Chapter 61

I didn't expect my words to add fuel to the fire.

"What Freshian nobles?" Liu Yan said through gritted teeth: "They are all murderers! This morning, these Freshians caused a disturbance in a tavern in the southern part of the city. My soldiers went to stop them, but they started killing people at the slightest provocation!"

"The soldiers were caught off guard and several were killed. My capable squad leader Zou Zhe was also beheaded!" Liu Yan said with a heavy heart: "Zou Zhe's father saved my life on the battlefield! Twice! He never asked me for an official position or wealth, but only entrusted his young son to me on his deathbed! I treated him like a brother, but now he meets such an end!"

Lu Yao was at a loss for words for a moment, and the image of the young squad leader's handsome face appeared before his eyes. Although this young man might not be a hero on the battlefield, he had been diligent and conscientious in his duties since taking charge of the security and law enforcement in the southern part of Jinyang, and was deeply loved by the people. Who would have thought that he would die at the hands of the Freshians?

"I received the report too late and couldn't mobilize the troops in time, allowing them to enter the governor's residence as guests!" Liu Yan clenched his fists: "Daoming, you be a witness. I will not let this go!"

Lu Yao was about to try to calm him down, but Liu Yan had already marched straight into the governor's residence. Worried that Liu Yan might do something rash in his anger, Lu Yao hurriedly waved to several civil officials, signaling them to quickly inform Governor Yue Shi; then he closely followed Liu Yan, occasionally chatting to slow him down.

The main hall of the governor's residence was very lively, as Governor Yue Shi was hosting a banquet for his guests.

A large bonfire was burning in the open space in front of the hall, and several bare-chested, muscular men were roasting lambs on iron skewers over the flames. They would occasionally cut off a piece of golden, oily meat and offer it to the guests in the hall.

Governor Yue Shi sat in the main seat, frequently raising his cup to toast. On his left were several officials led by Wen Qiao, and on his right were several Freshian nobles with braided hair and headbands. They all drank to the bottom of their cups and laughed loudly, clearly enjoying themselves.

The side halls on both sides of the main hall were even more noisy, with dozens of red-faced, smelly Freshian warriors feasting and drinking. Some, dissatisfied with the slow actions of the chefs, tore into half-cooked lambs; others, in high spirits, even started dancing.

"Uncle! I have something to report!"

When Liu Yan burst into the hall, Liu Kun had already received the report. His expression was not pleasant, and if it were a regular general, he would probably have been kicked out. But since Liu Yan called him "uncle" and "nephew," he couldn't really do anything to him out of familial respect.

"It's Shiren. What brings you here?" Liu Kun played with his wine cup and asked casually.

Liu Yan, being a general with a literary background, had calmed down a bit. He bowed and said: "Reporting to my lord, since I took charge of patrolling the city, I have not been negligent. Just now, there was a disturbance in the city, and several of our soldiers were killed. Although I have already mobilized the troops to capture them, the bandits have mixed into the governor's residence. I dare not act on my own, so I ask my lord to make a decision!"

"Thank you, my lord!" Liu Yan bowed deeply: "Just now, it was thirty Freshian warriors who caused the disturbance. I ask my lord to order them to surrender immediately!"

The hall fell silent. Liu Kun slammed his wine cup on the table. Liu Yan's shoulders twitched with the sound, but he remained bowed and did not stand up.

"Shiren, stand up and speak." Liu Kun waved his hand. Liu Yan remained bowed, and Lu Yao, who had been standing at the hall entrance, hurriedly stepped forward, pulling Liu Yan to the side.

"Chief of the Dugu tribe, I intended to enjoy a feast with all of you today, but this unexpected incident has occurred." Liu Kun frowned and said to the row of Freshian nobles: "My subordinate, though not very intelligent, never lies. Is what he said just now true? I hope you can give me an answer."

There were six Freshian nobles sitting in the main hall, and the one in the chief seat was the powerful chief of the Tuoba Freshians, Dugu Zhe. Dugu Zhe had a full beard and a rough appearance. He had been laughing and shouting without restraint during the banquet, looking very self-important. He was sweating profusely, his chest exposed, and fanning himself with his fur coat sleeve. Hearing Liu Kun's question, he swallowed a large piece of fatty meat and laughed: "Governor Liu, the men from the grasslands are naturally bold and cannot be restrained by your Han customs. If there is a dispute, and a few men are killed, it's not unusual. It's not a big deal."

Liu Yan was furious, shaking off Lu Yao and rushing to Dugu Zhe: "Not a big deal? Do you barbarians think our great empire has no laws?"

Dugu Zhe stared at Liu Yan with a calm expression, speaking slowly: "We barbarians do not understand your Han laws. We only know the rules of the grasslands: the strong win, the weak die. If you are weak and get killed, you have no one to blame but yourself."

Liu Yan was so angry that his whole body trembled. He turned to Liu Kun: "How should this matter be handled? Please make a decision, my lord!"

Dugu Zhe sneered and continued drinking and eating, ignoring Liu Yan. The hall fell silent, and everyone waited for Governor Yue Shi's reaction.

Liu Kun suddenly stood up from behind the table and called out: "Yang Qiao!"

One of the civil officials on the other side, who had criticized Lu Yao and others the day before and supported the Freshians, hurriedly stepped forward. He bowed deeply: "I am here, my lord!"

"Is what General Liu Yan said just now true?" Liu Kun asked.

Yang Qiao, assigned by Liu Kun to receive the visiting Freshian chiefs and also to monitor them, had been overly cautious. The Freshians had been arrogant and lawless on their journey, but he had covered up their misdeeds and not reported them. Now, when Liu Kun suddenly asked, Yang Qiao was speechless and did not know how to answer.

Liu Kun's face darkened, and he waved his sleeve: "No need to say more. You may step down!"

Yang Qiao's face turned pale, and he stumbled backward, almost falling over the steps.

Liu Kun paced back and forth in the hall and slowly said: "Chief Dugu, you have come to visit me in my new role as governor of Bingzhou, and I am deeply grateful for your visit. The intentions of the Tuoba Freshians toward the court are clear to me. If the Tuoba Freshians can serve the court and help to suppress the Xiongnu, the court will not be stingy with rewards. Perhaps even a fiefdom can be granted."

Dugu Zhe, pleased, clapped his hands and was about to speak, but Liu Kun stopped him with a firm gesture.

"However, there is one point I must emphasize!" Liu Kun ignored Dugu Zhe's expression and continued: "The Han have their rules, and the barbarians have theirs. When you are in Han territory, you must follow Han rules. Can you still act according to the rules of the grasslands? If we suppress the Xiongnu but the Tuoba Freshians continue to cause trouble in our land, it would be unwise, and I will not do it!"

Liu Kun walked slowly, speaking confidently. By the time he finished, he was standing in front of Dugu Zhe, looking down at him: "Chief Dugu, do you understand my meaning?"

Dugu Zhe, a powerful man on the grasslands, had fought many battles to achieve his high position among the western Tuoba Freshians. In recent years, he had seen incompetent officials and weak armies in Han territory, making him increasingly arrogant. Although he had heard that the new governor of Bingzhou was a hero with great military achievements, he had not taken him seriously. But now, under Liu Kun's intense gaze, he felt a great pressure, his throat dry and nervous.

He swallowed and coughed, his forehead sweating under Liu Kun's gaze.

Liu Kun stared at Dugu Zhe for a while, seeing that the Freshian chief was already in a difficult position, and laughed. He turned and walked back to the main seat. The Han officials in the hall all breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Governor Yue Shi would soon issue an order to arrest the Freshian warriors who had caused the disturbance.

Suddenly, Dugu Zhe's voice rang out again: "Governor Liu, what you said is not without reason, but you have a misunderstanding!"

"Hmm?" Liu Kun coldly snorted and turned around.

Dugu Zhe straightened his body and said fiercely: "Governor Liu, you said that when barbarians come to Han territory, they cannot follow the rules of the grasslands. But Governor Liu, look around. How many states and counties north of the Yellow River and west of the Tong Pass can still be considered Han territory?"

This statement made all the Han officials in the hall turn pale.

In recent years, the court's poor governance had led to widespread rebellion. The Xiongnu, Qiang, Di, and Jie tribes had all rebelled, capturing many states and counties. Upon reflection, much of this vast land had already fallen into the hands of the barbarians!

"Even this small Bingzhou..." Dugu Zhe ignored the furious glares and sneered: "Heh, the归属 of Bingzhou is not as optimistic as Governor Liu thinks. Without the help of the Tuoba Freshians, do you really think you can defend against the Xiongnu's ten thousand troops with just this small Jinyang city?"

"Outrageous!" Liu Yan, his hair standing on end, stepped on the table in front of Dugu Zhe and pointed at him, shouting.

The Freshian nobles below Dugu Zhe all jumped up, glaring at Liu Yan. The Freshian warriors in the side halls stopped eating and drinking, their eyes glaring at the people in the hall. The atmosphere instantly became tense.

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