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This man was at least seventy-percent similar to Dugu Ce, only he appeared to be a few years older, but still outstandingly handsome, plus he had the magnificent bearing that Dugu Ce lacked. Therefore, anybody would be able to guess that he was the leader of the Dugu Clan, Dugu Feng.

He was the kind of person that as soon as one took a glance on him, one would know that he was a very ambitious person, someone who would not have any scruple in killing others.

Although he was wearing a smile on his face, there was a murderous air around him. He was of medium height, but there was an obvious lofty quality of extraordinary capability. Not only that, he also carried a straightforward and powerful manner, which displayed his strong confidence in himself.

This moment his pair of eyes, his eagle-beak nose and the firm and persistent corner of his mouth exuded a distinct and contrasting sharp expression, as his gaze moved from Wang Shichong to Kou Zhong. Kou Zong felt his face was burning, so that he knew that Dugu Feng was worthy to be the leader of the Dugu Clan. His power was not inferior to Du Fuwei, Li Mi and those martial art masters of the same caliber.

Everybody halted their horses. The vanguard at the front understood their role; they separated to both sides of the road, so that their master could have a dialogue with the opposite party without any barrier.

Wang Shichong laughed aloud and said, “Dugu Zongguan’s [reminder: chief manager] words are too heavy. In the past few days there has been sighing wind and calling crane; I heard that not a few people wanted to take the head above my, Wang Shichong’s neck. I, Wang Shichong, have always been greedy for life, afraid of death; therefore, going in and out the Capital I must have men protecting me, hence the reason I brought a few more men; how could I date to commit the crime of ‘the troops pressing on toward the Palace City’? I earnestly hope Feng Xiong would not block the Palace gate, and let me in to have an audience with Huang Taizhu [grand master the emperor] to make a report on military situation; otherwise, the Ol’ Wang would suspect that Feng Xiong already instigated mutiny and is holding Huang Taizhu under duress, and thus forcing me to direct the troops to besiege the City. If that happened, no one would have any benefit!”

It was only that Kou Zhong realized how formidable Wang Shichong really was. Those words of his did not have any hole at all, so that nobody would be able to ward it off.

But Dugu Feng was not a lay practitioner of Buddhism either. Just by the fact that he was guarding the Palace gate alone was a clear display of his unfathomable scheme, which was equivalent to seeing one spot on the leopard.

Sure enough, Dugu Feng calmly took a step forward, smiled in a relaxed and easy manner, and said, “Shichong Xiong’s desire to lay on guilt is really formidable, how could Dugu Feng take it upon myself? The most ridiculous thing is that I, Dugu Feng, am earnest and sincere, yet I saw Shangshu Daren withdrew your troops and returned to the imperial court, so I came out specifically to welcome you; who would have thought that I was misunderstood by Zhengguo Gong [Duke of Zheng State]?”

In just one sentence he had used three different appellations, from ‘Shichong Xiong’ to ‘Shangshu Daren’ to ‘Zhengguo Gong’; naturally it was without the slightest bit of sincerity, but with some kind of attitude that was difficult to guess, mixed with frigid irony and scorching satire, without any implication that he had any regard toward Wang Shichong.

Laughing involuntarily, Kou Zhong said, “Since you have come to welcome us, why did previously Dugu Zongguan did not say that Shangshu Daren withdrew his troops to return to the imperial court, but said that we brought the troops pressing on toward the imperial city? Are you correcting yourself now?”

Casting a contemptuous glance toward Kou Zhong, he laughed grimly without moving a single muscle on his face and said, “This young boy is very brazen; I wonder since when did he become Shangshu Daren’s spokeperson?”

But Wang Shichong was no less formidable; remaining tranquil and calm, he said, “I have not introduced this gentleman, Mr. Kou Zhong, whom I hired back with a lot of gold and gift. In my, Wang Shichong’s absence, he is in charge of Luoyang’s affairs. Later on it will be more appropriate if you get to know each other better!”

This time, even Lang Feng and the other people from Wang Shichong’s side were shaken; they did not expect Wang Shichong to show such a high regard toward Kou Zhong.

Dugu Feng was stunned for half a day, before finally saying, “Although Shangshu Daren has the right to pick any worthy person to assume responsibility, but such an important position, you must ...”

Wang Shichong cut him off, “This is precisely one of the reasons this officer wants to have audience with Huang Taizhu. Will Dugu Zongguan insist on blocking the Palace gate?”

Dugu Feng laughed aloud and said, “How can I? How can I? Shangshu Daren, please!”

Unexpectedly he really withdrew to the side of the gate, and then with an exaggerated gesture he invited them to enter the gate.

Wang Shichong and Kou Zhong looked at each other in consternation; momentarily they did not know how to react.

The deep gate looked as if it would devour anybody who dared to enter into a bottomless hole.

※ ※ ※

After taking his leave from Liu Heita, Xu Ziling looked for a wine shop nearby, and ordered a pot of wine. After pouring himself a drink or two, tipsy feeling started to assault him, making him feeling like he wanted to have a good cry.

He has never been good with wine; although he was accustomed to be affected by Kou Zhong’s keen interest, but he really was an amateur in this regard.

But now he wanted to drink until he passed out, so that he could forget the cruelty of the real situation, which he could not change anyway.

Liu Heita’s pointing out that Xiao Xian was human trafficker has bored into his heart.

And now the matter between Susu and Xiang Yushan was like the rice that has already been cooked, plus a child was on his way; even if he killed Xiang Yushan, he would not help Susu the least bit.

Ay!

Xu Ziling poured another cup of wine down his throat before cradling his head on his arms on the table; he wanted to cry, but there were no tears.

This moment, only two of the tables in the restaurant were occupied, plus he deliberately chose a table near the corner, because he did not wish to attract undue attention from anybody else.

Come to think about if, all these misfortunes befell on Susu were brought by Li Jing’s heartless and lack of friendship.

Which part of Su Jie was not good? Yet he insisted on changing his affection, shifting his love.

Sound of footsteps approached.

Hearing the footsteps, immediately Xu Ziling remembered Li Shimin’s dragon gait and tiger steps; startled, he quickly looked up.

He saw a man wearing bamboo hat with a veil hanging down to shield the wearer from the sun. The man wore nondescript grey clothes. He was walking straight toward Xu Ziling. His steps were nimble yet powerful, carrying with him a wave of suffocating momentum, extremely intimidating.

Composing himself, Xu Ziling spoke in heavy voice, “Qin Wang [king of Qin], please sit down.”

The man was slightly taken aback; he stared blankly first before taking the seat across the table. Taking off his bamboo hat, he revealed a heroic and grand face. Greatly astonished, he said, “Xu Xiong was able to see my face behind the veil?”

Raising his hand, he called the waiter, “Bring more wine!”

Xu Ziling met his sharp gaze, the gaze that could penetrate the deepest secret in anybody’s heart. He spoke indifferently, “I merely recognized Shimin Xiong’s footsteps!”

Wine cup and wine pot arrived. Li Shimin poured some for Xu Ziling first before filling up his cup to the brim. He sighed and said, “Not only Xu Xiong has a pair of sharp ears, your memory is also astonishing.”

And then, toasting Xu Ziling, he said with a laugh, “This cup is for meeting Xu Xiong again after a long period of separation.”

Xu Ziling’s eyes were fixed on the clear wine inside the cup; reaching out, his finger lightly flicked on the rim of the cup, creating a crisp ringing noise. “Did Li Jing ask Shimin Xiong to come to me?” he said slowly.

Li Shimin smiled. Putting down his cup, he said gently, “Xu Xiong misunderstood your Li Dage!”

Xu Ziling spoke apathetically, “If Shimin Xiong is here to talk on behalf of Li Jing, then let us stop at this point.”

Chapter 2 - Part 2

Li Shimin was slightly startled; and then he laughed aloud and raised his wine cup and drained it in one gulp. After wiping the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, he spoke with an air of authority, “Then we’ll do it as Xu Xiong wishes! Besides, this kind of man-woman affair, how could we, as outsiders, care about it?”

Forcing a smile, Xu Ziling said, “This remark of yours is more formidable than talking straight; Li Shimin is worthy to be Li Shimin.”

Li Shimin’s eyes gleamed brightly; he carefully looked at Xu Ziling for a while and then said with a sigh, “Ziling Xiong has really changed a lot. In terms of outward appearance, poise, and imposing attitude, you are exuding confidence.”

Xu Ziling replied indifferently, “Shimin Xiong needs not praise me too much. Xu Ziling is nothing more than uncouth man of the mountain and fields, unlike Shimin Xiong, who is a dragon among men, who seized the rugged Guanzhong in order to raise your influence, slowly looking at the wind and the rain outside the Pass, staking everything against each other, and thus stabilizing your position as the overlord.”

This time it was Li Shimin’s turn to smile wryly; shaking his head, he said, “Ziling Xiong, please do not mock me. At best, I, Li Shimin, am merely a high-ranking military officer of the vanguard regiment in my father and brother’s effort to take over the world; what overlord position are you talking about?”

Xu Ziling’s pair of tiger-eyes shot a sharp, terrifying gleam, as he spoke in heavy voice, “A pearl has always been a pearl; even if momentarily it is covered by grass, one day it will reveal its brilliance. How could Shimin Xiong be willing to accept an inferior status compared to others?”

Li Shimin was silent for half a day, his eyes gradually brightened, followed by a grieved expression of dissatisfaction. He said in low voice, “When I helped my humble father raising an army at Taiyuan that day, he promised us, brothers, that whoever could take down Guanzhong would be appointed his heir apparent. At that time he privately told me, ‘This matter depends entirely on you standing with all your strength. If we succeed, naturally the merit will belong to you, and I certainly will establish you as the heir apparent.’” And then his eyes gleamed with cold rays as he continued, “At that time I replied to him, ‘The Emperor Yang is tyrannical, people are in a terrible situation, outstanding heroes are rising together, Child only wish to assist Die to overthrow the tyrant, to free the common people from the pain of being hanged upside down [i.e. extremely critical situation]. As for other things, Child does not dare to have any delusion.’”

Knitting his brows, Xu Ziling said, “Since Shimin Xiong already has this way of thinking, why did just now you show a dissatisfied look?”

Li Shimin dejectedly replied, “Because I was afraid Dage would be just another Emperor Yang, then I would have been guilty of terrible crimes. Otherwise, even if my humble father is burdened by the promise he made to his wife, but since ancient times there is always this ancestral way of ‘establishing the son of first wife as chief’, and thus I have nothing to say.”

Xu Ziling had a deep veneration toward Li Shimin in his heart. Because on the basis of his keen perception, when Li Shimin was telling him about all these things, he was expressing the truth, he was baring his bemoaning-the-state-of-the-universe-and-pity-the-fate-of-mankind heart.

Li Shimin suddenly stretched out his arm to grab Xu Ziling’s shoulder. His tiger-eyes penetrating deep into Xu Ziling’s soul, he said, “I have always hidden this deep within my heart, and have never poured it out in front of anybody else. But seeing Xu Xiong today, I was unable to restrain my emotions and thus spoke it out. It even surprised myself. Or perhaps in my heart I have always regard you and Kou Zhong as my best friends!”

Xu Ziling’s heart warmed up, but it also turned cold.

Warmed up because of Li Shimin’s friendly feeling, cold because of the thought that one day Kou Zhong and Li Shimin would face each other in the battlefield.

“Well said!” suddenly someone called out in low voice.

Startled, the two men looked up, only to see the only remaining guest in the wine shop, who was sitting on the opposite corner farthest away from where they were. He was having his back against them, as he poured wine and drank alone.

Li Shimin and Xu Ziling exchanged some glances; they were unable to hide the astonishment in their hearts.

This man obviously had just come in, but the two did not have any idea when. Plus when the two were talking, they used their internal energy to suppress their voices as much as possible and focused the sound so that it would not scatter outside. Furthermore, the opposite party was at least five, six zhang away from them. If he was really able to hear their exchange, it would mean that he must be a first-rate martial art master.

From the back, this person looked slim and elegant, exuding a confidence and suave aura. His long, shiny black hair was tied into a bun on top of his head. In short, he was very attractive.

Raising his voice, Li Shimin said, “Was Xiongtai’s remark just now directed to Zaixia?”

Without even turning his head, the man spoke indifferently, “There’s only the three of us here, even the waiters have been dismissed by this Ol’ Qin. To whom did Li Xiong think my remark was addressed to?”

Hearing that, Li Shimin and Xu Ziling looked at each other. A profound and unfathomable feeling appeared on their faces.

But his voice was deep; he spoke slowly, but it was extremely sweet sounding. It did not appear to be malicious.

It should be noted that Li Shimin was the most important figure of the Li Clan. About ninety-percent of Li Yuan’s rivers and mountains were won over by him. If his whereabouts was leaked out, who among the hostile major powers did not wish to get him?

Were it not for his trust toward Xu Ziling, he would never show himself. Just from this little fact, it was obvious that Li Shimin really regarded Xu Ziling as a good friend.

Focusing his power to listen, Xu Ziling found no unusual activity outside the wine shop. Feeling relieved, he spoke indifferently, “Qin Xiong, why don’t you come over to have a cup of wine?”

The man calmly replied, “Xu Xiong is too polite, but the Ol’ Qin has always been a recluse. Talking this way is actually more comfortable for me.”

Li Shimin laughed aloud and said, “There are many unconventional scholars in the world. May I ask how should we address Qin Xiong?”

The man spoke slowly, “Names and surnames are just artificial marks; two gentlemen can call me Qin Chuan!”

More and more the two men felt that this man was not simple.

Xu Ziling said in astonishment, “Please forgive me for talking too much, but Qin Xiong must be a follower of Buddha, or perhaps you are related [by karma] with the Buddhist way. I wonder if I have guessed wrong?”

Stunned, Li Shimin looked at Xu Ziling; he was completely unable to make any sense of the matter, how could Xu Ziling make such an unexpected speculation just by looking at the person’s back and hearing him said a few words?

However, without giving it the slightest bit of thought, Qin Chuan replied, “Xu Xiong’s perception is indeed extraordinarily brilliant. Just now, were it not for the Ol’ Qin entered in when Xu Xiong was crouching on the table, I am afraid I would not have escaped Xu Xiong’s detection.”

Li Shimin was shocked, “Qin Xiong was trailing me?” he asked.

Chapter 2 - Part 3

Remaining tranquil and calm, Qin Chuan replied, “Exactly so. At that time Li Xiong had your attention focused entirely on Xu Xiong, naturally you would not take any notice of me, an ordinary bystander!”

Li Shimin and Xu Ziling looked at each other in shock.

Let’s not mention that this person intentionally followed Li Shimin to this place. Just by Li Shimin’s brilliant cultivation yet still failed to realize that someone was trailing him, it was clear that this person’s skill must be out of the ordinary.

Without waiting for the two men to respond, Qin Chuan went on, “Back to the topic at hand, just now Li Xiong was speaking about your esteemed brother. I wonder what are you going to do about it?”

Smiling ruefully, Li Shimin said, “That was not supposed to enter Qin Xiong’s ears; must we discuss it openly now?”

Qin Chuan shrugged his shoulders and said, “Li Xiong has a large number of martial art masters accompanying you here. After unburdening yourself off this matter, you could always send your men to have the Ol’ Qin killed. This way you won’t have to worry that any third party would find out about it.”

Li Shimin and Xu Ziling looked at each other again. Here was someone who suggested others to have himself killed to close his mouth. But the way he was shrugging his shoulders was very pleasant to watch, so that it would be difficult for others to have the heart to kill him.

‘Bang!’

Li Shimin slapped the table, and then said with a sigh, “How could I, Li Shimin, be a despicable person who only has interest in his own benefit, and presumptuously harming other people’s lives? Qin Xiong must be joking!”

Qin Chuan coldly said, “You don’t kill people, people will come to kill you. Your esteemed brother is more than ten years older than Shimin Xiong. During the rebellion in Taiyuan, he was still at Hedong Mansion, and had never participated in the grand scheme. A year later, he was firmly established as the crown prince. Under normal circumstances, this is not a big deal. However, in time where outstanding heroes all over the world are contending against each other, Shimin Xiong is outside as a soldier, charging and breaking through the enemy lines, beheading the Pass, seizing the narrow path, killing the enemy, taking the cities, while he remained in the western capital, reaping where he had not sown. Even if Shimin Xiong did not have different thought, your esteemed brother is merely where he is by virtue of seniority. How could he convince the heart of the people under the heavens? Could it be that he is not afraid repeating the disastrous history of Li Mi assassinating Zhai Rang?”

Li Shimin’s countenance fell; he spoke slowly, “Who is Qin Xiong actually? How did you know my Li family’s matters this clearly?”

Listening to him, Xu Ziling was amazed as well, but his interest differed from Li Shimin’s. Besides, this person’s spoke powerfully, his reasoning was penetrating and exquisite, plus it had substance [orig. ‘if thrown on the floor, it will make a sound’], so that others would find it hard to refute.

Qin Chuan slyly said, “If Shimin Xiong does not wish to chat about this, how about if we change the subject?”

Once again Li Shimin and Xu Ziling looked at each other in shock.

※ ※ ※

Ouyang Xiyi chuckled; he patted his horse’s butt and stepped out, “Then let’s Laofu be your foot soldier to open the path for you!”

Kou Zhong hurriedly whispered in Wang Shichong’s ear, “Let’s just employ the ‘charging forward resolutely’ tactic!”

Wang Shichong was indecisive, but as he heard Kou Zhong, he laughed heartily to stall for time. When everybody’s attention shifted from Ouyang Xiyi back to him, he pretended to be calm and composed as he said, “Apparently this is still too early in the morning, Huang Taizhu probably has not left his dragon bed, this officer can always return to have an audience later!”

Drawing out his whip, he turned around and left, without even casting a single glance toward Dugu Feng.

Kou Zhong and the others hastily followed him.

※ ※ ※

“Qin Xiong has something else to say?” Li Shimin asked in wonder.

Qin Chuan spoke slowly, “I wish to ask for Shimin Xiong’s guidance concerning the path of the ruler.”

Xu Ziling and Li Shimin were baffled being played around by him like this.

First of all, Li Shimin was nowhere near the monarch position, let along now was the period of fighting over the world. Even if Li Shimin had the thought of taking over Li Jiancheng’s position, Li Shimin ought to be asking for guidance to others, not the other way around.

A vague feeling started to well up in Xu Ziling’s heart, he vaguely felt that he ought to know this person’s identity, yet he was unable to penetrate the fog to come up with any definitive guess.

Staring at the person’s back, Li Shimin frowned and said, “If Qin Xiong is able to explain the reason you are asking this question, then there is no harm in me, Li Shimin, offering up an answer.”

Qin Chuan calmly said, “The way I conduct myself has always been I do whatever I think I should do; very seldom did I question God as to what I ought to do. Just now I recalled that Shimin Xiong has the ‘heaven policy in government’, particularly having the country in the palm of your hand to go on a punitive expedition, with a long history of ‘ministry of war one person, handling two-person civil officers, two-person military-advisory committe, four-person secretarial department, two-person clerks, two-person office of records and military affairs, and then two-person construction, warehouse, soldiers, horses, weaponry and noncommissioned officers, six department of the military, and six-person military advisory board; altogether there are thirty-four people, in tight coordination like a mini imperial court. It is clear to me that Shimin Xiong’s aspiration is not limited to insignificant military campaign; hence I was compelled to ask the question.”

Listening to him explaining the organization of ‘heaven policy in government’ in details as if he was enumerating his own family’s valuables, Li Shimin and Xu Ziling were dumbstruck and did not know how to respond.

“Was that a good enough reason?” Qin Chuan asked nonchalantly.

With a wry smile Li Shimin replied, “I concede! If Qin Xiong is willing to work for me, I would definitely ask Qin Xiong to be in charge of reconnaissance and intelligence. As for the path of the ruler, of chief importance is understanding how to select worthy person to be employed. Otherwise, even if there is the best national policy in place, without obtaining the right person, the implementation will not follow the law, then everything will be in vain.”

In his heart Xu Ziling was full of praise. If it were either Li Mi or Du Fuwei, seeing this person understood him like the back of his hand, it would be strange indeed if a desire to kill him did not arise in their hearts.

But Li Shimin was sincerely true to his word, he really provided answer. Moreover, his answer was beautiful, and was delivered in such a free and easy manner. Merely this aspiration was not something that others could emulate.

Qin Chuan spoke heavily, “After the big chaos, how to achieve big government control?”

Li Shimin smiled slightly at Xu Ziling first before answering, “After chaos, it will be easy to teach the people, just like hungry people are easy to feed. If as the ruler one is willing set an example, countering the detrimental government of the previous dynasty, practicing diligently, while getting rid of the extravagant and wasteful way, seeking to govern in peace and quiet, promoting reform and rising interest in culture, spreading virtue and giving charity, light on mandating compulsory service and belittle the self, working together from top to bottom with one heart, the people will respond like an echo, sooner or later the Central Earth will be pacified, estranged people will submit.”

Qin Chuan listened silently. It was quite a while before he finally said, “Xu Xiong, what do you think of Shimin Xiong’s view?”

Xu Ziling did not expect Qin Chuan would suddenly ask him, a bystander, for an opinion. Laughing involuntarily, he said, “In terms of politic and government, Xiaodi is just a layman, I am not qualified to comment on Shimin Xiong’s view. But Shimin Xiong’s true statement, ‘seeking to govern in peace and quiet’ four characters [jing Zhong qiu zhi], fits very well with my personality. After the big chaos, only by getting rid of extravagance and wasteful government will we recover the people. Only by doing farm work in the right season will we produce harvest, so that the people will have clothes and food in abundance.”

Qin Chuan was still sitting facing the blank wall. He spoke in heavy voice, “In olden days, when Emperor Wen, Yang Jian, ascended the throne, there was nothing but strictly benevolent government. Who would have thought that two generations perished, Shimin Xiong has such opinion on this matter.”

Li Shimin sighed and said, “Qin Xiong asked the most crucial question. Just from this it is evident how brilliant Qin Xiong’s knowledge and experience is, definitely you are not an idle person. I wonder if the two of us may move to Qin Xiong’s table so that we can continue talking face to face?”

Qin Chuan laughed and said, “I had heard that Heir Apparent loves to make friends with eccentric people and unusual scholars all over the world, naturally you also have the aspiration to tolerate all kinds of eccentric deeds and unusual conducts. How could a trivial man, who has always been coming and going alone, discuss the most fitting trivial intention? If Shimin Xiong insists on another form of formality, the trivial person just had to take his leave!”

Li Shimin made a gesture, as if he was shrugging his shoulders, toward Xu Ziling, expressing his resignation. Smiling, he said, “I just wanted to have a glimpse of Qin Xiong’s expression. But since it is not the case, let us proceed according to what Qin Xiong’s decided!”

Qin Chuan spoke indifferently, “I knew Shimin Xiong would never force anybody to do something against his will. In that case, how about Shimin Xiong give an answer to my question?”

Li Shimin asked in consternation, “It seems like Qin Xiong is testing my skill if I were to be the Emperor?”

As soon as he said those words, Xu Ziling’s heart was greatly shaken; he had guessed Qin Chuan’s true identity.

The fact is, Qin Chuan’s identity has always been very obvious. Other than Shi Feixuan, who would be interested in asking Li Shimin questions about governing the country?

She was making determination on who should be the recipient of the Jade Annulus of He Clan.

Qin Chuan spoke slyly, “A fine bird chooses a tree to nest in. Will this answer satisfy Shimin Xiong?”

Li Shimin cast his gaze toward Xu Ziling. Evidently he had detected the change in Xu Zling’s heart from the change on his countenance, hence he was casting an asking-for-opinion glance toward Xu Ziling.

Thinking about Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling sighed inwardly. But he nodded toward Li Shimin, indicating that he ought to give an honest answer.

After contemplating silently for a moment, Li Shimin spoke seriously, “The root of peace rests solely on obtaining people. The Sui Family flourished since the founding Emperor, simply because Emperor Wen was diligent in considering the government; each dawn there was imperial court hearing, day and night he worked, forgetting tiredness. The suffering of the people, not one he did not attend to personally. Moreover, he conducted the business frugally, rewards and penalties strict and impartial. It’s a pity that he lacked one move; otherwise the Sui Dynasty would continue for a thousand years, hundreds of generations.”

Withot waiting for ‘Qin Chuan’ to reply, Xu Ziling rose up to his full height and said, “Gentlemen, please continue your discussion, Zaixia takes my leave!”

Li Shimin was greatly astonished.

But ‘Qin Chuan’ did not show any movement.

Xu Ziling nodded his head slightly before floating away.