Chapter 1741

Huo Ge said: "Actually, I don't really understand him."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Big Brother, who do you think gained the most from Marshal Li's death?"

Huo Ge pressed his lips, this question he had already thought about long ago; Dakang was rumored to be the true mastermind behind the assassination of Li Tianheng, so Dakang obviously was not the one who gained the benefit. As for Shajia, because of the earthquake in Xichuan and also because Shajia focused on the war against Southern Yue, they have recently taken a wait-and-see attitude toward Xichuan, so they naturally gained no benefit from it. Such a dying little state as Southern Yue? The horse bandits of Heavenly Wolf Mountain? These two could hardly stir up any big waves. As for the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, although they sent envoys, Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom does not border Xichuan directly; to obtain direct benefit they would have to cross the Red Wood River.

The only thing left is internal Xichuan. His brother-in-law Li Honghan is undoubtedly a vested interest holder; after Li Tianheng's death, he naturally inherited everything, becoming the actual ruler of Xichuan. Hu Xiaotian's words clearly imply that he himself suspects Li Honghan as the most suspicious person; this time his accusation that Dakang plotted Li Tianheng's murder is basically a thief shouting "catch the thief". Often when faced with an overly complicated situation, there's no need to carefully consider its subtleties; the deeper one thinks, the easier it is to be misled by tangled details. Observing the surface with the simplest mindset might easily reveal the key. "All the hustle and bustle of the world is for profit; all the coming and going is for profit." Hu Xiaotian's remark clearly hit the mark.

Huo Ge thought for a while then said: "Li Honghan actually has no real ability!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, he deeply agreed with Huo Ge's judgment; he had interacted with Li Honghan more than once, and in several skirmishes Li Honghan had never beaten him; now the two are no longer on the same level. Li Honghan is narrow-minded, eager for quick gains, envious of talent and ability—what capability does such a person have to control Xichuan?

Hu Xiaotian said: "After Marshal Li's death, everyone thought there might be internal turmoil in Xichuan, but what no one expected was that Xichuan not only did not descend into chaos, the military was instead orderly; this indicates two possibilities: one, Li Honghan is a person of great wisdom hiding behind foolishness, having always pretended, and he indeed possesses the talent to govern the world and extraordinary charisma, able to quickly win over hearts and make the Xichuan troops wholeheartedly devoted to him."

A hint of disdain appeared at the corner of Huo Ge's mouth; given his understanding of Li Honghan, Li Honghan absolutely lacks such ability, let alone such charm.

Hu Xiaotian continued: "Having ruled out that possibility, it must be that Li Honghan has an expert advising him, capable of controlling the Xichuan troops and stabilizing morale in such a short time; this person is certainly no nobody in Xichuan, and with just a little thought we could identify them."

Huo Ge's eyes lit up involuntarily; Hu Xiaotian's calm mind and meticulous thinking made him secretly admire him; fortunately this time Hu Xiaotian and he are not on opposing sides, for anyone to have an opponent like him would be extremely troublesome. Huo Ge said: "After the father-in-law Sir's death, Li Honghan moved to suppress a faction advocating peace; on the surface this was to draw a clear line with Dakang and investigate internal suspects, but in reality it was to eliminate rivals."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Marshal Li's chief strategist Yao Wenqi was also imprisoned; it is said that he had strongly urged Marshal Li to submit to Dakang."

Huo Ge said: "Li Honghan is currently in mourning; many external affairs have been delegated to Yang Haoran! This person is the adopted son of the Grand Marshal."

Hu Xiaotian naturally had heard of Yang Haoran's name; he smiled and said: "Before acknowledging Marshal Li as his father, this person had been the adopted son of Zhao Yanjiang, but later likewise turned against family, informing Marshal Li of the plan by Lin Zefeng and Zhao Yanjiang to rescue the Prince of Zhou and return to Dakang, and personally led troops to capture them."

Huo Ge frowned: "So saying, Yang Haoran is very suspicious?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yang Haoran is not old, even younger than Li Honghan; to rise to a high position in the Xichuan military at such a young age shows his scheming, and in just a few years he has always ended up on the victorious side—such foresight is not common."

Huo Ge said: "If the father-in-law's death was indeed due to internal trouble, then this matter must have been planned long ago."

Hu Xiaotian raised his wine bowl, and the two again drank a bowl together.

Huo Ge said: "But there's one thing I still can't figure out: Xichuan now faces internal and external troubles, barely able to hold on; with the father-in-law's death, the situation will only worsen—could they have lost their minds, insisting on doing something that hurts kin and pleases enemies?" He lifted his eyes: "Is Dakang massing troops at the border, preparing to attack Xichuan?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If Dakang intended to attack Xichuan, why would they send me here? Big Brother should know that although Dakang's condition has improved over the past two years, its vitality has not recovered, and it is insufficient to support a war of this scale." Since he wanted to cooperate with Huo Ge, he might as well be more frank.

Huo Ge laughed: "What Dakang should really be wary of is you? If they attacked Xichuan, they might suffer a backstab."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Big Brother, do you think I'm someone who profits from chaos?"

Huo Ge said meaningfully: "In this Xichuan earthquake, little brother, you have seized quite a bit of territory; almost all of Xichuan's northeast has fallen under your control; I admire your methods wholeheartedly."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Everyone thinks I've taken a huge advantage, but who knows my suffering? If Big Brother went to that place and walked around, he'd find several cities reduced to ruins, the populace displaced, suffering beyond words; to relieve the victims, I have now begun to tighten my belt."

Huo Ge silently cursed this guy for taking advantage and acting innocent, then smiled: "One must not look only at immediate gain but consider long-term benefits; I don't know how others see it, but I deeply approve of your approach, Brother; if it were me I would certainly do the same, though I might not be able to do it better than you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If Big Brother likes it, I'll give you that place." He was just talking nonsense; with such distance between them, even if he were willing to give it, Huo Ge couldn't actually control it.

Huo Ge certainly understood that Hu Xiaotian was also just being insincere; he chuckled: "Such a big gift I dare not accept, but if Brother is willing to hand over Xiezhou to me, I would be content."

Xiezhou is not Hu Xiaotian's territory; he naturally has no authority over it, and even if Huo Ge were utterly clueless, he would still know this. Hu Xiaotian hehe laughed; he could hardly fail to hear that Huo Ge was setting a condition: if the two joined forces to take Xichuan, Huo Ge wanted to take a share of Xiezhou's land. Xichuan's fertile plains stretch for thousands of miles, the land is rich, but most of it is concentrated around Xiezhou; as for the northeastern region currently occupied by Hu Xiaotian, it is undulating mountains, incomparable to Xiezhou—Huo Ge indeed had a well-laid plan.

Hu Xiaotian readily nodded: "If that day ever comes, Big Brother, just take it." He spoke so generously, after all Xiezhou doesn't belong to him anyway.

Huo Ge said: "It's settled."

"It's settled!"

The two clinked their wine bowls, eyes met, and both laughed again; actually neither took the other's words seriously. After finishing the bowl, Hu Xiaotian asked: "Big Brother, do you know any news about the Prince of Zhou now?"

Huo Ge shook his head: "I heard he's at Qiuhua Palace; I can help inquire."

Hu Xiaotian leaned forward, lowered his voice: "Also, there's the matter of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom's envoy; I hope Big Brother can investigate it."

Huo Ge nodded: "If there's any news, I'll inform Brother right away!"

At Xizhou Qiyuan Hall, the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom's envoy Zhou Mo pushed open the southernmost room of the east wing; the first thing he heard was a series of coughs.

Xiao Tianmu coughed severely; a white handkerchief pressed hard over his mouth, his body hunched like a shrimp, as if trying to cough out his lungs; after a long time it finally eased, his pale face also showed two flushes; moving the handkerchief aside, his dim eyes could see nothing, yet he could smell a strong scent of blood, which came from within his body.

A sigh came from behind; Zhou Mo handed him a clean cotton towel.

Xiao Tianmu wiped the blood from his lips, softly sighed: "Big Brother, it seems my days are numbered."

Zhou Mo said: "There will always be a way..." paused then added: "Our adoptive father will not ignore your condition."

A bitter smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Tianmu's mouth; the flush from violent coughing had quickly faded, his skin now looked as pale as paper, the veins on his forehead stood out prominently, as if he might at any moment break through that thin skin. He whispered: "I now realize that the greatest sorrow of living in this world is not being blind, but being unable to free oneself from others' bonds."

Zhou Mo patted his shoulder: "Don't think too much; since you've chosen this path, you can only keep going."

Xiao Tianmu said: "I don't like this life."

"I don't like it either, but we have no choice left." Zhou Mo's eyes were dim and sorrowful.

Xiao Tianmu drew a deep breath, trying to lift his spirits, but this fresh air only irritated his sensitive, fragile lungs, and he began to cough loudly again.

Zhou Mo looked at him with worry.

After Xiao Tianmu's coughing finally subsided, he gasped: "Have we made contact?"

Zhou Mo nodded: "We have met..." followed by a long silence.

Xiao Tianmu sensed something and whispered: "What did he say?"

Zhou Mo said: "Dakang has come this time to posthumously honor Li Tianheng; guess who they sent as the imperial commissioner?"

"Third Brother?" Xiao Tianmu blurted out.

Zhou Mo looked at Xiao Tianmu with surprise, really unable to fathom how he came to know this (to be continued~^~)