Chapter 64: This Is What I Must Do

Daybreak arrived, and Li Shen, who had been drinking all night, was roused, clearly irritable.

“What’s all this noise?”

“Grand General, the Hu Ren and Han civilians in the city have come to blows!”

Li Shen’s eyes widened in shock.

This was no trivial matter!

Though the conflict was quickly quelled, the seeds of resentment had already been sown.

Li Shen summoned his officials and finally learned the cause.

The dispute began because many Han refugees had recently migrated to Yunzhong City and began reclaiming wasteland near the city, clashing with nearby nomadic Hu Ren.

Many Hu Ren who had returned from Liuzhen discovered their former pastures now turned into Han farmland.

Tensions between the two sides finally erupted!

After hearing this, Li Shen had no solution.

In Shengle, where Han refugees were numerous, armed and armored by imperial decree, and rebuilding walls and fortresses with packed earth, the Hu Ren dared not approach.

But here it was different: though many Hu Ren had left, the economy remained half-agricultural, half-pastoral.

“What do you suggest?”

Half the officials in the room believed the land now occupied by Han refugees had originally belonged to the Hu Ren and should be returned; the other half argued the Hu Ren were rebels, so the land rightfully belonged to no one and need not be returned.

The debate dragged on, leaving Li Shen with a throbbing head; he finally turned to Li Shuang.

“Tianba, what’s your view?”

All eyes turned to Li Shuang. Many knew the Han refugees had his backing, yet to everyone’s surprise, Li Shuang did not support keeping the land.

“Since it’s fifty-fifty, let’s draw lots to decide.”

Li Shen frowned:

“Nonsense! State affairs cannot be settled by childish games! What will outsiders think?”

“Then don’t let outsiders find out!”

“… ”

Li Shen fell silent for a long time, unable to bring himself to agree.

“I was raised to never do such a thing!”

Li Shuang nodded, approving his sworn brother’s unwavering integrity.

“Then summon a shaman to divine the will of heaven—let the gods choose between the two options.”

Li Shen finally accepted this proposal.

“Who should we summon? After so much war, all the shamans have fled.”

“I know of a shaman named Liu Ling—famous and highly effective. Let’s bring him!”

Li Shen nodded.

“Then it’s settled.”

Yunzhong City, ravaged by war, had lost its original sacrificial grounds.

Under Li Shen’s orders, a grand altar was quickly erected; both sides stood below it, watching Liu Ling dance upon the platform.

The city grew lively.

He Ba Yun was far stronger than Li Shen and drank far more wine, yet the next day he was in far better condition.

“What is Grand General doing?”

“Grand General is resolving the dispute according to Xianbei tradition!”

He Ba Yun heard this and felt a strange pang. He turned and saw Li Shuang behind him, grinning.

“General He Ba, care to sit and drink somewhere?”

Everyone in the city had gone to watch the spectacle; the two found a nearby tavern and sat down.

I’m no longer a court military commander!

He Ba Yun sighed, gazing at the young man before him—so young, already a General—and felt a bitter twist in his chest.

“Some things Grand General cannot say outright, but as his subordinate and sworn brother, I must speak.”

He Ba Yun drank, his gloom plain in every motion.

“Say what you will, General.”

“Grand General has sent troops to Bai Dao...”

Before Li Shuang finished, He Ba Yun raised his hand.

“In war, each side serves its master—I hold no grudge against Grand General.”

“Your magnanimity aside, I’ve heard the He Ba clan has ties to Prince Guangyang.”

He Ba Yun’s expression hardened, turning wary.

“What do you intend?”

“I want to warn you: Prince Guangyang cannot be trusted!”

“Why say that?”

“When Prince Guangyang was stationed in Pingcheng, he was impeached by Grand General’s father for embezzling military pay and returned to Luoyang in disgrace. Think: a man who steals from his soldiers for women—can he be trusted?”

He Ba Yun fell silent.

“And that tiger-head ring you wear—wasn’t it given to you by the Rouran Khan, to deliver to Yuan Shen?”

He Ba Yun nodded. His wariness had lessened.

“Yuan Shen’s alliance with the Rouran is meant to join forces and crush Liuzhen.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“But at what cost?”

He Ba Yun looked at Li Shuang, his heart tightening; he opened his mouth but said nothing.

Li Shuang smiled and poured him another cup of wine.

“The Rouran Khan won’t help for free! The Rouran have lingered too long in Mobei—they crave Monan. If Yujiulu Anagui moves south, he’ll choose either Wuchuan or Huaihu as his royal seat. Yuan Shen sits safely in Xiazhou’s Tongwan City, across the Yellow River—he has nothing to fear. But what of you?”

“Think again: a man who disregards the safety of Xianbei border folk for his own glory—can he be trusted?”

“I...”

Seeing He Ba Yun hesitate, Li Shuang waved his hand.

“You’re thinking of the He Ba clan’s future.”

He Ba Yun nodded.

“Listen to me: Yuan Shen may be imperial kin, but he’s been so thoroughly sinicized he no longer shares the Xianbei’s heart. Our Grand General, though Han, follows Xianbei customs in every matter—he stands with you, always.”

On the altar, the great shaman Liu Ling had reached the final rite.

A sound rang out from the altar—the verdict was cast.

“The gods decree: the land belongs to the Han—do not return it!”

The Han refugees erupted in cheers; the Hu Ren stood stunned and hollow-eyed.

Hearing the verdict, Li Shuang looked at He Ba Yun and spoke slowly:

“If the He Ba clan comes over, Grand General will welcome you with honor.”

He Ba Yun drained his cup and sighed:

“Grand General is a man of benevolence!”

Grand General’s residence!

“So this is true? Prince Guangyang, an imperial clansman, secretly conspired with the Rouran!”

He Ba Yun knelt, recounting everything; Li Shen stared in shock.

The room filled with men, all silent; finally Li Shuang spoke:

“Grand General, the issue isn’t that Yuan Shen conspired with the Rouran—it’s what he intends to do with them.”

“You mean?”

“Today he conspires with the Rouran—tomorrow he might ally with the Liuzhen rebels; the day after, might he gather troops and march on Luoyang to usurp the throne?”

Li Shuang’s words sent a chill through the assembled officers.

“What do we do now?”

“Our priority is to stabilize the Rouran before Yuan Shen does!”

Someone asked:

“How is that different from Yuan Shen?”

“It’s entirely different: we serve the state—our actions are righteous! The He Ba clan are loyal subjects, still held by rebels—do not act rashly.”

“Then who should go?”

“I shall not decline!”

He Ba Yun cast a grateful glance; all present were moved.

Li Shen spoke softly:

“Younger brother, you suffer greatly.”

“As a minister of the realm, for the sake of Great Wei’s stability—even if I bear slander—this is what I must do!”