Chapter 79: My Brother Truly Has the Bearing of a Divine General

Tongwan City.

This city, standing in Henan territory, was built by Helian Bobo over six years, with extremely strict construction standards, claiming the lives of countless craftsmen.

The names of Tongwan City’s four gates are oddly chosen: the southern gate is called Chao Song Gate, the eastern gate is called Zhao Wei Gate, the western gate is called Fu Liang Gate, and the northern gate is called Ping Shuo Gate.

Helian Bobo’s intent was to crush Liu Song, annihilate Northern Wei, and plainly declare: no one shall defy him!

Yet the Hu Xia state did not grow stronger because of this formidable and majestic city; merely twelve years after its completion, Tongwan City was captured by Tao the Conqueror, and Hu Xia perished.

In the past century, the Xiongnu of Hu Xia lost their capital, while Northern Wei gained a solid military stronghold in the vast lands north of Guanzhong.

Before the former Ping Shuo Gate, a large number of Hu Ren from the northern steppes now gathered.

Yuan Shen, the Prince of Guangyang, stationed in Tongwan City as the Grand Coordinator of the Eastern Theater, stood atop the city gate tower, watching the growing crowd of Hu Ren without a word.

Yuan Shen did not understand what had happened, only that these Hu Ren had arrived in recent days, claiming they wished to surrender—and their numbers kept increasing.

Unlike other capitals, Tongwan City retained vast tent districts for nomadic herders to live in.

The former palaces and temples of Hu Xia had been converted by Northern Wei into government offices, markets, and military facilities.

This city, bearing clear steppe regime characteristics, could easily accommodate the Hu Ren outside its walls—but Yuan Shen dared not open the gates lightly.

Li Shuren, a subordinate general under Yuan Shen, brought several Tiele men before him.

“Speak up!”

“Prince Guangyang, you must uphold justice for us—this Daye Shuang is not human, not human at all!”

At the mention of this name, Yuan Shen’s expressionless face finally changed.

“What did he do to you?”

“Our ancestors for generations have been honest herders living around Wuchuanzhen. Who knew that when Daye Shuang arrived, he seized our pastures and drove us all away?”

At this, the several Tiele men began to weep.

“He even told us to join the rebel army of Po Liu Han Baling—once the Liuzhen rebels surrender, we’ll become imperial troops.”

“Listen to that—does that sound like human speech?”

“We have always been loyal to the court; how would we dare join Po Liu Han Baling? We came here only to seek refuge under Prince Guangyang.”

Yuan Shen frowned. At that moment, his subordinate general Li Shuren asked:

“You’re prominent figures on the steppes—can you really be so easily driven from your pastures?”

The Tiele men dared not admit they were defeated, only replied:

“Daye Shuang relies on the protection of Grand Commander Li Shen Gui—he doesn’t care about us at all, not even Prince Guangyang.”

Li Shuren snapped.

“How dare you speak such nonsense!”

“We wouldn’t dare lie—word has spread far to the north: the fiancée you’ve already exchanged marriage documents with has been taken by Daye Shuang, kept day and night in his tent, no one knows what he’s doing, and he hasn’t been seen outside.”

“Enough!”

Yuan Shen flew into a rage, his urge to kill rising.

The Tiele men cowered on the ground, trembling and silent.

Though furious, Yuan Shen still retained reason.

“What did Daye Shuang want with your pastures?”

“To graze his cattle and sheep!”

“Where did he get so many cattle and sheep to graze?”

“We heard he defeated the Rouran to the north and seized much loot—just what we saw, there were ten to twenty thousand cattle and sheep.”

Yuan Shen turned to Li Shuren beside him.

“Go to Yunzhong, meet Li Shen Gui, and demand an explanation from the court!”

“Yes!”

Yuan Shen’s gaze, sharp as a blade, fixed on the group of Tiele men kneeling before him.

“You—I accept you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Yunzhong.

“Did you sleep?”

“Yeah, slept.”

“How did you sleep?”

“All kinds of ways!”

In the Grand Commander’s mansion, Li Shuren listened to this exchange between Li Shen Gui and Li Shuang, feeling deeply awkward.

Li Shen Gui remained silent, lost in thought.

At that moment, He Ba Dubei, now a military commander under Li Shen Gui, spoke up:

“Grand Commander, General Dangkou has brought you great trouble—you must act quickly!”

Li Shen Gui sat in his chair, staring at Li Shuang.

“What do you have to say?”

“Brother, don’t worry—if Prince Guangyang blames anyone, I’ll take full responsibility. Besides, as the younger brother of Li Shen Gui, the First Divine General of Great Wei, what’s wrong with sleeping with an unbrided princess?”

Everyone present, including He Ba and the Yuwen clan, froze.

Especially He Ba Dubei, who had prepared dozens of slanderous arguments—now, Li Shuang’s blunt honesty left him speechless.

“Even if she were already married, what’s the difference?”

On Li Shen Gui’s expressionless face, a smile suddenly spread, followed by laughter.

“No wonder you’re my brother—well said!”

Li Shuang’s words had already stunned everyone—but now came something even more shocking.

Li Shuren’s head throbbed; he bowed and said:

“Grand Commander, how will you explain this to Prince Guangyang?”

Li Shen Gui was not skilled in military or civil affairs, but having grown up in Luoyang, he understood—and even excelled at—the intrigues among aristocratic clans.

“Explain what? Po Liu Han Kong Que is already dead—does his claim of surrender mean he actually surrendered?”

“But the Rouran matter concerns the court…”

“What Rouran? What Rouran? What concern is it?”

“….”

Li Shuren didn’t finish, but Li Shuang praised:

“Brother, how mighty! No wonder you’re the First Divine General of Great Wei!”

Li Shen Gui laughed heartily.

“Say it again!”

“Mighty!”

“No, the part after that!”

“First Divine General of Great Wei!”

Hearing those six words, Li Shen Gui’s smile bloomed like a chrysanthemum.

“Younger brother, you’ve traveled far—rest well. I’ll host a feast to welcome you.”

“I was tired, thought something urgent called me back.”

“Don’t blame me, younger brother—I was driven mad by those around me, so I had to summon you.”

“Brother, how are those golden-haired dogs I sent you?”

“Good, good—just too much fur.”

“No problem, I’ve even better ones.”

“Really?”

…

Watching this scene, everyone present simultaneously thought the same thing.

Not of the same family, not entering the same door!

Watching the distant figures of the two brothers, hearing their voices, Yuwen Tai gently tugged his father Yuwen Gong’s sleeve and whispered:

“Father, do you still believe your original plan will work?”

Yuwen Gong felt his throat dry; he swallowed hard.

“Tell your third brother to get ready—we’re leaving for Zhongshan at once!”

…

At that moment, He Ba Yue also tugged He Ba Dubei’s sleeve, feeling it best to flee quickly.

But He Ba Dubei was like a gambler unwilling to quit.

“No—this must be an act by the Grand Commander. I don’t believe such a man exists!”