pappabearbooks Chapter 400 Zhaowu Heavenly King, Qin Qiong
Chapter 400 Zhaowu Heavenly King, Qin Qiong
Youzhou, Beiping.
The mansion that once belonged to Luo Yi now has a completely different owner.
Inside the main hall, sitting on the throne was none other than Qin Qiong, who had once stood below the throne and now sat high above it.
The layout of the mansion was not significantly altered; only the plaques, couplets, and furnishings in the halls were changed.
The wooden chair that Luo Yi used to sit on is now covered with a brand new tiger skin.
Qin Qiong sat upright on the throne, his hand resting on the armrest, looking down at the assembled officials in the hall.
Despite his bad reputation, his infamy of betraying his master and killing his uncle for personal gain had spread far and wide, and the people of Hebei gritted their teeth whenever they mentioned him.
However, he used forceful means to firmly seize Youzhou and then used military force to demonstrate his imperial power, calling himself the Zhaowu Heavenly King.
His generals were mostly former subordinates of Luo Yi and Dou Jiande.
These people, whether forced by circumstances, compelled by circumstances, or coveting wealth, all came under his command.
Inside the main hall, civil and military officials stood on either side, their hands clasped in a solemn manner.
"Your Majesty, news has come from our scouts."
Yang Lin's troops marched out of Dengzhou, heading straight for Hebei.
Ling Jing stepped out from the ranks of civil officials and bowed to report.
This man was once an advisor under Dou Jiande, and he was quite intelligent. After Dou Jiande's defeat and death, he went through several changes of allegiance and eventually joined Qin Qiong.
"You old scoundrel!"
Qin Qiong slammed his hand on the armrest, leaping up from his chair, his face so dark it seemed to drip water.
He gritted his teeth, the veins on his forehead throbbing, and his eyes flashed with long-suppressed hatred.
"I didn't go looking for him, but he came looking for me! Well, that saves me from having to make another trip."
He had been lying low in Youzhou for a long time, internally suppressing the remaining forces of Dou Jiande and Luo Yi.
They killed some, imprisoned others, and forced others to leave, finally stabilizing the situation completely.
Externally, they courted the nomadic tribes north of Youzhou, offering them substantial benefits.
Let them roam the border, plunder, and tie down the Li family's troops.
Now, he can finally free up his hands.
They were reorganizing their troops, stockpiling provisions, and contacting foreign aid, preparing to launch a major campaign.
As it turned out, that old bastard Yang Lin actually delivered himself to our doorstep.
"Your Majesty, that old bastard Yang Lin dares to come here to die! This humble general is willing to personally lead troops to capture him alive!"
A man stepped forward from the ranks of military officers, cupped his hands, and volunteered for battle.
This man had two swords at his waist, was broad-shouldered and burly, and had a full beard.
With eyes wide like copper bells and an aura of fierce courage emanating from him, it was none other than Du Mingfang.
He was originally a general under Dou Jiande, but surrendered to Qin Qiong after Dou Jiande was killed.
Liang Tingfang, Zhou Jingfang, and Cai Jianfang surrendered along with him.
These four men were known as the four great generals under King Xia Ming, and they were quite famous on the Hebei battlefield.
Now that King Xia Ming is a thing of the past, they have become the main generals under King Zhaowu.
They are indeed quite capable of charging into battle and conquering cities and territories.
"General Du is brave and skilled in battle. I am waiting for your good news."
Qin Qiong was naturally pleased that someone volunteered for the mission.
He wasn't without capable subordinates, but there weren't many people he could truly trust.
He glanced at Qin Yong, who was standing at the front of the military officers' ranks, and then at Luo Shixin, who was silently standing in the corner, and secretly made plans in his mind.
These two men, his adopted son Qin Yong and his foolish brother Luo Shixin, are his true reliance and his trump cards.
Qin was highly skilled in martial arts and had superb hammer techniques; no one could stop him when he charged into battle.
Although Luo Shixin wasn't very bright, he possessed superhuman strength. With his iron spear in hand, even Li Yuanba of the Li family couldn't do anything to him.
But precisely because of this, these two people must not be easily lost.
If something goes wrong with them, he will be completely without any trusted confidants.
Du Mingfang and his men are surrendered generals. Sending them to fight Yang Lin means they won't feel bad if they lose, and they won't suffer any loss if they win.
"Strategist," Qin Qiong withdrew his gaze and turned to Ling Jing, the head of the civil officials, "how is the person you sent to negotiate with the Tuoba clan of the Northern Barbarian Silver Land Kingdom?"
Among the nomadic peoples of the northern frontier, there are also many who are brave and skilled in battle.
He had already sent people to make contact many times, offering them great benefits and territory, and had put in a lot of effort.
Among the Tuoba clan of the Silver Land Kingdom, there was a man named Tuoba Langsima, who was said to be incredibly brave and had few rivals on the grasslands.
If this person could be brought to the Central Plains, it would be a great help, enough to help him resist the Sui Dynasty.
"Sima Tuoba Lang already intends to head south and will arrive in Youzhou soon."
Mentioning this person gave Ling Jing a bit more confidence.
Tuoba Langsima was renowned on the grasslands and commanded an elite cavalry force, whose members were skilled riders, archers, and warriors.
If they could be introduced to Hebei, they would certainly add a force that could not be underestimated to King Zhaowu.
"good!"
Qin Qiong shouted.
His repeated dispatches to the Northern Barbarians to establish friendships, arrange marriages, and send money and grain were worthwhile.
Now, those foreign tribes near Youzhou have fulfilled their promise and begun operating on the border, effectively holding back the Li family's troops.
Even the Tuoba clan of the more distant Yindi Kingdom expressed their intention to move south for cooperation.
Whether it was Yang Lin, his father's killer, or Lü Xiao, the one who ruined his reputation.
He, Qin Qiong, wanted to kill them all with his own hands to vent his hatred!
"Godfather!"
At that moment, Qin Yong stepped forward from the ranks of military officers.
He hesitated, his lips moving as if he were carefully choosing his words.
"Are you going to say again that these foreigners have wolfish ambitions and should not be brought to Hebei?"
Qin Qiong's joy faded slightly, and his brows furrowed a little.
His tone carried a hint of impatience, yet also a warning.
This adopted son is highly skilled in martial arts, has excellent hammer techniques, and is extremely loyal to him, never harboring any disloyalty.
However, there is one downside: having too many ideas.
What he wanted was an adopted son who would only obey orders, an adopted son who would go east if he was told to go east, and west if he was told to go west.
Instead of a deputy who spends all day pointing fingers and advising him on what he shouldn't do or what he shouldn't do.
"That is exactly what I meant."
Qin Yong raised his head and met Qin Qiong's gaze. There was no hesitation or fear in his eyes, only sincerity.
"If we lead foreigners south, even if we manage to repel the Sui army one day, it will be like inviting wolves into the house, causing endless trouble in the future."
Foreigners will never willingly serve us. They may help us fight the Sui army today, but they could turn on us tomorrow.
I urge my godfather to make a careful decision for the sake of the people of Youzhou.
He cupped his hands in greeting, his voice not loud, but each word clear, echoing in the empty main hall.
He and Qin Qiong were father and son, and they often talked about bringing foreigners south in private.
Some time ago, they discussed this matter in the study. After much discussion, neither of them could convince the other, and they ended up having a big argument and parting on bad terms.
But that's in private; you can argue however you want behind closed doors.
This was the first time such a topic had been raised in the council chamber in front of all the civil and military officials.
...
Happy holidays, there will be two more updates tonight.
I can't keep updating at midnight every day, I need to adjust.