Book 45 - Chapter 8 – Returning to the Central Earth
Ke Dazhi and Kou Zhong went to the other end of the bay. The lights of Little Longquan were flickering on and off inside the hazy clouds, the air was filled with moisture, the coastal area was plagued endlessly by the drizzle.
The two sat on a pile of rocks, facing the sea.
Ke Dazhi spoke softly, “Another pre-dawn moment. Time is flying-by ruthlessly with total disregard of everything, tomorrow morning Xiufang Dajia is going to play a tribute in Bai Ziting’s funeral, and then she will immediately leave the city. The first stop is Gaoli, Fu Cailin is going to personally welcome her. I hear Gesuwen also invited her to be his guest. Liexia already made arrangement for her to go up north on a seagoing ship.” Translated by foxs
Shaken, Kou Zhong said, “In that case, Liexia should still be nearby.”
Ke Dazhi sighed and said, “So what if he is still nearby? Are you saying that I can kill him in front of Xiufang Dajia? The task that you entrusted to me, to investigate Xu Kaishan – already began to take shape. The previous night when you killed Funantuo, he and his men left in a hurry. Looking at the direction they were going, they can’t possibly go to Shanhai Pass, but seeing how crafty he is, it is also possible that that was a diversion.”
“Where is your Du Dage?” Kou Zhong asked.
Ke Dazhi replied, “He and Huyan Jin went to see Great Khan together to explain what happened recently. On the surface, Great Khan is very polite to them, but what he is thinking in his heart, only Great Khan himself knows. Really strange, Great Khan, in front and behind everybody, stated that he admires you very much; he even said that he definitely will help you to defeat Li Shimin.”
Frowning, Kou Zhong said, “For the Central Earth, that is not a good thing at all. It shows that in the future he might use helping me as a pretext to make his name, to unify various divisions of the grassland on a large-scale invasion to the Central Plains. Ay! I shouldn’t talk to you about this matter, should I?”
Smiling ruefully, Ke Dazhi nodded and said, “Indeed you shouldn’t. In the hostility between one country and another, personal friendly relations don’t have any place at all. As for Ma Ji, there is no news yet.”
After muttering to himself irresolutely for half a day, Kou Zhong spoke in low voice, “I have a very rude question: what kind of position does Shang Xiufang occupy in Ke Xiong’s heart?”
Shaking his head, Ke Dazhi said, “I don’t know how to answer that question. Before meeting Xiufang Dajia, women were merely embellishments in my life, something to make life more beautiful. But I never believe in eternal love; this is the conclusion I reached from my own life experience. No matter how infatuated you are with her at first, so much so that it was difficult for you to free yourself, there will come a day where your passion may lose its taste and disappear, so much so that you don’t want to see her again, and she can no longer bring about or stir up the feeling of excitement for you. For men, the real everlasting matter is establishing great undertaking, persevering to achieve a certain far-reaching ideal and goal, while not considering life and death worthy in the eye.” Translated by foxs
Dejected, Kou Zhong said, “In that case, just forget that I asked you this question!”
Astonished, Ke Dazhi asked, “What’s on your mind then? What is Xiufang Dajia’s weight [importance] in your heart? Strictly speaking, not only we are foreordained to become mortal enemy, at the same time, we are also rivals in love. However, I don’t have the slightest feeling that you are my enemy. At least for now.”
Kou Zhong wobbled hard to stand up, indicating a heavy heart. He sighed and said, “With heart and soul achieving goals, this is called a real man; I wonder if that means we have to miss the best things in life? It’s going to be dawn soon! I want to get on the boat to go back home. I hope that by the time we meet again, we will still have the excitement to chat and drink together!”
Three huge ships, their hulls extremely deep in the water, carrying the sheepskin, treasure chests and weapons and bows and arrows, entered the breeze-is-still-the-waves-are-quiet ocean, side by side.
During the more than ten days voyage, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling spent their time, which slipping away very quickly, training the falcon and chatting and joking. The touching natural beauty of the ocean, the enchanting mountains and rivers scenery of the coastal area, deeply attracted their interest. The heavy responsibility of steering the boat fell onto a warrior, sent by Tuli – who was familiar with the wind and the waves.
Perhaps because during their trip to the prairie they had experienced too much bloodshed that the two boys never talked about martial arts at all; however, when Shanhai Pass was in sight, it was as if they gradually woke up from a beautiful dream to face the reality, which was about to meet them on the face.
Kou Zhong carried the young falcon with him. While feeding her meat, he walked over toward Song Shidao, Xu Ziling, and Ou Liangcai, who were chatting idly at the bow. Lightly flicking his wrist, he let the little falcon soared into the sky, to fly toward the flat sea far away.
Gasping in amazement, Ou Liangcai said, “At Pingyao, I have seen hunters relying on sparrow hawks to find their prey, but they are far inferior to this falcon, which is good at understanding people! Look! Her grey-black feather is suffused with golden yellow, which dazzles under the light of the sun. How formidable!”
Song Shidao nodded in agreement, saying, “Lingnan hunters also raise eagles, but compared to this falcon, the quality differs far away. Have you thought about changing her name?”
Scratching his head, Kou Zhong said, “What should I change her name to?”
His gaze fixed on the falcon, which had become a black dot in the distance, Xu Ziling blurted out, “Don’t you have to shout to call her? Why do you need any name? Might as well don’t change her name.”
Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, “In that case, I’ll call her Wuming [lit. no name]! It’s just for our convenience, so that we won’t have to call her this falcon or that falcon, showing no respect for her at all. Ay! Where did that kid Yin Xianhe roll to? I hope he did not meet any mishap!” Translated by foxs
Song Shidao analyzed calmly, “Such a reclusive swordsman like him, he must be more trustworthy than average people. He won’t make any promise, but once he does, he will keep his words. Therefore, something must have happened to prevent him from reaching Little Longquan before dawn.”
The divine light in Xu Ziling’s eyes suddenly flashed, he nodded and said, “Song ErGe is right, and it should have something to do with Xu Kaishan. This time Yin Xianhe came to Longquan, his objective was to assassinate Xu Kaishan.”
Kou Zhong anxiously said, “That is very dangerous. Since Xu Kaishan knew that his identity has been uncovered, plus he had a falling out with Du Xing, he no longer has any misgivings, he might turn around to devour anyone who is a threat to him, just like a vicious dog being chased into a dead-end alley.”
Shaking his head, Song Shidao said, “You are overstating the facts somewhat. The fact is that his identity has not been uncovered at all, he could still push it away neat and clean. Xu Kaishan is plotting actively in the northeast by establishing the Beima Bang, he will not give it up easily. He might only lie low temporarily to avoid the intensity of the fire. We can’t let him stay in Shanhai Pass, because then he would have big opportunity to revive his banner and drums. Under this kind of situation, he shouldn’t make his move to deal with Yin Xianhe to avoid exposing his true color; even more, to tie an unsolvable enmity with us.”
Xu Ziling said, “Shaoshuai needs to be a bit more open-minded to receive instruction! Song ErGe understands worldly wisdom more than we do.”
Kou Zhong’s old face blushed slightly, he said, “It’s just that because Yin kid did not come in time to get on the boat that I made such guess. Ay! If Xu Kaishan did not get rid of him, why did this kid miss the appointment? Didn’t Ling Shao promise him to go look for his Xiaomei? What could possibly be more important to him that that?”
Song Shidao said, “Yin Xianhe is the kind of person who does not want to receive other people’s favor. Although he is willing to be friends with you, he still does not want to inconvenient you. Or perhaps he thinks that his predestined affinity to be with you was enough, hence he deliberately missed the appointment.”
Kou Zhong nodded and said, “Listening to Song ErGe, it’s indeed like murky darkness suddenly opens. Yin kid can’t always stand at the corner of the boat, ignoring other people, hence he opted to travel alone. Aiyo! This is really bad; I am sure he is going alone to look for the Xiang Family’s father and son to give them bad luck. Xiao Ling, what information did you reveal to him?” While saying that, he signaled Xu Ziling with his eyes.
Xu Ziling understood. He said, “I only told him that Chi Shengchun of Six-Happiness Casino of Chang’an may be Xiang Gui’s eldest son. But this is the only clue to investigate the Xiang Family.”
Knitting his brows, Song Shidao said, “The Li Family of Chang’an is not friendly to us at all. Whether we can enter the city, it’s already a question mark. Even if we could catch Chi Shengchun, I am afraid even if he died, he would still refuse to reveal his family’s secret.” Translated by foxs
Kou Zhong immediately beat the snake following the stick by bringing up the old subject, “Hence the reason we are asking Song ErGe’s help,” he said, “Your life experience is more abundant than ours, hey …”
He made a show of there was no point in speaking, so he did not continue.
Smiling wryly, Song Shidao said, “How can I help?”
Kou Zhong hastily said, “Song ErGe can help in a lot of things. Ay! I am unable to spare time now, only Xiao Ling, one person, is going to deal with Chi Shengchun; it worries me to the death.”
And then he slapped his thigh and said, “I got it!”
Xu Ziling, Song Shidao and Ou Liangcai, three men looked at him with blank expression on their faces; they could not figure out what brilliant scheme he was thinking of.
Kou Zhong made a show of being very much in earnest, saying, “The kind of people that casinos revere the most are rich merchants and big businessmen from reputable families. Therefore, if Song ErGe disguise yourself as such person, Xiao Ling becomes his attendant, then you guys could sneak into Chang’an to get close to Chi Shengchun. You can act according to the situation to see how you can uncover his secret. Xiao Ling has always been destitute and living a simple life, having him disguised as a rich person will show one hundred splits [idiom: full of mistakes], but for Song ErGe, it’s not out of question at all.”
Only now did Xu Ziling realized that he was talking random nonsense, his goal was to stop and delay Song Shidao from going to the small valley to spend his last years accompanying the grave. However, this idea of his was actually analogous to Lei Jiuzhi’s original thought, it was even more perfect and more feasible.
Laughing involuntarily, Song Shidao said, “If someone is really rich and coming from a reputable family, won’t people be able to recognize him at a glance? How are we going to impersonate these people? Only newly rich won’t be recognizable by other people, and that means it does not have to be me, right?”
Kou Zhong himself could not help laughing; he said, “Xiao Ling disguises himself as a newly rich, ay! My Niang!”
Ou Liangcai said, “If you want to disguise yourself as a newly rich, Zaixia has a suitable candidate that can be considered.”
Song Shidao smiled and said, “Is it the number one rich man in Pingyao, Situ Furong, who grew his enterprise beginning with a pawnshop?”
Ou Liangcai nodded his head in delight, “Precisely that man,” he said.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were dumbstruck; they never thought that only one guess and Song Shidao already hit the mark. From among hundreds and thousands newly rich people, he guessed correctly that it was this gentleman.
Song Shidao explained, “First, it’s because Ou Gongzi is from Pingyao, hence it was very easy for him to recall his fellow townsman; but more importantly, Situ Furong is a man who is greedy for life, afraid of death, he rarely comes into contact with other people, his only indulgence is gambling. It’s just that his gambling is limited to communal gambling, with the people that he trusts. But to impersonate him, this newly rich, is not easy at all. All casino operators have close relationship with pawnshops; they are familiar with pawnshop system and operations. A few words are all they need to know whether you are an expert. Another problem is that Situ Furong’s pawnshops are all over the world. If he also opens a pawnshop in Chang’an, we would definitely reveal the cloven foot, and when that happens, we could only pack our food and leave before finish eating.” Translated by foxs
Ou Liangcai said, “Situ Furong’s pawnshops’ unique feature is that all of them have either Fu [good fortune, luck] or Rong [glory, honor], these two characters in their names. For instance, Pingyao’s main shop is called Furong, others are called Fusheng, Fuyong, Rongman, Rongde, and things like that. Chang’an Beiyuan’s [lit. north park] Rongda big pawn is precisely his Chang’an branch, which is also Chang’an’s largest pawnshop. The manager, Chen Fu, is my [maternal] uncle, he could conceal gentlemen’s identity.”
Shaking his head, Xu Ziling said, “How will it work? Behind Chi Shengchun, there is Li Yuanji giving him support, one thing goes wrong, disaster would fall onto your honorable relative, how could our heart be at peace?”
Ou Liangcai spoke with serious expression, “Human traffickers, everybody has the right to punish them, not to mention gentlemen have shown great kindness to our Yu Sheng Chang, furthermore, I believe that gentlemen must have a way to cross the sea by a trick [idiom], you can’t possibly implicate my humble uncle.”
None of the three men was not emotionally moved; they did not expect Ou Liangcai to have not only yiqi [spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice/code of brotherhood], but also zhengyi [sense of justice, same yi character].
Frowning, Song Shidao asked, “I wonder what your honorable uncle, Chen Xiansheng would think?”
Ou Liangcai smiled and said, “I know clearly Er Jiu’s [second maternal uncle] conduct; there shouldn’t be any problem.”
And then, lowering his voice, he said, “We belong to the group of people who support Qin Wang. If by this we could strike the princeling faction, we would be grateful, so what’s one pawnshop worth? What I fear the most is that the Xiang Family is going all-out to support the princeling faction, they might disturb the wind and stir up the rain, then it would be really bad.”
The three came to realize that because if they let Li Jianzheng ascend the emperor’s throne, all the people who supported Li Shimin would be ostracized, it also meant that Ou Liangcai was giving thought to his own family. Politics was indeed a very complicated game.
Helpless, Song Shidao heaved a sigh.
Puzzled, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked at him, but Ou Liangcai went on, “Situ Furong has a very capable assistant, who is frequently by his side, helping him assessing the value of treasure, curios, valuables and goods being pawned, his name is Shen Wenjiang, a younger generation of a declining aristocratic family. Impersonating either him or someone of Situ Furong’s choice is not something that Song ErGe cannot do.” Translated by foxs
Kou and Xu understood. The former muttered, “This matter is more and more interesting. Ay, too bad I really don’t have time to participate. Do I have the good luck of not enjoying the trouble that I brought to myself?”
Wuming made a circle in the distance before flying back toward them.
The docks east of Shanhai Pass appeared ahead. They finally reached their destination.
They saw a big ocean-going ship, which was moored by the dock – was about to sail out to sea. Kou Zhong focused his eyes to look, “Isn’t that Da Xiaojie’s ship?” he blurted out, “Do you see that? The banner has Yi Sheng Long, three large characters; those are Da Xiaojie’s trademark.”
Xu Ziling nodded and said, “It’s Da Xiaojie coming in person!”
Based on Zhai Jiao’s temperament, as long as she could walk, then she would go to Longquan at the first opportunity to meet with them.
A strong gust of wind overhead, Wuming landed on Kou Zhong’s broad shoulder and slowly folded down its wings.
‘Bang!
Zhai Jiao slapped the table. Ignoring Song Shidao’s presence, whom she had just met – in the cabin, she swore without restraint, “You two, what do you say for yourselves? I told you to kill Han Chao’an, Du Xing and Huyan Jin, but you can’t even kill half a person, yet you still brag about being unequalled under the heavens. In my opinion, you don’t even fit to be my little servant sweeping the floor for me. Humph!”
Ren Jun, standing behind her, could not help speaking in low voice, “Kou Ye and Xu Ye never said that they are unequalled under the heavens; moreover, the eighty-thousand sheets of sheepskin …”
“Shut up!” Zhai Jiao angrily said, “When did I give you permission to interrupt? It’s not that I hate them, but I am doing it for their own good, I don’t want them not to make any progress.”
Bowing and bending his knee [idiom: bending and scraping to curry favor], Kou Zhong nodded and said, “Da Xiaojie is cursing us well, we certainly did not do our best.”
Xu Ziling understood Zhai Jiao’s temperament very well, he obediently hung his head while receiving the instruction, without daring to argue even for half a sentence.
Breathing heavily, Zhai Jiao said, “Naturally there’s a reason that I cursed them. You, these useless kids, tell me, what do I do now? The one controlling Shanhai Pass is still Du Xing, how am I going to explain to Jing Dangjia [chief]. There’s also that Beima Bang’s Xu Kaishan, who will only mess up our Yi Sheng Long’s affairs; can I still run this line of business in the future?”
Song Shidao spoke out to help them out of trouble, “I wonder if Da Xiaojie could hear a bit of Zaixia’s humble opinion?” Translated by foxs
Naturally Zhai Jiao did not dare to throw a temper toward him; she cheerfully said, “Song Gongzi, please give directions, I, Zhai Jiao, am one who understands reason!”
Song Shidao said, “Shanhai Pass’ situation is extremely delicate, the mutual struggle among various powers is leading toward equilibrium instead. In my humble opinion, this is not the suitable moment to act blindly without thinking, otherwise, hard-to-fathom variable might arise. If Gao Kaidao and the Tujue or perhaps the Qidan are in direct conflict, an even worse situation might arise. Right now, the wolf-bandit disaster has been resolved, Xu Kaishan and Du Xing are having a falling out, plus anybody would know Da Xiaojie’s relationship with Xiao Zhong, Xiao Ling …”
“Do I need to rely on these two useless kids?” Zhai Jiao spoke in disdain.
Restraining himself from laughing, Song Shidao said, “Although these two are useless, but they are Tuli’s brothers. Even if people don’t give them any face, they would give Tuli some face. Therefore, Da Xiaojie, please don’t worry, this line of business will only get bigger and bigger.”
Zhai Jiao’s countenance clearing up somewhat, she said, “All right, I will only think about this good aspect! I will now immediately rush back to Leshou to have these sheepskins delivered to various regions. Are you, two kids going to come with me to see Little Lingzhong?”
Kou Zhong sighed and said, “We really want to, but …”
Zhai Jiao slapped the table again and said, “You don’t want to go then don’t go; who cherish you anyway?” And then she could not help laughing. Afterwards, she spoke in an amiable manner, “I don’t know why, but each time I see you, these two kids, I can’t help cursing you. Forget it! When you’re done with your important matter, get the hell out here to see me. Remember not to spend your day caring only about fighting for life and death, only by keeping your little life will you have the chance to live a happy and prosperous life. Those weapons, bows and arrows, I will send someone to deliver those things to Pengliang for you. Don’t worry!”
And then she said, “Take Xiao Jun with you! Train him for me a few more months, so that if something happens in the future, I won’t need to seek you.”
Ren Jun was overjoyed at the unexpected good news.
How could Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling dare to say no? Their allotted share was to nod their heads to agree.
Turning to Ren Jun, Zhai Jiao ordered, “Bring those Pingyao merchants here, I want to see if there is any readily available business to talk about.”
Ren Jun accepted the order and left.
Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Song Shidao seized this opportunity to slip into the deck to take a breath of fresh air and to talk. Wuming was still circling freely above the piers. Translated by foxs
Kou Zhong said, “After parting company with Da Xiaojie, shall we go to Yuyang first to hand over the Flying Clouds Bow to Jian Dashi?”
“Of course,” Xu Ziling replied, “Afterwards you are going straight to Luoyang, am I right?”
Kou Zhong said, “I am also thinking that I ought to hand Xiao Jun over to you to be polished; I don’t want him to come with me to Luoyang to throw away his life.”
Displeased, Song Shidao said, “How could you be so pessimistic? Luoyang is an even stronger military strategic town than Chang’an; even without you, Kou Zhong in charge, it’s still not easy for Li Shimin to capture it.”
Kou Zhong sighed and said, “The problem lies in Wang Shichong unwilling to let me be in command of the city defense. I can only be a monk for a day, striking the bell for a day, to see how long I will be able to strike the bell!”
Muttering to himself irresolutely, Song Shidao said, “I have a proposal. Before going to Luoyang, if you could say hello to Dou Jiande first, perhaps the whole situation can be turned around, Wang Shichong could also be a bit more polite toward you.”
Kou Zhong’s pair of tiger-eyes immediately lit up.