Chapter 52: The World

In the third summer month, normally the busiest time of year, vast fields outside Pingcheng were nearly deserted.

Inside the Governor’s Office, a group of officials urgently urged Li Chong:

“Yu Puti has rebelled in Liangzhou, Mo Zhe Niansheng has risen in Longyou, Hu Chen has revolted in Gaoping, the Eastern and Western Tiele have all turned traitor and rallied to the Six Garrisons. At this moment, we cannot let Li Shuang continue like this.”

“The people’s hearts are turning; many tribes have crossed the Great Wall and fled. Pingcheng already lacks grain, and now even the pastures are nearly abandoned.”

…

The voices of the crowd echoed endlessly in his ears, yet Li Chong remained unmoved, speaking calmly:

“What did His Majesty say?”

Everyone fell silent at once.

Those who held office in Pingcheng all had ties to Luoyangcheng.

Those with good intelligence already knew the reaction from Luoyangcheng.

The young emperor in Luoyangcheng, upon hearing that the Three Suppression Strategies had been smoothly implemented, did not swiftly quell the Six Garrisons—instead, more rebels had emerged—and he said this:

“I long knew these Hu Ren could not be trusted. Fortunately, we enacted the Three Suppression Strategies; otherwise, when Li Chong went to suppress the rebellion, they would have stabbed him in the back!”

Just as with the old affairs of the Six Garrisons and Anagui, the young emperor would never admit his own fault—he believed his decisions were right, and those who failed to comprehend the Son of Heaven’s will were the ones at fault.

Li Chong sneered inwardly; he no longer held any hope for the young emperor in Luoyangcheng.

Seeing the men silent, Li Chong spoke slowly:

“As long as His Majesty has not ordered a halt, the Three Suppression Strategies must continue.”

“Even if we carry them out, Li Shuang cannot continue. This young man lacks restraint—he must be replaced by a seasoned, prudent man from within Pingcheng to oversee the operation.”

“Let me think on this matter further. You may all withdraw.”

With Li Chong’s order, everyone left.

Only Li Shenguin remained inside the Governor’s Office.

In recent months, Li Shenguin had been riding high.

“Qingzhun, what do you think of this matter?”

In recent days, Li Shenguin had gotten along well with Li Shuang. After all, Red Romance wasn’t free.

“My sworn brother is fine in every way, but he’s too loyal to the court. Young men, when they act, often lack restraint.”

Li Chong looked at Li Shenguin’s solemn expression and couldn’t help laughing.

“Father, why are you laughing?”

“Didn’t you notice that the most vehement opponents were all Yuan Shenshen’s old subordinates?”

“Is that so!”

Li Shenguin’s face lit up with sudden understanding, then he asked:

“So what?”

Li Chong sighed deeply, placing a hand on Li Shenguin’s shoulder, striving to control his emotions.

“Do you truly believe they oppose Li Shuang overseeing the Three Suppression Strategies for the sake of the court?”

“Isn’t that so?”

“Qingzhun, in your life, after me, the most important thing is to obey your sworn brother. Whatever he tells you to do, never form your own opinion.”

Li Chong shook his head helplessly and walked out of the room, leaving Li Shenguin shouting behind him:

“Why?”

The northern Great Wall was built along the mountain ridges, stretching from north to south to protect the fertile lands between Pingcheng and Ma Yi.

This was also the core region ruled by the Northern Wei’s Dai Commandery faction.

When the Former Qin fell and Tuoba Gui founded the Northern Wei, moving the capital to Pingcheng, successive Northern Wei emperors had poured real gold and silver into military infrastructure in Dai territory.

Since the Northern Wei moved its capital, border defenses had grown increasingly lax over the decades.

The Great Wall, built of rammed earth, had collapsed in many sections due to war or other causes.

Local tribes didn't report these collapses because even if they did, Pingcheng wouldn't act—it would just assign the repair work to the reporting tribe.

To spend money, labor, and manpower and gain nothing in return—naturally, no one would do it.

Over time, these collapsed sections became smuggling routes for the tribes.

Now, they had become escape routes for the Hengzhou Hu Ren tribes.

The mountain paths were treacherous and unsuitable for large forces, yet these Hu Ren tribes had no choice but to take them.

Over the years, the northern border tribes were all interrelated; when they met acquaintances, they exchanged greetings.

“Are you also dealing with Da Ye Shuang?”

“Yes, badly. We’re heading to join the True King.”

“I heard the True King’s camp isn’t rich either—I plan to head north and join the Rouran.”

“The Rouran? They’re the Northern Wei’s mortal enemies—they raided us just a few years ago and stole plenty. Why would they take you in?”

“You don’t know? My family has ties to the Yujiulu.”

“Then you’re lucky!”

Though they said that aloud, most would silently curse: "Rou rou, filthy bastard."

Of course, not all Hu Ren were willing to endure such a harsh journey.

Even if Dai territory had deteriorated, it was still better than Mobei or Monan!

“Why are there so many?”

Li Shuang hadn’t expected so many Hu Ren to accept the shift from herding to farming.

Hou Jing, beside him, was also surprised.

“I checked the roster—I was shocked myself.”

Li Shuang clenched his teeth, feeling sorry for them.

“These Hu Ren abandon a promising path of rebellion and actually choose to return and farm?”

Hou Jing agreed:

“Exactly. I thought their cries to join Po Liuhan Baling were genuine, but they were just talk. They never even crossed the Great Wall before turning back.”

Li Shuang sighed bitterly:

“The world’s morals have declined; people’s hearts are no longer ancient. No wonder the Northern Wei grows weaker with each generation.”

“Lord, the number of people who came is far fewer than we expected—what do we do about our plan to drain the grain supplies of the Six Garrisons and the Rouran?”

Li Shuang glanced at Hou Jing and asked:

“What do you think we’re doing?”

“Suppressing bandits!”

“No—we’re making the court believe we’re suppressing bandits!”

Hou Jing suddenly understood.

Watching Hou Jing’s realization, Li Shuang set down the roster and asked:

“How is Liu Gui doing with contacting the Six Garrisons rebels and arranging covert exchanges?”

Hou Jing replied:

“He’s met Po Liuhan Kong Que. The other side is quite interested—after all, Huaixi is now short on supplies.”

“What about Wei Kegu?”

At the mention of Wei Kegu, Hou Jing shook his head, his expression grim.

“He’s a diehard loyalist to Po Liuhan Baling—exceptionally formidable in battle, few in the world can match him—but stubborn as stone. Our men barely made it back alive.”

“Forget Wu Chuan for now.”

Saying this, Li Shuang warned:

“Keep our people cautious—many in Pingcheng are eyeing this juicy prize. Especially Yuan Shenshen’s old subordinates—they’re always hunting for my weaknesses.”

“Lord, I heard Yuan Shenshen’s old subordinates plan to strike us under the pretext of relieving Shuozhou’s crisis!”

Li Shuang smiled.

Seeing that smile, Hou Jing understood at once, lowered his head, and quietly withdrew.

…