Chapter 1019

Xue Shengjing said: "If this really happens, I don't know which side Shajia would take."

Huoge said: "Naturally, they would side with Xichuan!"

Xue Shengjing nodded: "That's certainly true in sentiment!" He shifted tone and added: "In the past, Shajia suffered many invasions from Dakang; countless died and were wounded in the wars between the two countries. I recall that the one who blocked Shajia's eastward advance was Grand Marshal Li, wasn't it?"

Huoge said nothing, just glanced at Xue Shengjing; the other was clearly reopening Shajia's barely healed wound, yet he wasn't wrong about one thing: if it weren't for Li Tianheng garrisoning Xichuan, perhaps Shajia's cavalry would have already reached the heartland of the Central Plains.

Although Huoge did not reveal his purpose, Xue Shengjing already understood his mind. The Shajia people's desire to advance eastward has never ceased; in this regard they are remarkably similar to the Black Hu—both equally ambitious, both longing to ride their horses south to Jiangnan and vie for the Central Plains. Xue Shengjing despises these coarse barbarians from the bottom of his heart, yet he must admit that, under the current circumstances, these barbarians also have uses. Xue Shengjing said: "A true alliance is never about sacrificing one side's interests to favor the other; it is about both sides gaining what they want from the alliance, and only then can their relationship be stable. Da Yong has never considered allying with Xichuan."

Huoge's face was full of doubt: "Oh?" In his view, Xue Shengjing was quite hypocritical; everyone knows Da Yong's desire to annex Dakang, and his purpose in coming to Xichuan this time is certainly not to sow discord between Xichuan and Dakang, to form an alliance with Xichuan that would sandwich Dakang, front and back, to divide and devour Dakang's territory—yet now he says to my face that he never thought of allying with Xichuan, which is sheer lies.

Xue Shengjing said: "I know you won't believe me saying this, but even if Da Yong proposed an alliance with Xichuan, Xichuan would not agree, so I would not bother with such a futile effort."

Huoge instantly understood Xue Shengjing's meaning. Dakang and Xichuan are interdependent; even if Xichuan refuses to return to Dakang, given Li Tianheng's intellect he would not join others in plotting to seize Dakang's land. Everyone knows Da Yong's heart to swallow Dakang. If Dakang falls, Da Yong will not cease its southern advance; the next target may well be Xichuan. Huoge asked feigning ignorance: "Why then? Dakang's fortunes are waning, its doom near. If many forces join forces, attacking from front and rear, we could surely destroy it in one blow. Afterwards, dividing its spoils would be a win-win."

Xue Shengjing secretly sneered: "Really, the emperor isn't anxious while the eunuch dies; even if front and rear are attacked, it's Da Yong and Xichuan—what does it have to do with you Shajia? Do you also want a share?" Xue Shengjing smiled narrowly: "Da Yong has always followed the policy of valuing harmony; it has never considered invading other countries' territories."

Huoge saw Xue Shengjing's hypocritical face. He felt contempt from the bottom of his heart; they say the Central Plains are full of hypocrites, and today he has witnessed it. Huoge said: "I've heard many rumors lately. It seems outside rumors are not reliable; I was just being paranoid."

Xue Shengjing sensed there was more to Huoge's words. Though Huoge appears rough, he is after all of Shajia royalty, and it is said he is greatly favored by his father, Shajia Khagan Sangmuza. Xue Shengjing does not know Huoge deeply, but he has long heard of Sangmuza: since ascending to khagan, Sangmuza swept across the Qingcang grasslands' tribes, uniting the once-fragmented, fire-ridden grasslands into one, making him a rare hero of the age; a son valued by Sangmuza would certainly not be ordinary.

Thinking this, Xue Shengjing smiled and said: "Brother, what rumors have you heard?"

Huoge said: "I heard that the Black Hu, resentful over the death of Prince Wanyan Chixiong in Yongdu, is mustering troops to attack Da Yong next spring."

Xue Shengjing laughed loudly: "Where did you hear that rumor? It's utterly absurd. Da Yong and the Black Hu have just concluded an alliance; the matter of Prince Wanyan Chixiong's death has already been explained to the Black Hu side and they have expressed understanding, so the two countries are now in an unprecedented period of peace." He himself didn't believe this, but Xue Shengjing certainly knows that the Wanyan Chixiong incident has reopened the rift between Black Hu and Da Yong that had just been mended. Even with Da Yong's current strength, even without Xichuan's help, it could still conquer Dakang, yet Da Yong cannot help but wary of the Black Hu eyeing it from behind. Da Yong cannot guarantee that when it launches a southern invasion, the Black Hu won't stab it in the back; given the current situation, that possibility is high. If it really launches a southern invasion, it cannot rule out a scenario of the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

Huoge said: "Such rumors, elder brother, just listen and don't take them seriously. But lately the Black Hu has been continually harassing Lan Country; the king of Lan Country is my father's sworn brother An Da, who has repeatedly appealed to my father for aid. If this continues, it is very likely that Shajia will come to blows with the Black Hu."

Hearing this, Xue Shengjing felt a secret joy; Huoge was clearly sending him a signal—there is also tension between Shajia and the Black Hu. Xue Shengjing is quite clear about the western situation: the Black Hu and Shajia used to be far apart, with no historical clashes, but as Shajia has grown stronger in recent years, its territory has steadily pushed south, its northern frontier now reaching the edge of the Hanhai Desert, while the Black Hu, through years of war with Da Yong, has shifted its territory northwest, its southwest border also pushing to the edge of the Hanhai.

The Hanhai is one of the world's largest deserts, while Lan Country is the largest state within that desert, possessing the Hanhai's biggest oasis, Langmu. To lead an army across the Hanhai, one must transit through Lan Country, making its strategic position unprecedentedly important. Both the Black Hu and Shajia wish to seize Lan Country; holding it would not only strangle the opponent's invasion route but also enable them to encircle the Central Plains. Yet Lan Country has always pursued a neutral policy, keeping cautious distance from all nations; still, this cannot stop surrounding powers from casting covetous eyes.

Xue Shengjing said: "As far as I know, the Black Hu has no news of sending troops to Lan Country."

Huoge said: "If the Black Hu dares to send troops, Shajia will certainly help Lan Country without reservation."

Xue Shengjing secretly sneered: "I suspect Shajia Khagan Sangmuza wants to swallow that fat morsel of Lan Country more than anyone else, but then I thought: if Shajia sends troops to Lan Country, the Black Hu certainly won't stand by idly." He looked into Huoge's eyes and suddenly grasped his meaning. Xue Shengjing whispered: "Brother, do you think the Black Hu has the capacity to fight on two fronts?"

Huoge smiled: "If the Black Hu dares to act against Da Yong, brother can just test their ability to fight on two fronts." His meaning is clear: if Da Yong launches an expedition against Dakang and the Black Hu dares to stab it in the back, Shajia could fully adopt the strategy of besieging Wei to rescue Zhao, taking the opportunity to strike Lan Country; because Lan Country's strategic position is vital, the Black Hu would certainly spare no effort to contend for it, and the two sides could not both attend to it—yet all this presupposes an alliance between Shajia and Da Yong.

Having seen through Huoge's true purpose in coming, Xue Shengjing's small eyes grew brighter and brighter—tiger father, no dog son; this twelfth prince of Shajia is indeed no ordinary man. Yet Xue Shengjing has not forgotten his identity: Huoge is Li Tianheng's son-in-law; who knows whether his words today are not a deliberate probe of me? Xue Shengjing said: "Brother, can you persuade Xichuan to join us in a three-way alliance?"

Huoge said meaningfully: "This world isn't that big; adding another person to split things would only mean each gets less. As you said, Brother, Xichuan could never ally with Da Yong."

Xue Shengjing lifted his teacup and sipped slowly, then said softly: "I don't know how much Shajia wants to take."

Huoge said: "Shajia has never harbored ambitions toward the Central Plains; my father Khagan most wishes to recover two places: Nan Yue and Lan."

Xue Shengjing cursed inwardly, still claiming no ambition—if those two countries fell into your hands, you would effectively control the western and southern gateways of the Central Plains; whenever you're displeased you could cut off trade along those routes at any time; to the north lies bitter cold, to the east an endless sea—indeed the Shajia people have calculated their gains perfectly.

Huoge saw Xue Shengjing silent and assumed he was moved; he lowered his voice: "Da Yong will gain all of the Central Plains, Shajia will take only the two countries' lands, north, south, east, west responding to each other; in the future this world will surely belong to you and me."

Xue Shengjing smiled, nodded, and extended his hand.

Huoge stared for a moment, then also reached out and firmly grasped Xue Shengjing's hand; both laughed aloud at the same time.

Hu Xiaotian lay on the roof, ear pressed to the eaves, hearing their conversation crystal clear; in his heart he cursed the ancestors of those two men eighteen generations over; his sworn brothers were no good sorts, ambitious, actually dividing up property here before the world is even conquered, rushing to split the loot—what a joke. But thinking of their plan, it's truly terrifying; if they really achieve the alliance, not to mention Dakang, even the Black Hu and Xichuan will sooner or later fall into their hands. However, one is a prince, the other a prince; in their respective countries they may not necessarily be able to call the shots.

Huoge said: "Elder brother, this matter is known to heaven and earth, known to you and me; under no circumstances must it be leaked."

Xue Shengjing laughed: "Brother, rest assured."

Hu Xiaotian heard they were about to take their leave, silently slipped down from the eaves; Xue Shengjing's bedroom is not far from here; he wanted to rescue Weisa before they noticed.

Hu Xiaotian moved like a rabbit in the dark night; before long he had sneaked to the front of the small building where Xue Shengjing rested, seeing two Golden Scale Guards on duty at the door, whispering to each other; one said: "Prince, your romantic fortune is not shallow—that foreign lass is born alluring and lively, charming and provocative; to be with her once in spring would be worth dying for."

Today appears to be the first anniversary of the Medical Union; please cast a monthly ticket as a birthday gift! (To be continued~^~)