Chapter 161
Book 15 Chapter 03 – A Happy Turn Of Events
Just before noon, the hunting groups are making their way back to the camps and the atmosphere has become much livelier.
The palace guards and the cavalry army, taking charge of the internal and external security respectively, are quietly moving into their positions to counter the imminent rebellion.
On the whole, everything looks just the same. They will not make any large manpower deployments so as not to raise the alarm and alert Lord Gaoling’s men.
Jing Jun has become Xiao Pan’s chief intelligence officer. With a group of Wu Family Elite Warriors, they have formed an intelligence network spying on Lord Gaoling and Lu Buwei’s activities.
There are no intelligence reports yet as Lord Gaoling will not dare to act before the night hunt has begun. Moreover, it will be ridiculous if he tried to set the camp on fire in broad daylight.
At lunchtime, the camp is reasonably peaceful.
The night hunters have retired back to their tents to get some rest so as to be in tip top condition later.
Time pa.s.sed slowly.
When the horn is being sounded, the hunting groups start to gather at the main a.s.sembly ground. Finally, the air is filled with excitement again.
Xiao Pan, Zhu Ji and the high ranking officials are watching the hunting groups from an inspection platform. As the hunters begin to set off for the hunt, those who knew about the rebellion are feeling more and more stressful.
Ying Ying and her female warriors have left to join the night hunt as well.
The sun gradually descended behind the western mountains.
The campsite torches are being lighted up and there is smoke in all directions. Within the defending gates, it is bustling with activities as the palace guards are setting up the place for the dinner banquet.
Prince Dan and his men have abruptly left for Xianyang City. Although this is something Lu Buwei did not expect, his suspicions were not raised. After all, they were ridiculed at the banquet last night and probably do not want to embarra.s.s themselves again.
In the semi-darkness, the action has secretly begun.
The first column to move is the Cavalry Army led by Huan Qi. Half of them quietly swam across the Jing River and took up strategic positions on both sides of the river. No one is allowed to leave their position to prevent any leakage of information.
Within the campsite, the palace guards have silently increased their defences at the Royal Tents.
Jing Jun’s intelligence unit has finally come to life. Everything that is happening inside and outside the camp cannot escape their detection. These men have undergone strict and rigorous intelligence gathering training taught personally by Xiang Shaolong. To them, this is a task that they have been well-prepared for.
Before they entered the banquet area, Xiang Shaolong and Lu Gong stood on a slope outside the wooden gates. They were in great spirits as they enjoy the wind blowing against their skin and looking at the vast landscape before their eyes.
Lu Gong sighed: "After Bai Qi, we lack a capable general who can lead our army to countless victories. Now that we have Shaolong, I can finally rest easy." Xiang Shaolong humbly asked: "Lu Gong has been praising me non-stop. Since I came to Qin, I have yet to fight a single battle. What makes you think I will be a capable general?"
Lu Gong laughed: "You can judge a man accurately from small details. When Bai Qi first came about, he took care of every big and small detail just you. Everyone was full of admiration and his men fought hard under his leaders.h.i.+p. Shaolong may not have fought a proper war yet but you have everyone submitting to you and willing to lay down their lives for you. This is a basic requirement for every capable general."
Pausing for a while, he added: "The first step to becoming a great general is soldier management. From your carefree appearance, I can tell that you are well-versed in soldiering. If laws are not enforced, there will be disorder; If training is insufficient, soldiers cannot fight; If you are carefree because you are well-prepared, you can fight ten thousand battles and win every one of them. So from Shaolong’s carefree and well-prepared outlook, I was reminded of Bai Qi in the good old days."
Xiang Shaolong was astounded. Lu Gong’s words do make incredible sense. When he was fighting against Zhao Mu in Handan City, he has Teng Yi and Jing Jun to help him, the elite warriors are well-trained and he has Pu Bu and Liu Chao as spies. When everything is properly planned, he was indeed relaxed and carefree. However, at that point in time, he did not realise that it is a sign of good soldiering!
In Sun Zi’s Art of War, this is known as ‘proper delegation of appropriate work to the appropriate person.’
Lu Gong became more enthusiastic and continued: "A born genius is only good enough to last one generation. There is no lack of talent; only lack of people who can recognize talent. There is no lack of people who can recognize talent, only lack of people who can use talented men effectively. I noticed that Shaolong has recommended Li Si, Huan Qi and w.a.n.g Jian to the Crown Prince and know that Shaolong’s foresight is second to none. In the area, I am afraid even Bai Qi is not your match."
Xiang Shaolong was feeling guilty at this undeserved praise.
They were interrupted by a palace guard who came to invite them inside the defending gates for the banquet. Thus, their conversation came to an end.
The sun has finally disappeared behind the western mountain.
Mo Ao is about to die.
As per normal, the banquet is extremely lively. As expected, Lord Gaoling has given an excuse to skip the banquet.
Ji Yanran and all the ladies are here, sharing a table with Qin Qing. They came here with the intention to watch a good show. After all, the safest place is here within the defending gates.
All the high ranking officials, including Xiao Pan are all dressed in their hunting outfits. This is the last banquet and according to the Qin customs, the banquet will last throughout the night while waiting for the night hunters to come back by dawn tomorrow.
Jing Jun, Huan Qi and Lord Changwen have their duties to attend to and were absent from the banquet.
Xiao Pan is very energetic and his two eyes are s.h.i.+ning brightly, showing his excited mood.
Lu Buwei is in his usual great spirits and frequently toasted and chatted with Zhu Ji.
Mo Ao surprisingly showed up for the banquet and is seated at the back with Lu Chan and Zhou Zihen. It may be due to his desire to see Xiang Shaolong dying before his own eyes or that he need not conceal himself any further.
Seated between Lu Buwei and Guan Zhongxie, Lu Niang Rong kept her head lowered throughout the banquet and did not even take a single look at Xiang Shaolong.
After a group of palace guards performed an exciting sword dance and the air is filled with enthusiastic clapping, one of Jing Jun’s fellow villagers Jing Shan came up to Xiang Shaolong’s back and reported in a low voice: "Lord Gaoling’s men are beginning to spray oil on the tents behind the defending gates. Master Jun has intentionally sent some men to patrol the area so only a limited area is affected."
Xiang Shaolong whispered