Chapter 1542

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "I also have this premonition; Li Tianheng absolutely cannot just sit and wait for death."

Zhuge Guanqi smiled and said, "So my lord only needs to strengthen the defenses of Redwood River, enhance the alliance with Tianlang Mountain, and completely block the southern passage of Xichuan; then Li Tianheng will act in advance, and the already-prepared Redwood River will not be so easy to take, so Li Tianheng will settle for second best and choose the northeastern exit. If he can open the northwestern exit and occupy Yunyang, he can not only open the northeastern route of Xichuan but also share control of Wangchun River with us to the east, thereby gaining a waterway; only in this way can Xichuan break the blockade and revive. However, even with his current strength, even if he captures Yunyang, he would have to pay an extremely heavy price, so he must seek external aid."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The external aid is Xingzhou."

Zhuge Guanqi said, "Guo Guangbi's recent days have not been good; although he has many followers, they are mixed in quality, and these rebel troops naturally cannot compare to well-trained soldiers. Moreover, limited by his own vision, he neglects internal affairs, and his lax discipline over subordinates leads only to burning, killing, and looting—no different from banditry. This has caused panic and alienated the populace around Xingzhou, to the point that within a hundred li of Xingzhou there are no inhabited villages. Neglecting internal affairs inevitably leads to financial straits; Guo Guangbi's remaining grain is now scarce, and he has frequently gone out to raid, suffering several defeats."

Hu Xiaotian said, "If Li Tianheng joins forces with him, Guo Guangbi will surely welcome it."

Zhuge Guanqi said, "If this situation truly arises, my lord, what do you plan to do?"

Hu Xiaotian pondered a moment and then said, "Watch the tigers fight from the mountain, and strike at the right moment to seize Yunyang."

Zhuge Guanqi laughed, and Hu Xiaotian voiced his idea.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Actually, I'm not worried about them."

Zhuge Guanqi said, "Are you worried about Dakang, worried that they might possess unknown military strength?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, and the appearance of that light sword made him feel afraid. Hong Beimo holds the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets; its many ingenious mechanisms have already surpassed the technology of this era, and cannot be explained merely by Hong Beimo's studiousness of heaven and man; perhaps Hong Beimo has been concealing his strength all along.

Zhuge Guanqi said, "My lord's designed thunderclap bomb might play an important role."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Unfortunately, it lacks too much in detail and needs a true master craftsman to perfect it." Thinking of this, he recalled Demonic Craftsman Zongyuan and his son; if they could come to assist, he might be able to develop some advanced weapons, but they are subjects of Da Yong and, out of loyalty to Da Yong, might not help him. He then thought of Wang Boxi, who is also a remarkable person skilled in mechanism design; it would be better to talk to him. So Hu Xiaotian told Zhuge Guanqi about Wang Boxi, and Zhuge Guanqi nodded and said, "My lord can introduce me to him, and we can have a good talk."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Brother Guanqi, what do you think will decide the future course of the world?"

Zhuge Guanqi smiled and said, "Just listen to my lord."

"Technology! What others don't have we have, what others haven't thought of we can think of—that is technology."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The Bureau of Heavenly Secrets is actually the academy overseen by Hong Beimo. I want Brother Guanqi to take the lead and establish an academy for us."

Even someone as exceptionally wise as Zhuge Guanqi felt a bit dazed by the term "academy": "Academy? That name sounds quite profound."

Hu Xiaotian had lunch at Zhuge Guanqi's home, then went to the Hall of Benevolence together with Long Xi Yue and Wesa; although Qin Yutong was not there, perhaps he could personally inform Fang Fang's father and daughter about Zhan Peng's not yet returning, so they wouldn't worry.

Just after leaving the gate, he saw a group of horsemen approaching; leading them was a lovely female general—it was Tang Qingxuan, with her elder brother Tang Tiehan following behind. The entire Tang household had defected to Hu Xiaotian, and they had been training warhorses for him all along; usually they were not here but on the vast grasslands west of Cangmu County near the Yong River. Tang Qingxuan and Long Xi Yue were sworn sisters; hearing that Long Xi Yue had died and been resurrected, she returned today from the Kingdom of Tianxiang and immediately came from the ranch to meet him.

Upon seeing Long Xi Yue, Tang Qingxuan dismounted, still catching her breath, rushed to Long Xi Yue, tears streaming down her face, and cried, "Elder sister! I knew you were still alive in this world."

Long Xi Yue, seeing Tang Qingxuan, was also overcome with joy and tears; the sisters embraced and wept bitterly. Tang Qingxuan's temperament had changed greatly since the Tang household defected to Hu Xiaotian; they had been in charge of the ranch and rarely came to Dongliang Jun, making meetings with Hu Xiaotian even rarer. In fact, since escorting Long Xi Yue to Da Yong, Tang Qingxuan's feelings toward Hu Xiaotian had shifted from hatred and resistance to admiration, but as Hu Xiaotian's achievements grew, she felt ashamed, and although her love for him burned more fiercely than before, she dared not hope that he would return her affection. Every midnight, when she dreamed back, she would recall the scenes of her past encounters with Hu Xiaotian; every detail was etched into her heart, yet she could only bury this feeling deep inside.

She herself did not know why she was crying so sorrowfully today; although Long Xi Yue's return should have been a great joy, she could not control her emotions.

Hu Xiaotian walked toward Tang Tiehan, who chuckled and said, "My lord! Greetings!" Once eager to fight and kill Hu Xiaotian, he had now joined Hu Xiaotian's camp; the Tang family wholeheartedly admired Hu Xiaotian. In fact, the Tang brothers knew their sister's thoughts; Tang Qingxuan, talented and beautiful, had had matchmakers nearly breaking down the Tang family's door seeking her hand, but she invariably refused. The family watched anxiously, yet regrettably Hu Xiaotian's status now differed from before, and they no longer dared to aspire to match him.

Hu Xiaotian inquired about the ranch's condition; Tang Tiehan briefly reported that the ranch was doing well, and this year they had recently introduced a large batch of Hu horses, which are now undergoing training.

At this moment, Long Xi Yue and Tang Qingxuan also stopped crying; their eyes were somewhat red and swollen, they took each other's hand and came before Hu Xiaotian. Long Xi Yue said, "Xiaotian, I won't go out today; looking like this, I really can't face people."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Then go back with Miss Tang; you two sisters should have a good talk." He glanced at Tang Qingxuan, who felt her heart flutter wildly, secretly sighing, wondering what had come over her—she could not bear his gaze, and the only thought in her mind was that if he would say he loved her, even dying for him in this lifetime would be worth it.

Long Xi Yue, Tang Qingxuan, and the others departed; Tang Tiehan also bade farewell to Hu Xiaotian. Having come to Dongliang Jun this time, he happened to be visiting a few friends; Hu Xiaotian asked him to come tomorrow to attend the banquet together, and Tang Tiehan gladly accepted.

On the way to the Hall of Benevolence together with Wesa, Hu Xiaotian heard Wesa say, "Master, that Miss Tang seems to like you." As the saying goes, those involved are confused while observers see clearly; Wesa had been watching from the side and had already sensed the subtlety in Tang Qingxuan's gaze toward Hu Xiaotian. Wesa himself is a master of soul-capturing technique, and few can match him in reading hearts.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and recounted to Wesa his past with Tang Qingxuan; hearing it, Wesa couldn't help but giggle and said, "She likes you."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Many women like me."

Wesa glared at him fiercely: "Master, you're annoying."

Hu Xiaotian did not expect the usually obedient and gentle Wesa to say he was annoying; he laughed and asked, "How am I annoying?"

Wesa replied, "There are so many beauties in the world; you can't possibly occupy them all, can you?"

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing: "Are you jealous?"

"No, I'm just afraid you'll be too weary."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Not weary; you'll find out tonight."

Wesa, embarrassed, wrinkled her nose and said, "I'm the door‑blocker."

As they spoke, they arrived outside the Hall of Benevolence and noticed many beggars nearby. Hu Xiaotian found it strange, for under his governance Dongliang Jun had been thriving and its people lived in prosperity and stability; beggars were rarely seen on the streets, yet today they not only appeared but were gathered in large numbers. He glanced at them and saw that one of the beggars was a fifth‑generation disciple of the Beggars' Sect; perhaps they had come to Dongliang Jun to pay respects to the new sect leader, Long Xi Yue. But why had they assembled here? The beggars all looked anxious, whispering to one another.

Hu Xiaotian did not ask, and together with Wesa entered the Hall of Benevolence, where they saw Fang Zhintang carrying hot water running inside, with a few beggars also within. Seeing Hu Xiaotian, Fang Zhintang did not bother to greet him and shouted, "Make way, make way!"

Several beggars hurriedly stepped aside, and Hu Xiaotian then saw that they were actually sixth‑generation disciples of the Beggars' Sect. He realized the matter was serious; he and Wesa wanted to follow them inside, but the beggars blocked their path, and the leader said, "Sir, please wait; one of us is injured, and the healer inside is administering aid—please wait a moment."

On Hu Xiaotian's territory in Dongliang Jun, few would dare block his path; Wesa flared with anger and said, "How bold!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and restrained her, then took out an object from his bosom and waved it before the beggars; seeing it, they all dropped to one knee and said respectfully, "We did not know the emissary had arrived; please forgive any offense!" For the object Hu Xiaotian produced was the Star‑Bamboo Token; presenting it is tantamount to the sect leader herself appearing, so these beggars naturally dared not obstruct.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Who exactly is injured inside?"

"Elder Xue!"

Hu Xiaotian hurried inside, and the sight before him startled him.

Fourth more—Zhangyu takes his son out for a meal, then suddenly realizes that this month he has almost every day been facing the computer, never paying attention to his son; tomorrow he will leave home for over twenty days, and thinking of this he feels a sudden sourness: maybe two hours, just to have a meal with his son and exchange a few words; Old Zhangyu will return to fight again! (To be continued~^~)