[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan":3,"chapter-memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-85":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Memoirs of the Heavenly Khagan",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2311803,4516,"Chapter 85","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-85",85,"\u003Cp>Luoyangcheng was vast, stretching from Mangshan in the north to Yi River in the south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire city was laid out symmetrically along a central axis—the forty-meter-wide Bronze Camel Avenue—with the imperial palace, inner city, outer city, and even the Four Barbarian Pavilions beyond the walls all aligned to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the city stood three hundred and twenty walled wards; the east-west city walls stretched twenty li, and the north-south walls fifteen li. Adding the Four Barbarian Pavilions south of Xuanyang Gate and Yongqiao, Luoyangcheng’s north-south depth also reached twenty li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over one hundred thousand households, more than seven hundred thousand people, lived within the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only city in the world that could rival it was Jiankang in the Southern Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To connect both banks of the Yellow River and strengthen ties between Luoyang and Hebei and Shanxi, Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei built the Yellow River Bridge and erected Beizhongcheng on the northern bank to defend against enemies from the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Li Shuang’s party reached Beizhongcheng, Yuan Ziyou deliberately fell behind, pretending not to know them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear he did not want anyone to know he was traveling with Li Shuang—both to keep the mission secret and out of a certain pride as a child of the Heavenly Dragon lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang did not press him; he and Hou Jing, along with a dozen guards, crossed Beizhongcheng, rode half a day, and finally arrived at Luoyangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Mangshan, Hou Jing gazed at the magnificent Luoyang City, overcome with excitement—he had finally reached the place he had dreamed of plundering!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang remarked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Calm down, you’re drooling!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing wiped his mouth and sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too bad Yang Kan and Gao Ang didn’t come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think they’re as unsophisticated as you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing, hearing this, found it reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True—they’re all scions of noble families; they’ve probably been to Luoyangcheng before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Hou Jing leaned close to Li Shuang, speaking in a hushed tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, I’ve watched the entire way—Luoyangcheng’s outer defenses are pathetic. Give me five hundred men, and I’ll take Beizhongcheng. If we summon our brothers from Heng, Shuo, and Si provinces, capturing Luoyangcheng will be a cinch!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Universe Grand General—unmatched in ambition—even before entering the city, had already planned his plunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His efficiency was so staggering it shamed all who watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang glared at Hou Jing and snapped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you already decided how to divide up the emperor’s wife?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could I? That’s for my lord to decide first! But I heard the Yuan princesses of Luoyangcheng are all ravishing beauties, and the Hu Hou—wildly seductive—when she held power, kept countless male favorites, even forced the Prince of Qinghe onto her bed. Her fame for lust spread far and wide!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You found all this out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, you don’t know—I prepared thoroughly before coming with you! I’ve got everything ready, just waiting for your order!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing was ecstatic, brimming with energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang cursed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t the northern frontier—don’t go around talking about plundering. Act with dignity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing, hearing this, seemed to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So we can’t plunder openly? Then we’ll make even more profit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wan Jing, you’ve got real insight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Yuan Ziyou’s servant watched Li Shuang and Hou Jing suddenly burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, why are they laughing for no reason?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Ziyou looked at them, a flicker of distaste crossing his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing was ugly and crude; every word and gesture was vulgar. Yuan Ziyou found him repulsive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet compared to him, Yuan Ziyou despised Li Shuang even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bandit chief from the wilds showed not a shred of reverence for noble families. That lack of deference, more than Hou Jing’s outward crudeness, filled Yuan Ziyou with revulsion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps also because, not long ago, as they departed, Yuan Ziyou had seen Er Zhu Rong’s daughter—the most radiant jewel of Er Zhu Chuan—come to see them off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman differed from Luoyangcheng’s noble ladies: defiant, extraordinary, radiating unmatched beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her eyes never once rested on Yuan Ziyou, the one meant to be the center of attention—always fixed on Li Shuang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A country bumpkin? What could he possibly want? Just like every other outsider arriving in Luoyang—dreaming of a minor post, buying a house, settling down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Ziyou no longer wished to deal with them; he urged his servants and rode off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing dust rise in the distance, Hou Jing frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, why did that brat leave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who knows?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang didn’t care, but Hou Jing was furious, growling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That brat’s been giving me a sour face all along—and now he dares to give my lord one too? I’ll settle accounts with him soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget him. Let’s enter the city!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the northern gate of Luoyangcheng, Li Shenguai waited with several brothers from the Imperial Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon meeting, Li Shenguai was effusively warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, you’ve finally arrived! I’ve been waiting so long!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Qingzhun is now on duty in the palace, guarding the Son of Heaven—why are you here to meet me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense! If you come, I’d feign illness just to come greet you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shenguai clapped Li Shuang on the shoulder and shouted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, brother—I’ll treat you to a feast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First stay half a month in Diaoyinli, then move to Yuelüli for another half month!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diaoyinli and Yuelüli, as Li Shenguai called them, were Luoyangcheng’s two most famous music halls, each filled with professional musicians and dancers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silk and bamboo, song and dance—every exquisite courtesan in the realm came from there!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing perked up at once, forgetting his plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I haven’t even met my foster father yet—isn’t that improper?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shenguai replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My father isn’t here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did he go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rebellion in the northwest is growing worse—the court is debating who to send to lead the campaign. My father was summoned by the Emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s been decided?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Several candidates are being considered. The most favored is Prince Qi, Xiao Baoyin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Shenguai spoke, a finely dressed man arrived on horseback with dozens of servants, kicking up dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, see that man leading them? That’s Prince Qi, Xiao Baoyin. He was a prince of the Xiao Qi dynasty; after Xiao Yan seized power, he defected to our Northern Wei and married the Princess of Nanyang—he’s living in great splendor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Baoyin and his retinue seemed to have come specifically to find them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this the Wēiwèi General?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, Li Shenguai called back:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he arrived, his laughter rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just looking for you, General!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuang looked at the nobleman on horseback and murmured:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This man means trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would he come to the city gate to find Li Shenguai?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Xiao Baoyin was using Li Shenguai as an excuse—he was here to intercept Li Shuang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Jing leaned close to Li Shuang’s ear and whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, you’re the one who’s come.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1155,"2026-06-20T12:30:56.711Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","94158ed5b00ddc00a8c50a301e4cebe7546f62d5ba7e4e5b686784f7ed8a3e9e","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-86","memoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-chapter-84",211,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmemoirs-of-the-heavenly-khagan-cover.jpg"]