Chapter 46: It

Fenzhou, Zuoguo City.

Looking at the military report before him, Er Zhu Rong’s face darkened.

“These Jie Hu are nothing but rats in the hills!”

Er Zhu Rong always fought with open, bold maneuvers. But these Jie Hu hiding in the western river valleys had for the first time made him feel powerless.

These descendants of the Xiongnu had lost their ancestors’ wild courage on the steppes; after hiding in these valleys for over a hundred years, they had grown cunning.

Even after Er Zhu Rong captured Zuoguo City—the capital once held by Liu Yuan—those rebel Jie Hu did not surrender; instead, they vanished into the forests and occasionally emerged to ambush his supply lines, driving him to distraction.

And Pianpian , Er Zhu Rong had no good solution.

Dozens of thousands of Jie Hu lived in these western river valleys—weak in combat strength, but numerous—and this tactic struck Er Zhu Rong right at his weakness.

His troops were elite, but few in number; to slowly wear them down against the Jie Hu in these forests was nothing short of slow suicide.

Yuan Tianmu walked in, looking even more troubled than Er Zhu Rong.

“Tianmu, you’ve come just in time—we can’t stay here any longer. We must retreat.”

Yuan Tianmu said nothing, but handed his intelligence report to Er Zhu Rong.

Er Zhu Rong took it, glanced at it, and turned pale.

“How did Li Chong reach Pingcheng?”

“He didn’t advance from Bingzhou. Instead, he led his troops around through Hebei, passing through Shanggu to reach Hengzhou, completely avoiding our scouts. Word is, your third brother was caught off guard and barely escaped with his life.”

“That old fox is still this crafty at his age,” Er Zhu Rong’s long-suppressed fury erupted. “Then we absolutely cannot linger here any longer.”

Er Zhu Rong wanted to leave the western river valleys as soon as possible; Yuan Tianmu agreed.

“Since we’ve retaken Zuoguo City, we’ve given the court sufficient justification. Lately, the court has been anything but stable.”

“The court?”

Yuan Tianmu nodded.

“After Liu Teng’s death, the Hu Hou gradually reclaimed control of the inner palace. The Emperor is growing older and has shown growing dissatisfaction with Yuan Yi’s monopolization of state affairs. The sky over Luoyangcheng may soon change.”

Er Zhu Rong frowned. Yuan Yi was his patron at court; if he fell, many things would become difficult.

“What does Yuan Yi intend?”

“He seems to want to step down.”

“What did you say?”

Years ago, Yuan Yi had allied with the eunuch Liu Teng to launch a palace coup, killing Prince Yuan Yi and imprisoning the Hu Hou, thereby seizing control of Luoyang’s court.

Er Zhu Rong couldn’t believe it—someone could be this naive.

“Does he think he has an escape route?”

Yuan Tianmu sighed, helpless.

“Yuan Yi probably believes he still has leverage as the Hu Hou’s brother-in-law.”

“Then we must accelerate our plans and seize Jinyang as soon as possible. No matter how the court in Luoyang shifts, we’ll remain firmly in control.”

“I only wonder whether your third brother can get through this.”

“The young hero guarding Ma Yi is extraordinary—his bearing is impressive. I deeply admire him!”

“The Grand General of the North is nearly seventy, yet still leads troops into battle—his martial spirit rivals Lian Po!”

Li Shenggui stood aside, baffled—how could two men who had just moments ago been fighting to the death now be so warm and familiar?

“Please!”

“Please!”

As soon as Li Chong sat down, he began to flatter.

“I heard from the Inspector of Si Prefecture, Wei Qingbin, that the guard of Ma Yi is from the Longxi Li clan?”

“Forgive me, Grand General—I lost my father young, wandered the wilds, and don’t even know my true lineage!”

Li Chong stroked his beard, pondering long, then suddenly spoke:

“There’s no mistake—you are of the Longxi Li clan!”

Li Shuang was caught off guard by this sudden turn, but Li Chong continued:

“I too am of the Longxi Li clan. Family ties don’t lie.”

Li Shuang’s face lit up with sudden understanding.

“No wonder the day I saw you on the walls of Ma Yi, I felt such warmth—I couldn’t help but kowtow to you. It must be the call of blood!”

Li Shuang rose and clapped his hands.

Liu Gui suddenly appeared at the banquet, holding a heavy box, visibly uneasy—he was clearly nervous, having never attended such a high-level gathering.

Li Shuang took the heavy box from Liu Gui and placed it before Li Chong.

“I heard you follow the Dao—I specially had this prepared as a token of respect from your humble junior.”

Li Chong gently flicked his finger—the box opened to reveal a golden statue.

“Why so formal? I’m only a few years older than you—I’m your elder. How can I accept a gift from a junior?”

Saying this, Li Chong passed the box to Li Shenggui, who stood nearby.

“Besides—if outsiders found out, they’d say I took bribes!”

Li Shuang’s expression changed; he shook his head.

“Grand General, you’re wrong—I must correct you on this.”

“Oh?”

“When Wang Jian was ordered to conquer Chu, the First Emperor asked him for rewards—he asked for fields, houses, and beautiful concubines. Even with the First Emperor’s greatness, Wang Jian had to sully his reputation to avoid suspicion. How much more so now, with a young Emperor and treacherous ministers surrounding him? You lead armies far from court—you must do the same.”

When Li Shuang finished, the hall fell silent for a long time. Then Li Chong burst into laughter.

“You’ve spoken straight to my heart. How laughable those so-called pure officials who always rant about ‘greed, avarice, hoarding, and relentless pursuit of profit!’”

Li Shuang immediately agreed.

“You’re right—what do those idle talkers know? When generals command far from court, if they don’t sully their names, how can they reassure the Emperor? Sometimes, taking more isn’t for ourselves—it’s for the empire!”

Li Chong’s eyes brightened as he looked at Li Shuang, filled with admiration.

“I’m growing fonder of you by the moment.”

Standing beside them, Li Shenggui could tell: if earlier there had been any pretense, Li Chong’s emotions now were entirely genuine.

“I have a bold idea!”

Saying this, Li Shuang knelt.

“If you’ll have me, I beg to take you as my adoptive father!”

Li Chong helped Li Shuang up and laughed heartily:

“I never expected, at my age, to gain such a son of rare worth!”

After helping the half-drunk Li Chong back to his room, Li Shenggui complained:

“Father, you’ve gone senile—how could you take in an unknown man as your adopted son?”

Li Chong lay on his bed, face still flushed, but his gaze was crystal clear.

“I told you you’re a fool—and you prove it. If you had half the wit of that boy Li Shuang, my family wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“Father, what do you mean?”

“Do you remember the question I asked you?”

“I remember.”

Hearing Li Shenggui’s words, Li Chong still seethed.

“That Xianbei brat made you Grand General of Pingbei—is that trust in the Li clan?”

“What else could it be?”

“His meaning was clear: if you can’t quell the rebellion in Hengzhou, you and I won’t return—we’ll just rot here!”

Li Shenggui turned pale, sweat breaking out on his brow.

“What does this have to do with Li Shuang?”

Li Chong snorted.

“I’m nearly seventy—do you think I’ll personally lead troops against those wolf-like rebels of the Six Garrisons, or leave it to you, this useless Grand General of Pingbei?”

Li Shenggui understood.

“But what of Yuan Shen?”

Li Chong spoke with cold ruthlessness:

“I gave him his chance. Since Yuan Shen is incapable of controlling Hengzhou’s situation, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

……