大唐双龙传 [Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan] by Huang Yi

[ken2004]

Any raw link?

[Laoren]

Thanks foxs. this chapter is a bit boring

[George Harris]

I agree with Sky, and it would be a good start to revenge if you really think about it. Turning that cunning women to them and taking her out from under their nose would really make Li Mi lose face and damage him if done properly. Though even if she switches sides, I personaly still would not trust her ...

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.

[r_aribawono]

I agree with Sky, and it would be a good start to revenge if you really think about it. Turning that cunning women to them and taking her out from under their nose would really make Li Mi lose face and damage him if done properly. Though even if she switches sides, I personaly still would not trust her ...

It looks to me that SLY is a very rational person, so I assume that she stays with Li Mi only because she thinks that he is the most capable and has the best chance of getting into the top.
Of course, if she is also Li Mi lover, then I don't think she will ever betray him except if he is dead or he betrays her first..

[foxs]

Ysabel, HPC, Jaya, you are welcome. Sky, George, Ari, good analysis on SLY. My take on Li Mi? How could he (along with his minions) be so heartless as massacring their own comrades? We are not talking about enemies here. These people used to fight together. A bit of story: a recruiter contacted me with a very good job opportunity, but when I found out that it was for a direct competitor of the company I am currently working for, I declined. Mind you, there is nothing illegal or unethical here, I just don't want to be in 'direct confrontation' with my colleagues. Now, it's a different story if Zhai Rang fired Li Mi or being hostile to him first. You know what I mean? Laoren, I agree. But last time I offer to wait until the story gets to the interesting part and post it at once, many of you objected. I skimmed ahead, and seems to me they are stuck in the city of Xingyang for the next few chapters. Anyway, here is the end of Chapter 2.

---

Xu Ziling and Susu crawled out of under the bed. Breathing out a sigh of relief, Xu Ziling said, “Li Mi is gone! Other people I am not too scared.”

Susu sat next to him on a long wooden bench; she said, “They have many men, great force, you guys only have two pairs of fists, plus you have to take care of me. You must not be eager to excel and want to show off your heroism!”

Xu Ziling spiritedly replied, “Don’t look down on your two Didi; these past two years, I lost count on how many times we met mishaps, but every time we escaped alive from mortal danger, our skill seemed to be getting better. Hey! Jiejie may rest here for a while, I’ll go around to take a look.”

Susu hastily grabbed his arm; her voice cracking, “What if someone finds you?”

With a hundred-percent confidence Xu Ziling said, “I have been an expert in imitating the dog and stealing chicken since childhood; I will not make an unwise move. This is called ‘know yourself, know your enemy’. The more we know about our surroundings here, the more confident we will be when something comes up and we have to deal with it.”

Susu had no choice but to let him go.

Very scared and on edge she waited for half a sichen [reminder: 1 sichen is 2 hours]; keeping watch alone and was bored, she could not help thinking about Zhai Mansion people who met calamity, thus she cried inwardly. Fortunately Xu Ziling returned with excitement on his face. There was also a folder in his hand.

“All thanks to the skill we learned from Chen Laomou for several days, I managed to find Shen Poniang’s treasure she hid inside her secret chamber,” he proudly said.

Seeing he came back, the distress and terror in Susu’s heart reached its limit. Forcing herself to share his excitement, she asked, “Who’s Chen Laomou?”

Xu Ziling sat down and put the precious and heavy folder on his lap; he said, “Chen Laomou was Jukun Bang’s man, his specific responsibility was to train the gang member how to steal and gather information, which they would then sell for money. Oh! He is back.”

Following his gaze, Susu saw Kou Zhong, with two big bundles in his hands, pushing the door from the anteroom and walked in. Kou Zhong laughed and said, “One bundle of clothes, one bundle of food. Mission successfully accomplished. The most wonderful thing is that all the maids and servants have returned to their apartments in the rear courtyard.”

Xu Ziling and Susu cheered together. While they were eating and drinking as much as they liked, Kou Zhong said with radiant delight, “That guy Xu Shiji searched the entire City of Xingyang and nearly turning it upside down; there are checkpoints at the mouth of every street, patrolling troops are everywhere. Seeing the look of things was anything but reassuring, I went to steal from house-to-house, in a random, different parts of the city. I guarantee nobody would suspect anything.”

“Xiao Ling also stole something!” Susu said.

Only now did Xu Ziling remember; hurriedly he took out the folder that he stuffed into his pocket earlier and handed over to Kou Zhong. “Look at this,” he said, “Do you think this looks like Shen Poniang’s roster of spies in all parts of the country? Plus there are records of expenditures, big and small, and the amount of money exchanges, that kind of stuff.”

Kou Zhong stuffed the remaining mantou [steamed bun] in his hand into his mouth, freeing up both hands to thumb through the folder. A bit unsure, he said, “Ha! Let my methodical eyes look at it, I guarantee nothing will be hidden from me. This guy’s name is really weird, Chen Siya [lit. dead duck]? Also his address and communication method? Last month he received a hundred taels of silver. Turns out it is that easy to earn money.”

Susu leaned over to take a look. She angrily said, “He is called Chen Shuijia [lit. water armor], not Chen Siya. You randomly change people’s name.”

Kou Zhong’s eyes shone, “Xiao Ling,” he said, “Based on this treasure, do you think we can ruthless rip some money off that Shen Poniang?”

Xu Ziling let out a cold snort, “She harmed us like that, how could some money compensate us?”

Horrified, Susu said, “If you hand this thing over to the authorities, it will implicate a lot of people; their houses will be searched, their possessions confiscated, their heads chopped off.”

Kou Zhong put the roster into his pocket; he laughed and said, “How can we make things easy for the emperor’s baby boy? As for how we are going to use this thing, let’s think about it later.”

Turning to Xu Ziling, he said, “It’s time for us to change our appearance a little bit. I don’t know who did such a good job in painting our faces, but our three revered countenances are being pasted all over the streets, making our effort to call on Peipei of Daiqing Lou becomes extremely dangerous.”

Xu Ziling said, “Just now in the storage room at the rear court I found ten big earthen jars of kerosene. If we can find that guy Xu Shiji’s house, we can torch it and burn it to the ground; a tooth for a tooth. Oh, and I haven’t told you yet, but Li Mi is out to fight a battle, he is not in town.”

Kou Zhong let out a ‘ya, ya’ laugh like a crow cawing, and said, “Xu Shiji is just a four-legged crawling lackey. Since Li Mi is away, we might as well burn his old nest. Hey, I wonder where that guy Li Mi’s doghouse is anyway.”

Noticing the two boys’ gaze was fixed on her, Susu pouted her lovely lips and tut-tutted, “Don’t even think that I will tell you. You said we are here to keep away from the way the wind blows, if you make such disturbance, everybody will know that we are still in the city. What’s more, Duke of Pusan’s Mansion has martial art experts as numerous as the cloud, if you are going there to create trouble, it will be nothing more than delivering your own lives!”

Kou Zhong laughed and said, “This is the most exciting place; they know very well that we are still in the city, but they can’t find us. Even better, right now the military is in a state of emergency, Xu Shiji and the others can’t put us above the war. Therefore, as long as we are able to create internal anxiety for them, I guarantee they will have no room to advance or retreat.”

Xu Ziling added, “It would be better if after setting on the fire, we lure them to pursue us, and we flee out of the city right in front of their eyes. Afterwards we can come back to fetch Jiejie. This will be even more foolproof.”

Kou Zhong frowned and said, “The city wall is so high, can you jump out?”

Xu Ziling dejectedly replied, “I can’t.”

“Pfft!” Susu broke into a giggle. Casting a sidelong glance toward the two boys, she chastised them, “Just a couple of kids who love to fool around.”

Kou Zhong stole a lightning speed kiss on her cheek; he sighed and said, “Jiejie’s eyes can really hook people’s soul!”

At first Susu was beaming with delighted, but then her smile faded; perhaps she remembered Li Jing?

Xu Ziling suddenly said, “Does Jiejie know who is in charge of the city defense?”

“The one really in charge, I do not know,” Susu replied, “But city’s affairs have always been managed by Xu Shiji, so it ought to be his men.”

Kou Zhong was shaken, “I got it!” he said, “Xiao Ling, are you thinking of escaping via the sewer like we did in Yangzhou?”

Susu was shocked, “Down there is so dirty, how could we do that?” she said, “Aren’t you going to ask for Peipei’s help?”

Xu Ziling said, “Under present circumstances, I am afraid nobody will be willing to help us. Besides, as soon as we go to Daiqing Lou, we will be recognized immediately.”

Kou Zhong said, “No good will come of receiving favor from someone like Xiang Yushan. Xiao Ling’s idea is really unique. Tonight we are going to Xu Shiji’s house to steal, trying our luck. Chen Laomou said that any city must have architectural drawings; otherwise, how are they going to do maintenance and repairs?”

Susu was helpless, “Your prejudice toward Xiang Gongzi is too deep,” she said. She proceeded by telling them the location of Xu Shiji’s residence, and then she said, “I want to try the clothes that Xiao Zhong brought back.” So the two boys slipped out of the room.

After closing the door, Xu Ziling pulled Kou Zhong aside and said, “Just now I heard Su Jie calling Li Dage in her dream. Ay, Jiejie is so forlorn! But in this kind of matter, nobody can help her.”

Kou Zhong slumped in silence; he sat down and after thinking long and hard he said, “We’d better go to Luoyang first to look for Li Dage, and tell him directly about Jiejie’s situation, see if he has a way to help Jiejie settling down.”

Xu Ziling shook his head and said, “That will make Li Dage feel very awkward; once things turn bad, it will also place Jiejie in an awkward position. Furthermore, because of that lowly scum Wang Bodang, Jiejie seems to abandon herself in despair a little. One moment she said she is coming with us, the next moment she speaks up on that fellow Xiang Yushan’s behalf. Forcing her to go to Luoyang might be counter-productive.”

In this kind of man-woman relationship, Kou Zhong, who was always full of craft and cunning, completely had his hands bound and was unable to do anything about it.

While he was sighing in despair, Susu came out wearing the new clothes. The two boys promptly made a supreme effort to flatter her by saying all good things they could muster.

Although Susu repeatedly laughed charmingly, inevitably there was a trace of unraveled melancholy on her beautiful eyebrows, giving the impression that she was merely forcing herself to look happy.

Kou Zhong finally surrendered, “Does Jiejie still want us to go to Peipei of Daiqing Lou?”

With a not-so-hidden bitterness Susu said, “Does Jiejie have any right to mind your business?”

Naturally the two boys understood her intention; busily they made an oath and swore that they would listen to her opinion in handling this matter. Only then did Susu’s joyous expression return. And then they discussed how to evade the patrolling troops’ eyes and ears to find this woman named Peipei.

Kou Zhong came up with an idea, “How about we go to the silk fabric store and buy a set of highest-quality silk brocade, and indicate that this is a present for Peipei. We will tail the delivery guy and see who will receive the gift, then we ought to know which one is Peipei.”

Susu frowned and said, “But if the silk fabric store people recognize you as the fugitive wanted by Wagang Army, won’t you harm Peipei instead?”

Kou Zhong was ready with the answer, “Inevitably there will be people who don’t have the least bit concern over the matters of the world, or perhaps they are simply ignorant. When I went out to steal Jiejie’s new clothes, one of the clothing store’s bosses was an old man who looks as if his vision is already blurred of age; he is relying on two young lads to deliver the goods. As long as we wait until he is alone in the store, our great plan can be executed.”

Susu happily said, “It would be even better if I pretend to be Peipei’s young maid and am doing my Miss’ shopping; it would be more foolproof.”

Noticing she was regaining her vitality, Kou Zhong laughed and said, “But Jiejie cannot wear this clothes!”

Susu began to realize that she was the dirty rotten thief who wore the stolen clothes from that exact store. Smiling sheepishly she returned to the room to change.

The two boys looked at each other with wry smile. Xu Ziling sighed and said, “I do hope Jiejie does not take a fancy to Xiang Yushan! You saw it yourself, as soon as we agreed to look for Peipei, her entire personality changed instantly.”

Full of confidence, Kou Zhong said, “Which part of that Xiang guy deserves Jiejie taking a fancy of? In my opinion, she is just bursting with joy from knowing that we won’t take the risk of going to Xu Shiji’s house to set fire and steal things, and also from knowing that we esteem her opinion!”

Not too long afterwards Susu came out wearing suitable clothes. The three of them hence went out of their hiding place. Avoiding several groups of Wagang Army troops, they reached the small alley across the street from the clothing store.

Susu went in according to plan, while the two boys waited in a dark corner, ready to render assistance if needed.

The snow was falling again, the streets were deserted; it was so peaceful that it felt like nothing had ever happened.

But Xu Ziling knew that the Wagang Army, whose fame was currently at its height, has already developed irreparable rifts internally due to Zhai Rang’s murder. He could easily imagine that because Zhai Rang was the initiator of Wagang Army, no matter how well Li Mi won the people’s heart, he could not entirely displace Zhai Rang’s deep-rooted influence of the past. Inevitably disloyalty would grow among his men who had always been following Zhai Rang in the past.

Meanwhile, Kou Zhong was also thinking about Li Mi. He recalled Zhai Rang’s remark about him being not ruthless enough, and thus he failed in his fight against Li Mi. Therefore, is being ‘vicious and merciless’ the most important prerequisite one must have if one wants to contend for control over the land under the heavens?

While he was entranced in his own thought, Xu Ziling called out softly, “This is bad!”

Kou Zhong was startled; his alertness returned, he looked toward the street, and the first thing that caught his eyes was Shen Luoyan, with her phoenix-like beauty and grace. And then his eyes were drawn into the girl in the prime of youth by Shen Luoyan’s side.

At first glance this girl did not look too pretty; perhaps because her silhouette was reminiscent of a man. But her skin was snow white, glowing with healthy pink; her demeanor was noble and elegant, her legs long and her waist slender, she was approximately two cun taller than Shen Luoyan, she had bright eyes and white teeth, and all these features fit together perfectly, making her not the least bit inferior to Shen Luoyan, forming a very unique personality traits.

In front and behind the two women were their attendants. They were strolling down the street, with Shen Luoyan pointing here and there while talking and laughing with her; it seemed that Shen Luoyan was acting as her tour guide.

In about ten paces or so the women and their party would reach the door of the clothing store where Susu was. The two boys' hands automatically reached the hilt of their weapons. Their scalp went numb as they watched step-by-step the enemy approaching the dangerous position where they would be able to see Susu.

Right this critical moment [orig. a thousand catty hanging on a thread], that healthy-looking, carefree beautiful woman suddenly halted her steps. Without showing any emotion she spoke to Shen Luoyan and then she stepped into the arts and crafts store right next door to the clothing store. Shen Luoyan cheerfully followed her inside.

Those dozen or so attendants spread out; a small number of them followed the women inside, while the rest of them stood around the door, assuming bodyguards position.

In the meantime Susu has just walked out of the clothing store. Seeing a bunch of armed men gathered outside the shop next door, she was terrified. Hanging her head low, she hurriedly crossed the street toward the alley where the two boys were waiting for her.

The men did not pay her any attention. As soon as she was out of sight of the enemy, she met with the two boys. Her face paled as she said, "I am scared to death!"

Having just recovered from a shock, the two boys pulled her deeper into the small alley. Once they were well hidden, Kou Zhong whispered, "Success?"

Susu nodded, "No problem. But the boss said that it is too late today, they will deliver the goods tomorrow."

Xu Ziling sighed. "That would be bad," he said, "Pleasure house girls sleep all day. If the delivery is received by other person, our effort will be wasted."

Pleased with herself, Susu said, "Don't worry! I already gave him instruction that the goods are to be delivered within shenshi [between 3-5pm] hour tomorrow. That old man already promised!"

For lack of better option, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had no choice but to take Susu back 'home'.

[foxs]

Ken, sorry I forgot to respond to your post earlier. Try this:

http://www.xiexingcun.com/huangyi/19/index.htm

[LuDongBin]

Catching up on last two chapters. Perhaps the author did not flash out the cruelty and avariciousness of Zhai Rang sufficiently other than the outright attempt to kill the two boys in their first meeting. But that was how the historical records portray ZR. Not sure if we will have the chance to hear Li Mi's side of the story. Maybe we get to know more of Li Mi as the story unfolds.

Thks foxs.

[Ysabelkid]

Thanks foxs

[SkyWalker]

Thanks foxs.

In regards to Li Mi, I have to disagree with you. Living in a chaotic time, sometimes one has to use extreme measures to accomplish one's goals. As they say, a jungle cannot have two tigers. In this case, the power between ZR and LM are almost evenly matched. There can only be one leader. Like ZR said, he lost because he wasn't ruthless enough. Since he was already the leader, he may not feel the urge for power as strongly as LM did, who was second in command. Also, he may hestitate to eliminate LM because LM was valuable. Regardless, we know ZR wasn't a nice guy either in his own right. Was LM right in killing everyone in the mansion? Maybe not, but it was necessary. We all know what happens when the roots are not completely removed. If ZR had won, the result would be no different. LM and all who were associated with him would be dead as well. Sometimes, in order to accomplish great deeds, we have to look beyond the emotions attached. And the hardest thing a great leader does is making tough and unpopular decisions.

So, another beauty. I'm guessing this woman with SLY is Li Mi's wife. I hope we get less Susu and more SLY in the next chapter.

[weed1]

Thanks foxs

[HPC7595]

Thanks foxs

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.

[Laoren]

Thanks foxs

[chualot]

Thanks foxs

[Komeng]

Thanks foxs

[Drak17]

Caught up to story! Thanks foxs!

[foxs]

DongBin, Sky, I am sure you guys are right, but one, we are talking about those people in this novel, not the historical ones, two, that is exactly the reason why I cannot be a political leader; I am not ruthless enough. Ysabel, Weed, HPC, Jaya, Laoren, Chua, Komeng, Drak, you are welcome. New chapter. I think Huang Yi dragged this part too long.

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Book 5 Chapter 3 – The Shadow Assassin

Returning to the beautiful, secluded, elegant and calm Shen residence, the three of them had a feeling like they had just escaped alive from a mortal danger. Also, recalling that tomorrow they were going to find Peipei, they felt that their situation was not as hopeless, without any way out, as before; therefore, their mood was greatly improved. Giggling and laughing the two boys narrated to Susu their nearly two years of experience. The more the listener was engrossed in the story, the more the story tellers were getting excited. In the blink of an eye it was already evening.

The Shen Mansion was bright with palace lanterns everywhere, the front and rear courtyards were as bright as daylight.

After eating their dinner, Kou Zhong lazed around on a chair and contentedly said, “Jiejie really loves cleanliness, you even swept this room, inside and out, clean. If it were us, we would not do that.”

Susu stared at him blankly, “How could I have spare time to think of such thing?” she said, “It was those people this morning who came here to clean up!”

Kou Zhong suddenly sat up with a start. “Oh, no!” his voice broke.

Stunned, Xu Ziling and Susu looked at him.

Kou Zhong said, “When we got here yesterday, the room was full of dust, obviously it hasn’t been occupied for a long time. Now all of a sudden somebody came in to clean up, evidently there will be guest who is going to stay here!”

Xu Ziling cursed his own negligence inwardly; he sprang up and said, “Must be Shen Poniang is going to entertain that beauty whom she accompanied just now. No wonder it is so bright outside. Come! We must quickly tidy up and sneak out.”

While the three people were busy tidying up the room, they heard faint hoof beats and voices from the front courtyard. Shen Luoyan and her guest have arrived.

Not daring to tarry any longer, while Shen Luoyan was still at the front yard, the three of them hastily hid themselves in another firewood shed behind their building.

Sure enough, a moment later they saw people entered the guest house; occasionally they even heard voices and the sound of movements.

All the lanterns in the four rooms of the guest house were lit. The three people no longer felt safe. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling took turn monitoring the activity outside. In the meantime, the snow stopped. Apparently the guests have settled down, because they did not hear as much activity as before.

Kou Zhong, who was peeking out through a small window, suddenly signaled a warning. Xu Ziling and Susu hastily crowded next to him in front of the window. The three of them looked out together.

They saw Shen Luoyan leading the energetic-looking, alluring and youthful girl, walking toward the small garden right outside the firewood shed. The former started the conversation, “Luoyan loves to see the scene of prodigious abundance of fruit the most, hence I planted mostly fruit trees.”

“Yan Jie is very thoughtful,” the woman praised, “Who would have thought that unexpectedly there is such a world-class scenic spot deep in these alleys?”

Shen Luoyan modestly replied, “Yuzhi please don’t laugh at me, your Song Family’s Huai [Chinese scholar tree/Japanese pagoda tree/Sophora Japonica] Garden is ranked among the top ten gardens of the Wulin; how can my tiny nest be compared to that?”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were shaken; it was only now did they realize that this charming and independent beauty belonged to the Song Clan. They were wondering what her relation to Song Shidao was.

The two women stopped to enjoy the icicles hanging from the tree branches.

Song Yuzhi nonchalantly said, “This time Yuzhi pays a visit, based on Yan Jie’s ability and wisdom, you ought to be able to guess one or two reasons?”

Shen Luoyan muttered to herself irresolutely, “I wonder if it has something to do with Yuwen Huaji start rumors and create trouble in front of that muddleheaded ruler?”

Song Yuzhi laughed and said, “I knew we can’t hide it from Yan Jie; but that is only one of the reasons.”

Shen Luoyan slyly said, “In that case the other reason must be related to Du Fuwei. I heard that after capturing Liyang, he cut the Yangtze River’s water traffic, by wantonly and indiscriminately looting the sailing vessels. According to our information, they even confiscated three of your salt ships! Is that true?”

Song Yuzhi was indifferent. “Yan Jie is indeed very well informed,” she said, “No wonder Duke Mi relies heavily on you!”

Shen Luoyan shook her head and sighed, “I really don’t understand what’s inside Du Fuwei’s head; while Yang Guang’s main force is establishing their presence east of the River, he still has the audacity to provoke such a powerful enemy such as your precious Clan. Perhaps he is tired of living?”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling suddenly understood. Yangtze River was the Song Clan’s lifeline in transporting the salt. By cutting off the salt ship traffic, Du Fuwei has greatly threatened the reputation, as well as the livelihood of the Song Clan. Therefore, the Song Clan sent Song Yuzhi with special mission to link with Li Mi, so that with north and south’s joint forces they could attack Liyang’s Jianghuai [River Huai] Army, headed by Du Fuwei and his lieutenant Fu Gongshi, from two fronts.

But presently Wagang Army was suffering from internal strife, plus they were facing Sui Army’s counteroffensive, therefore, chances are Li Mi would not have time to take care Du Fuwei.

Song Yuzhi smiled and said, “Du Fuwei thinks he is forced by circumstances, but he shouldn’t have provoked our Song Family. We have time and again negotiated with Du and Fu, two men, all failed to grasp the main points. My father is extremely furious over this matter, he determined not to spare anything in giving a good lesson to Du Fuwei. However, because he does not know Duke Mi’s intention, he sent Yuszhi to have an audience with Duke Mi.”

Shen Luoyan sighed and said, “Yuzhi should be aware that we always have mutual apprehension toward Jianghuai Army …?”

Song Yuzhi cut her off, “According to our latest information, after the Jianghuai Army captured Liyang, unexpectedly they hold back their troops without moving, simply constantly consolidating their foothold of the area. Indeed their motive is unpredictable. Did Yan Jie hear about it?”

Shen Luoyan said, “Is Yuzhi referring to Du Fuwei’s desire to wait for Yang Guang to be impatient and turn his attention to deal with us?”

Song Yuzhi was still indifferent, “Only this matter is not enough to make Yang Guang deal with you.”

And then abruptly she changed the topic, “I wonder if Yan Jie has ever heard of certain Qu Ao [lit. proud/arrogant song], a Tiele[1] man?”

Shen Luoyan was surprised, “Is Yuzhi talking about Qu Ao, the Da Kui [lit. big helmet], who run amuck on the western border? This man’s fame is resounding; very soon he will catch up to Tujue’s Wu Zun Bi Xuan. I am afraid that Du Fuwei’s invitation cannot even move him. I wonder why Yuzhi suddenly mention this person.”

Song Yuzhi seriously said, “That was then, now it is different. Tiele people have always been mortal enemy of the Tujue people; seeing the Tujue’s influence in the Central Plains is growing deeper has sprouted their ambition to get a share of the cup of soup. Qu Ao has received Tiele King’s secret mission to connect with new rising powers of the Central Plains, with the hope of fishing in troubled water, and acquire a little bit of profit.”

Knitting her brows, Shen Luoyan asked, “Qu Ao really has any regards toward Du Fuwei?”

Calmly and confidently Song Yuzhi replied, “Not only that, they even conspire to assassinate Duke Mi. If they succeeded, Yang Guang would definitely take advantage while Wagang Army is in chaos, to go all out to attack you. At that time Du Fuwei would also seize that opportunity to absorb the scattering Wagang Army’s troops, and then expand his influence to the north. Otherwise, the longer your Wagang Army exists, the more difficult it will be for Du Fuwei to expand northward.”

Just by looking at Shen Luoyan’s expression, Kou Zhong and the others knew that this Qu Ao was no trivial matter.

Meanwhile, someone hurriedly came to report that Xu Shiji has arrived. Thereupon the two women went toward the front courtyard.

Kou Zhong followed the two women with his eyes as they disappeared into the woods, dyed white by the snow and the frost. Breathing a mouthful of cold air he said, “We might as well change profession to become assassins; it is the most profitable business. At least it will be a clean job, not as messy [orig. wading in mud and water] as stealing people’s belonging to blackmail them.”

Recalling Shen Luoyan’s secret roster, Xu Ziling was anxious. “If Shen Poniang found out that her roster is gone, it would be extremely bad,” he said, “We can forget about escaping out of town.”

“Looks like stealing that ghost thing not worth the risk we’ll have to take,” Kou Zhong admitted, “Hee …! But how could she guess that it was us who took it?”

Xu Ziling thought Kou Zhong was right. He laughed and said, “This is called empty evil intention.”

But Susu was anxious endlessly; she said, “We’d better secretly put that roster back where it came from! The most urgent matter right now is sneaking out of the city; it’s always better to have one less thing to worry!”

Listening to her, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were greatly moved.

When Xu Ziling stole the roster, his first intention was only for fun and perhaps to exact revenge on Shen Luoyan; essentially he had never thought about any benefit from extorting her with this roster. Better yet, right now both Shen Luoyan and Xu Shiji were in the main building’s hall; considering it was an easy trip on a familiar path for Xu Ziling, returning the roster to its original place should not be a difficult task.

Kou Zhong said, “Su Jie’s order, we should follow.”

Susu’s mind was filled with conflicting thoughts, “But there are so many people out there,” she said hesitantly, “If you walk around in the courtyard, people might see you!”

Xu Ziling also expressed his lack of confidence in himself, “What should we do then?” he asked.

Kou Zhong patted his chest, “This is called ‘intention can be regarded as unintentional’. There is benefit in many people present: it is comparatively easier to fish in troubled waters. Su Jie can stay here, we will be back soon.”

The two boys slipped out of the firewood shed. Under cover of the trees, they swiftly walked toward Shen Luoyan’s private chamber.

---

[1] Tiele is the ancient name of people living to the north of China and in Central Asia. Other names include Chi’le, Gaoche, Dingling and Tele (or Teleg).

[George Harris]

Thanks Foxs, nice chapter. That out of our way, I have thought long and hard about your question on Li Mi, In Warlord politics what he did was the prudent thing, wiping out all that have the potential to come after him. Heck, how many TV shows have that in a modern setting, OK mainly crime dramas, but still it happens. I'm going to save my next thought on what happens in the next half, but to hint and give thought wasn't the Song Clan mentioned as one of the four powers? That and Su Jie sure ruins the fun ...

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.