Chapter 71: Since Ancient Times, Who Escapes Death?

The sky was just beginning to lighten when the Rouran envoy Yujiulu Fa entered Huashuo Town.

Along the way, he strutted with arrogant pride.

The townsfolk of Huashuo watched in silence, furious but dared not speak.

Once a forward base for the Tuoba northern campaigns against the Rouran and a sturdy defense line against their southern incursions, it now lay beneath the Rouran’s feet—Yujiulu Fa’s heart swelled with unspoken delight.

At the gate of the garrison commander’s residence, Po Liuhan Kong Que welcomed him with his family and subordinate officers.

As Yujiulu Fa dismounted, a child of eight or nine ran up to him, affectionately calling out:

“Uncle!”

“Ah!”

Yujiulu Fa, though stout, was strong—he scooped the boy into his arms, spun him around, then set him down.

“My son has been rude—forgive him, Young Khan!”

“We are uncle and nephew—what need for forgiveness?”

Yujiulu Fa glanced through the crowd and asked:

“Where is your son named Chang?”

“He left at dawn to escort a bride!”

Hearing this, Yujiulu Fa’s eyes flickered with regret and disappointment.

“A woman so captivating she haunts the Guangyang Prince—I wonder what beauty she must be, Kexiwuyuanyijian .”

Po Liuhan Kong Que was relieved he had sent Du Gu Ru away the night before—otherwise, with this fat man present, who knew what trouble might arise. He quickly ushered Yujiulu Fa inside.

Inside, fine wine and beautiful women were already prepared.

But Yujiulu Fa did not indulge immediately—he pulled out a decree from the Rouran Khan and prepared to read it aloud.

Po Liuhan Kong Que immediately knelt, but Yujiulu Fa’s gaze passed over him, fixed on the officers behind him.

“Kneel!”

Po Liuhan Kong Que barked—the others finally dropped to their knees.

Yujiulu Fa was thoroughly satisfied; his voice rose even higher—

By Heaven’s Mandate, revered by all tribes, the Great Khan of Rouran, Anagui, proclaims to all tribal chieftains, qili fa, tudou fa, and ministers:

Since our ancestors founded our realm in the northern deserts, blessed by Tengri, our iron cavalry have swept across ten thousand li, striking fear north and south. Now the Central Plains are weak, the Wei court in decline—this is Heaven’s gift to Rouran’s revival!

Po Liuhan, your chieftain Po Liuhan Kong Que, was the first to turn toward righteousness—I am deeply pleased. I now grant you the title of Southern Road Young Khan, and command your people to pasture forever in Wuyuan and Yunzhong.

By the Wolf Banner, by the Golden Tent’s Edict!

“I, the Young King, accept the Great Khan’s grace and will never betray him!”

When Yujiulu Fa finished reading, he grinned and helped Po Liuhan Kong Que to his feet.

“Your Highness need not bow—now we are family. You must lend me your support!”

“Of course!”

“I hear you captured Li Shen’s sworn brother?”

“Not to hide it, Young Khan—I tricked him. Pretended to submit to Li Shen, lured him here for talks, and now hold him captive.”

“That’s excellent,” Yujiulu Fa murmured, stroking his cheek. “He slapped me hard back then—it hurt like hell!”

Seeing the moment, Po Liuhan Kong Que chuckled:

“Shall I bring him to you now, so you can vent your anger?”

“Not yet. You’ve only secured the hundred thousand shi of grain and thirty thousand cattle and sheep—he still has at least five thousand gold in hidden wealth. Squeeze him dry first!”

“I understand, Young King!”

The prison.

Li Shuang yawned, glancing at Hou Jing and Gao Ang, who were still awake.

“You keep pacing—can’t you let me sleep?”

While Li Shuang remained calm, Gao Ang had sat motionless all night; Hou Jing had paced restlessly.

“Lord, this is no time to sleep—our lives hang by a thread!”

Li Shuang smiled.

“What’s there to hesitate? At this moment, if we seek even a sliver of survival, we must fight to the death.”

He turned to Gao Ang.

“He Liuhun, what do you think?”

“Your grace, Brother Daye, truly moves me.”

Hearing this, Hou Jing rushed to Gao Ang’s side.

“He Liuhun, if you’ve got a plan, spit it out—we’re about to be killed!”

At that moment, footsteps echoed down the prison corridor.

“Li Shuang, get out here!”

“Why me? Aren’t they the ones they want first?”

“Enough talking!”

After Li Shuang was taken away, Gao Ang’s expression turned grave as he looked at Hou Jing.

“Brother Daye is right—we’ve reached the point of fighting to the death. Hou Jing, what’s your plan?”

Hou Jing did not hesitate:

“It’s just one life. Born here, if I die here, I die where I belong!”

“With those words, I’m at ease.”

The garrison commander’s residence.

The room was warm, like spring.

Yujiulu Fa sat alone, smiling as Li Shuang entered.

“You’ve suffered, General.”

“So it’s the Young Khan!”

“I’ve already rebuked the Prince of the South. You are a descendant of the Longxi Li clan, a noble house—how could you be treated so? Rouran will ally with Great Wei to crush the Liuzhen rebels. You are our friend. I’ve persuaded the Prince of the South—he will soon send you back to Yunzhong.”

“Then thank you, Young Khan. When may I leave?”

“Not yet. We agreed—the five thousand gold for the Wei-Rouran alliance. Will you have the Grand Commander send it?”

Li Shuang smiled.

“That five thousand gold? Already spent.”

“Spent?”

Yujiulu Fa’s face darkened; he sat back down.

“Then I can’t save you.”

With a crash, Po Liuhan Kong Que entered with two armored soldiers, eyes blazing.

“Li Shuang, don’t be foolish!”

Yujiulu Fa poured himself a cup of mare’s milk wine, lifted it to his nose, sniffed delicately—his movements were absurdly fussy.

“General, hand it over now. Otherwise, I can’t protect you from the Prince of the South.”

Facing the threat, Li Shuang showed no fear—he shouted:

“Since ancient times, who escapes death? Let loyalty shine bright in the annals!”

Yujiulu Fa sneered coldly.

“Fine poem!”

But Po Liuhan Kong Que flew into a rage.

“Good! Good! Good! I’ll let you shine in the annals!”

With a crash, the door burst open—Po Liuhan Kong Que’s officers surged in with more men.

“Didn’t I say no one was to enter?”

“Wei Jing gathered dozens of outlaws, broke into the prison, freed Gao Ang and Hou Jing. Now they’ve rallied a mob of Huashuo townsfolk—they’ve risen in revolt.”

“What’s the panic?”

Po Liuhan Kong Que waved his sleeve, calm as ever.

“If they want death, don’t blame me. Each of you, take your troops, crush the rebellion. Anyone who rebels—kill them and their families.”

When Po Liuhan Kong Que finished speaking, his officers stood motionless.

“Are you all deaf?”

He urged them again—still, not one moved.

Li Shuang smiled:

“The Prince of the South has spoken. What are you waiting for?”

As Li Shuang spoke, the room’s tide turned.

The officers drew swords, overpowered the two soldiers beside Po Liuhan Kong Que, and surrounded him.

Li Shuang stepped to Yujiulu Fa’s side, took the mare’s milk wine from his frozen hand, and patted his fat face.

“Now do you know where my five thousand gold went?”

…