Chapter 1938

There's nothing in this world that comes for free; if someone wants Hu Xiaotian to yield and join forces, Liu Yuzhang must inevitably offer a condition he cannot refuse. Hu Buwei's heart surged with turmoil—this world has no eternal friends, only eternal interests, and besides, he and Liu Yuzhang are merely using each other. Although he doesn't know Liu Yuzhang's ultimate motive, their relationship likely still involves Liu Yuzhang using him more. If Liu Yuzhang chooses to cooperate with Hu Xiaotian, does that mean he has already lost his utility in Liu Yuzhang's eyes? No! If that were true, he wouldn't have come to see me; could he still want something from me?

Liu Yuzhang said: "I promise to give Xichuan to him!"

Hu Buwei's heart shook violently; Xichuan was clearly under his control, although Liu Yuzhang had played a certain role, it absolutely cannot be called crucial, yet he now wants to give Xichuan to Hu Xiaotian, does he really think everything is under his dominion? Hu Buwei remained outwardly calm, smiling: "Sir, don't you think this sacrifice is too great?"

Liu Yuzhang laughed loudly: "Without showing a bit of sincerity, how could he willingly cooperate with us?"

Hu Buwei said: "You mean you want me to voluntarily hand over Xichuan?"

Liu Yuzhang shook his head: "No rush, it's just a promise, not necessarily to be fulfilled." Then he changed tone: "But that skull must be handed over to me."

Hu Buwei nodded without hesitation: "Fine, anyway keeping it here serves no purpose."

The moonlight was like frost, Yuching Treasure Tower outlined in silver by its glow. Xu Fengmei and Hu Buwei faced each other; Xu Fengmei's eyes filled with reluctance, she whispered: "Although I don't know what use that skull has, we painstakingly obtained it, yet now we must return it to him—I feel unwilling."

Hu Buwei smiled calmly: "That thing originally belonged to him; returning it to its rightful owner, I have nothing to say."

Xu Fengmei said: "He came to you today for the skull; soon he'll ask for Xichuan. As long as he achieves his goal, even if Hu Xiaotian lets him take your life, he won't hesitate at all."

Hu Buwei slowly rose, walked silently to the window, opened the lattice window, his gaze cast upon the ink‑black night, searching for the position of the crescent moon, soon fixing on the brow‑like crescent, he remained silent for a long time before whispering: "He has always been using me; I knew from the start that this day would come."

Xu Fengmei said: "He promised to help you unify the world; his promise remains unfulfilled, yet he has changed course and turned to cooperate with Hu Xiaotian!"

Hu Buwei said: "Promises can never be relied upon! I have never placed all my hopes on him."

Xu Fengmei said: "Why should we fear him? With our current strength and position, you control the authority of Xiang Kingdom, hold vast southern lands, I command the Xu family's wealth—what is there to fear if we join forces?"

Hu Buwei said: "I'm not afraid of him! Aren't you curious? He took this skull to cooperate with Hu Xiaotian, claiming to open the gate of the underground palace—what could possibly lie inside?"

Xu Fengmei shook her head firmly: "I'm not curious; after all, one need not acquire everything in life—no matter how vast the realm, in the end it's just a grave. Indeed! We already have enough; why contend over these fearless matters? Xiang, Xichuan, Red Wood River—if we firmly guard this vast territory, it can serve as the foundation of a state; later affairs can be left to descendants. We are no longer young; why waste our lives on power and ambition?" She spoke with difficulty, knowing his insatiable ambition, knowing she could hardly persuade him.

Hu Buwei said: "Descendants? Who would our descendants be?"

Xu Fengmei bit her lip; Hu Buwei's words pierced her heart. In fact, from the moment she fell for Hu Buwei, she had resolved to bear his children and continue his line, yet though the vision was good, it was hard to achieve; she had even envied Xu Fengyi and Long Xuanjiao, although they were not Hu Buwei's beloved, they nonetheless possessed his flesh and blood.

Hu Buwei also realized his remark was too harsh, bound to cause Xu Fengmei's misunderstanding; how could she know his inner anguish? He turned away, clasped her shoulders with both hands, and whispered softly: "Perhaps you're right; I shouldn't be so obsessive about some things."

After spring began, the Black Hu did not mobilize troops southward to attack Da Yong, even though Da Yong, after regime changes, was at its weakest point since founding. One reason was that the Black Hu khan Wanyan Lushi died in March; for this, Xima wept bitterly, but given her situation she could only stay in Jiangnan to perform distant rites for her father khan; her third brother Wanyan Liezu formally accepted the Black Hu, although Black Hu subjects were extremely loyal to the Wanyan family, regime change always needs time to consolidate, and this period is also the new khan's familiarization with governance. Da Yong's Prince Yan Xue Shengjing also adopted a low‑profile approach in bilateral relations; although he appeared not to concede, he privately granted many concessions.

Precisely for these reasons, the Bei Jiang border unexpectedly enjoyed long‑absent peace. After Wanyan Liezu ascended the khanship, his diplomatic strategy was clearly milder than Wanyan Lushi's; he sent many envoys to neighboring states to forge alliances, flying friendly banners everywhere.

Over the past two years, Dakang enjoyed favorable weather, and because Hu Xiaotian and Qiqi renewed their marriage pact, the ancient kingdom suddenly revived like a withered tree meeting spring. In fact, the people already understood that Dakang's realm was no longer under Long clan control; authority now rests with the Yongyang Princess, who will soon marry Hu Xiaotian to become his wife. Even if Hu Xiaotian does not prepare to take the throne, willingly becoming the man behind Qiqi, his strength remains Dakang's strongest; their children will be Dakang's future masters—meaning the future ruler of Dakang's realm will necessarily bear the surname Hu.

Such a transition is clear to everyone, though most can also accept it; who becomes emperor doesn't matter as long as the state is stable. Naturally, we cannot exclude some stubborn old officials and imperial relatives who resent it, having once staged several rebellions; yet none caused a ripple before the court swiftly crushed them, punishing rebels without mercy and using the occasion to sweep away some imperial remnants. After several purges, the meaningful imperial faction ceased to exist. Even officials harboring doubts, seeing the fate of those people, feel trembling fear, begin to accept reality and resign themselves to the status quo.

Within Dakang emerged an unprecedented state of stability; after Hu Xiaotian took control of Yulan State, he successfully turned it into a western fortress, not only mastering the east‑west trade routes but also severing the vital corridor whereby the Black Hu and Shajia alliance could advance eastward, leaving that alliance with no possibility. Although Da Yong's Xue Shengjing had secured authority, he could not avoid domestic turmoil; though he subdued Xue Daoming and Li Chenghzhou, the long‑accumulated grievances of the impoverished populace erupted like a volcano; since spring began, rebel armies have risen one after another in Da Yong's lands, and Da Yong has committed most of its troops to suppression. Xue Shengjing is overwhelmed—how could he still attend to Dakang's affairs?

On the contrary, relations between Bohai State and Dakang grew ever closer; Bohai submitted as a vassal, offering tribute year after year and attending court annually, and their trade reached an unprecedented peak.

As for Xiang Kingdom, its dealings with Dakang have sunk to a historical low; after Hu Xiaotian seized Yulan State, he conspicuously reinforced troops in northeastern Xichuan, and everyone sees that it won't be long before Dakang's army launches an assault on Xichuan.

June is the hottest season in Kangdu; Hu Xiaotian finished his military duties and went to the prime minister's residence to visit Qin Yutong, when he received from Zhou Ruiyuan the news that the case of Grand Tutor Wen Chenghuan had been fully investigated, set for execution after autumn, and Wen Chenghuan had made a request: he wished to meet Hu Xiaotian alone.

Zhou Ruiyuan merely mentioned it offhand; he didn't think Hu Xiaotian would go see a prisoner, now that Wen Chenghuan was no longer his former illustrious self, while Hu Xiaotian had become the King of Zhenhai and the actual controller of Dakang's military power—yet unexpectedly Hu Xiaotian readily agreed.

Upon seeing Wen Chenghuan again, Hu Xiaotian could hardly recognize him: Wen Chenghuan's head was white, his frame emaciated; shortly after imprisonment he suffered a stroke, now half‑paralyzed—looking at him, one fears he may not live to hear the autumn verdict.

When Wen Chenghuan saw Hu Xiaotian enter, a spark appeared in his eyes; he nodded and said, "You really came!" His speech was still fairly clear.

Hu Xiaotian smiled at him: "Grand Tutor, have you been well?"

Wen Chenghuan said: "How bad can a prisoner possibly get?" His inner loss showed plainly.

Hu Xiaotian nodded toward the rear; someone brought forward specially prepared food and drink.

Wen Chenghuan asked: "Is this wine poisoned?" Before Hu Xiaotian could answer, he shook his head: "You wouldn't give me such an honorable death, nor waste precious poison on an old man like me."

Hu Xiaotian picked up the wine pot, poured him a cup, and handed it over with both hands—not because he pitied Wen Chenghuan; although Wen Chenghuan was a Da Yong spy, the old man's integrity still earned Hu Xiaotian's deep respect.

Wen Chenghuan's hands trembled as he took it, hoping to drain it in one gulp, but most spilled out. Hu Xiaotian took the empty cup and refilled it for him.

Then Wen Chenghuan sighed: "I'm old—I can't even finish a cup of wine..."