Chapter 77: There

Yunzhong.

Inside the Grand Commander’s mansion, the wine feast was in full swing.

“Grand Commander, this cup is to your honor!”

Heba Yun and Li Shen were drinking merrily, but Heba Duba, unable to hold his liquor, had left the table.

Outside, Heba Duba’s third son, Heba Yue, was waiting.

Unlike his eldest son Heba Yun, who was brave but foolish, and his second son Heba Sheng, who was cunning and self-serving, his youngest son Heba Yue was both wise and courageous, able to rally others’ strength, and was Heba Duba’s most favored son.

“Father!”

“Take me back to my room!”

The two entered the guest chamber Li Shen had prepared for them; no sooner had they sat than Heba Duba spoke:

“That little Hei Ta really was right—the Grand Commander is a complete fool!”

“Father, you’ve already uncovered the truth so quickly?”

“Yue, you don’t know—these past days, I’ve discussed military strategy and state affairs with the Grand Commander; he understands nothing, does nothing all day, and only indulges in pleasure.”

“Then what should we do? Should we find an excuse to leave? I heard that after Wuchuan was pacified, Guangyang Wang has been eager to recruit us to Tongwan City.”

Heba Duba waved his hand, a look of ambition appearing on his face.

“If that young Danye can do it, why can’t we?”

Heba Yue frowned, surprised by his father’s decision.

“But the Vanguard General isn’t an ordinary man—I heard he just achieved a great victory against the Rouran.”

Heba Duba sneered lightly.

“Back then, Wo Hu led tens of thousands, camped on the steppe for a few days, and claimed he chased them three thousand li. If the superior is corrupt, how much truth can there be in his adopted son’s words?”

“But the rumors from the steppe don’t seem false—if they were, after we killed Wei Kegu and raised the Grand Commander Li Shen’s banner, why did the surrounding Tiele tribes scatter in panic?”

Heba Duba, upon hearing this, found it reasonable, yet still held firm confidence.

“Even if he won, he ruined the court’s strategy for suppressing the rebellion—no need to worry. The Heba clan has great prestige in the north—can’t we outmatch such a boy?”

Heba Yue nodded and asked:

Should we inform Uncle Yuwen Gong?

Good! Heba Yue turned to leave, but Heba Duba added behind him, “Tell your Uncle Yuwen Gong that if he joins forces with me, nothing in the north will remain unconquered.”

Heba Yue conveyed his father’s idea to Yuwen Gong, who then summoned his own sons to discuss it.

His eldest son Yuwen Hao, second son Yuwen Lian, third son Yuwen Luosheng, and fourth son Yuwen Tai.

“Our Yuwen clan and Heba clan are in-laws—we should stand together. But this concerns the Yuwen family directly—what do you think?”

Yuwen Tai was seventeen this year and had never fought on the battlefield; he shouldn’t have been present at this meeting.

But after his previous advice, Yuwen Gong felt his youngest son had insight, and specifically summoned him.

Yuwen Gong’s first three sons were all valiant: eldest Yuwen Hao was filial but lacked independent judgment; second son Yuwen Lian was cautious in all things, overly timid; third son Yuwen Luosheng was resolute and decisive, able to command loyalty.

After speaking, Yuwen Gong fixed his gaze directly on Yuwen Luosheng.

“What do you think?”

“Father, I agree with Uncle Heba!”

“How so?”

“Father, I’ve recently sent scouts to investigate Shuozhou and found that Danye Shuang, using the court’s campaign against bandits as cover, has settled tens of thousands of refugees in Shuozhou, especially in Shengle. Now, Shuozhou has few Hu and many Han. Whether for state or family, we cannot allow Danye Shuang to act so recklessly.”

Yuwen Gong shook his head and smiled.

“You know Shuozhou is entirely under Danye Shuang’s control—we’re weak. How can we fight him?”

“Not so. These Han refugees have lived in the wilds for years, lacking clothes and food, mostly weak. Our troops are few, but all elite. Even if the enemy numbers tens of thousands, they’re no match for us in a single clash.”

Seeing Yuwen Gong begin to waver, Yuwen Tai warned:

“Third brother, don’t forget—the Vanguard General is returning now with his own troops, having just defeated the Rouran. The refugees may be weak, but his troops may not be.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying—there are many rumors claiming Danye Shuang won a great victory over the Rouran, but we all know: are the Rouran that easy to defeat?”

Yuwen Gong asked:

“You mean it’s fake?”

Yuwen Luosheng nodded.

“Our Yuwen and Heba clans have long dwelled in the north, with outstanding military achievements—who among the surrounding tribes doesn’t respect us? If we control the Grand Commander, why not emulate Cao Cao of old?”

“But the Grand Commander and Danye Shuang are sworn brothers—their bond is closer than ours.”

Yuwen Luosheng was confident.

“Who doesn’t love power, especially the power of a Grand Commander? If we plan well, given the current situation, the Grand Commander and Danye Shuang will inevitably turn against each other.”

Yuwen Tai watched all this, feeling uneasy. But what his father and brothers decided was beyond his power to stop now.

On the steppe, tents stretched endlessly.

Li Shuang led his troops south from Huaihuo and set up camp on the spot.

“Ugh, more trouble!”

Du Gu Ru, lazy and alluring, her body supple, revealed half her undergarment. Li Shuang rose, and she complained, pulling the blanket tightly around herself.

Li Shuang stepped out of the main tent and saw someone waiting outside with a secret letter.

“General, this is a secret letter from Liu Ling!”

Li Shuang glanced at it and ordered:

“Bring Hou Jing here!”

Hou Jing arrived shortly after, pulling up his pants, disheveled, clearly having crawled out of some woman’s bed.

“Lord, what do you need?”

Li Shuang stood with his hands behind his back, sighing slightly.

“There’s a traitor beside the Grand Commander!”

Hou Jing froze. “What’s happened in Yunzhong?”

“Someone wants to sideline the Grand Commander!”

“How do you know someone wants to sideline the Grand Commander?”

Hou Jing had barely finished when Li Shuang shot him a cold look.

Hou Jing wanted to slap himself—apparently, he’d slept too much these past days and grown foolish.

Who in all of Shuozhou understood sidelining the Grand Commander better than the man standing before him?

Who in all of Shuozhou understands how to sideline the Grand Commander better than this man before us?

“Lord, give the order—I’ll eliminate these traitors at once.”

“This one’s tricky—they’re not easy to deal with.”

“Then what should we do?”

Li Shuang whispered a few words into Hou Jing’s ear; the man nodded.

“I understand.”

Li Shuang gazed at the night sky’s stars and reflected.

It seems I’ve neglected my sworn brother too much—he’s been deceived by traitors.

It seems I’ve neglected my righteous elder brother too much in daily life, allowing him to be deceived by treacherous ministers.

“Your servant is here!”

“Send those few golden-haired men to the Grand Commander tonight.”

“Send those few golden-haired men to the Grand Commander tonight.”

Li Shuang shook his head and sighed.

“A true man, undone by wine and lust—this is what it’s come to. From today, I give up alcohol!”

Without hesitation, Li Shuang turned and entered the main tent.

Saying this, Li Shuang turned without hesitation and entered the tent.