you here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, hooves thundered from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Hu Lu, wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cavalry unit galloped up, led by Yu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin had assumed it was Wang Yuanshen’s force, hesitating slightly—but as they drew near, he realized it was not Pingcheng’s troops, but Ma Yi’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commandant Yu, what brings you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve always been loyal and righteous—why go to join the rebel Han Baling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our tribe suffers yearly famine and cold; I cannot bear the old and young freezing and starving, so I head west.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin did not mention Wang Yuanshen’s archived confessions, only gave a common northern frontier excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin naturally didn’t believe him, but had no desire to press further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will joining Han Baling give you grain? Though the land around Wo Ye Town is fertile, it cannot feed so many troops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Yu Jin’s view, Hu Lu Jin had another option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Join Ma Yi!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least then, the court suffers no loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Hu Lu Jin clearly did not want this choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep inside, Hu Lu Jin held his own pride—he would not bow to a Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, after abandoning Wang Yuanshen, he chose Han Baling instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s come to this—more words are useless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin did not wish to burn bridges; he looked at Kedi Gan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s here—let me pass!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kedi Gan didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The one who entrusted me is not him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ma Yi’s governor, Li Shuang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anger surged in Hu Lu Jin’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Kedi clan is a noble house—why obey a Han?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kedi Gan looked confused, glancing around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of his guards whispered something in his ear; Kedi Gan suddenly understood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So he’s a Han?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t know! He speaks Xianbei like a native!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin had been angry, but seeing Kedi Gan’s expression, he had no outlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I pass now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kedi Gan shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether he’s Han or not, I gave my word—I must keep it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin stared at Kedi Gan, helpless, then turned to Yu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does Li Shuang want with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin spread his hands, equally clueless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He only told me to stop you first—I don’t know what he plans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As time passed, Hu Lu Jin grew increasingly restless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put, his tribe’s grain was low—he couldn’t afford delays. If they didn’t reach the rendezvous on schedule, lack of food would kill many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kedi Gan, he won’t come—let me through!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin grew furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you insist, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come then!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kedi Gan remained calm, assuming a stance. His troops’ horses were all black, well-fed these days—he had nothing better to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hu Lu Jin, I’ve heard you’re a famed general—I’ve long wanted to test you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin, enraged, cursed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You fool!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as both sides were about to clash, horns sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang arrived with hundreds of cavalry and twenty-odd carts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must be General Hu Lu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he drew near, Li Shuang smiled broadly and bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though frustrated by the delay, Hu Lu Jin saw the boy’s bearing and replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you’re heading to join the True King. The journey is long and arduous—I’ve prepared twenty carts of grain, medicine, and essentials, so I’m late—forgive me, General!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin stared in shock, gazing at Li Shuang in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this man planning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin had assumed Li Shuang meant to crush bandits—but this didn’t look like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he also joining Han Baling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin quickly dismissed the absurd thought, looked again at Hu Lu Jin, who was visibly moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this age, anyone could speak sweet words—but few would truly give away gold and grain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Prince Guangyang Wang Yuanshen thought only of underhanded ways to control men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin was loyal and righteous, not a fool—he saw clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this stranger, a Han, braved the frozen snow to deliver such supplies—and Hu Lu Jin was deeply moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why, Ma Yi’s governor, would you do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are a great hero, about to journey west to join the True King. I don’t know the right or wrong of it, so I won’t judge. These are humble gifts—no hidden intent—only that you have a smooth journey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, emotions surged in Hu Lu Jin’s heart; thousands of words choked inside him, finally reduced to two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Hu Lu Jin turned his horse and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang waved behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go well, General—give my regards to the True King!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Hu Lu’s troops rode away, halfway down the road, Hu Lu Jin suddenly returned with a boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commandant, this is my son, Hu Lu Guang. The road ahead is long—he’s still young. Will you care for him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future famed Northern Qi hero Hu Lu Guang was now only eight or nine, yet sat his horse with no less poise than any adult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General, rest assured—I will not let Hu Lu Guang be bullied.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Jin nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hu Lu Guang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, treat the Commandant as you treat me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Father!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll be my personal guard from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Lu Guang looked at Li Shuang, bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements carried no trace of childhood—polite, composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Farewell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Hu Lu Jin truly departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Shuang prepared to leave with his men, Kedi Gan crept quietly over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ma Yi’s governor—I heard you’re a Han?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang looked puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You only just realized that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuodi Gan rubbed his head, looking embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just found out too. If you were Han, things would be different.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What, don’t want to work with me anymore?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Kuodi Gan’s simple face, a flush spread; he stammered, hesitating long before finally muttering a few words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raise the pay!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang smiled and replied simply with two words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get lost!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang spurred his horse away; Kuodi Gan panicked and chased after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commandant of Ma Yi, let’s talk this over. You don’t know our customs—no raise is fine, but at least give us more food and drink!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>",1139,"2026-06-20T12:30:56.711Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0e7ece2f44a6d166a79cbf2822077567a1fbd74b8f70db3b143691f900bb8e64","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-26","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-24",211,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmemoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-cover.jpg"]