[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan":3,"chapter-memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-67":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Memoirs of the Heavenly Khagan",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2311785,4516,"Chapter 67: The Wise Man","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-67",67,"\u003Cp>\"Zhaojun, we have distinguished guests!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang and Hou Jing’s arrival lifted Gao Huan’s spirits, and he quickly ushered both men inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He Liuhun, aren’t we intruding?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang felt slightly embarrassed, but Gao Huan hurriedly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not at all, not at all—if you hadn’t come, I’d have slept on the street tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Lou Shi was a major household in the northern frontier and her dowry had been substantial, the room held no valuable furniture; even the broken bowls on the floor were coarse earthenware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing couldn’t help but comment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He Liuhun, you married a noblewoman from the Lou family—how did your home end up this poor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan spoke with deep meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In these chaotic times, being too rich isn’t necessarily a good thing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a young woman emerged from the back room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Zhaojun, barely in her twenties, had bright eyes and white teeth; though dressed in plain cloth, her beauty could not be hidden. Standing beside Gao Huan, they looked like a pair of jade figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan felt awkward, but Lou Zhaojun glanced at the visitors and stopped her outburst, instead sounding reproachful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He Liuhun, guests are coming—why didn’t you tell me sooner?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan snapped to attention, rubbed his head, and laughed it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just forgot, that’s all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We don’t have much to offer, so I’ll have my sister buy some good wine and dishes—you two sit tight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could handle the hall and the kitchen alike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Zhaojun embodied that saying perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the scarce Wuzi  of Huai Shuo town, she swiftly procured a chicken, two jin of beef and mutton, three flasks of wine, and some snacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan felt somewhat inferior before his wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because she was bad—but because she was too good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing guests had come, Gao Huan’s sister Gao Loujin and sister Gao Leiling also came to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a full table of food and drink was laid out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A few more dishes are still coming—chat while you wait!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Zhaojun was a beauty-seeker: she treated Li Shuang with courtesy but barely acknowledged Hou Jing, even showing disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing, helpless, quietly picked at his food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak up—what do you need me to do? I can’t promise much elsewhere, but in Huai Shuo, my name still carries weight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan, flushed from drink, spoke like a Jianghu  boss, making grand promises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang smiled and poured him another cup of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He Liuhun, have you heard the Rouran are marching south?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course—I hear the officials up in Luoyang are frantic!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Gao Huan’s demeanor, Hou Jing couldn’t help asking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Rouran are coming—aren’t you worried?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan grabbed a piece of beef, stuffed it in his mouth, gulped down wine, and said carelessly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why should I worry? If things turn bad, I’ll just head to Hengzhou and rely on my father-in-law. Even if he ignores me, he won’t abandon his daughter and grandson!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if you can’t leave?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan froze, his gaze shifting to Li Shuang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Wild Brother, what do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll be frank: General Po Liu Han Kong Que is plotting to surrender to the court. We are envoys sent by Grand Commander Li Shen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan didn’t react with surprise; he spoke slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the Six Garrisons wanted to surrender, they’d have done so already. Is General Po Liu Han ignoring everyone else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were the Six Garrisons in chaos? Because the Luoyang court had revealed its weakness—and refused to send more qian liang to the northern frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Po Liu Han Kong Que’s failed attacks on Shuozhou, alongside Wei Ke Gu’s, had further crippled the already impoverished Six Garrisons troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Po Liu Han surrenders, he won’t bring everyone—he’ll take only his own Po Liu Han clan and allied tribes close to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of Huai Shuo were never favored by Po Liu Han Kong Que; they wouldn’t even be on his list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the people of Huai Shuo would become the final sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan pondered, then looked at Li Shuang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why come to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be honest, Grand Commander Li Shen doesn’t trust that old fox Po Liu Han. To force him into quick surrender, he wants leverage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, clever as he was, Gao Huan immediately understood their intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want to kidnap the current Huai Shuo Garrison Commander, Po Liu Han Chang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan weighed the risks and benefits, then asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I help you, what can you offer in return?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang handed Gao Huan a blank sheet of paper and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as He Liuhun agrees, anyone whose name is written on this paper will be allowed to go to Pingcheng.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night fell, the room dark and silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Zhaojun lay on the bed, hearing faint movement outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan carried his bedding bundle, slipped quietly in, dared not climb onto the bed, and settled for the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was autumn now; Huai Shuo was bitterly cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan sneezed. On the bed, Lou Zhaojun finally stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who are you trying to fool with this act? Get in bed—if you catch a chill, your sisters will blame me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan beamed and leapt onto the bed, reaching to embrace his wife—but she shoved him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That young man who came today—Da Ye Shuang—his looks are quite fine. Is he married?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Huan frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhaojun, what are you getting at?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, I saw your little sister sneak glances at him several times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Gao Huan sighed bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s the adopted younger brother of Grand Commander Li Shen. Even if your sister has some charm, he won’t look twice at her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Zhaojun turned over, her expression grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He Liuhun—he didn’t reveal his background. How do you know that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard it, of course. You know my circle of friends—they’re well-informed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Zhaojun grew even more anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He Liuhun, are you hiding something from me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could I? I’d never lie to my own wife!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dark night, Lou Zhaojun felt a chill and pressed closer to Gao Huan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling his beloved in his arms, Gao Huan felt a deep sense of peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He Liuhun, don’t provoke that young man, Da Ye Shuang—even if you can’t become family, don’t make him an enemy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Gao Huan felt strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve only met him once—how can you say that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone in Huai Shuo knows what Hou Jing is like. He’s been powerful in Hengzhou and Si Zhou lately, but he’s done nothing good. Yet such a vicious man treats that boy with utter deference—like a docile guard dog.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dark night, Lou Zhaojun rested against Gao Huan’s broad chest, filled with worry—for her husband, for the future of their home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can tell—it’s not because of the boy’s power. That’s why it’s even more terrifying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1143,"2026-06-20T12:30:56.711Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5f07ecad289bb38b864bb3f93dbd9e01fa3c46d48bcc1ee596049714c16e8e92","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-68","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-66",211,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmemoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-cover.jpg"]