Chapter 62: Every Single Mistake Is My Subordinate's Fault

Hene Commandery, the separate residence of Prince Guangyang.

Since returning from the northern frontier, Yuan Shen had become the laughingstock of all Luoyang.

Everyone knew he had embezzled military funds and privately sold military equipment for the sake of a woman from the grasslands.

Yuan Xu did not impose too severe a punishment on him; he merely stripped him of all official posts but retained his title.

Yet Yuan Shen felt he had no face to remain in Luoyang, found an excuse, hid himself in Hene, and spent his days drowning his sorrows in wine.

"Your Highness, Prince Qi has arrived!"

This Prince Qi was not a member of the Northern Wei imperial clan, but a very special figure.

The sixth son of Emperor Ming of Southern Qi, Xiao Baoyin!

In a sense, the Northern Wei imperial Yuan clan was quite awkward; they claimed to be the legitimate rulers and called the Southern dynasties "island barbarians," yet deep down they felt somewhat insecure.

When the current Southern Liang emperor, Xiao Yan, rose in rebellion and destroyed Southern Qi, he purged the Southern Qi imperial clan. After Xiao Baoyin escaped, this remnant of the former Southern dynasty became a banner for the Northern Wei to proclaim its legitimacy and label Southern Liang as a false usurper; moreover, as he possessed considerable talent and knew how to win hearts, he received special treatment in the Northern Wei, continuously promoted in rank and office, and was deeply trusted.

Yuan Shen and Xiao Baoyin were quite close; upon learning of Xiao Baoyin's visit, Yuan Shen immediately straightened his clothes and hat and went out to welcome him.

Xiao Baoyin could be described as a young master with a jade-like face, extremely handsome.

Yuan Shen welcomed him into the residence and treated him with great courtesy.

"Prince Qi coming here, this humble one is overwhelmed with honor."

"Prince Guangyang is too polite!"

After Xiao Baoyin sat down, he quickly got to the main point.

"Does Prince Guangyang know that Li Chong claimed to be ill and unable to bear the heavy burden of suppressing the rebels, and Your Majesty has graciously approved it?"

Yuan Shen's expression grew solemn, and he bitterly smiled:

"What use is there in Prince Qi saying these things?"

"Prince Guangyang has always had ambitions; at this moment, do you not wish to return to the northern frontier?"

"My subordinates in Pingcheng were killed by the traitor Hulü Jin when I was suppressing rebels in Shuozhou; I returned to Pingcheng alone, what could I do?"

"Prince Guangyang is a high-ranking official of the court; even if your old subordinates perished in the service of the king, could you not recruit anew? Why be so!"

Yuan Shen bitterly smiled.

"Does Prince Qi not know who currently holds the court's power?"

The court was controlled by Prince Yuan Yi; his confidant Er Zhu Rong was now frequently active in Bing, Si, Heng, and Shuo provinces. Yuan Shen's old subordinates in the northern frontier had been completely eradicated; what good would it do to return?

Seeing this, Xiao Baoyin smiled slightly, as if he had expected Yuan Shen to say exactly this.

"The Son of Heaven is growing strong; how can he be content to have the court controlled by Prince Yuan Yi!"

Upon hearing these words, Yuan Shen's face changed drastically.

"For whom has Prince Qi come?"

Xiao Baoyin did not hesitate at all and spoke directly.

"The Empress Dowager sent me!"

Yuan Shen pondered, knowing that after the palace coup of the past few years, the political situation in Luoyang would undergo violent changes once again.

And he had reached the time to choose a side.

"What does the Empress Dowager want me to do?"

"Li Chong has stepped down; the Empress Dowager does not wish to see the entire northern frontier controlled by Prince Yuan Yi's people; she needs a loyal member of the imperial clan to guard it."

"But over there in Pingcheng..."

"The key locations for suppressing the chaos at Woye Town are one in Shuozhou and one in Xiazhou; Prince Guangyang may go to govern Tongwan City."

"Thank you, Prince Qi, for your guidance!"

Outside the separate residence of Prince Guangyang, a carriage had been waiting.

Yuan Shen personally saw Xiao Baoyin off; at parting, he even gave Xiao Baoyin an expensive glass cup; only after seeing the carriage depart far away did he enter the residence.

Inside the carriage, incense was burning.

Xiao Baoyin held a fan, gently waving it.

Sitting beside him was a man, Wei Langen, who had returned from Shuozhou.

"Mr., you have worked hard!"

"I dare not; it is just that Li Chong seems to have already sensed that the one behind me is Your Highness!"

Xiao Baoyin did not care, adding more incense to the burner.

"The lying tiger is old and not worth fearing. However, what is going on with his son Li Shen Gui? After going to the northern frontier, how did he suddenly change from a prodigal son into a god of war?"

Wei Langen clasped his hands and said:

"Li Shen Gui is still that Li Shen Gui, but the chess player behind him cannot be underestimated."

"Who?"

"Li Chong's adopted son, Er Zhu Rong's sworn brother, Li Shuang!"

Xiao Baoyin repeated this name, committing it to memory, glanced at the glass cup Yuan Shen had given him, and with great disdain tossed it out of the carriage.

"Barbarians are barbarians; no matter how they change their appearance, they can never cover up that fishy and gamey smell on their bodies!"

Yunzhong.

"Third Master, you have finally arrived!"

Fei Mu looked at Li Shuang, tears unable to stop flowing out.

"General, why are you like this?"

Fei Mu was very aggrieved, shaking Li Shuang's shoulders.

"Do you know how I have spent these days?"

Li Shuang laughed heartily and patted Fei Mu's shoulder.

"Life in Yunzhong has been a bit hard, but your efforts will not go unrewarded. I just received news that the court has decided to transfer you to Take Pingcheng to serve as Vice Commander! Congratulations on your promotion!"

Fe Mu's face lit up with joy, his eyes shining.

"As long as I can leave this place, I would be willing even if transferred to serve as a mere soldier."

Seeing Fe Mu so happy he seemed ready to fly, Li Shuang hurriedly said:

"Don't be so happy yet; there is still a surprise!"

"What surprise?"

"The Grand Commander is Li Shen!"

Fe Mu, who had just flown halfway into the air, suddenly plummeted down, falling into the mud.

After that, whatever Li Shuang said next, he could not hear; his mind was a blank.

"Because your sworn brother has meritorious achievements in quelling the rebellion in Yunzhong, the court has ordered your sworn brother to succeed your sworn father as General of the Northern Expedition, Grand Commander of the Northern Campaign, and Governor of all military affairs in Heng and Shuo provinces..."

Seeing that Fe Mu seemed frozen as he spoke, Li Shuang pushed him.

"General, what is wrong? Why have you stopped moving?"

But he saw Fe Mu suddenly kneel down, wailing, his voice trembling with emotion.

"Heaven above, what sin have I committed that you must punish me so?"

At this moment, Li Shen walked over.

It had been a long time since they last met; Li Shen had gained weight, forming a sharp contrast with the emaciated Fe Mu.

"What has happened to Fe Mu?"

"I don't know; he suddenly turned like this."

Li Shen shook his head and complained.

"Ignore him; this fellow is superstitious and weird all day long. I don't know how much trouble he has caused me. If it weren't for me managing the big picture here, how could such a vast The Vast Northern Frontier be so stable!"

Li Shen looked at Li Shuang, his eyes carrying a hint of appreciation.

"Sworn brother, I heard you have also been promoted and have become a General!"

"This is all because of your merit; I just benefited from your glory!"

"We are one family; let us not speak as two. From now on, just follow me; you can't go wrong!"

"Thank you, sworn brother, for your patronage!"

As the two walked away, Fe Mu felt his heart shatter.

He caused me trouble?

If it weren't for me constantly cleaning up your mess here, could you have gained those ten-plus jin of flesh? Could you have become the Grand Commander of the Northern Campaign?

"Grand Commander of the Northern Campaign?"

Fe Mu suddenly realized something. Before, he was cleaning up this fellow's mess, but now things were different.

Li Shen had become his superior!

Can cleaning a leader's mess be called cleaning a mess?

He leaped up, trotted after them with small steps, and spoke in a high-pitched voice that sounded softer.

"Grand Commander, this subordinate has caused you trouble. Please do not be angry; take care not to hurt your health, or this subordinate would deserve death a thousand times over!"