Chapter 1157

Zuo Xingjian nodded repeatedly, Zuo Xingjian felt somewhat uneasy: "My lord, will those people talk nonsense?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Even if someone talks nonsense, the Emperor cannot manage so many affairs; the Emperor remains firmly on the throne, yet does the Emperor know how long the soldiers below have gone without their provisions?"

Zuo Xingjian said: "My lord, Your humble servant now understands what should be done."

Hu Xiaotian said: "There are seven cities surrounding Yunze; do you know the situation of these cities clearly?"

Zuo Xingjian said: "Some are clear, some are not, but my lord, rest assured; give me three months and I will certainly get a clear picture of these cities' situations."

Hu Xiaotian found that Zuo Xingjian was indeed an all-around capable person; speaking with such a person indeed saves much effort. He smiled and said: "Please have tea!"

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian finally use a "please", Zuo Xingjian finally put his mind at ease; he lifted the Chazan, this time his hands were much steadier: "My lord, do you still intend to send the remaining grain to the capital?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Of course we must keep our promises; otherwise, wouldn't the world say I am faithless and treacherous?"

Zuo Xingjian said: "My lord, I recently heard a rumor that Da Yong is about to lift the grain embargo against us."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Dakang lacks grain, while Da Yong enjoys year after year of abundance; their surplus grain stored in granaries would only mold and rot. Better to sell it to us at a high price, reaping huge profits, and they will then use this ill-gotten wealth to buy weapons and turn against Dakang."

Zuo Xingjian said: "My lord, your vision is far-reaching; Your humble servant's admiration for you is like the endless flow of the Yong River."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Before long, the world will be in turmoil; Lord Zuo, if you wish to have enough to eat and wear warm clothes……"

Zuo Xingjian, summoning his courage, interrupted Hu Xiaotian: "One must follow the lord, going through fire and water without hesitation!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily. Zuo Xingjian also joined in with a sly chuckle.

Following the surrender of Zu Dacheng's troops, Hu Xiaotian no longer needed to cut off the Tongyuan Bridge; the forces ambushed around Yunyang gradually withdrew to Wuxing Commandery, and then came a series of unfavorable news: losing a hundred thousand shi of military grain, Laohuangdi had to suffer a dumb loss. Although he suspected this matter involved Hu Xiaotian, lacking evidence, he immediately proposed that Hu Xiaotian personally escort the hundred thousand shi of grain to the capital, and also appointed Su Yuchi to lead troops to take over Yunyang.

It can be said that both of these matters were directed at Hu Xiaotian; as the New Year approached, they received this bad news, and all the commanders' morale plummeted.

Most people, like Li Yongfu, firmly opposed Hu Xiaotian personally transporting the hundred thousand shi of grain to the capital. Li Yongfu said: "This is outright a trap; I see the Emperor's edict motive is aimed at the lord."

Liang Yinghao said: "If the lord returns to the capital, it will be hard to escape again."

Yu Tianxing gazed at Hu Xiaotian; in this matter, the final decision still rests with Hu Xiaotian, and others find it hard to sway his opinion.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "When did I ever say I would go back? I certainly understand the Emperor's thoughts. He now regrets letting me out and is trying every means to recall me; as the New Year approaches, this Emperor truly shows no compassion for his subjects."

Everyone laughed along.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I won't go back. Yongfu, you'll have to make a tough trip. We'll transport by boat, sailing downstream along the Yong River, then south along the coast straight to Haizhou. Wherever we land, let the Emperor send people to meet us at Haizhou; if he doesn't want this batch of grain, we'll forget it—anyway, we won't send it to the capital."

Xiong Tianba said: "Yeah! Wanting food yet complaining about the cold—this old fogey has nothing better to do?" That remark again made everyone laugh.

Li Yongfu said: "I just fear the Emperor will seize this matter to punish the lord."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "I have my own countermeasures; my affairs are no big problem, but this Su Yuchi is a headache."

Li Yongfu said: "Su Yuchi is a famed general of Dakang, employing troops like a god, rarely defeated; in the last attack on Xingzhou, if not for the court's inadequate supplies, he would not have lost, and his retreat was to preserve strength as much as possible."

Xiong Tianba said: "Never mind his famed-general title; as long as he dares to oppose us, I'll smash him flat with my great hammer."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Xiong kid, I haven't even scolded you yet—heard you got a new black horse?"

Speaking of the black horse, Xiong Tianba instantly beamed: "Hehe, it's absolutely a rare fine steed; Third Uncle, wait till I tame the horse, then I'll compare it with your donkey to see whose legs are faster."

Hu Xiaotian was both laughing and crying; he kicked him in the butt: "You'd better remember this—don't just stare at others' gear in battle; that day, if not for Zhan Peng's help, you would have almost been shot dead by a cold arrow."

Xiong Tianba gave a simple smile: "I have armor protecting me; arrows can't kill me."

Yu Tianxing said: "The Emperor orders us to allocate a hundred thousand shi of grain to Su Yuchi; should we give it or not?"

Li Yongfu said: "The Emperor uses this method to curry favor—on one hand it shows great benevolence toward Su Yuchi, on the other it aims to thin our strength and weaken our grain reserves."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Su Yuchi raises the banner of suppressing bandits, but in fact he's come to restrain us."

Liang Yinghao said: "If so, then this hundred thousand shi of grain must not be given to him; once he's eaten his fill and drunk his fill, he'll come to deal with us—wouldn't we then be the suckers?"

Xiong Tianba repeatedly agreed.

Hu Xiaotian said: "What does the military advisor think?"

Yu Tianxing said: "The Emperor currently has no reason to deal with the lord; Su Yuchi holding Yunyang poses no harm to the lord for now, although his intention is to restrain the Sir, he can also help defend against the rebels in Xingzhou; the lord should not overlook Xichuan, as Li Tianheng has always eyed Dakang covetously, and now that Da Yong is restrained by the Black Hu, we cannot rule out Li Tianheng launching troops from the northern Qingming Mountains of Xichuan to seize the opportunity to invade; with Su Yuchi stationed in Yunyang, at least we gain an extra line of defense."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; since receiving this news, he has continually considered this matter, and Yu Tianxing's analysis coincides with his own thoughts.

Yu Tianxing further said: "Moreover, the lord currently has no plans to expand west or north; his main focus remains on Yunze. I think even Su Yuchi would not openly oppose the lord's campaign against bandits; even if he refuses to assist, in fact his holding Yunyang cuts off contact between Xingzhou and Yunze—Guo Guangbi, even if he wants to rescue the Black Water Stronghold, would first have to face Su Yuchi in battle; viewed this way, Su Yuchi's station in Yunyang brings us only benefit, no harm."

Xiong Tianba said: "We certainly can't just give them that much grain for free!"

Hu Xiaotian rebuked: "What do you know, you brat—listen to the military advisor's analysis."

Xiong Tianba obediently shut his mouth.

Yu Tianxing laughed: "Enough said; with the New Year upon us, we should start preparing for the holiday these next two days."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Exactly, let everyone have a good New Year."

Li Yongfu said: "Will the lord spend the New Year in Wuxing Commandery?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, then said to Liang Yinghao: "Yinghao, go to Dongluo Storage to replace General Zhao, so he can enjoy a good New Year." The Da Yong side had already reached a preliminary agreement with him: within five years, neither side will infringe upon the other, and Dongluo Storage is lent to Hu Xiaotian for five years; although merely a stopgap, there should be no change in the short term, so Hu Xiaotian felt at ease letting Zhao Wusheng return to hold the post. Li Yongfu went to the capital to deliver grain, and the Wuxing Commandery side must have a commander capable of overawing the navy stationed there.

Yu Tianxing also said: "The lord doesn't plan to spend the New Year in Wuxing Commandery?" He has already brought his father to Wuxing Commandery; surely he will stay here for the holiday.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You will celebrate the New Year, but I am going to come down with a serious illness."

Everyone was stunned, then immediately understood the true meaning of Hu Xiaotian's words—if he didn't fall ill, how could he refuse the old emperor's demand? After all, the imperial edict explicitly orders Hu Xiaotian to personally transport the grain to the capital.

After the meeting ended, Hu Xiaotian took Xiong Tianba to visit Xia Zhangming; although Xiong Tianba had obtained that black horse, the horse, since following him, has refused to eat fodder, staging a hunger strike, and day by day it has grown thinner; Xiong Tianba also consulted the Tang Tiehan siblings, who, though skilled horse trainers, are helpless with this black horse, for the horse is not ill but longs for its deceased master.

Xia Zhangming, upon hearing of Xiong Tianba's situation, willingly accompanied him to the stables, where he saw the black horse lying still on the ground.

Xiong Tianba's concern was evident: "Just a couple days ago it was still bouncing about, anyone who dared approach would get kicked and bitten, but now it's completely listless, as if bent on seeking death."

Xia Zhangming nodded, then entered the stables alone and came to the black horse's side. Xiong Tianba, out of concern, warned him: "Mr. Xia, be careful—don't let it hurt you."

Xia Zhangming waved his hand, signaling him not to speak.

Hu Xiaotian gave Xiong Tianba a glance, and the two retreated to a distance, only to see Xia Zhangming gently stroking the black horse's mane; the horse let out a loud snort, and Xia Zhangming leaned close to its ear, unsure what he was doing.

Xiong Tianba, full of curiosity, asked: "What is he doing? Talking to the horse?" He had never witnessed Xia Zhangming's miraculous ability, so everything seemed strange to him.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "In any case, Chang Ming surely has a solution." He had full confidence in Xia Zhangming.

After a while, seeing Xia Zhangming emerge from the stables, Xiong Tianba, worried about the black horse, hurried over, only to see the horse lying motionless in the stables, as if dead; he was startled, about to go in to check, but Xia Zhangming stopped him, saying softly: "It's just asleep; you needn't worry—don't disturb it, let it have a good rest."

The two came to Hu Xiaotian's side, and Xiong Tianba, unable to wait, asked: "How is it? Is anything wrong?"

Xia Zhangming said: "Is the owner of this horse the one you killed?" (To be continued~^~)