Chapter 1229

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said: "Dakang and Bohai State are not brothers; their strength and status have never been on the same level. In fact, you understand this principle, I understand it, everyone present understands it—why deceive ourselves and say these irrelevant things? What does Dakang gaining its land, us taking back the sea? Bohai State's navy can't even capture a mere python flood dragon island, so what does it have to conquer Dakang? Anyone can talk about warfare on paper, but your idea is completely out of touch with reality." Hu Xiaotian not saying it was nonsense was already polite.

Li Guoyuan's face turned ashen with anger, he snapped: "You're just talking nonsense! Looking down on my Bohai State……"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "It's not looking down, it's just stating the facts; talking about warfare on paper is ultimately impractical. If Mr. Li truly cares for the country, he should think of more practical strategies instead of merely showing off his eloquence in front of people." Hu Xiaotian's words gave Li Guoyuan no face at all, but Li Guoyuan originally held no office, let alone any status; political debates among scholars in Bohai State are common, so although everyone found his words unpleasant, they didn't think Hu Xiaotian was grossly disrespectful. Most of the scholars present didn't doubt his identity and origin; instead, they racked their brains to refute his arguments.

Zou Yong smiled and said: "Hu Cai Dong, it seems you must have your own view of the world's situation; why not share your lofty insights for everyone to consider?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly and said: "I'm just a merchant, I only know how to state the facts; I don't have any lofty insights. Since Master Zou wants me to speak, I'll dare to say a few sentences, hoping not to make a fool of myself." Wearing this mask, he was merely an ordinary person with rough, dark skin, unremarkable in appearance; when he wasn't speaking, no one paid attention. But once he began to speak, it seemed as if an unusual radiance emanated from him, every gesture carrying an indescribable charm.

Xue Lingjun and Yan Dongqing's attention were both drawn to him; Xue Lingjun stared silently at Hu Xiaotian's eyes, feeling that his gaze was somewhat familiar, yet for a moment she couldn't recall where she had seen it. Thus she stared even more intently, trying to infer his identity from his subtle expressions.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Merchants prioritize profit; in my view, the conflicts among states are the same—on the marketplace, it's survival of the fittest, deceit and trickery. The strong can bully the market and monopolize trade; the weak can only scrape by in the cracks, barely sustaining themselves. Even when two merchants partner in business, it's like brothers settling accounts clearly: whoever invests more will inevitably demand the larger share of profits, while the one who invests less can only get a small share from the pot."

Everyone fell silent; Hu Xiaotian seemed to be talking about business, but actually he was describing the relationship between Da Yong and Bohai State—Da Yong is that big merchant. Its current strength already allows it to bully the market, while Bohai is that small merchant eager to cooperate with Da Yong. In the end, it can only get a small share.

Zou Yong whispered: "If that big merchant has the strength to handle this deal, there's no need to bring in the small merchant; in the end, the small merchant might not even get a share."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Master Zou, you indeed see through things clearly."

Xue Lingjun said: "Our palace doesn't understand business management, this Hu Cai Dong..." When she said the "Hu" syllable, she obviously emphasized her tone. She deliberately paused at the crucial moment, then finally recalled where she had seen that gaze, but she still couldn't determine that Hu Xiaotian would have the audacity to come to Bohai State; moreover, according to the information she possessed, Hu Xiaotian was still in Dongliang Jun three days ago, impossible to reach Haiyang City in such a short time. If it weren't Hu Xiaotian, why would this person's gaze be so similar to his, and also the rhythm and tone of his speech so close? Xue Lingjun couldn't help but feel a haze of mystery in her heart. She softly said: "Hu Cai Dong, what is your view of the situation in the Central Plains?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Under heaven, long union leads to division, long division leads to union; in my view, the Central Plains are not far from unification."

Zou Yong laughed and said: "I agree with Hu Cai Dong's view; given Da Yong's current strength, unifying the Central Plains is only a matter of time."

Hu Xiaotian, however, shook his head and said: "I say the unification of the Central Plains is not necessarily to be achieved by Da Yong." Upon saying this, everyone in the hall was startled again.

Li Guoyuan, who had just been left breathless by Hu Xiaotian for a while, finally got a chance and sneered: "Hu Cai Dong really knows how to rally the crowd for favor; looking at the Central Plains, besides Da Yong, who else has the strength to unify it?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Mr. Li must have read a lot, but unfortunately he doesn't grasp the reasoning well."

"You……" Li Guoyuan was left speechless by his anger, his face blotched with blue and purple.

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, "It's you, this old thing, bringing disgrace upon yourself; I originally didn't want to bother with you, but his purpose today is mainly to draw Xue Lingjun's attention, and now it seems that goal has already been achieved." He smiled and said: "In this world, all things cannot escape the law of prosperity leading to decline. Dakang back then was immensely powerful, sweeping across myriad lands like a tiger, yet ultimately it could not escape the fate of prosperity leading to decline. Although Da Yong is now strong, compared to the peak era of Dakang, its territory and strength still fall short; even at its peak, Dakang never achieved the grand plan of unifying the Central Plains—do you think today's Da Yong can do it?"

Li Guoyuan was left speechless; he usually just talks nonsense, despite having the reputation of a well-learned great scholar, but in his lifetime he has never even left this tiny island state of Bohai, so how could his vision and perspective match Hu Xiaotian's, a person who has lived two lives?

Hu Xiaotian said: "Although Dakang has declined, its territory and strength among the states of the Central Plains can still rank second to last; if they could select a wise ruler, diligently govern, carry out bold reforms, it would not be impossible to revive the state. The southern region of Dakang, Heavenly Fragrance State, has for years been untouched by war; under the hard work of several successive rulers, it has become prosperous and wealthy, its naval power already surpassing that of Dakang; recently it has been restless, intending to encroach upon the Central Plains. Li Tianheng of Xichuan has carved out his own domain; he himself is a brave and skilled warrior general, and since Dakang's famine has not reached Xichuan, these past two years he has been recruiting troops and buying horses, his ambitions lofty, with an early intention to expand eastward. In contrast, although Da Yong is strong, recently its domestic situation is the transition between old and new rulers; the new ruler's ascension to power necessarily involves a familiarization process, and the populace, experiencing this court turnover, feels uneasy; for Da Yong's interior to return to the former state of unity and solidarity still requires time. Precisely at this moment, the northern Black Hu are sharpening their weapons and feeding their horses, intending to take advantage of the new ruler's unsteady authority to march south."

Li Guoyuan didn't know how to rebut, but Xue Lingjun began to giggle, her beautiful eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian as she said: "Master Hu Cai Dong, you really have put a lot of thought into Da Yong's situation."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Why bother over surface matters? Even peddlers can see through this principle; we merchants skilled at reading expressions naturally can as well."

Xue Lingjun asked: "Where is Hu Cai Dong from?" Without waiting for Hu Xiaotian's answer, she herself said: "You are a person from Dakang!" The smile on her face vanished instantly, her phoenix eyes flashing with anger even without being provoked.

Hu Xiaotian still wore a smiling, squinting look: "My ancestors were indeed from Dakang; in fact, tracing back, the ancestors of the Princess also came from Dakang."

Upon hearing this, Xue Lingjun's heart already concluded that this fellow was undoubtedly Hu Xiaotian, yet saying this in public was truly bold; she snapped: "Outrageous! Bold! Seize him, bring this reckless fool to me!"

Xue Lingjun's sudden extreme reaction left both Zou Yong and Yan Dongqing stunned, and the entire assembly of guests was frightened into silence by her angry outburst.

Although Zou Yong also felt Hu Xiaotian's words were excessive, Xue Lingjun's public outburst here, even demanding someone be taken, really showed she didn't regard herself as an outsider—after all, this is Bohai State, not Da Yong.

Hu Xiaotian calmly said: "Is the Princess still angry with me? Is she blaming me for leaving without saying goodbye last time?"

Upon hearing this, everyone felt increasingly confused; it turned out the Princess knew this Hu Da Fu—what exactly is their relationship?

At this moment, Xue Lingjun changed her expression again, giggling coquettishly: "Hu Cai Dong, you noticed me long ago, yet you ignored the Princess; believe it or not, I'll have your head when I return."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Dying at the Princess's hands, I would have no regrets." He lifted the wine cup before him and said: "Using Master Zou's cup to make amends to the Princess, this time I certainly dare not offend Her Highness again!"

Everyone stared, speechless; it was obvious the two were openly flirting and quarreling in public!

Zou Yong looked at Yan Dongqing, both laughing and crying; earlier she had asked him to try to bewitch the Princess—everyone knows that the Da Yong Princess's fame spreads far and wide, countless admirers at her feet; Zou Yong always considered himself suave, believing that with a little trick he could surely make the Princess lose herself in him, yet he never expected a Cheng Qie Jin to appear midway, completely thwarting his plans, even stealing his own spotlight entirely; just from the Princess's gaze at Hu Xiaotian one could sense something amiss—if one claimed there was nothing between them, he wouldn't believe it even if beaten to death.

Yan Dongqing was also quite surprised; she too knew the Princess had a bad reputation in Da Yong, but she hadn't expected to encounter her former lover in Bohai State; moreover, the Princess's taste in lovers is rather poor—how could this Hu Da Fu compare to Zou Yong in looks? Yet fairly speaking, Hu Da Fu still has some appealing qualities; at least in the earlier debate he displayed his eloquence and quick wit—though his appearance is unremarkable, his mind is very sharp.

Xue Lingjun rose and went over to Hu Xiaotian's side; the fatty Wang who had been sitting beside Hu Xiaotian sensibly stood up and moved aside. The seat itself was no different, but having a different person sit there made a difference.

Immediately someone replaced Xue Lingjun's bowls and chopsticks, and led Wang Pangzi elsewhere; as Wang Pangzi walked, his whole body visibly trembled—trouble comes from the mouth—and he also saw that the relationship between Hu Da Fu and Xue Lingjun was anything but ordinary, (to be continued~^~)