Chapter 1822

Original Chinese:

Li Chen Zhou does want to get rid of Xue Daoming, but the timing is not right. He sent Xue Lingjun on a mission to Dakang because he saw that Dakang was also facing difficulties, and the sudden rise of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom's rebel forces introduced a variable into Dakang's previously stable southern front. In the plans of Li Chen Zhou and Xue Lingjun, they did not anticipate that Hu Xiaotian would join forces with Dakang; although Hu Xiaotian accepted the investiture from the Dakang court, he is actually not under Dakang's control, and this man seizes every opportunity to expand his own territory. In the incident that occurred in Xichuan, Hu Xiaotian turned out to be the actual beneficiary, taking advantage of the situation to seize a large tract of land in northeastern Xichuan. Dakang allowed Xichuan refugees to enter Hu Xiaotian's territory, clearly showing the Dakang court's dissatisfaction with Hu Xiaotian.

Let's translate:

"Li Chen Zhou didn't not want to get rid of Xue Daoming; it's just that the timing wasn't right. This time he sent Xue Lingjun on a mission to Dakang because Li Chen Zhou saw that Dakang was also facing difficulties, and the sudden rise of an unexpected army in the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom introduced a variable into Dakang's hitherto peaceful southern front. In Li Chen Zhou and Xue Lingjun's expectations, they hadn't anticipated that Hu Xiaotian would join forces with Dakang. Although Hu Xiaotian had accepted the investiture from the Dakang court, in reality he was not under Dakang's control, and this fellow seized every opportunity to expand his own territory. When this incident occurred in Xichuan, Hu Xiaotian was the actual beneficiary, taking the opportunity to seize a large tract of land in northeastern Xichuan. Dakang allowed Xichuan refugees to enter Hu Xiaotian's territory, clearly showing the Dakang court's dissatisfaction with Hu Xiaotian."

We need to check the glossary: Li Chen Zhou is romanized as a personal name. Xue Daoming, Xue Lingjun, Dakang, Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom (translated), and Hu Xiaotian are glossary terms. For Dakang court we will use "Dakang Court". Xichuan and Dakang are also glossary terms, and Dakang court appears again.

Make sure to keep numbers etc. No numbers.

Now output as 【1】 translation.

Heavenly Fragrance State erupted in turmoil, Hu Xiaotian's food crisis exploded, and for Dakang it was a perfect opportunity to punish Hu Xiaotian. One of the contents of Xue Lingjun's envoy mission to negotiate with the Dakang court was to join forces to impose an economic blockade on Hu Xiaotian; as long as his territory suffered famine, defeating him would not even require a single soldier. When Dakang's pressure on the southern front suddenly increased, it naturally hoped for a secure rear, so the possibility of Da Yong and Dakang joining forces greatly increased. However, Li Shen Zhou and Xue Lingjun had not anticipated that Hu Xiaotian's relationship with the Dakang court would thaw so quickly; before Xue Lingjun even reached Kangdu, they had already heard that the Dakang court was preparing to send grain aid to Hu Xiaotian.

It would take the Dakang court, whose treasury is not abundant, to allocate grain aid to a former rebel only if both sides renewed their tacit understanding; facts prove that Hu Xiaotian not only gained the Dakang court's forgiveness but also received important appointments. This shows that under heaven there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests; when faced with common interests, any contradiction can be set aside temporarily. Since Hu Xiaotian and Qiqi have turned swords into jade and silk, as long as I offer the conditions Hu Xiaotian wants, re-establishing cooperation is not difficult.

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Elder sister, you've worried yourself sick for your lord!' He did not name names; your lord is certainly not the Da Yong emperor Xue Shengjing, whom Xue Lingjun serves—her lord is Li Shen Zhou, and that is beyond doubt.

Xue Lingjun sighed and said, 'I am a person of bitter fate; this life I can only be destined to worry.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, 'The more things you manage, the more it becomes a habit; you always feel that nothing can be done without you, wanting to have a hand in every matter, but in fact the world is unaffected by anyone's absence.'

Xue Lingjun, lost in thought, after a moment said, 'I am merely a woman, with too many things I cannot let go of.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Sometimes living carefree and heartless is not without its fortune.'

Xue Lingjun always felt there was hidden meaning in his words; she proactively picked up the teapot to refill Hu Xiaotian's tea, speaking softly, 'Actually, I have always felt sorry for you in my heart.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Elder sister, definitely do not think that way; we have known each other for so long, and you have never owed me anything.'

Xue Lingjun said, 'I know you have always been broad-minded; it is I who cannot get past this hurdle.' She set down the teapot and said, 'To be frank with you, I came this time for the Dakang-Da Yong alliance.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Dakang has suddenly become a tempting morsel; those who came this time are certainly not just you.'

Xue Lingjun laughed and said, 'Black Hu also sent envoys, but they are ultimately barbarians; I believe Dakang should be able to distinguish advantage from disadvantage and not end up inviting wolves into the house.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'If I were in charge, I would certainly not do such a thing; unfortunately, the person who can make decisions now is not me.'

Xue Lingjun secretly sighed that this fellow was becoming ever more slick, pushing responsibility away cleanly as soon as he spoke, and said, 'I fear there is no one who knows Princess Yongyang better than you; what do you think her choice will be?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'The relations between states appear complex but are actually simple; they are essentially trade relations, and the principle that the highest bidder wins is unchanging.'

Xue Lingjun said, 'In business, the highest bidder wins, but it cannot be generalized; at least one must clarify the trading partner.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, 'Elder sister, which do you think is stronger now, Da Yong or Black Hu?'

Xue Lingjun said, 'Sunrise and sunset, flowers fade and bloom; a temporary slump does not mean forever, and judging strength cannot rely only on the present—one must look far ahead. Remember when I first met you, you were merely an ordinary marriage envoy of Dakang, but now you have become a renowned figure across the world.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, 'Vision certainly needs to be long-term, but the current situation demands a swift decision.'

Xue Lingjun said, 'I know Black Hu also intends to ally with Dakang, but I have no authority to decide Dakang's choice; I only hope you understand that the ultimate goal of Black Hu's alliance is still to invade the Central Plains.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I will faithfully convey your meaning to the Princess.'

Xue Lingjun nodded and said, 'Please, if possible, arrange an early meeting between me and Princess Yongyang; I am really not used to the weather here.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Elder sister's heart is eager to return; it seems you have something on your mind.'

Xue Lingjun said nothing, but before her eyes appeared the gloomy, fierce face of Li Shen Zhou. Since Jian Rongxin followed Hu Xiaotian, Li Shen Zhou's temperament has changed greatly; even when facing himself, he rarely shows a smile. Xue Lingjun does not doubt his feelings for her, but the matter of Jian Rongxin is undoubtedly Hu Xiaotian stabbing a knife into Li Shen Zhou's heart, wounding his self-esteem utterly; for Li Shen Zhou, who loves face extremely, this is simply intolerable. Even if he could without hesitation expel Jian Rongxin from the household, he also does not wish Jian Rongxin to transfer her affection elsewhere. Xue Lingjun only hopes that it is his possessiveness at work, rather than feeling lost due to loss. She chuckled and said, 'What worries could a lonely, widowed person like me have?'

Hu Xiaotian also had no intention of exposing her relationship with Li Shen Zhou, changing the subject: 'Any news of Prince Yan?'

Xue Lingjun shook her head.

Hu Xiaotian said, 'I have heard some rumors; supposedly Prince Yan is now in Black Hu.'

Xue Lingjun sighed and said, 'I have also heard such rumors; although my royal brother is somewhat extreme in temperament, he should not betray the country and join the enemy.' She outwardly still defended Xue Shengjing, but in reality she had long been at odds with this second brother. Although Xue Lingjun had long known that Xue Shengjing had been concealing his talents and keeping a low profile all these years, and had expected his abilities to be extraordinary, she never imagined that his influence within Da Yong would be so great; even after Xue Shengjing fled, the forces he had planted in Dakang still occasionally rebounded—let alone anything else, just this year alone, Li Shen Zhou has faced as many as five assassination attempts.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, 'If I get a chance to meet him, I would actually like to give him some good advice.'

Xue Lingjun said, 'He is the type who goes down a single path to the end.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'By the way, have you heard of the Ten Thousand Phenomena of Heaven and Man diagram?'

Xue Lingjun was stunned by the question, looking bewildered, and said, 'What is the Ten Thousand Phenomena of Heaven and Man diagram? I have never heard of it.'

Hu Xiaotian saw her expression and guessed she was not pretending; likely only a few members of the Da Yong royal family know the details.

Hong Beimo stood before the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pavilion, his brows furrowed, his heart as heavy as the overcast sky above. The thawing of the relationship between Hu Xiaotian and Qiqi has made the situation complex and delicate. In the past, when Quan De'an was alive, Qiqi respected his opinions but was seldom influenced by him; now that Quan De'an is dead, she has Hu Xiaotian by her side, and his forces are evidently far stronger than Quan De'an's. If the two truly set aside their past grievances and reconcile, their combined strength would leave them fearless.

Hong Beimo recalled the deep conversation Hu Xiaotian had with him that day at the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets; this kid must have learned quite a bit of inside information. Although he showed willingness to cooperate, Hong Beimo dared not take him lightly—though young, Hu Xiaotian's scheming is no less than his own.

Baobao came up behind Hong Beimo and respectfully said, 'Foster father!'

Hong Beimo grunted in acknowledgment but did not turn around.

Baobao said, 'Just now the palace sent word that the Princess has decided to halt the search operation, withdraw the craftsmen, and let the water level of the Jade Pool return to normal.'

Hong Beimo nodded; since Quan De'an's corpse had been found, Qiqi naturally had no need to continue searching. He said in a low voice, 'Any movement from Xuantian Guan?'

Qiqi said, 'Ren Tianqing should have returned, but the other members of Xuantian Guan probably are not clear about his affairs and have not obtained further clues.'

Hong Beimo's gaze fell upon the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pavilion; Qiqi had hidden that head mushroom inside, and if Ren Tianqing got the news he would likely come.

Qiqi said, 'Nothing else; I'll take my leave first, daughter.'

Hong Beimo, however, called her back: 'Baobao, how are things between you and Hu Xiaotian?'

Baobao feigned incomprehension: 'What do you mean?'

Hong Beimo couldn't help but laugh: 'As the saying goes, a father knows his daughter best; you can't hide what's on your mind from me.'

Baobao said, 'Foster father, are you worried I won't handle things well?'

Hong Beimo shook his head and said, 'You have always been clear-headed; I am very reassured about you.'

Baobao smiled and said, 'I do indeed like him, but liking is liking; it does not mean I must marry him.' Since she couldn't hide it anyway, she might as well not conceal it.

Hong Beimo said, 'Hu Xiaotian is indeed popular with women, but I worry he will exploit that.'

Baobao said, 'Adoptive father, are you worried I will be used by him?'

Hong Beimo gave a noncommittal smile and said softly, 'Go rest; I believe you can handle your own affairs.'

The King of the Northern Court of Black Hu, Wanyan Lie Xin, arrived at the Zhenhai Wang Fu just as night fell, accompanied by six warriors, though he brought only one attendant into the inner court.

Hu Xiaotian greeted him at the entrance of the inner court, obviously far more courteous than his treatment of Xue Lingjun.

Another two updates have been delivered; there will be two more tonight. With such effort, don't hold onto your monthly tickets! (To be continued~^~)