Chapter 1216

Hu Xiaotian suddenly had an idea: Yan Xuanming had a good reputation as an official in Sea Prefecture; now Hu Xiaotian was at the stage of establishing himself and developing, recruiting talent everywhere. Since Yan Xuanming refused to return, it would be better to let him stay and help Hu Xiaotian with affairs—this would give him an extra assistant and also strengthen his ties with Yan Tianlu. Thinking this through, he sincerely said: "Yan Xuanming, if you don't despise me, how about staying with me? Martial Prosperity Commandery still lacks someone to handle internal affairs; you can manage the commandery's administration for me. After a while, the Yongyang Princess will send your whole family here, so you can reunite. Then you can decide where to go next—what do you think?"

Yan Xuanming pressed his lips, then bowed deeply with clasped fists toward Hu Xiaotian and said: "Thank you, Sir Hu, for your kindness. I will devote myself wholeheartedly and serve you with the loyalty of a dog or horse."

Yang Zongtong heard that Yan Xuanming would stay with Hu Xiaotian to work, and he also found it hard to insist; although he could not take Yan Xuanming away together, at least Yan Xuanming's safety here should be guaranteed. In fact, before coming to fetch Yan Xuanming this time, the Island Master himself had not held great expectations for this; it seems the Island Master understands this son quite well.

Seeing Yang Zongtong off, Hu Xiaotian took Weisa with him to the Hall of Benevolence to check on Qin Yutong's recovery. Upon arriving at the Hall of Benevolence, they happened to find Zhuge Guanqi and his wife there as well, so Weisa, Hong Lingxue, and Qin Yutong chatted together, while Hu Xiaotian and Zhuge Guanqi went to the courtyard to talk.

Hu Xiaotian recounted all recent events to Zhuge Guanqi, who laughed and said: "Although things didn't go as smoothly as expected, overall the outcome isn't really bad."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's a pity that my fifty thunder bombs sank into the sea before I could even use them."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Those thunder bombs are indeed extraordinarily powerful, but you, Sir, must use them with great caution. If other countries learned that you possessed such a formidable weapon, they would certainly try every means to obtain its secret; if they failed, they would spare no expense to destroy the threat first."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; Zhuge Guanqi's meaning was obvious enough. If the news of the thunder bombs spread, he might become the public enemy of the surrounding states, and they would spare no expense to join forces to destroy him. Looking back now, the hurricane at sea seemed fated in the dark. Even Heaven itself did not want him to deploy such a terrifying weapon prematurely.

Hu Xiaotian also told Zhuge Guanqi about Xue Shengjing's request for his help.

Zhuge Guanqi's view on this matter matched Hu Xiaotian's; he likewise believed that Xue Shengjing had run into serious trouble. Because of his own status, Xue Shengjing could not personally go to Bohai State to handle the trouble, yet he was unwilling to trust others' abilities. After much thought, he came up with Hu Xiaotian, and also thought of using the threat to Hu Xiaotian's beloved confidante's life as a reason to persuade him.

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "Xue Shengjing is an old fox, crafty and treacherous. After all, he is my sworn elder brother, and he understands me quite well."

Zhuge Guanqi smiled and said: "It seems the lord has already decided to go to Bohai State."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Guanqi, what's your take on this?"

Zhuge Guanqi said: "The crisis within Da Yong is far more serious than we imagined; Xue Daohong, having just taken power, is about to move against his own Imperial Uncle, and there are two possibilities."

Hu Xiaotian's brow twitched: "Please elaborate!"

Zhuge Guanqi said: "First, Xue Daohong and Xue Shengjing themselves have a conflict; second, it's possible that Xue Shengkang had long harbored the intention to eliminate Xue Shengjing. On his deathbed, he instructed his son that the first thing after taking power should be to get rid of Xue Shengjing."

Hu Xiaotian slowly nodded and said: "I think the same. Although Xue Shengjing outwardly shows no ambition for power or profit, he is extremely greedy when it comes to wealth. It is said he is already rich enough to rival a state; Xue Shengkang's reluctance to act against him may be out of a desire to fatten him up—only when this pig is sufficiently fat is it worth striking."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Quite possible; Xue Shengkang is just fattening him up for the slaughter."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Xue Shengjing is no simple figure; for Xue Daohong to topple him is certainly not easy. Perhaps Xue Daohong has long harbored the intent to eliminate him but lacked the right opportunity. This fire that ignited in Bohai State must have been carefully considered. Let us boldly guess: Xue Shengjing has always had underground dealings with Bohai State and Python Flood Island, profiting from both sides. The Bohai State's chief minister, Yuan Tianzhao, is a key figure in this. If Yan Dongsheng finds a breakthrough through Yuan Tianzhao and, by following the trail, uncovers Xue Shengjing's involvement, then Xue Shengjing is very likely to be charged with colluding with foreign bandits to harm the public for private gain."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Whoever could think of lighting this fire in Bohai State must be an extraordinary person. If the fire had started within Da Yong itself, Xue Shengjing would surely have sensed it first, and with his connections and foundation inside Da Yong, he might well have been able to extinguish it before it spread. But now the fire originates from Bohai State; if Xue Shengjing personally took action, he would be caught with evidence; if he did nothing, he could only watch helplessly as his Bohai State properties and operations were destroyed in an instant. From this we can see that Yan Dongsheng must already have reached a tacit understanding with the Da Yong court."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Xue Shengjing has his day too!"

Zhuge Guanqi said: "The lord needs to see the situation clearly and decide prudently."

Hu Xiaotian said: "What good would it do me if Xue Shengjing fell?"

Zhuge Guanqi shook his head and said: "There is no benefit at all. If Xue Shengjing falls, Xue Daohong will be able to consolidate his rule over Da Yong; if he topples Xue Shengjing and seizes his wealth, then Xue Daohong will have no further worries within Da Yong. A united Da Yong is naturally more threatening than a Da Yong riddled with internal strife."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Helping Xue Shengjing is actually helping myself; this Lao hulí must have seen through that, and he also believes I can discern the situation, which is why he sent Ma Qingyun to find me."

Zhuge Guanqi smiled and said: "Perhaps his intention in sending Ma Qingyun to find you was because the lord is affectionate."

Hu Xiaotian also laughed: "Xiaotian has always loved the realm more than beauties, making Brother Guanqi laugh."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Realm and beauties can both be had; with the lord's wisdom, this should be done seamlessly. However, speaking of it, Bohai State's complete turn toward the Da Yong court is certainly not a good thing. As the lord just said, the Bohai King daring to move against Xue Shengjing surely has the Da Yong court's backing behind him, and the Bohai King is no fool—he would not do something that brings him no benefit. Thus it is likely that the Da Yong court has already promised to help him destroy Python Flood Island; only then can both sides seek mutual benefit."

Hu Xiaotian said: "This internal rebellion on Python Flood Island very likely arose for that reason; if Yan Tianlu were not blessed with great fate, he would probably already be dead."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Two fists cannot fight four hands; in critical times a necessary alliance is needed. The lord and Python Flood Island have already reached a tacit understanding, and Xue Shengjing has proactively sought your help. For the lord, if he can seize this opportunity, he may well gain the greatest benefit."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Even if we preserve Xue Shengjing this time, the Da Yong emperor will not therefore cease his campaign against him; perhaps soon he will devise new schemes, meaning that Xue Shengjing will inevitably rebel sooner or later. Looking at the states of the Central Plains, the strongest is Da Yong; if Da Yong encounters internal trouble, the first to benefit will be the lord. Bohai State—its king Yan Dongsheng has shallow vision, not worth worrying about; Python Flood Island's Yan Tianlu, though fierce, cannot launch a counterattack, and being old, his chance to return to Bohai State and retake the throne is already minuscule. The lord should make use of these people, creating from them the most advantageous opportunity for himself; even if he cannot achieve that, he must undermine the alliance between Bohai State and Da Yong."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It seems this trip to Bohai State has become inevitable." Actually he had already made the decision in his heart; after this talk with Zhuge Guanqi, his resolve grew firmer.

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Hu Zhongyang must be well utilized; if he is willing to devote himself to serving the lord, the affairs of Bohai State will become much easier."

Hu Xiaotian said: "As for him, I am still observing; to this day I cannot be certain whether he is wholeheartedly devoted to me."

Merchants put profit first; if the lord makes him believe that only you can bring him the greatest benefit, he will remain unswervingly loyal to the lord. Zhuge Guanqi added: "On this trip to Bohai State, the lord must be on guard against the Da Yong side; whoever could plot such a conspiracy is certainly no ordinary person, and the lord must absolutely avoid revealing his identity lightly."

Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes and said: "The one likely plotting this conspiracy is Li Chen Zhou!"

"Li Chen Zhou?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "This man is Da Yong's foremost strategist, also a close friend of Xue Daohong; the idea to lift the grain ban in Dakang was his. I now realize that his temporary stabilization of Dakang aims to free his hand to deal with Xue Shengkang."

In the Da Yong imperial palace, Li Chen Zhou bowed deeply to Xue Daohong and said: "Chen Zhou has come especially to take his leave of Your Majesty."

Xue Daohong nodded, stepped forward to Li Chen Zhou, took his hand, and said earnestly: "Chen Zhou, I entrust you with the matter over there; when you see Yan Dongsheng, convey my regards to him, and make him believe that I will surely keep my promise and help him destroy Python Flood Island."

Li Chen Zhou smiled and said: "Your Majesty, rest assured; Chen Zhou will not fail the mission."

Xue Daohong said: "Over the years, Prince Yan has gained countless benefits from both Bohai State and Python Flood Island; the wealth he extorted mostly did not go into the Da Yong treasury, but mostly ended up in his own purse. The Treasure Aggregation Studio is merely a front; since he dares to openly establish it, he fears no investigation. Therefore I firmly believe there must be some hidden mystery behind this; on your trip this time, you must certainly assist Yan Dongsheng in getting to the bottom of this matter."

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