Chapter 61: The Way of the World Has Changed

Heavy rain fell, and within the mountain forests, all things appeared even more desolate.

The river swelled violently, flooding the encampments and stripping the Wei army's war-torn, dilapidated base of any aura of grim severity.

Inside the Shengle Wei army's main camp, Li Chong, forcing his sickly body to move, summoned all his subordinate generals and officials to his side to discuss matters of defending against the bandits.

Everyone looked at the "Memorial to the Court for Pacifying the People," signed by Li Shen, and fell silent.

After a long suppression of their feelings, someone finally ventured to ask:

"It is one thing to distribute land to those Han people, but to also give them weapons, armor, and horses, and allow them to establish fortresses—is this not..."

Before the words were finished, Li Chong turned his gaze toward him, his eyes dark and deep.

"My illness is hard to cure, and here in this desolate northern wilderness, medicine cannot heal me; I am unfit for the task of suppressing the bandits. If the generals are unwilling to jointly sign this memorial, then naturally there are other ways."

"Please, Great Commander, give us your orders!"

"Since I was appointed to suppress the bandits, although I have achieved some military merit, I have also lost soldiers and officers. If someone in the future speaks two words against me in the court and the Court holds me accountable, I will naturally return to Luoyang to beg for punishment. In that case, the Court will surely choose another general to lead you in continuing the suppression of the bandits."

Everyone understood clearly: Li Chong was throwing in the towel.

He left two options: either you go with me, or I go alone.

Most of those present were generals of the Imperial Guard from Luoyangcheng; who would want to stay in this northern wilderness instead of returning to the blooming, flourishing Luoyangcheng?

With Li Chong's single hint, everyone understood!

Yes, what does it matter to us how this northern border turns out?

If those Han people are willing to stay and fight the Liuzhen' rebels, isn't that the best outcome?

Immediately, the expressions of everyone in the tent changed, becoming high-spirited and vigorous.

"The Great Commander is a pillar of the Court; which treacherous minister dares to sow discord before Your Majesty? I, your subordinate general, will be the first to object."

"This 'Memorial to the Court for Pacifying the People' is truly the best strategy for governing the state, pacifying the people, and defending against enemies; I will sign it immediately alongside the Great Commander and General Pingbei and submit it to the Court!"

In the end, everyone signed this memorial together with Li Chong.

With swift horses spurred on, this memorial was sent to Luoyangcheng, and everyone's hearts were eager to return.

Only the mountain bandits and roaming thieves who had descended the mountains were completely different, their bodies filled with passion.

Li Chong walked out of the main tent, looking at the refugees outside, and a pang of sorrow arose in his heart.

They say a compassionate person cannot command an army; Li Chong, nearly seventy years old and having fought for decades, had long since forged a heart of iron and stone.

Yet today, looking at those Han refugees, Li Chong detected his own sentimental nature; in the past, he would never have been like this.

"I am truly old!"

In this desolate land of Shuozhou, where everyone in Luoyangcheng avoided at all costs, these Han people regarded it as a treasure.

What a world this is!

The rain in the mountains ceased.

A swift rider darted through, arriving at the temporary camp established by Wei Kegu.

"General, it seems the Wei army is about to retreat!"

This announcement made Wei Kegu jump up excitedly.

"Did the True King's strategy really work!"

Overjoyed in his heart at that moment, he looked at Yuwen Gong beside him and said:

"Quickly assemble the troops and prepare to pursue and kill the Wei army!"

Yuwen Gong advised against it:

"General, if Li Chong is retreating, then we have already won; why pursue? If the Wei army retreats to defend the Great Wall garrisons, we will find it difficult to achieve anything."

"Forcing Li Chong back counts only as a small merit; only by capturing Li Chong can we take Take Pingcheng!"

Thinking of Take Pingcheng, Yuwen Gong's expression also changed.

The Yuwen family originally did not wish to rebel, but after holding Wu Chuan for over half a year, the Court never sent a single soldier or officer, leaving them deeply disheartened.

After surrendering to Han Baling, their only path forward was one.

Take Take Pingcheng!

Yuwen Gong made up his mind and said:

"Very well, I will go immediately to assemble the troops!"

"What about Heba Duba?"

"Brother Heba went to the rear to collect grain and supplies; I heard there is also military news coming from the White Path."

"Then let us set out first!"

Wei Kegu passed the orders down, and the entire camp sprang into action, yet no one noticed that danger had already arrived.

A shower of arrows descended.

Inside the camp, few people wore armor, and casualties were immediately significant.

When Wei Kegu saw the enemy troops surging in the mountain forests near the camp, he roared in anger:

"It's that group of roaming bandits again!"

Wei Kegu and the Yuwen family's private troops were elite forces and quickly adjusted to a state of defense.

However, after a surprise attack, the enemy did not seem to intend to engage in a full battle.

"General, do you remember me?"

A voice came from the mountain forests; Wei Kegu recognized it immediately—it was the young man from the camp wall that day.

"Are you, young one, here to surrender to me?"

While responding, Wei Kegu ordered his men to put on armor and protect the wounded soldiers.

"I am only here to tell the General that the official army is retreating; from now on, this is our territory. Let us keep our waters separate and not interfere with each other from now on, how about that?"

Wei Kegu laughed loudly.

"You're fooling ghosts. Why would the imperial army give Shengle to you?"

"Because we are loyal and righteous, and more importantly, because we are cheap! We ask for less than you, and do more than you."

Hearing this, Wei Kegu felt it was utterly absurd. Yuwen Gong, standing nearby, fell into deep thought.

"If you are truly loyal and righteous, how can you make peace with us rebels!"

"If we speak of loyalty and righteousness, does that mean we don't talk about money?"

Li Shuang's words rang out, leaving everyone in Wei Kegu's camp stunned and speechless.

"Whether you Xianbei or we Han, fighting to the death in this place, what can we possibly gain! Even a dog in Luoyang eats better than us. Why not join hands, each attending to our own affairs? Isn't that wonderful!"

These words struck a chord deep within Yuwen Gong's heart.

He turned his head to look at Wei Kegu, but saw only disdain on his face. He wanted to say something, but decided against it.

Wei Kegu secretly dispatched soldiers to flank the refugee army hidden in the mountains and forests.

"I have long heard that you Han people know propriety and etiquette. How can you utter such vulgar words?"

"The people you speak of are already dead beneath the Hu Ren's butcher knives!"

As his words fell, birds in the forest took flight into the sky.

Crossbow bolts flew, and screams never ceased. The troops Wei Kegu sent to take a shortcut had fallen into an ambush and suffered heavy losses.

At this moment, a cavalry unit galloped up quickly, bearing the banner of Heba!

Wei Kegu, having just suffered a setback, saw this and was overjoyed.

"Boy, my reinforcements have arrived. Just wait!"

Heba Duba arrived with his troops, but he was not here to reinforce; he was here to deliver news.

"General, it's bad news. A unit of imperial cavalry has raided Baidao and is approaching Wu Chuan. Our forces are outside the city. He Ba Yun and Yuwen Hao have too few soldiers and dare not sortie to fight. If we do not return to reinforce, it will be difficult to preserve ourselves."

Wei Kegu was terrified and asked:

"Whose troops are they?"

"They are flying the banner of General Pingbei, Li Shen!"

"Li Shen!"

Wei Kegu gritted his teeth, as if he wanted to tear that person apart.

Wei Kegu abandoned his camp, took no supplies, and fled quickly with only his men.

Yuwen Gong turned back, watching the crowd of refugees pouring out of the forest to plunder the camp's supplies.

Those Xianbei nobles in the court actually wanted to recruit these Han people to fight against us Xianbei of the Liuzhen.

The world has changed!

Where should the Yuwen clan go from here?