Eastern Jin Dynasty: My powerful father

Chapter 11 Father and son fight for concubine (4000)

Chengdu, Chenghan Palace Room.

"Your Majesty, something bad has happened. Our army was defeated at Zuoqiao, and the Jin army is heading towards Chengdu!"

In the palace, everyone was in an uproar, and the ministers looked at each other in horror.

Li Shi slumped down on the throne and asked helplessly:
  "For the current plan, what can I do?"

Wang Gu, the Supervisor of the Zhongshu, Chang Xu, the Sanqi Changshi, and others all came forward to advise Li Shi to surrender. Only the Shizhong Feng Fu stood up and retorted:

"Wu Han conquered Shu and killed all the princes. Now the Jin court has already issued an edict and will not pardon the Li family. I am afraid that your majesty will not be able to save his life even if the whole country surrenders!"

Feng Fu's words stopped Li Shi from surrendering, but there were no defenders in the city, so he had to flee.

The Jin army was right under his nose and was about to kill him at any time. Li Shi did not care about his family and fled in panic to Jinshou (now northwest of Pengzhou, Sichuan) with some of his cronies.

After winning the battle at Zuoqiao, Yuan Qiao led the army to pursue the victory and invaded Chengdu in one fell swoop.

Huan Wen then entered the city and said with emotion:
  "The fact that I was able to conquer this city is all thanks to Uncle Yan and Xi'er."

Among the generals, no one said anything to refute, and they all took it seriously.

Before sending troops, it was Yuan Qiao and Huan Xi who advocated the attack on Shu. After Peng Mo, it was the two of them who advocated breaking the cauldron and rushing into Chengdu.

As for the Battle of Zuoqiao, it was thanks to Yuan Qiao who commanded the soldiers on the front line and fought bravely, while Huan Xi also stabilized the morale of the troops at the critical moment and personally beat drums to motivate the soldiers, which led to this great victory.

Huan Xi did not express joy, he smiled modestly:
  "The success of conquering Shu belongs to my father. If my father had not followed his advice and made decisions in times of crisis, there would be no victory today."

The generals and subordinates all agreed, and Huan Wen laughed when he heard this. He immediately ordered Huan Xi to lead his own soldiers into the palace to search for Li Shi's family members. He also told Huan Xi not to insult Li Shi's wives and concubines.

Now that Li Shi has fled, he has not yet sent a letter of surrender. Therefore, the battle against Shu is not over yet.

Huan Wen was worried that someone would take the opportunity to insult Li Shi and become a concubine of the Han Dynasty, which would make Li Shi resentful and stubborn, so he left the matter of entering the palace to search for Li Shi's family members to Huan Xi's disposal.

Huan Xi understood his father's concerns and agreed loudly.

"The Jin army is coming to kill! The Jin army is coming to kill!"

In the palace city, shouts came and went, and there were panicked eunuchs and palace maids everywhere.

Empress Li of the Chenghan Dynasty and Princess Li Yuan were in the palace, looking terrified.

When Li Shi left, he didn't care about their mother and daughter, but took the prince with him.

Outside the palace, the sound of uniform footsteps was getting closer and closer, and the scraping of nail leaves was getting louder and louder.

With a bang, the door was kicked open, and a group of fierce-looking soldiers broke into the palace.

The bright blade was pointed at the mother and daughter who had always been pampered. The two were horrified and their expressions changed.

"Put away your weapons and don't be rude."

As the voice rang out, the person who walked in was Huan Xi, who had been ordered to enter the palace to search for Li Shi's family members.

Huan Xi passed Queen Li and focused his attention on Li Yuan. He was obviously amazed by the girl's appearance.

Seeing this, Empress Li mustered up the courage to protect her daughter behind her. She said with a trembling voice:

"Those who have lost their country and family, please ask the general to let us mother and daughter live without humiliation."

Li Yuan couldn't stand Huan Xi's scrutiny. She lowered her head and hid behind her mother, like a frightened little rabbit.

Huan Xi came back to his senses, smiled and said:
  "Madam, there is no need to be alarmed. Huan has no intention of causing harm."

Empress Li heard that his surname was Huan and bravely asked:
  "May I ask what the relationship is between Young Master and Huan Shuai?"

Huan Xi also didn’t hide it:

"It's my father."

After hearing this, Empress Li finally felt relieved, thinking that Huan Wen would be the commander-in-chief of the expedition against Shu, and his son would not need to deceive them.

Not long after, all Li Shi's concubines were captured and identified one by one by the slaves in the palace who had defected to the Jin army. Many of them were originally the wives of Cheng Han ministers.

Li Shi killed people and took his wives, and took possession of them by force.

These women cried to Huan Xi and begged Huan Xi to release them home.

Huan Xi must ask Huan Wen about this matter first and cannot make his own decision. He comforted:
  "I will tell my father your life story, and you won't be in trouble if you think about it."

All the girls bowed down and thanked him.

Before Huan Xi left, he took a deep look at Li Yuan.

Beautiful things are always easy to attract attention, Huan Xi secretly said:
  'No wonder with my mother's temper, I would sigh with pity when I saw her. This girl is really stunning. ’

Huan Xi left Xi Chao and his men to guard the palace, while he went to return his father's death.

Huan Wen had already entered the main hall of the Chenghan Dynasty. Before Huan Xi entered the door, he saw a surrender minister talking in the hall:

"Li Shi originally wanted to surrender, but he was afraid of being blamed by the Jin Dynasty, so he fled. If my lord can appease Li Shi and relieve his suspicion, how could Li Shi dare to resist the heavenly soldiers? He will definitely surrender and the whole country will surrender."

The person who spoke was none other than Chang Chu, the Sanqi Changshi who had previously persuaded Li Shi to surrender.

Because Chang Quan saw Li Shou and Li Shi's father and son being immoral, although he was an official in Shu, he had his heart set on the Jin Dynasty. Now he was recruited by Huan Wen to join the army.

Huan Wen firmly believed what Chang Cu said, but he had no choice but to say:
  "I want to treat Li Shi well, but I don't know how to win his trust."

Chang Chu smiled and said:

"My lord, there is no need to worry. I have a plan, please present it to my lord."

Huan Wen was so happy when he saw this that he didn't even have time to greet Huan Xi who came in. He couldn't wait to say:
  "I also ask the Taoist general (Chang Cu, also known as Taojiang) to come and teach me the truth."

Chang Zhen said seriously:
  "Li Shi has a daughter, named Li Yuan, who is of national beauty. I am asking the Lord to accept her.

"The two families are getting married, and if the lord sends the puppet Han Queen Li Shi, Li will definitely understand the lord's sincerity."

Huan Wen was already moved. Even in an ordinary family, if a couple has been married for more than ten years, they will get tired of it one day and want to find some fresh excitement. This is human nature.

What's more, Huan Wen is so high-spirited now.

Huan Wen naturally did not have the courage to divorce his wife, but when it came to taking concubines, Huan Wen instantly became confused.

Huan Wen glanced at Huan Xi and pretended to decline:
  "I am old and may not be a good match for you."

But the heartfelt smile on his face could not be concealed.

He even thought about what he would say in front of Sima Xingnan. He was making a sacrifice to gain Li Shi's trust.

Taking concubines is for state affairs, not for personal gain.

well! I have no choice but to do this.

Chang Can knew that Huan Wen was already tempted, and was about to persuade her again, when she heard Huan Xi say loudly:
  "What the commander-in-chief said is absolutely true, this must never be done!"

Huan Wen was startled when he heard this, and everyone in the hall was dumbfounded.

Chang Can had never met Huan Xi, but she knew Huan Xi's identity when he heard someone call him "Father".

He was about to explain the importance of this matter to Huan Xi, but heard Huan Xi continue:
  "Li Shi killed people and took his wife, and was ignorant and ruined the country. However, his father was a hero of the world. How could he bow his knees to Li Shi and worship him as his father-in-law?

"The boy has a plan, which can not only protect his father's handsome reputation, but also make Li Shi come to join him."

Everyone was curious. Huan Wen suppressed his displeasure and asked:

"What's the plan?"

Just when Huan Wen was thinking about finding a reason to reject Huan Xi's plan, Huan Xi said seriously:

"I also ask the commander-in-chief to give Li Yuan to the child, so that the child can be Li Shi's son-in-law. In this way, the reputation of the commander-in-chief will not be damaged."

For a moment, there was silence in the hall, everyone looked at each other, and no one dared to speak.

Huan Wen's face had turned the color of pig liver. He felt like his lungs were going to explode.

It wasn't that Huan Wen couldn't bear to part with Li Yuan, he hadn't even seen Li Yuan's appearance, but he finally had a reason to take a concubine, and Huan Xi actually interfered with it.

However, those who are favored are always confident. Huan Xi begs for favors in public, but Huan Wen can only swallow the bitterness in his heart.

Could it be that he could really compete with Huan Xi, not to mention that the matter would become a big deal and become a laughing stock.

If Sima Xingnan knew that he was jealous of Huan Xi over a woman, the consequences would be disastrous.

"Hahaha"

Huan Wen laughed to hide his embarrassment:
  "Just now, my father politely declined the invitation from Chang to join the army, because he intended to betroth the Li family to you.

"I never thought that Xi'er, who admired Ai at a young age, must have met Li Shi's daughter in the harem and was moved by her beauty, so she pursued her.

"My father and your mother have been in love with each other for more than ten years. They treat each other like guests and have never taken a concubine. How can they marry again to this day?

"As you ask, I will accomplish this beautiful thing for my father."

However, Huan Wen was generous on the surface, but his heart was bleeding. When he thought that Huan Xi was usually not a womanizer, but now he was seduced by Li Yuan's beauty, it showed how beautiful that girl was.

Huan Xi was overjoyed to express his gratitude. All the generals pretended not to know Huan Wen's true thoughts and congratulated Huan Xi. Then they all left, and no one dared to stay in the palace any longer.

After everyone left, Huan Wen no longer needed to suppress the anger in his heart. He blew his beard and glared:

"Rebel!"

With that said, he raised his scabbard to hit Huan Xi.

When Huan Xi saw that something was not going well, he ran away. The father and son chased each other in the palace, and Huan Xi quickly explained:

"Father, please calm down. The child is thinking about his father. If his mother knew that his father had taken a concubine without her consent, how could his father live in peace?"

Huan Wen didn't care, he chased after him and said angrily:
  "I don't care whether you can live in peace in the future. I have to make sure that you don't live in peace today! Stop! Let my father vent his anger!"

Huan Xi didn't dare to stop. Although Huan Wen just wanted to hit himself with the scabbard, not chop with the knife, but who knew whether his attack was serious or not.

"A small stick will lead to acceptance, while a big stick will lead to walking away. My father is so angry today that he may have made a mistake and made a big mistake. The child will run away. This is the filial piety of his son."

After that, Huan Xi saw the opportunity and escaped from the hall, leaving Huan Wen panting and not chasing him out.

He really couldn't afford to lose this person in public.

After a long time, Huan Xi poked his head out from the palace door. Seeing that Huan Wen was relieved, Huan Xi boldly walked in and said with a cheeky smile:
  "When Emperor Wu of Wei conquered Yecheng, Emperor Wen took the Zhen family as his concubine.

"Today my father captured Chengdu, and my son took Li as his concubine.

"My son congratulates his father, and also congratulates himself. You and I, father and son, can actually imitate the Cao family and achieve such a feat. Doesn't this mean that our Huan family is in high demand?"

Huan Wen was not a loyal minister of the Jin Dynasty. As Liu Xun said, he was ambitious, especially now that the Chenghan Dynasty was about to perish, which further fueled his ambition.

But Huan Xi's metaphor still made Huan Wen laugh. He kept a straight face again and lectured:
  "Don't talk nonsense. As a father, it is your duty to support the Jin Dynasty throughout your life. How dare you make such unreasonable thoughts? What I just said cannot be shared with outsiders."

Huan Xi nodded quickly:

"The Huan family has been loyal from generation to generation. Children must follow their father and serve the Jin Dynasty until death."

"Ruzi can be taught."

As he said this, Huan Wen did not forget to warn:

"I'll let you go for now, but if you dare to ruin your father's good deeds again in the future, I won't let you off lightly!"

Father and son are of the same mind and work hard to start a business, but there is no hatred that cannot be resolved.

Moreover, the rest of Huan Wen's disciples were embarrassed and useless.

It was precisely because Huan Xi understood this that he dared to seize food from the tiger's mouth.

However, he did not forget to tell the story of the poor women who were snatched away by Li Shi.

After hearing this, Huan Wen muttered:

"I will imprison them in the harem for now. When Li Shi comes to Chengdu, I will set them free."

Huan Xi asked:
  "What should we do with the remaining concubines?"

Huan Wen didn't take it seriously and said:
  "Since I am a rewarded general, Li Shi only needs to be accompanied by the queen."

After Huan Xi got Li Yuan, he no longer wanted to take Li Shi's concubine, but Huan Wen had no reason to take a concubine, and he did not dare to make his own decisions without Sima Xingnan's consent.

After the father and son agreed on the matter, Huan Xi went to the harem and asked Xi Chao to take out Queen Li and Li Yuan.

The mother and daughter looked very scared, Huan Xi comforted them:
  "There is no need to be afraid, madam. I am here to return my wife and reunite you as husband and wife."

When Queen Li heard this, she was extremely pleasantly surprised. She didn't know why the Jin army was willing to let her go.

Li Yuan on the side asked timidly:

"General, can I go with my mother?"

Empress Li finally realized that Huan Xi had not mentioned how to deal with Li Yuan before. Just when she was nervous about this, Huan Xi smiled at Li Yuan and said:
  "How about staying in Chengdu and becoming my concubine?"

Li Yuan's face turned pale. Even though Huan Xi was handsome, she was once a princess, but now she had to commit herself to being a concubine. The gap between the two was obviously difficult for Li Yuan to accept.

But Empress Li knew that now that she was in prison, she could not retain the dignity of the past.

"General Huan, can you allow us mother and daughter to have a conversation?"

Queen Li asked for instructions.

Huan Xi nodded and asked the mother and daughter to be taken to a side room. After a while, they came out.

There were still tears on Li Yuan's face, but she was obviously persuaded by her mother. She bent down and saluted Huan Xi and said:
  "The country is destroyed and the family is destroyed, leaving this broken body. Fortunately, the general will not abandon me. I am willing to serve the general."

Huan Xi stepped forward to help Li Yuan up, wiped the tears from her eyes, and said:

"Don't worry, I'm not a heartless person who always gives up."

When Li Yuan heard what he said, a smile finally appeared on her face.

Huan Xi was not in a hurry to possess Li Yuan. He was not an impatient person. Besides, Shuzhong was still undecided and he had no time to care about his children's personal affairs.

He just wrote a letter to Xie Daoyun, in which he mentioned that his father Huan Wen forced himself to take Li Yuan as his concubine in order to appease Li Shi.

It was useless to resist, so I had to agree to the matter out of loyalty and filial piety.

Huan Xi also wrote a poem in his letter:
  ‘Red beans grow in the southern country, and when spring comes, they will sprout a few branches.

‘I hope you will pick more of them, this is the most loved thing. ’

It is March in late spring, so it is a good time to write this.

After Huan Wen learned that Li Shi was in Jinshou, he sent his surrender minister Chang Xu as an envoy to bring Li Shi his own handwritten letter to persuade him to surrender.

Also sent to Jinshou was Queen Li of the Chenghan Dynasty.

Chang Chu arrived in Jinshou and persuaded Li Shi with his sharp tongue.

Li Shi was not popular in the country, and now he was at the end of his rope. If he had not been afraid that Huan Wen would kill him, he would not have abandoned the country and fled.

Now Huan Wen promised to keep him safe, and Empress Li also told him that Huan Wen married Li Yuan with his son Huan Xi and was willing to marry him as his son and daughter.

Li Shi no longer had any doubts, and immediately sent Huan Wen a letter of surrender, and he returned to Chengdu with Chang Chu.

The Chenghan Dynasty perished, but the Shu region was not pacified.

　There are no more today. Please collect and vote more, please.

　　
  　
  (End of this chapter)