Chapter 1462

Zhang Ziqian was mature and steady, resourceful and strategic. He said to Zhu Jingyao: 'Jingyao, who is inside?'

Zhu Jingyao respectfully reported: 'Sir Zhang, that person just now was Hu Xiaotian's subordinate.' Zhan Peng recognized Zhu Jingyao as Li Honghan's subordinate; Zhu Jingyao likewise recognized Zhan Peng at first glance—he had merely pretended not to know him earlier.

Hearing this, Zhang Ziqian furrowed his brows, never expecting to run into Hu Xiaotian here. Hu Xiaotian had already become the prince consort of Xiangguo State, yet he did not choose to return directly to Dongliang Jun but turned back westward—could he first be heading to Redwood River to have a look?

Li Honghan also realized this, and said softly: 'I heard the Xiangguo State has already sent Redwood River as a dowry to Princess Yingyue—what a bargain for Hu Xiaotian.'

Zhang Ziqian nodded and said: 'Redwood River is only nominally part of Xiangguo State; over the years Xiangguo has never exercised real control over it, so giving Redwood River to Hu Xiaotian is merely lip service—how can one give away something that isn't theirs? Moreover, Hu Xiaotian's power base lies in Dongliang Jun; even if Redwood River were given to him, vast foreign lands lie between, so what could he use to administer it?'

Li Honghan snorted coldly: 'This man is insatiable! Having gained Long, he still eyes Shu—never satisfied.' He had no fondness for Hu Xiaotian; originally Hu Xiaotian had even been engaged to his sister. When Long Yelin of Dakang plotted to usurp the throne, Li Honghan had, obeying his father's order, tried to keep Hu Xiaotian in Xichuan, but unexpectedly Hu Xiaotian escaped from under his nose—an incident Li Honghan still regards as a disgrace, old grudges unresolved and new enmity added. Now, in Xiangguo State, Hu Xiaotian has seized the initiative, naturally leaving him displeased.

Zhang Ziqian knew this young general's feud with Hu Xiaotian ran deep, having suffered repeated setbacks in front of Hu Xiaotian, and Li Honghan himself was not broad‑minded. Worried that Li Honghan might cause trouble, Zhang Ziqian smiled and said: 'Hu Xiaotian's luck is really not bad.' In fact, deep down he had long acknowledged Hu Xiaotian's ability, but he could not say so to Li Honghan's face, lest it provoke his anger; thus the seasoned Zhang Ziqian attributed Hu Xiaotian's present success to luck, hoping that would make Li Honghan feel a bit better.

Li Honghan said resentfully: 'He can't possibly stay lucky forever.'

Zhang Ziqian said: 'Since we know it's his troop, we can't just not say hello.'

Outside, the rain had lessened considerably; the pouring downpour had turned into a light drizzle. Zhang Ziqian rose and said: 'I'll go say hello to him.' He deliberately asked: 'Will you come, General?'

Li Honghan shook his head: 'I don't have that kind of acquaintance with him.'

Zhang Ziqian secretly laughed at Li Honghan's narrow mind—Hu Xiaotian had almost become his brother‑in‑law, yet he claimed they had no acquaintance. Compared with his father Li Tianheng, Li Honghan falls far short. Who says a tiger father has no dog son? Although Li Honghan's martial skill and wisdom are top‑notch, he lacks considerably in breadth of mind, which is the greatest taboo for one who aspires to greatness.

Zhang Ziqian did not insist, and had Zhu Jingyao accompany him to the rear courtyard to pay a visit to Hu Xiaotian.

After the Xichuan group arrived, Zhan Peng and Liang Yinghao immediately began rousing all the warriors. They renewed the defenses in the rear courtyard; although it was not yet certain that Li Honghan and his party harbored ill intent, precautions must be taken beforehand, for the opposing side outnumbered them considerably, and it also contained several experts.

Hardly had the defenses been set up when a knock sounded at the rear gate. Zhan Peng came to the door, fully alert, and asked: 'Who is it?'

The visitor was none other than the Xichuan Prefect, Zhang Ziqian, who announced loudly: 'I am Zhang Ziqian of Xichuan; I have heard that Master Hu is here. I have come especially to pay my respects and catch up with Old Brother Hu.'

Hearing this, Zhan Peng's heart gave a start—wasn't Zhang Ziqian the chief strategist under Li Tianheng of Xichuan? It turned out they had long since seen through their side's identity. Reflecting, he realized that if he could recognize them, they could naturally recognize him too. He cracked the door open a slit, showed his face, and said to the outside: 'It's you, Sir Zhang; my lord has already gone to sleep, so it would be inconvenient to disturb him—I hope you will excuse me.'

Zhang Ziqian chuckled: 'In that case, I have been presumptuous, but please ask the general to relay a message—I do indeed have an important matter to discuss with Master Hu.'

Zhan Peng replied: 'Sir Zhang, perhaps wait until tomorrow; we really dare not disturb the master's rest.'

Zhang Ziqian sighed: 'All right!' He clasped his fists in farewell, and just as he turned away he heard the gate close behind him.

Zhang Ziqian returned to the hall where Li Honghan was taking shelter from the rain; seeing him come back so quickly, Li Honghan could not help but feel curious: 'Mr. Zhang, how did you come back so fast?'

Zhang Ziqian said: 'Since I didn't see anyone, I naturally had to return.'

Li Honghan guessed he had surely been given the cold shoulder, and inwardly amused, he thought: 'Zhang Ziqian is always calling Hu Xiaotian brother, yet I really don't know what about Hu Xiaotian merits such regard; he imagines a deep friendship, goes over with a thick‑skinned attempt to ingratiate himself, and ends up with a hot face pressed against a cold backside—truly bringing disgrace upon himself.'

Zhang Ziqian said: 'It seems Hu Xiaotian is not here.'

Li Honghan blinked at this: 'How can you tell?'

Zhang Ziqian said: 'It's only just Xu Hour now, not yet time to rest; besides, so many people have suddenly appeared in this temple—do you think he could sleep peacefully? If he were here, there would be no reason for him to avoid me.'

Li Honghan said: 'What difference does it make whether he's here or not? Mr. Zhang, you seem rather disappointed at not seeing him.'

Zhang Ziqian could not miss the mocking tone in his words; he smiled faintly and asked: 'General, do you still remember our main purpose in coming to Xiangguo State this time?'

Li Honghan nodded; he certainly remembered, for his father had repeatedly urged him before departure: this time we must seize the prince‑consort position and conclude an alliance with Xiangguo State for mutual support—best of all, we must at all costs obtain Redwood River, which lies south of Xichuan, separated only by Tianlang Mountain. If we could take Redwood River, we could isolate the bandits of Tianlang Mountain, drive out the disobedient marauder Yan Kui from Xichuan's territory, and thereby open the southern passage of Xichuan—a matter vital to Xichuan's future development.

Zhang Ziqian said: 'Over the past two years Xichuan's development has been sluggish, missing many good opportunities for expansion. Now Dakang has finally weathered its most difficult period, and this year has brought a bumper harvest. Hu Xiaotian has already secured his footing in the Yongjiang basin, while Su Yuchi holds Yingyang, aiming to check Hu Xiaotian, yet at the same time he also controls the throat of our Xichuan route to the Central Plains heartland—meaning that henceforth Xichuan's advance into the Central Plains will only grow harder. For us, to strengthen our power we must clear the southern passage; although Yan Kui has already submitted, his ambition is too great and he thinks too highly of himself, refusing to serve under the Grand Marshal, thus he has become a tiger blocking the road on Xichuan's southern route.'

Li Honghan scoffed: 'What's he got to be a road‑blocking tiger? Just an old cur! If it weren't for my father's concern for local livelihood, he would have long since cleared Tianlang Mountain—how could he be allowed to wield power there?'

Zhang Ziqian said: 'General, never underestimate Yan Kui; this man is not easy to deal with. Over the years we have launched many campaigns against him, yet he still thrives. The reason is twofold: first, he possesses a unique terrain advantage on Tianlang Mountain; second, his back is supported by several major forces from Redwood River. Otherwise, what would he have to resist us? Once we take Redwood River, we can cut off Tianlang Mountain's rear support, and those bandits will become water without source, wood without root—certain to collapse without attack.'

Li Honghan acknowledged that Zhang Ziqian's words made sense, and frowned: 'But Redwood River is now in Hu Xiaotian's hands—are we supposed to seize it back?'

Zhang Ziqian said: 'If Redwood River remained as it was, it would be far from ideal, but still acceptable to us; the problem is that once it falls into Hu Xiaotian's hands, it becomes seriously detrimental.'

Li Honghan thought to himself: 'How can Zhang Ziqian speak so contradictorily? Just now he said that even if Hu Xiaotian got Redwood River he couldn't manage it, given how far his current territory is from the river—indeed, the whip is too short to reach. Now he suddenly changes his tune?'

From Li Honghan's gaze Zhang Ziqian already guessed his thought, and he sighed: 'General, you may think I am contradicting myself, but what I say is reasonable. Hu Xiaotian ought to have returned to his base by water, which would be most proper; even if he chose land, he should not have forsaken the near for the far. Their choice of this route suggests they intend to go first to Redwood River.'

Li Honghan said: "What can he do even if he's gone? Does he think that with just himself he can control Red Wood River in his hands? Master Zhang truly thinks he's omnipotent!" His words were full of mockery.

Zhang Ziqian wasn't angry; he said in a low voice: "What we can see, others might not fail to notice; perhaps tonight heaven deliberately gave us this opportunity."

Li Honghan heard the hidden meaning in Zhang Ziqian's words and said in a low voice: "Master Zhang, could you please speak more clearly?"

Zhang Ziqian said: "According to my judgment, Hu Xiaotian is most likely not here; perhaps he has gone ahead to Red Wood River, but he left so many people behind, they must be protecting Princess Yingyue; I heard that Princess Yingyue also left Fragrant Mist City with him this time." He lowered his voice and said: "Those who accomplish great things are not bound by trivialities—why don't we take this opportunity to wipe out Princess Yingyue and Hu Xiaotian's followers, then put the blame on Da Yong? Having suffered such a severe blow, Hu Xiaotian naturally cannot also attend to Red Wood River, and his marriage alliance with the Fragrant Heaven Kingdom will thus come to an end."

Li Honghan, although he hated Hu Xiaotian, had never thought of using such a method against him; he had always thought Zhang Ziqian and Hu Xiaotian were sworn friends despite their age difference, but he never expected that the person who proposed such a vicious scheme would actually be Zhang Ziqian. Zhang Ziqian clearly thinks: "If I can't get Red Wood River, you Hu Xiaotian shouldn't think you'll get it for free." No wonder his father values him so highly, no wonder he has the title of Xichuan's foremost strategist—indeed, the reputation is well deserved; old ginger is spicier, I can't help but be convinced. (To be continued~^~)