Chapter 99: The Far Lands (II)

“General Akbar Hussein, you’ve finally arrived!”
Li Huaizhong turned around, his face filled with a smile. “It was Governor Abu Muslim who sent for you, right? I’ve already prepared the silver coins to be offered to Prince Mansur and the governor. They’ll be sent after the city falls.”
Seeing the cold expression on the other man’s face, Li Huaizhong’s smile faltered slightly before he said, “I’ve also prepared my share for you—it won’t disappoint you!”
The man before him was General Akbar Hussein, the one sent by the Persian governor to Ashbalikh. He was clad in silver armor, carrying a common Persian curved sword at his waist, a wooden shield inlaid with copper at his back, and a long spear in his right hand. At first glance, he appeared valiant and formidable.
As one of Abu Muslim’s most trusted generals, it was only natural for him to take control of Kulan City. Li Huaizhong didn’t harbor any doubts. But why was his attitude so cold toward him?
Even with a helmet covered in silk, it couldn’t hide his mesmerizing gaze. Unreasonably, Li Huaizhong felt a chill rise in his chest. He forced a bright smile and said, “If you think the amount isn’t enough, I can contribute more. But I was just looted by those Tang pirates, so I can’t come up with much silver… Ah!”
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a cold spear pressed against his waist!
“Please, don’t get upset. Everything can be discussed. How about I add my share to meet Governor Abu Muslim’s requirement?”
Unprepared for such strength, Li Huaizhong panicked, his voice tinged with desperation.
“Do you think I want money?”
Akbar sneered coldly and shook his head.
“Ah, then why? Let’s talk this through calmly! Lower your spear—damn it, it’s about to pierce my waist!”
Li Huaizhong felt a sharp, cold object pressing against his waist, causing him to shudder as he begged for mercy. This Akbar was really strange—what could he want if not money? Ah, he wouldn’t… he surely wouldn’t…
Suddenly, a terrifying thought crossed Li Huaizhong’s mind. He had heard that Persians favored men—could Akbar have such preferences?
Li Huaizhong felt his back muscles tense as he struggled to hold back vomiting.
“Why? Why? We’ve had no grudges in the past, so why are you fixated on me?”

“Don’t move or make noise, or I’ll hurt you badly!”
Akbar glared at him fiercely and ripped off his helmet and headscarf.
“At that time, I also had a Tang name—He Runshi!”
He said this in Tang dialect, causing Li Huaizhong to exclaim in shock.
“Ah, you’re a Tang person!”
Li Huaizhong couldn’t believe his eyes! A man wrapped in such tight, secret clothing, a Persian warrior, had suddenly turned into a Tang person! What was going on? How could this be?
“Did I ever say I was a Persian? It’s all in your head!”
He Runshi glared at Li Huaizhong fiercely and pushed his spear harder.
“Ah, please don’t do this, don’t do it!”
Li Huaizhong was terrified, raising his hands in surrender. He had fallen into the hands of a Tang person—what chance of survival did he have?
Ah, he understood now. Ashibulai City was east of Julan City, and he must have come from the east! Yes, a fierce battle was underway, and he hadn’t even opened the west city gates yet—how could a Persian general appear on the city walls? This He Runshi must have sneaked into the city long ago, waiting for him to fall into his trap!
Seemingly understanding what Li Huaizhong was thinking, He Runshi sneered, “Exactly. I happened to pass by Julan City and saw you acting insincerely toward Gao Xianzhi, so I stayed to watch. I never expected your conscience to be so corrupted that you’d think of surrendering the city!”
“Oh, it’s a misunderstanding! All my soldiers were taken away by the commander, so how could I surrender?”
Li Huaizhong kept defending himself, hoping to escape his misfortune.
“Nonsense! That’s exactly your cunning—you had your soldiers disguise themselves as commoners and infiltrate the Anxi army, then rebel during battle! Do you think I don’t know all this?”
Li Huaizhong’s face turned pale. He twisted his lips slightly and said, “I was deceived by villains. I realize my mistake now. Please, lower your spear.”
“Stop talking nonsense. Tell your men to drop their weapons and surrender to the Tang army.”
He Runshi paused briefly before sneering, “If you try any tricks, I’ll hurt you badly. I know plenty of ways to torment people—I can dig out your eyes first, then cut off your ears…”
“No, no, I’ll give the order right away!”
Li Huaizhong, who had always lived in comfort, had never faced such threats before. Terrified and without any resolve, he followed He Runshi’s lead.
“Drop your weapons! Stop fighting! It’s all a misunderstanding!”

Li Huaizhong waved his arms vigorously and shouted. But perhaps it was too noisy on the city walls, and everyone was too busy fighting to notice him.
“Come closer. If you dare play any tricks, I’ll dig out your left eyeball first!”
As he spoke, Li Huaizhong put away his spear and drew a dagger from his waist, pressing it against his throat.
Perhaps he used too much force, as a clear blood mark already appeared on Li Huaizhong’s throat.
“Grandpa, my life is in your hands. How could I dare have any improper thoughts?”
“Good that you know!”
He Runshi kicked Li Huaizhong in the knees and ordered, “Say exactly what I tell you. Say one wrong word, and I’ll add another mark to your neck.”
“Ah, ah.”
Li Huaizhong walked among the crowd while shouting, “Brothers, stop fighting! This king has been provoked by villains and has a misunderstanding with General Gao Xianzhi. It’s all this king’s fault—nothing to do with the Tang brothers. Those are just rumors. Don’t believe them, please!”
Only then did the Hu soldiers realize their king was being held hostage and forced forward. They put down their weapons and looked at each other.
“Tell them to throw all their weapons on the ground!”
He Runshi pressed the dagger down further and said coldly.
“Ah, ah, be gentle… Put down your weapons. The Tang are our brothers, not enemies! By the Fire God Ahura Mazda, I swear the Tang are our brothers!”