Chapter 1116

Hu Xiaotian was currently receiving a visitor in the manor—a special envoy from Dakang Yunyang Prefect Jiang Zhengyang, Zu Dacheng. Zu Dacheng had come this time to borrow grain; Dakang was suffering famine, grain reserves were urgently low everywhere. Yunyang lies 300 li southwest of Wuxing Prefecture, and it has been in grain shortage for a while. Jiang Zhengyang and Hu Xiaotian had no prior acquaintance, yet he came thick‑skulled to ask for grain.

Recently Hu Xiaotian had received many similar envoys—commanders from nearby city‑states coming to borrow grain—and he was weary of dealing with them. They had all heard that he had captured Donglo Cang and seized a sizable amount of grain, and after arriving they merely appealed to his fellow‑official sentiment, begging Hu Xiaotian for support.

Hu Xiaotian flatly refused all these colleagues' requests, not because he is hard‑hearted, but because once a precedent is set, grain‑borrowers will surely come in an endless stream. Opening a breach is easy, but trying to plug it later would be hard; either way you'll offend people, so it's better to treat everyone the same and refuse them all. In fact Hu Xiaotian's refusal is justified: when the Da Yong army first came to attack him, none of his colleagues came to his aid, yet now that he has won, everyone rushes over hoping to get a share—where in the world is there such a free lunch?

Zu Dacheng naturally did not get a satisfactory answer from Hu Xiaotian, sighed and said: "Sir Hu, Yunyang's grain supplies are almost exhausted; the soldiers really can't hold on any longer."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Mr. Zu, it's not that I, Hu, am heartless, but my grain supplies are just enough for the soldiers and civilians under my jurisdiction in the three cities; if I lend it to you, we'll go hungry here. Mr. Zu, you should go back and report to Governor Jiang, letting him find another way!"

Zu Dacheng nodded, knowing that saying more would be useless, got up to take his leave. Before departing, he added: "The East Luoyang Granary is one of Da Yong's seven major granaries, storing abundant grain. It is enough for the soldiers and civilians of both Dongliang Jun and Wuxing Jun; Yunyang has indeed reached the end of its resources. Though both are under Dakang's rule, I hope you will consider the bond of fellow countrymen. My lord said, a drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Mr. Zu, you should just go back!"

Zu Dacheng saw that his mind was made up, shook his head and said: "Sir, you are truly heartless!" His words were full of displeasure.

Hu Xiaotian gave a slight smile and did not argue with Zu Dacheng. After Zu Dacheng left, Yu Tianxing beside him sighed: "It's really hard on our lord!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "In any era, it's the debtor who's the boss; once I lend out the grain, it'll be hard to get it back."

Yu Tianxing nodded, feeling that Hu Xiaotian's words, though crude, were actually very reasonable.

Hu Xiaotian said: "How is the situation progressing?"

Yu Tianxing said: "According to the lord's intention, the news has been quietly spread. Recently, over twenty thousand soldiers have come from surrounding towns and cities to join us. After strict screening, five thousand have already joined the Yongjiang Navy and begun training in Wuxing Jun."

Hu Xiaotian nodded. Due to the grain shortage, morale within Dakang has scattered. They spread the news and began recruiting here; recently, response has been enthusiastic. According to Hu Xiaotian and Yu Tianxing's estimate, the current grain can support seventy thousand troops for two years. Subtracting their original thirty-three thousand, they could still conscript nearly forty thousand more. Although this has temporarily eased the situation for a while, it does not mean the war is far from them. Hu Xiaotian strives to complete recruitment before spring. If they have seventy thousand elite troops, they can basically establish a firm foothold on both banks of the Yongjiang River.

At this moment, Liang Da Zhuang came in from outside to report, but it was that the Da Yong envoy, Princess Xue Lingjun, had already arrived ten li outside Dongliang Jun's city. Hu Xiaotian had previously received news of her coming on a diplomatic mission. This princess's courage is indeed not small; after she harmed him in Xizhou, she now dares to openly come on a diplomatic mission—does she not fear that he might act against her? Thinking this, Hu Xiaotian's lips curled into a faint smirk.

Liang Da Zhuang said: "Young Master, should we send someone to welcome her?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Prepare the horses; I'll go personally to meet her!"

Yu Tianxing chuckled beside him: "The Dakang princess's visit this time must be to persuade surrender."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Whether it's persuasion to surrender or not, it's still better than declaring war. Da Zhuang, go prepare; tonight I will hold a banquet to welcome Princess Xue Lingjun."

When Princess Xue Lingjun's convoy was still three li from the north gate of Dongliang Jun, they saw the north gate open, a regiment of over two hundred black-armored cavalry riding out in neat formation to meet them. Leading them was a youth in gray warrior attire, wearing a half-new, half-old black cloak, his youthful, heroic face lit with a bright, sunny smile—who else could it be but Hu Xiaotian?

Princess Xue Lingjun saw Hu Xiaotian through the gap in the carriage curtain; a smile appeared on her lovely face, her heart also warmed involuntarily. She lowered the curtain and sat upright inside the carriage.

At this point, Hu Xiaotian had already reined in his horse ahead and called out loudly: "Princess, your gracious presence honors us; I have come especially to welcome you!"

Princess Xue Lingjun heard it clearly; he addressed her as "Princess" rather than using her title "Her Highness the Princess", and in front of so many people, it was obviously intentional, wanting everyone to know that her relationship with him was different.

Princess Xue Lingjun's reputation in Da Yong is not good; although she possesses peerless beauty, she bears the ill repute of being a husband-killer, and many behind her back call her Da Yong's first wanton woman. Rumors of her romantic exploits spread widely. Among the warriors escorting her, some have begun to speculate—no wonder the princess volunteered for this mission; it turns out she and Hu Xiaotian have long had an ambiguous relationship!

Princess Xue Lingjun secretly drew a breath. In her several encounters with Hu Xiaotian, she had never truly gained any advantage. This youngster, though youthful, is an extraordinarily cunning fox; at his age he can already turn the clouds and rain in Da Yong, and now he has extended his grasp into Da Yong as well. Every time she meets Hu Xiaotian, this fellow undergoes a transformation. The first time she saw him, he was still a eunuch; when they met again in Xichuan, he had already transformed into Dakang's future prince consort. Now he has become a major official occupying the three cities of Yongjiang, one of which is the southeastern strategic stronghold seized from Da Yong. Such a pace of development is truly astonishing.

Princess Xue Lingjun asked herself whether she had already given Hu Xiaotian enough attention, yet she still hadn't realized she was still underestimating his strength. She couldn't help but feel that the power he had revealed was merely the tip of the iceberg; the deeper her understanding of him, the more she felt she didn't know him enough, and the more she found him unfathomable.

Princess Xue Lingjun extended her delicate hand and lifted the carriage curtain, revealing a bewitchingly beautiful face that could overturn all beings. She gave Hu Xiaotian outside a seductive glance and said softly: "Sir Hu, you really give face; you actually came out to meet me!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I won't give face to others, but Princess is different—Princess is one of our own."

Princess Xue Lingjun said: "Do you intend to just chat with our own out here outside the city?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: "My apologies, my apologies, Princess, don't blame me. Seeing you arrive, I was overjoyed and happily forgot all business—I'll personally guide you, Princess!" Hu Xiaotian waved his hand; the two hundred cavalry who had come with him rode ahead to lead the way, and Hu Xiaotian accompanied Princess Xue Lingjun's carriage. He noticed that among her entourage was Guo Zhenhai, deputy commander of the Jinlin Guard. Earlier in Xichuan, when Hu Xiaotian had sneaked into the inn where Prince Yan Xue Shengjing was staying to rescue Wei Sa, he had been ambushed by a soul-capturing master, and Guo Zhenhai had taken the opportunity to sneak attack and break his ribs. Hu Xiaotian had never forgotten it; seeing him here today, he felt a surge of hatred upon meeting an old enemy.

Hu Xiaotian recognized Guo Zhenhai, but Guo Zhenhai did not recognize Hu Xiaotian, after all that day Hu Xiaotian's appearance had been altered by the Tendon Changing Bone Shifting technique.

Hu Xiaotian nodded at Guo Zhenhai and said: "Deputy Commander Guo, you're here too—this is a perfect chance for us to catch up on old times."

Guo Zhenhai didn't understand his meaning, but Princess Xue Lingjun heard it clearly. Could this youngster be harboring thoughts of revenge? On that night in Xichuan, Princess Xue Lingjun knew best about Hu Xiaotian's rescue of the person; indeed, she had herself volunteered to be a hostage for Hu Xiaotian to help him escape danger.

The entourage entered Dongliang Jun through the north gate; Hu Xiaotian had already arranged lodging for Princess Xue Lingjun—a six-courtyard, six-building compound in the northeast corner of Dongliang Jun.

Hu Xiaotian had the two hundred cavalry wait outside, then dismounted. Seeing Princess Xue Lingjun also alight from her carriage, dressed in male attire, she lost some of her flirtatious charm but gained a vigorous spirit. Perhaps unaccustomed to the damp cold here, after getting off the carriage she sneezed twice in succession. Hu Xiaotian said with concern: "Princess, you'd better go inside quickly; I've already had the fire basins lit—don't let yourself freeze."

Princess Xue Lingjun complained: "Even though Dongliang Jun is in the far south of Da Yong, its weather is actually colder than that of Yongdu."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's because of the dampness; you'll get used to it." He accompanied Princess Xue Lingjun as they walked into the compound.

Princess Xue Lingjun saw that although the manor wasn't lavishly splendid, it was neat and tidy, well ordered, and she felt satisfied. Accompanied by Hu Xiaotian, she went to her inner residence, entered the three-story small building, pushed open the door and stepped inside, immediately feeling a warm breeze on her face—this was because Hu Xiaotian had earlier arranged for servants to light the fire basins here, making the interior naturally warm as spring.

A warm smile spread across Princess Xue Lingjun's lovely face. She was a person accustomed to luxury and comfort, who loved cleanliness; if not necessary, she would prefer to stay in the capital's mansion and enjoy life, rather than trek over mountains and rivers to come to the far south of Da Yong.

Princess Xue Lingjun wanted to take off her fur coat; Hu Xiaotian understood at once, reaching out to help her. In assisting a woman with removing clothing, this fellow could be called a veteran.

Princess Xue Lingjun glanced with her beautiful eyes at the few Jinlin Guards who had followed her in and said: "You may go out first!"

Guo Zhenhai bowed with clasped fists, leading several people to retreat out; they had just left, and here Xue Lingjun's personal maid Jianping came in again—Jianping, who had just seen Hu Xiaotian, looked at him with eyes that seemed both happy and worried.

Hu Xiaotian opened his mouth wide, revealing a mouth full of neat, white teeth: "Jianping sister, how have you been?"

There are still eight hours left until the month ends; I earnestly ask everyone to cash out their monthly tickets! (To be continued~^~)