Chapter 66: The Huai Shuo Romance Incident

Wu Chuan.

For Heba Duba's return, Wei Kegu's face showed no concealment, filled with distrust.

"When the Shuozhou army attacked Baidao City back then, you led your troops out in pursuit; for over ten days you were unseen—where did you go?"

Heba Duba clasped his hands and said:

"I will not hide it from you, General; I was captured and taken to Yunzhong."

At Wu Chuan Town's peak, the city's population numbered in the tens of thousands, including prominent Xianbei nobles and Han Chinese and Chiele clans who had submitted. Wu Chuan Town and Huai Shuo Town to the west formed a pincer, constituting a defense line against the Rouran.

After the Northern Wei moved its capital, the Liuzhen weakened, and the population continuously dwindled.

By now, the military fortress that once made the Rouran tremble with fear had lost its former glory; all that remained was the helplessness of things changed while people remained.

However, those who stayed until the end were all veterans seasoned by battle and valiant generals.

Just as the Xianbei and Han in Luoyang huddled together, so too did the Xianbei and Han of the Liuzhen.

Bound by blood and marriage ties, they formed alliances. In comparison, the unity of the Liuzhen was far greater than that of Luoyang.

That trust was forged in the frost and wind of the northern frontier, under bloody combat against the Rouran and other foreign tribes.

Wei Kegu looked at Heba Duba, still unconvinced.

"With your Heba Duba's capabilities, who could have captured you?"

"This matter is shameful to speak of; that person was from Huai Shuo Town, but was transferred to an outer town in earlier years, so his name was not prominent among the Liuzhen."

Hearing it was a man from Huai Shuo Town, Wei Kegu seemed to understand.

"Then how did you manage to escape?"

"I dare not deceive you, General; the Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition, Li Shen, personally released this subordinate and had this subordinate bring a message."

"What message?"

"The Rouran are moving south!"

Hearing this news, everyone's faces changed drastically.

The situation now is different; behind the Liuzhen is no longer the Northern Wei court. If the Wei army and the Rouran join hands, the Liuzhen will fall into a position of being attacked from north and south, isolated and without aid.

"Why did he have you bring this message?"

Heba Duba spoke honestly:

"The Grand Commander Li Shen is benevolent; he sent me back to give us a sliver of hope. If we are willing to submit..."

Wei Kegu angrily interrupted Heba Duba's words, and the atmosphere in the room became extremely tense.

"Our generations have been loyal and virtuous, establishing great merits for the court, yet how did the court treat us? Now, to deal with us, the court is even willing to collude with the Rouran; is such a court still worthy of our loyalty?"

Wei Kegu's expression shifted, his words filled with contempt and disdain.

"That is the Rouran! I would rather die than submit!"

"But if we do not submit, where is our path to survival?"

The Baidao controlled by Wei Kegu had just suffered plundering, with severe losses of supplies; the environment facing Wu Chuan is now extremely perilous.

"We are people of the Liuzhen; we would rather die like heroes than live like dogs!"

Wei Kegu took two steps forward, his momentum completely overpowering Heba Duba before him.

Just as Wei Kegu was about to take further action, Heba Duba stepped out, blocking the space between Wei Kegu and Heba Duba, protecting Heba Duba.

"This child is unruly; please forgive him, General."

Looking at Heba Duba, Wei Kegu finally let out a breath of relief and did nothing to Heba Duba!

"In this world, only the True King is a hero, and only he can lead us out of this predicament! The plan now is only to report this situation to the True King as quickly as possible and let him decide."

Yuwen Gong stood to one side, watching this scene, and could not help but feel a surge of murderous intent in his heart.

Wei Kegu, you are too stubborn!

Huai Shuo Town.

"My Lord, is it true that old man Po Liu Han Kong Que wants to submit to us?"

"He is a cornered dog jumping; we must make him jump even faster."

At the city gate.

"Still the familiar smell!"

Hou Jing returned to his hometown, took a deep breath, and was filled with nostalgia.

By his side, Li Shuang urged him on.

"Let's go; don't dawdle."

Huai Shuo Town should now be a heavily guarded place, but the gate guards exchanged a glance with Hou Jing and let him and Li Shuang enter without much screening.

"Who is this kid? Do you know him?"

"Wei Jing, Gao Hun's brother-in-law."

Hearing this name, Li Shuang was still somewhat excited.

Huai Shuo Town had been under siege for most of a year; the city's facilities were damaged and have not yet been repaired. Many townspeople have set up tents on the original sites of their homes, making it look very desolate.

"Didn't you say that when Huai Shuo was besieged, Gao Hun was not originally in Huai Shuo? Yet after Huai Shuo Town surrendered, why did he return?"

"Gao Hun's sister and brother-in-law were both in Huai Shuo at that time; he had no choice but to return. He still values loyalty and righteousness!"

Although Hou Jing had not returned for many years, he was still quite familiar with the situation of the Huai Shuo Town residents.

"Ahead is Gao Hun's home! My Lord, for what we need to do, finding him is the right move!"

Unlike others who had only tents to live in, Gao Hun's home was still a house. It was clear that the walls had just been repaired.

In present-day Huai Shuo Town, various supplies are scarce, especially construction materials, most of which have been requisitioned.

That Gao Hun could obtain them shows he has considerable means.

Hou Jing was about to call out twice, but a woman's scolding voice came from inside the house.

"He Liuhun, you ungrateful thing—I knew you were still in touch with that little vixen surnamed Han!"

"Zhaojun, listen to my explanation. There's really nothing between me and Han Zhihui; that's all in the past!"

From inside the house, a woman's sobs could faintly be heard.

"You ungrateful thing—back then I went against my parents' objections to marry you. Did I ever look down on what your family was like? After we were married, you took my dowry and spent every day carousing with your worthless cronies—I let that pass. But that little vixen surnamed Han is already married, and you still can't forget her, flirting left and right. Have you any conscience left toward me?"

"Zhaojun, it's really not what you think?"

"Get out of my sight! I never want to see you again!"

The sound of things being smashed came from inside the house. After a burst of utter chaos, Gao Wang fled out the front door.

One could see that after Gao Wang had been chased out of the house by his wife, he hadn't even managed to get dressed properly—utterly wretched, with two fresh scratch marks still on his face.

"He Liuhun, the favors of beauties aren't so easy to enjoy, are they!"

Hou Jing's smile drew a sidelong glance from Gao Huan.

"You rascal—why aren't you off enjoying yourself in your Ma Yi? What brings you back to Huai Shuo?"

"Isn't it because I missed you, He Liuhun, and everyone else!"

Hou Jing smiled and introduced Li Shuang.

"This is the Brother Daye I mentioned in my letter—a friend of mine. He's come this time because he has an important matter to discuss with you, He Liuhun."

"Brother Daye?"

Gao Huan looked at Li Shuang, and Li Shuang looked at Gao Huan.

Gao Wang was indeed Gao Wang—though at this moment he had been chased out of the house by his wife, disheveled and improperly dressed, that striking face of his was still impossible to conceal.

At first glance, Li Shuang was inwardly shocked.

There was actually someone in this world who could match eighty percent of his own handsomeness!

Terrifying!