Chapter 72: I Can Also Surname Li, I Can Also Love Great Wei

As Li Shuang took that cup of mare's milk wine, Yujiulü Fa was quickly brought under control.

Puluohan Kong Que's face turned red; he did not know why the situation had shifted so.

With a mix of unwillingness and confusion, he shouted in anger:

"You have all followed me for years; why have you been bought over by this Daye brat?"

"Your Highness, do you not yet understand? Your plan to surrender to the Rouran has lost the people's hearts!"

Li Shuang sat in the spot Yujiulü Fa had just occupied, staring at Puluohan Kong Que.

In an instant, the situation reversed.

The generals surrounding Puluohan Kong Que shouted loudly:

"The King intends to surrender to the Rouran; we absolutely will not agree."

"We would rather die than kneel to the Rouran!"

"A true man dies and that is all; what is there to fear!"

Within the hierarchy of contempt among the Liuzhen, the Rouran were absolutely at the very bottom.

"The Liuzhen are declining, and the Rouran are about to rise. What is wrong with this King making early plans for the Puluohan clan? If you listen to this Daye brat, will you be walking a path of sunshine?"

The generals suddenly fell silent.

Outside, faint shouting could be heard.

"Save me quickly... Father!"

At the familiar voice, Puluohan Kong Que was overjoyed and said to those around him:

"My son Puluohan Chang has arrived; why do you not lay down your weapons? If you are willing to return to the right path, this King will forgive what has happened today."

With a bang, the tightly shut door was kicked open again.

Puluohan Chang rushed in, still carrying several bloody heads in his hand.

"Chang, do not worry about your father first; surround this courtyard, secure the Garrison Commander's residence first, and do not let the Huaishuo people rush in!"

Seeing the situation inside the room, Puluohan Chang, holding the heads, rushed straight at Li Shuang.

Then, he dropped to both knees.

"Uncle, you have suffered!"

"My worthy nephew has arrived at just the right time!"

"Since Uncle came to Huaishuo, your nephew has been tormented by the old villain's tyranny and unable to acknowledge you; I truly blame myself. Uncle, rest assured; your wife has already been arranged by your nephew to a safe place."

"No harm, no harm. From now on, we shall address each other separately; I will call you my worthy nephew, and you may call me brother-in-law!"

"I dare not, I dare not!" Saying this, Puluohan Chang's face broke into a smile, "Brother-in-law!"

Puluohan Kong Que watched this scene, stunned into a daze. One of the generals beside him, still unable to bear it, told him the truth.

"Your Highness, the one who led the rebellion against you was actually the Crown Prince."

Hearing this, Puluohan Kong Que felt his blood surge; looking at those several bloody heads, his mind suddenly went blank.

"Rebellious son, whose heads are those in your hand?"

Puluohan Chang stood up, positioning himself in front of Li Shuang, and looked at his father, speaking coldly:

"These are the bastards you had with that Rouran woman; they are all here!"

Puluohan Kong Que, enraged to the point of heart attack, spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Beast! They are all your younger brothers and sisters!"

"How could the Rouran bastards be my younger brothers and sisters? Father King, the Puluohan clan today can have only one heir; his name is Li Chang!"

"My worthy nephew's loyalty and righteousness can be witnessed by the sun and moon; I am sure the Grand Commander would feel quite gratified upon hearing this!"

"Please rest assured, brother-in-law; your nephew swears to protect Father, brother-in-law, and the Great Wei Jiangshan with his life!"

"You take men to stabilize the people of Huaishuo; additionally, have Gao Ang lead his thousand cavalrymen to enter the city first!"

"Yes!"

Puluohan Chang led his men away, leaving only the bound Puluohan Kong Que and Yujiulü Fa in the room.

The room became silent.

Paying no attention whatsoever to Puluohan Kong Que's foul face, Yujiulü Fa smiled ingratiatingly and said:

"General, I knew long ago that this Puluohan Kong Que and Prince Guangyang were unreliable; why not ally with the Grand Commander to jointly suppress the Liuzhen' rebel traitors?"

"Jointly suppress the Liuzhen' rebel traitors?"

Yujiulü Fa nodded.

"Yes, yes!"

"A bunch of paupers like the Liuzhen' rebel traitors; how much money could they possibly have?"

Yujiulü Fa was stunned, but then saw Puluohan Kong Que beside him say:

"This rebellious son has long since joined your ranks; knowing my plans from the start, why did you still come to Huaishuo?"

Li Shuang smiled:

"If I had not come, how could you have bound me? If I had not been bound by you, how could you have demanded grain and fodder? If the grain and fodder had not come to Huaishuo, what would my troops have eaten?"

"What do you mean?"

Li Shuang no longer answered, simply waiting.

The sound of neighing horses arose; a large force of cavalry surrounded the Garrison Commander's residence.

Gao Ang led his troops straight to Li Shuang's presence and bowed, saying:

"This subordinate has arrived late; please forgive me, My Lord!"

"Where are the others?"

"Yang Kan leads the main force behind. Hulü Jin has already captured Wuyuan. The Nie Liehe tribe of the Western Chiles, defected by Yu Qin, has risen in revolt. At this moment, Po Po Liuhan Baling is too preoccupied to attend to other matters. After I secured the Po Po Liuhan tribe outside the city, I led my troops here."

Shortly after, Gao Huan and Hou Jing also arrived.

"My Lord, are you unharmed?"

"What harm could befall me?"

"I have heard the reports. Since My Lord knew of the old traitor Po Po Liuhan Kong Que's plot long ago, why did you not tell me?"

"Was I not afraid you lacked the courage?"

Gao Huan stood aside, watching Li Shuang now surrounded by the crowd, his expression complex.

"He Li Hun, the people of Huaishuo have now revolted against Po Po Liuhan Baling and refuse to ally with the Rouran. Might I ask a favor of this general?"

"This general awaits your orders!"

"The people of Huaishuo are familiar with the steppe terrain. Might we find a few guides?"

"Such a trivial matter; the people of Huaishuo should naturally serve!"

Hearing these words, Yujiu Lu Fa seemed to realize something and shouted angrily:

"Li Shuang, what are you doing?"

Li Shuang looked at Yujiu Lu Fa and said slowly:

"In autumn and winter, it is the season for horses to fatten. Yujiu Lu A Nangui, lured only by profit, led his tribe south, not hesitating to cross a thousand li of desert. At this time, his men and horses must be exhausted. His Wang Ting must have passed the Qi Kou and is heading toward Huaishuo!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room understood Li Shuang's meaning.

Gao Ang trembled with excitement all over; Hou Jing chuckled; Gao Huan took a deep breath.

Po Po Liuhan Kong Que laughed aloud, his chest heaving with laughter until it hurt. After laughing, he cursed.

"You madman!"

Yujiu Lu Fa no longer showed any flattery; realizing the danger, he felt an unease unlike any before.

"Li Shuang, you refuse to ally with us and instead turn your back on the pact. How will the Liuzhen rebels be pacified? How will you answer to the court?"

"I forgot to tell you: the Luoyang court has not yet reached a conclusion on the debate. The alliance with the Rouran was a private decision by Prince Guangyang and the Grand Commander. In other words, the Rouran are still officially designated rebels! By the time the imperial edict ordering an alliance with the Rouran arrives, it will no longer matter!"

"You devised this scheme, risking your life for it. For what reason?"

"Well asked. Do you think I would allow your Rouran people to build your Wang Ting on the border of Shuozhou?"

Having spoken, Li Shuang looked at the various generals in the room.

"The Rouran are exhausted, their men and horses weary, and they advance carelessly without expecting an attack. This is a battle opportunity that comes once in a thousand years. Generals, prepare your troops and horses for an sortie."

"Yes!"

Li Shuang said leisurely:

"If I cannot seize the city of Luoyang, can I not seize the Rouran Wang Ting?"