Chapter 1144

Jiang Zhengyang's face looked bad; he coldly stared at Zuo Xingjian and said, "Did you forget our agreement?" Their previous agreement was that Jiang Zhengyang would leave him five hundred thousand catties of grain, but only after Jiang Zhengyang smoothly left this place.

Zuo Xingjian smiled and said: "Sir, you need not worry; I, your humble servant, am here also to ensure your safety, not to doubt your sincerity." Although he had left Jiang Zhengyang's command for many years, when facing Jiang Zhengyang he still maintained considerable respect.

Jiang Zhengyang silently cursed, "Nonsense! Your vision, Zuo Xingjian, is that narrow—worried I'd renege on my promise and not give you those five hundred thousand catties of grain? What kind of person am I? How could I do such a thing of going back on my word? Though inwardly furious, I had to suppress my anger and said in a low voice, 'Xingjian, I merely don't want to drag you into this.' What he said was also true: keeping Zuo Xingjian out of it, trying not to let others think he also participated in this grain seizure."

If Zuo Xingjian could stay out of it and continue guarding White Spring City, that would also be good for him; later, when retaking Martial Prosperity Prefecture, Zuo Xingjian could also provide support. Jiang Zhengyang had reckoned without Zuo Xingjian, who was no man for great affairs, only fixated on those five hundred thousand piculs of grain; seeing that greedy, fearful look, Jiang Zhengyang realized he had found a pig of a teammate.

Zuo Xingjian was not as foolish as Jiang Zhengyang thought; he saw the situation clearly—Jiang Zhengyang's theft of one hundred thousand piculs of grain from the court was no small matter, occurring in White Spring City, making it impossible for him to disentangle himself; even if he smoothly obtained the five hundred thousand catties of grain from Jiang Zhengyang, he could not remain in White Spring City, for the source of that grain could not stay secret; the only plan now was to follow Jiang Zhengyang together, advance and retreat as one, and only by fleeing to Cloud Marsh Azure Heart Mountain could they temporarily escape the court's encirclement.

Zuo Xingjian did not want to rebel; he merely wanted to eat. With the court not issuing rations, if this continued they would either freeze or starve to death; rather than sit and wait for death, better to give it a fight. Zuo Xingjian said: "Hu Xiaotian actually really gave away the hard‑won grain." To most people, Hu Xiaotian had done a foolish thing.

Jiang Zhengyang said: "He just doesn't want to become everyone's target."

Zuo Xingjian looked bewildered and said: "What?"

Jiang Zhengyang couldn't be bothered to explain; he spurred his horse forward.

The snow in Jiangnan was also gentle and delicate, fine and small, shrouding the whole world in a hazy veil; when night fell, visibility grew shorter. Hu Xiaotian stepped out of the warm cabin onto the bow deck; his eyesight was far sharper than an ordinary person's. Seeing the river ahead gradually widen, not far ahead lights flickered indistinctly—those were their companion warships.

From behind came the voices of Gao Yuan and Xia Zhangming talking; ever since seeing Xia Zhangming command the Snow Eagle, Gao Yuan had admired him utterly. At this moment he was pestering Xia Zhangming for advice on beast‑taming.

Hu Xiaotian turned around, smiling: "Gao Yuan, stop constantly pestering Zhangming; let him rest properly."

Gao Yuan replied: "Yes! But I'm not pestering him—I'm asking for instruction!"

Hu Xiaotian waved at Xia Zhangming with a smile; Xia Zhangming came to his side and said respectfully: "Hu Sir!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Cloud Marsh lies ahead."

Xia Zhangming asked: "Sir, are you going to attack those water bandits?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Yes, once they have fully loaded the grain onto the ships and set off from the shore, we will launch our attack."

Xia Zhangming asked: "What do you need me to do?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled at Xia Zhangming. In fact Xia Zhangming had already helped him greatly, having grasped the enemy's position in advance; he admitted he still lacked understanding of Xia Zhangming, and said: "Zhangming, can you drive a flock of birds to exhaust their arrows?" Although Hu Xiaotian estimated the bandits' numbers would not be large, each ship still carried necessary defenses; Jiang Zhengyang was no fool, and while loading grain he would surely dispatch his own soldiers to escort the vessels; draining the enemy's arrows would maximally reduce our own casualties.

Xia Zhangming nodded: "Many birds overwinter near Cloud Marsh; I can direct them to attack the bandits, which will not cause many casualties but should certainly drain their arrows."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Zhangming, this task is yours—remember to keep safety foremost."

After receiving the order, Xia Zhangming turned and left, calling the Snow Eagle to come, mounting it and departing first.

Gao Yuan watched Xia Zhangming's retreating back, enviously saying: "If I had Zhangming's abilities I'd be formidable!" Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Then go ask him sincerely; sincerity reaches even metal and stone—I see Zhangming is also an honest man, as long as you study in good faith he will surely not refuse to teach you."

At this moment Li Yongfu came to Hu Xiaotian's side and said: "My lord, we have entered Cloud Marsh; ten li to the left is Jade Green Bay, three li to the right is Rosy Cloud Bay; the vanguard ships have already gathered in Rosy Cloud Bay."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Pass the order: prepare fire arrows, split into two forces—thirty ships will intercept their fleet midway from Jade Green Bay to Azure Heart Mountain, another forty will go to Jade Green Bay to block and slay the pirate ships still at the bay mouth; this time we must wipe out the pirate fleet completely; also, do not show flags, do not reveal our identity, fight swiftly and decisively."

"Yes!"

After Jiang Zhengyang's grain convoy reached Jade Green Bay, they saw the bay mouth packed with ships; Jiang Zhengyang secretly breathed a sigh of relief—Heaven blessed them; although the snow slowed their advance, it also concealed their movements; Black Water Village's strength should not be underestimated—five hundred large ships, though fewer than ten were proper warships, yet for a pirate lair that was already considerable.

Second chief of Black Water Village, Ruan Jingwu, came to see Jiang Zhengyang, clasped his fists and said: "Ruan Jingwu of Black Water Village pays respects to Sir Jiang!"

Jiang Zhengyang returned the salute, clasping his fists: "Chief Ruan, please."

Ruan Jingwu said: "Our chief has prepared a feast at Azure Heart Mountain, awaiting Sir Jiang's arrival to celebrate."

Jiang Yang's lips twitched into a smile: "Good! I thank Chief Ma in advance for his kindness." He said to Ruan Jingwu: "Hurry and load the ships! How many people have you brought?"

Ruan Jingwu replied: "Reporting to Sir Jiang, altogether five hundred ships, two thousand sailors; the chief said we only need to handle the ships, safety en route is Sir Jiang's responsibility."

Jiang Zhengyang felt great delight; Ma Xingkong seemed an understanding man—if Ma Xingkong had sent too many escorts it would surely raise his suspicions; Ma Xingkong's arrangement shows considerable sincerity. Jiang Zhengyang mused: five hundred ships look sufficient to transport all one hundred thousand piculs of grain in one go; it had just grown dark, he waved his hand and said: "Pass the order, load the ships immediately."

Ruan Jingwu said: "Lower the gangplanks, load the ships quickly; once full, set off at once for Azure Heart Mountain."

Jiang Zhengyang however said: "Not yet! Chief Ruan, still load all the grain first, then depart together." He wore a modest smile.

Ruan Jingwu was somewhat puzzled, but quickly grasped Jiang Zhengyang's meaning—others still distrusted them, wanting to personally escort these five hundred ships away; he felt resigned, inwardly cursing Jiang Zhengyang's excessive suspicion, yet under the present circumstances he could only agree to Jiang Zhengyang's approach.

While Ruan Jingwu went to direct the loading, Zuo Xingjian came before Jiang Zhengyang, raised his thumb and said: "Sir, you are brilliant."

Jiang Zhengyang snorted, coldly replying: "I don't even know what you're talking about."

Zuo Xingjian whispered: "These water bandits are fickle; we cannot be careless. I have sent men to inspect these ships; besides taking the grain, we could likely have about seven thousand people leave with the ships; we must keep the situation firmly in our own hands."

Jiang Zhengyang did not regard him as one of his own, and said low‑voiced: "You don't plan to stay in White Spring City?"

Zuo Xingjian said meaningfully: "Wherever Sir Jiang goes, I go; only by following Sir Jiang can I, your humble servant, have food to eat."

At this moment Jiang Zhengyang brimmed with hope for the future, never imagining that his own suspicion was pushing him step by step toward a dead end.

Hu Xiaotian's decision to split forces was precisely to cope with the grain ships leaving Jade Green Bay in batches; when he learned the grain‑laden ships had not promptly headed for Azure Heart Mountain but were waiting at the bay mouth to assemble, and that all ships would depart Jade Green Bay together, Hu Xiaotian truly felt his luck was heavenly—not only did Heaven aid him, but even the enemy helped him. He immediately understood that Jiang Zhengyang's distrust of the Black Water Village bandits made him wait until loading finished before departing together; this exactly fits the saying: "Heaven's wrongdoing may be forgiven; self‑inflicted wrongdoing cannot be survived." Jiang Zhengyang's arrangement was essentially seeking his own death.

Jiang Zhengyang was also astonishingly efficient; by the fourth watch he had finished transporting all the grain; besides those one hundred thousand piculs of grain, they also had seven thousand people aboard the ships, Jiang Zhengyang himself among them; watching the distant riverbank recede, the weight on his heart finally settled; upon reaching Azure Heart Mountain Black Water Village, he and his troops could rest and recuperate, then, once this force regained strength, they would join Guo Guangbi's army of Xingzhou Prefecture in a pincer attack to take Martial Prosperity Prefecture.

Zuo Xingjian stood beside Jiang Zhengyang, smiling: "Congratulations, Sir Jiang! Congratulations, Sir Jiang!"

Jiang Zhengyang, victory in sight, his expression grew a few degrees gentler, smiling: "What joy is there?"

Zuo Xingjian said: "With these one hundred thousand piculs of grain, Sir Jiang can lead us to great achievements." He leaned close to Jiang Zhengyang's ear and whispered: "Kings, dukes, generals, ministers—where do they truly come from? I, your humble servant, vow to follow Sir Jiang unto death."

Jiang Zhengyang's brow twitched, then he burst into loud laughter, pointing at Zuo Xingjian's nose and saying: "Words must not be spoken recklessly." Zuo Xingjian's words struck Jiang Zhengyang's heart; although Jiang Zhengyang had allied with Guo Guangbi, in his heart he had not truly taken responsibility for Guo Guangbi, and presently had no alternative; with these one hundred thousand piculs of grain he now possessed the capital to stand against any side; Black Water Village may be Ma Xingkong's domain, but Ma Xingkong altogether numbers only about eight thousand; once Jiang Zhengyang's troops all reach Azure Heart Mountain, they will outweigh Ma Xingkong in strength, and then the initiative will lie in his hands. (To be continued~^~)