Chapter 1125

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Go fetch the military advisor; I have something to discuss with him."

Liang Yinghao went after receiving the order, but not long after he returned and reported to Hu Xiaotian, "The military advisor is not at home; I heard he went to the refugee camp to visit his family."

Although Hu Xiaotian had already ordered all refugees to enter the city and settle, the city could not accommodate so many refugees at once in a short time, so nearly five thousand refugees remained detained in the refugee camp; Yu Tianxing's father Yu Dongqing ought to have privileges, but as the leader elected by the refugee camp he should set an example, so he has continued to stand guard there.

Liang Yinghao said, "Shall we go now to fetch him?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "No need; Mr. Yu finally has some free time to visit his family, we shouldn't disturb him. Liang Yinghao, help me prepare two jars of fine wine and some side dishes to send to Mr. Zhu; I'll arrive shortly."

Liang Yinghao responded with an acknowledgement.

When Hu Xiaotian arrived at Zhu Guanqi's home, he only then learned that neither Zhu Guanqi nor his wife were at home; they had left early. Asking nearby neighbors, he found out the couple had gone to West City's Qingyun Mountain, where there is a Temple of the Military Sage; Zhu Guanqi goes there to offer incense on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month, and today happens to be the fifteenth of the twelfth month, so no exception.

Hu Xiaotian then brought Liang Yinghao, and the two headed toward Qingyun Mountain. Although Zhu Guanqi had twice offered strategies for Hu Xiaotian, he did not seek publicity and asked Hu Xiaotian not to mention his help, so even Hu Xiaotian's close aides did not understand why Hu Xiaotian held him in such high regard.

Although the name Qingyun Mountain sounds grand, it is actually not high, merely a small hill rising west of the city; there is a Goddess Temple on the mountain, with incessant incense on ordinary days, and on the first and fifteenth the pilgrims are endless. The Temple of the Military Sage that Hu Xiaotian wants to visit is hardly known; after asking a few locals he learned it lies on the mid-slope of the rear mountain, its position not high but the path is not easy. Hu Xiaotian handed his mount to Liang Yinghao to look after, then went up the rear mountain trail alone.

The slope still had much unmelted snow; the mountain path, while not exactly perilous, was narrow and slippery, making travel inconvenient. But for Hu Xiaotian this was no difficulty; with his lightness skill he walked upon it as if on level ground.

Not long after, he saw the dilapidated small shrine on the mountainside. The Temple of the Military Sage consists of only half a room, which no one can enter; inside this half-room is a stone statue, and on the cliff behind the temple remains a stone tablet erected by the local people to commemorate the legendary Dakang military figure Zhuge Yun Chun.

Zhuge Yun Chun once commanded the Yong River Battle in Dongliang Jun; that battle laid the foundation for Dakang's revival. To commemorate his merits, the locals built here a statue of the Military Sage and the cliffside carving behind it. The carving contains his pre‑written "Song of Rivers and Mountains," magnificent and splendid, vast and surging. Between the lines it expresses his fervent patriotism and gratitude for the favor shown by Dakang's Mingzong Emperor Longyuan. Previously, when Dongliang Jun belonged to Dakang, locals would come here to offer incense on the first and fifteenth; after Dongliang Jun was transferred to Da Yong, the incense gradually waned, because later generations considered themselves Yong people and were unwilling to pay homage to this legendary Dakang figure.

Upon entering the Temple of the Military Sage, Hu Xiaotian heard chanting coming from the direction of the cliffside carving; from the voice he judged the reciter of poetry to be Zhu Guanqi. In Hu Xiaotian's impression, Zhu Guanqi was usually steady, rarely showing such fervor, so he felt a curiosity, quietly approached, without rushing to disturb the couple.

He saw Zhu Guanqi and his wife Hong Lingxue standing before the cliffside carving, Zhu Guanqi reciting the "Song of Rivers and Mountains" with a solemn expression, his hands waving continuously as he recited, expressing his inner emotions; when he finished reciting the entire piece, he then took a bowl of wine from his wife's hand and respectfully poured it onto the ground before the carving.

Hong Lingxue softly sighed and said, "My lord, if our ancestors have spirits in heaven, they would not want the Zhuge clan's descendants to waste their talent."

Hu Xiaotian's heart startled at this; from Hong Lingxue's words it was easy to infer that Zhu Guanqi's given name was not really that, Zhuge clan? Seeing the Temple of the Military Sage before him, Hu Xiaotian suddenly understood: perhaps Zhu Guanqi's surname is actually Zhuge, a descendant of the legendary Dakang Military Sage Zhuge Yun Chun. Hu Xiaotian could not help recalling that when he left Yongdu, Qiqi had given him the book "Military Sage Formation Diagram"; if this is true, then it seems he and this descendant of Zhuge Yun Chun are indeed fated by destiny.

Zhu Guanqi smiled faintly and said, "Lingxue, you urge me every day; do you not want me to continue staying by your side?"

Hong Lingxue smiled gently and said, "Not at all; I merely feel that Hu Xiaotian is a person of broad mind, he has shown considerable sincerity toward you, wishing to display your talent and ambition, you need to find someone who can truly understand and recognize your abilities, am I right?"

Zhu Guanqi said, "I still do not know him."

Hong Lingxue blinked slightly, and Hu Xiaotian hiding in the dark also felt a start; no wonder Zhuge Yun Chun has never clearly expressed a willingness to assist himself—apparently he still harbors reservations.

Zhu Guanqi said, "I do not know whether he seeks only a place to settle or harbors greater ambition."

In the end Hu Xiaotian still did not go over to meet the couple; he quietly left the Temple of the Military Sage and descended the mountain along the original path.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian return so quickly, Liang Yinghao felt a bit surprised, thinking Hu Xiaotian had come up empty-handed and failed to find Zhu Guanqi.

When Zhu Guanqi and his wife returned home at noon, they saw Hu Xiaotian standing outside the door with a smiling face, waiting. Hong Lingxue glanced at her husband, the corners of her mouth turning up in a knowing smile, thinking to herself, "Here he comes again"; in her heart, Hong Lingxue had already been moved by Hu Xiaotian's sincerity, and besides, he had once saved her life; in her view, if her husband made up his mind to assist Hu Xiaotian, it would be an excellent choice.

No wife wishes her husband to lead an ordinary life, especially when he is talented and ambitious yet chooses to live in seclusion because of the times; Hong Lingxue knows that beneath her husband's plain exterior lies a great ambition. He has been waiting for an opportunity; Hu Xiaotian discerns talent, while her husband carefully selects a future lord, and he must be convinced that Hu Xiaotian is the ideal enlightened ruler before he will leave seclusion to serve.

Zhu Guanqi smiled and said, "Sir Hu, when did you arrive? You've been waiting a long time."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "For the teacher, any wait is not too long!" This remark carries a double meaning.

Hong Lingxue said, "Sir, have you eaten?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, and Zhu Guanqi said to Hong Lingxue, "Lingxue, go to Ripple Clear Pavilion to buy two side dishes and fetch two catties of fine wine."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "No need to trouble yourself; I have already had things prepared." He gave a glance to Liang Yinghao beside him, and Liang Yinghao took the prepared food box and wine jar from the horse's back.

Zhu Guanqi said, "Really, I'm sorry, Sir, for coming as a guest to my place and yet having you prepare the food and wine."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Not only have I prepared the food and wine, I also brought a gift for you, sir."

Zhu Guanqi stared for a moment, then smiled and said, "How could I possibly deserve that?"

Hong Lingxue reminded, "Please invite the sir inside quickly; don't stand outside."

Everyone went into the room together; Zhu Guanqi had Hong Lingxue go tend the fire basin, Liang Yinghao rushed to do it, Hu Xiaotian carried the food box into Zhu Guanqi's study, set out the four cold dishes, and Zhu Guanqi gave the already-cooled hot dishes to his wife to reheat.

Hu Xiaotian had already poured the wine.

Zhu Guanqi said, "Sir, how do you have free time today?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Recently there hasn't been much going on; I am quite idle every day."

Zhu Guanqi smiled and said, "Haven't you heard that Da Yong has sent an envoy? Sir, don't you need to receive them?"

Hu Xiaotian did not answer immediately; he rose to help Hong Lingxue, who was bringing back the hot dishes, take the dish basin, placed it on the table, and called out, "Sister-in-law, please join us for the meal!"

Hong Lingxue shook her head and said, "You eat; I still have things to attend to."

At this moment Liang Yinghao brought the lit fire basin inside, Zhu Guanqi greeted him to sit down together, and Liang Yinghao said, "I'll wait outside so as not to interrupt the lord and the teacher's conversation."

Zhu Guanqi couldn't help but laugh; Hu Xiaotian divided some of the dishes, had Liang Yinghao deliver them to Hong Lingxue, and apologetically said, "Every time I come, my sister-in-law avoids me; it seems I am still being treated as an outsider."

Zhu Guanqi smiled and said, "You're overthinking it; my humble wife does not like meat and strong flavors, she mainly eats vegetarian, cannot tolerate alcohol fumes, so you need not worry; she knows how to look after her own health."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Brother Guanqi, I have come this time with something I wish to consult you about."

Zhu Guanqi said, "Sir, no need for courtesy; speak freely, I know everything and will speak without reservation."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The eldest princess of Da Yong, Xue Lingjun, has come on a diplomatic mission; she offered me favorable terms and urged me to surrender to Da Yong."

Zhu Guanqi smiled without speaking.

Hu Xiaotian added, "At the same time, Da Yong has dispatched an envoy to Kangdu, proposing to exchange grain for land, to lift Dakang's grain ban, and to lend Dakang five hundred thousand dan of grain free of charge to overcome the immediate crisis, on the condition that Dakang returns all of Jiangbei territory to them."

Zhu Guanqi said, "These two terms sound quite tempting, but why has Da Yong simultaneously dispatched two envoys to different places, proposing different terms?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "If I were to agree to surrender, that would of course be best; Da Yong could resolve this matter at the smallest cost."

"Will the sir agree?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "A ruler regards the world as a chessboard and the people as pieces, to be discarded at any time; without these two victories over Da Yong, I might still be worthless to them, but it is precisely these two victories that have made them notice me and realize I still possess some strength; once I hand over the land in my possession, I too would lose my value." (To be continued~^~)