Chapter 1119: 【Midnight Negotiation】(Part 1)

Fan Zongxi certainly didn't realize he was merely a stand-in; seeing Hu Xiaotian's such grand banquet, he felt inevitably touched—Hu Xiaotian was still very thoughtful.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, Fan Zongxi again brought up the matter of the 100,000 shi of grain; the reward was a pretense, needing grain was the real reason the Emperor sent him. Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Brother Zongxi, you're too anxious; I've already had people tally it up—I certainly wouldn't dare neglect the Emperor's decree. Rest assured, Brother Zongxi, this time I won't make things difficult for you."

Fan Zongxi beamed, lifted his cup, and said: "Sir Hu, with your words I'm relieved; Zajia hereby thanks you with your fine wine."

Hu Xiaotian clinked glasses with him, then said softly: "Speaking of which, I've been away from the capital for a while; I don't know how things are there lately."

Fan Zongxi replied: "All's well, nothing major." He understood that disaster comes from the mouth, knew his identity as an imperial envoy representing the Emperor's interests, and found it inconvenient to say too much in front of Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Brother Zongxi, who's been put in charge of the Imperial Horse Bureau this time?"

Speaking of the Imperial Horse Bureau, Fan Zongxi couldn't help sighing: "Lately even the Imperial Horse Ranch's fodder has become tight; the ranch's scale has been cut in half, and Zajia has been idle as well."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; from Fan Zongxi's words he could infer that Dakang's situation was far from ideal—no wonder, otherwise the old emperor wouldn't have been reduced to begging him for grain, even discarding the dignity of an emperor.

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Where did those horses from the ranch go?"

Fan Zongxi replied: "The dead are dead, the sold are sold; the remaining ones are thin and long-haired, and with winter fodder severely lacking, I fear many won't survive this harsh winter." He said it without much sorrow, having served at the Imperial Horse Bureau for years and still holding deep affection for those horses.

Hu Xiaotian said: "We're actually short on warhorses here. Brother Zongxi, why not send the horses you plan to abandon over to me?"

Fan Zongxi gave a wry smile: "This requires the Emperor's approval; I can't decide on my own."

Hu Xiaotian knew his words were true; although they'd recently recruited many soldiers, the lack of warhorses naturally prevented a major cavalry buildup. He had already tasked Tang Tiehan's brothers with finding ways to purchase warhorses for cavalry development. In fact, the Imperial Horse Ranch had no shortage of fine steeds, but given his current relationship with the Emperor, getting Long Xuan'en to willingly send a batch of warhorses seemed unlikely. So it seemed he could only play the grain-and-fodder card—I'll give you some fodder, first exchange it for a batch of horses from the Imperial Horse Ranch, then talk; that way neither side loses out.

Hu Xiaotian then asked about Li Yuncong's recent situation; Fan Zongxi perhaps didn't fully grasp this uncle's true identity, only occasionally visiting the Library Pavilion to see him during holidays.

After seeing Fan Zongxi off, Hu Xiaotian had wanted to go rest, but someone from the inn came especially to summon him, saying Grand Princess Xue Lingjun requested his presence. Hu Xiaotian secretly wondered what scheme she was cooking up now. Just now I invited you and you gave me no face; now, so late, you send someone to fetch me. Are you still trying to repeat the Xizhou ploy?

Hu Xiaotian had wanted to decline, saying he couldn't hold his liquor, but then thought: since he was on his own turf, what did he have to fear from Xue Lingjun? He didn't rush over; instead he leisurely took a hot bath before heading out.

On the way to the inn where Xue Lingjun stayed, light snow began to fall; Dongliang Jun had recently imposed a curfew, so few pedestrians were seen on the streets—no one wanted to go out uninvited and invite trouble; even if they wouldn't be punished by a military inquiry, they'd at least face a thorough investigation.

When Hu Xiaotian arrived at the inn's gate, Xue Lingjun was already waiting there, mounted on a horse, wearing a matching black fur coat with him, still in male attire, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, radiating heroic vigor.

Hu Xiaotian noticed that a beautiful woman in men's clothing looked just as good; he reined his horse before Xue Lingjun and smiled: "How come? You summoned me over—does the Grand Princess intend to go out again?"

Xue Lingjun laughed: "How could I dare be rude to Sir Hu? I've waited so long without seeing you come, so I prepared to go out and meet you—little did I expect you'd arrive just now."

"Sorry, sorry—I was delayed because I was drinking with the court's imperial envoy. Younger sister, it's snowing; let's go inside to talk."

Xue Lingjun said: "Suddenly I feel like taking a walk outside; don't you think a moonlit snow stroll has its own charm?"

Hu Xiaotian grinned: "Women are mostly like that—wind, rain, heavy snow drifting in their heads can easily create a romantic, alluring atmosphere. But Xue Lingjun has always been a pragmatic sort; in my impression she hasn't much of the literary‑youth complex. A snow‑night stroll with special charm? More likely she has an ulterior motive."

Xue Lingjun galloped up to Hu Xiaotian's side, with Guo Zhenhai leading a few warriors behind her; she then turned and said: "No need to follow—this is Dongliang Jun, and Sir Hu can certainly protect my safety."

Hu Xiaotian maintained his modest gentlemanly demeanor, smiling silently, interpreting everything as Xue Lingjun putting on a show before him. He turned his horse to follow her steps; the night breeze was soft, carrying fine snow that lightly slapped their faces—cool, slightly tingling. Though it was a snowy night, the temperature wasn't cold; the hard outlines of Dongliang Jun's buildings blurred into gentleness under the fine snow.

Xue Lingjun let her horse wander the streets of Dongliang Jun without apparent aim; Hu Xiaotian didn't ask where she was headed, silently accompanying her. Eventually she broke the silence: "The last time I came to Dongliang Jun, this place was still our Da Yong's territory."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Tracing back to the roots, Dongliang Jun originally belonged to Dakang."

Xue Lingjun said: "My imperial brother gave Dongliang Jun to Dakang mainly as compensation for the Princess Anping affair, yet his decision sparked considerable opposition at home—money and grain can be conceded, but not territory."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Emperor Yongqing is a rare wise ruler of the century; his decisions surely have his reasons, which we ordinary folk cannot fathom." Emperor Yongqing is the posthumous name of Xue Shengkang; Hu Xiaotian outwardly venerates him, but in fact he is hinting to Xue Lingjun that Xue Shengkang's original motive in giving Dongliang Jun to Dakang was something else. The Dakang side also saw through Xue Shengkang's intent, so they had never stationed troops in Dongliang Jun—until his arrival shattered the local balance of power.

Xue Lingjun sighed softly: "If my imperial brother were aware in the afterlife, he would surely regret this."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Emperor Yongqing possesses great talent and strategy; he certainly would not regret it."

Xue Lingjun couldn't help glancing at Hu Xiaotian; a hint of surprise flickered in her phoenix eyes. Though his tone seemed to show he understood her elder brother even better than she did, on second thought she detected mockery in his words—clearly he was saying her vision fell far short of her brother's, and she hadn't grasped his true purpose in surrendering Dongliang Jun.

At Dongliang Jun's north gate, Xue Lingjun reined her horse; the guards on duty, seeing the city lord personally arrive, hurried forward to greet her. She pointed to the city wall and said: "I'd like to go up and have a look!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, handed the two horses to the night‑watch soldiers, and accompanied Xue Lingjun up onto the wall.

Because of the snowfall, even standing on the high watchtower he couldn't see the distant scenery; Hu Xiaotian naturally wouldn't think Xue Lingjun had summoned him so late just to ride three li for a snow‑view on the north gate tower. In fact the snow never intensified—it remained fine and tiny, like flour sifted through a delicate sieve. Such snow couldn't be called romantic; it even looked a bit shabby, lacking the grand, sweeping vigor of northern snows that blanket the land. Hu Xiaotian drew a breath, feeling the fine snow drift into his lungs with his respiration; this cold, moist chill made him long for warm blankets—he should really be curled up in bed getting a good night's sleep right now.

Xue Lingjun gripped the arrow‑slit with both hands, gazing toward the northeast; actually, at moments like this, no matter which angle she looked from, she saw only a monotonous, singular night hue.

Hu Xiaotian, however, knew the direction she was facing was East Luo Granary; though she couldn't see it, if she followed her gaze outward she would eventually reach the outskirts of East Luo Granary.

Xue Lingjun said: "East Luo Granary is one of Da Yong's seven major granaries; seizing it amounts to openly declaring war on Da Yong." She sighed: "Do you think you currently have the strength to stand toe‑to‑toe with Da Yong?"

Hu Xiaotian remained silent, simply standing quietly behind Xue Lingjun; the prolonged silence even made her imagine he had slipped away without a word. Turning around, she finally confirmed he was still standing there intact, his expression frozen as if by wind and snow—a faint smile lacking liveliness, as though that smile had been iced onto his face.

Xue Lingjun said: "We've after all acquainted; I don't want you to misjudge the situation!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Older sister, how could I not know your feelings toward me? But the reason I and Da Yong have come to this point is ultimately because someone wants to eliminate me; I have no choice—when a knife is at your throat, you can't just let yourself be slaughtered!"

Xue Lingjun said: "The new sovereign is furious over your forcible seizure of East Luo Granary; he has already mobilized troops, prepared to retake it at any cost."

Hu Xiaotian showed no weakness: "Then you'll likely have to pay an extremely heavy price."

Xue Lingjun said: "For Da Yong it might be a considerable cost, but for you it would be an overwhelming disaster; although you've won two battles, that doesn't mean you've firmly planted your feet here. To be frank, your country's emperor doesn't trust you." (To be continued…~^~)