Chapter 40: Unity Is Strength

After a night of commotion, the Magistrate’s Mansion of Ma Yi returned to silence.

Du Gu Ru, Liu Ling, and She Di Gan sat inside, watching Li Shuang eat a full bowl of mutton soup topped with scallions and thick fat, dipping it into Hu bread, yet not a word was spoken.

“Want some?”

Du Gu Ru said nothing; Liu Ling waved his hand dismissively; She Di Gan stared at Li Shuang with pleading eyes, as if Li Shuang owed him money.

After finishing, Li Shuang wiped his mouth and spoke:

“I know you’re all in a hurry, but don’t rush yet!”

Du Gu Ru slammed the table and shouted:

“Just say it—do you want me or him?”

Hearing Du Gu Ru’s words, Liu Ling adopted an equally hostile stance.

“I feel the same way!”

Before Li Shuang could speak, Du Gu Ru had already raised her bid.

“I command three thousand elite cavalry, hundreds of skilled craftsmen, and just spent a fortune to acquire three hundred sets of armor and barded horses. In this northern frontier, I’m a major tribe.”

Liu Ling sneered:

“Where did you get the money? Did you cheat it?”

The moment Liu Ling spoke, Du Gu Ru flew into a rage.

“No wonder they found out—it had to be your doing!”

“If you don’t want anyone to know, don’t do it in the first place!”

Liu Ling adopted a righteous posture and said:

“Commander, I may not have three thousand elite cavalry, but I have the best intelligence network. In this chaotic age, troops can only solve immediate problems—only sharp-eyed informants can plan for the long term.”

Du Gu Ru mocked:

“Plan for the long term? You’re barely escaping creditors who’re chasing you to the edge of a cliff.”

Hearing this, Liu Ling erupted in fury.

“I know why all those wealthy merchants suddenly came demanding repayment—it was you!”

“Don’t blame others for your own wrongdoing!”

As the two clashed, Li Shuang turned to She Di Gan.

“Do you have anything to say to me?”

She Di Gan smiled with a look of earnest sincerity.

Li Shuang glanced at him—admittedly, that earnest smile was quite deceptive.

“I don’t have Du Gu Ru’s cavalry, nor Liu Ling’s intelligence network—but I have a heart loyal to you!”

So you just want a free ride?

Li Shuang rolled his eyes, ready to dismiss him—when She Di Gan stood up and explained:

“Wait! I’m an old Xianbei of this northern frontier—I know every wealthy family, every troop strength, every pasture where the cattle and sheep graze. True, I was robbed, but I still have half a valley of horses. Put them together, and I can still muster two thousand elite cavalry and two hundred barded horsemen.”

Seeing She Di Gan finally reveal his true strength, Li Shuang nodded in satisfaction.

“You’re all my dearest friends! How can a little disagreement make us fall out?”

Li Shuang turned to Du Gu Ru and scolded:

“You’re the Sacred Maiden of the steppe, the dream of countless men—why are you swinging brooms at old men? Luckily, I had someone seal off the side courtyard, or word would’ve spread—how embarrassing!”

Du Gu Ru said nothing.

Li Shuang turned to Liu Ling.

“And you—you’re old enough to be doting on grandchildren, enjoying peace. Why spend your days practicing your bedroom arts until you’re drained? And now you’re beaten by a girl half your age?”

Liu Ling stammered helplessly.

“I… I…”

“Enough. Everyone calm down. Think—what’s our immediate priority?”

“Settle the matter!”

“Escape debt!”

“Seek revenge!”

Each gave their answer, but Li Shuang shook his head.

“Wrong. It’s lack of money.”

Li Shuang looked at Du Gu Ru:

“You’re young and vibrant—you should be riding the steppes, hunting freely. If you weren’t short on money, would you sit in your tent day after day, writing dozens of letters, exhausting yourself to appease those sycophants? Sometimes I think of you, and I feel sorry for you.”

Du Gu Ru looked at Li Shuang, suddenly choked up.

He turned to Liu Ling:

“You’re at an age to rest, to enjoy your grandchildren. If you weren’t short on money, would you still be running between nobles, playing mystic tricks? Even if your heart is set on your cause, you must value your health.”

Liu Ling’s eyes welled with tears.

Finally, Li Shuang turned to She Di Gan.

“And you—you’ve always distrusted me, never told me your true strength. Now you’ve been robbed! If you’d moved those horses from Waxu Valley here earlier, would you be in this state now?”

She Di Gan spoke in a low voice:

“I was wrong.”

Li Shuang nodded.

“Now that you know where your mistake lies, fix it. Tell me—who in Hengzhou has the most money?”

All three pairs of eyes suddenly locked onto Li Shuang.

“Why are you looking at me with such a guilty expression?”

Li Shuang spread his hands.

“I don’t have money!”

“I don’t like money!”

“I’m not interested in money!”

After these three declarations, Li Shuang added:

“All your current troubles can be solved by earning enough money.”

The three swept their sleeves dismissively, with perfect decorum.

“Obvious!”

“You bastard!”

“No need to tell us!”

Li Shuang felt their “decorum,” yet felt no anger—only grinned.

“We’re all on the same page now. So the key question is—who do we team up to rob?”

The three stared at Li Shuang, lost in thought.

“Ru Sister finally agreed to marry me!”

In Pingcheng, Wang Yuanshen read the letter, his face beaming with joy.

Yu Jin stood beside him, watching silently, saying nothing.

“Ju Mi, take men to the Du Gu tribe and propose for me.”

Yu Jin shook his head:

“But Du Gu Ru demanded a huge dowry—you’ve emptied your treasury. How can I deliver the betrothal gifts?”

Wang Yuanshen grew calm.

“You’re right. What should I do?”

Seeing his old friend in such distress, even though he’d switched sides, Yu Jin couldn’t help advising:

“Even if you spend a fortune to marry her, what then?”

Wang Yuanshen didn’t care.

“Ju Mi, you’ve gone blind. If I marry Du Gu Ru, all the gifts I gave her before come back—and I gain three thousand elite cavalry. What a profitable deal!”

At that moment, a guard’s voice came from outside:

“Your Majesty, Liu Ling requests an audience.”

“Let him in!”

The moment Liu Ling entered, Wang Yuanshen was startled.

“Master, you’ve changed so much in just a few days!”

“I was attacked by bandits on my journey—I fought hard and barely escaped.”

Wang Yuanshen comforted him:

“The world grows more chaotic by the day. Thank heavens you’re back!”

Liu Ling sighed.

“Yes, but my companions—the Rouran merchants—didn’t fare well. Many died. They barely saved the payment, and now they don’t know how to explain it to their masters.”

Hearing this, Wang Yuanshen perked up.

“Rouran merchants? What do they want to buy?”

“Just common steppe goods—salt, iron, and…”

Liu Ling glanced at Yu Jin. Wang Yuanshen understood.

"Jumi, you may leave first!"

Yu Jin sighed inwardly and walked out silently.

"—And armor and weapons!"

Wang Yuanshen’s expression changed.

"How audacious!"

"Your Majesty, not long ago, Yujiulu Anagui’s negotiations with Po Liu Han Baling broke down, and the Rouran Khagan is preparing to launch troops against the rebels!"

"Is this true?"

"It is true!"

Wang Yuanshen nodded.

"In that case, if I sell armor and full cavalry gear to the Rouran, I am aiding the court in suppressing the rebellion!"

"Your Majesty speaks wisely!"