Translator: Foxs' Wuxia

Xu Ziling stayed in Changan for four days, and then when Li Shimin led the army on a punitive expedition against Liu Heita, he quietly left via the secret road and rushed to Jingnian Chanyuan. He was afraid that when he saw Shi Feixuan, he would be unable to control his emotions, yet he longed for seeing her, to confess his ignorance to her, to tell her that he would spare no effort, to exhaust his mental and physical efforts for the world from the other direction, hoping to see her happy and pleased due to the changes in him.

Li Shimin did not meet with him to speak to him, however, from the fact that he reinstated Li Jing, appointed him as the Zongguan [chief, manager] of the marching expeditionary force this time, he was showing via his action to Xu Ziling that he agreed to accept Xu Zilings proposal.

By the time he arrived at Jingnian Chanyuan, the war on the north and the south battlefronts was going on fiercely.

After Liu Heita rendered big defeat to Li Yuanji and Li Shentong, he formed an alliance with Gao Kaidao and Zhang Jinshu, who had rebelled against the Tang, to eliminate the fears of trouble in the rear, and led his army to advance into Hebeis Zongcheng. Seeing the turn of events not too encouraging, the defender of the city, Li Shiji abandoned the city and left in an attempt to preserve their defensive power to head toward Luozhou. Liu Heita pursued relentlessly at his tail, slaughtering five thousand of his infantry pawns, Li Shiji was barely able to escape alive.

This military campaign shook the city of Changan.

And then, using the force to smash bamboo [idiom: irresistible force] Liu Heita attacked Xiangzhou, Weizhou, and other places, snatching back Dou Jiandes lost territories from the Li Tangs hands one by one. Tang generals such as Qin Wutong, Chen Junbin, Cheng Mingzhen, and the others were forced to flee to Guanzhong.

Thereupon Liu Heita proclaimed himself Han Dong Wang [the King of East Han (Dynasty)], and changed his regnal name to Tian Zhao [lit. made in heaven], and set Luozhou as his capital, restoring the civil and military bureaucratic system that was used during Jiande period, everything followed the same method.

However, Li Shimin and Li Yuanji assembled an army of eighty-thousand men in Huojia at this time to launch comprehensive counterattack.

Knowing that he could not defend Xiangzhou, Liu Heita retreated to defend the capital, Luozhou.

After taking Xiangzhou, Li Shimin divided his troops into multiple ways to attack Luozhou, so that Liu Armys situation was extremely critical. Those with knowledge and insight, none did not know that Li Shimin wanted to take advantage of the time before Kou Zhong, this lifelong formidable opponent going up north to attack Luoyang to pacify the north.

At the same time when Liu Heita defeated Li Shiji, Kou Zhong from the south took over Jiangdu from Li Zitong. In accordance with their agreement, Li Zitong was allowed to flee.

In this matter, Shen Faxing, father and son were kept inside a drum, they were totally oblivious that Jiangdu had fallen into Kou Zhongs hands.

By this time, Kou Zhongs deployment against Shen Faxing was completed via Chen Changlin. With the Jiangnans high-ranking military officers, who had been instigated to rebel - providing help in the dark, Kou Zhong attacked Kunling directly with ten-thousand-jun-thunderbolt momentum.

It was not until the Shao Shuai Army entered the city that Shen Faxing, father and son realized suddenly that the great momentum has already gone, they fled in a hurry. On the way, they were ambushed by Chen Changlin, and Chen Changlin beheaded Shen Faxing, father and son, with his own hands, to avenge the blood debt as deep as the ocean.

Within half a month, Shao Shuai Army descended on Zitong, killed Faxing, and caused a sensation in the world, their prestige climbed to the top, it even surpassed Li Shimins.

One after another, the high-ranking military officers under Lin Shihong, Xiao Xian, and Fu Gongyous banner offered their cities and surrendered, so that Lin, Xiao, and Fu, three mens momentum exhausted, their strength in distress even more.

Xu Ziling was unable to see Shi Feixuan at the Jingnian Chanyuan, that person [yi ren, usually refers to female (in literature)] left just two days ago. Before leaving, she told Liao Kong that she wanted to go to see Li Shimin.

Losing all his linking arms, Xu Ziling had no choice but to go back to Liangdu first.

Who knew that disappointments did not come individually? Upon his arrival in Liangdu, not only did he fail to rendezvous with Yin Xianhe and Ji Qian, who should have arrived long ago, there was not the least bit of message from them. Although he was terribly worried and nearly wanted to rush to Xiangyang, after weighing this matter, however, in the end he gave up this idea, instead, Song Lu sent his men to Xiangyang to scout for information, while he himself rode on Shao Shuai Armys navy ship going down south to see Kou Zhong.

The moment he was traveling south on the boat along the canal toward the Yangtze River, Kou Zhong was racing against time. Joining forces with Du Fuwei, they moved toward Liyang, launching a large-scale attack against Fu Gongyou.

Fu Gongyou made his final struggle; he sent the troops, under Feng Huiliang and Chen Dangs command, thirty-thousand men to Bowang Mountain, and another thirty thousand men under Chen Zhengtong and Xu Shaonings command to be stationed at Qinglin Mountain, across the river from Bowang Mountain. They put on iron chain to seal off the river, in order to withstand Kou Zhong. In term of strategy, both in offensive and defensive, they relied on natural barriers.

Kou Zhong and Du Fuweis coalition forces cut their route for providing foodstuff first, by blockading Danyang and isolating it, and then they sent troops to lure Feng Huiliang and the others to get out of their stronghold to attack, afterwards they used their main force to storm in and break them.

The barrier was gone, Kou Zhong and Du Fuwei followed up the victory and attacked Danyang. Fu Gongyou still wanted to flee to Kuaiji to rendezvous with Zuo Youxian, in an attempt to counterattack, but using light cavalry, Kou Zhong and Du Fuwei overtook him, and Du Fuwei beheaded Fu Gongyou with his own hands.

When Xu Ziling arrived in Danyang, the Shao Shuai Army was clearing up the mess, repairing the damaged city walls, incorporating the surrendering troops into theirs, and restoring order in Danyang City and normalcy in the life of the residents as soon as possible. Ren Meimei was in charge of this endeavor; aware of Xu Zilings arrival, she sent her men to fly and report to Kou Zhong.

Kou Zhong immediately came out to meet him. Accompanying him were Lei Jiuzhi and Hou Xibai. As the brothers met, they were very happy.

Noticing Xu Zilings appearance as if he was laden with anxiety, Kou Zhong thought he was reminiscing the past, remembering the old incident when they entered the city with Fu Junchuo. Thereupon he suggested, Lets get down the horse and walk, reenacting the scene when we entered the city with Niang, pawning that thing and using the money to cure our belly.

Lei Jiuzhi laughed and said, Without a few days, forget about the shops are opening for business. I, Lei Jiuzhi will make an exception this time, I am going to personally go to the kitchen to prepare a few small dishes that you guys can greatly enjoy the feast to celebrate our reunion.

Hou Xibai tactfully said, Lei Dage and I are going to take care of the ingredients, you two go to the restaurant, sit down and have a chat, I guarantee that the banquet will be ready on time this evening.

With loud laughter, Hou Xibai and Lei Jiuzhi simply entered the city.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling flew off their horses, and let their personal guards to lead the horses away.

Passing through the city gate, the guards saluted in loud voice, their morale was high to the extreme point, brimming with the after-big-victory air. Xu Ziling felt even more difficult to say what he wanted to say.

The situation in the City of Danyang was the same as before, with river courses winding around the city and stone bridges everywhere, a typical characteristic of a Jiangnan water town. Only a lot of residents did not dare to go out of the door, pedestrians were sparse. Several hundreds of Shao Shuai soldiers were clearing up the streets from all kinds of junks, from weaponry, arrows, rocks, to the armor and boots discarded by the defeated troops, none was not present, affording a magnificent view.

Kou Zhong looked at a two-story restaurant, he laughed and said, This is the restaurant. Boys, open the door for us, two brothers.

The personal guards on their left and right rushed forward to do as ordered.

Kou Zhong shook his head and said with a sigh, When we entered the city back then, we never thought of what would happen today. Forgot to ask you, isnt Yin kid with you? How come hes not around?

Xu Ziling said, Lets go upstairs first and talk.

The two entered and climbed the stairs to the not-a-soul-in-sight upper floor of the restaurant, and sat down at the table by the window where they had sat in the past. Looking at the empty chair belonging to Fu Junchuo, they could not help hundreds of thoughts intersecting in their mind; they sighed inwardly.

Xu Ziling briefly explained Yin Xianhes disappearance. Hearing that, Kou Zhongs eyebrows greatly furrowed, he was puzzled, Theres no reason why he hasnt come back? Really make us worried! No wonder you look deeply worried and sick at heart, where in the world did he go to look for his little sister?

Smiling ruefully, Xu Ziling said, That is just one of the big things that trouble me, ay!

This moment, the personal guards, under Ren Meimeis order, fetched the wine and came in, interrupting the two boys conversation.

After the personal guards left, Kou Zhong cast his gaze on his men, working hard on the street, and said, What exactly is the load on your mind? Why do you look so peculiar like you wanted to say something but then hesitated? Between you and me, is there anything that cant be spoken directly? Even if you want to curse me, Xiongdi, I will have no choice but to resign myself to adversity, ha! To resign myself to adversity! What an apt description.

Xu Ziling looked at the desolate and cold postwar scene of the water city under the illumination of the setting sun, he asked, How is Ol Die?

Kou Zhong cast his gaze at him and said, After he, the Senior, slaughtered Fu Gongyou, he immediately rushed back to Liyang to preside over the overall situation. We dont have much time, we must capture Xiangyang before the Beginning of Spring [orig. Lichun, 1st of the 24 solar terms]. In this matter, I am confident of success, because Zhang Zhenzhou agreed to stand on our side.

Smiling wryly, Xu Ziling said, We? Ay!

Severely shaken, Kou Zhong said, What is it all about? Why do you say that?

Xu Ziling spoke indifferently, I know about Song Que and Ning Daoqis decisive battle! Not only have I been to Jingnian Chanyuan, I have even met Fan Qinghui.

What? Kou Zhong blurted out.

Suddenly they heard footsteps climbing up the stairs.

Ba Fenghans voice rang out, Why did Shaoshuai abandoned Hanzhong and take Xiangyang instead? For fear of missing out the opening act of the Battle of Luoyang, Xiaodi had no choice but to rush over through the night.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling promptly stood up, but they were in two different moods.

Ba Fenghan appeared before their eyes, the divine light in his pair of eyes flashing, there was delight across his face.

Kou Zhong chuckled and said, Lao Ba knows my intention, attacking Xiangyang is like an arrow on bowstring, it must be released. As for why I abandoned Hanzhong and chose Xiangyang, it is hard to explain in a few words. Please LaoGe sit down first and drink a cup of watered wine, Xiaodi will then give you the details one by one. In turn, there will be side dishes and culinary delicacies that Lei Jiuzhi is preparing himself, which happens to wash the dust for you, LaoGe and Ziling at the same time.

Ba Fenghan sat down across the table from the two boys, he watched Kou Zhong pouring the wine for him, and asked in astonishment, Ziling has just arrived?

Seeing the two men happy and excited, looking like they were rubbing their fists and wiping their palms [idiom: eager to get into action] to deal with Li Shimin with keen interest, while he himself was about to pour cold water on the sparking fire of revenge, he did not know what was the feeling in his heart; smiling bitterly, he said, It was just a difference between front heel and trailing foot with you.

Staring blankly, Ba Fenghan asked, Ziling, whats the load on your mind?

Kou Zhong butted in, That is exactly the question I was asking him.

Xu Ziling spoke dejectedly, I met Li Shimin in Changan and convinced him to go out against his family and clan, to fight for the throne with all his strength.

Kou Zhong and Ba Fenghan stopped all expressions and movements, it was as if at this moment time had suddenly frozen; they looked at each other in dismay, inside the vast restaurant, crow and peacock made no sound, the only sound from the street seemed to be coming in from another world.

Quite half a day later, Kou Zhong put down the wine pot, and sat back in his chair in a daze.

Ba Fenghan broke the silence, he spoke, tranquil and calm, Is Li Shimin scared?

Xu Ziling replied, He is certainly scared. He is not afraid of us, but his Fuhuang and brothers, afraid that half of the country will be ruined in their hands. Li Yuan took advantage of the gap while Li Shimin was not in Changan to execute Liu Wenjing on an almost unfounded charge, just because he had a close relationship with Li Shimin.

Kou Zhong nodded and said, This is called killing one to warn a hundred [idiom], showing to the group of state officials that Li Yuan sets his heart on Jiancheng. If Li kid is still not awakened, he is an out-and-out idiot.

Ba Fenghan did not speak any more, he stared at the rippling wine in the cup in front of him.

Kou Zhong looked at Xu Ziling at exactly the same time Xu Ziling was casting his gaze at him, the two boys gaze met.

Xu Ziling sighed and said, I dont need to say anything else, right?

Smiling bitterly, Kou Zhong said, If I were still the old hooligan who wandered through the Jianghu alone with you in the past, you, Xu Dage can do whatever you want, my allotted share is just to obediently listen to you. However, after going through and suffering untold hardships, establishing the Shao Shuai Army from nothing, so many soldiers threw their heads and sprinkled their hot blood, everyone went through fire and water for me, Kou Zhong, yet now suddenly, to them, I am running away? I dont do that kind of thing! Just because Li Shimin is willing to promise to be the emperor. If you were me, can you say it? Are they willing to follow me because they trust me, Kou Zhong, trust me not only that I am not going to betray them, but also trust me that I will lead them to unify the world, to accomplish an eternal, immortal great undertaking, to leave behind the fame for fighting prowess that will be praised on for a hundred lifetimes?

Xu Ziling stayed silent, he reached out to grab the wine cup, his pair of eyes emitted a look of pain and helplessness.

Kou Zhong also reached out to grab his shoulders, he spoke solemnly, Especially since Song Que is injured in the decisive battle against Ning Daoqi, I must not fail to live up to his expectations of me even more.

Ba Fenghan was shaken, What was the outcome of the decisive battle between Song and Ning?

Kou Zhong replied, The situation within is exceptionally subtle, I could maybe answer you that they were unable to determine victory or defeat, but Song Que has, according to the agreement, withdrawn from this battle for hegemony over the world.

Xu Ziling spoke indifferently, Fan Qinghui will personally go to persuade Song Que.

Ba Fenghan became more and more confused, he asked, Why did Fan Qinghui suddenly come out again?

Letting go of his hand grabbing Xu Ziling, Kou Zhong raised his cup and said with a laugh, Lets drink a cup first and then we talk.

The three raised their cups and drained it in one gulp, the atmosphere was still stiff.

Kou Zhong raised his sleeve to wipe off the wine stains from the corners of his lips, laughing involuntarily, he said, Actually, Ziling is giving thought to me, knowing that I dont want to be that whatever pain-in-the-butt emperor, however, probably no one would accept this solution? Could it be that during the time where our Shao Shuai Armys momentum is like a rainbow, its might spread to eight directions, you want me to offer the army and surrender to Li Shimin?

Revealing a pained smile, Xu Ziling spoke in heavy voice, This may be your only way to change Song Yuzhis view about you, that you, Kou Zhong really are not a person who is blinded by greed and would do anything, by fair means or foul, to be the emperor. So much so to let her know that you are contending for the world not for personal gains and losses, honor and disgrace, but selflessly giving thought to the common people of the Central Earth. I dont want you to surrender, but I want you to actively help Li Shimin, help him to ascend to the throne, to fight back against Li Yuan, the demonic school and Xielis conspiracy to put him to death.

Hearing that, Kou Zhong was stupefied, it was quite a while before he began to understand and to react, turning to Ba Fenghan for help, he said, You, LaoGe are our, two brothers best friend, how about you being the judge between us?

Ba Fenghan dejectedly said, Which one should I lean to and help? My heart is split into two halves dripping with blood! On one hand, I long for to be fighting side by side with you, Shaoshuai to attack and take Luoyang, and raze Guanzhong to the ground; on the other hand, I deeply understand Zilings noble feelings, understand that he saw the catastrophe that Xielis invasions will bring! And Ziling is even more so the friend and brother that I, Ba Fenghan respect and love.

He paused, and then continued, It seems extremely absurd to give up the world for a woman, but Zilings words are not without reason, only by doing this it can appear that she is more important than everything in your heart.

Stunned, Kou Zhong said, Are you helping Ziling?

Ba Fenghan raised his hand in mock surrender and said, I am not going to say anything anymore!

Kou Zhong stared blankly at Ba Fenghan for half a day, then he cast his gaze on his empty glass. And suddenly he laughed, it started as a smile, which grew into a big laugh.

Now it was Xu Ziling and Ba Fenghans turn to you look at me I look at you, neither one knew why he could still laugh.

Kou Zhong laughed until he was out of breath, Pour wine! he said.

Ba Fenghan promptly raised the wine pot and poured.

Kou Zhong waited until his cup was full, and then he raised the cup and poured the wine into his mouth, straight down his throat, and cheerfully said, Good wine!

He reached out to grab Xu Zilings shoulders, and said with a sighed, If I can put aside the gratitude and grudges with Li Shimin, this move of Zilings is really superb, if it succeeds, it will definitely avoid the possibility of the division of the North and the South, I dont have to accept the arduous and unrewarding undertaking to be the emperor, plus I can obtain Yuzhis heart. Ay! His grannys bear, Ziling is doing me good! Isnt that right?

Tranquil, Xu Ziling said, Between Li Shimin and you, what is the unresolvable hatred and desire for revenge?

Kou Zhong was slightly taken aback; he revealed a thoughtful look.

Smiling bitterly, Xu Ziling said, Assuming that the situation continues to develop according to the current situation, I dont know when will peace and prosperity come? Perhaps the Central Earth will forever be split up, and then the five chaos of Hua [China] will reappear! But I know that as long as we and Li Shimin join forces, we can crush the alliance between Jiancheng, Yuanji, the demonic school and Xieli, and then we can let Li Shimin, who knows how to govern armed forces and handle the people to be a good emperor who cherish the common people. The world will be reunited, the foreign enemies will be repelled, so that the common people of the world can pass their days in peace and happiness. After considering the degree of seriousness, I am fully aware that I am making things difficult for you, but I have no choice but to thoroughly lay out the pros and cons to you.

Kou Zhong nodded dejectedly and said, Zilings words are so thought-provoking, but do you have any confidence that Fan Qinghui will be able to convince Song Que? The thing that she could not do in the past few decades, what makes you think that she can do it now?

Bang!

Kou Zhong suddenly let go of his arm wrapped around Xu Zilings shoulders, and slapped the table heavily with his palm, so that he cups and plates on the table were all shattered, fine wine spilled everywhere; he shouted loudly, Its not fair! Since the battle of Cijian, I have always been in desperate straits, struggling for survival, using my blood in exchange of every possibility and opportunity, suffering untold hardships to achieve the current results, why not Li Shimin coming to place himself into my hands, but I have to come to place myself in Li Shimins hands?

Remaining tranquil, Xu Ziling said, Do you want to be an emperor? Can you really be a good emperor? You must remember that even if your skill in martial arts and military strategy can surpass Li Shimin, but do you have his literary talent and political and economic strategy to govern the world?

Kou Zhong stared blankly at the fragments of cups and bowls filling the table, his right hand was still pressing the table, while the other hand grabbed his head, he said, These words of yours are more formidable than Song Ques Heavenly Saber. Ay! Why cant I ever win an argument against you? His Niangs! Lao Ba, what do you say?

Ba Fenghan spoke slowly, word by word, Frankly speaking, if I were you, Kou Zhong, no one could sway my conviction, with the exception of only one person, which is Xu Ziling, because I know he would never harm you, Kou Zhong. Actually, whats to be craved about being an emperor? It would be better for us, three brothers, to roam far and wide, with a big bowl of wine and big piece of meat, passing this life happily, forgetting worries. In the end, the ability and insight Li Shimin cherishes in his bosom, whether as an opponent or a friend, are all worthy of respect.

Kou Zhong remained silent. Under Xu and Ba, two mens gazes, the divine light in his pair of eyes flaring greatly, he met Xu Zilings gaze, and then, as if he was deflated, he smiled bitterly and said, Your words extremely moved my heart. This is perhaps the only way to escape the catastrophe of being the emperor, plus it could make the beauty happy; one move, two gains. Ay! His Niangs! But I still cant give you a nod and promise to you. First of all, I need Song Que, the Seniors nod of approval, otherwise, I would really let him down. Second, I want to meet with Li kid to negotiate terms, if the talk fails then we start a war, everything else is nonsense. Ling Shao should not blame me for not agreeing to you immediately, because I must take the responsibility as the leader of the Shao Shuai Army.

After staring at him for a moment, Xu Ziling nodded and said, These two things are reasonable and fair. Not only do I not blame you, but I am also very moved, because you did not disappoint me at all.

Ba Fenghan interrupted, Its so decided. Tonight, lets not talk about thing that will dampen our spirits, we all put our mind into drinking, holding the bottom of the cup while listening to Shaoshuai recounting every detail of the decisive battle between Song Que and Ning Daoqi, dont omit anything.

With the sound of footsteps, happy and excited, Hou Xibai brought the vegetable and meat dishes to the table, completely oblivious that the fate of the world had just changed and reversed by the conversation just now.