Chapter 1354

Yang Longyue said: "Before I came to Dongliang Jun, I had been to Kangdu, where I was granted an audience by the Yongyang Princess. At that time she mentioned a matter: two years ago, the Dakang court had a ten-thousand-strong fleet that passed through the waters of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, but since then its whereabouts have been unknown. As far as I know, the commander leading that fleet was your father."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "How did Your Highness answer the princess?"

Yang Longyue said: "I know nothing at all."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "It seems I don't need to ask further."

Yang Longyue said: "Sir Hu, if you don't ask, how would you know what answer I would give?"

Hu Xiaotian heard the hidden meaning in his words, slowly lowered the Chazan in his hand, and with a sharp gaze fixed on Yang Longyue's eyes, he said: "Your Highness, do you know the whereabouts of that fleet back then?" He already understood in his heart that Yang Longyue must know the whereabouts of Hu Wuwei and others.

Yang Longyue nodded: "After that fleet resupplied at South Ford Island, it entered the waters of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom and landed at Sea Dragon Beach; at that time I was responsible for receiving it."

Hu Xiaotian gazed quietly at Yang Longyue, now fully understanding that Yang Longyue's visit was not merely a stopover, nor was it to go to Shao Yuan to visit his master; this person's true target was himself. Hu Xiaotian smiled: "This answer is truly surprising; if the Dakang court were to learn of it, it would likely affect the long‑friendly relations between the two states."

Yang Longyue said: "Some things are known to all in their hearts, yet no solid evidence can be found, and no one dares to pierce this layer of paper."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your Highness now seems to have already pierced this layer of paper." Yang Longyue's earlier words had already made him realize that he and Yang Longyue needed to deepen their understanding, and that they were steadily moving toward cooperation.

Yang Longyue smiled: "Sir Hu and I hit it off at first sight; although it's our first meeting, it feels as if we are old confidants who can speak frankly. I hope Sir Hu won't laugh at me."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Thanks to Your Highness's favor, I actually feel the same way; since we get along so well, we naturally ought to hold nothing back."

At this moment the food and drink were ready; Hu Xiaotian invited Yang Longyue to take a seat. Although it was their first meeting, Hu Xiaotian already had a clear understanding of him. This person appears rough and unrestrained on the outside, but his mind is actually meticulous. According to Hu Xiaotian's understanding of him, he is not well‑received in the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom; this time he has traveled a thousand li, specially crossing the Yongjiang River to come to Dongliang Jun to meet him, yet his true purpose is to seek cooperation with him.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, the conversation returned to the missing Dakang fleet. Hu Xiaotian said: "Your Highness, do you have any news of my father?"

Yang Longyue said: "I have never met your father, Sir. This letter was entrusted to me by the Empress Dowager to deliver personally to you, Sir; as for the person who entrusted her, it should be Mr. Lan."

Hu Xiaotian understood that the Mr. Lan mentioned by Yang Longyue must be his old father, Hu Wuwei.

Yang Longyue said: "The Empress Dowager places great trust in Mr. Lan; she consults him on every matter, big or small. My coming to Dakang for the observance ceremony is actually at their behest."

Hu Xiaotian remained silent; although Yang Longyue had not yet spelled it out, Hu Xiaotian already sensed from his tone his dissatisfaction with the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom's Empress Dowager and Mr. Lan.

Yang Longyue sighed: "Actually, I had originally planned to return directly to the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom after the observance ceremony. But on the way I changed my mind, because I discovered that someone intends to take advantage of my coming to Dakang for the ceremony to assassinate me!"

Hu Xiaotian let out an "oh". He did not feel particularly surprised; as a member of the royal family, although he enjoys innate glory, he also bears far greater risks than ordinary people. Although he does not know the exact details, he can still judge that the plot surrounding Yang Longyue is nothing more than a court power struggle—only what Yang Longyue hopes to gain from him, and what he can offer in return, remain unclear.

Yang Longyue certainly understands that the young man before him is out of the ordinary, a newly emergent hegemon. Leaving aside other points, the mere fact that Hu Xiaotian can survive in the crevice between the two great powers of Da Yong and Dakang, and moreover lives at ease, already shows his extraordinary ability. Yang Longyue would not think that his silver tongue alone could persuade him to cooperate; nobody is a fool, especially in this tumultuous age, and any cooperation must be based on mutual benefit. To obtain help from the other side, one must first see what one can offer. Fortunately, Yang Longyue knows what Hu Xiaotian wants, and he knows what assistance he should provide.

Hu Xiaotian's expression remained unruffled; he said softly: "I wonder who wishes to harm Your Highness?"

Yang Longyue made no attempt to conceal this: "The Empress Dowager!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It seems Your Highness's presence threatens her interests."

Yang Longyue remarked with feeling: "Although I keep to myself and contend with no one, others do not see it that way; she believes my existence threatens the sovereign's rule."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "An innocent man who carries a jade is guilty of it; having too much talent is not necessarily a good thing."

Yang Longyue said: "How is Sir Hu any different? You have laboured hard to guard Dakang's northern border and control the Yongjiang River, yet in the end you still get labeled a traitor rebelling against the state."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I act only to be guilt‑free in my conscience; how others speak or view me does not matter." Yang Longyue is no simpleton; he repeatedly hints, indirectly, at how similar their situations are, hoping to make Hu Xiaotian feel a fellow‑sufferer's sympathy.

Yang Longyue said: "Being guilt‑free does not mean resigning oneself to death, nor does it mean letting others slaughter you; I have some understanding of Sir Hu's predicament, and I am also quite clear in my mind as to who wrote the letter I just handed over to you."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Your Highness seems to have hidden meanings in his words."

Yang Longyue said: "Sir Hu, do you know why your father abandoned his wife and children, leaving you in peril without a care?"

Hu Xiaotian in fact already knew some of the inside story; these details certainly cannot be disclosed to outsiders. Hearing Yang Longyue speak so mysteriously, it seems he understands his family affairs, and he cannot help feeling a little curious.

Yang Longyue leaned forward and lowered his voice: "Because your life means nothing to your father, he still has another son in this world!"

Hu Xiaotian's heart pounded; he had heard this from Li Yuncong before, and the current king of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, Yang Longjing, is very likely the legitimate son of his father and the Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao. He had thought few people knew of this, yet he did not expect Yang Longyue to mention the secret as well—apparently he is already informed. Hu Xiaotian feigned surprise: "How could that be?"

Yang Longyue said: "It is my royal elder brother, the present king of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, Yang Longjing."

Hu Xiaotian had long known this secret, so Yang Longyue's words gave him no shock; he also believed it to be true, for if not for his own son, Hu Wuwei would not have abandoned his wife and children; his mother's dying words should not have deceived him—at that time her consciousness was controlled by the soul‑capturing art of Weisa, and had it not been so she would not have spoken the truth; Hu Wuwei must have despised this marriage from the depths of his heart, and loathed the monstrous offspring of this close‑kin union.

Because of his dissatisfaction with this family, he tilted his inner balance entirely toward his other son, and finally, taking advantage of the opportunity to go to Luosong to open a grain‑transport route, he led ten thousand of Dakang's finest naval troops, who vanished without a trace in the waters of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom.

Hu Xiaotian slowly shook his head: "This is impossible."

Yang Longyue said: "I have not traveled a thousand li just to tell Sir Hu a lie; it brings me no benefit. Sir Hu now holds three cities, controls the lower reaches of the Yongjiang River to the north and dominates Yunze to the south, already ruling a region, yet Sir Hu must not overlook the lurking danger because of the present situation."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I don't know what I can do for Your Highness." Yang Longyue's many words were merely an attempt to persuade him to cooperate; for Hu Xiaotian this is also an excellent opportunity, yet he still shows little enthusiasm, giving Yang Longyue the impression that his words have failed to move him.

Yang Longyue said: "We are fellow sufferers; the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom wants to get rid of me, while the Dakang court also wants to strike at you. We should see the situation clearly and lend each other mutual aid."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Your Highness, I truly do not know how I can be of help to you."

Yang Longyue said: "There is something I would like Sir Hu to examine." He handed over a painting he held.

Hu Xiaotian unfolded the painting, and his heart involuntarily jolted; the figure depicted on it was Princess Anping Long Xi Yue.

Yang Longyue whispered: "The person in the painting is the adopted daughter of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom's Empress Dowager; she now resides in the Green Shadow Pavilion and has been granted the title Princess Yingyue. When I came to Dakang to attend the observance ceremony, the Empress Dowager openly issued a marriage invitation to all states; in fact she intends to use this occasion to unite the major powers of the Central Plains, selecting from them the most reliable partner, while her true aim is to employ this marriage alliance to form a coalition for invading Dakang."

Hu Xiaotian does not know whether Yang Longyue fully understands his relationship with Long Xi Yue, but one thing he can be certain of: Yang Longyue would not produce this portrait for no reason. This Prince of Fu of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom is no simple figure; his aim is to overthrow the Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao, and he even harbors the ambition to replace the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom's king, Yang Longjing. From what he has said, it is clear that he still wields certain influence within the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom: not only can he promptly detect the Empress Dowager's plot to assassinate him during the observance ceremony, but he can also learn of the domestic situation promptly after leaving the country.

Hu Xiaotian still finds Yang Longyue's approach somewhat puzzling; judging from what he has said, the Dakang court would be his best collaborator, so why does he forsake the near and seek the far, choosing to cooperate with him? Simply citing "forsaking the near for the far" does not seem sufficient justification.

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