Chapter 81: The Northern Frontier Cannot Tolerate Someone So Powerful

Luoyang Imperial Palace.

The Back Court, Western Paradise Garden, Nine Dragons Hall.

When Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital, he first stationed the troops brought from Pingcheng within Jin Yong City to the northwest of the palace, then gradually built the present-day Luoyang Imperial City upon the ruins of the Wei-Jin-era Luoyang palace.

Nine Dragons Hall lies behind the main hall, Taiji Hall, within the imperial quarters; three ponds encircle the building, nine dragons spout water from its front, and surrounding palaces are linked by aerial walkways, exuding utmost splendor.

Yet no matter how beautiful the scene, it could not quell the fire burning within the young emperor Yuan Xu.

“What is this Li Shenggui trying to do?”

The young emperor Yuan Xu was only fifteen, yet had already reigned for nine years.

“Your Majesty, please calm down!”

All the palace attendants knelt down, trembling with fear.

“What has upset Your Majesty?”

Yuan Xu bowed to the newcomer.

“Mother Empress!”

The biological mother of the current emperor, Hu Hou, though she had a teenage son, remained stunningly beautiful—her appearance and attire carried a pure charm tinged with seductiveness, like a ripe peach.

“Why is Your Majesty so enraged?”

Since several years ago, when Yuan Yi and Liu Teng jointly launched a coup, Hu Hou lost all power and was confined to the inner palace.

After Liu Teng’s death, no one within the inner court could balance Hu Hou’s influence.

Thus, her movements were no longer restricted.

“It’s all because of that Li Shenggui!”

Hu Hou smiled.

“Hasn’t he done well?”

“Not poorly!” Yuan Xu snorted. “Since becoming Grand Commander, he has crushed bandits like Wei Kegu and Liu Han Kong Que, lifted the siege of Yunzhong, reclaimed Wuchuan and Huaihuo, and forced the rebel Liu Han Baling to dare not turn eastward—reports say the rebel army is even planning to cross the Yellow River to avoid his might.”

Hu Hou listened, paused in thought, then smiled faintly.

“I never imagined Luoyang had such a hero?”

Yuan Xu’s angry voice cut through her thoughts:

“But this Li Shenggui hoards all power—he refuses to use any of the officials I send, leaving them idle; he has adopted over a dozen tribal chieftains as his foster sons, and even disregards court policy by launching unauthorized attacks against the Rouran!”

After Yuan Xu finished, Hu Hou shook her head.

“Your Majesty, you are mistaken.”

Yuan Xu looked puzzled, deeply resentful.

“Where have I erred?”

“Consider this: even if Li Shenggui is arrogant, what of it? He is a descendant of the Longxi Li clan, his roots still lie in Luoyang. A single imperial edict can summon him back from Shuozhou.”

Hearing this, Yuan Xu’s anger gradually subsided.

“Even if he plays the tyrant in the wilds of Shuozhou, he is not your enemy or mine—he can become an ally!”

“An ally?”

“Your enemy is Yuan Yi—he controls both court and military, holds supreme power, and can depose or install emperors at will.”

“He dares!”

Yuan Xu growled, but the anger rang hollow—he was still uneasy.

“The best course now is to recall Li Shenggui from the northern frontier, bring him close, grant him high rank and rich rewards; with the prestige of Li Chong and Li Shenggui’s family, you can stand against Yuan Yi.”

Yuan Xu pondered—it was not without merit.

“But if he leaves, who will hold Shuozhou?”

“I hear Li Chong took on an adopted son during his northern campaign—he now serves under Li Shenggui.”

“Him?”

Yuan Xu had some memory of this man—but not a favorable one.

“Not long ago, Wang Yuanshen submitted a memorial accusing him of tyranny in Shuozhou—he secretly seized war spoils from the Rouran campaign: ten to twenty thousand cattle and sheep!”

Hu Hou cared nothing for such matters; she knew Wang Yuanshen and Li Shenggui were rivals, and covert attacks were routine.

Did Li Shenggui’s bullying in Shuozhou differ from Wang Yuanshen’s in Xiazhou?

“Your Majesty need not concern yourself with such trifles. Break precedent and grant this adopted son the title of Marquis, appointing him to guard Shuozhou.”

Yuan Xu was baffled, astonished:

"A bandit by birth? Make him a marquis?"

Yunzhong.

“What does Your Majesty mean? That I refuse all officials he sends? Has he even sent any?”

Inside the Grand Commander’s office, Li Shenggui was furious.

“… ”

Li Shuang stood beside him, unsure how to speak, finally summed up:

“It must be a corrupt minister whispering lies into the emperor’s ear!”

Li Shenggui nodded deeply in agreement.

“Which corrupt minister?”

“Almost certainly the Prince of Guangyang—he is jealous of your achievements and has long sought to extend his hand back to Heng and Shuo, to take overall command of military affairs!”

“That bastard! Just wait till I return to Luoyang—I’ll settle accounts with him!”

Li Shenggui ground his teeth in rage.

“Brother is returning to Luoyang?”

“The edict says I must depart immediately upon receipt—he has great plans for me. Oh, and it mentioned you too!”

“Me?”

“The emperor has granted you the title of Marquis of Yunzhong County and appointed you as General of the Champion Army, ordering you to temporarily oversee Shuozhou’s military affairs.”

As he spoke, Li Shenggui remembered something:

“The envoy from Luoyang also wishes to meet you.”

“Why didn’t you say so sooner?”

Li Shuang dashed off like a streak of wind.

Li Shenggui watched him go, shook his head, and hurried into the room.

This farewell marked the end of an era—he must cherish the time with his old friend all the more.

In a side chamber of the Grand Commander’s office, the eunuch from Hu Hou’s retinue sat gloomily, waiting for hours without a soul to appear; when he tried to drink tea, it was already cold.

“What poor hospitality!”

The eunuch, preparing to scowl at the newcomer, instantly changed his expression upon seeing Li Shuang pull out a piece of gold from his sleeve.

“Young Marquis of Yunzhong, a hero in his youth—today I see your true brilliance!”

“Flattery, flattery—what does the Empress Dowager command of this humble servant?”

The eunuch beamed—he need not waste words.

“Marquis of Yunzhong, truly quick-witted!”

The eunuch glanced around, then whispered:

“I hear you and the Duke of Liang are brothers?”

“Merely casual acquaintances!”

The eunuch’s face twisted into a knowing smile as he leaned closer.

“Marquis, how can you say that? The Duke of Liang is your foster brother—how could you call it mere acquaintance?”

He chuckled.

“The Empress Dowager has a message for you: some men are not worth relying on. If you can speak plainly with the Duke of Liang, your future wealth and honor will be boundless!”

“This humble servant understands. Please rest assured, Empress Dowager.”

Watching the eunuch depart, Hou Jing stepped out from the shadows and joined Li Shuang.

“Master has received a title and promotion—why the gloomy face?”

“The Grand Commander is leaving. From now on, no one will shield us from the storms of the northern frontier!”

Hou Jing, too, felt a pang of regret.

“Master can shield us too!”

“Foolish!”

Li Shuang rebuked sharply.

“Only one man in Great Wei can summon wind and rain; only one man in the northern frontier can shield others from the storm.”

“Then what should we do?”

“Gather my dozen foster sons—it’s time to find them a new father!”

…