Chapter 1748

Xiao Tianmu shook his head and said: "How could there be so many coincidences in this world?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Since we're all brothers, I might as well just say a few random things."

Xiao Tianmu said, "Then we'll listen attentively!"

Hu Xiaotian slowly set down the wine cup in his hand: "I still overlooked Sir Hu; his layout is deeper and broader than I imagined, and his strength is far greater than I expected. His influence has already permeated Xiangguo State; outsiders only see the facade of the empress dowager holding power, but in fact it's because he hasn't yet moved to act, so he pushed the empress dowager onto the stage. As for Xichuan, there are many like the two of you, perhaps many have already infiltrated every level of Xichuan."

Zhou Mo said nothing, picked up his wine cup and drained it in one gulp.

Hu Xiaotian said: "It seems someone finally can't hold back; he thinks it's time to act, to control Xiangguo State and take Xichuan..." His voice cut off here as he suddenly thought of something extremely terrifying: an isolated Xichuan would be utterly useless; if everything is being orchestrated by Hu Buwei behind the scenes, then his taking of the isolated Xichuan now is essentially Entrapping Oneself, likely to be dragged into a mire by Xichuan, unless he can open Xichuan's southern passage and unite Xichuan and Xiangguo State, but between them lies Redwood River, which is his own territory. Given Hu Buwei's old and crafty nature, he surely wouldn't overlook this. Since Hu Buwei has already begun showing his talent and gradually stepping onto the stage, he will likely also move against Redwood River.

Zhou Mo, who had been silent all along, said: "Third brother, you actually don't need to stay here; since you've already fulfilled your mission, why not choose to leave?"

Hu Xiaotian locked eyes with Zhou Mo and said: "Big brother, are you reminding me?"

Xiao Tianmu said: "You've already obtained one‑quarter of Xichuan's land; why risk it for Dakang? Besides, you don't stand to lose much in this matter."

Hu Xiaotian said: "What if I insist on staying?" He said each word deliberately: "Will you take action against me?"

Zhou Mo lowered his head with some pain; the brothers' relationship had just eased, but the situation was about to push them onto opposing sides.

Xiao Tianmu coughed violently, only after a long while did it subside; he moved his handkerchief away, and Hu Xiaotian saw the shocking blood on it, involuntarily frowning.

Xiao Tianmu said: "Third brother, you can't defeat him!"

Hu Xiaotian knew that the "he" Xiao Tianmu referred to was Hu Buwei; he smiled faintly and said: "I'm just someone who refuses to lose."

Xiao Tianmu said: "He is our benefactor; without him we would already be dead. Being loyal to him means we can only be unjust toward you!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "So when you swore brotherhood, your hearts were already clear—you were merely sent by him to spy on me."

Zhou Mo felt ashamed.

Xiao Tianmu said: "When falsehood is made to seem true, it too becomes false; in fact, often even we ourselves can't tell what's real and what's fake!" He then poured himself a cup of wine, raised it, and said: "There's no banquet that doesn't end; after drinking this cup, we'll each go our separate ways."

Hu Xiaotian's premonition unfortunately came true: Xiangguo State sent troops to Redwood River, and with lightning speed captured Huosho City. Hu Xiaotian had always governed Huosho City by using barbarians to control barbarians, letting the Red Yi people manage themselves while the Beggars' Sect secretly assisted. Although Redwood River had been extremely stable lately, its hidden dangers were not small; now Xiangguo State suddenly turned against him, taking Redwood River as easily as turning over one's hand, without encountering any resistance.

After hearing Meng Guangxiong's report of this emergency, Hu Xiaotian surprisingly remained calm; in fact, while drinking with his two sworn brothers at the Hall of Hundred Herbs earlier, he had already anticipated this, but it was ultimately too late—Redwood River was regained then lost, and all his prior efforts came to nothing. This also means Hu Buwei has already united Xiangguo State, Redwood River, and Xichuan into one, so both his territory and his strength can now rival the traditional powers of Dakang and Da Yong.

Hu Xiaotian whispered: "How are the Beggars' Sect brothers?"

Meng Guangxiong said: "There should be nothing serious; the Xiangguo State troops have stationed in Redwood River, and hardly any fighting occurred. The Red Yi people opened the gates of Huosho City and lined up to welcome them—these barbarians are nothing but wall‑grass." He still felt indignant about this. The Red Yi people abandoned resistance, and the Beggars' Sect wouldn't be foolish enough to clash head‑on with the Xiangguo State army, so naturally there would be no casualties; it's just that Hu Xiaotian's loss of Redwood River amounts to losing a foothold in the southwest.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Redwood River was never my territory to begin with; it was the empress dowager's dowry given to the princess."

Meng Guangxiong said: "This empress dowager of Xiangguo State really—she clearly gave it away, yet now she's taken it back herself."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Do you think she'd do such a flip‑flop? If I'm not mistaken, she's already lost actual control of court affairs."

At this moment someone entered to report—it was Prince Hoge of Shajia arriving. Prince Hoge came late at night for a reason; he too had heard that Redwood River had been occupied by Xiangguo State. To Hu Xiaotian, Redwood River was merely an unexpected gain; its true significance lay in controlling the southern gateway of Xichuan. Now that Xichuan has wholly fallen under Hu Buwei's control, Redwood River in fact faces the predicament of being attacked from front and back. No matter how capable Hu Xiaotian is, the whip is too short to reach, and he can hardly guarantee keeping Redwood River firmly in hand, especially since he has no garrison stationed there. Now that Xiangguo State has taken it bloodlessly, Hu Xiaotian feels a bit of loss, but it's not a major blow; he isn't even eager to reclaim the lost ground. At present, what brews in his mind is nothing but condemnation, not resignation—he can only accept this accomplished fact that he cannot change.

For Prince Hoge, however, this news is even more shocking than for the party involved, Hu Xiaotian. The Shajia people have been attacking Southern Yue and have already occupied over half of its territory; a little more and they could destroy Southern Yue State. Their next step would be to take Redwood River, but Xiangguo State got there first, seizing Redwood River ahead of them—this means the Shajia's eastward advance has been cut off.

The first words Prince Hoge spoke upon seeing Hu Xiaotian were: "Brother, Xiangguo State has betrayed trust and broken righteousness, actually snatching your Redwood River!" He put on an appearance of indignant righteous outrage. Seeing Hu Xiaotian so composed, he assumed Hu Xiaotian hadn't heard the news, and exclaimed in astonishment: "What? You still don't know?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Understood, is there any way?"

Huo Ge said, "One's own land naturally cannot lose even an inch; Tianxiang Country has been so treacherous and faithless, we must join forces to attack it!" (To be continued~^~)