Chapter 1832

As for the border issue raised by Wanyan Liexin, the fault does not lie with Da Yong. Da Yong's founding was barely a century old, and after its establishment it rapidly grew strong, flying the banner of restoring the Central Plains and recovering some lands previously occupied by the Black Hu from Dakang. As for recent years, especially after the death of Da Yong Emperor Xue Shengkang, Da Yong, due to internal power struggles, is no longer as formidable as before, and the Black Hu has taken advantage to seize considerable territory; the fighting between the two sides was actually initiated by the Black Hu side.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Grudges ought to be resolved, not nurtured; between people harmony is precious, and the same holds true for states. Since ancient times, it is the common folk who suffer in war."

Wanyan Liexin nodded and said: "Our Black Hu people have always loved peace; if not for Da Yong's bullying, we would not have risen in resistance." Everyone likes to put a gold leaf on their own face; even when they bully others they must pose as victims.

Hu Xiaotian nodded; he did not agree with Wanyan Liexin's words, merely giving lip service. Since Qiqi entrusted him with the task of negotiating with the envoys of both sides, he must bear this responsibility. Actually, for him it is easy to talk, because Dakang is now a commodity awaiting a buyer, and it just depends on whether Black Hu or Da Yong can offer greater concrete benefits.

Xue Shengkang

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have been somewhat overwhelmed lately and rarely pay attention to other countries' affairs." He is not actually inattentive; it's just that, compared with the northern Da Yong, the situation in the southwest is more urgent.

Wanyan Liexin said: "I have heard that Prince's medical skill is superb. I would like to ask: if a terminally ill patient is placed before you, and you clearly know he will die, do you choose to waste the scarce medicine trying to save him, or to use the medicine on someone who can be saved?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Wanyan brother's analogy is not appropriate; for a doctor, patients admit of no choice—saving lives and healing wounds is the physician's heavenly duty. Faced with a patient, I do not consider whether he will live or die; I only do my utmost to save him. If a medic, upon seeing a patient, first wonders whether he can be saved, then before rescuing he would still need to determine whether this person is good or evil, and whether he deserves to die."

Hu Xiaotian

Hu Xiaotian said: "Handling state affairs differs from treating patients; the former may employ any means to achieve an end, while the latter can set aside utilitarian purpose." Saying this, Hu Xiaotian suddenly realized that his former self was far more noble, selfless, and great than his present self; yet a noble, selfless person does not necessarily live happily—otherwise he would not have died from overwork on the operating table in his previous life.

Wanyan Liexin fell into deep thought; Hu Xiaotian's words were correct, but he did not consider Hu Xiaotian a noble physician, believing that in political intrigue a noble, selfless person is bound to suffer loss.

Xiang Shancong

Wanyan Liexin said: "Domestically and abroad beset, Da Yong has suffered multiple natural disasters since last year; natural disasters are not frightening, but man-made calamities are the greatest danger they face."

Hu Xiaotian deeply agreed with Wanyan Liexin's remark; he listened attentively, for Wanyan Liexin's analysis of Da Yong's situation aimed to display Da Yong's shortcomings before him, thereby highlighting Black Hu's advantages, which would help Hu Xiaotian make correct judgments.

Wanyan Liexin said: "Xue Shengkang was a generation's hegemon, but unfortunately he died too young. After his death, the dowager empress interfered in court affairs; in a short span, many members of the Da Yong imperial family died one after another, even the newly enthroned Emperor Xue Daohong met an unnatural end. Although on the surface a legitimate son of the Xue family still sits on the throne, in reality Da Yong's governance is controlled jointly by Li Chenzhou and the Grand Princess Xue Lingjun."

Hu Xiaotian raised his cup and clinked it with Wanyan Liexin's, drinking it dry in one gulp. What Wanyan Liexin said was actually nothing surprising; Hu Xiaotian already knew it, and even knew more details than he did. Xue Daoming's ability to quickly establish prestige within Da Yong owed much to his and Qin Yutong's help—a fact likely known to few.

Wanyan Liexin set down his cup and continued: "Li Chenzhou wished to emulate his predecessors, using the emperor to command the princes, but his preparations were inadequate; he overestimated himself and underestimated Xue Daoming's strength. The forces behind Xue Daoming are not to be trifled with, and what further troubles Li Chenzhou is that he failed to remove Prince Yan Xue Shengjing smoothly; after Xue Shengjing fled, the power base he had cultivated in Da Yong for years keeps causing Li Chenzhou trouble."

Hu Xiaotian thought of the Xiang Shancong who had just appeared, and recalled Huo Xiaoru. These two are closely related to Xue Shengjing; Wanyan Liexin's choice to invite him to a banquet at the Flavor-Lingering Pavilion was probably no coincidence. According to unconfirmed reports, Xue Shengjing has already fled to the Black Hu and sold a large amount of intelligence to them, which is precisely what gave the Black Hu an edge in its fighting against Da Yong. Hu Xiaotian said with deep meaning: "Wanyan brother, you are well versed in Da Yong's affairs and also clear about Prince Yan's situation."

Wanyan Liexin coughed and said: "Actually, just now I did not tell the Prince the truth."

Qin Yutong

Wanyan Liexin said: "Xue Shengkang always harbored suspicion toward his brother of the same surname; Xue Shengjing loved to travel the world, ostensibly to run his antiquarian business, but in fact he was seeking a suitable opportunity and backing. How could a person under strict surveillance in Da Yong have built such a vast enterprise? Do you think all this is mere coincidence?"

From Wanyan Liexin's words Hu Xiaotian seemed to grasp something; his remarks clearly pointed to something, indicating that Xue Shengjing's collusion with the Black Hu was not a recent development, and the charge of colluding with foreigners that Da Yong levied against him was not unfounded.

Wanyan Liexin said: "Li Chenzhou sent the Grand Princess Xue Lingjun to Kangdu, but their original purpose was not what is now claimed; they intended to join forces with Dakang to pressure the Prince, taking advantage of the Prince's territory's grain shortage to strike him down."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly; Wanyan Liexin's purpose in sowing discord between him and Da Yong was now undisguised, yet he did not exaggerate. Li Chenzhou originally indeed harbored this idea, but they had not anticipated that his relationship with the court would suddenly thaw, nor that the court would extend aid when he was in difficulty. In fact, the true cause that drove him to join forces with Qiqi came from the southern State of Tianxiang—Hu Buwei, as it happens, had given him a helping hand. As the saying goes, "a loss may be a gain in disguise"; fortune and misfortune depend on each other, and only at the final outcome can one truly say which is which.

Wanyan Liexin said: "I am no troublemaker; I merely speak to the matter. In fact, the Prince's thawing with the court was also outside our plans; originally we intended to ally with you, Prince, so that once we reached an agreement, the Black Hu could supply you with grain and fodder from the Western Ankang Grassland to help you through the crisis."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "No matter what, I must thank Wanyan brother for his goodwill."

Wanyan Liexin laughed and said: "My Great Khan holds the Prince in high esteem and has long intended to marry the Western Princess Xima to you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "This is absolutely out of the question; I would not dare to wrong your princess."

Wanyan Liexin said: "Although the Khan has his own motives, these two matters already show his sincerity."

Hu Xiaotian raised his cup and drank together with Wanyan Liexin; just now, when Xima was present, Wanyan Liexin had avoided much alcohol, leaving only the two of them. This drink cannot be refused; after a while both were flushed, Wanyan Liexin set down his cup, and Hu Xiaotian wanted to refill it, but Wanyan Liexin hurriedly declined: "No more—I truly cannot drink any further."

Monthly Ticket

Wanyan Liexin said: "Every word I say now is completely sincere; if I drink any more, what I say will be nonsense."

Hu Xiaotian also didn't continue to press, lowering his voice: "Is Xue Shengjing in Black Tiger now?"

Wanyan Liexin gave a mysterious smile: "I also heard some rumors; wind through an empty hole is not without cause!" This statement indirectly admits that Xue Shengjing is in Black Tiger.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually, forming an alliance is useless; the Gold and Jade Alliance I organized is a living example."

Wanyan Liexin said: "An alliance written on paper may not be effective; a true alliance must be placed here." He pointed to his chest, then lowered his voice: "Only an alliance built on a foundation of mutual interests is unbreakable; Black Tiger and Dakang are not enemies, and neither is the Prince."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "So..."

Wanyan Liexin said: "Actually, my demands are not high; as long as Dakang stands by and watches, that's enough."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but admit that Wanyan Liexin was indeed a negotiation expert; he saw the situation clearly—if Dakang refused to help, the victor in the Black Tiger–Da Yong war would sooner or later be the former, given Da Yong's chaotic internal politics and the fact that the pro-foreign Prince Yan Xue Shengjing has likely already sold off more or less of Da Yong's military secrets.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Brother Wanyan's suggestion is not bad."

Wanyan Liexin also said: "I don't know how the Prince feels about Princess Xima; if he thinks well of her, I am willing to act as a matchmaker for the Prince and achieve a Qin-Jin marital alliance."

Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly, one sugar-coated shell after another; if it weren't for my coming with the belief of refusing corruption and staying pure, I might already have been corrupted by you in my haste. Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said: "Marriage cannot be a transaction; even for political gain, we cannot sacrifice the future of an innocent princess. Brother Wanyan, there's no need to mention this again."

Wanyan Liexin gave a faint smile: "Good!"

Requesting Monthly Ticket support! (To be continued~^~)