Chapter 1360

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Everyone fears risk, no one can guarantee that Su Yuchi's black sand talks this time aren't a Hongmen banquet; whether this autumn's harvest is bountiful or not has little to do with Li Tianheng's interests, so he indeed has no reason to come personally."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "I have investigated the sowing situation around; our side need not be mentioned, Su Yuchi of Yunyang mobilized all troops during spring planting; this person fully understands the importance of this autumn's harvest, so he will surely guarantee this harvest; the 100,000 dan of grain supported by our lord should have been used up by now; Su Yuchi is a famous general of Dakang, he naturally understands the simple principle that logistics precede troops in war; lacking grain supplies, he should not proactively start this war. On the contrary, the spring planting situation in Guo Guangbi's side of Xingzhou is not optimistic: first, because he is a bandit, burning, killing, looting in Xingzhou, causing people to flee their homes; without civilians, the land naturally lies fallow; moreover, Li Guangbi lacks Su Yuchi's foresight, he did not let his men lay down arms and enter the fields to sow in time, missing the precious spring planting window."

Hu Xiaotian said in a deep voice: "In other words, the autumn harvest means nothing to him."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Guo Guangbi is the kind of person whose thievish nature is hard to change; during this period he has never ceased his pillaging; along the Yongjiang River, everywhere bears traces of his looting; Su Yuchi stepping forward at this time to organize such a peace talk is meant to stabilize the situation and guarantee this autumn's harvest."

Hu Xiaotian said: "For Guo Guangbi, even if he loots, he must wait until after the harvest to have grain to loot; if he rushes now to burn, kill, and plunder, in the end everyone will suffer, and no one will gain any benefit."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "On the surface it is a four-party peace talk, but in reality the two major forces behind it cannot be ignored."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows, snapped off a dry twig and threw it into the fire, then said in a low voice: "You mean Da Yong and Dakang?"

Zhuge Guanqi nodded: "The biggest variable is precisely these two families!"

Chang Fanqi directed everyone to settle down before coming to the front eaves to take shelter from the rain. Rainwater slapped the upper earthen wall, turning into small streams of mud that flowed over the eaves, then along the broken tiles split into countless threads falling to the ground.

Chang Fanqi took off his helmet, looked at the gloomy sky outside, and sighed. Meanwhile, a clear, bell-like laugh came from beside him: "General Chang, why are you sighing?"

Chang Fanqi turned around and saw Huo Shengnan in heroic attire. He and Huo Shengnan had met before during their time in Da Yong, though they were not deeply acquainted; however, they now share similar experiences, having both served as officials in Da Yong, and now both have defected to Hu Xiaotian's camp—though Huo Shengnan did so voluntarily and is also Hu Xiaotian's close female confidante. Chang Fanqi's reason for joining the camp, however, was his defeat and loss of the Dongluo granary.

Chang Fanqi smiled awkwardly and said: "This rain looks like it will last a long time; I am worried about this earthen city."

Huo Shengnan looked up and said: "Don't worry, although this earthen city has been abandoned for many years, it has also endured the erosion and scouring of wind and rain; what should have collapsed already has. What remains are the strongest parts of the earthen city—only after the waves wash away the sand does the gold appear."

Chang Fanqi sensed the hidden meaning in Huo Shengnan's words, wondering if she also distrusted him; gazing at Huo Shengnan, he suddenly asked: "General Huo, why did you initially defect from Da Yong?"

Huo Shengnan said: "Because I realized they were merely treating me as a pawn, ready to discard me at any moment for their own interests. Isn't General Chang also in the same boat as me, sharing the same plight?"

Chang Fanqi sighed: "I am different from the general."

Huo Shengnan said: "There's really no difference; our lord trusts you and me equally! This time he overruled all objections to let you personally lead the troops here, which is clear proof."

Chang Fanqi nodded heavily: "I will certainly not disappoint our lord's expectations."

The downpour ceased as night fell. Hu Xiaotian came to the remaining beacon tower of the earthen city; Huo Shengnan and the two soldiers responsible for watch had already arrived there; seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, Huo Shengnan waved her hand, signaling the two soldiers to temporarily withdraw.

Hu Xiaotian approached her with a half-smile and smiled: "How about it? Are you preparing to stand watch personally?"

Huo Shengnan said: "I'm just here to check the watch situation." Her gaze turned to the front right; Hu Xiaotian followed her gaze and saw a tall figure standing on the earthen wall there—it was Chang Fanqi.

Huo Shengnan said: "Chang Fanqi is very dutiful and conscientious." After saying that, she turned her gaze toward the north, lost in thought, and remained silent for a long time.

Hu Xiaotian gently put his arm around her shoulders and whispered: "What's wrong? Why did your mood suddenly drop?" Only then did he notice a faint glimmer of tears in Huo Shengnan's eyes.

Huo Shengnan bit her cherry lip and said: "It's nothing; I just suddenly thought of my foster father, who, despite his old age, is still garrisoning the northern border for Da Yong, now locked in battle with the vicious Black Hu people, which makes me unable to rest easy."

Hu Xiaotian said: "General Yuchi uses troops like a god; the Black Hu people hear of him and lose their courage; rest assured, he will surely hold the northern frontier."

Huo Shengnan nodded.

Hu Xiaotian said softly: "Get some rest early; we still have to rush on tomorrow morning."

Contrary to expectations, in the middle of the night it started raining again; this rain was heavier than before and continued until the next evening before stopping. Hu Xiaotian could not afford further delay; if they chose to keep camp in the earthen city and wait until dawn to set out, encountering more wind and rain en route might prevent them from reaching Black Sand City on schedule. Thus he ordered a night march, and the troops set off toward Black Sand City under the stars. As he had anticipated, before the sky even lightened, another downpour arrived unexpectedly.

Hu Xiaotian gazed at the standing water in the fields on either side of the road and couldn't help but frown; if this continued, there would be a risk of flooding.

Fortunately, they were already not far from Black Sand City—just twenty li away—meaning they would not delay tomorrow's black sand talks.

At noon that day, the rain finally stopped; the dark clouds dispersed and the sun blazed high, the temperature rose sharply, the scorching sunlight quickly dried the standing water on the ground, a hot, humid haze filled heaven and earth, there was not a breath of wind, and marching in such weather was truly an ordeal.

In the distance, a cityscape appeared on the horizon—that was Black Sand City; Hu Xiaotian ordered them to set up camp five li from Black Sand City.

As the troops approached their destination, they discovered that someone had already set up camp there; upon inquiry, they learned that the campsite belonged to the Li family of Xichuan.

Hu Xiaotian could only choose another open space, setting up camp about two li east of the Li family's encampment. While pitching camp, Yuan Qing Shan, a deputy general under Su Yuchi, came to meet him; Hu Xiaotian had someone summon him over.

Yuan Qing Shan came before Hu Xiaotian, clasped his fists in salute, and said: "Deputy General Yuan Qing Shan of General Su's command pays his respects, Sir Hu!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly; although Yuan Qing Shan was merely a deputy under Su Yuchi, his reputation was great—brave and skilled in battle, he was also an outstanding young general of Dakang. He nodded and said: "I have long heard of General Yuan's fame; meeting him today, his reputation is indeed well deserved."

Yuan Qing Shan laughed: "Sir Hu, you flatter me; this subordinate has come merely upon General Su's order to inform you that tonight General Su will host a banquet in Black Sand City to welcome and cleanse you, Sir Hu—may I ask if you would be honored to attend?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Who all has General Su invited?" The talks are tomorrow; Su Yuchi's advance invitation makes one wonder what ulterior motive he might harbor.

Yuan Qing Shan said: "Only you, Sir!"

Hu Xiaotian felt a jolt inside; Su Yuchi giving me such face—yet upon reflection, this is not without reason; Su Yuchi has no cause to favor one over the other, and although those who came include officials and bandits, they all ultimately share the same goal.

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "All right, General Yuan, please convey my reply to General Su: just say I will keep the appointment tonight."

Yuan Qing Shan said: "I take my leave; at that time I will await Sir Hu's arrival together with General Su."

Not long after Yuan Qing Shan departed, a snow eagle carrying Xia Zhangming landed in Hu Xiaotian's camp; as Hu Xiaotian had arranged, Xia Zhangming had already come ahead to scout the situation around Black Sand City; according to his aerial survey, all four parties—including Su Yuchi—had followed the rules, each bringing only a thousand troops, and within a fifty-li radius there was no sign of ambush forces.

Zhuge Guanqi listened to Xia Zhangming's report, pondered for a moment, then said: "If that's the case, Su Yuchi indeed shows sincerity; I just don't know what sort of people have come from Xichuan and Xingzhou."

Xia Zhangming said: "From Xichuan comes Li Tianheng's trusted aide Yang Daoquan; from Xingzhou, reportedly, comes Guo Guangbi's son Guo Shaoxiong."

Hu Xiaotian then understood why Su Yuchi had invited only him; in Su Yuchi's eyes, Zhang Ziqian and Guo Shaoxiong obviously could not match his stature; it seems that whether it is Li Tianheng or Guo Shaoxiong, they fear Su Yuchi might use this opportunity to act against them, so they dare not come in person. Li Tianheng's absence can be attributed to his disdain, while Guo Guangbi lacks some courage.

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Brother Zhangming, could you please describe the local terrain in detail for me?"

Xia Zhangming nodded; as they stepped aside to discuss the terrain, Huo Shengnan came to Hu Xiaotian's side and whispered: "I'll accompany you there."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "How come? You still don't trust my martial skill?"

Huo Shengnan said: "It's not that I doubt your martial ability; I'm worried someone might use a beauty trap on you, so I want to stay by your side."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly: "All right!"

At dusk that day, Hu Xiaotian entered Black Sand City with only Huo Shengnan; as the saying goes, great skill breeds boldness—Hu Xiaotian believed that even if trouble arose, their two martial abilities would see them safely through; moreover, having already scouted the city's interior and exterior, the chance of an accident was minuscule.

Third Update delivered, everyone stop complaining—Zhangyu's hiatus is also something he feels guilty about, helpless. (To be continued~^~)