Chapter 1215

Hu Xiaotian already understood most of what Hu Zhongyang said, and he smiled: "It seems Island Master Yan still bears a grudge over this and retains the ambition to seize the throne."

Hu Zhongyang said: "I'm not sure whether he harbors ambitions to seize the throne, but lately the situation in Bohai State has become quite dire."

"'How so?'"

"'Sir, haven't you heard? Bohai King Yan Dongsheng recently took down Premier Yuan Tianzhao, implicating dozens of court officials, and just when they were raiding Yuan Tianzhao's home, the second-in-command of Mangjiao Island, Ling Sanniang, happened to be there.'"

Hu Xiaotian blinked slightly: "Ling Sanniang? Is the second-in-command a woman?"

Hu Zhongyang chuckled: "She's always been a woman, from the start. But wherever she goes, people respectfully call her Second Brother, so many assume she's a man."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I never expected a woman to be so devoted to Second Brother." As he spoke, he couldn't help laughing.

Hu Zhongyang laughed: "In fact, Ling Sanniang rarely stays on the island; she handles all kinds of relations for Bohai State. Although Yan Tianlu has left Bohai State, he still possesses many secret enterprises there, which of course need someone to manage them."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, thinking to himself, what does this have to do with Xue Shengjing? Recalling Xue Shengjing's Treasure Hoard Pavilion, he began to understand: since Hu Zhongyang could help Yan Tianlu launder stolen goods, Xue Shengjing could do the same; Xue Shengjing is greedy, his pursuit of rare treasures knows no bounds, he would love to claim all the world's riches for himself—such a person aligning with Yan Tianlu would be no surprise.

Hu Zhongyang said: "Bohai King Yan Dongsheng is merely a mediocre talent. He promoted Confucianism and reduced the military, favoring civil over martial affairs. Although Bohai State's naval strength was not weak originally, after his accession he year after year cut funding for the navy. The navy's size kept shrinking; due to lack of training, warship maintenance deteriorated, and most vessels fell into disrepair. Yan Dongsheng indulges in pleasure, placing Bohai State's fate entirely in Da Yong's hands; as early as ten years ago he proactively submitted to Da Yong as a vassal. Year after year he paid tribute, securing Da Yong's promise of protection. Yet these years, although Da Yong has taken much silver from Bohai State, it has not done even a trifle for him; Mangjiao Island remains a thorn in Yan Dongsheng's side. He has repeatedly begged Da Yong to send troops to annihilate Mangjiao Island and eradicate Yan Tianlu, but Da Yong has always found excuses to put him off."

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "It seems most emperors are just confused fools!"

Hu Zhongyang laughed: "It's lonely at the top; once someone attains a high position they easily lose themselves, and daily they hear only flattery and fawning, getting whatever they want. At first they might still accept a couple of harsh but honest words, but over time they become blindly arrogant, look down on everything, and can't bear to hear anything unpleasant."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, silently warning himself. He must never walk down that path. He said softly: "You often travel to Bohai State for trade—do you know how strong the Treasure Hoard Pavilion is there?"

Hu Zhongyang said: "Treasure Hoard Pavilion? Isn't that the one belonging to Da Yong's Prince Yan, Xue Shengjing?"

"'Exactly. That's the one.'"

Hu Zhongyang said: "The Treasure Hoard Pavilion is Xue Shengjing's enterprise. Relying on his special status as Da Yong's Prince Yan, he trades among the states, and others naturally give him face—let alone a small state like Bohai. Whenever Xue Shengjing visits Bohai State, Yan Dongsheng receives him with the highest honors."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I've heard that this Yuan Tianzhao case may have already implicated the Treasure Hoard Pavilion."

Hu Zhongyang blinked his eyes, somewhat astonished: "No way?" After thinking, he added: "If this is true, there can only be one reason behind it: Da Yong's new emperor, Xue Daohong, gave the order. Otherwise, even if you lent Yan Dongsheng a bear's gallbladder, he wouldn't dare touch Prince Yan's property."

In fact, Hu Zhongyang and Hu Xiaotian had arrived at the same thought, and Hu Xiaotian asked: "In the past, did Mangjiao Island and Xue Shengjing have any dealings?"

Hu Zhongyang said: "I'm not certain about this matter; Island Master Yan is deeply scheming and would never disclose the details of his dealings with others to me. However, from my personal experience, he likely maintains some contact with the Prince of Yan."

Hu Xiaotian leaned in closer: "What do you mean?"

Hu Zhongyang said: "Sir, consider this: why has Mangjiao Island remained peaceful and unharmed for decades? With Da Yong's strength, wiping out a small island would be no trouble. In my humble view, there are likely two reasons. First, the Da Yong court needs such a small island's existence, using Mangjiao Island to restrain Bohai State, forcing Bohai to beg Da Yong for protection. Second, it's possible Mangjiao Island has secretly cultivated influence within Da Yong—for instance, by securing an important court figure who can speak on their behalf in the Da Yong court to avoid Da Yong's campaigns. Whatever the reason, it harms Da Yong in no way, and the person who brings it about can gain benefits from both sides—why not do it?"

Hu Xiaotian slowly nodded. After hearing Hu Zhongyang's analysis, he could roughly conclude that Prince Yan Xue Shengjing was almost certainly the one profiting from both sides. When Xue Shengkang was alive, he likely knew of his brother's actions and turned a blind eye. Now that Xue Daohong has become emperor, eager to establish authority domestically, he may have seized on Xue Shengkang's weakness. As the saying goes, to secure the borders one must first pacify the interior; Xue Daohong's temporary abandonment of his own ambitions likely stems from this. Xue Shengjing is no simple man—he appears unambitious and uninterested in the throne, yet he may have long coveted it. He previously dared not show it because Xue Shengkang's outstanding talent made him doubt he could prevail over his royal brother; now that Xue Shengkang is dead, he may well renew his bid for power.

Xue Shengjing had Ma Qingyun come over to inform him of Huo Xiaoru's trouble, not because of his close friendship with Huo Xiaoru nor out of brotherly affection toward himself; he intended to use me. This internal upheaval in Bohai State could well become a blaze aimed at Xue Shengjing. The old, crafty Xue Shengjing has already sensed danger ahead; he likely knows who is pulling the strings behind the scenes, so he dares not act rashly. If not forced, he would not seek outside help, nor turn to this brother of his whose outward harmony masks inner discord. Perhaps he feels their friendship lacks sufficient weight, so only when compelled does he choose to reveal the true nature of his relationship with Huo Xiaoru.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian's brow deeply furrowed, Hu Zhongyang dared not disturb him.

After a while, Hu Xiaotian asked: "Elder Brother Zhongyang, have your merchant ships been cleared to sail?"

Hu Zhongyang nodded: "They've been cleared. I must rush to Bohai State today to handle matters there personally."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If so, I won't detain you further; Elder Brother Zhongyang, you should hurry and prepare."

Hu Zhongyang clasped his fists in farewell and departed.

What surprised Hu Xiaotian was that Yan Xuanming refused to leave with Yang Zongtong; despite Yang Zongtong's earnest, painstaking persuasion for half a day, Yan Xuanming remained unmoved, leaving Yang Zongtong no choice but to seek Hu Xiaotian's help. When Hu Xiaotian arrived at Yan Xuanming's residence and saw that he had not begun packing, he couldn't help but say: "Sir Yan, you haven't even started preparing!"

Yan Xuanming bowed and said: "Sir Hu, I am now merely a commoner; please do not call me Sir anymore, or I shall have nowhere to hide my shame."

Hu Xiaotian gazed at Yan Xuanming with a half‑smile. Yan Xuanming is twenty‑eight, fair‑skinned and beardless, with regular features, appearing the very picture of a refined, weak scholar. Had I not known beforehand of his relation to Yan Tianlu, I could never believe these two are father and son—their looks are worlds apart, their temperaments utterly different: Yan Tianlu is coarse and heroic, decisive and overbearing in action, while Yan Xuanming is gentle and courteous, well‑read and reasonable. Could Yan Tianlu have mistaken his lineage? Is Yan Xuanming truly his biological son?

Hu Xiaotian said: "Master Yan, why won't you go to Mangjiao Island? Island Master Yan has long been hoping for your return."

Yan Xuanming's lips twitched with a bitter smile: "I've never been there, so what return are you speaking of? To me, Mangjiao Island is utterly unfamiliar, and Island Master Yan is just as strange." He had been raised in Dakang since childhood; although he clearly knew his biological father's intention was to protect him, prior to this incident he had no idea he had another biological father who was a domineering sea pirate, nor did he know of his royal lineage in Bohai State.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Blood is thicker than water; some things cannot be changed."

Yan Xuanming sighed: "I know all that you said, Sir Hu, but for over twenty years I have believed I had both parents, aiming to achieve official rank through study; from childhood I toiled hard, hoping one day to top the examinations and bring honor to my ancestors. I once thought heaven favored me, granting me fame and office; after becoming an official I worked diligently, disciplined myself, and devoted my modest strength to serving Dakang—yet I never imagined the outcome would be this, that heaven has played such a huge joke on me." His face was full of bitter smiles.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You simply can't accept it for now."

Yan Xuanming said: "When a person suddenly loses their ideals and goals, I am like a lost lamb, not knowing where to go, let alone how to face a biological father I have never seen."

Hu Xiaotian could understand Yan Xuanming's present confusion; he reached out and patted his shoulder, comforting him: "Time can change everything; perhaps after a while, the troubles that plague you will naturally dissipate and be readily resolved."

Yan Xuanming sighed: "Will it?"

Second update delivered; feeling fairly recovered, Zhangyu will try to squeeze out another update tonight as compensation—thanks for your patience! (To be continued~^~)