Chapter 119
Book 11 Chapter 10 – Highly Trusted
Since his return to Qin from Zhao, fate has been torturing him.
If not for Ting Fangs.h.i.+’s sickness and eventual death, he will not be motivated to bring Wu Tingfang and Zhao Qian with him on his mission. Zhao Qian will be able to stay alive and so will Chunying and her fellow maids. In addition, Cui Tong and Cui Lu will not hang themselves to accompany Zhao Qian in death.
When he was in such extreme danger in Daliang, with some luck, he still managed to protect this pretty Third Princess of Zhao. But on the river beside the red pine forest, she died a horrible death. Ultimately, he wasn’t sharp enough and was tricked by Lu Buwei.
He will not let Lu Buwei trick him again, for he will not be able to take it anymore.
Seven young and energetic ladies who are undergoing the prime of their lives were gone just like that, as if it was a wet dream.
He can never forget the stark difference between their usual enchanting appearances to the frightening and ugly look of their corpses.
After six months on the farms, his turbulent emotions has calmed down to a huge extent. He did not give a hoot to politics but focused all his energy on training his secret army. At the end, he produced an elite fighting unit that was five thousand strong. These men will help him to support Xiao Pan ascend the throne and counter Lu Buwei’s private army.
Three thousand of these warriors came from the Wu Family Warriors. The rest of them come from Pu Bu’s men, Jing village hunters, and also from the Wu estates situated all over the six states.
They formed five armies with one thousand soldiers in each army. They are led by Wu Zhuo, Teng Yi, Jing Jun, Wu Guo and Pu Bu. They masquerade as farmers during the day and did their training at night. Because of this, they excelled in night missions.
The training was designed by Teng Yi and himself. Needless to say, most of the training content came from the 21st century that was modified to suit their current requirements.
To get something done, you need the right tools.
With Ji Yanran’s blacksmiths from Yue coupled with Xiang Shaolong knowledge of alloys from the 21st century, they produced the best weapons known during those times.
The average swords used are three to four feet long. Any swords longer that than will break easily. However, they managed to produce a thin sword that was five feet long. Based on this advantage alone, they have increased their fighting prowess.
Wu Yingyuan sent men all over the country and cultivated a new breed of warhorses. Regardless of endurance or speed, they surpa.s.sed the current standards by a huge margin.
Xiao Yuetan is right. With the Wu family wealth and expertise backing Xiang Shaolong, he will be a force to reckon with.
Xiang Shaolong has been trained in the art of espionage and intelligence gathering. He understood the need for spies and trained another hundred men in this field. Once they completed their training, Tao Fang was placed in charge of them.
After six months of hard work, they have succeeded in forming a self sufficient secret military organization.
On several occasions, Lu Buwei will send someone to check on them. With Master Tu’s secret protection, they are unable to discover anything new.
The days pa.s.sed peacefully on the surface but it is an intensive compet.i.tion in hiding.
On this day, Tao Fang visited them from Xianyang City. He could not find Xiang Shaolong in the Hidden Dragon Abode. Escorted by Ji Yanran, Wu Tingfang and Zhao Zhi, he made his way to the Moon Prayer Peak military training ground to report the latest news to Xiang Shaolong.
Xiang Shaolong and Tao Fang proceeded to the army camps. Sitting down on some rocks in the middle of an open area, they begin to chat.
Tao Fang started: "Meng Ao has been victorious in attacking Zhao, conquering Chen Nie and Xinyang. Gaining the upper hand, he continued to set his sights on Yuci and Langmeng. The people of the six states are in panic and it was rumoured that King Anli and Prince Xinling have put aside their differences. Prince Xinling will personally visit the six states and get the support of everyone to counter the threat of Qin."
His face losing colour, Xiang Shaolong commented: "Zhao Ya is in danger!"
Tao Fang was slightly stunned and replied with displeasure: "Such a loose woman; Shaolong should not be bothered with her."
He understood where Shaolong was coming from. If Prince Xinling approached Zhao, it will be negotiating with Empress Dowager Jing rather than the young king. With the deep grudges between Zhao Ya and Empress Dowager Jing, Zhao Ya’s death will be the condition for them to work together.
After thinking for a moment, Xiang Shaolong inquired in a deep voice: "Are Zhao and Yan still fighting?"
Tao Fang answered: "Yan is fighting a losing battle. After Lian Po has eliminated Yan’s famed general Li Fu, Yan has called for a truce but will have to offer concessions to Zhao. The first goal of Prince Xinling is to get them to stop fighting."
His expression turning ugly, Xiang Shaolong questioned: "How long has it been since Prince Xinling went on this mission?"
Tao Fang guessed that he still has feelings for Zhao Ya. He sighed: "Till today, it would have been about five months. If Prince Xinling and Han Jing has a secret agreement to take Zhao Ya’s life, there is nothing we can do."
Xiang Shaolong was fl.u.s.tered.
Tao Fang reminded: "We can hardly protect ourselves now. Lu Buwei’s influence is growing day by day. The advisor-guests in his residence have exceeded eight thousand and he has built another Premier residence that is three times bigger than the old one. He has purposely left the Left Premier post empty so that he may dominate Qin politics. With his military successes, everyone in Xianyang City is dancing to his tune."
Xiang Shaolong put aside Zhao Ya’s issue and enquired: "Master Tao has come all the way here. Are there any more updates?"
Tao Fang’s expression grew more serious and added: "There is a strange matter indeed. His Majesty sent an attendant from the inner palace to look for me. He wants to summon you into the palace for a conference. That is the reason I came all the way here to inform you. The attendant who is named Teng Sheng is very secretive and I am sure there is more than meets the eye."
Xiang Shaolong was stunned by this development when Wu Tingfang’s voice jingled: "Hubby! Come and judge for us who is a better mountaineer, Zhi Zhi or me?"
Xiang Shaolong groaned to himself. His peaceful lifestyle is about to come to an end.
Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi led eighteen of their men and travelled non-stop for one day