Chapter 32: How Did I Get Robbed Again?

The fall of Wu Chuan Town marked the turning point in the stalemate that had gripped the northern frontier for over half a year.

At this moment, General Er Zhu Rong, who had returned from suppressing Suhe Polunxian in Bingzhou, could no longer sit still; he summoned Li Shuang back from Ma Yi to discuss urgent matters.

The county seat of Southern Xiurong had by now become the General Er Zhu clan's stronghold; compared to last year, this city beside the Jutuo River had been renovated and looked brand new.

After several days of travel, when Li Shuang reached the city gate, he saw General Er Zhu Yinge, the daughter of the General Er Zhu family, leading people out on a hunt.

"Little niece!"

Facing Li Shuang, General Er Zhu Yinge showed not a shred of goodwill.

"You aren't much older than me!"

She snorted, cracked her whip, and rode off with her entourage, kicking up dust.

However, a young man beside her slowed his steps and bowed to Li Shuang.

The Qihu soldiers guarding the city gate, seeing Li Shuang arrive, knelt respectfully on one knee to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Military Master!"

Li Shuang tossed a small piece of silver their way.

"Brothers, you've worked hard guarding the city; take this for drinks!"

"Thank you, Military Master!"

The group of Qihu soldiers beamed with joy; seeing this, Li Shuang asked casually:

"Who was that man with the Great General Er Zhu just now?"

"To answer the Military Master, that is Murong Shaozong; he has just come to pledge allegiance to the Clan Leader."

"Murong Shaozong?"

"Yes, he hails from the Murong clan, is a descendant of Murong Ke, and is related to the Clan Leader."

Li Shuang chatted briefly with the Qihu soldiers, did not delay long, then entered the city and headed for General Er Zhu Rong's residence.

After the city's houses had been repaired, it was now difficult to see any traces of the ravages of war.

Along the streets paved with not-so-wide bluestone slabs, Hu Ren soldiers were everywhere; they were noisy and boisterous, yet this did not disrupt the business order of the merchants lining the streets.

Upon entering General Er Zhu Rong's residence, Li Shuang did not meet General Er Zhu Rong immediately; instead, he was received by General Er Zhu Rong's principal wife, the Princess of Beixiang.

"Third Brother has arrived!"

Princess Beixiang of the Yuan clan was the daughter of Nanan Hui Wang Tuoba Zhen, of a distinguished lineage.

However, back then, Tuoba Zhen had known about Mu Tai's rebellion as Inspector of Hengzhou but failed to report it; he was punished, his state abolished, so Princess Beixiang's circumstances since childhood had not been good.

The Lady Yuan was gentle and understanding; knowing Li Shuang had traveled for several days, she ordered servants to bring out the wine and dishes already prepared while inviting Li Shuang to take his seat.

"Second Sister-in-law, where is Second Brother?"

"Don't mention it; he's scolding General Er Zhu Zhao and the others!"

"What have they done wrong?"

"Didn't your Second Brother grant land and fields to all these nephews and brothers? Who knew this bunch of good-for-nothings wouldn't know how to manage them, spending their days only on pleasure and oppressing the common people. At this very season, vast tracts of fields in their territories lie barren; after your Second Brother inspected them, he was furious!"

Sizhou was originally an important agricultural base of Northern Wei, second only to Bingzhou; now most of the land belonged to the General Er Zhu clan, yet among the General Er Zhu, there were many who could fight but almost none who knew how to manage.

Regarding the various members of the General Er Zhu clan, Lady Yuan also disapproved.

"If only these worrywarts possessed half the talent of Murong Shaozong."

It was clear that Lady Yuan held a strong affection for Murong Shaozong, this cousin.

Just then, General Er Zhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu arrived.

"Women, what nonsense are you spouting again?"

Lady Yuan hurriedly stood up, a smile plastered on her face.

"I was just chatting with Third Brother about daily life; you two talk, I'll go supervise the kitchen."

General Er Zhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu arrived together and took their seats.

"Big Brother, Second Brother!"

As soon as General Er Zhu Rong sat down, he burst into laughter, sounding very pleased.

"Third Brother, you've accomplished something great in Ma Yi; I hear that fellow Yuan Shen secretly hates you through his teeth, even wishing to kill you!"

"It's all thanks to the support of you two elder brothers; otherwise, how would Yuan Shen have paid any attention to me?"

Yuan Tianmu warned:

"Third Brother must still be careful; this Yuan Shen is deeply scheming and must not be underestimated."

"Thank you, Elder Brother, for your concern!"

General Er Zhu Rong waved his hand; seeing a maid bring up wine and water, he spoke:

"Today, we brothers gather; let us not speak of these things and drink heartily instead."

The three drank heartily; at the height of their revelry, they began discussing the war in Bingzhou.

This southern campaign to suppress the rebellion had proceeded very smoothly. However, after the rebellion was quelled, the court's rewards were meager; they were even unwilling to reimburse the grain and fodder for General Er Zhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu's great army's southern advance.

They were expected to pay to suppress bandits themselves!

In the end, after Successfully Suppressed the Rebellion, they wouldn't even let General Er Zhu Rong enter the gates of Jinyang City, ordering him to return home.

Speaking of this, a look of anger spread across General Er Zhu Rong's face.

"These brats are too presumptuous!"

Yuan Tianmu remained very calm.

"Our actions in Sizhou were too large; the court is wary of us. I hear the court has already appointed a new Inspector of Sizhou; the one coming is not friendly!"

After last year's turmoil in Sizhou, the county seats were empty, the cities dilapidated; the local magnates and Hu chiefs had either fled or been defeated in battle.

After General Er Zhu Rong went south, he defeated Wan Ziqizhen, gathered the defeated soldiers and refugees, and then appointed officials on his own authority.

To the Luoyang court, this was a grave taboo!

But Luoyang had no other choice.

Wan Ziqizhen and Suhe Polunxian were defeated in succession, yet Bingzhou and other regions were not stable; instead, they grew more chaotic, with warlords rising everywhere, refusing to obey the court's orders.

The court both utilized and guarded against the Er Zhu clan.

"Brother, there is no need for such worry. At present, Wu Chuan Garrison has already been breached, and Huaishuo Garrison will not hold out much longer. I foresee that once Huaishuo Garrison falls, Yuan Yu will surely lead troops north to engage in a decisive battle with Poluhan Baling!"

Hearing Yuan Tianmu, Er Zhu Rong's expression grew grave as he asked:

"Third Brother, do you think this battle will be won or lost?"

"It will surely be lost!"

"Why?"

"Wu Chuan and Huaishuo garrisons have been besieged for a long time, yet Yuan Yu has kept his troops motionless. His intentions are clear: he merely wants the six garrisons to slaughter each other so he can reap the benefits as the fisherman."

Hearing this, Yuan Tianmu felt deep shame, experiencing a touch of sorrow akin to a fox mourning a rabbit's death.

"If the court acts thus, is it not afraid of chilling the hearts of all under heaven?"

"Brother speaks truth, but can the court's intentions truly deceive everyone, especially the six garrisons so close at hand? By the time Huaishuo Garrison is also breached and Yuan Yu moves north, what he will face will not be just Woye Garrison!"

The relationships within the six garrisons were intricate and complex. Though the garrisons lay a thousand li apart, today they might be enemies fighting to the death, yet tomorrow they could sit down together to drink wine and discuss kinship.

Upon hearing this, Er Zhu Rong laughed heartily, and the gloom weighing on his heart was swept away.

"Third Brother's words make sense; we should finish this cup!"

The three drained their cups. The main door opened, and the Yuan lady suddenly rushed in, looking extremely distressed.

"What is wrong?"

"The escort accompanying Ying'e has returned to report: Ying'e has been captured!"

The moment these words left the Yuan lady's lips, Er Zhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu instinctively looked at Li Shuang.

What the hell does this have to do with me!

Li Shuang asked:

"Who captured my little niece?"

Er Zhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu also realized: this was in Southern Xiurong Commandery, not some mountain valley; who would have such audacity?

"They say it was the newly appointed Inspector of Sizhou, Yu Qingbin!"