Chapter 71: Since Ancient Times, Who Has Not Died?

Dawn was just breaking when the Rouran envoy Yujulü Fa entered Huaishuo Town.

All along the way, he strutted about arrogantly.

The townsfolk of Huaishuo watched with eyes that dared not speak their anger.

Once the forward base from which the Tuoba clan had launched northern campaigns against the Rouran, and a sturdy defensive line against Rouran raids southward, it was now about to be trampled beneath the Rouran's feet — Yujulü Fa's mood could not have been more pleased.

Before the Town General's residence, Poluohan Kong Que stood at the gate with his family and the officers under his command to welcome him.

The moment Yujulü Fa dismounted, a child of eight or nine ran up to him and called out affectionately:

"Uncle!"

"Aye!"

Yujulü Fa was fat of body, but his strength was great; he swept the boy into his arms, spun him around once, then set him down.

"The child is ill-mannered — I beg the Little Khagan's forgiveness!"

"We are uncle and nephew; what need is there for forgiveness?"

Yujulü Fa's gaze swept the crowd, and he asked:

"Where is that son of yours called Chang?"

"Sent off at first light to see his bride!"

Hearing this, Yujulü Fa's eyes flickered, with a touch of wistfulness and regret.

"A woman the Prince of Guangyang cannot forget — I wonder what a rare beauty she must be. A pity I have no fate to meet her."

Poluohan Kong Que rejoiced inwardly that he had sent Du Gu Ru away in the night; with this fatty here, who knew what complications might arise. At once, he quickly ushered Yujulü Fa into the residence.

Fine wine and beauties had long been prepared within.

But Yujulü Fa did not immediately avail himself of them; instead he produced an edict from the Rouran Khagan, intending to read it aloud before the assembly.

Poluohan Kong Que dropped to his knees at once, yet Yujulü Fa's gaze passed over him and settled on the officers behind him.

"Kneel!"

Poluohan Kong Que barked, and only then did the rest barely drop to their knees.

Yujulü Fa was very pleased; even his voice rose several degrees—

"Mandate of Heaven, honored by all tribes — the Great Khagan of the Rouran, Anagui, proclaims to the chieftains of every tribe, the silifa, the tudoufa, and all ministers:

Since our ancestors founded the realm in Mobei, shielded by Tenggeri's grace, our iron cavalry has swept across ten thousand li, its might shaking north and south. Now the Central Plains are weary and the Wei house declines — this is Heaven's gift of an opportunity for the Rouran to rise again!

The chieftain of the Poluohan clan, Poluohan Kong Que, has been the first to come over in righteousness; this Khan is greatly comforted in heart. I now bestow upon you the title of Little Khagan of the Southern Route, commanding your people to graze forever on the lands of Wuyuan and Yunzhong.

Beneath the Wolf-Head Banner — decree of the Golden Tent!"

"This humble king is willing to receive the Great Khagan's grace and never betray it!"

When Yujulü Fa had finished reading, he grinned and helped Poluohan Kong Que to his feet.

"Great King, no need for such ceremony. From now on we are one family — we must look out for each other!"

"It is only proper!"

"I hear you have captured Li Shen Gui's sworn brother?"

"I won't hide it from the Little Khagan — I played a trick, pretended to submit to Li Shen Gui, and lured him here under the pretext of negotiations. He is now in our hands."

"That is excellent." Yujulü Fa's eyes gleamed darkly as he stroked his own cheek. "Those slaps he gave me back then — they really did hurt!"

Poluohan Kong Que saw the moment and laughed:

"Shall I bring him here now, so the Little Khagan can vent his anger?"

"No rush. You've only gotten those hundred thousand shi of grain and the thirty thousand head of cattle and sheep from him; he still has at least five thousand gold in fat to squeeze out. Drain him dry first!"

"This humble king understands!"

The prison cell.

Li Shuang yawned and glanced at Hou Jing and Gao Huan, who had not slept.

"You pacing back and forth like that — you're keeping me awake!"

Unlike Li Shuang's ease, Gao Huan had sat stiffly through the whole night, while Hou Jing paced back and forth in agitation.

"Lord, what time do you think this is, and you still have the mood for sleep? Our lives hang on a single thought of another."

Li Shuang smiled.

"What's there to hesitate about? At a moment like this, if we want even a sliver of a chance to live, there is nothing but fighting to the death."

Having spoken, he looked toward Gao Huan.

"He Liuhun, what do you think?"

"Brother Daye's bearing truly commands my admiration."

Hearing this, Hou Jing hurried over to Gao Huan and asked:

"He Liuhun, if you still have any tricks, just say them — we're about to be killed any moment now."

Just then, from outside the cell, in the corridor, the sound of footsteps rang out.

"Da Ye Shuang, come out here!"

"Why me? Shouldn't it be those two first?"

"Less nonsense!"

After Li Shuang was led away, Gao Huan's expression grew stern as he looked at Hou Jing.

"Brother Daye was right — the moment to fight to the death has come. Hou Jing, what say you?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Hou Jing said:

"It's just one life, isn't it? I was born here; if I die here, that is a death well-fitted!"

"With those words from you, I am at ease!"

The Town General's residence.

The room was warm, like spring.

Yujulu Fa sat alone, smiling as he watched Li Shuang walk in.

"The general has suffered!"

"So it is the Little Khan!"

"This Khan has already rebuked the Prince of Pingnan. The general is a descendant of the Li clan of Longxi, of a high and noble surname; how could he be treated thus? Our Rouran Khanate will ally with the Great Wei to jointly quell the rebellion of the Six Garrisons. The general is also a friend of our Rouran. This Khan has already persuaded the Prince of Pingnan; within days, he will send the general back to Yunzhong."

"Then many thanks to the Little Khan. I wonder when I might depart?"

"Not in haste. As we agreed earlier, the five thousand gold for the alliance between Great Wei and Rouran—will the general first have the Grand Commandant deliver it?"

Li Shuang smiled.

"That five thousand gold has already been spent!"

"Spent?"

Yujulu Fa's expression changed; he sat back down.

"In that case, I cannot save the general!"

With a clatter, Polo Han Kong Que entered with two armored soldiers, his eyes wide with fury.

"Brother Daye, do not be ungrateful!"

Yujulu Fa poured himself a cup of mare's milk wine, brought it to his nose to savor it delicately, his movements exceedingly affected.

"General, you had best hand it over soon; otherwise, I cannot persuade the Prince of Pingnan."

Facing the threat, Li Shuang showed no fear and spoke loudly:

"Since ancient times, who has not died? Let my loyal heart shine in the annals of history!"

Yujulu Fa gave a cold smile and said:

"What a fine poem!"

Polo Han Kong Que, however, flew into a rage.

"Good, good, good! I will make your loyal heart shine in the annals of history!"

With a crash, the great door burst open, and the generals under Polo Han Kong Que's command surged in with many more men.

"Did I not say not to come in?"

"Wei Jing has gathered dozens of desperate men, stormed the prison, and rescued Gao Huan and Hou Jing. At this moment, they have rallied a large crowd of Huaihe Town residents and have already risen in revolt."

"Why panic?"

Polo Han Kong Que waved his sleeve, calm and composed.

"Since they seek death, do not blame me. Each of you shall command your troops and proceed to quell the rebellion. Those who dare to rebel, along with their families, shall all be executed!"

After Polo Han Kong Que finished speaking, the generals beside him did not move an inch.

"Are you all deaf?"

Polo Han Kong Que urged them repeatedly, yet the generals beside him remained motionless.

Li Shuang smiled and said:

"The Prince of Pingnan has already spoken; what are you still waiting for?"

After Li Shuang finished speaking, the situation in the room suddenly changed.

The generals drew their swords and daggers, subdued the two armored soldiers beside Polo Han Kong Que, and surrounded him in the center.

Li Shuang walked to Yujulu Fa's side, took the cup of mare's milk wine from his frozen hand, and patted his large face.

"Now you know where I spent that five thousand gold, don't you?"