Chapter 1365 - 1292: Coercion
Tuoba Yilu, with a look of anger and righteousness, said: "I don’t know about these things. The Thirty-two Tribes always have those who don’t listen. They acted behind my back. Your Majesty, I still have some prestige in Dai Country. They barely listen to me, but if it’s someone else, they might immediately rebel."
Zhao Hanzhang sneered coldly, her eyes sweeping over Zu Ti.
Zu Ti promptly said: "It’s merely the Thirty-two Tribes. Why should we fear them? Your Majesty, I request to dispatch troops to Dai Country."
Ji Yuan laughed and said: "It’s not necessary to trouble General Zu. General Beigong and General Shi are already in Dai Country. If those Thirty-two Tribes dare to act, neither general will tolerate it."
Tuoba Yilu heard this and clenched his fist.
Liu Kun suddenly sobered up. He thought Zhao Hanzhang would, at most, use this to force Tuoba Yilu to designate Tuoba Liuxiu as the Princely Heir, not expecting she might want the entire Dai Country.
Is it that he’s too narrow-minded, or is Zhao Hanzhang’s ambition too large?
Liu Kun thought about the troublesome Xianbei and, unable to ignore Tuoba Yilu right beside him, quickly advised: "Your Majesty, Xianbei warriors are brave and fierce. Apart from their own tribe, they won’t heed others’ commands. It should be a strategy of gentle persuasion, not force."
Ming Yu said: "Governor Liu, Tuoba Liuxiu is also Xianbei, and he is the Eldest Prince of the Xianbei."
Liu Kun paused, turned his head to glance at Tuoba Yilu, and asked: "What about the King of Dai?"
Zhao Hanzhang said: "The King of Dai is skilled in martial arts, and I also love martial arts. Hence, I wish to invite the King of Dai to stay in Luoyang to teach me martial arts. We siblings can also frequently connect emotionally."
Tuoba Yilu’s chest heaved, "What if I’m unwilling?"
Zhao Hanzhang curiously asked: "Does my sworn brother have any plans or have already chosen an alternate path?"
Tuoba Yilu: ...
He does not. Zhao Hanzhang holds him entirely in her grasp; what other path could there be?
Yuan Li guards strictly. He still hasn’t contacted his men nor knows if they’ve safely arrived in Luoyang.
Seeing his silence, Zhao Hanzhang softened her tone: "Brother, designating Liuxiu as the King of Dai means the Tuoba Xianbei still rule Dai Country, not the Bai Tribe Xianbei or any other Xianbei clan, right?"
Ji Yuan said: "The King of Dai probably doesn’t know yet. The Bai Tribe Xianbei rebelled. Yesterday, the news arrived that they’ve already captured five cities. The Second Prince is resisting vigorously, but since you were captured, the Eldest Prince is embroiled in dishonorable scandals, and the Third Prince has died, others have many suspicions and dissent against the Second Prince, making it difficult for him to deploy troops. Without General Beigong and General Shi’s assistance, he’d already be defeated by now."
Tuoba Yilu naturally didn’t believe Tuoba Pusugen could be defeated so quickly, but indeed, the Thirty-two Tribes aren’t very obedient.
Neither he nor Tuoba Liuxiu are present, and being deeply mired in scandals, it’s indeed difficult to stabilize their hearts.
With attacks on all sides, Tuoba Yilu realized returning to his tribe was impossible, forcing him to make choices. His mind was chaotic, yet he quickly regained calm, reluctantly bowing: "As long as Your Majesty appoints Tuoba Liuxiu as the King of Dai, I am willing to stay in Luoyang."
"Good!" Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "What the King of Dai requests, I will naturally agree to."
Thus, the matter was settled. Tuoba Yilu walked out dejectedly. Liu Kun glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and quickly followed him.
Tuoba Yilu shook off his hand, "You’ve already achieved your goal. Why are you still following me?"
Liu Kun said: "I truly didn’t know Her Majesty’s plans."
Tuoba Yilu: "You say you didn’t know, then didn’t know. Now I’ve become a prisoner, and you’re still an esteemed State Governor. There’s no need for further interaction."
"Brother, those words embarrass me," Liu Kun sighed, then turned to comfort him, "Staying in Luoyang isn’t bad. Luoyang is prosperous. Her Majesty is kind and harmonious. Although as a hostage, with the bond of sworn siblings, she will surely treat you well."
Tuoba Yilu sneered, "I dare not hope for much, just not to tread the same path as my father."
Feeling awkward upon hearing this, Liu Kun recalled that Tuoba Yilu’s father, Tuoba Desert Khan, served as a hostage, coming to Luoyang to pay tribute to the Wei Kingdom at a young age and remaining as a hostage.
Later, when Jin replaced Wei, he became a hostage for the Jin State. He was a good person, and Liu Kun had heard of his good reputation. His father was even friends with him.
However, Wei Guan considered him too capable, believing he’d become a threat to Jin once he returned to the Xianbei. Subsequently, many were dispatched to his grandfather to spread false charges, bribing with gold and silver to sow discord within the tribes. Shortly after returning to Xianbei, sanctioned by his father, Tuoba Desert Khan was killed.
Tuoba Yilu harbored this vendetta against the Jin and Wei Guan.
Wei Guan’s grandson was named Wei Jie.
Tuoba Yilu said: "You Han people are always scheming. She initially coveted my military power, forming a sworn sibling relationship. Now she’s chosen my son, discarding me as worthless. So heartless and unjust. Today she treats me this way, and tomorrow she’ll surely treat you the same."
Liu Kun became unhappy and said: "Great brother, back then, you agreed to send troops to assist, both I and Her Majesty were deeply grateful. You sent troops, and Her Majesty gave you what you wanted. You’ve rendered to each other what was due. Today’s calamity is your own responsibility."
Although he pitied Tuoba Yilu, he could distinguish right from wrong, "As Her Majesty said, if you hadn’t replaced the elder with the younger, today’s disaster would not have happened."
"That’s your Han people’s custom; we Xianbei don’t regard seniority but strength. Whoever’s fists are hardest, they prevail!"
Liu Kun silently watched him, refraining from questioning outright to spare his pride, but internally screaming: Obviously, Tuoba Liuxiu’s fists were hard; otherwise, how did you become a captive?
Tuoba Yilu stayed silent.
Liu Kun accompanied him, pacing back and forth in the Imperial Palace. When finally too weary to walk, they stopped, and he continued to console him: "Since you’ve come, find peace. The Third Sister, Her Majesty, is genuinely good. Look at how she treats Prince An, Wang Dao, the King of Shu, and even the King of Xiliang with kindness and harmony. She became angry because your actions were too outrageous."
Tuoba Yilu sneered, refusing to believe, insisting she had long intended to seize his Dai Country.
"Yue Shi, could you arrange for me to privately meet with Liuxiu?"
Liu Kun looked at him once more suspiciously, "During the court banquet, you and your son are sure to sit together. You can say whatever you need then; why meet privately?"
Tuoba Yilu said: "There are things I want to privately instruct him."
Liu Kun frowned, "You wouldn’t be plotting against Liuxiu or intending anything adverse to Hua Country, would you?"
"I’m already aged; he’s in the prime of life. How could I plot against him?" Tuoba Yilu explained: "Beigong Chun and Shi Le are both in Dai. What more can I do?"
After contemplating, Liu Kun said: "I’ll do my best."
Ji Yuan and the others withdrew from the hall. Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Ming stood by the door of the great hall, watching Tuoba Yilu and Liu Kun walking about the distant plaza.
Zhao Ming said: "Though Liu Kun is insightful, he easily gets caught up in emotions, mixing the personal with the public. He isn’t suitable to be a State Governor."