Chapter 1594

Xue Shengjing said: "Liu Changsheng has already been killed by Li Chen Zhou; staying in Da Yong is pointless for you, brother. Why not leave as soon as possible to avoid getting burned?" It sounded as if he were quite concerned for Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian heard the hidden meaning in his words and said softly: "Although Liu Changsheng is dead, Liu Yucheng is still alive; the reason they have fallen to this state is somewhat related to me. As long as there is a sliver of hope, I will help to the end."

Xue Shengjing said: "Brother, you are truly righteous to the point of sacrificing yourself for a friend, not shying away from danger."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I feel the same toward you, elder brother. Since I heard you were in trouble, I've lost my appetite, couldn't sleep peacefully, and tried every means to inquire about your whereabouts; now I can finally set my mind at ease."

Xue Shengjing said: "You are truly my good brother; adversity reveals true feelings. I thought no one cared about my life or death anymore." The two spoke affectionately, yet their words hid falseness; how deep their sworn brotherhood really is, both know clearly—it is merely a union of interests.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder brother, rest assured; your affairs are mine. We are sworn brothers through eight bows, so we should share weal and woe. Moreover, for Huo Xiaoru's sake I will also help you."

Xue Shengjing originally felt somewhat moved, but upon hearing the end he realized the remark was off—apparently it was still for the sake of his daughter's face. Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, you're simply shameless! You and I are sworn brothers; by seniority you should be Huo Xiaoru's uncle. How could an uncle harbor designs on his own niece? He did not utter these words, and he also understood that Hu Xiaotian was deliberately saying this for his benefit, pretending not to understand. He smiled and said: "With these words from you, elder brother can rest easy; Li Chen Zhou is actually a common enemy of ours!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Between him and me, there is really no personal grudge."

Xue Shengjing said: "I have heard that Princess Yingyue has already become the chief of the Beggars' Sect, and the split of the Northern Beggars' Sect is known throughout the world. Princess Yingyue is your fiancée, younger brother, so the affairs of the Beggars' Sect must naturally concern you as well." Xue Shengjing, being extremely crafty and treacherous, would not believe that Hu Xiaotian had come to Da Yong risking such great danger solely for the lives of Liu Changsheng and his son; there must be another motive behind this.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder brother, your information is quite well-informed."

Xue Shengjing said: "I have heard that Princess Yingyue has already become the chief of the Beggars' Sect, and the split of the Northern Beggars' Sect is known throughout the world. Princess Yingyue is your fiancée, younger brother, so the affairs of the Beggars' Sect must naturally concern you as well." Saying this, a gloomy killing intent burst from Xue Shengjing's eyes.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder brother, could it be that you intend to do it yourself?" From Xue Shengjing's words, he had already sensed that Xue Shengjing wanted to use him; although one of Hu Xiaotian's purposes for this trip was to eliminate Shangguan Tianhuo and his son, he also did not want to be used by Xue Shengjing for nothing.

Xue Shengjing said: "Younger brother, don't overthink it; I, your elder brother, have become a target of public criticism and cannot show myself openly, but I still have some influence in Yongdu. Li Chen Zhou uses underhanded means to coerce those old officials. Although his tyranny forces submission, their hearts may not truly submit. As long as we successfully cut off his henchmen, his strength will surely be severely weakened. Seizing the opportunity will certainly allow us to regain power."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought: The internal strife of Da Yong is of little relevance to me. Who becomes emperor I don't care about, but Xue Shengjing is right in saying that he cannot allow Shangguan Tianhuo and his son to grow unchecked, nor can he let the Northern Beggars' Sect split apart. On this point, he and Xue Shengjing share common interests.

Xue Shengjing thought Hu Xiaotian was still hesitating, and he said softly: "If you and I work together wholeheartedly, turning the tide may not be impossible. Should I someday regain Da Yong's authority, I will forever be on good terms with you, younger brother, and I will also present the lands south of Shaoyuan City as a gift to you. What do you think?"

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but chuckle inside; Xue Shengjing was merely painting a big pie for him. He has already been forced by Li Chen Zhou to hide his identity, trembling like a stray dog, yet he dares to promise things that aren't his. Since we have already decided to cooperate with Xue Shengjing, we might as well ask for more benefits from him. Hu Xiaotian said: "Regarding Liu Yucheng's matter, elder brother, do you still have a way?"

Xue Shengjing said: "Liu Yucheng was never an important figure anyway; Liu Changsheng is dead and the charge of plotting against the empress dowager has been confirmed, so Liu Yucheng's life or death has become irrelevant. In that case, I have a way to rescue him." He spoke with full confidence, intending to show Hu Xiaotian his capability, effectively telling him not to think that because he is in trouble he cannot accomplish much.

Upon hearing those words, Hu Xiaotian felt not gratitude or joy, but rather disgust toward Xue Shengjing. This remark shows that Xue Shengjing originally had the ability to rescue Liu Changsheng and his son, yet he deliberately made excuses and sent Hu Xiaotian to seek Xue Lingjun's help, revealing his hypocrisy and baseness. Although everything has become fact, complaining is useless; since Xue Shengjing confidently asserted he could rescue Liu Yucheng, he must have planted many informants within Huangcheng.

Hu Xiaotian clearly realized that Xue Shengjing and Xue Lingjun, as siblings, differ in no way here; they both use the same conditions to coerce him into helping. However, Xue Lingjun uses the lives of Liu Changsheng and his son to threaten him into killing Jian Rongxin, whereas Xue Shengjing uses Liu Yucheng's life as a bargaining chip for cooperation. Killing Jian Rongxin would go against Hu Xiaotian's conscience, but dealing with Shangguan Tianhuo, Qiu Xian'guang and their ilk aligns with his interests. Thus his cooperation with Xue Shengjing is a case of each taking what they need, both profiting.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder brother, do you know Huo Xiaoru's whereabouts?"

Xue Shengjing was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood the purpose behind Hu Xiaotian's question—this kid is insatiably greedy; not only does he want me to help rescue people, he also wants to snatch my precious daughter along the way. However, this is not entirely Hu Xiaotian's fault; earlier, when he had Hu Xiaotian help resolve the Bohai Sea crisis, he had already hinted at marrying his daughter to him. Xue Shengjing smiled and said: "What is yours will eventually be yours; after this matter, I will arrange for you to meet." This amounts to clearly telling Hu Xiaotian that he also knows Huo Xiaoru's whereabouts.

Hu Xiaotian cursed Xue Shengjing heartily; this bastard truly has not a single truthful word. If it weren't for Huo Xiaoru, he would never acknowledge this scoundrel as his father-in-law.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Please explain your plan!"

Xue Shengjing nodded and said: "Although Li Chen Zhou and Lingjun have temporarily taken control of the court, they still have two major shortcomings. First, the economy: over these years, Da Yong's economic lifeline has long been in my grasp; if I wish, I can at any time cut off all of Da Yong's trade routes. Second, militarily: although Li Chen Zhou enjoys high prestige in the army, his influence lies mainly in the navy; over these years, many commanders in Da Yong's southern forces have been replaced, and many of his confidants have been installed, yet his influence over the northern garrison is negligible."

Hu Xiaotian had also gained a deep understanding of the situation within Da Yong's military. Over the past two years, Da Yong's north has been locked in fierce battle with the Black Hu; the commander leading the northern resistance against the Black Hu is Weichi Chong, a man of high virtue and prestige, a top figure in Da Yong's army. Although Li Chen Zhou's influence has grown daily these past two years, he still lags far behind Weichi Chong in prestige.

Xue Shengjing said: "According to reliable intelligence, Weichi Chong has been summoned by the golden tablet and is coming to Yongdu to mourn; he will arrive shortly. If we can win his support, reversing the situation will naturally be no problem."

Hu Xiaotian said: "How do you know Weichi Chong won't side with Li Chen Zhou?"

Xue Shengjing sighed: "I, too, am torn over this matter; if Weichi Chong chooses to side with Li Chen Zhou, then I will have no choice but to leave Yongdu." The implication is that his reason for staying in Yongdu now is that he believes there is still a chance to turn the tables.

Hu Xiaotian said: "What exactly is the relationship between Xue Lingjun and Li Chen Zhou?" This matter had long troubled him, and he finally could not help but ask.

Xue Shengjing gave a bitter smile: "I am puzzled as to why they joined forces; to explain their relationship, we must go back many years. At that time, my mother intended to betroth Lingjun to Li Chen Zhou, and she sent someone to sound out the Li family's intentions. Prince Jingguo Li Mingshu readily agreed, but when it came to Li Chen Zhou himself, he refused, causing our royal family to lose face. Had it not been for the Li family's great contributions to Da Yong, we would certainly not have let him off lightly. Although Lingjun says nothing aloud, she harbors intense hatred for Li Chen Zhou in her heart; I truly never imagined they would cooperate."

Hu Xiaotian also had not expected that, during his time in Bohai Guo, Li Chen Zhou had also wanted to eliminate Xue Lingjun altogether; perhaps the various dangers Lingjun faced then were merely a facade staged for his benefit? Upon reflection, however, the situation then did not seem feigned.

Xue Shengjing said: "Fate plays tricks; circumstances force them, so their alliance must be driven by interest. Although Lingjun is clever, she ultimately cannot match Li Chen Zhou; her cooperation with him is essentially seeking skin from a tiger. Li Chen Zhou, ambitious as he is, truly aims to seize the realm of Da Yong."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Prince Ming Xue Daoming is also a shrewd figure; why would he willingly be used by them this time?"

Xue Shengjing said: "This is a long story; since the death of Princess Anping, Xue Daoming has become muddled and confused, also disappointing many of his veteran supporters who had backed him. Although he has now ascended the throne, he is merely a puppet."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have heard that Consort Dong Shu has also died?"

Xue Shengjing nodded and said: "This massacre may merely be the beginning."

This is the final chapter of the month; because it is a scheduled update, it may be posted in April. (To be continued~^~)