Chapter 83: Who Comes Won

Si Prefecture, Jiuyuan.

After returning, Li Shuang’s second stop was Jiuyuan City, where he came to visit the Inspector of Si Prefecture, Wei Qingbin.

As an old Tianlong man, he was unusually kind to Li Shuang.

The Taiping Village controlled twenty to thirty thousand mu of farmland, yet Wei Qingbin turned a blind eye and never caused trouble.

In contrast, he was far stricter with the Er Zhu clan’s descendants.

Whenever any Er Zhu descendant broke the law and fell into his hands, they never escaped punishment.

Yet given Wei Qingbin’s lineage, seniority, and prestige, even Er Zhu Rong dared not speak harshly to him.

At least, not yet.

“Tianba, you’ve done well in Shuozhou!”

“Not at all—it’s all due to the Grand Commander’s efforts; I’ve merely added a brick or two.”

Wei Qingbin shook his head.

“Do you think I don’t know what kind of person Li Shenggui is?”

Li Shuang raised an eyebrow, but Wei Qingbin continued:

“When that boy came south, he spent one night in Jiuyuan City. I thought his reputation meant he’d improved, so I spoke with him about military and state affairs—but he still knew nothing. That’s when I understood why Li Chong took you as his adopted son.”

Old ginger really is the spiciest.

“Your servant Jia Sixie is a capable man—he promoted farming and sericulture, pacified the people, and repaired waterworks. In a short time, he turned Si Prefecture from chaos to order. Though the land taxes ended up in your pocket, at least you didn’t waste them.”

Wei Qingbin suddenly leaned closer and asked:

“Tell me honestly, how much did you gain after defeating the Rouran?”

“Just over twenty thousand head of cattle and sheep, and a couple thousand Rouran slaves.”

Wei Qingbin chuckled, as if watching someone else’s child.

“I think it’s far more—ten times that at least, not counting the gold, silver, and warhorses!”

“There really isn’t that much—I don’t have that kind of ability.”

“I liked the two warhorses you gave me. I also know what you gave Er Zhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu. These western steeds were among the Rouran Royal Court’s most valuable assets. If you got these, dare you say you lack ability?”

“Pure luck—the Rouran aren’t that easy to defeat!”

Seeing this boy wouldn’t speak a single truth, and no amount of probing would yield anything, Wei Qingbin waved his sleeve.

“You brat, not one word of truth in your mouth—I don’t want to talk to you anymore!”

Li Shuang felt as if freed from a heavy burden and hurried to leave, afraid the old man would rob him.

But after he’d taken just two steps, Wei Qingbin called from behind:

“The court isn’t easy either.”

Wei Qingbin didn’t care whether Li Shuang wanted to listen—he spoke on regardless.

“When Emperor Xiaowen planned to move the capital, many in Pingcheng opposed it. But Emperor Xiaowen acted first and reported later, because he understood: only by making the Xianbei like the Han could peace be secured, and only then could the Wei avoid collapsing suddenly like Fu Qin, or vanishing as swiftly as those other Hu barbarian states—rising with vigor, falling with suddenness!”

“Yet now it seems those who opposed the move weren’t entirely wrong. But who can clearly say what’s right or wrong?”

Li Shuang turned his head, wearing a simple, innocent smile.

“Are you talking to me?”

Wei Qingbin sighed in exasperation and cursed.

“Get out!”

Li Shuang heard this and quickened his pace.

No sooner had he left than Wei Qingbin’s attendant arrived to report:

“Your Majesty, Er Zhu Ying’e hunted down several fresh roe deer and sent them to you.”

Wei Qingbin shook his head and sighed:

“What a pity—she’s the one good soul the Er Zhu clan has produced in ages, though her temper is too strong.”

Nightfall.

Outside Jiuyuan City, in the hunting grounds.

Er Zhu Ying’e, along with Er Zhu Tianguang and a dozen attendants, spent the night in a courtyard beside the river.

“Uncle San, have some wine!”

A roe deer roasted over the bonfire filled the air with savory fragrance.

“I came to Jiuyuan—why did you follow me?”

“What do you mean ‘you followed’? My father told us that Inspector Wei is an elder, and we mustn’t forget to pay our respects regularly.”

“I haven’t seen Er Zhu Zhao or the others come so often!”

Er Zhu Tianguang chuckled, a sly glint in his eyes.

“Er Zhu Zhao and the others run away at the sight of Inspector Wei—how could they ever come willingly?”

“Then why are you so eager?”

Er Zhu Ying’e grinned, pointing to the courtyard beside them.

“See that? That’s the result!”

This hunting ground once belonged to the imperial camp, complete with a palace, but after falling into disuse, only this courtyard remained.

Clearly, Wei Qingbin had granted them use of it.

Li Shuang’s guards patrolled outside. Seeing the hour grow late, Li Shuang yawned.

“Let’s call it a night—I have to return to Taiping Village tomorrow.”

“We’ve barely started!”

Er Zhu Ying’e raised her cup and toasted him; Li Shuang declined.

“I’m not good at drinking.”

Er Zhu Tianguang was already half-drunk, his words slurred.

"Impossible—how can a man not drink? Watch this, burp~~~~"

Er Zhu Tianguang let out a long, drunken burp, yet still poured more wine for Li Shuang.

After drinking heavily, Li Shuang showed signs of intoxication—and suddenly went still.

Er Zhu Ying’e’s cheeks flushed red as she smiled.

“You can’t even handle this little wine? Useless!”

Er Zhu Tianguang mumbled sleepily:

“What should we do? Should we call someone to carry Uncle San inside?”

Er Zhu Ying’e waved her hand.

“No need—we two can handle it.”

Er Zhu Ying’e and Er Zhu Tianguang helped Li Shuang into the room. Er Zhu Tianguang yawned.

“Sister, I can’t hold on—I’m going to sleep!”

“Go ahead.”

Er Zhu Ying’e lifted Li Shuang onto the bed, pulled the blanket over him, then suddenly leaned forward—her face now mere feet from his.

She stared at his handsome features, traced a circle with her fingertip on his nose.

“You scoundrel—you kidnapped me, bullied me, and I, being magnanimous, let it go. But now you dare say I’m not as good as that Du Gu Ru? Where am I worse?”

Drunk, Er Zhu Ying’e gazed at Li Shuang’s lips and kissed him.

After kissing, she smacked her lips and mumbled drowsily:

“Hmph—not that great!”

Then she tapped his cheek with her pale, slender fingers, smiling sweetly through her drunken haze—proud, triumphant.

“You wait—I’ll have you eventually. Who comes won’t matter!”

Er Zhu Ying’e stood straight, swaying, grinning foolishly.

“Hehe—I, Er Zhu Ying’e, am just that powerful!”

She stumbled away, half-asleep, back to her own room.

Only when the door closed did Li Shuang, who had been pretending to sleep, open his eyes and smack his lips.

“Not great—full of wine breath!”

……