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“Why do you suddenly become so polite?” Xu Ziling asked in astonishment.

The two boys completed their trip along the Shu Road at dusk, and stepped into Shu border. Even with their physical capability, they felt unable to endure. Therefore, upon entering Shu border, they stayed for the night at a simple and crude inn of a relay station for post horses. After freshening up and changing their clothes, they went to the dining hall to eat. The dining hall only had them, one table, as the diners tonight. After delivering rice and vegetable, the waiter disappeared to God knows where. The cold wind was screaming through the gap on the door and the cracks on the window, hence Kou Zhong’s remark about the weather was cold.

Stroking his bulging stomach, which could not eat any more food, Kou Zhong laughed and said, “I am grateful for your suggestion to take the Shu Road, which made me take the pleasure in it and temporarily forget the suffering of war. On the other hand, I practice humility, which I borrowed from you, to avoid being arrogant of a small victory, and turn into a ridiculous self-importance ignorant. Ay! I wonder if the principle of the things that you can’t obtain are the most precious can be copied and applied to being an emperor. I really don’t want to be an emperor more and more. How could that match the delight of going with Ling Shao on a scenic tour, free and unconstrained? When sitting on the dragon seat, I will be so busy with stamping and signing document until the black smoke blocks the air.”

Xu Ziling sighed and said, “If you had known this earlier, why did you do it in the first place? Now, if you ride a tiger, it’s hard to get off; could it be that you will let Yuzhi becomes other people’s empress?”

Kou Zhong reiterated his concern, “I am really afraid that Hanzhong has already fallen into Li Yuan’s hands, it will be difficult for this matter to end in a good term. Huh? Someone’s coming!”

Sound of hoofbeats came from afar and was approaching, furthermore, it came from the direction of the official road. In this severe cold weather, traveling merchants have disappeared from the Shu Road, the sound of hoofbeats suddenly arose, the two of them had a feeling that these people were coming for them.

Listening carefully, Xu Ziling said, “Seven to eight riders, they are in a great hurry.”

The horses neighed, obviously the incoming riders pulled the reins to stop, and dismounted outside the inn.

Someone shouted in a low voice, “You guys enjoy the fresh air outside.”

Stunned, Kou Zhong said, “The voice sounds familiar, who is it?”

Xu Ziling cast his gaze toward the closed main door. ‘Creak!’ The main door was pushed open, cold wind burst in, blowing the several wind lanterns in the dining hall that they flickered randomly.

Kou Zhong focused his eyes to look. Slapping his forehead, he stood, along with Xu Ziling, to greet the new comer. He laughed and said, “No wonder it’s so familiar, turns out it is Lin Lang Xiong!”

Lin Lang closed the door first, and then saluted and said, “Lin Lang, on behalf of our Wujiang Bang [Wu River Gang] Laoda [boss] Sha Ming, respectfully welcome Shaoshuai and Xu Ye.”

Xu Ziling recalled that day when he left Bashu via the waterway, riding on Lin Lang’s boat under Hou Xibai’s arrangement. It was on that voyage that he met Han Zenan’s family of three [actually, the text says ‘two’, but I believe it was a typo, much like when we talked about first and third floor the other day], as well as Lei Jiuzhi, and also Gongliang Ji, whose family was deceived by Lai Chaogui. Thereupon he and Kou Zhong teamed up with Lei Jiuzhi to seek justice for Gongliang Ji.

And now the old friend suddenly appeared before their eyes, all kinds of past events felt as if they had just happened yesterday, his heart was filled with joy, he laughed and said, “We all are brothers, why do you speak like you are treating us with formal courtesy to a guest? Sit down and talk.”

Lin Lang laughed aloud and sat down happily; he watched Kou Zhong personally picked up a cup and poured some tea for him, he said, “Just now Xiaodi is representing our humble gang, naturally I must speak accordingly with ample etiquette. To be able to know two gentlemen is the proudest honor in all my, Lin Lang’s life.”

Kou Zhong put down the teapot, he smiled and said, “Aren’t we just human? We can’t possibly sprout three heads and six arms. Becoming brothers for a period of time, we are brothers for life. Come, let’s have a cup!” The three men used tea in place of wine, they enjoyed themselves to the full.

Kou Zhong said, “Why don’t we call Lin Xiong‘s brothers to come in to take shelter from the wind?”

Lin Lang said, “If even a little bit of suffering they are unable to endure, how could they come out and mingle in Jianghu? Besides, what we are talking here should not enter the fourth person’s ears.”

Xu Ziling asked, “Lin Xiong’s timing is very accurate, as if you had made an agreement with us beforehand.”

Lin Lang replied, “Since Lei Dage informed us that the two gentlemen will come to Bashu, we have been paying close attention to the two routes, water and land – to enter Shu. I still have the best luck, after only two days, we ran into two Ye’er”

Feigning impatience, Kou Zhong said, “Here we go again! What Ye front and Ye back, Ye long and Ye short? He is Xiao [little] Xu, I am Xiao Kou, you are Xiao Lin. Ha! Xiao Kou sounds a bit worrying, like I became little hairy thief [note: ‘Kou’ of Kou Zhong’s name literally means ‘bandit’], you had better call me Xiao Zhong or Ah Zhong then!”

Lin Lang showed an overwhelmed-by-favor-from-superior look; emotionally moved, he said, “To be able to make friends with Xu Xiong and Shaoshuai, it is indeed my good fortune.”

Xu Ziling asked, “What happened in Chengdu? Why do you want to stop us one step ahead before we reach Chengdu?”

Lin Lang replied, “The current situation in Bashu is extremely tense. The day before I left Chengdu, Song Que’s navy, with an overwhelming superiority, entered and occupied Luchuan Jun [county or region], they expelled all Xie Hui’s people. Afterwards, anyone who wants to leave Shu via the waterway must obtain the Song Family Army’s nod first.”

Hearing that, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s scalp went numb. Song Que indeed had ghost-and-deity-cannot-fathom skill in maneuvering the troops. It should be noted that Luchuan was located south of Chengdu, at the intersection of the Great River and Mian River. From that place sending troops upstream on the river, in just two days they would be able to reach Chengdu, and choke Chengdu’s throat tightly. Luchuan fell, potentially Xie Hui was suppressed to the point of being unable to move a single step. The seemingly simple operation actually embodied all-year-long deployment and planning, catch the enemy off guard with a surprise attack [idiom, from Sunzi’s ‘Art of War’], so that the men and horses on Xie Hui’s side in Luchuan Jun were completely without the opportunity to fight back.”

“What is Xie Hui’s reaction?” Kou Zhong asked.

Lin Lang replied, “Naturally he was extremely furious and declared that he absolutely not going to surrender. The next moment he transferred manpower from various regions to come and defend Chengdu. Furthermore, after his negotiation with the four major tribes fell, he gave order for the people from the four major tribes to leave Chengdu, civil war in Bashu could happen at any moment. Lei DaGe and Hou Gongzi are afraid that he would pull in the Tang Army, and afraid that you, not understanding the situation – face the danger upon entering the city, hence they told us to figure out a way to notify two gentlemen one step ahead.”

Xu Ziling felt big headache, could it be that Kou Zhong’s words turn out to be tragically prophetic, that Bashu affair could only be settled using military [or martial] force, to see whose fist was harder?

Kou Zhong spoke heavily, “Does Xie Hui have the intention to retake Luchuan?”

Revealing a look of disdain, Lin Lang snorted coldly and said, “He is able to defend Chengdu, that could be considered not bad already, how could he dare to rush indiscriminately into action? However, if the Tang Army enters Shu, the situation does not dare to be optimistic. Although Chengdu is located on a plain, due to the city walls high and thick, it is not easy to break it through.”

He was obviously standing on Kou Zhong’s side, looking at the situation in Bashu from this perspective.

Kou Zhong said, “Before entering Shu, we heard news that Li Shimin had formed an alliance with Tongyehu of the Western Tujue, therefore, Tongyehu and his numerous accomplices are helping Li Shimin to defend Bashu; is it true?”

Lin Lang replied, “There is indeed this rumor, but no one can differentiate whether it is true or false. However, Bashu is surrounded by towering mountains and precipitous ridges all around, Qinling [mountain range] and Mount Ba in the north, Mount Wu cuts off on the east, Mount Yu with a thousand years of snow in the west, and Wuling, Wumeng mountain range continuing each other in the south, becoming an isolated place with rugged barriers on four sides, the only accesses to go back and forth are the land route Shu Road and the Three Gorges waterway. Even if the outside tribes of the western border have the interest to get their hands in Bashu, it would be having the heart but not the strength.”

Xu Ziling said, “So is it true that there a large number of people from the Western Tujue and Dangxiang coming and going the Duzun Castle?”

Lin Lang said, “Recently, there have been a number of Western Regions people in Chengdu, but it’s not clear whether they are related to Xie Hui. They contracted the Wumen [lit. five-door] Inn on the Wumen Street. Their number is around fifty, men and women.”

After a short pause, he snorted coldly and said, “Xie Hui is overestimating his capabilities, unexpectedly he has the delusion to fight Song Que, making people think a hundred times without finding a solution [idiom: puzzling]. Before, he said that the Li Tang’s momentum was increasing day by day, momentarily there was no rival, while the Song Clan is clearly in Lingnan, where the whip cannot reach [idiom: beyond one’s influence]. But now Shao Shuai Army helped in the battle to defend Luoyang, using few to fight the many, honorable even in defeat and did not lose the least bit of land. Moreover, Song Que led the army out of Lingnan to support Shaoshuai, Du Fuwei publicly announced that he is standing on Shaoshuais side, the world situation is reversed. No one can understand why Xie Hui still cast his lot to Li Yuan, who killed Li Mi and executed Dou Jiande.”

Kou Zhong spoke in amazement, “The news spreads so fast, you, LaoGe seem to know the situation better than I do.”

Lin Lang nodded and said, “Indeed it’s a bit strange! In the past, it took a long period of time for the things pertaining to the war situation outside Shu border to gradually become clear, but this time, the news concerning Shaoshuai’s splendid military successes in campaigning to the south and dispatching military expedition to the north is fresh every day, pouring in endlessly, and finally it was confirmed not to be a rumor at all.”

Xu Ziling secretly praised Shi Zhixuan’s accurate grasp on Song Que’s intention. By spreading of the news, he imperceptibly influenced the people of the world, planted the image of Kou Zhong’s unequalled benevolence and righteousness, overshadowing Li Shimin’s forefront, and revealing Li Yuan’s heartless injustice. This was precisely a brilliant-beyond-compare use of ‘troops subduing people without battle’, the highest realm of the Art of War. In this aspect, Song Que’s method has reached perfection, making people gasp in amazement. The days when people everywhere were on the lookout and realign their allegiance to Li Shimin, after Kou Zhong arose, would be once it was gone, it would never return.

Lin Lang continued, “Especially Du Fuwei’s announcement that the Jianghuai Army is casting their lot to Shaoshuai has caused Xie Hui’s troops disposition to be in great chaos. Qiang Tribe’s ‘Monkey King’ Feng Zhen, Yao Tribe’s ‘Meiji’ [beautiful concubine/woman] Sina, Miao Tribe’s ‘Eagle King’ Jiao Luofeng, and Yi Tribe’s ‘Wolf King’ Chuan Mouxun, jointly declared their position to support Song Que, which led to the breakdown of their relationship with Xie Hui. When Song Que occupied Luchuan, Xie Hui ignored his son’s opposition, he obstinately clinging to his course by driving the people of the four ethnic groups out of Chengdu, calling Chengdu people to support him; naturally the response is cold. I heard that a lot of people under him disagree with his view, thinking that Bashu should at least maintain its neutrality.”

Kou Zhong was puzzled, “What capital does he have?” he asked.

Lin Lang spoke disdainfully, “Where does the capital to fight Song Que come from? At present, I dare say that there are no more than ten thousand men and horses in Chengdu who belong to Duzun Bao‘s system. Compared with the Song Family Army, it is just a mob that would be unable to withstand a single blow. It is rumored that Xie Hui sent his men to Chang’an asking for help. However, it’s difficult for distant water to rescue nearby fire. Li Tang has just obtained Luoyang, the foot of their disposition of troops is not stable yet, plus they have to deal with Liu Heita, who raised his troops to avenge Dou Jiande, they are too busy to take care of themselves. Xie Hui chose to be loyal to Li Yuan, no one does not think that he is following the path to his own doom.”

Kou Zhong spoke in astonishment, “You, LaoGe are really insightful, you see the situation so thoroughly.”

Lin Lang spoke cheerfully, “This news came from Chang’an’s side, hence everyone believes firmly without any doubt.”

Slapping the table, Kou Zhong said, “My future father-in-law is really formidable.”

Xu Ziling nodded in agreement; only he understood Kou Zhong’s comment, which evolved from deep within his heart. Hearing that, however, Lin Lang was at a loss.

Kou Zhong did not give Lin Lang any explanation, he only asked, “How is Chengdu’s current situation?”

Lin Lang replied, “Xie Hui tightly controls Chengdu, the gates are tense, those whom they suspect are not allowed to enter the city, curfew is in effect from the zi hour [11pm – 1am, midnight] until daybreak. Lei DaGe, Hou Gongzi, and Die Gongzi, under our arrangement, are hiding in Gongliang Ji’s old residence in Chengdu, therefore, I must notify you one step ahead. I have a way to get you into the city.”

Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, “Thank you for Lin Xiong’s good intention, but we, two brothers are going to enter the city upright and frank. The more it causes a sensation the better.”

Lin Lang’s countenance changed, he said, “But Xie Hui has many men, a great force, I’m afraid you will suffer losses.”

Kou Zhong cast a glance at Xu Ziling; seeing he did not raise any objection, his guts immediately grew big. Lowering his voice, he said, “What situation we have never seen before? As long as we make adequate preparation and have enough time, I have assurance to crush Xie Hui’s confidence and fighting spirit in one fell swoop.”

Knitting his brows, Lin Lang asked, “What preparation and time?”

Kou Zhong replied cheerfully, “In this aspect, you, LaoGe will be in charge. You only need to move your mouth, since it is inappropriate to move your hands; spread the news that we are going to Chengdu to talk face-to-face with Xie Hui. The more people know the better. We are staying here for two days to preserve and nurture our spirit, and only then will we be on our way, hoping that when we arrive in Chengdu, no one in Chengdu is not aware of this matter.”

Xu Ziling spoke indifferently, “Why don’t you, Kou Shaoshuai personally write a refined letter, and ask somebody to deliver it to Xie Hui, saying that on a certain time, certain day, you are going to pay a visit, you want to have a friendly conversation with him face to face? Won’t it have more style then?”

Lin Lang praised, “I only need to spread the news about the letter seeking audience, it will be even more well-founded.”

Scratching his head in difficulty, Kou Zhong said, “But Bai Lao Fuzi [old master/teacher, see Book 1 Chapter 1] had not passed on to me the secret of how to write a letter.”

Xu Ziling’s handsome face could not stop laughing, he said, “If you don’t use the ghostwriter-to-play-the-saber master Hou Gongzi, what kind of his granny’s bear Shaoshuai are you? This is called the skill of using people. No one in Bashu has ever seen your handwriting anyway, you might as well ask Xibai to do it for you.”

Kou Zhong roared in laughter and said, “I am really muddleheaded; all right, we do it that way. Oh, Xie Hui! This will be your last chance. If you don’t grasp it well, it will definitely too late for regrets.”

About two days after the meeting with Lin Lang at the relay station inn, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling set off toward Chengdu. In order to avoid people’s eyes and ears, they did not take the official road, but climbed the mountain and crossed the mountain range to hasten on with their journey. When Chengdu was in sight, the sky was not bright yet, the city gates were tightly closed.

The two boys hid themselves in a dense forest about five li away east of Chengdu, in accordance with the arrangement they made with Lin Lang, quietly waiting for the moment the city gate would be opened. They sat cross-legged at the edge of the woods, feeling the crisp and clear weather and the quietness before dawn, silently watching the sky turned from dark to bright.

It appeared that Kou Zhong did not dare to disturb the solemn and peaceful atmosphere all around him, he spoke softly, “The thing I am most afraid of now is that the rice has already been cooked [idiom: what is done cannot be undone], Xie Hui already pulled the Tang Army into Shu, so that the only way remains is to resolve it using military [or martial] force.”

Shaking his head, Xu Ziling said, “In my opinion, Xie Hui can’t possibly be that unwise. Song Que’s troops subduing Luchuan was a strict warning to him. If the Tang Army entered Shu, he would immediately attack Chengdu, using ten-thousand-jun-thunderbolt momentum. Due to him obtaining the four major tribes’ response, Xie Hui will certainly be unable to withstand a single blow. If Chengdu falls into Song Que’s hands, the Tang Army entering Shu will fall into the inferior position of no room to advance or to retreat.”

Knitting his brows, Kou Zhong said, “What if the Tang Army defends Hanzhong to the death?”

Xu Ziling replied indifferently, “There is no Li Shimin, why would you be scared of Hanzhong?”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Kou Zhong said, “It could be said that Bashu is Guanzhong’s big rear line; if it falls into my hand, it will open the convenient entrance to attack Chang’an from the south. Li Yuan came from a family of generals, he ought to know that Hanzhong’s importance is not under Xiangyang’s. Although there is no Li Shimin presiding over the overall situation in there, this battle will not be easy to fight.”

“You are harboring ulterior motives,” Xu Ziling said, “Therefore, you developed a view that Li Yuan would not have any choice but to defend Hanzhong. The fact is that Li Yuan is practically not afraid that you might march into Chang’an, he would even welcome you for coming to throw away your life. When, due to attacking Chang’an your injuries and deaths are disastrous, the Tang Army from every city and various ways in Guanzhong will come out together, under normal circumstances, the Shao Shuai Army will suffer total defeat of an army. If I were Li Yuan, I would not even find the time to spare Chang’an’s military strength to defend Hanzhong City, which, in terms of scale and defensive power, is only one-tenth of Chang’an’s.”

He paused for a moment and went on, “Since Li Yuan is a talented Commander-in-Chief, he should have his eyes on the overall situation. First, he will go all-out to pacify the north, and sweep away the remnants of Liu DaGe’s party in Hebei. After the wind and the snow have passed, he will divide his forces to go down south, to attack Pengliang and Ol’ Die. Now, that would be the correct strategy. No one knows that you have the Duke Yang’s Treasure-house, this wonderful move. Ay!”

Trying to comfort him, Kou Zhong said, “Feixuan definitely is not that kind of person, I have a one-hundred percent confidence.”

The sound of gusting wind arose, from afar coming near. Lei Jiuzhi, Hou Xibai, Yin Xianhe, and Lin Lang came. At this time, the sky was bright and the city gate was wide open. Four men came out of the city to meet them, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling stood up to greet them.

As soon as he entered the forest, Lei Jiuzhi spoke straight to the point, “If you guys don’t want to kill your way from the city gate straight to the Shu Wangfu [prince’s mansion, or official office of the king], you’d better let us try to sneak you in.”

Kou Zhong asked in surprise, “Did Xie Hui move from Duzun Bao to the Shu Wangfu?”

Hou Xibai sighed and said, “After receiving the letter, Xie Hui evacuated the women and children, as well as most of the younger generation soldiers of his clan from Duzun Bao to the Shu Wangfu inside the city. Currently, there are only several dozens of people staying behind in Duzun Bao to take care of things. Just from this action, we could see Xie Hui’s determination to go to war. No one in Chengdu understands how Xie Hui made such a big determination, staking all in one throw to cast his lot on Li Yuan.”

Lin Lang said, “After handing in the letter at the East Gate, we have been paying attention to Xie Hui’s movement. We found that he immediately reinforced the city defense and transferred manpower from the neighboring area. I am afraid he might misunderstand that Kou Xiong was writing war challenge to him.”

Smiling wryly, Hou Xibai said, “The letter I wrote on Shaoshuai’s behalf was carefully worded, giving him a lot of face. He shouldn’t fail to understand our intention to seek peace.”

Letting out a muffled snort, Lei Jiuzhi said, “Xie Hui is stubborn, it does not matter whether you put a deluge of heavenly flowers [idiom: extravagant embellishments] in the letter, so what if he does not consider it worthy in his eyes?”

“Is there any movement from the Song Family Army in Luchuan?” Xu Ziling asked.

Lin Lang replied, “The Song Family Army in Luchuan is under a famous great general of the younger generation of the Song Family, Song Faliang’s command, they are in the process of continuously gathering supplies and assembling their army, expanding it to the surrounding cities and towns, their intention to go up north to attack Chengdu is very clear. The news that we sent Shaoshuai’s letter to Xie Hui asking for a meeting has been widely spread. After hearing the news, the four major clans announced that they had formed an alliance of the four major tribes declaring that they welcome Shaoshuai into Shu, which made the situation in Chengdu even more tense.”

Knitting his brows, Kou Zhong asked, “Do the four tribes still have strongholds in the city?”

Lin Lang replied, “Chengdu has always been a place where various ethnicities all live together. The four tribes’ power is deeply rooted in the city, how could Xie Hui say he wanted to drive them out and he immediately drive them out? At present, more than a dozen li-square area in the city are under control of the four tribes. When Shaoshuai said that you are coming, you made Xie Hui suspend the crisis of making war against the four tribes.”

Lei Jiuzhi said, “In my opinion, it would be best if you enter the city from the south gate, talk to the leaders of the four tribes first, and then try to sit down with Xie Hui to settle the matter.”

Revealing a smile brimming with confidence, Kou Zhong shook his head and said, “That will only facilitate the civil war. I still persist in entering the city from the east gate. If Xie Hui uses violence, I will make him suffer big losses.”

Knitting his brows, Xu Ziling said, “You are not going to open wide the Buddhist monastic discipline against killing, are you? Once the blood starts to spill, the situation will be out of control.”

Kou Zhong calmly said, “Ling Shao, don’t worry! We are here to seek peace, not to look for fight. In the end, because the four major tribes are like the tiger watching and waiting on the side, Xie Hui should not dare to mobilize the men and horses of the whole city to besiege us, not to mention the fact that Xiehui’s internal faction is not stable. At most, he might deploy some of his trusted aides to fight us, we could then advancing we can attack, retreating we can escape. It’s not that I am bragging, but with our, two brothers’ current skills, Xie Hui still does not have enough qualifications to detain us.”

Yin Xianhe, who had been silent all the time, interjected and said, “And there’s still me, Yin Xianhe.”

Kou Zhong laughed and said, “I am hoping there won’t be any need for Yin Xiong to move your hands and help with your fists. I want you guys to go back to the city first to be the spectators. After half a sichen, Ling Shao and I will enter the city from the east gate, making no secret of our presence, to see whether Xie Hui is a person who understand reasons.”