Chapter 969

After years of roughing it in the bureaucracy, Hu Xiaotian's insight naturally deepened; everyone there just plays at hypocrisy—if you're sincere, you lose.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for your concern."

Zhang Ziqian said, "Only later did I hear that Sir Hu entered the palace to take punishment in his father's place—such filial piety truly moves heaven and earth."

Hu Xiaotian said, "The past is past; Mr. Zhang, there's no need to bring it up again."

Zhang Ziqian nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad; seeing Brother Hu stirred me, I spoke without thinking—please forgive my indiscretion, Brother Hu."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Mr. Zhang and I are old friends; no need to be so polite with me."

At that moment, a servant brought up fragrant tea, and Hu Xiaotian invited Zhang Ziqian to have some.

Zhang Ziqian took a sip of tea, then finally turned the conversation to the point: "May I ask, Brother Hu, what brings you here?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Two matters: first, to congratulate General Li on his birthday; second, acting on the Emperor's order to deliver an edict to General Li."

Zhang Ziqian slowly set down his teacup, leaned closer to Hu Xiaotian, and whispered, "Brother Hu, could you reveal what the Emperor's edict contains?"

Hu Xiaotian could have refused Zhang Ziqian outright, but he didn't; glancing around, he affected mystery: "I dare not peek at the Emperor's edict, but I have heard a bit of his intent—Mr. Zhang, the Emperor intends to enfeoff General Li as a prince!"

Actually, the news that the old emperor wanted to enfeoff Li Tianheng as a prince had already spread through various channels; this is also a stratagem of the old emperor, who wants everyone to know that his favor toward you, Li Tianheng, is as weighty as a mountain. Since the Mingzong Emperor, Dakang has not enfeoffed anyone of a different surname as prince; Long Xuan'en thereby broke a rule observed for hundreds of years. Under these circumstances, if you, Li Tianheng, still harbor thoughts of rebellion, it proves you have wolfish ambition—you are a traitorous minister, unable to hold your head up before the world.

Zhang Ziqian nodded, his face lit up with joy, and said, "That really is great news; we ought to tell General Li as soon as possible."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Please, Mr. Zhang, arrange a meeting with General Li at once so I can deliver the Emperor's edict, and also finish my mission swiftly."

Zhang Ziqian sighed and said, "Brother Hu, what bad luck—don't you know General Li isn't in Xizhou?"

Hu Xiaotian, hearing this, was startled; just now when he saw Li Honghan, he hadn't mentioned this at all—Li Tianheng not in Xizhou? In seven days is his birthday, and many guests from surrounding tribes are coming to celebrate—could Li Tianheng really stand up all those people? Hu Xiaotian doubted Zhang Ziqian's words deeply, but showed no sign, merely looking a bit regretful and said, "Indeed unfortunate—could it be that General Li isn't preparing a birthday celebration?"

Zhang Ziqian laughed and said, "Brother Hu, don't worry; the general's birthday is still seven days away, and he will surely return before the twenty-third."

Hu Xiaotian secretly sneered. Old fox, you're clearly trying to keep me from seeing General Li before his birthday, giving you more time to devise your countermeasures.

Zhang Ziqian said, "Brother Hu, you haven't been to Xizhou before, have you? This time you should stay a few extra days. Properly enjoy the mountains and waters here; after the general's birthday celebrations are over, I will surely make time to keep you company—we can chat about everything, indulge in literary pursuits, how delightful."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "Good! Good!" but inwardly thought: I can't come up with anything interesting chatting with an old fogey like you; however, Zhang Ziqian's words seem wholly untrustworthy—this old coot is here representing Li Tianheng's interests, and in front of me he's being utterly hypocritical.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Mr. Zhang, I have a request."

Zhang Ziqian said, "Brother Hu, please speak."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I once had an old friend, Surgeon Zhou Wenju, famed as the divine doctor of Xichuan; I hear he is in Xizhou, but I don't know his exact whereabouts—I hope Mr. Zhang can help me inquire."

Zhang Ziqian readily agreed.

At Xichuan Chengbei Yuejiang Lou, the founding duke Li Tianheng stood with hands behind his back on the seventh floor of the pavilion; from here one could see the distant Nusha River, whose turbulent waves, viewed from this angle, appeared gentle and graceful, winding through the valleys of Qilao Mountain like a golden ribbon in the sunset—no roar of waves, no sight of surf, the evening breeze like a young girl's soft, tender hand lightly stroking one's cheeks. Li Tianheng closed his eyes contentedly; he liked this solitary feeling, as if heaven and earth held only him, towering above all mankind—if he wished, he could make mountains collapse, rivers change course, alter anyone's fate.

Behind him came the sound of vigorous, powerful footsteps; Li Tianheng frowned slightly, recognizing from the steps alone that it was his eldest son, Li Honghan. Though he had not yet seen his son, he already guessed his mood—Honghan still lacked steadiness, his pace markedly quicker than usual, only beginning to slow when he reached behind him.

Li Tianheng did not turn, his gaze still fixed on the distant river under the sunset, and he said softly, "Distance easily creates illusion; standing on Yuejiang Lou, the Nusha River seems as smooth as a mirror, but if you don't go to the bank, you won't see its true violent aspect."

Li Honghan lacked his father's leisurely elegance; stealing a moment from his duties, he stood alone on Yuejiang Lou gazing at the distant river scenery, then bowed with fist in palm and said, "Father, the Dakang envoys have arrived."

Li Tianheng nodded and said softly, "You always focus on state affairs and never notice the scenery around you."

Li Honghan, not understanding his father's meaning, thought a moment, then smiled and said, "I've been to Yuejiang Lou more than a hundred times; even with my eyes closed I know what I can see."

Li Tianheng turned, his deep eyes locking onto his son's heroic face, and said, "The vast world—all things are constantly changing; even in an instant the scenery is completely different, let alone the turning of seasons and stars."

Li Honghan said, "My cultivation falls short of my father's."

Li Tianheng laughed and shook his head; although he was a famed general of Dakang, he was born with a remarkably refined bearing—fair complexion, sword-like brows and bright eyes, and three long whiskers on his jaw that lent him an airy, almost immortal grace.

Li Honghan said, "The imperial envoy sent by the court is Hu Xiaotian!"

Li Tianheng gave a soft 'oh,' showing no surprise; he had spies in Kangdu who reported every move of the old emperor immediately. Li Tianheng said, "This boy is no ordinary fellow; when he first came to Xichuan I knew he was exceptional, but I never imagined he possessed such ability." He paused, sighed, and added, "He and Wuyou were surely meant for each other."

Li Honghan said, "Father, you may be overestimating him; the Hu family still has to live by the emperor's favor—don't be fooled by their present glory; they could fall out of favor at any time."

Li Tianheng slowly shook his head: "He is already Dakang's future prince consort; why did the emperor send him here?"

Li Honghan was about to speak when he heard a report—it turned out Zhang Ziqian had arrived.

Li Tianheng said, "Honghan, go make the arrangements—be sure to treat the guests with proper courtesy; absolutely do not let them feel we are neglecting them. Over the next two days many more guests will arrive, and you must treat everyone equally, showing no favoritism to any side."

Li Honghan nodded; he had wanted to say a few things to his father, but Zhang Ziqian's arrival deprived him of the chance. He knew his father's temperament: when he and his chief aide Zhang Ziqian confer, he dislikes anyone else present—even his own son.

As Li Honghan left, he passed Zhang Ziqian going the opposite way, bowed respectfully; Zhang Ziqian was not only Xichuan's chief aide but also his teacher.

Zhang Ziqian smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

Li Tianheng beckoned to Zhang Ziqian: "Brother Ziqian, I've been waiting for your news."

Zhang Ziqian laughed and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, my lord."

Li Tianheng deliberately put on a stern face: "I've told you many times—when we're alone we should address each other as brothers."

Zhang Ziqian said, "Ruler and subject, master and servant, father and son, teacher and pupil—these proprieties must not be confused."

Li Tianheng said, "I won't argue with you, old scholar; besides, I could never win anyway—quickly tell me what you've learned."

Zhang Ziqian said, "This matches what we previously learned: Hu Xiaotian has come to deliver the emperor's edict, which is to enfeoff you, my lord, as a prince."

Li Tianheng nodded, turned again to gaze into the distance, and after a moment he slapped the railing heavily, saying, "The emperor's favor toward me is indeed great—he actually broke a rule that had stood for nearly two hundred years, making an exception to enfeoff me, a different surname, as prince; such grace is immense—how could I dare to accept it?"

Zhang Ziqian said, "My lord, are you truly prepared to accept the emperor's investiture?"

Li Tianheng said, "The edict hasn't arrived yet, but the news has already spread everywhere; the emperor is using the bonds of kinship to bind me, forcing me to comply—if I refuse, he'll slap on me the label of traitorous minister, making me the target of countless curses and leaving a stench for ten thousand years."

Zhang Ziqian said, "Dakang suffers constant natural disasters; famine has broken out in many regions, displacing the populace—just the refugees my Xichuan has recently taken in number over a million; the state of Dakang truly has reached the point where mountains are exhausted, waters run dry, and even moving forward is difficult."

Having heard all that Zhang Ziqian said, Li Tianheng, who certainly was aware of it, nodded and said, "Dakang's demise is certain."

Zhang Ziqian said, "If we can see this, how could the emperor not? In such circumstances people often make a desperate, all‑or‑nothing choice."

Li Tianheng said, "That is why he devised the scheme of enfeoffing me as prince—to have me lead my troops back into Dakang without losing a single soldier, thereby reincorporating Xichuan into Dakang's territory."

Zhang Ziqian said, "Will you agree?"

Li Tianheng did not answer Zhang Ziqian's question.

Zhang Ziqian also did not wait for his reply, and said quietly, "My lord will certainly not agree."

Second update uploaded; didn't even make it onto the homepage recommendation list—my face is red! Brothers and sisters, please cast a couple more votes to push Medical Union to the top; there will be more updates tonight! (To be continued~^~)