Chapter 1708

Shajia truly cares about Redwood River; after Redwood River fell into Hu Xiaotian's hands, they turned their gaze to Southern Yue, which in the past year has already invaded and swallowed nearly one-third of Southern Yue's territory. Although Southern Yue had long been allied with Xichuan's Li Tianheng, Li Tianheng only cared about seeking a breakthrough from the northeast; after Yunyang's great defeat he could barely look after himself, let alone attend to Southern Yue's affairs. Now Southern Yue's territory is constantly being squeezed, already facing the danger of extinction.

Hu Xiaotian had long heard of those matters; the Shajia people, in a sense, are like Heihu; they both harbor great ambition, longing one day to dominate the Central Plains. However, Heihu's greatest enemy in his southern invasion is the mighty Da Yong, whereas the Shajia people's greatest test is the perilous mountainous forest environment; even if they could conquer Southern Yue, to enter the Central Plains they would first have to cross those layered, overlapping mountains.

Herdan laughed at Hu Xiaotian's question: "No matter how good the Central Plains is, it can't compare to my homeland; the moon is brighter over my hometown! Leaving that aside, just the damp climate here is hard for me to endure."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Just now, when I came to your camp, I almost thought I had arrived at the great grassland."

Herdan said: "This is called big? When you reach our Skycover Grassland, you'll know what a true grassland is; you lot are merely a meadow."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If the Central Plains is so bad, why do so many people still want to lead troops to invade and dominate the Central Plains?"

Herdan naturally could hear the implication in Hu Xiaotian's words, smiling: "Remember when I once asked my father khan, I said our tribe possesses endless cattle, sheep, and fine horses, and inexhaustible pastures; why then do we still attack other tribes? You guess how my father khan answered me?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled at Herdan, not speaking. Yet he could guess that Sangmuza, this generation's hegemon, would answer in an unexpected way.

Herdan said: "He said, a person lives but a short hundred years; the place of survival need not be vast, yet the human heart is higher than heaven. The Eternal Heaven gives you the opportunity to come into this world; you must prove it to him. Prove you are an iron-willed man; prove you have not lived in vain."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly; he did not believe Sangmuza's claim. Invasion is absolutely not for proving one's ability; plundering resources and wealth is the true purpose. Sangmuza says this merely to find a noble pretext for his aggression. Hu Xiaotian whispered: "Hearing you say that, I too cannot help but feel the urge to prove myself."

Herdan laughed loudly: "Highland vultures rarely come to circle over the Central Plains, and the Central Plains' kingfishers cannot adapt to the highland's bitter cold; in this world, everything actually has its proper place……" He paused, then said: "Jiangnan may be fine, but it does not suit me. Ambition is not the same as heroic spirit; war always harms the common folk. I wish the world to be peaceful, preferably forever without war."

Hu Xiaotian, moved by his words, gained a new respect for Herdan. Though this man looks rough, his thoughts are quite delicate; he has his own unique view of the situation.

While slightly tipsy, Herdan said: "I heard Elder Brother Hu has newly taken Ji City."

Hu Xiaotian also had no need to conceal, smiling: "It's just a border fortress small town; I originally had no intention of occupying it. It was only because Guo Guangbi and his son attacked my caravan that I was forced to act."

Herdan said: "Although Ji City is small, it is the most important city on the Peaceful Grassland; holding Ji City equals controlling the gateway into the Peaceful Grassland."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "The Peaceful Grassland cannot compare to your Skycover Grassland; in your eyes it is merely a meadow."

Herdan wanted to say something, but in the end he still didn't say it.

Their conversation was interrupted by Mengya's cheerful laughter; then Mengya and Zhao Wusheng came over one after another, Mengya's beautiful eyes sparkling bright, clearly delighted at the arrival of her beloved. Herdan's gaze swept over Zhao Wusheng, then flicked to his own sister; Mengya felt rather shy under his look.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Brother Wusheng, come over and drink together."

Zhao Wusheng had by now fully recovered from the fright of the high-altitude ordeal; he nodded with a smile, just about to sit down when a warrior from Hu Xiaotian's retinue came to report news: it was Bohai King Yan Dongsheng who had sent the Eldest Princess Yan Dongqing over, accompanied by Bohai State's richest man, Zou Yong. Even back when they were in Bohai State, Hu Xiaotian knew there had been an ambiguous relationship between the two; after enduring Bohai State's turmoil, it seems this lovebird pair has not been torn apart.

Such distinguished guests, Hu Xiaotian certainly had to personally receive them; after Yan Dongqing arrived, she took up residence in one of the lodgings Hu Xiaotian had prepared, not far from where Herdan's envoy had set up camp.

Hu Xiaotian rose to bid farewell to Herdan, and Zhao Wusheng left with him.

To be honest, we owe it to Herdan for voluntarily choosing to camp on the grass; otherwise, Hu Xiaotian's six prepared lodgings would hardly be enough to accommodate all the incoming guests.

Leaving the Shajia camp, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but smile at Zhao Wusheng: "How is it? Have you managed to win her over?"

Zhao Wusheng blushed: "I'm merely expressing my feelings; my lord, don't think badly of it."

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: "I think this princess is not bad; since she came forward on her own, Brother Wusheng, you'd be remiss not to act— as a man, you ought to take the initiative in such matters, or else hurry up and propose."

Zhao Wusheng said: "She slipped out this time; Herdan probably can't call the shots."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Nothing in the world is difficult; at worst you could sneak her away. I think Herdan would also turn a blind eye; there's nothing to be done about taking this sister. As for Sangmuza's side, even if he were the Shajia khan, what could he do? Mountains high, waters far, thousands of miles away—I don't believe he could still muster troops to come attack us."

Zhao Wusheng laughed: "After all, we can't let this matter turn father and daughter against each other."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't overthink it; as long as you seize the time, strive actively, and have a few more sons, by then Sangmuza will have nothing to say."

Zhao Wusheng gave a wry smile: "Still early, still early!"

They arrived at the lodging of the Bohai State envoy; after reporting in, they heard that Eldest Princess Yan Dongqing had already gone to sleep. To be turned away at one's own doorstep was something Hu Xiaotian hadn't expected, though he could understand it—after all, back when they were in Bohai State he had once schemed against Yan Dongqing and Zou Yong; later, although he reached an agreement with Yan Dongsheng, Yan Dongqing might not be able to let go of past grievances, and this visit was also carried out under orders.

Hu Xiaotian also saw no reason to disturb; just as he was about to leave, he saw Zou Yong walk out from inside—this fellow didn't avoid suspicion, daring to lodge in the same quarters as Yan Dongqing, unafraid of gossip.

Zou Yong laughed: "Prince, long time no see!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "I thought the Eldest Princess was asleep." That remark was rather blunt, clearly implying that Zou Yong and Yan Dongqing were involved.

Zou Yong gave an embarrassed laugh: "I heard the Eldest Princess really is asleep, and I haven't seen her either." That comment was as obvious as trying to hide silver.

Hu Xiaotian pointed to the waterside pavilion by the lake: "Brother Zou, let's talk over there."

Zou Yong nodded, and he and Hu Xiaotian went into the waterside pavilion. Hu Xiaotian had someone boil water for tea; the two sat by the window. Zou Yong leaned on the rail and looked out—seeing a crescent silver moon rising from the lake's surface, pure moonlight spilling onto the rippling lake, like countless shards of silver floating on the water. Zou Yong, always a cultured gentleman, softly recited: "On a clear spring night, the lake is filled with moonlight."

Hu Xiaotian thought Zou Yong's verses weren't exactly lofty, yet this fellow's pretentious literary airs still appealed to women; Hu Xiaotian clapped: "Good poem, good poem! Brother Zou, you indeed … managed to compose a fine poem!" He deliberately paused at the crucial moment, completely changing the meaning of the sentence.

Zou Yong chuckled: "In the past I heard the Prince was most skilled at … poetry; today I, Zou, moved by the scene, couldn't resist showing off before an expert, making the Prince laugh."

Hu Xiaotian said: "No, no, I can't, I really can't!"

The two exchanged hollow pleasantries, outwardly flattering each other while actually undermining one another in a roundabout way.

Zou Yong said: "I, Zou, have come uninvited; surely the Prince won't take offense at my boldness?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "How could that be? Brother Zou, a guest like you is one I could never invite; your coming truly makes me happy."

Zou Yong smiled: "I have a gift for the Prince." He had prepared it beforehand, producing a box from his sleeve and opening it before Hu Xiaotian's eyes; inside lay a pair of exquisite dragon-and-phoenix jade pendants, their jade warm and lustrous, their carving superbly fine—truly rare in this age. Zou Yong said: "These jade pendants appear plain on the surface, yet they possess the power to ward off poison; cool in summer, warm in winter—truly a rare pair of spirit jade."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "How could I possibly accept such a precious gift?" Yet he had already reached out and taken the pendants.

Zou Yong said: "Only the Prince and the Princess are worthy of this pair of jade pendants." He lifted his teacup, took a sip, then added: "Actually I still have another gift to give the Prince."

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: "How could I possibly feel worthy? It's already plenty precious."

Zou Yong said: "Prince, would you like to know the whereabouts of Shangguan Tianhuo and his son?"

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; Zou Yong indeed came prepared, knowing his grudge with Shangguan Tianhuo and his son. Hu Xiaotian kept his composure: "Brother Zou, being in Bohai State, you're also quite concerned about affairs in the Central Plains."

Zou Yong said: "In the Prince's mind, I, Zou, may seem a man of great ambition; in fact I am not what the Prince imagines."

Hu Xiaotian thought: "This fellow's schemes run deep; believing his words would be foolish."

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