Chapter 156
Book 14 Chapter 10 – Killing Four Birds With Two Arrows
Before dawn, Xiang Shaolong is roused from sleep by the Tian sisters.
He did not sleep a wink the night before and was working non-stop yesterday. He was so exhausted he slept like a log the moment he hugged Wu Tingfang in bed.
Outside the tent where it is still dark, Ji Yanran and his other two wives changed the medication on his wound. By now, the injury is almost completely healed except for a scar. He already has several scars on his body and an additional one is inconsequential.
This moment, Jing Jun led a young man to see him and introduced: "This is Huan Qi. Commander Xiang should have seen him yesterday. He is the best hunter from the first hunt yesterday and the only fighter to win three consecutive fights last night. The Crown Prince has promoted him to be a Major and a.s.signed him to our Cavalry Army. Commander Xiang will be in charge of grooming him."
Huan Qi kneeled down and greeted: "Huan Qi pays his respects to Commander Xiang."
‘No wonder he looked so familiar’, Xiang Shaolong thought. He gently instructed: "Stand up!" Like an agile leopard, Huan Qi sprang up from his kneeling position.
Xiang Shaolong saw that he has clear and s.h.i.+ning eyes, a confident aura and a well-built body. He was tall, muscular and has an imposing air. Even with the three pretty wives besides himself, he did not stray his eyes to look at them. Pleased, he inquired: "Huan Qi, what is your background and do you have any military experience?"
Without hesitation, Huan Qi replied: "I come from the North and spend my youth studying martial arts and military warfare. I was a Captain serving General w.a.n.g Jian in the north as he protected our borders."
With a sincere expression, he awkwardly revealed: "It is General w.a.n.g Jian who sent me to represent the Border Guards in the hunting fair. General w.a.n.g advised me to seek out Commander Xiang should I ever get the chance to be promoted as Commander Xiang will be the right person who can groom me."
Xiang Shaolong smiled: "Based on Brother Huan’s talent, it will be hard to keep you from excelling."
Huan Qi’s face darkened slightly and he continued: "There is something Commander Xiang must know. My ancestors are from the Quanrong tribe. Thus, regardless of my achievements, I have always been overlooked when it is promotion time. If not for General w.a.n.g’s support, I will still be a miserable sergeant. General w.a.n.g has the intention to promote me to become a Major but his recommendations are rejected by the military headquarters. Therefore, General w.a.n.g sent me here to try my luck and instructed me to work for Commander Xiang at all costs."
Xiang Shaolong came to realise that racism exists even within the people of Qin. He was thrilled. If w.a.n.g Jian recognizes this man to be talented, there is surely some substance in him. Additionally, w.a.n.g Jian must have learnt about his situation from Big Brother Wu Zhuo and as a result, he sent this capable man to a.s.sist himself.
Now that his leg has been bandaged properly, he stood up and grabbed his shoulder, swearing: "Brother Huan can rest at ease. I will never have a different opinion about you because of your ancestry. As long as you work hard and stay loyal to the state, I will see that you get what you deserved. From today onwards, you will be my a.s.sistant Commander and I will issue you your letter of appointment within these two days."
Huan Qi was stunned at Xiang Shaolong’s generosity and gratefully kneeled down and kowtowed.
Jing Jun held him up and smiled to Xiang Shaolong: "The moment I saw Brother Huan, we hit it off very well. I already told him that Commander Xiang will take good care of anyone recommended by General w.a.n.g Jian."
Xiang Shaolong officially state: "Little Jun should not speak like that. I have absolute trust in General w.a.n.g’s judgement and moreover, Brother Huan did perform well at the hunting fair. That is why I gave him a chance to showcase his talent."
Jing Jun winked at Xiang Shaolong, asking: "What should be his duties over the next two days?"
Xiang Shaolong understood what he meant. Jing Jun was asking whether he can tell Huan Qi about Lord Gaoling and Lu Buwei’s issues. After a short contemplation, he acknowledged that it is someone that w.a.n.g Jian sent to a.s.sist him and should be reliable. He hardened his heart and replied: "Since he is one of us, I see no reason to hide anything from him. Only when he has complete knowledge can he do his best."
Huan Qi is so touched that he nearly cried. Jing Jun happily dragged him to see Teng Yi.
Ji Yanran came to Xiang Shaolong’s side and predicted: "If Yanran is not mistaken, another capable General is about to surface in Qin."
Different hunting groups led their hunting dogs to cross the wooden bridges over River Jing. They then spread out into the wide hunting grounds to begin the morning hunt.
Lu Buwei, Xu Xian, w.a.n.g He, Lu Gong, w.a.n.g Wan, Cai Ze, Xiang Shaolong, Lord Changping, Guan Zhongxie and other important officials are accompanying Xiao Pan on his hunt.
Zhu Ji is only interested in the first hunt.
Lord Changwen and Teng Yi are in charge of protecting the campsite while Jing Jun and Huan Qi went to spy on Lord Gaoling’s rebel soldiers.
There is another hunting party made up of members of the royal family which includes Lord Gaoling and his escorts. Qin Qing, Ji Yanran, Wu Tingfang, Zhao Zhi and the Tian sisters formed another group while Prince Dan and his men formed another group. They were spread out among the other groups on the hunting grounds.
Xiao Pan rode his horse towards a huge lake and was in great spirits.
Xiang Shaolong, Guan Zhongxie and Lord Changping followed him closely. Behind them are the rest of the officials.
Xiang Shaolong saw that Xiao Pan is slowly growing up to be a young man and a.s.sessed his extraordinary features and aura.
His most remarkable features are his two high and round cheekbones, making one feel subservient. It may be due to the numerous secrets that he is hiding that his eyes are becoming more and more mysterious looking. When he is looking straight at you, even Xiang Shaolong who is so familiar with him will feel his goose pimples standing. His lips are thick which does not make him handsome but his mouth is well-defined which gives people a sense of determination and resolution. As a result, his appearance is very different from other people and he does have a dominating aura around him.
As he continue to grow older, these attributes become more and more significant. Xiang Shaolong can no longer see any signs of the childish Xiao Pan he saw back in Handan Palace.
This future Qin s.h.i.+ Huang shares a common height but he has wide shoulders and his hands and feet are bigger than most people. When he moves, he carries an aura of might and invincibility. If there are any fortune tellers, they can easily tell that he is of n.o.ble birth.
At this point, there is a flock of water eagles that began to fly into the sky from the lakeside. Xiao Pan shot an arrow but only hit empty air. Xiao Pan laughed: "So many birds! Someone shoot them down."
Xiang Shaolong is not interested in these aimless killings and he watched as the other men