<h4>Book 57 Chapter 3 - Unity of Will Is an Impregnable Stronghold</h4>


    Trantor: Foxs'' Wuxia


    Kou Zhong saw Shi Feixuan in the inner hall and dismissed the others. Sitting down on the other side of the peaceful-expression Shi Feixuan, he sighed and said, “Feixuan should know that your move of inviting Ning Daoqi was extremely dangerous. Their, two men’s life and death were just separated by a fine line, they nearly went back to heaven together, fortunately Laotianye blessed and protected that no tragedy happened.”


    Shi Feixuan looked at him, her eyes showed a tender expression, which was rarely expressed toward him, she spoke softly, “That is not only a tragedy, but a disaster! Do you want to hear the truth? We have tried to overestimate Song Que’s ability as much as possible, but we have never thought that he unexpectedly has a saber technique that could put Ning Dashi to death, however, by that time everything waspletely out of control. Fortunately, just like Shaoshuai said, it did not turn into an irreversible disaster.”


    Kou Zhong felt the chill crept up his spine, Shi Feixuan was right, if the two great grandmasters returned to heaven together, his, Kou Zhong’s only option was to carry on Song Que’s legacy and fulfill Song Que’s great aspiration of the south unifying the north, which was two diametrically opposite situations with the current turbulent situation.


    The battle ended in a tie with both sides suffered was really the most ideal ending. Looking at it this way, the Central Earth should still be considered lucky.


    Shi Fei’s voice sounded in his ears, “Feixuan did not wish to disturb Shaoshuai, but because I couldn’t find Xiao Ling, I have no choice but to shamelessly ask for an audience.”


    Smiling wryly, Kou Zhong said, “Since when did we be like strangers? It’s my turn to tell the truth, Xiaodi has never considered you an outsider, Ziling is my brother, and you are his … Hey! Close female friend. Ha! I finally saw Xianzi blushing!”


    Shi Feixuan recovered her calmness. Tranquil and calm, and at ease, she said, “Shaoshuai’s mood today seems to be very good.”


    Kou Zhong rxed his body and softly leaned against the back of the chair; as if he was groaning, he said, “Thinking that in the future I don’t need to be some kind of pain-in-the butt emperor, naturally my mood is different.”


    Shi Feixuan’s immortal body trembled slightly, she looked at him over the small table, her pretty eyes flooded with unconceble, evolving from her true heart - joy, she spoke softly, “Finally Shaoshuai is willing to nod! It is the fortune of all people.”


    Kou Zhong responded with a bitter smile, he said, “Immortal and mundane are different, naturally Xiaozi [this kid] is not as knowledgeable as you. If there is anyone in this world who can make me submit and obedient, it must be Xu Ziling. After Feixuan put him in order, wouldn’t put me in order be as easy as a hand’s turn?”


    Shi Feixuan did not mind him keep chewing on her rtionship with Xu Ziling, she smiled and said, “Feixuan does not know how to express the happiness and relief in my heart, that kind of joy is real.”


    Kou Zhong apuded and said with augh, “To be able to make Feixuan happy and excited like a little girl is already worth everything. Ziling should be on his way to see Qin Wang now, he must be very disappointed not being able to see you.”


    Shi Feixuan spoke in displeasure, “Shaoshuai seems to be determined to embarrass me, it’s just that on the surface it sounded pleasant to the ears.”


    Kou Zhong straightened his tiger-body, his hands grabbed the armrest, he shed a smile as bright as the sun toward Shi Feixuan, and spoke candidly, “The happiness in my heart is really no less than yours, because we are no longer enemies, but with heart and soul we are partners who forge ahead and fight side-by-side for some far-reaching goal. In the future, I even don’t have to contend for hegemony over the world, as well as to be in conflict with Ziling. Is there anything more satisfying than this in the world?”


    The unusual light in Shi Feixuan’s beautiful eyes was rippling, she looked deeply into Kou Zhong’s eyes, and chuckled lightly without the slightest bit of restraint. She spoke gently, “There was a time that Feixuan really suspected that Shaoshuai was a person who wanted to satisfy your own ambitions. For this reason, Feixuan would like to offer the deepest apology to Shaoshuai. Does Shaoshuai have the confidence to pass the Song Que barrier?”


    Smiling wryly, Kou Zhong said, “Fortunately, the misunderstanding is cleared up now. Ay! I wonder if Feixuan wanted to tell me that your esteemed master does not have the confidence to persuade Fazhu?”


    Shi Feixuan slowly said, “People with superior knowledge and experience surely have their own thinking process and methods to achieve a certain belief, they couldn’t be easily swayed, so who would dare to say that they have the confidence to persuade Song Que?”


    Kou Zhong smiled and said, “I am suddenly full of fighting spirit and confidence in this matter, let me think of every possible method first, only when necessary, I will ask Feixuan to invite your esteemed master to cooperate. Please tell your esteemed master that Fazhu still cannot forget his feeling toward her. Otherwise, the battle of Jingnian Chanyuan would have another ending.”


    Perhaps Shi Feixuan was thinking about Xu Ziling, but the expression showing in her eyes darkened, she cast her gaze to the ground, nodded her head, and said, “The first time Fazhu saw Feixuan, Feixuan already knew.”


    Kou Zhong said, “Before obtaining Fazhu’s nod of approval, I must meet with Li Shimin to negotiate terms. Not only I must arrange a way out for the people who follow me, but I must also see his determination and grand n to be the emperor, otherwise there will be no need to talk further. Is Feixuan going to rush back to the north to meet Ziling?”


    Revealing a hint of pained expression, Shi Feixuan spoke indifferently, “Does Shaoshuai think Feixuan should see him?”


    Kou Zhong was stunned, momentarily he could not say anything. Merely with these words, it was clear that although Shi Feixuan has reached the Heart of the Sword Brightly Lit realm, she was still unable to remain indifferent toward Xu Ziling.


    Shi Feixuan stood up gracefully, she returned to her usual tranquil and gentle manner.


    Kou Zhong hurriedly stood up to see her off.


    Shi Feixuan turned her tender body around to face him, chuckling gracefully, she said, “Shaoshuai’s honorable self is very busy, no need to see me off! Tell Ziling that Feixuan and Shizhun will be waiting for your good news at Jingnian Chanyuan.”


    Inside the east wing of Xiao You’s courtyard house, Xiao You and Xiao He’er cried on each other’s shoulder, no one could tell which tears were shed to vent out the sorrow in their hearts, and which tears were shed due to the joy in their hearts.


    Sitting on the other side, Xu Ziling, Lei Jiuzhi, Hou Xibai, and Wang Xuanshu had no idea what to do, hence they simply let them [feminine] cry topletely drain the emotions in their hearts.


    Yin Xianhe and Ji Qian were still on search mission, which has been going on for more than ten days, they have not yet returned.


    Hou Xibai whispered to Xu Ziling sitting next to him, “Shall we go out to look for them?”


    Lei Jiuzhi, sitting on Xu Ziling’s other side, said, “They must be going outside the city to try their luck, how are we going to find them?”


    Still sobbing, Xiao He’er stood up and said, “I’m going to look for Dage.”


    Xiao You pulled her in to her arms and said while still crying, “They wille back before the city gate closes.”


    She has not finished speaking, ‘Knock! Knock!’ there was a knock on the door.


    Disregarding everything, Xiao He’er rushed out to the main gate, Xu Ziling and the others hurriedly followed. By the time they reached the outer courtyard, Xiao He’er already opened the door without asking, but then her tender body trembled, in extreme disappointment she asked, “Who are you?”


    Qin Shubao appeared outside the door, he had changed back to wearing civilian clothes, his gaze flitted over Xiao He’er, before it fell on Xu Ziling. “Why is this little brother crying so miserably?” he asked in astonishment.


    Xu Ziling stepped forward and said, “Qin Dage, pleasee in and talk.”


    Xiao He’er turned around and threw herself into Wang Xuanshu’s bosom, who was standing behind her. She was not crying loudly, but her shoulders were twitching as she was weeping in silence.


    While still looking at her, Qin Shubao came in front of Xu Ziling, pulled him tightly into his embrace, and spoke with stirred up emotions, “We are good brothers again!”


    Lei Jiuzhi and the others suddenly understood, Xu Ziling did not guess incorrectly, Li Shimin indeed talked about the reconciliation with a few trusted aides great generals who had close rtionship with them, showing his determination to fight for the throne.


    Lei Jiuzhi closed the gate, moved behind Xiao He’er, reached out to grab her two fragrant shoulders, and spoke softly, “Don’t cry! You are crying so much that I’m about to shed tears with you.”


    Xiao You also said, “Your Dage ising back soon!”


    Xiao He’er whimpered, “I’m afraid they met some mishap!”


    Letting go of Xu Ziling, Qin Shubao was totally at a loss, “What’s going on here?”


    Xu Ziling was going to speak, suddenly he sensed something.


    ‘Knock! Knock! Knock!’


    Ji Qian’s tender voice rang out from outside the gate, “Quickly open the door!”


    Xiao He’er’s tender body shook severely; leaving Wang Xuanshu’s embrace, she turned around to face the door.


    Time seemed to freeze at this moment.


    Xiao You pounced forward and pulled the door open.


    Ji Qian and Yin Xianhe, spirit-weary, countenance-tired, stood dejectedly outside the door. Ji Qian was about to speak when she caught sight of everyone. Her open little mouth could close anymore, she only produced an ‘Ah!’ sound.


    Yin Xianhe’s thin body shook violently, he stared at Xiao He’er in disbelief, and then his entire body trembled, tears gushed out like a spring.


    Xiao He’er let out a startling-the-heaven-moving-the-earth cry of sorrow, like an arrow she threw herself into Yin Xianhe’s bosom.


    Xu Ziling restrained his hot tears from flowing out, he patted Qin Shubao and said, “Let’s find a ce to sit down and talk.”


    Inside the study room, Xu Xingzhi and Xuan Yong listened to Kou Zhong until he was finished, surprisingly, there was not any fierce reaction.


    Kou Zhong still had not figured out what the two men thought, he summed up, “To help Li Shimin ascending to the emperor’s throne, there are two prerequisites. The first one is that Li Shimin must makemitment in all aspects, and thest one is that we have to obtain Song Que’s consent. Any one of the two iscking, everything will proceed ording to the original direction.”


    Xuan Yong respectfully said, “We will obey Shaoshuai’s instructions for everything.”


    Greatly astonished, Kou Zhong asked, “Unexpectedly you have no objection?”


    Xuan Yong revealed a sincere smile, he spoke softly, “Not concealing anything from Shaoshuai, at the beginning, I wholeheartedly wanted to avenge Da Longtou, I never thought about fighting for the world. Only because I admire and revere Shaoshuai and Xu Ye, I decided to risk my life to assist gentlemen [orig. junzi - nobleman / person of noble character]. Frankly speaking, I still prefer to wander the Jianghu, that kind of free and easy life. If sessfully aplish our goal, Shuxia [subordinate] would like to return to help Da Xiaojie taking care of business, official life really does not suit me.”


    Suspicious, Kou Zhong asked, “Xiao Yong did not say that deliberately to make me feel me less sad?”


    Xu Xingzhi smiled and said, “Xingzhi can guarantee that Xuan Zhen’s [sic, perhaps Xuan Yong’s alias] words came from the bottom of his heart. In fact, the overwhelming majority of the high-ranking military officers in the Shao Shuai Army have the same attitude of the heart like Xuan Zhen. They are all throw their lives in for Shaoshuai, therefore, as long as Shaoshuai can make proper arrangements, those who want to remove their armor [i.e. returning to civilian life] can remove their armor, those who love to be officials continue to be officials, each one is provided for, it will still be to everyone’s delight and satisfaction. After all, although we have full confidence in Shaoshuai, Li Shimin is also an unequalledmander-in-chief who has never suffered a defeat, plus Luoyang is even one of the three strongest cities in the world; even if we prevail, the next attack on Guanzhong is still not an easy task, significant casualties are inevitable. If we could avoid these two fierce battles, plus the oue is still so blissful, who would be stupid enough to oppose?”


    As if he was relieved from a burden, Kou Zhong spoke in great delight, “In that case, Xingzhi also have no problem!”


    Xu Xingzhi cheerfully said, “Not only I have no problem, I am extremely happy. Xingzhi read the books of the sages, if what will benefit all the people, what will harm all the people, unexpectedly one cannot tell clearly, then one would be ashamed to face the sages. Not only Xingzhi does not object, but I admire and respect Shaoshuai’s broad-minded and open, far-reaching ambitions that I prostrate myself in admiration.”


    Kou Zhong pped the table and said with a sigh, “It’s only this moment that I really put down the load on my mind. Obtaining your unanimous support has doubled my confidence. What do we do now?”


    Xu Xingzhi said, “Before solving the two major issues Shaoshuai mentioned earlier, we must keep this matter confidential, we must not leak any rumor to avoid disturbing the army’s heart, with only one exception, that is, Ma Chang.”


    Kou Zhong nodded and agreed. Because of Yang Gongqing’s death in battle, Ma Chang’s army had forged a deep enmity with the Tang Army, unlike Xuan Yong and Xu Xingzhi who did not have the burden of such sentiment.


    Xuan Yong said, “Ma Chang has enormous influence within our army, he must be handled carefully by Shaoshuai personally, if Shaoshuai waited until this matter ispleted before telling him, he might feel betrayed.”


    Having a card up his sleeve, Kou Zhong said, “That’s why one of my prerequisites is that Li Shimin must promise me something. All right! I will talk to Ma Chang immediately.”


    Qin Shubao and Xu Ziling sat down in the west wing. The former sighed and said, “Fortunately, you and Xiao Zhong are willing to change to support Qin Wang. Qin Wang’s current situation is getting more and more unfavorable!”


    Xu Ziling jumped in fright, “He cannot stop Liu Dage?” he asked.


    Stunned, Qin Shubao said, “Liu Dage? Ah! You mean Liu Heita, that kid. Ziling misunderstood! However, Liu Heita is indeed exceptional. Qin Wang sent Luo Shixin to guard River Luo on behalf of Wang Junkuo, he was under Liu Heita’s violent attack day and night for eight days. Not only River Luo was captured, Luo Shixin was even killed in battle. But this was just the Liu Army’s final radiance of the setting sun. The fierce generals under his banner, Liu Shixi and Zhang Junli suffered a crushing defeat before Pengcheng, their army lost eight thousand men, and River Luo was retaken by us. After that, Qin Wang ignored Liu Heita’s many challenges, we defended the wall firmly and refused to go out, we also sank his boat, burned his military supply wagons, and cut off his route for providing foodstuff, so that Liu Heita was short of army provision and grass, and was eager for a decisive battle. However, Qin Wang secretly sent men to the upper reaches of River Luo to build a weir, and then after the Liu Army go out to battle, the weir was destroyed and the water was released. The Liu Army’s loss due to the flood reached several thousand men. Liu Heita led the remnant of the army to flee in panic. We then spread the rumors that he had gone to rely on help from the Tujue, even used him of abandoning his men to flee in order to shake the soldiers’ heart. In my opinion, Liu Heita is done for!”


    Hearing that, Xu Ziling’s eyebrows were deeply knitted, but he couldn’t really me Li Shimin, the victor would be called the king, the loser would be called the bandit. War is just like that, both sides try to strike at their opponents by fair means or foul.


    Smiling wryly, he said, “In that case, you should have said Qin Wang’s situation is good, what makes Qin Dage worry earlier?”


    Qin Shubao sighed and said, “Qin Wang knew about Liu Heita’s rtionship with you guys, hence he started off leniently and let him escape. However, due to Qin Wang‘s outstanding achievements and increasing prestige, Li Jiancheng feels more and more threatened. Thereupon Jiancheng requested Huangshang to send him to lead the troops and go into battle, to take Qin Wang’s ce. Unexpectedly Huangshang readily agreed, hence Qin Wang was forced to retreat to Luoyang. Ay! If Jiancheng took advantage of this readily avable convenience and defeated Liu Heitai, and then Qin Wang is summoned back to Chang’an, wouldn’t the situation be extremely far from good?”


    Hearing that, Xu Ziling’s heart sank straight down. Li Jiancheng was not Li Shimin, he would definitely not let Liu Heita get away.


    “I want to see Qin Wang in secret,” he spoke heavily, “Can Qin Dage make the arrangement?”


    Qin Shubao pped his chest and said, “Of course no problem. When is Ziling going to set out?”


    “How about tonight?” Xu Ziling replied.


    After Xu Xingzhi and Xuan Yong left, Ba Fenghan stepped into the study room, sat down opposite Kou Zhong, and said with a smile, “Looking at your appearance, I know that everything is going well, you obtained all parties’ support.”


    Kou Zhong said, “There is still one difficulty to ovee, which is Ma Chang, whom you, LaoGe admires. I only have 50% confidence to convince him. If he gets angry and storms off in a huff, even more, he spreads this matter out, I really don’t know how to handle it.”


    Ba Fenghan said, “How about we use wonder troops [troops appearing suddenly (in a raid or ambush)] tactic? Coming from me, a fighter and warlike person, the result might be even better.”


    Greatly delighted, Kou Zhong said, “You, LaoGe are so proactive in this matter, it is indeed beyond Xiaodi’s expectation.”


    Ba Fenghanughed and said, “What else but because of brotherhood? I am hoping to fulfill Ziling’s great wish, and also want you to be able to change Song Family’s Xiaojie’s heart. Bottom line is that I don’t have any malice toward Li Shimin. As long as I can kill Li Yuanji and Yang Xuyan, I will be perfectly contented, let alone to be able to heavily strike Xieli, do you understand?”


    At this time, Ma Chang raised his voice outside the door, “Does Shaoshuai want to see Shuxia?”


    Kou Zhong stood up and said, “Come in!”


    Ma Chang strode in and sat down under Ba Fenghan’s first seat.


    Ba Fenghan calmly said, “If we seed in capturing Guanzhong, who is Ma Zhen [sic] most wanting to kill with your own hands?” [Note: not sure if it was another alias or simply a typo, both Xuan Zhen and Ma Zhen use the same ‘zhen’ character, but it does not look anything like ‘Yong’ or ‘Chang’.]


    Without even thinking Ma Chang replied, “Li Jiancheng.”


    “Anybody else?” Ba Fenghan asked.


    Ma Chang replied, “As for others things, I will follow Shaoshuai’s instructions, Shuxia has no opinion.”


    Ba Fenghanughed aloud as rose up to his full height and said, “The problem is solved! Other things will be exined by Shaoshuai.”


    Ma Chang stared nkly at Kou Zhong.


    Looking at Ba Fenghan’s leaving figure, Kou Zhong smiled wryly and said, “Good kid! The easiest thing, he took care of, but the difficult thing, he left it to me to undertake. His granny’s bear.”


    Ma Chang felt that things were unusual. Slightly startled, he asked, “Shaoshuai has any order? Please do not hesitate to tell me.”


    Kou Zhong said frankly, “We all are brothers, I don’t want to conceal it from you, our grand n of unifying the world has changed.”


    Ma Chang’s countenance changed color, he asked, “What happened?”


    Counting by fives and tens [idiom: in full detail] Kou Zhong exined the matter, and then said, “Li Shimin must agree to let us kill Jiancheng and Yuanji, before we will help him with all our strength to ascend to the throne, otherwise, no need to mention anything.”


    Finally Ma Chang understood clearly what was going on, he hung his head low and spoke respectfully, “In everything I will listen and obey to Shaoshuai’s arrangements.”


    Kou Zhong said in amazement, “You don’t have any objection?”


    Ma Chang replied, “Before he died, Yang Gong had repeatedly admonished Shuxia to follow Shaoshuai with undivided loyalty, not to mention the fact that Shaoshuai is not doing this for personal gain, but for the peaceful reunification of the world. As long as Shuxia is able to deal with Li Jiancheng with the edge of my de, everything else is irrelevant.”


    Greatly delighted, Kou Zhong said, “Then I can really put down the big rock in my heart now, I originally thought it would be very difficult to exin to you guys.”


    Ma Chang spoke cheerfully, “We follow Shaoshuai fighting for the world, it was because of our love and respect to Shaoshuai. Naturally, we also seek glory, riches and honor, as well as to aplish immortal achievement. And now Shaoshuai and Li Shimin join forces, what else in the world that cannot be solved? Moreover, we won’t need to take the risk of defeat and injuries and deaths. Yang Gong’s greatest cherished desire was the peaceful reunification of the world. If Li Shimin was Li Tang’s Taizi [crown prince] instead of Li Jiancheng, we might have surrendered to the House of Tang early on. Therefore, Shaoshuai’s decision, Shuxia will only approve wholeheartedly, there won’t be any objection.”


    Kou Zhong pped the table and said with augh, “Oh, Li Shimin! Your chance of bing the emperor has risen quite a bit! Now we’ll have to see whether you can make up your mind.”