Chapter 192
Book 17 Chapter 10 – Stargazing
Back at the Command Centre, he had just finished telling Teng Yi about Tian Dan’s survival. Just as Teng Yi’s face changed colour, Jing Jun barged in and reported: "Lu Buwei is getting ready to attack the farms and is now deploying his men."
The two men could not be bothered about Tian Dan anymore. They asked in chorus: "How did you know?"
Jing Jun sat down and explained: "Earlier, Meng Tian came secretly to look for me and told me he overheard his father instructing a trusted family warrior to select two thousand men from his family warriors. Together with traitor Lu’s family warriors, they will form an army and attack the farms while disguised as horse thieves. None of us is to be spared. Hng! Meng Ao is such a fool. We must not spare him too."
Teng Yi’s expression grew serious: "This is not called foolish, this is called cruel. If they succeeded and with Lu Buwei sheltering them, who can lay a finger on them? If the Imperial Cavalry Commander falls under their control, Xianyang City will be their playground. Luckily, we have always been fortifying our defences at the farm and have added a perimeter wall recently. They are still ignorant of our true strength so we still have a fighting chance."
Xiang Shaolong reminded: "Meng Ao is well-versed in warfare and he must have capable men under his command. Coupled with the thousands of warriors in Lu Residence, they will have double our strength if they attacked with just seven thousand men. If not for Meng Tian’s information, we will suffer a huge loss when they attack. Of course it is a different matter now."
Teng Yi’s face lost colour: "Not good. This morning, Pu Bu and Liu Chao have led two thousand men towards the Northern Border. We have lesser manpower and it does not bode well for us."
Xiang Shaolong was shaken: "What? They left already?"
Teng Yi sighed: "This is Grandmaster Wu’s idea as Eldest Brother needs these men urgently. Thus, they made quick preparations and left as early as possible."
Jing Jun suggested: "Why don’t we get a few men from the Cavalry Army to help us?"
Xiang Shaolong concluded: "We must never do that. If we have any deployments, that traitor Lu will soon get wind of it. Moreover, our Wu Family Elite Army must not be mixed with outsiders as this will affect our efficiency. We may also put Meng Tian in danger."
Jing Jun nodded: "I nearly forgot to say something. Meng Tian suggested that we run for our lives as he did not expect us to have the ability to face his Dad’s army."
Filled with a heroic air, Teng Yi state in a deep voice: "I will return to the farm immediately to prepare for battle and disperse all our young and womenfolk. Third Brother and Little Jun can return tomorrow and do not cause any unnecessary alarm. You should not fetch Widow Qin to the farm if possible. The crux of this battle is the element of surprise. We must trick the enemy to continue thinking that we are unprepared for them."
Xiang Shaolong composed himself and nodded: "I understand. This time round, we will make Lu Buwei, Meng Ao and Guan Zhongxie take a big tumble."
Arriving home, Xiang Shaolong told his wives about Tian Dan being alive, Lu Buwei using w.a.n.g Ci to ambush him and the imminent attack on the farms. Everyone including Ji Yanran was shaken at this news.
Zhao Zhi’s revenge dream has been shattered. In addition, worrying about Shan Rou’s safety has caused her to lose her appet.i.te and she hid in her room crying.
Xiang Shaolong did his best to comfort her and returned back to discuss further with Ji Yanran and Wu Tingfang.
Ji Yanran sighed: "Tian Dan’s subst.i.tute is really remarkable and he imitated his body language and gestures exceedingly well. Even we were tricked!"
Wu Tingfang bitterly smiled: "If the impersonation is lousy, the fake Tian Dan would not be able to deceive so many of us at the hunting fair."
Xiang Shaolong can feel the hatred swelling up in him. He was thoroughly deceived by this sly old fox. But Tian Dan’s subst.i.tution trick is meant for the people of Chu and not him but he was deceived as well. It seems like fate cannot be changed.
Ji Yanran forced herself to brighten up: "Luckily, Uncle Qing has built many new weapons that Xiang Shaolong has invented. We can use this opportunity to test their effectiveness."
Xiang Shaolong recalled his improved weapons and armour and can feel his spirits rising. He was about to speak out when Zhou Wei came in hugging a roll of drawings. Despite her tired look, her eyes are s.h.i.+ning with excitement.
Ji Yanran gladly mentioned: "After Little Wei received your instructions, she has been working day and night designing the fake Black Dragon. It seems like she finally has a breakthrough!"
Zhou Wei humbly greeted: "It is all thanks to Madam’s guidance."
Xiang Shaolong received the drawings and spread them open. It was a construction plan with many creative designs.
Zhou Wei sat down and began explaining: "This Black Dragon is divided into eighteen sections and one man will operate each section. Just by using their hands, they can form a black dragon which can float and sink as needed. When the dragon is built, the men needed some practice to make sure that everything runs smoothly."
She added: "There is an air bag along the spine of the dragon. When it is filled with air, the dragon can float or sink as needed. To escape underwater undetected, all you need to do is to burst the air bag after the performance."
Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed and he went through the plans with Ji Yanran and Zhou Wei for another two hours. They thought hard at all the possibilities and made all the improvements before retiring back to bed.
The next morning, Xiang Shaolong and Jing Shan led the Wu Family Elite Warriors who are in the Cavalry Army as well as Ji Yanran, Wu Tingfang, Zhao Zhi, Xiang Bao’er and the Tian sisters back to the farms.
The Imperial Cavalry Army was left in Wu Guo’s charge.
Xiang Shaolong set off earlier and went to fetch Qin Qing with the Eighteen Guardians.
Qin Qing is waiting for him in her residence. When he arrived, she set off immediately and joined his entourage.
This ancient beauty is delicately dressed with a snow white cloak and a thin veil that blocks out the strong wind. Her overpowering charm has Jing Shan and the Guardians totally spellbound.
Riding beside her, Xiang Shaolong forgot all about Lu Buwei’s threat and laughed: "Grand Tutor Qin is especially pretty today!"
Qin Qing nonchalantly replied: "Go ahead and tease me all you like."
Xiang Shaolong loosened up: "Grand Tutor Qin has a veil on. Are you afraid that we will see your red and embarra.s.sed face?"
Qin Qing has led a chaste live and has never been teased like this. She loudly wailed: "You better behave yourself or I will not speak to you during the journey."
Xiang Shaolong had a big shock and hurriedly swallowed the rest of his words.
Qin Qing charmingly giggled: "So Xiang Shaolong is not as brave as I thought. What did the Empress want with you yesterday?"
Xiang Shaolong was astounded: "It seems like nothing escapes your detection within the palace."
Qin Qing plainly replied: "The Empress is considered to have spent little time within the palace. Her attendants are mainly made up of Lady Hua Yang’s ex attendants so if you dare to do anything deceitful, you cannot escape my knowledge. So far, you have been quite honourable."
Xiang Shaolong was amused: "Grand Tutor Qin, please forgive me for being rude but I believe it is you who is being deceitful. You have already fallen in love with me but still refused to admit it. Ha!"
Appearing unmoved, Qin Qing mused: "All men loved to brag and Grand Tutor Xiang is of no exception. On this trip, I am just accompanying Yanran, Tingfang and Zhi Zhi. Official Xiang must be mistaken to sprout such nonsense. Based on this fact, I will not hold it against you but you better watch yourself."
Xiang Shaolong sighed: "It seems like I have to resort to force instead."
Qin Qing shrieked: "You dare!"
The city gates appearing in their view, Xiang Shaolong squeezed Jifeng with his legs and he sped forward, laughing loudly: "I now understand that dating Grand Tutor Qin is so exciting. Thanks for your sharing."
Out of the city, they met up with Ji Yanran and the rest and continued riding. At night, they finally stopped at a high slope and began