Chapter 63: All Glory Belongs to the Grand General

Yunzhong City was originally built during the Warring States period by the State of Zhao.

In those days, King Wuling of Zhao adopted Hu clothing and mounted archery, greatly strengthening Zhao’s power, conquering the Linhu and Loufan tribes, expanding territory by three thousand li, and establishing the Yunzhong Commandery.

For over eight hundred years, Yunzhong City has remained a key northern stronghold.

When the Tuoba clan rose to power, in Shuo Prefecture, besides developing Yunzhong, they also built cities, imperial palaces, and temples at Baidao and Shengle.

The rebel forces and displaced civilians of the Six Garrisons destroyed countless imperial palaces, temples, and treasuries, looting everything they could carry, leaving Shuo Prefecture nearly barren.

After all these years of turmoil, Shuo Prefecture has returned to the state it was in when the Tuoba clan first rose—aside from Yunzhong City, there are almost no other walled towns left intact.

“My lord, I’m back!”

Hou Jing strode into Li Shuang’s residence, beaming with joy.

“Why are you back so late? Yang Kan, Gao Ang, and Kedidi Gan returned long ago.”

Li Shuang had dispatched his generals under the guise of Li Shen’s name to raid the Six Garrisons troops at Baidao, reaping rich spoils.

Everyone else had returned, but Hou Jing had been silent all this time.

“My lord, I’ve brought you a great gift!”

“What kind of gift?”

Hou Jing clapped his hands, and his soldiers dragged in a burly man.

As soon as he entered, he cursed loudly in fluent Xianbei.

“Cowardly scoundrel! You ambushed me when I wasn’t prepared!”

“Who the hell is this brute?”

“He’s the eldest son of Heba Duba—Heba Yun!”

Upon hearing this, Li Shuang’s expression changed instantly; he cursed Hou Jing in fluent Xianbei.

“How dare you treat a warrior so disrespectfully?”

At these words, Heba Yun fell silent, no longer agitated; he stared at the much younger man before him, studying him carefully.

“Come, come—untie the warrior at once!”

Hou Jing reminded him from the side.

“My lord, I went through hell to capture this brute—he fought like a wild bear, nearly impossible to catch. If you just let him go, be careful.”

Li Shuang rolled his eyes.

“Do you think this is hunting?”

After being untied, Heba Yun said nothing, standing in silence, his eyes fixed on Hou Jing with unyielding hatred, never once looking away.

“Prepare hot soup and hot food for the warrior. Let him bathe and change clothes, then eat his fill first.”

After Heba Yun left, Li Shuang asked:

“How did you catch him?”

“There were gaps in Baidao’s city wall—I led my men inside and happened upon this brute.”

“And then?”

“I insulted him, and he chased me for hundreds of li—fell right into my ambush.”

Li Shuang studied Hou Jing.

“Really?”

“Nothing escapes your notice, my lord—I took advantage of the chaos in Baidao, stormed into the Heba clan’s camp, and seized several beautiful women, including his wife.”

As he spoke, Hou Jing glanced at Li Shuang with a sly grin.

“My lord, you have no idea how beautiful his wife is—hey… shall I send her to your chambers tonight?”

Li Shuang nodded.

Seeing this, Hou Jing replied eagerly.

“Right away—I’ll have her sent—”

“You’re willing to give away women? You must be hiding something even more valuable.”

At once, Hou Jing grinned and pulled a golden tiger-head ring from his sleeve, admitting honestly:

“My lord, how could you say such things? I simply forgot—I was about to hand it over to you!”

Li Shuang took the tiger-head ring, watching Hou Jing’s reluctant expression, and asked:

“Do you know what this is?”

“Looks like something from the Rouran—definitely worth a lot, at least a mansion.”

“This is the Rouran Khan’s personal item!”

"So the Heba clan has secretly conspired with the Rouran, plotting to undermine the Great Wei's realm!"

Hou Jing spat, indignant.

“Unthinkable! The Heba clan has been loyal for generations, guarding Wuchuan with countless merits. Now they’ve rebelled against the court—that’s bad enough—but to ally with their longtime enemy, the Rouran? It’s utterly disgraceful. I even felt guilty for accidentally digging up their ancestral graves—but now I see, looting them was justified!”

As Hou Jing finished speaking, Li Shuang pulled another golden tiger-head ring from his sleeve, comparing it with the one Hou Jing had brought—it was slightly larger.

Instantly, Hou Jing was speechless.

“My lord, how did you…?”

“This was a token sent by the Rouran Khan, Yujiulu Anagui, to win over the Grand General Li Shen, seeking an alliance with him.”

How did Li Shuang come to possess the token the Rouran Khan sent to Li Shen?

Hou Jing asked, puzzled:

“When did the Grand General make contact with Anagui? When did he plan to form an alliance?”

“Keep your voice down—don’t let anyone hear. This is top secret—the Grand General doesn’t even know!”

Hou Jing sucked in a sharp breath, involuntarily stepping back two paces, staring at Li Shuang with complex emotions, then declared with utmost fervor:

"My lord, for the sake of the Great Wei's realm, you have worn yourself out—enduring humiliation to ally with the Rouran! Your unwavering loyalty brings me to tears!"

Li Shuang waved his hand modestly.

“All I’ve done is trivial—every achievement and glory ultimately belongs to the Grand General.”

Hou Jing nodded solemnly.

“I understand!”

Li Shuang weighed the two golden rings in his hand, a sly smile playing on his lips.

“It seems the Rouran Khan Yujiulu Anagui is no fool—he’s not just courting the Grand General in the Great Wei court.”

Hou Jing patted his chest, promising:

“Leave him to me—one hour, and Heba Yun will confess everything.”

Li Shuang shook his head.

“You’re not the one. To deal with a warrior like him, you need someone of equal strength.”

The Grand General’s residence.

“Brother Heba, don’t hesitate—you’re a guest in Yunzhong now. Eat well, drink well—all on me, Li Shen!”

In the hall, Li Shen and Heba Yun were both flushed, drunk, clinging to each other, nearly singing, “We have only this life—let us be brothers; no next life—we’ll miss each other then!”

Heba Yun was deeply moved, tears streaming down his face.

“Grand General, you’ve fed and clothed me despite my crimes, even given me concubines, feasting me daily—I am overwhelmed with gratitude.”

“We’re brothers—no need for formalities. Everything’s in the wine—drink!”

“If I ever escape my crimes, I swear I’ll serve under you, even as your beast of burden!”

"Nonsense—why wait? If you're willing, I'll appoint you as my Mobile General right now!"

Heba Yun immediately knelt.

“Grand General, you honor me too much. But my family is still held by the rebels of the Six Garrisons, and I’ve received secret orders from Prince Guangyang—I cannot leave.”

…

Outside the room, Li Shuang and Hou Jing listened in silence. Hearing the name “Prince Guangyang,” Hou Jing said:

“It’s that old bastard Wang Yuanshen again! My lord, what do we do?”

“As the Grand General’s most trusted subordinate, we must defend his dignity—no one else in the Great Wei may collude with the Rouran!”