Back at the Situ Mansion, Fu Qian has been waiting respectfully in the inner hall. The two boys hurriedly went inside to meet him.

Fu Qian was accompanied by Song Shidao, drinking tea and chatting. When the latter saw the two boys coming back, he took his leave to go to the main hall to help Ren Jun dealing with the guests. Actually, all of Ren Juns Situ Furong activities were planned and directed by Song Shidao, so that Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling did not need to pay attention.

Fu Qian smiled and said, Xiaodi is going home!

The two boys separately sat down on his left and right. Astonished, Kou Zhong asked, Why do you have to go in such a hurry? Didnt you say you want to kill Yun Shuai?

I have no choice, Fu Qian replied, Li Yuan summoned Xiaodi this morning, he stated explicitly that he didnt want us to meet with Bi Xuans diplomatic group, that is akin to asking us to leave, we do not have any choice but to obediently leave.

Kou Zhong spoke hatefully, Must be Jiancheng playing ghost behind the scenes.

Fu Qian said, In my opinion, it was Li Yuans own idea. Actually, Li Yuan regarded us highly, he showed grand courtesy, saying that he would support us against Tongyehu, which is akin to relying on us to control the Western Tujue. To express his regret, he even let us select Changans artisans, to let them come to our humble country to impart their skills and exchange their art. A bit later, he is going to send a diplomatic envoy to pay a return visit to us. I think he wants to understand thoroughly our strength first before intermarry and establish friendly relations with us, to strengthen the relationship between allies.

Kou Zhongs heart was moved, he asked, Have you made your selection?

Im still thinking about it, Fu Qian replied, Ay! Since that night, Yun Shuai has been very careful, he has not returned to the camp outside the city, all along he is hiding in Changan, so that we do not know where to start. Two gentlemen have always been more resourceful than other people, if you could help me forcing him out of Changan, we could arrange an ambush on the border of the Western Tujue to cut off Tongyehus arm. foxswuxia.wordpress.com

After a short pause, he continued, This man Yun Shuai, not a single thing he wont ask ghosts and gods. What happened in the East Palace, he views it as a big ill omen that the ghosts and gods have warned in advance; next time his enthusiasm will come to an end. If something else happens, I am sure he will slip away back to the western frontier. I wonder if two gentlemen do me a big favor in this matter?

Xu Ziling sighed inwardly, after all, they had fought side by side with Yun Shuai; however, thinking about Tongyehus ambition toward the Central Earth, and Yun Shuai even pushed the wave and added to the billows, for the sake of the Central Earths overall situation, if Fu Qian successfully killed Yun Shuai, it would be beneficial without any harm for the stability of Central Earth. Therefore, when Kou Zhong looked at him, he could not help but giving him a slight nod.

Kou Zhong said, Leave this matter to us. Not only we will drive him out, but will also make him rush back to the western frontier in a hurry. When will LaoGe leave?

Fu Qian said, We will set off the day after tomorrow, but Xiaodi is terribly curious about what you said. Finding Yun Shuais hiding place really is not an easy task, and then since the two gentlemen must not reveal your identity, what ingenious method are you going to use to force him to leave Changan and return to his country?

Kou Zhong laughed and said, Eight or nine out of ten, I bet that he is hiding in the Bosi Hu Si [lit. Persian barbarian temple] inside the city of Changan. Even if I guess wrong, there are still secret methods to find the answer from Jianchengs subordinates. Ha! Do you know who is the person that Yun Shuai fears the most?

Astonished, Fu Qian said, Unexpectedly Yun Shuai has someone that he is afraid of? I really cannot imagine.

Kou Zhong said, The answer is Shi Zhixuan. Ling Shao has deep knowledge of Shi Zhixuans gongfa and the style of his conduct. If he covers his head and face, I guarantee that he can simulate Shi Zhixuan accurately and beautifully, and scare Lao Yun that he will be half-dead. After Yun Shuai is lucky enough to escape, even if there is the entire division of Changlin Army protecting him, he would not dare to stay for a long time. The rest, it will depend on your, LaoGes ability.

Fu Qian slapped the table and shouted with praise; he sighed and said, Shaoshuais brain is so nimble, abounding in wisdom and scheme, making people greatly admiring you. Even with Li Yuans power, after becoming Shi Zhixuans target, he still has to advance gradually and entrench himself at every step, much less Yun Shuai, who should not be exposed to light. If Jiancheng knew that this is the case, he would also persuade Yun Shuai to leave, to avoid being exposed to the world by Shi Zhixuan, and then how is he going to explain to Li Yuan? This plan will definitely work.

Kou Zhong said, We also have something that wed like to ask for your help.

Fu Qian cheerfully said, As long as it is within my power, I will exhaust my strength to do it. foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Kou Zhong laughed and said, In your distinguished country, polo game should be very thriving, if we could find two best polo players from the Central Earth and send them to your distinguished country for a year or a half to exchange ideas, it would be a grand occasion in the ball world.

Hearing that, Fu Qian was dumbstruck, while Xu Ziling frowned and said, Li Yuan needs us to deal with the ball players of Gaoli and Eastern Tujue for him, how could he be willing to let people go?

Full of confidence, Kou Zhong said, This is now, that was then. When the Shao Shuai Army is willing to form an alliance with Li Tang, victory or defeat of the match is of no importance anymore. Therefore, Wangzi [Prince] must find an excuse to emphasize that you must take people away immediately, so then we can escape out of Changan openly. Ha!

After Fu Qian left, Lei Jiuzhi took a short and stout, yet rugged, rather overbearing middle-aged man to come to see them; he introduced, This is my old friend, the Laoda [lit. ol first; number one, leader of a group/boss] of the Huang He Bang, the Great Roc Tao Guangzu. Why havent you taken off your mask to pay your respect?

The two boys took off their masks, they stood up to greet him.

After exchanging some pleasantries, they sat down around the table. His heroic spirit rushing to the sky, Tao Guangzu said, I, Tao Guangzu this time obtained two gentlemen and Qin Wangs favor. The so-called a scholar [or warrior] will die for an intimate friend, I will completely throw caution to the wind! Not to mention that Lei Dage vented my big mouthful of birds anger? In the future, if you have anything at all, feel free to tell me, I, Tao Guangzu, will exhaust my ability to get it done.

Lei Jiuzhi added, Tao Laoda is close friends with Furong Ye, they have always had business dealings, therefore, this time he is coming openly to visit Furong Ye, it will only make people not suspect our Furong Ye even more. You guys can rest assured.

Actually, Kou Zhong was worried precisely about this; hearing that, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, I want to understand your honorable Bangs situation in Changan first.

Tao Guangzu proudly said, Not that I, Tao Guangzu am bragging, but even the once-proclaiming-themselves-hegemon-for-a-period-of-time-inside-the-Pass Jingzhao Lian, can hardly be compared with us, this kind of old gang and society that has established our root in the Yellow River for several hundreds of years. I have always been completely without any good opinion toward Yang WenGan, Chi Shengchun, that kind of snatching-skillfully, seizing-grandly rabbit-on-the-rock style of conduct. Those who do business must speak about integrity. In Changan, who would not give me any face? Because everyone knows that Im a man who uses teeth as gold. foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Kou Zhong happily said, Tao Laoda should know that we are going to support Qin Wang to be the emperor, its about a contest of strength; is there any way that Tao Laoda can let my 3,000 brothers have a hiding place near Changan?

Tao Guangzu decisively said, Leave this matter to me. There are several fishing villages near Changan, all of them are our people, with villa and park real estates belonging to our Huang He Bang. Hiding several thousands of people is definitely not a problem. During the uprising, they can be rapidly transported by our boats into Changan. Even in the city, hiding several hundreds of people can be easily done.

Kou Zhong put down the load on his mind. The first batch of their brothers would arrive in a few days. Now that things have changed, it was unclear when they were going to start the uprising. If they had to live for a long period of time in the all-black, no-daylight underground storehouse, it would be a big problem. If they set up camp in the wilderness, perhaps they would be discovered by patrolling troops. But now that Tao Guangzu, this kind of a local gang with several hundred years of history providing a place to stay, the problem was like bamboo splits when it meets the knifes edge.

After discussing all the details properly, the excited Tao Guangzu left.

Lei Jiuzhi laughed and said, You should know that for Lao Tao, you are the sweet pouring rain and dew after a long drought. Over the past few years, God knows how miserable they have been fixed by Chi Shengchun! Therefore, hearing that you guys are fully supporting Li Shimin, he is happier than anybody else. Thats why I simply had to let him come to see you to say hello, to strengthen his confidence. Not that I am flattering you, but your earlobes [not sure] are more resounding than Qin Wang. When talking about you, who in Jianghu does not raise his thumb and utter a sentence of praise to the outstanding hero?

Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, Thanks a lot for singing our praises. Hey! Why hasnt Xiao Hou returned?

Lei Jiuzhi said, That means that Xiang Gui does not live inside the city of Changan, but in a certain city or county nearby. Xiang Gui has lost a lot of weight, obviously life has not been easy. If I were him, seeing that the kingdom of crime that he singlehandedly established withering continuously, naturally it wont be easy.

Kou Zhong said, His defeat under your hands was well-deserved, this is called this one is vanishing the other is flourishing. His future is dark, he can only rely on the demonic school to struggle for survival; Lei Dage, you have a bright future, like the sun at noon. Compared to him, you guys are two unrelated things, as different as black and white.

Lei Jiuzhi cheerfully said, The most important thing is that I am not afraid of losing, because the gains and losses on the gambling table really cannot affect the final outcome. Ha! What I want to do right now is to find a place to drink and be merry. How about us going to Shang Lin Yuan?

Kou Zhong said, We cant tonight, because Chi kid wants to look for us to offer sacrifice to [fig. to wield] the banner. How about tomorrow night? Feng Ya Ge ought to a bit safer, plus we could offer assistance to Xiao Jie. foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Inwardly, Xu Ziling was delighted, knowing that Lei Jiuzhis confidence has been restored, he regained the lifes interest, no longer declined to seek merriment in life. The delight of life was precisely in this; as long as one persevered unremittingly, not get discouraged in adversity, when the time comes, there might be pleasant surprises, like the willow trees make the shade, the flowers give the light [idiom: at ones darkest hour, a glimmer of hope], a turn for the better.

At dusk, Hou Xibai returned to the city from the secret road, finally Xiang Guis whereabouts was in their possession. His hiding place was in Shiping City on the upper reaches of the Yellow River west of Changan; sailing with the current, in less than half a day, he could reach Changan.

Hou Xibai went back to his room to rest.

Kou Zhong was gratified, he said, After going through numerous hardships, finally we learned about Xiang Guis whereabouts. I will send someone to Shiping to wait upon Xiang Gui, to get clear understanding of what is true and what is false in him, and then at the most unexpected time to capture him alive and completely destroy his Xiang Familys foundation.

Xu Ziling said, I want to see Liao Kong first.

Frowning, Kou Zhong said, Can you see him tomorrow? Its almost time for the appointment with Chi kid! You, this kid, are really not enough to be a brother. Ay! But Bai Qingers coquettish glances indeed make people unable to endure.

Shrugging his shoulders, Xu Ziling said, I am not abandoning you at all, but in my heart I suddenly feel that I should go and see Liao Kong. Dont worry! Blessing we enjoy together, disaster I cant possibly let you bear alone. Xiaodi will come back quickly, it wont take too much time.

Kou Zhong was helpless against him, he had no choice but to let him go.

The moment Xu Ziling left, Kou Zhong set foot on the street, a weird, indescribable feeling welled up in his heart, in about ten days or half a month, he would return to Changan in his capacity as the supreme leader of the Shao Shuai Army, and meeting them would be the emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty; this was something that was hard to believe, if he told anybody now, surely no one would believe it.

I wonder where Cai Xiongs honorable self is going? Would you let Xiaodi take you there?

Surprisingly, it was the Sha Familys second young master, Sha Chenggong, sticking his head out of the horse-drawn carriage and made a friendly call to him.

Kou Zhong shifted his gaze to the driver position, the man driving the carriage was called Zhang Xiong, who knew a little bit of punching and kicking skill, and loved to brag; he was Sha Er Shaos trusted aide. Although he did not like Sha Chenggong very much, but as the ugly divine doctor, he has had close contacts with him, so that he could not help strange and amiable feeling from filling his heart. Furthermore, he wanted to see this kids purpose in trying to be friendly toward him this time, thereupon he happily boarded the carriage.

Xu Ziling followed behind Liao Kong, they came to an exquisite abode in the West Garden of the Da Dong Si [previously, it was Dong Da Si]. The all-along-did-not-utter-a-couple-of-sentences, silently-leading-the-way Liao Kong smiled and said, Ziling, please come in!

Finished speaking, he turned around and left. foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Drip! Drip! Drip! Drip!

The icicles hanging on the trees in the garden have begun to dissolve, and because the weather was warming up, water was dripping continuously, telling people that the severe winter has passed and spring was just about to arrive on the big earth.

Xu Ziling knocked on the door, and Shi Feixuans gentle and beautiful voice rang out, Ziling, come in!

Although fully aware that the one inside the exquisite abode should be Shi Feixuan, hearing her familiar voice, without him being able to control it, Xu Zilings heart was burning hot, yet he had a faint feeling that such a reaction was not in line with the relationship he and this beauty had agreed upon.

He pushed the door and entered in, Shi Feixuan was sitting peacefully in the corner. Exposing a smile brimming with joy, she blissfully said, Ziling, how are you!

Her amiable and containing-deep-meaning greeting nearly snatched his soul away. Taking a deep breath, Xu Ziling stepped forward to sit down across the small table by her side. He sighed and said, I dont need to hide my excitement to see you, Feixuan, do I?

Shi Feixuans like-not-eating-the-food-of-common-mortals delicate and pretty jade countenance calmed down, she spoke tenderly, Of course you dont need to hide it, Feixuan doesnt wish to see you like that either. I hear Dashi said that your situation has changed, what exactly is happening?

Xu Ziling explained the situation in details, he was unable to take his eyes out of her lucid and elegant, free-from-vulgarity flowery countenance even for a moment. He saw her touching expression as her pretty eyebrows were lightly knitted while she was quietly listening and thinking deeply at the same time, which made him forget the matter of the human world.

Shi Feixuan waited for him to finish, and then she met his burning gaze, and said, When will Qin Wangs letter reach Li Yuans hands?

Should be tomorrow afternoon, Xu Ziling replied.

Shi Feixuan cast him a sidelong glance, as if she was blaming him for being unable to take his eyes off of her, becoming Liu Zhen[1] looking squarely at her, but it also seemed like her fragrant heart was bashful and delighted at the same time. That kind of expression was very charming to the point of bewitching. She spoke softly, Oh, Xu Ziling! Your calculations may be wrong!

As if he was woken up from a beautiful dream, Xu Ziling shuddered and asked, Where did we do wrong? foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Shi Feixuans eyes moved to the garden outside the side window of another small hall right ahead, blending in the dusk, she said, After the strange fire at the East Palace, Li Yuan should know that Qin Wangs struggle with Jiancheng and Yuanji has reached the vile stage of the two cannot exist together; if he accepts Qin Wangs proposal to form an alliance with you privately without asking permission first, it would be like he is suddenly leaning toward Qin Wangs side, making the relationship between Qin Wang and Taizi growing even more tense in a hurry. Such an important decision, Li Yuan would have to spend a considerable time to consider it, he would hesitate and would be difficult to make a decision.

Xu Ziling said, When Li Yuan asks his left and rights [i.e. attendants] opinions, Feng Deyi would put forward a suggestion, advising Li Yuan to invite Kou Zhong to come to Changan for a talk, as a show of sincerity. This will let Xieli know that Li Tang and Shao Shuai Army have joined forces to resist the foreign aggression with one breath.

Shi Feixuan said, The plan itself is very ingenious, but because the whole thing is not beneficial to Jiancheng, plus Feng Deyi is considered leaning toward Jiancheng, Li Yuan might avoid Feng Deyi or Pei Ji, these Crown Prince factions supporters, and turn to other people for their opinions.

Xu Ziling agreed, he said, Feixuans remarks make sense. Fortunately, we still have Li Shentong to speak for us.

Shi Feixuan pondered for half a day, she said, Li Shentong has always had close relationship with to Qin Wang, an ideal candidate whose idea Li Yuan would listen to on this matter, but he is by no means the first choice. If I were Li Yuan, I would seek an outsiders more neutral ideas.

Shaken, Xu Ziling said, Wang Tong?

Shi Feixuan looked at him, she said, Wang Tong made light of traveling a thousand li to come and warn his old friend, Li Yuan must be grateful in his heart. Moreover, he has to inquire one step further about the exact relationship between the Shao Shuai Army and Song Que, before he can make decision in this matter, which has important implication. Under such circumstances, Wang Tongs opinion will have a decisive influence on Li Yuan.

Xu Zilings countenance changed, he said, What should we do?

Speaking of prudence, even if he and Kou Zhong slapped their horses butts, they still could not catch up with Shi Feixuan. foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Shi Feixuan calmly said, This aspect, let Feixuan think of a way. Fortunately, this moment Yi Lao [Ouyang Xiyi] is in Changan. Feixuan could plead Yi Lao, before Qin Wangs letter reaches Changan, to arrange for Feixuan to meet Wang Tong. Wang Tong is a great scholar of the present age, he deeply understands the pros and cons of the current political situation, plus he had profound friendly relations with our humble schools Xiuxin Shishu [martial uncle], Feixuan has confidence to convince him.

Xu Ziling exhaled a mouthful of breath, he said, Fortunately, Feixuan arrived in time, otherwise we would ruin the enterprise for the sake of one basketful, regret would be too late.

Tranquil and calm, Shi Feixuan spoke calmly, What I can resolve for you is no more than a trivial problem in this aspect. How are you going to deal with Shi Zhixuan?

Smiling wryly, Xu Ziling said, We have been having a headache because this, yet so far we still have not come up with a surefire solution, we only have a faint feeling that Qingxuan is our only savior.

Shi Feixuan said, Your Qingxuan should receive the message within these next few days. If she rushes over immediately, it will take about seven or eight days.

Xu Ziling did not believe his ears; stunned, he said, My Qingxuan?

Smiling, Shi Feixuan said, Feixuan is, after all, a girl! A little jealousy is always there; Ziling, please dont mind me.

Xu Ziling stared blankly at her for quite half a day; smiling wryly, he said, After our business in Changan is over, what is Feixuan going to do?

Tranquil and calm, Shi Feixuan replied, Feixuan will return to Jingzhai, probably I will not go down the mountain again. Does Ziling know the course of events of my humble masters journey to Lingnan to meet her appointment with Song Fazhu?

Xu Ziling shook his head, indicating that he did not know anything at all.

A longing expression floated out of Shi Feixuans eyes toward him, a pure and holy, bright luster emerged from her pretty face, making her even more elegant, with the kind of gracefulness that cannot be produce locally, she spoke softly, They took a stroll together, made a circle around the Mo Dao Tang, and then Shizun floated far away, she returned to Jingzhai, and did not say half a word. What did Ziling learn through this experience?

Shaken, Xu Ziling said, Feixuan!

Shi Feixuan blissfully said, They reminded Feixuan of the Zen Schools picking up a flower and a subtle smile, pointing straight to the heart, without drawing up any word. [Translators note: this could be referring to Mahakasyapa and the Flower Sermon in Zen Buddhism.]

Xu Ziling burst out laughing, he nodded and said, I understand!

Shi Feixuan slowly said, About Wang Tong, if there is good news, Feixuan will let you know immediately. foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Xu Ziling said, If Wang Tong can persuade Li Yuan to keep the forming-an-alliance-with-us matter a secret for the time being, it will be more beneficial to us.

Shi Feixuan said, Feixuan thinks so too. Most likely Li Yuan is going to ask Yi Lao to go see Song Que, to understand everything clearly first before making a decision. For people of his generation, they would only trust someone like Song Que, a man with identity and status. Nobody does not know that Song Ques one word worth nine sacred tripods [idiom: words of enormous weight], what he says never does not count.

Frowning, Xu Ziling said, Going there and back, it will take at least a month, its too long!

Shi Feixuan said, Dont worry! Li Yuan might paint holding two brushes [idiom: to work on two tasks at the same time]. On the one hand, he will send someone to pick up the tone of Song Ques voice, on the other hand, he will see if you guys have the guts and sincerity to come to Changan. The most wonderful part of your plan is that whether you are straightforwardly willing to temporarily lay down the troops and the blade, as long as you show up in Changan, it will have the effect of suppressing and intimidating Xieli. And this is precisely the big gift that Li Yuan desires the most at present time.

Xu Ziling remembered something, he said, This moment Wanwan is in Changan, she knows everything about us like the back of her hand. We are afraid that because of her schools appointment, she will challenge Feixuan.

Tranquil, Shi Feixuan said, Feixuan is staying at Yu He An. If she wants to do that, Feixuan has no choice but to keep her company to the end.

[1] Liu Zhen: I could not find any reference in English, but heres my translation on a short entry from zh.wikipedia.org: During the Jianan period [reign name (196-219) at the end of the Han dynasty], Liu Zhen was summoned by Cao Cao [155-220, from the Three Kingdoms period] as the prime minister. He has had considerable dealings with Cao Pi [187-226, second son of Cao Cao brothers]. Later, because during a banquet Liu Zhen looked squarely at Cao Pis wife of Zhen [different character] family [i.e. her maiden name], Cao Cao charged him with crime of disrespect and put him on forced labor, and later he was dismissed from the office and was demoted to be a small official (End of entry). So, I think his name became synonymous with any men who stare at a woman.