Chapter 82: An Arrow Released from the Bow

In the spring of Zhengguang Sixth Year, after being repelled several times in their eastern advances toward Shuozhou, the Liuzhen rebel forces turned south, crossed the Yellow River, and sought easier targets.

The threat from the west of Shuozhou diminished by more than half.

Li Shuang returned to Si Province with Du Gu Ru.

As soon as Li Shuang arrived at Er Zhu Rong’s mansion, he was pulled aside by him. As for Du Gu Ru, she was taken to the back courtyard by Princess Beixiang to exchange private words.

Unlike the grand assembly outside, the room still held only three people.

Er Zhu Rong, Yuan Tianmu, and Li Shuang.

“Tianba, I’ve read your letter.”

Er Zhu Rong’s voice was heavy, as if he had pondered long and hard.

“What does Second Brother think?”

Yuan Tianmu spoke up at the right moment:

“Both I and Tianbao are uncertain!”

Behind Er Zhu Rong stood Yuan Yi.

It was precisely because of Yuan Yi that Er Zhu Rong could act with impunity in Bing and Si provinces.

The Empress Dowager Hu’s intent was clearly for him to abandon Yuan Yi and side with her.

Er Zhu Rong hesitated because if Yuan Yi won in Luoyang, he would face certain ruin.

“Yuan Yi has never treated me poorly, and recently, news came from Luoyang—the governorship of Bing Province promised to Tianmu has suddenly been revoked.”

“Is Yuan Yi warning Second Brother?”

Er Zhu Rong nodded.

“In Luoyang, this endless power struggle—carelessness will cost us dearly.”

“But I heard Yuan Yi himself wants to step down?”

Er Zhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu exchanged glances and let out a bitter laugh.

“He is the Empress Dowager’s brother-in-law; he believes he has an escape route, yet he never intends to give us one.”

“If so, we must not choose Yuan Yi.”

Seeing Li Shuang so resolute, Er Zhu Rong asked:

“Why?”

“In the Luoyang court, power struggles are never settled by simply stepping down—even if the Empress Dowager forgives him, what of those Yuan Yi has offended? Not to mention, will the former retainers of Prince Yuan Yi of Qinghe let him go?”

Er Zhu Rong internally agreed with this, and asked:

“Then should we side with the Empress Dowager Hu?”

It would be more prudent to side with the young emperor.

Er Zhu Rong sighed inwardly, and the words slipped out.

“It’s a pity Ying’e cannot enter the palace yet; otherwise, matters would be far simpler.”

If Er Zhu Ying’e had entered the palace, everything would have fallen into place naturally—there would be no need for such hesitation.

Li Shuang felt immense pressure upon hearing this.

“Then we start by targeting the young emperor’s close confidants.”

Er Zhu Rong’s eyes flashed with sharp light, and he laughed aloud.

“Tianba’s return has lifted the burden from my and Tianmu’s hearts!”

After this secret meeting, Er Zhu Rong summoned his officers to discuss military and political affairs.

Having been away for so long, Er Zhu Rong’s forces had gained many new elite soldiers and fierce generals.

Among them were Sima Ziru and Sun Teng from Huaihu, Jia Xiandu from Bo Gu Lu Garrison, and Dou Tai, who came bearing the coffins of his father and elder brother…

All these men had fled to Er Zhu Rong because of the Liuzhen Rebellion.

Er Zhu Rong accepted them all without refusal, granting them official ranks and positions to command troops.

Within Xiurong County town, their arrival had clearly improved order.

In the vast hall, another chair had been added beside Er Zhu Rong.

All eyes turned to a youth who followed Er Zhu Rong and sat beside him, just as Yuan Tianmu did.

Many had assumed the youth was a noble from Luoyang—but Er Zhu Rong’s words stunned them.

“This is Lord Yunzhong, General of the Champion Army, Li Shuang—also my adopted younger brother. From now on, treat him as you would treat me.”

After hearing this, the officers’ astonishment and confusion subtly gave way to envy.

Yuan Tianmu commanded three thousand troops, ruled vast lands, was of imperial blood, and was older—he could sit there.

But Li Shuang? How young was he? He was even younger than many standing before them.

Though their hearts brimmed with unspoken words, their faces remained respectful.

“We salute Lord Yunzhong!”

“Second Brother, it’s been a long time—look at all these fierce generals you’ve gathered!”

“Third Brother jokes. I’m merely promoting talent for the state.”

Er Zhu Rong gave a light laugh and issued orders to the officers.

“The Liuzhen threat has weakened, but Bing and Fen provinces remain unstable. Lately, that old fool Liu Lisheng has been restless—he seems bent on stirring trouble. All officers, train your troops diligently and remain vigilant.”

Liu Lisheng was the leader of the Ji Hu people.

To Er Zhu Rong, he was not a fatal threat but a persistent nuisance.

In open battle, Liu Lisheng could never defeat Er Zhu Rong.

But the problem was, when defeated, he could simply vanish into mountain gullies and wage a war of attrition.

This tactic struck precisely at Er Zhu Rong’s weakness.

His elite Qihu troops could not afford such prolonged campaigns.

This task fell to the array of generals who had defected to him.

“General, rest assured—we shall not betray your trust.”

After the meeting, Er Zhu Rong went outside to drill troops; Yuan Tianmu returned to his fief in Si Province.

Li Shuang went alone to the back courtyard to fetch Du Gu Ru—and happened upon Er Zhu Ying’e.

After so long apart, Er Zhu Ying’e’s nourishment had improved further. Her inner depth was visibly richer.

“Little niece!”

“Isn’t that my Third Uncle? I heard you brought back a woman from Shuozhou?”

On the courtyard corridor, Er Zhu Ying’e regarded Li Shuang with a faint, teasing tone:

“Yes, didn’t you go see her?”

“I glanced from afar—quite ordinary.”

Li Shuang had heard of backstabbing gossipers—but never had he seen Er Zhu Ying’e do it so openly.

“Then tell me, how exactly is she ordinary?”

“They say she’s a holy maiden, incredibly beautiful—but she’s no more beautiful than I am. I heard she rides well and shoots well—both are skills I’ve long mastered. Even if she comes from a great tribe with a huge dowry, when I marry, I’ll bring even more.”

Li Shuang rolled his eyes and smiled:

“So she’s inferior in every way?”

“Naturally!”

Er Zhu Ying’e was proud and delighted.

“Tell me—what can she do that I cannot?”

As they spoke, a maid from Princess Beixiang hurried over.

“Third Master, why are you still here? The Princess sent me to fetch you at once!”

“What’s so urgent?”

“The Princess was chatting happily with Lady Du Gu—then she suddenly fell ill.”

“What’s wrong with Aru?”

“Third Master, don’t worry—the Princess summoned a physician. The diagnosis is clear: Lady Du Gu is with child!”

At that moment, Er Zhu Ying’e, who had been smug moments before, turned pale, fixed her gaze on Li Shuang, and looked as if she bore a deep, bitter grievance.

Li Shuang smiled.

“Now do you know what she can do that you cannot?”

Er Zhu Ying’e shot off like an arrow released from a bow.

“Hmph!”

…