Chapter 238
Book 21 Chapter 9 - Battle For Power
The sky is still lighted when the s.h.i.+ps docked at Gu City pier.
A jubilant Fang Sheng is about to lead Xiang Shaolong into the city for some entertainment when Zhang Quan summoned, "Miss Feng needs the carriage. Prepare it now."
Xiang Shaolong was stunned, "Where is the carriage?"
Zhang Quan is displeased, "Are your eyes only good for looking at b.u.t.ts? Can’t you see the carriage at the pier?"
The words have barely left Xiang Shaolong’s mouth when he knew he is in for a scolding.
The carriage may be transported in the other s.h.i.+p but it has already been driven down to the pier. Xiang Shaolong is overly anxious to escape and wasn’t watching his words.
Fang Sheng secretly nudged him and Xiang Shaolong knowingly followed Fang Sheng down the gangplank, disembarking from the s.h.i.+p.
He was in a state of confusion and out of a sudden, he was viciously pushed from behind. Before he could figure out what is happening, Xiang Shaolong lost his balance and fell forward, knocking heavily into Fang Sheng.
Both men staggered and half roll, half fell down the gangplank onto solid ground. If not for the railings at the side of the gangplank, they could have possibly fallen into the river.
Xiang Shaolong climbed back onto his feet while Fang Sheng is clutching his left with a contorted expression on his face. The pain is causing him to break into cold sweat.
Loud laughter is heard from the s.h.i.+p.
Gu Ming and the other chariot drivers were jeering and laughing at their misfortune. They were accompanied by a short but muscular strongman.
Someone called out, "Shen Liang, I initially thought you are tall and well built, but today I finally realize you are just an empty vessel, a tool without a purpose. Just a small accidental b.u.mp from our Brother Wu Xun is good enough to cause you to turn topsy turvy. And I thought you are supposed to be an expert martial arts pract.i.tioner."
Xiang Shaolong recognised the speaker to be Fu Yan, one of Gu Ming’s key confederates. Concurrently, he committed the family warrior Wu Xun’s name to memory.
Zhang Quan appeared at the stern of the s.h.i.+p. He bellowed to Gu Ming and his gang: "What is going on?"
Gu Ming casually replied: "If the two of them don’t even know how to disembark a s.h.i.+p, it is no issue of mine."
Following that, his group scampered down to the pier and fled into the distance.
Zhang Quan furiously glimpsed at the mud ridden and disheveled Xiang Shaolong before cursing, "Useless fellow!" He turned around and disappeared.
Xiang Shaolong is genuinely angry now. He silently helped Fang Sheng up. The poor Fang Sheng is groaning, "My leg! I think it is broken!"
How Xiang Shaolong wished he could give chase after Gu Ming and his gang, killing every single one of them to appease his anger. He apologized, "I have caused you misfortune!"
Fang Sheng bitterly smiled, "I guessed they want to injure you and prevent you from driving the carriage. Ai! Looks like our plans for tonight have to be cancelled!"
By now, several other troupe workers have arrived at their position, a.s.sisting Xiang Shaolong to move Fang Sheng back on the s.h.i.+p.
Upon reaching the deck, a female voice rang out, "What the h.e.l.l are you guys up to? How dare you block Miss Feng’s path?"
Xiao Shaolong saw the danger and quickly lowered his head and bowed. At the same time, he moved Fang Sheng to the side.
He stole a quick peep and saw a veiled Feng Fei standing right in front of him. Beside her is Little Ping’er who is stilled dressed up as a boy. They are escorted by four other maids and about a dozen family warriors. The courtesan is a.s.sessing Xiang Shaolong.
Little Ping’er, who has apparently failed to recognise Xiang Shaolong, was incensed. "What has happened?" she demanded.
Zhang Quan and another man appeared out of nowhere and before he could speak out, the handsome man beside him interjected, "It is just a small accident."
He continued to face Xiang Shaolong and berated, "You are the newcomer right? Useless b.u.m! Shouldn’t you be going to your carriage now? Do you expect Head Mistress (Feng Fei) to wait for you instead?"
Hearing his sarcastic scolding, implying that Zhang Quan is incompetent, Zhang Quan’s face darkened.
At this moment, Feng Fei’s angelic voice sang out from beneath the veil: "a.s.sistant Manager Sa!" Her voice carried some hints of disdain.
Having accomplished his goal, a smug Sa Li kept quiet.
Feng Fei shot a look at Xiang Shaolong and plainly ordered, "Be more careful next time. Send Fang Sheng back into the room before coming to the carriage."
Xiang Shaolong was extremely relieved that neither the Mistress nor her maid could pinpoint his real ident.i.ty.
Watching her descend down the gangplank and supported by her companions, Xiang Shaolong can only force out a miserable sigh.
He can no longer slip off just like that.
Moreover, he felt an obligation to take care of Fang Sheng until he has fully recovered.
This is one of his life guiding principles.
Unknowingly, it began snowing again.
Reflected by the strong rays of the setting sun, the small flakes seemed to dance freely in the air before reluctantly landing on the ground, finis.h.i.+ng a short but mesmerizing journey.
Time seems to have slowed down and the land purified with every layer of snow.
Xiang Shaolong directed the horses and began chauffeuring the beauty.
Four family warriors are in front paving a way for the carriage to pa.s.s through. Another eight family warriors are following the carriage.
Wei’s a.s.sistant Commanding General Ao Xiang brought a dozen of his best soldiers and they flanked the carriage on both sides, showcasing the importance of Feng Fei’s stature in the eyes of all the political leaders.
She is akin to a 21st century superstar celebrity with popular hit songs, unlike the typical courtesan who prost.i.tute herself under the guise of entertainment.
Even without the burden of Fang Sheng, Xiang Shaolong will find it challenging to flee under the heavy escort.
Escape is still conceivable but it will raise Ao Xiang’s suspicions.
Fortunately, Ao Xiang regarded Xiang Shaolong as Feng Fei’s long serving carriage driver and did not have the slightest suspicion about him.
Meanwhile, Xiang Shaolong has no idea where he is and is blindly driving in the direction of the family warriors ahead of him.
With the hoofbeats sounding in the background, the carriage entourage eventually approached a snow-clad city without much incident.
Most of the shops are open for business and judging from the signboards, most of the businesses are involved in carpentry, sewing, fabrics, and embroidery.
Xiang Shaolong may not have any deep understanding of culture and based on his keen observation skills, he can tell that compared to all the cities he has been to, Gu City has a remarkably cultural and retro aura.
In this instant, Ao Xiang rode towards the side of the carriage and lowered his head, striking a conversation with Feng Fei, "In the past, when Jing’s (annihilated state) Han Xuan Zi came to the State of Lu (annihilated state), he came across Chancellor Lu’s secret literature collection. He sighed that ‘All of Zhou’s Literature is in Lu’. Now that Miss (Feng Fei) is back