Chapter 347: Where Is My Son Xinzhang? (Second Verse, Same as the First)

In the great tent, the feast began, and no one brought up any other matter.

Aside from eating meat in great mouthfuls and drinking wine from large bowls, An Shenqi merely reminisced with Kang Fu, while Li Congyan sat with a furrowed brow.

Zhao Kuangzan, the Military Governor of the Zhenguo Army of Huazhou, seated opposite Zhang Zhao, was rather curious about Zhang Zhao.

A fourteen-year-old child, he actually had a fine capacity for wine, and with the air of a grown man he repeatedly toasted Zhang Zhao and asked about amusing affairs in the Western Regions.

He even spoke up and asked Zhang Zhao for two Persian palace attendants, so he could go back and show off to a crowd of second-generation scions of power.

The company exchanged some words, and apart from the seated Military Governors, each had a guard standing behind him.

Standing behind An Shenqi was a fierce warrior named An Shouquan, apparently An Shenqi's adopted son, his build equal to a savage bear, fully armored and most imposing.

Standing behind Li Congyan was Lu Duan, Chief Commander of the Left Army Cavalry and Infantry of Fengxiang; the two were defeated generals and had little to say, merely sitting and standing listlessly.

Behind Zhao Kuangzan, Military Governor of the Zhenguo Army of Huazhou, stood an old general, his eyes half open and half shut, a full beard flowing down his face, bearing somewhat the manner of Guan Er'ye.

From his bearing alone, as well as his great belly and the corded muscles of his arms, he was absolutely a master as well.

As for behind Kang Fu, Military Governor of the Xiongwu Army of Qinzhou, a valiant officer, not old, shot a hate-filled glare at Zhang Zhao, as if he wished he could tear him apart and eat him; this was surely the one surnamed Song whom Kang Fu had mentioned.

Surnamed Song? Heh! In all likelihood he was a kinsman, perhaps even a brother, of Song Zhong, Chief Commander of the Cavalry and Infantry of the young lord of the Xiongwu Military Governor, whom Zhang Zhao had killed.

Judging from Kang Fu's wanting his life, the Song family had probably hollowed out Kang Fu's authority.

At this thought, Zhang Zhao deliberately spoke loudly with Zhao Kuangzan: "When I was in the heat of killing, that wretch Song Zhong, sending out troops on his own authority, thought himself mighty, but in my eyes he was no more than clay chickens and pottery dogs!

There was no need for my brave warriors to take the field; I took up my hengdao saber myself and with one stroke split him in two!"

Though Zhao Kuangzan was young, his mind was not small; though he did not know why Zhang Zhao said this, he chose to remain silent.

Only when the old general behind him coughed lightly did he speak: "The Sikong is indeed divinely brave. It is a pity that Zan cannot leave his post without authorization, or he would surely go to Liangzhou to see... er, for a while.

Zan is only fourteen this year, and at first meeting feels like an old friend to the Sikong. Might I be permitted to call the Sikong my elder brother?"

Zhao Kuangzan hesitated a moment, partly because he was not quite sure how to address Zhang Zhao, and partly, of course, out of a consideration to seize the chance and draw closer.

A fine lad, already latching on. But Zhang Zhao merely chuckled.

"I feel like an old friend to Military Governor Zhao at first meeting, but we cannot call each other brothers!"

Zhao Kuangzan looked thoroughly puzzled, and could hardly resist turning his head to look at the old general behind him.

"The Military Governor need not be puzzled; I will explain shortly," Zhang Zhao said with a smile.

What a joke. Zhao Kuangzan's mother was the thirteenth daughter of Li Siyuan, Mingzong of the Later Tang, Princess Xingping, while Zhang Zhao wanted to seek for Murong Xinzhang the hand of Li Siyuan's fifteenth daughter, Princess Yongle.

Murong Xinzhang was roughly Zhang Zhao's adopted son; if it succeeded, Zhang Zhao would be in-laws with Li Siyuan, and Zhao Kuangzan would have to call Murong Xinzhang his fifteenth maternal uncle.

In that case Zhang Zhao would be of Zhao Kuangzan's maternal grandfather's generation, so how could they call each other brothers?

I'm your grandfather!

The two continued talking, and from time to time Zhang Zhao did his utmost to disparage the slain Song Zhong, until the Song officer behind Kang Fu was so enraged that he stamped his foot heavily.

Only then did Zhang Zhao raise his head and ask, feigning drunken, bleary eyes: "Who is that glaring fellow behind the Grand Commandant? Could he be another treacherous villain like Song Zhong?"

At this, the Song officer, who had endured several minutes of abuse, could bear it no longer. He suddenly leaped out, a long blade in hand, the two fingers of his left hand pressed together as he pointed furiously at Zhang Zhao.

"You mixed barbarian of Hexi, you go too far! Today you will surely die on the spot!"

"You dog of a traitor! You dare bring a weapon to assassinate a high minister of state! Truly one of the rebellious breed!"

Zhang Zhao was not the least bit flustered. It would have been better for this fellow not to bring a blade; having brought one, killing him would be all the more justified.

"Where is my son Xinzhang?" Sikong Zhang roared, the phrase almost becoming his catchphrase.

As Zhang Zhao shouted, the sounds of battle cries and clashing weapons came from outside the tent; it seemed the yabing guards of the Xiongwu Army outside and Zhang Zhao's Hanshan Capital personal guards had begun fighting.

The Song officer saw that Zhang Zhao had no weapon, and the moment the words left his mouth he lunged.

But just then, the tent flap stirred, and Murong Xinzhang, in white armor and white helm, leaped in with a flying step.

A sword in his left hand, the bronze hammer in his right came out with the motion; the Song officer, who had been about to rush forward and stab Zhang Zhao, hastily dodged.

But although he dodged the bronze hammer, Murong Xinzhang had already closed in on him, so he let out a great shout and thrust the long blade in his hand at Murong Xinzhang.

Murong Xinzhang sneered, and struck out with the sword in his hand, the blow heavy and powerful, actually knocking the long blade clean out of the Song officer's grip.

Then he strode forward with tiger steps. 'Thud! Thud! Thud!' His twin fists were like hammers, left hammering and right striking; the Song officer had no strength to resist, and was beaten into a dazed stupor, staggering and reeling.

Zhang Zhao sat at his leisure and made a throat-slitting gesture. Murong Xinzhang immediately hauled up the Song officer, who was about to collapse to the ground, seized his head with both hands, and twisted violently.

Crack! The neck bone snapped!

Then with a sweep of the short blade in his hand, blood gushed forth, and Murong Xinzhang, before the blood could spray out, gracefully withdrew, not a single speck of blood on him—extremely neat!

Kang Fu heaved a long sigh, and amid the shocked stares of the company bowed to all around.

"Gentlemen, do not be alarmed! It was I who asked Sikong Zhang to clean house. This villain is named Song Yi; together with his elder brother Song Zhong, he controlled the Xiongwu Army from top to bottom.

This old man ordinarily turned a blind eye, but during the mutiny at Hechuan, the brothers secretly communicated with the Shu kingdom, and so they had to be removed!"

With Kang Fu's explanation, the men in the tent understood. Whether the secret dealings with Shu were true or false they did not know, but that Kang Fu had been hollowed out was certain, and all wore expressions of sympathetic unease—Li Congyan as well.

For everyone in the tent was a Military Governor of a province, and preventing the yabing guards below from stirring up trouble had always been a matter of the utmost importance; An Shenqi even showed an appreciative expression.

"Outside the tent there are still thirty yabing guards, likewise the Song family's trusted men and kinsmen. I ask the Sikong to eradicate them as well!"

Kang Fu continued, and at last a somewhat embarrassed expression appeared on his face.

"Furthermore, this old man beseeches the Sikong to transfer three hundred Xiongwu Army troops to me, to serve as yabing guards for my personal protection."

Hmm, the yabing guards Kang Fu wanted would naturally be selected from the Xiongwu Army troops whom Zhang Zhao was about to force into surrender.

At these words, Zhang Zhao quickly signaled with his eyes to the savage bear, telling him to go out and deal with the thirty yabing guards of the Xiongwu Army, while keeping Murong Xinzhang at his side, and he swiftly cut off Kang Fu's words.

With an old fox like this who leaned on his age, if you let him keep talking, he would take every advantage from you without the slightest trace of embarrassment.

"What does the Grand Commandant think of this young man of mine?" Zhang Zhao asked, pointing at the dashing Murong Xinzhang.

"A fine, valiant young man! Just like the Prince of Lanling of Northern Qi!" Kang Fu of course praised him profusely.

Zhang Zhao then turned to Zhao Kuangzan and asked: "What does the Military Governor think?"

Zhao Kuangzan found it a little strange; although he was a Military Governor, Murong Xinzhang was older than him, and ordinarily Zhang Zhao should have asked An Shenqi first, then him.

Still, young men worship heroes most of all, and with an admiring look he asked quite naturally: "Could this be Xue Baipao, who took He Chuan's head amid ten thousand soldiers?"

"Indeed it is!"

"A true hero — I must pay my respects!" With that, Zhao Kuangzan took a short blade from his waist.

"This sword is named Duan Yu. It is exceedingly sharp. I give it to the White-Robed General as a token of my admiration!"

The blade was inlaid with gold and set with jade. As Zhao Kuangzan spoke, he drew it for all to see — cold light glittered, and it was indeed a fine blade.

Zhang Zhao could not help feeling a touch of admiration. Truly a scion of power destined to leave his name in history — at fourteen he could already play these maneuvers with perfect ease!

Young men, of course, also like glittering things. The moment Murong Xinzhang saw Zhang Zhao's consent, he moved to half-kneel and receive the gift.

Though he was older than Zhao Kuangzan, Zhao Kuangzan was of exalted status — the son of a princess, with a father and grandfather both regional commanders, and Shi Jingtang's nephew by marriage. When he bestowed a treasured blade, it had to be received according to the rites for a gift from an elder.

But Zhang Zhao was quicker, and steadied Murong Xinzhang before he could kneel.

Zhao Kuangzan was startled again, and behind him the warrior who resembled Lord Guan suddenly opened his eyes wide.

"What is the meaning of this, Sikong? Do you slight my lord?"

Zhang Zhao smiled and waved a hand. "How would I dare! I have only heard that Princess Yongle, fifteenth daughter of the former dynasty's Sage and Virtuous Martial Filial Emperor, is still unwed, and that her age matches my son Xinzhang's. Might I ask Grand Tutor Kang and Grand Tutor An to play matchmaker?"

At these words, everyone present was stunned!

But after a moment of thought, Kang Fu, An Shenqi, and Zhao Kuangzan realized that, all things considered, this might actually be a fine match!

Although Princess Yongle was the current Son of Heaven's younger aunt by marriage, she was also a princess of the fallen Tang, so her status was somewhat awkward.

At the very least, among the martial houses of Daibei, few were willing to marry her. But Zhang Zhao, entrenched in Hexi, had far fewer such concerns.

Moreover, to win Zhang Zhao over, the Son of Heaven in Kaifeng might well agree.

"May I ask the young lord's origins?" The three exchanged glances, and Kang Fu was the first to speak.

"This young officer is of the Tuyuhun Murong clan, of the Murong royal line. But I was born on Tang soil and have long been a man of the Tang.

My grandfather was Prefect of Guazhou. My father died young. My mother is the granddaughter of Grand Preceptor Cao, the late Military Governor of the Guiyi Army. Sikong Zhang is my adoptive father!"

Kang Fu nodded. The origins were a little lacking, but they met the minimum requirement.

"So the reason Sikong would not let you kneel to receive the reward was to make you my uncle by marriage?" Zhao Kuangzan immediately turned haughty.

"Then you had better curry favor with me properly. Fifteenth Mother grew up with me since childhood. With me speaking on your behalf, the matter will be half done!"

Princess Yongle was only a little over two years older than Zhao Kuangzan, and Zhao Kuangzan had been taken to Luoyang as a child by his maternal grandfather Li Siyuan to be raised personally.

So saying he grew up with Princess Yongle was no exaggeration. Though they were aunt and nephew, in truth they were like elder sister and younger brother.

That said, Zhao Kuangzan still thought highly of Murong Xinzhang. With that build, that face, and that bearing, he would surely win his Fifteenth Aunt's heart.

"One princess of the Indian Xiaxi royal house and one lady of the Samanid Persian royal clan — I will have them sent from Liangzhou at once, as long as Young Lord Zhao can put in a word or two!"

Zhang Zhao said this immediately. He knew Zhao Kuangzan would soon return to Kaifeng, and barring surprises, the young man would then be taken by his father to live among the Khitan for several years, before finding a way to remain when Yelu Deguang entered the Central Plains.

The Zhao family, father and son — the father among the Khitan, the son in the Central Plains — had placed bets on both sides, with deep roots in each.

Beyond having him play matchmaker, Zhang Zhao would also have use for him in the future, which was why he was willing to offer such generous terms.

"A gentleman's word!"

Zhao Kuangzan was so excited he nearly jumped. An Indian princess and a Persian royal lady as concubines would make him the envy of all — what tremendous prestige!

"A swift horse needs but one lash!"

Zhang Zhao at once clapped palms with Zhao Kuangzan. Then Zhang Zhao walked over to An Shenqi.

"Five hundred thousand strings of cash! Grain, fodder, gold, or silk — any will do. I will withdraw my troops at once!"

At these words, Li Congyan's face went pale, and he dropped to both knees behind the table.

"Please reduce it somewhat. I truly cannot afford such tribute!"

Though Li Congyan spoke, Zhang Zhao did not look at him, and neither did An Shenqi. Still, An Shenqi had to say a few words on his behalf.

First, Li Congyan truly could not produce five hundred thousand strings. Second, Li Congyan's Qi Manor, which was the territory of the Fengxiang Military Governor, was a key point for defending against the Meng clan's Shu kingdom, and could not be weakened too severely.

"I beg Sikong to reduce it somewhat. In addition, the Chang'an treasury still holds one hundred thousand strings' worth of goods and several tens of thousands of shi of grain and fodder — all will be handed over to Sikong."

Zhang Zhao said nothing. That little? Was he fobbing off a beggar?

He had come from Liangzhou, and the expenses alone exceeded one hundred fifty thousand strings. Several hundred brave men had died in battle and thousands were wounded. One hundred thousand strings was plainly a joke!

"I will personally borrow from the merchants and will certainly raise two hundred thousand strings for Sikong. Moreover, regarding your son's matter, Grand Tutor Kang and I will do our utmost to help, and we can also memorialize to have Sikong enfeoffed as a Commandery Prince!" An Shenqi said through gritted teeth.

Zhang Zhao finally nodded. "For Hexi white sugar and rock sugar to be sold into Shu, I ask Grand Tutor to look after it somewhat. If so, four hundred thousand strings will do!"

By now, the road from Longyou into Shu had long fallen into disrepair.

The only route was the one running south from Fengzhou, in the Fengxiang Military Governor's territory, into Shu's Xingyuan Prefecture (Hanzhong), which was still passable.

This was also Li Congyan's source of wealth. Everything entering Shu had to pass through Qi Manor, which plucked a feather from every passing goose.

Zhang Zhao's meaning was that he did not want Li Congyan blocking the way, and he did not want to pay the commercial taxes either.

"Please reduce it somewhat. If it is three hundred thousand, I will raise it within ten days even if I have to sell the pot and the iron!"

Li Congyan had by now abandoned all pretense of dignity. He had lost the battle, and the compensation for his troops when he returned would be an astronomical sum. If he also had to pay more than three hundred thousand strings in reparations, he would have no money left for his troops, and when he returned he would be stabbed to death by his own officers and men.

"Sikong! This old man has been in Qinzhou and knows Qi Manor's circumstances well. Three hundred thousand strings is already the utmost they can raise!"

Kang Fu, made thoroughly uncomfortable by Li Congyan's pleading gaze, could only steel himself and intercede.

"Ah! Very well! Since both Grand Tutors plead together, three hundred fifty thousand strings — not a string less!"

Zhang Zhao let out a long sigh, though inwardly he was quite pleased.

Gaining five hundred fifty thousand strings was not bad — at least he would not take a loss. And opening the trade route into Shu and seeking marriage ties with Shi Jingtang mattered even more.

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