Chapter 1568

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "You need not be afraid; if you are willing to submit, I can enroll you into the army; if you are unwilling to stay, I will also let you go freely."

Luo Shifeng hearing this finally set his mind at ease; these people were in fact abandoned by Guo Guangbi. Initially they had rebelled from the imperial mausoleum, pursued all the way by Su Yuchi's great army, fleeing in disarray to Prosperous Prefecture, thinking they could escape suffering, but they never imagined the world was as dark as all crows; although Guo Guangbi had initially raised the righteous banner and shouted slogans of serving the people, in fact he only looked after his own interests, never seeing the hardships of his subordinates and the common folk. Arriving in Prosperous Prefecture still failed to solve the food and clothing problem; moreover, they even had to violate their Conscience to plunder the populace. Luo Shifeng and his fellows originally came from poor commoners, so they naturally could not tolerate Guo Guangbi's actions, already harboring thoughts of betrayal; if not for that, Hu Xiaotian would not have taken Prosperous Prefecture so easily.

Hu Xiaotian had Xiong Tianba temporarily assign Luo Shifeng and the others to the engineering unit; these people were originally stonemasons, so putting them in the engineering unit made good use of their skills. Seeing Hu Xiaotian's leniency toward them, Luo Shifeng felt relieved and confided a secret: there was a cellar in Guo Guangbi's manor garden storing many treasures; Hu Xiaotian ordered Luo Shifeng to lead his men into the garden to dig.

In the afternoon, the cellar doors were opened, making Hu Xiaotian feel delighted; the cellar still held many treasures. Guo Guangbi's troop withdrawal was so hasty that he never had time to move the precious treasures out, letting Hu Xiaotian pick up a great bargain.

While Hu Xiaotian was organizing Prosperous Prefecture and tallying the spoils, a standoff occurred near the Yong River South Yang water fort between the Da Yong navy and the Yong River navy led by Li Yongfu; although both sides were tense, no battle had broken out up to now.

At the same time, a Da Yong army formed jointly by Shao Yuan and Jing Bei had completed its mobilization and was swiftly advancing toward Prosperous Prefecture. In fact, this army had already been launched when Hu Xiaotian captured Prosperous Prefecture; its true intention matched his—to seize Prosperous Prefecture with lightning speed—but midway the unit received news that Hu Xiaotian had already taken it a step ahead. This left the force in an extremely awkward predicament: advance and risk a major battle with Hu Xiaotian, or retreat, yet no order to withdraw had come from above. After repeated deliberation, commander Qin Yangming ordered the army to hasten its march, making camp fifty li north of Prosperous Prefecture city, awaiting orders. Originally planned to advance together by water and land with the South Yang navy, the latter was blocked on the Yong River surface and still faces off against Hu Xiaotian's navy flotilla.

Huo Shengnan was directing defenses atop the city wall. Hu Xiaotian quietly came up behind her and gave a light cough; only then did she notice his arrival, turning and smiling, "Aren't you busy digging for gold? How do you have time to come up?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Actually we've dug up quite a few treasures, plus lots of ornaments. Later you can pick some out."

Huo Shengnan said, "I'm not interested in ornaments."

A crane's cry rang from the air; both gazes were drawn upward, where they saw a white light streaking toward them. It was Xia Zhangming returning from scouting the enemy; the Snow Eagle circled once overhead before descending slowly. When it was still three zhang above the ground, Xia Zhangming leapt down from midair, landing lightly before them, and the Snow Eagle swiftly rose, flying due east.

Xia Zhangming clasped his fists before Hu Xiaotian and said, "Greetings, my lord!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "How is it?"

Xia Zhangming said, "On the river surface east of the South Yang water fort, our fleet and the South Yang navy are facing off, both sides currently exercising restraint with no battle yet. The Da Yong army has already advanced to northern Prosperous Prefecture, setting up camp fifty li away, numbering about fifty thousand troops in total."

Huo Shengnan whispered, "Are they planning a water‑land pincer?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "If they wanted to fight they would have charged already; I don't think this battle will happen."

Xia Zhangming said, "Should we notify Chang Fanqi and send troops to Shao Yuan to put pressure on them?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, "No rush; if they don't take the initiative, we'll meet motion with stillness. Prosperous Prefecture is in our hands, we hold the initiative—taking a city and assaulting a city are different matters; under the present circumstances the Da Yong side is unlikely to provoke hostilities."

Just then Xiong Tianba came over—it was the Dakang envoy who had arrived.

Hu Xiaotian's heart skipped a beat; since he and Qiqi had annulled their Marriage Pact, Dakang had cut off contact with him, yet now a Dakang envoy had shown up, not knowing what had happened. He whispered, "Who is the envoy?"

Xiong Tianba grinned, "An old acquaintance, Minister of Rites Wu Jing Shan."

Hu Xiaotian frowned, "Isn't he already retired and returned home?"

Xiong Tianba said, "I'm not entirely sure either; this time he's not alone—there's also a Senior Eunuch."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, unconsciously recalling Qiqi's appearance; this girl was no ordinary person, wondering what scheme she was hatching this time, he immediately followed Xiong Tianba to the commander's residence.

This time two envoys came from Kangdu, both old acquaintances of Hu Xiaotian: one was Minister of Rites Wu Jing Shan, the other was Qiqi's trusted eunuch Quan De'an. Seeing this entourage, Hu Xiaotian already understood that unless it were a major matter, Qiqi would not have dispatched both of them together.

As Hu Xiaotian entered the hall, Wu Jing Shan and Quan De'an were drinking tea; upon seeing Hu Xiaotian come in, Wu Jing Shan rose with a beaming smile, while Quan De'an remained seated, motionless, with a grim face.

Hu Xiaotian clasped his fists and laughed, "What wind blew you two honored guests here?"

Wu Jing Shan smiled, "I've come specially by imperial decree to bestow honors."

Hu Xiaotian felt greatly surprised; Long Xuan'en was already dead, though Qiqi, for some consideration, had not yet announced it publicly. Since he and Qiqi had annulled their Marriage Pact, they had in fact broken free of Dakang's control, so there was no reason to accept Dakang's honors—this was indeed rather abrupt.

Hu Xiaotian invited Wu Jing Shan to sit, glanced at Quan De'an, who uttered not a word the whole time and didn't even greet Hu Xiaotian; Hu Xiaotian knew Wu Jing Shan was merely a puppet, the real envoy being Quan De'an.

Hu Xiaotian sat down with a smile, took a cup of tea brought by a subordinate, inhaled its fragrance, took a light sip, and said, "Imperial honors? I recall being listed as a rebel by the court; Sir Wu, are you mistaken?"

Wu Jing Shan said, "Indeed, after investigation it's proven that all the charges previously levied against Sir Hu were false accusations, pure fabrication; therefore the court has decided to clear Sir Hu's name, not only announcing it to the world but also granting him the title King of Zhenhai!" He rose and produced the imperial edict. Wu Jing Shan also understood Sir Hu could not kneel, hehe laughing, "The Emperor said Sir Hu need not kneel to receive the edict."

Hu Xiaotian said lightly, "If so, Sir Wu, there's no need to read it; just let me look at the edict."

Wu Jing Shan handed the imperial edict to Hu Xiaotian, who unfolded it and read through; indeed it stated that all his crimes were pardoned and he was made King of Zhenhai. Hu Xiaotian inwardly smirked—Qiqi had changed fast, trying to placate him this way? He folded the edict, set it aside, picked up his Chazan, and continued sipping tea.

Wu Jing Shan saw Hu Xiaotian give no response, feeling uneasy; he gazed at Hu Xiaotian, waiting for his reply. Seeing Hu Xiaotian remain silent, he finally couldn't help but ask, "Sir Hu, what do you think?" Since Hu Xiaotian had not agreed, he could not yet be called Prince; indeed Wu Jing Shan well understood that now Hu Xiaotian's wings were full, getting him to bow to Dakang was no easy feat, and Hu Xiaotian might not grant the court this favor.

Hu Xiaotian did not answer his question, but softly said, "I recall Sir Wu already retired to enjoy his old age."

Wu Jing Shan laughed, "The court sent me to help at the Ministry of Rites; if I just left suddenly, no one could take over all those duties at once. I'd rather wait until everything is handed over before leaving—originally I didn't want to depart the capital, but this time the court said it was coming to bestow honors on Sir Hu, knowing that Sir Hu and I had once shared life‑and‑death experiences as sworn brothers, so I came." He especially stressed the experience of having gone through life and death together with Hu Xiaotian, precisely to remind Hu Xiaotian of their past bond and not to act against him.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Our joint mission to Da Yong feels as if it happened just yesterday."

Wu Jing Shan nodded, "Indeed, if Sir Hu weren't both wise and brave, I doubt I'd have made it back to my homeland."

Quan De'an suddenly spoke, "I've heard the Princess Yingyue is none other than Princess Anping; Sir Hu, could you arrange an introduction for our household? It would also help clear up this mystery."

Hu Xiaotian gave Quan De'an a cold glance; this Senior Eunuch was the real envoy, Wu Jing Shan merely a figurehead—and sure enough, as soon as Quan De'an spoke, Wu Jing Shan fell silent.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I've heard the Emperor passed away long ago; the current Emperor is an impostor. Eunuch Quan, can you confirm this for me?"

The two stared at each other coldly, swords drawn, the room's air instantly tense; Wu Jing Shan stood between them, unable to suppress his inner drumming, he forced out a smile and said, "I've heard Guo Guangbi's Back Garden is exquisitely crafted; may I go take a look?"

Hu Xiaotian and Quan De'an paid him no heed; Wu Jing Shan rose, his spirits low, and withdrew silently.

Lu Institute studies still have a week left; Zhangyu will work hard after returning home. Recently this corrupt belly is getting rounder and rounder—please follow Zhangyu's WeChat public account stonesquid (to be continued~^~).