Chapter 101: The Contest of Strength (Thirty-Five)

Page (1/3)

Zhibi Luoluo was imprisoned within the Eagle Strike Commander's Office. Such a prominent figure could not be placed elsewhere where Liu Wuzhou and his men would feel at ease. This was the son of the Zhibi tribe chief, Axian She, who held supreme military command over the Zhibi forces. At this very time last year, he was still the commander of tens of thousands of the Zhibi cavalry, leading them in a fierce battle as they surged into Mayi, joining forces with the three counties east of Yanmen River, forming a massive army that fought bloodily on the battlefield.

But because of his own overconfidence and the sudden rise of Xu Le, this formidable figure was now confined within Liu Wuzhou’s command office.

Had this achievement occurred during the height of the Sui Dynasty’s effective rule over its vast empire, it would have secured Liu Wuzhou a meteoric promotion envied by all, possibly elevating him to a national general commanding the prestigious Twelve Guards of the Sui.

The capture of Zhibi Luoluo sent the entire Heng’an Eagle Command into a state of high alert, as if facing a great enemy. From the moment of his escort to his confinement, the whole process was kept strictly secret, while Zhang Wansui was kept in the open to draw all attention. Within Yunzhong City, only the upper echelons of Heng’an Command knew that Zhibi Luoluo—the formidable enemy of the Mayi County’s military and civilians—was already in Liu Wuzhou’s hands.

At this moment, Zhibi Luoluo sat cross-legged on a couch inside a meticulously clean and elegant residence. Everything he needed was supplied, the best available within Yunzhong City. His clothes had been replaced with robes woven by some of Luoyang’s most renowned workshops.

Outside the elegant house, and even in the outer courtyard, stood Liu Wuzhou’s personal guards, all armed with armor, spears, and blades, surrounding the residence so tightly that not even water could seep through. On the roof, expert archers stood watch, ready to shoot down even a passing fly.

This state of siege was more intense than when they were once besieged by tens of thousands of Turkic wolf riders!

Zhibi Luoluo remained seated on the couch, still wearing his blood-stained, mud-caked robe, his face dark and brooding, fingers absently rubbing the thick calluses on his bow hand.

He had been too careless, venturing deep into Yunzhong to reclaim the Nine Surname Tribe; this mistake he had long reflected upon. But clinging to past errors was the folly of the weak.

The shame and anger of capture were but a fleeting moment for him. Zhibi Luoluo had started from a small tribe and had fought tirelessly on the front lines against the Western Turks at Jinshan, narrowly escaping death many times, even falling into enemy hands before daringly breaking free. Through such trials, the Zhibi tribe grew stronger until his elder brother took the title of Khan, expanding their realm to fifty or sixty thousand yurts. They were even dispatched by Khan Shibi to govern northern border counties of the Sui—Mayi and Yanmen—exerting pressure on the northern frontier.

These experiences had forged Zhibi Luoluo’s resolve like iron.

Liu Wuzhou’s cautious, even secretive handling of his capture revealed much to him.

The Central Plains were on the verge of chaos. The Han heroes were about to fight fiercely for supremacy. At this moment, the Turks held absolute advantage. Liu Wuzhou dared not offend Zhibi Luoluo, now in his hands, and would surely come to meet him, seeking to negotiate terms with the Zhibi clan.

Page (2/3)

Though uncertain of Liu Wuzhou’s exact intentions, Zhibi Luoluo cared little. Whether negotiating with Wang Rengong or Liu Wuzhou, it mattered little, so long as the Zhibi tribe stood on the winning side and gained the greatest benefit.

Suddenly, the sound of the Eagle Command guards saluting echoed from outside, their armor clashing sharply, footsteps thudding.

Zhibi Luoluo remained seated cross-legged on the couch, still caressing the calluses on his hand, but a cold, faint smile finally flickered at the corner of his mouth.

Liu Wuzhou had not even waited a full day before arriving.

The door to the elegant house creaked open. Liu Wuzhou entered, dressed in the neat uniform of a Sui Jianwu Captain, with a curved hem and square collar, wearing a gauze hat with short wings. He stepped forward cleanly and respectfully, bowing to the man seated at the head of the room.

“Axian She, it’s been a long time since we met on the battlefield last year. Your bearing remains undiminished—it is truly a cause for celebration.”

Zhibi Luoluo smiled softly and finally rose to his feet, but did not return the bow. Instead, he simply asked, “What do you want?”

Liu Wuzhou replied calmly, “I only wish to seek justice from Governor Wang on behalf of you and Zhang Wansui. Governor Wang colluded with your tribe, but whether the military and civilians of Mayi County will tolerate him is another matter.”

At this, Zhibi Luoluo’s expression changed.

Was Liu Wuzhou truly so stubborn and unyielding, determined to be a loyal minister of the Sui?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zhang Wansui’s treatment was far worse than that of Zhibi Luoluo.

Though also detained in the Commander's Office, he was placed in an abandoned, leaking shack. After a heavy rain, the floor was sopping wet. In a corner lay a pile of straw bedding, reeking with a foul odor.

Zhang Wansui sat dejectedly on the straw, his heart filled with despair.

Though he had endured hardship in the River Guard in past years, under Wang Rengong’s command he had always lived in luxury. Even the battle skills he once honed had atrophied, now just paraded on the drill field with flattery from subordinates, fooling himself he was still an invincible warrior. Yet facing the newly risen Xu Le, he was captured in a single bout.

This treatment plunged Zhang Wansui into a hellish despair.

Page (3/3)

Wang Rengong was notoriously strict. Success meant reward, but failure brought swift and severe punishment, with no chance of redemption.

Zhang Wansui was no longer the vigorous man he once was. Even if he escaped safely from Liu Wuzhou, his future under Wang Rengong was ruined. He lacked the courage to throw himself behind another lord and fight anew.

He cursed that damned Le Langjun!

Footsteps echoed outside as Yuan Junzhang slowly entered.

They were acquaintances from Mayi County. Zhang Wansui once strutted arrogantly before Yuan Junzhang, but now merely glanced up listlessly before lowering his head again.

Yuan Junzhang sneered coldly, “Zhang Gong, Zhang Gong, who would have thought we’d meet here today!”

Zhang Wansui replied weakly, “Yuan Da, what do you want?”

Yuan Junzhang smiled slightly, “Nothing much. Just spreading the word that thanks to your secret messages, Heng’an Command uncovered the collusion between the Turks and Governor Wang. You’ve truly been a great benefactor to Heng’an Command!”

Zhang Wansui suddenly stood, trembling as he pointed a finger at Yuan Junzhang. “You want me dead!”

Yuan Junzhang laughed coldly, “Zhang Gong was sent to negotiate with the Zhibi tribe—was that not wanting us at Heng’an Command dead as well? I’m merely returning the favor. Fair and square.”

Zhang Wansui trembled all over, the proud demeanor of the Great General of Mayi County nowhere to be found. In the end, he could only ask miserably, “What exactly does Heng’an Command want from me?”

Yuan Junzhang replied coldly, “Heng’an Command stands firm on the frontier, fighting bitterly against the Turks to keep Mayi safe. Yet the governor treats you so. Heng’an Command only seeks justice.”