Tuoba Yilu said with angry righteousness, “I knew nothing of these matters. Among the thirty-two tribal states, there are always those who won’t obey. They did these things behind my back. Your Majesty, I still have authority in Dai – they still reluctantly listen to me. If it were someone else, they would likely rebel immediately.”
Zhao Hanzhang sneered, her gaze sweeping over Zu Ti.
Zu Ti immediately said, “They’re merely thirty-two tribal states – what is there to fear? Your Majesty, I request permission to send troops to Dai.”
Ji Yuan smiled, “Where’s the need for General Zu? Generals Beigong and Shi are already in Dai. If those thirty-two tribal states dare to make trouble, neither general is someone to be trifled with.”
At these words, Tuoba Yilu clenched his fists.
Liu Kun suddenly came to full awareness. He had thought Zhao Hanzhang would at most use this opportunity to force Tuoba Yilu to establish Tuoba Liuxiu as heir apparent. He never imagined she actually wanted the entire State of Dai.
Was he too narrow-minded, or was Zhao Hanzhang’s ambition too great?
Thinking of how difficult the Xianbei could be, Liu Kun couldn’t help but counsel urgently, regardless of Tuoba Yilu standing right beside him, “Your Majesty, the Xianbei people are fierce warriors with unyielding temperaments. Except for their own Xianbei kinsmen, they won’t obey others’ commands. We must use gentle persuasion, not force!”
Ming Yu said, “Inspector Liu, Tuoba Liuxiu is also Xianbei, and moreover the eldest Xianbei prince.”
Liu Kun paused, turned to glance at Tuoba Yilu, and asked, “Then what about the King of Dai?”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “The King of Dai is highly skilled in martial arts, and I also love the martial arts. So I wish to invite the King of Dai to remain in Luoyang to teach me. We siblings can also maintain our bond.”
Tuoba Yilu’s chest heaved violently. “What if I’m unwilling?”
Zhao Hanzhang asked curiously, “Has sworn brother made some arrangements and has another way out?”
Tuoba Yilu: …
He had none. His entire person was held in Zhao Hanzhang’s grasp – what way out could he have?
Yuan Li was strictly guarding him. Until now, he still hadn’t been able to contact his own people, nor did he know if they had safely reached Luoyang.
Seeing his silence, Zhao Hanzhang softened her tone. “Sworn brother, if we establish Liuxiu as King of Dai, Dai will still be ruled by the Tuoba Xianbei, not the Bai tribe Xianbei or other Xianbei tribes, correct?”
Ji Yuan said, “The King of Dai probably doesn’t know yet – the Bai tribe Xianbei have rebelled. According to yesterday’s reports, they’ve already captured five cities. The second prince is struggling to resist, but because you were captured, the eldest prince is embroiled in the scandal of filial impiety, and the third prince is dead, the other tribal states are suspicious and insubordinate toward the second prince. He finds it difficult to mobilize troops. Without the help of Generals Beigong and Shi, he would have been defeated by now.”
Tuoba Yilu naturally didn’t believe Tuoba Pusagen would be defeated so quickly, but the thirty-two tribal states were indeed not very obedient.
With both him and Tuoba Liuxiu absent and deeply mired in scandal, it was indeed difficult to set their minds at ease.
Under siege from all sides, Tuoba Yilu knew returning to his tribe was impossible. He could only make trade-offs. His thoughts were in chaos, yet he quickly calmed down. Reluctantly, he knelt and said, “As long as Your Majesty enfeoffs Tuoba Liuxiu as King of Dai, I’m willing to remain in Luoyang.”
“Excellent!” Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “What the King of Dai requests, I naturally grant.”
The matter was thus settled. Tuoba Yilu walked out dejectedly. Liu Kun glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and hurried to follow.
Tuoba Yilu shook off his hand. “You’ve already achieved your purpose – why are you still following me?”
Liu Kun said, “I truly didn’t know of Your Majesty’s plans.”
Tuoba Yilu replied, “Whether you say you knew or not, it matters little. I’m now a prisoner, while you remain a high and mighty provincial inspector. There’s no need for further association.”
“Elder brother, your words shame me,” Liu Kun sighed, then turned to console him. “Remaining in Luoyang isn’t so bad. Luoyang is prosperous, and Her Majesty is magnanimous. Though you’ll be a hostage, with our sworn bond, she’ll surely treat you well.”
Tuoba Yilu sneered coldly, “I dare not hope for too much. I only hope not to follow in my father’s footsteps.”
Liu Kun’s face showed embarrassment. Tuoba Yilu’s father, Tuoba Shamohan, had been a hostage who came to Luoyang to pay tribute to Wei when very young, then remained as a hostage.
Later, when Jin replaced Wei, he became Jin’s hostage. He was an excellent person, and Liu Kun had heard of his good reputation – his own father had even been friends with him.
But Wei Guan felt he was too outstanding and would surely become a great threat to Jin if he returned to the Xianbei. So Wei Guan sent many people to slander him to Tuoba Yilu’s grandfather, bribed people with gold and silver, sowed discord between the various tribes and him, and then shortly after Tuoba Shamohan returned to the Xianbei, he was killed with his own father’s tacit consent.
Tuoba Yilu held this grudge against Jin and Wei Guan.
Wei Guan’s grandson was named Wei Jie.
Tuoba Yilu said, “You Han people have winding, crooked hearts. Back then, she coveted my military strength, so she swore brotherhood with me. Now she’s chosen my son, so she discards me like worn-out shoes. So heartless and faithless! What she can do to me today, she’ll surely do to you tomorrow.”
Liu Kun was displeased. “Elder brother, back then when you were willing to send troops to help, Her Majesty and I were both deeply grateful. You sent troops, and Her Majesty gave you what you wanted. You owe each other nothing. Today’s disaster is your own responsibility.”
Though he pitied Tuoba Yilu, he could distinguish right from wrong. “As Your Majesty said, if you hadn’t废长立幼 废长立幼 废长立幼 废长立幼 abolished the eldest to establish the youngest, how would today’s disaster have occurred?”
“Those are you Han people’s customs! We Xianbei don’t care about birth order – we only respect fists. Whoever has the harder fist makes the rules!”
Liu Kun simply looked at him quietly. Out of consideration for his dignity, he didn’t ask aloud what he was screaming in his mind: Then obviously Tuoba Liuxiu’s fist is harder – otherwise how did you become a prisoner?
Tuoba Yilu also fell silent.
Liu Kun accompanied him walking back and forth through the palace until they couldn’t walk anymore and stopped, continuing to console him. “Since you’re here, make the best of it. Third sister – Your Majesty – is truly very good. Look at how she treats Prince An, Wang Dao, the King of Shu, even the King of Xiliang – she’s magnanimous to them all. It’s only because what you did was too outrageous that she’s angry.”
Tuoba Yilu sneered, not believing him, still convinced she had long wanted to scheme for his State of Dai.
“Yueshi, can you find a way to let me see Liuxiu privately?”
Liu Kun looked at him suspiciously. “At the palace banquet shortly, you father and son will surely sit together. Whatever you want to say can be said then. Why must you meet privately?”
Tuoba Yilu said, “There are some things I want to tell him in private.”
Liu Kun frowned. “You… you’re not planning to harm Liuxiu or do something detrimental to the Chinese nation, are you?”
“I’m already old, and he’s in his prime. I can’t beat him – how could I harm him?” Tuoba Yilu said. “Beigong Chun and Shi Lei are both in Dai territory. What could I possibly do?”
After thinking it over, Liu Kun said, “I’ll do my best.”
Ji Yuan and the other two withdrew from the great hall. Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Ming stood at the hall entrance watching Tuoba Yilu and Liu Kun pacing in the distant plaza.
Zhao Ming said, “Though Liu Kun has insight, he’s easily swayed by personal feelings, mixing private matters with public affairs. He’s not suitable to be a provincial inspector.”