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Book 7 Chap 4 – Love and Hatred
With the strong will trained from the days in the Special Task Force, Xiang Shaolong forced himself up from bed and went to the hall to see Zhao Mu.
Zhao Mu’s attitude was warm as he said, “Come! Let’s have a good talk.”
Xiang Shaolong pretended to be dismayed, “Shouldn’t we be heading to Learned Lady Ji’s place immediately?”
Zhao Mu forced a smile, “This morning she sent to inform me that she’s feeling a little unwell so the appointment to see the horse will have to be postponed. Hai! A woman’s heart is most unfathomable, especially such a rare and haughty beauty.”
Xiang Shaolong was secretly laughing and thinking what could be so unfathomable? Ji Yanran was just following his instructions to cancel the appointment to avoid any embarrassment when they meet. It’s just that he did not expect Zhao Mu to come and inform him personally.
After asking the servants to leave, Xiang Shaolong sat down next to him and asked, “Did Marquis have a good sleep last night?”
Zhao Mu sighed, “I almost even didn’t close my eyes. Too many things happened during the feast and even when I told myself not to think about it, my brain refuses to obey.” He continued in a quiet voice, “This time Li Yuan has brought with him a huge group of people. Those that can be considered experts are already more than 30 and they are all famous Chu swordsmen that he recently recruited to be his family warriors. Usually he keeps a very low profile in Chu in order to avoid raising Father’s suspicions but he’s revealing his true self once he arrived here.”
Xiang Shaolong replied, “Marquis, do not worry. I am confident that he will not able to return to our Great Chu alive.”
Zhao Mu was visibly touched as he looked at him and said, “Father has indeed chosen the right person to come. What is your real identity? Why have I never heard anyone mention you before.”
Xiang Shaolong already has a script long prepared so he replied calmly, “My real name is Wang Zhuo, a hunter from the Xiutu Tribe. His Highness came to hunt near where I lived once and met with a pack of wolves and I saved him. Ever since then his Highness has specially groomed me and allowed my clan to enjoy wealth and riches. He is my benefactor. His Highness wants me to help you accomplish the plan of becoming the King of Zhao, therefore he has never taken me back to the residence. My trip to Handan this time is to work together with Marquis and to act when there’s a chance. Won’t the world belong to your Huang family sooner or later? My men are all from the Xiutu Tribe and absolutely trustworthy, so Marquis can put your mind at ease.”
Zhao Mu’s heart was fluttering on hearing this, thinking to himself that his Father really knows how to use people. This Wang Zhuo is not only intelligent but bold as well, not to mention his excellent swordsmanship. With this person’s help and with Le Cheng’s coordination, the position of Zhao Ruler will certainly belong to him. The biggest obstacles will be the two fellows Lian Po and Li Mu.
Zhao Mu said, “I’ve been thinking the whole night and finally thought of a workable plan, but now the time is not yet ripe. I will discuss with you again at a later date. As that muddleheaded King Xiaocheng has very high expectations of you, you’d better show some results as soon as possible.”
Xiang Shaolong was secretly laughing that the most important part was his last sentence. He stood up and said, “Thank you for the reminder. I will immediately bring my men to the new farm outside the city to discuss how we can set up the place.”
Zhao Mu’s original intention was to look for him to pay a perfunctory visit to Lord Longyang, who was interested in Xiang Shaolong, so as to avoid incurring the displeasure of this powerful man from Wei. On hearing this he had no choice but to stand up as well and said, “Don’t forget about Guo Zhong’s feast tonight, you must come back before dusk.”
Xiang Shaolong acknowledged a reply and sent him off before setting off with Wu Zhuo and the rest towards the outskirts of the city.
Wu Zhuo, Jing Jun and most of the others stayed at the Hidden Army Valley where the new farm will be, setting up tents, chopping down trees, repairing bridges and roads, pretending to be preparing for everything. Actually, they are just establishing a foothold, so that not everyone will be captured if anything happens and at the same time to prevent Jing Jun from losing patience and looking for Zhao Zhi on his own.
Before dusk, Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi and 30 odd highly skilled men from the Elite team rushed back to Handan.
They had just arrived at the city gates when the official on guard duty told him, “His Majesty has orders that Mister Dong enter the Palace immediately to see him.”
Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi exchanged looks, both feeling that something is not right for the King of Zhao would not summon him for no reason.
After they exchanged a few words, Xiang Shaolong went to the Palace to see King Xiaocheng under the escort of the Zhao soldiers.
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