Chapter 1701

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly, Lao hulí Xie Jian at this moment still wanted to bluster; he calmly said: "Mr. Xie, everyone is a sensible person, saying such things now seems meaningless."

Xie Jian's face showed embarrassment; indeed, the matter has come to this, if he says such things again it would only appear shallow; he sighed and said: "You have already gotten what you wished for, why come here? Do you truly intend to exterminate us all?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have always admired Mr. Xie, but it's a pity that Mr. Xie has hidden his talent like a Bright Pearl, never able to display his ambitions; how could this tiny Ji City showcase Mr. Xie's true abilities?"

Xie Jian gave a bitter smile: "I, Xie, harbor no grand ambitions, only seeking a modest peace; now that our lord has met misfortune, after seeing to his funeral arrangements I will find a quiet place to retire in seclusion. Rest assured, I will never be your enemy from now on."

Hu Xiaotian said: "In these chaotic times, do you think you can obtain the tranquility you desire?"

Xie Jian said softly: "As long as one can keep the inner peace, worldly disturbances will not intrude."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I merely feel sorry for you, Mr. Xie; Guo Guangbi and his son are not capable of great undertakings, they are cruel and short-sighted; initially they held the advantage of Xingzhou, with nearly a hundred thousand troops, yet they ignored your counsel, repeatedly made foolish moves, which led to their defeat at Ji City, causing them to be abandoned by allies and fall into today's situation. After Guo Guangbi's death, his followers did not unite but rushed to seize power and profit, internal division inevitable; with your wisdom, you cannot fail to see where the future will head."

Xie Jian said: "I can't be bothered with these trivial matters."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Is that really the case? If you pay no attention, this leaderless Ji City will surely become a loose collection of sand, perhaps each will go their own way, fighting to the death over power and profit; outside lies the Ankang Prairie, the Han'erjin tribe now under joint attack by the other seven tribes. The Ankang Prairie has no defensible positions; the most suitable place should be here. Moreover, your forces have conscripted many Dangyi tribesmen; if there is internal and external cooperation, do you think you can hold the city? Even if you abandon the city and flee, where would the people of Ji City go?"

Xie Jian pressed his lips together; his expression was hesitant.

Hu Xiaotian said: "If Mr. Xie just leaves like this, how will outsiders view you? As the chief strategist under Guo Guangbi, do you think you won't bear responsibility for his defeat? Would you willingly leave a stain on your name?"

Xie Jian sighed: "What exactly do you want?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "He who knows the times is a true talent; Mr. Xie, can you not see the great trends of the world? Do you not wish to accomplish something in your lifetime?"

Xie Jian looked at Hu Xiaotian and said: "If I refuse to agree, will you use a counter-espionage plot to get rid of me?"

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help laughing: "Mr. Xie's death would bring me no benefit, and his living would pose no further threat to me. But if Mr. Xie is willing to help me, I can secure the frontiers, and Mr. Xie can prove his abilities anew, letting the world know that Guo Guangbi's downfall was not due to Mr. Xie's inability, but because Guo Guangbi never gave Mr. Xie enough room."

Xie Jian's heart stirred; Hu Xiaotian's words appealed to reason and emotion, clearly showing what he desired. Xie Jian was not a person lacking ambition. As Hu Xiaotian said, Guo Guangbi was not a wise lord. Although outwardly courteous to him, in crucial decisions he remained arbitrary and domineering; it was Guo Guangbi's repeated mistaken decisions that led to today's defeat.

Now Guo Guangbi's forces are reduced to Ji City alone; these remaining followers could accomplish nothing. Xie Jian knew that if he gave up now, he would bear a large share of responsibility for Guo Guangbi's defeat; carrying such a reputation, who would employ him? Even with grand ambitions, what chance would he have to act? The only one who would accept him is Hu Xiaotian.

Xie Jian said: "Tomorrow at noon I will invite monks to hold a memorial service for our lord at the Lingkong Tower; all commanders should be present, and there will likely be a great fire."

Hu Xiaotian looked at Xie Jian, a faint smile touching his lips; Xie Jian was indeed wise, his words indicating he had chosen his side, wanting to set things right, thus Xie Jian must eliminate any possible obstacles.

The next day at noon, the Lingkong Tower northwest of Ji City suddenly caught fire; at that time, the chief commanders under Guo Guangbi were on the tower's top conducting a memorial for Guo Guangbi and his son. The Lingkong Tower was of wooden construction, the fire raged fiercely, the entire pagoda was burned to ashes. Everyone inside perished except Xie Jian, who had left midway for some reason; the others all died, most burned to death, while three chose to leap from the tower to escape, but jumping from such a height inevitably resulted in their bodies being shattered.

When the Lingkong Tower burned, all of Ji City could see it clearly. Hu Xiaotian and his followers had entered the city earlier that morning; now Hu Xiaotian stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Zong Tang and Liang Yinghao in the courtyard of Fengsha Hall, gazing at the thick smoke rolling from the Lingkong Tower. Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed: Xie Jian was indeed ruthless, burning the Lingkong Tower to wipe out Guo Guangbi's underlings in one sweep—such a method of eliminating rivals is truly swift and decisive. In extraordinary times one must take extraordinary measures; Xie Jian's actions are hardly blameworthy.

Zong Tang and Liang Yinghao were unaware of the details; Zong Tang said: "It's on fire."

Liang Yinghao said: "Repeated injustice brings self‑destruction; even Heaven can't look on any longer."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly: "With Guo Guangbi's death, it's natural that the tree falls and the monkeys scatter; his rabble of followers have no strength to hold Ji City."

Liang Yinghao knew Hu Xiaotian had sneaked into Ji City overnight the previous night, but he was unaware of what Hu Xiaotian had done there.

At that moment, the owner of Fengsha Hall, Fu Xing, came running in, out of breath, shouting: "Something big has happened! Something big has happened!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Master Fu, what has you so alarmed?"

Fu Xing composed himself and said: "Today all the commanders went to the Lingkong Tower to hold a memorial for Guo Guangbi and his son; for some reason it suddenly caught fire, those inside hardly escaped, most were burned alive inside, and some jumped from the tower and were killed outright on impact."

Hu Xiaotian had long been prepared for this; he said softly: "It actually happened—did Xie Jian die?"

Fu Xing replied: "No, I just went over there and saw him organizing firefighting and rescue efforts."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Master Fu, go inquire again and see who exactly has died."

Fu Xing nodded and turned to leave.

Liang Yinghao, seeing Hu Xiaotian's expression, vaguely guessed the matter might be related to him, and was just about to ask when

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder Brother Liang, I want you and the bear kid to stay in Ji City for a while."

Liang Yinghao said: "Yes!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I expect it won't be long before Xie Jian submits to us; though Ji City is small, it is indeed an important gateway beyond the borders, and the only city surrounding the Ankang Prairie, its strategic importance cannot be overlooked."

Liang Yinghao, hearing this, already guessed Hu Xiaotian had persuaded Xie Jian; he smiled and said: "Whatever the lord says, I will do—just that the bear kid is not easy to manage."

Zong Tang volunteered: "Let me stay instead; the bear kid only listens to you—keeping him here, we must absolutely avoid any trouble."

Hu Xiaotian thought, and indeed it was so: Xiong Tianba fears nothing more than himself; if he leaves his sight, this boy knows not what trouble he might cause. He nodded and said: "All right, this fire is Mr. Xie's token of allegiance. Liang Yinghao, you can have Fu Xing act as intermediary to contact Mr. Xie, assisting him in quickly stabilizing the troops' morale in Ji City,"

The Ankang Prairie remained bitterly cold, while Kangdu in Jiangnan was already bathed in bright spring sunshine. Inside the Diligent Governance Hall, Qiqi listened as Grand Tutor Wen Chenghuan and Chancellor Zhou Ruiyuan successively reported the latest national conditions and fiscal revenues and expenditures; a hint of relieved smile appeared on her lovely face. Various signs indicate that Dakang will again enjoy a bountiful year this year, even better than last; this once‑ailing ancient empire has begun a slow recovery.

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "Your Highness the Princess, this year the weather north of the Yong River is abnormal; after spring began there were two more snowfalls, the wheat seedlings froze over a wide area, so the autumn harvest may fall short."

Qiqi nodded: "Very good!"

Wen Chenghuan felt a vague discomfort upon hearing those two words from her; this little lass was clearly gloating over others' misfortunes. Da Yong is his native land; in Wen Chenghuan's heart he naturally wishes Da Yong to flourish and prosper day after day. He constantly monitors Da Yong's situation; every move of his son tugs at his heartstrings. Li Chenghou's ambition is now known to all; everyone knows that the actual power of Da Yong lies in Li Chenghou's hands. When Wen Chenghuan first started, he felt some panic and unease, even some guilt; he changed his name and abandoned his wife and children to come to Dakang, all to help Da Yong move southward and prepare for the unification of the Central Plains. But now his son's actions run contrary to his own; his son has single‑handedly taken control of the Xue dynasty that he once loyally served and struggled for all his life.

Not long after, Wen Chenghuan began to accept this fact; indeed, after the death of his beloved son Wen Boyuan, his innermost self repeatedly questioned himself: were his years of sacrifice worthwhile? What had he gained? What had the Li family gained? He is now advanced in age, his time in this world limited; his son is his sole hope, and compared to Da Yong's fate, the son's future clearly outweighs it. Especially after Li Chenghou took control of the Da Yong court, Wen Chenghuan's heart has been completely transformed; the only thing unchanged is his original intention to bring harm to Dakang—he will exert himself to the utmost to help his son achieve greatness. (To be continued~^~)