[{"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-55":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},2311773,4516,"Chapter 55: Li Shuang Is a Loyal and Honest Man","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-55",55,"\u003Cp>Shengle, Wei Army encampment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Endless tents stretched across the land; water access and defense were convenient here, even sufficient for immediate field cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the Wei Army camp stood the “Ji Shang Saiwei,” the rampart guarding the Dai region in the northern frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Wall formed a heavenly barrier, separating Hengzhou from Shuozhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now both Eastern and Western Chile had rebelled; Li Chong, leading the main force, dared not advance too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pingcheng was the frontline defending both Hebei and Shanxi, its military defenses strong, yet it required sufficient manpower to hold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chong knew full well that leading troops beyond the Great Wall now carried too great a risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yunzhong must be saved!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yunzhong fell, the Liuzhen rebels would not only gain a fortified city as a forward base, but also a vast fertile region around Yunzhong suitable for both farming and herding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once firmly established, the Liuzhen rebels would push their battle line into Hengzhou territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was merely a military consideration; more importantly, losing Yunzhong would leave the court with no explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only hope that boy knows the weight of things!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chong could only hope so in his heart!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the great tent, half the generals who once consulted with Grand Commander Li Chong were now gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tent was empty, yet no one dared speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until a sob broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Commander! The generals died so horribly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that familiar voice, seeing that familiar figure, Li Chong thought: It’s over!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hoped this boy would know his place—better I’d hoped Li Shen would never visit brothels!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened in Ma Yi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other generals, startled, immediately demanded answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang choked on his sobs, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My unit served as vanguard; at Shankou we met the Liuzhen rebels in battle. The generals behind us all rushed forward to aid us. But those rebels were too formidable—we couldn’t stand against them. Only I managed to break out with my men!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The generals were loyal and righteous! For the court and the people, for the duties Grand Commander entrusted to them, some were pierced by over ten arrows yet pressed forward, fighting the rebels until their battle robes were soaked in blood, never turning back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Li Shuang finished, the great tent fell utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chong remained silent; Fei Mou paced like an ant on a hot pan. The other generals, staring at the half-empty tent, then at Li Shuang—the sole survivor—felt a chill rise in their hearts, their eyes filled with dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one man, General of Pingbei Li Shen, his eyes brimmed with tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiny pearls kept falling!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Younger brother, how you’ve suffered!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Li Shen stepped forward and embraced Li Shuang, weeping with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang sobbed even louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all my fault! I’m incompetent! The generals were loyal ministers, yet they died on the battlefield saving me. If I could, I’d rather have died there in their place, to spare them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not your fault—the rebels were simply too cunning!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generals in the tent were hardened veterans, accustomed to great storms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first they’d felt fear, suspecting some conspiracy. But with Li Shen’s intervention, and the moving sight of these sworn brothers weeping together, they began to wonder if they’d overthought things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Li Shuang’s weeping, his agonized expression—undeniably genuine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the truth really be as Li Shuang claimed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m heartbroken—truly heartbroken!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Younger brother, don’t grieve so. The generals’ spirits in heaven would not wish to see you like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the generals bid me farewell, they joked that if they didn’t return, I should care for their wives and daughters. I never imagined… never imagined! Spirits of the generals, rest assured—I will fulfill your final wishes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Younger brother, you truly are a loyal and honest man!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the other generals stepped forward, joining the embrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General of Pingbei, we won’t let the Governor of Ma Yi suffer alone. We’ll care for the wives and daughters of the fallen generals!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shen comforted Li Shuang for another half-hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. You may all go. I have further details to question the Governor of Ma Yi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chong kept only Li Shuang behind. Seeing him still weeping, his tone grew impatient and irritated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you done crying yet? Are you still putting on a show?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The emotion was building, and then…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hou Jing fed me too much poison—I can’t stop now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chong waved his sleeve in annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve crushed Yuan Shen’s old officers, but none of them lacked ties to Luoyang. We’ve lost troops, lost morale, and Yunzhong’s crisis remains unresolved. If someone rises against me, how do I explain it to the court?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Commander, rest assured—the siege of Yunzhong is already lifted!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you won the battle, why retreat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Li Shuang’s tent gathered Yang Kan, Gao Ang, Yu Jin, Hou Jing, and Kedi Gan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Kedi Gan scratched his head, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang smiled and explained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hulü Jin was already a heroic general among the Chile. After his great victory over imperial troops, Po Liu Han Kong Que feared he’d lose control, so he recalled him from the front. Without Hulü Jin, the other tribes scattered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin looked uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Governor of Ma Yi, the tribes still loyal to the court in Shuozhou need pacifying. The garrison troops inside Yunzhong are demoralized—I fear we still can’t hold it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuozhou had been swept clean by the Liuzhen rebels; under their nomadic warfare, most of the province lay empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Villages and pastures had become ruins; the people had been dragged into the rebel ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around Yunzhong lay vast fertile lands, yet under these conditions, they could not be cultivated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city’s grain could only come from Hengzhou—long, mountainous routes. In time, it would be unsustainable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin’s face was etched with worry, unable to find a solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is simple. Quickly implement the Three Strategies for Suppressing Rebels across Shuozhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing and Kedi Gan perked up immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t know—the moment the Three Strategies took effect, the Liuzhen rebels’ internal situation collapsed. Even Hulü Jin’s recent victory rewards? They came from my money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin had known nothing of this. Now, hearing Li Shuang’s words, he understood each character—but together, they made no sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kedi Gan slapped his thigh, as if he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So they’re literally paying out of their own pockets to rebel!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang rallied the others:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Push harder, everyone! As long as we keep implementing the Three Strategies, the Liuzhen rebels are doomed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin still harbored a scholar’s compassion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the Hu Ren of Shuozhou have just suffered the Liuzhen disaster—now they’re expected to support the court’s Three Strategies? They’ll be crushed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For the court, we must make these Hu Ren suffer a little longer. If all else fails, the blame falls on General of Pingbei!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>",1159,"2026-06-20T12:30:56.711Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9e292955caaf77b94fee9bf21e1f499aa0c779374ad9545aafe0ce690571f9b6","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-56","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-54",211,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmemoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-cover.jpg"]